Episode 1.1 - Abduction

This is my story. Of the journey into the vast universe and through endless twists of time. A future illuminated by sparkling stars of hope; yet clouded by wars born of infinite hatred. Intertwined intrigues, deep love, and loyal friendship accompany me on my path.

Let me tell you from the beginning when I was just about to turn 16.

Let's start with my abduction to the stars.

⭑*•̩̩͙⊱••••✩••••̩̩͙⊰•*⭑

I am Janine, a completely ordinary girl who is currently in the tenth grade. My hair is shoulder-length and has an intense black color, silky with a slight blue shimmer. The color of my eyes, on the other hand, is an unusually light gray. Many girls envy me for my figure, for which I don't do much. With a height of 5''9 foot, I have the perfect measurement of a runway model. That's the goal I'm aiming for.

There are several things I enjoy doing. These are normal hobbies and dreams that many people my age have. Among them, especially going out with my friends, shopping, singing - if someone suggests karaoke, I'm immediately in! - dancing, acting - although I've only been in front of the camera for other students' projects so far - and modeling. I've been fortunate enough to participate in a few smaller fashion shows. At one of them, I met my current - or rather future - agent. Even without a contract, she arranged some photo shoots for me, although this was not entirely selfless.

She believes I have talent. My parents, on the other hand, are worried and would prefer it if I pursued something else. Then there's my agent's mistrust. Nevertheless, I convinced her to agree to a contract with her. I'll sign this contract after my 16th birthday.

And when will that be?

In front of me on the table is a huge cake with 16 candles burning. "Happy 16th," is written on it in icing. Sitting at the table are the girls from my clique and my parents.

Like me my mother has black hair, which she wears very long and is her pride and joy. Her eyes are a slightly darker gray than mine. I clearly inherited my looks from her. She may be over 50, but she still looks great.

Apparently, I didn't inherit anything from my father. He has brown hair and brown eyes, is very corpulent, and somehow, I just don't see any resemblance to me, no matter how often I look for it.

Everyone is curious to see if I'll manage to blow out the candles. But I must wait another two minutes. My father switches our system from phone to radio. I'm eagerly waiting to see what's coming.

What is he up to?, is my question. And the answer comes immediately.

"Now we have a birthday greeting from Herbert for his daughter Janine on her 16th birthday," says the moderator. "And of course, our entire team wishes you a happy birthday with the following song."

With the end of the announcement, my favorite song starts playing. I look joyfully at my father. This is truly a nice birthday greeting. The best I've ever received in my life.

I lower my head to the candles, take a deep breath, and blow them all out at once. Then I close my eyes. I fervently wish that the start of my modeling career will be a success. That I'll get many assignments outside of town and finally experience more than in this dull little town.

Suddenly, the radio becomes quiet.

"Um." A clearing of the throat is heard, then tapping against the microphone. "Can they really hear this?" It's the voice of a woman with a sweet tone.

"You can start, it'll be fine!" comes the voice of a man, impatience evident.

"So, this is supposed to be a warning. I don't want any resistance like with Kjarto back then."

"Kaia!" comes from another man, sounding slightly angry. "Either you say your lines now or you'll be banned from your games."

"Alright, but I don't want another failure," she sulks. Only after a short clearing of the throat does the woman continue. "Dear inhabitants of this planet. I am Kaia and I announce to you that our army will be kidnapping some of your children in the next three days. And now back to our program."

Pause.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" asks the second man.

"Do they really need to know that the end of their existence has begun?" she grumpily asks.

"Alright, now the program can continue," the first man says curtly. After that, the music starts playing again.

Everyone looks at each other in surprise. Nobody has the slightest idea what this announcement was about. I look at my mother, in whose eyes fear and despair are reflected. How quickly the mood can change, and all on my birthday!

I barely have time to distribute the pieces of cake to everyone before my mother asks to end the celebration. Shortly after the guests leave, Mum rushes to the phone. Crying, she calls my uncle.

Just a few days ago, everything was so nicely planned. I look sadly at my cake.

The next few days don't get any better. This announcement was broadcast all over the country. Not only on the radio but also on television. Only one of the people is recognizable in it. That young woman.

She looks strange. The iris of her eyes shines fiery red and dangerous. Her short hair also has this intense red color. Her figure looks very delicate on TV. I estimate her to be barely older than 20.

The authorities have denied this announcement. Crackpots, they say. Young people who have nothing better to do than to scare others.

Is that really true?

Her first prediction has come true. Again and again, you hear in the news about the mysterious disappearance of various children and teenagers aged six to twenty. For this reason, my parents have forbidden me from going outside. They think it's too dangerous.

It's weird. They're so afraid for me. They're so afraid of a threat that's supposedly coming from crackpots. After all, it was denied from all sides, only the media are supposed to sensationalize and exploit it. Even my parents say it's just a prank by some young people who have too much money and time. But their behavior, their visible fear, speaks against it, just like the disappearance of the children and teenagers.

Who would even plan something like this and why? Some secret organization pursuing sinister plans with the kids? Or maybe little purple men from Venus, as was also speculated on TV.

But there's no such thing. Or is there?

Now I'm in our kitchen. My mother is sitting across from me, staring at the phone incessantly. She's probably expecting a call from my uncle. He works for a company that closely collaborates with the military. I have the impression that something fishy is going on. What's with all the excitement, the bans? Even my father, who really doesn't believe in anything supernatural and life on other planets, is scared. What's going on here?

The phone rings. My mother's face lights up as she answers it.

"Anton?" she asks the caller. A pause. "What's going on? Why didn't you tell us what's going to happen? Is all this because of that damned day?" She turns to me. "Janine, my dear, please go to the living room."

Oh damn! I finally want to know what's going on here! What does all this have to do with that radio announcement? Why won't anyone tell me anything when everyone is acting so strangely? I want to know why my parents are so worried. What's with this silence?

Reluctantly, I follow my mother's instructions and retreat to the living room. I throw myself on the couch, take the remote control in my hand, then take a brief look at my mother. She's desperate and crying. I don't know how to cheer her up, don't know why she's so sad. What's wrong? Tell me something already!

I turn on the TV and start flipping through the channels. Reports about this event are playing everywhere. The whole country is in turmoil. Some don't believe in it, others suspect a conspiracy, still others long for salvation from the highly intelligent beings, and still others don't know what to make of it.

And me?

I belong to a group that wants to know if it should be afraid or if it's really just a joke by some crackpots. My parents and my uncle know, but they just won't tell me.

My mother's conversation with my uncle seems very heated. She's shouting at him, telling him to do something. When my mother sees that I'm watching her, she falls silent briefly. Then her voice gets quieter. So quiet that I can't understand anything anymore.

What day are they talking about? It was just a fragment of conversation among many that reached me. Of course, I understand that one as little as the rest. Probably they mean my birthday. Are these people really so dangerous? There are only three of them. At least those were the only voices that could be heard.

All I can do is wait and continue listening to the reports, hoping that someone will finally spill the beans.

⭑*•̩̩͙⊱••••✩••••̩̩͙⊰•*⭑

⭑*•̩̩͙⊱••••✩••••̩̩͙⊰•*⭑