1 Chapter 1: Shattered Dawn

Eva sat in her Biology class, her fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on the desk as she struggled to focus on the lesson. But try as she might, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her like a dark cloud. A sense of impending doom hung heavy in the air, making it difficult to draw a steady breath.

Ignoring the curious glances from her classmates, Eva shifted restlessly in her seat, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't explain the gnawing sense of dread that gripped her, but she knew she had to get out of there, fast.

Without a second thought, Eva sprang to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the linoleum floor as she bolted for the door. Confusion rippled through the classroom as her classmates turned to watch her go, but Eva paid them no mind as she raced down the hallway, her pulse racing with each frantic step.

Reaching the nearest fire alarm, Eva hesitated for only a moment before yanking it with all her strength. The piercing shriek of the alarm echoed through the halls, sending a ripple of panic through the building as students and teachers alike scrambled for the exits.

Outside, chaos reigned. Eva pushed through the throngs of panicked students, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought to keep her footing amidst the stampede. But even as she struggled to make her way to safety, her mind was consumed with worry for her twin brothers, Alex and Ben, who were still at the middle school across town.

As soon as the principal announced that students were dismissed for the day due to the alarm, Eva wasted no time in rushing to the middle school to collect her brothers. With each passing minute, her fear grew, a gnawing pit of dread in the pit of her stomach.

As she hurried through the deserted streets, Eva fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking as she dialed her mom's number. The phone rang once, twice, before her mom finally picked up, her voice tight with concern.

"Eva, what's wrong?" her mom asked, her tone urgent.

Tears welled in Eva's eyes as she struggled to find the words to explain. "Mom, something's not right. I don't know what's going on, but I'm scared. Please, you have to come home."

Her mom's reassurances did little to calm Eva's nerves as she finally reached the middle school and found her brothers waiting anxiously outside. With trembling hands, she ushered them into the car, her mind racing with a million terrifying possibilities.

But as they pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home, Eva's worst fears were realized as the sky darkened overhead and the wail of a tornado warning filled the air.

Panic clawed at Eva's chest as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white with fear. The wind whipped around them, howling like a creature possessed as Eva navigated the deserted streets, her heart hammering in her chest with each passing moment.

As they finally reached home, Eva's hands shook as she ushered her brothers inside, her mind racing with a thousand terrifying thoughts. The sound of the wind grew louder, the windows rattling in their frames as the full force of the storm bore down upon them.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Eva knew that they were in for the fight of their lives. But even as fear threatened to consume her, she knew that she would do whatever it took to keep her family safe.

And so, with her brothers huddled close, Eva braced herself for the terror that awaited them as the storm descended upon their home with a fury unlike anything they had ever seen.