Year 2026
Spring, huh. It's spring again. Should I go down for a walk…? No, that would be such a waste. Better meditate by sleeping.
Outside, the sunlit backyard was bustling with families and kids playing.
Ziro sat by the window in his dimly lit room, looking bored and detached.
Spring has begun. The world is blooming outside. Children are playing. Families are laughing in their yards. Everyone is enjoying life—except me.
Close-up on Ziro's tired face, heavy dark circles under his eyes. He stared blankly ahead.
Ziro's Inner Thoughts:
You ask why I'm not out there? Seh, everything is kinda cold and lonely for me. There's nothing to do outside. Nothing excites me anymore.
Ziro's gaze shifted to the chaotic city outside the window—cars honking, people rushing.
I live in the most densely populated country in South Asia.Dhaka, Bangladesh. People, cars, noise, smoke—it's a daily cycle of chaos. I hate this city life. Every day feels exactly the same, and pollution is increasing rapidly. They also say that by 2050 this country will sink into the ocean. Well, if it does, water pollution will increase, I guess.
A knock sounded at Ziro's door.
Knock! Knock!
"Ziro! Are you in there? Your friend is waiting outside!" called his mother, Shilpi.
Half-asleep, Ziro groaned. "Yes, Mother… I'm coming."
His face showed reluctant acceptance as he rubbed his eyes. Friends, huh?
I barely have any left. Most had drifted away after school. College life? Overrated.
Ziro slowly descended the staircase, the weight of fatigue visible in his posture. His dark circles made it look like he hadn't slept in years.
Then he saw—Jamal.
Jamal stood by the door, smiling warmly, eyes bright with energy.
"Ziro! Zombie? No, I mean—Wassup, man? How've you been?"
"Barely breathing. What about you?"
"Alive, surprisingly. Wanna go for a walk?"
Ziro shrugged. Sure,why not.
Walking through the park, dust filtered the sunlight. Ziro noticed a new building. Who were those people? Are they new here? Where's the lake…? Maybe there was a playground here before...
In a moment, he noticed Jamal's face—it looked kinda heavy. Ziro's expression serious; Jamal's lighthearted.
Ziro teased, smirking.
"This city's a prison, man. You must be chief of your village by now, huh?"
Jamal laughed, shaking his head.
"Stop it with the dead jokes. I just breathe fresh air while you breathe carbon monoxide."
Ziro's expression turned sarcastic.
"So… was that a fact or an insult?"
"It was both," Jamal said.
Ziro asked,"So,Why'd you even come back? I hardly see any old faces nowadays… everyone is so busy with their life…"
"Forgot to collect my graduation certificate. Needed it for something."
"When are you leaving then?"
"Tomorrow morning."
Ziro smirked. "Then stay the night at my house. Let's game like we used to."
Jamal smiled. "Deal."
Night. Ziro's room. Both held game controllers intensely.
Click! Click! Click!
"Can't you play better?! You're making me lose!" Ziro yelled.
"I haven't played in YEARS! What do you even expect?! You're the no-lifer here!" Jamal fired back.
"Excuses! Excuses! Huuunggghh!! Village chief .. how can you die just from a tiny hit! A child is better than you!"
"Hey, daydreamer! Play with your hands, not your mouth!"
Ziro's father, Joy, appeared in the doorway, holding a broom. Face half in shadow, eyes tired but firm.
"You two better stop yelling and SLEEP! It's 1 AM!"
Gaming sound -Defeat. Ziro and Jamal jumped slightly, embarrassed.
"Okay, okay… sorry!"
Clock ticking. [Tik… tok… tik… tok…]
The night passed. Finally, they slept soundly.
BZZZZ! Jamal's phone alarm rang. 6 AM.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes. The room was still engulfed in unnatural darkness.
It's 6 AM. A holiday. Everyone should be sleeping.
Jamal packed his bag nervously, glancing at the window. Well,Yesterday was fun… a long day, yet short.I really miss days like this, but why is the day so late today…?
Jamal's Inner Thoughts:
Something's wrong… the sun hasn't risen. Fog? Pollution? No… it's too dark.
Jamal shook Ziro awake.
"Ziro. Wake up! WAKE UP!"
Ziro groaned, half-asleep. "It's Friday. Let me sleep—"
"Sleep in your GRAVE, man! It's still dark outside. Like midnight. I can't see a single beam of light."
"What sun? I didn't even get married yet—"
[THUMP!]
"I'm talking about THE SUN, not your imaginary kid!"
"Ok, ok. I'm awake, happy now… yeah, I can die in peace now, my lord. Can you just see outside and enrich my knowledge?" Jamal muttered.
"Sure… sure… you and your way of speaking never change," Ziro said. He looked outside, then glared at Jamal. "You woke me up at midnight, MF…"
"Ohh yeah! Sorry, your majesty. It was foolish of me, how silly I am…"
"Ok, ok… let's sleep again then. Good night. Ahh, what a dream I was having…"
Jamal's anger level: 9999999.
"Why am I getting a chill down my spine all of a sudden?" Ziro whispered.
"Your majesty…! Waky waky, it's time for your grave!" Jamal shouted.
Ziro snapped awake, eyes wide. "Wait, what?! Hey, what are you doing with a bat… Hey, wait! I'm not a majesty! I'm a servant! Please spare me, Jamal!"
After some time…
"Wait, wait… it's 6:40 AM? But where's daylight?!" Ziro exclaimed.
"I think we've gone blind; that's why we don't see the light, MF," Jamal muttered.
Both ran to the window, shocked.
"Why is it… still night?" Ziro whispered.
"How could I know?"
Jamal, tense: "Let's check on your parents."
Inside the house, both searched anxiously.
They checked the kitchen. The bedrooms. The washroom. Nothing.
Ziro worried, Jamal serious.
"Where did they go??!! They were home last night. Remember? Dad yelled at us…"
"I know. But something feels really wrong," Jamal said sternly.
Sudden knocking at the door.
[Knock knock]
"Mom? Dad?" Ziro called, hopeful.
Jamal, wide-eyed, panicked inside. What's this feeling… it's not snowing outside, is it?!!!
"Don't open it!!"
"What? Why?" Ziro asked.
"I can't explain… my senses say it's not safe. Something outside… doesn't feel right. It's not them." Jamal said dead serious.
"Fine. But if they answer my calls, I'm opening it," Ziro said hesitantly.
"Deal," Jamal gulped.
"Dad? Mom? Is it you? Can you just say it's you? I'll open the door…" Ziro whispered.
Five tense minutes passed. The knocking stopped.
A silence deeper than night settled.
"Dead silent… everything… Hey Jamal, what should we do? I'm feeling dizzy all of a sudden… Jamal, don't panic… let's call someone… hmm, what the… Phone network isn't working…"
"What is happening here? Has the country under attack or something?!" Jamal muttered.
Suddenly, the TV flickered on by itself. Static filled the screen.
The screen showed strange alien text, glowing softly.
They had never seen that script before. Yet somehow… they could read it.
Close-up of the TV screen:
WELCOME, SURVIVORS
WELCOME TO PLANET BLUE STAR
[TO BE CONTINUED]