27 years later….

It was a mountain lion, not the biggest one, but it will do for now, Zoree thought, as she silently cornered the animal. The afternoon sun shined brightly on his beige, soft fur, as he sunbathed on top of one of the larger rocks and was completely oblivious to her presence. Her careful steps were undetectable, while she approached him. Then, with a bow and arrow in her hands, she aimed at the animal. Tightly holding onto the weapon, and slowly breathing, with a swift move, she let go of the arrow, sending it across the clearing.

It was already too late for the animal when he sensed the danger that sped his way. As he tried to jump off the rock, with great force the metal arrow squarely hit him in the chest, making him cry out in pain. Then his lifeless body fell off the rock, and landed with a loud thud on the grassy ground.

Approaching her prey, Zoree squatted down next to it, and quickly removed the arrow. After a quick clean up, she placed it back into her quiver that was fastened on her back. Pulling out her large, sharp hunting knife, with great skills and precision, she quickly flayed the kill. Putting its bloody fur away, she swiftly cut up the pink meat into several pieces, while in a stainless steel bowl she collected as much fresh blood, as she could. Placing the cut up meat into her large brown bag, with the collected blood, she left the area, and headed into a different direction that she came from.

Soon, it was getting dark, and she wanted to be home before night came. As Zoree approached her small house, which stood in the middle of the forest, a usual calmness took ahold of her. She liked to come back here at the end of every day. This place was hers, and hers alone. The sweet memories that came with it were very important to her. Stepping inside of her simple but clean home, she swiftly locked the door behind. After placing her brown bag onto the stainless steel kitchen counter, she opened her compact fridge and put the bowl inside.

Turning her attention back to the bag, she opened it, and then one by one she took out the meat and placed them onto the counter. Grabbing a small white bag, and taking out a handful of salt, she started to rub the meat with it. When she was done, she pulled out several strings from her bag, and tightly strung the meat together. Opening her smoker, she placed them inside. Setting the temperature, she started to cold smoke her salted meat.

Walking into her bathroom, and taking her clothes off, she stepped into her modest shower, washing off all the blood and sweat of the day.

Later that night, sitting in bed alone, Zoree was reading a book that was her daughter’s favorite. It was an ancient story of a princess who lived in a faraway land called Scotland. This defiant, but brave princess with her fiery red hair, who could ride a horse and wield a weapon like a knight was something that always appealed to her daughter. The courage and beauty of this princess was Kayla’s favorite.

Kayla, she thought with great sadness. I wish you were here to hear this story again my love, she thought while tears started to swell in her green eyes. Quickly dismissing the thoughts of her daughter, she turned off her light. With the book in her hands, and with a deep sigh, she leaned back on her pillows. Closing her eyes, Zoree dreamed of the past that was sweet and torturous.

The following day, after getting dressed, she went outside to collect some fresh water from the large barrels that were placed just under the roof. During the night, it was raining and now the freshly collected water was inside of those barrels, which she bottled up and kept in her pantry down in the basement. When she was done, she headed back out into the woods to a very special place.

Stepping out of the forest, a breathtaking view greeted her. Just below the beautiful snow capped West Needle Mountains was a large, flat grassy terrain, which was marked with hundreds of white headstones in a perfect rectangular pattern. Walking amongst them, and reaching the other end, she came upon four marked headstones.

Sitting down in front of them, and taking her book out of her worn backpack, she started to read out loud in front of Kayla’s grave. While she sat there reading, the cool wind picked up and blew her dark brown long hair in front of her pale, tired face. As the wind blew, the purple perennials, which covered all four graves, were slightly bending, almost like dancing, she thought.

These flowers were her favorite. When she was just a little girl, her father used to leave them in front of her bedroom door. Every morning when she woke up and opened her door, they greeted her outside of her room with their cheerful purple colors. But now, they covered not just her daughter’s grave, but her mother Anna’s and her beloved husband Nathan’s as well. All three of them lay beneath the cold hard ground, forever sleeping.

It’s been almost three years now, she thought as she watched the flowers dancing. Kayla would have been seven by now, she thought with despair. To lose all of them was something she had never expected. The great outbreak that swept through the town of Durango took a lot of people, including all of her family as well. Well not all of them, she thought glancing at her father’s grave. Beneath his purple flowers were only dirt and some personal belongings, but no body. Her father Hector was taken by the alien ship that came two years after the one he successfully shot down.

It’s been twenty-five long years, but she remembered it like it was yesterday. Being only eight years old at the time, she still remembered the screams and chaos that ship left behind. Since then, she still had nightmares about that night when her father was taken. To lose him was a huge blow to Zoree. He adored her and the unconditional love between them was something very special. She greatly missed him. Looking over the other graves, Zoree knew, many of them were just like her father’s. They were empty and most of them already abandoned, having no living family members left to attend to them.

The ones that were taken by the aliens were never seen again. The ones that were left behind had to go on with their lives, and that is what Zoree’s mother did. She was always there for Zoree and her love and great support was priceless, while growing up in this small town.

“I miss you all so much.” Zoree quietly said as she put away the book.

Standing up, she walked away from the graveyard, and headed toward the town. In the town, many people were already busy doing their daily chores. Having about eight thousand people, this town was on a smaller size. Passing a couple of shops, the people they sat outside, all greeted her with a smile. Smiling back, she waved at them, but she kept going. She didn't want to engage into any type of conversation. Being a private person, especially after her family’s death, she barely talked with anyone. She liked to keep things for herself, and didn't want to get involved with anybody ever again, fearing that she might lose them as well. Even though, sometimes when she was alone in her home, secretly she wished to have someone to share it with. Quickly pushing this way of thinking out of her head, she knew, this was the way she had to live her life and she accepted it. Walking through the town, she approached the shop where they sold produce for everyone.

“Hello Zoree.” Mrs. Palmer joyfully said as she walked around the long counter embracing Zoree with a big hug. Letting her go, she said.

“I didn't know you were coming today, but it’s always a nice surprise when you stop by.” Then she added. “I guess you brought more meat for us?”

“Indeed, I did.” Zoree replied, while a small smile appeared on her face.

“I like to see you smile my dear.” Mrs. Palmer chimed. “You remind me of your mother. Oh Lord, she had a beautiful smile that I could never forget.”

“So what did you get for us today?” She asked eyeing the large backpack on Zoree’s back.

Taking off the backpack, Zoree placed it on the top of the counter. Reaching inside, she took out several large chunks of meat wrapped in rabbit skin.

“I have some deer and some boar, and next week I will bring in some mountain lion as well.” Zoree said putting everything on the counter.

“Sounds good to me.” Mrs. Palmer replied, picking up the meat.

“You’re a very skilled hunter my dear.” She said with a smile. “We definitely need someone like you around here.” Walking back toward her large pantry, Mrs. Palmer pulled out a couple of baskets full of apples, green and red peppers, and some freshly picked large white onions as well.

Taking the produce, Zoree thanked her, and then she headed back out to the streets. While walking down on one of the main roads, she passed a large and very old movie theater, where she and Nathan used to come when they were dating. Thinking about those times, a small, bittersweet smile appeared on her face.

Living in this town, life here was very simple. There were no rich or poor like the ancient times had, instead, everyone was equal. Whatever they could produce, such as fish from the fisherman’s or bread from the baker’s, people of this town, exchanged them on a daily basis. To live in the place like this was a blessing. Being a very skilled hunter, once a week Zoree came into town to bring her kills to exchange them to some fresh produce and bread.

On Sunday’s, the town folks held a ceremony in the one and only church, which stood in the middle of town, to thank the Lord for all and more. But Zoree never visited the church.

After losing her family, her faith in God completely diminished and if she could help it she avoided the town, especially on Sundays. However, tonight was a special night, when all the town’s people and the people from Silverton came together to celebrate the ancient Durango Ragtime and music festival. On this day, they all gathered in front of the old, but still functional historic Victorian hotel that was held as a museum now.

Leaving the baker, she went and sat down on one of the few concrete benches that occupied the large grassy area at the edge of town, to enjoy her freshly baked bread and apples. The weather was pleasant, and the crisp, fresh air was something Zoree loved about this place. She knew, in the rest of the old continental USA, especially in the lower areas, such as old Florida, or Louisiana were abandoned now.

The extremely poor air quality that engulfed all the lower lying areas around the country and possibly around the whole world, caused people to move into higher elevated areas to be able to breath fresh air. Zoree has never been anywhere else besides this place, but she heard stories from travelers and some were truly scary and astounding.

While she ate, her hand traveled to her chest, where underneath her clothes she wore a very special necklace with a strangely shaped medallion.

Looking around to make sure she was alone, she placed her hand into her shirt, and pulled out the necklace. Holding the medallion in her hand and turning it, a peculiar feeling coursed through her body. This beautiful piece of metal that her father found within the burned wreckage of the alien ship that he managed to shoot down always fascinated her.

The ship was long gone, and what remained of it was taken apart. But when she closed her eyes and thought back, she was still able to see the charred remains of the aliens that were inside. Especially the one with the strange medallion around his metal neck stood out the most. His skeleton was human like, but his neck and some part of his shoulders were metallic, like a robot, she thought with amazement at that time. It was an extraordinary, but fascinating view to behold. However, since her father’s abduction, they haven't seen another ship, and people slowly started to relax and moved on with their lives in a peaceful way.

Later that evening, when everyone gathered in front of the museum, their loud music and happy voices greatly engulfed the area. While many of the town’s people danced and laughed, Zoree stood in the back watching them with a spark of jealousy. She wished, she could be that happy and carefree right now. Her gloomy thoughts were disturbed by a young man, who stood in front of her with an extended arm. With a wide smile, he asked.

“May I have this dance?”

Immediately Zoree wanted to say no, but she chose not to. Reluctantly, she took his hand, as he led her to the middle of the dancing group, where everyone already had a great time.

Holding her hand, he deftly spun her around, while a surprised scream came out of her. Laughing, she grabbed ahold of his other hand and started to dance with him. He’s not a bad dancer, she thought while her body was twisting and turning with his.

As soon as the sky turned dark, the highlight of the night was a very special firework that everyone waited for. Suddenly, the music stopped and all eyes looked up. The magnificent and colorful fireworks quickly lightened up the dark night sky.

“I’ll be right back with some drinks.” The young man said to Zoree, and then he made his way through the crowd toward the bar area.

The beautiful fireworks lasted only a few minutes, when suddenly a bright white light shined through, and that is when an ear-splitting scream came from Zoree’s right. In an instant, many people from the crowd lifted off the ground as they were sucked into the bright white tractor beam. Zoree tried to scramble away, but the crowd started to panic, and as much as she tried to leave, in their panicky state, people were pushing her left and right. Then she was pushed down by someone and fell on her fours. Crawling forward, and dodging people left and right, she almost made it out of the crowd, when the bright light from above reached her position. Instantly her body started to elevate off the ground.

Holding onto someone’s arm, and with terrified eyes, she noticed the ground was getting further and further away from her. She tried to scream, but no sound came out of her gaping mouth. Then her head started to hurt to a degree, she felt like it was splitting in half. From the sudden pain, and within a few seconds, Zoree passed out. Her body with others was sucked into the large, dark alien spaceship that hovered over the town.