A Quiet Morning in 2001

This is a Test of the new LXP studio. Below is a summarized story
Chapter One: A Quiet Morning in 1996
In 1996, in the tranquil town of Vernon Township, New Jersey, young William lived with his parents in a condo nestled along a ski slope. As fall ended, the landscape was transformed with dark orange leaves falling and cold winds blowing. Snow machines hummed, laying down a light dusting of snow on the trails.
Every morning, William would rise early, eager to seize the day. He grabbed his sled and climbed to the top of the mountain, ready for his thrilling descent. With the cold wind biting his cheeks and snow swirling around him, William picked up speed, only to face a looming orange snow fence. In a panicked decision, he rolled off his sled, crashing through the fence and into the snow beyond.
After brushing off the snow, William climbed back up the slope, the roar of snow machines filling the air. As he noticed an opening in the fence leading to the closed water park, he sneaked inside. Exploring the damp, frozen park, William slid down a partially frozen waterslide, feeling the thrill of speed as dusk approached.
Heavy snow began to fall, and the distant sound of a train whistle echoed through the valley. William decided it was time to head home. The ski trail lights glowed against the falling snow, and the temperature dropped as he reached his condo. Inside, his mother had prepared a warm grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. After dinner, William went to bed, lulled by the hum of the snow machines.
The next morning, William was jolted awake by a loud rumble. Peering out his window, he was stunned to see bomber planes and C-180 aircraft filling the sky, with soldiers parachuting down. These were not American troops; North Korean forces had begun an invasion.
In a horrifying turn, one of the bombers exploded, sending debris crashing into Williams’ condo and shattering his windows. U.S. fighter jets streaked across the sky, engaging the invaders. Air raid sirens blared, and the town was engulfed in chaos. The TV broadcast an emergency message urging everyone to shelter in place as the President confirmed the invasion and a nuclear attack on New York City.
The power cut out abruptly, leaving only the sounds of distant screams and the chaos of North Korean troops rounding up citizens. Local police and SWAT teams battled desperately but were overwhelmed. North Korean soldiers set up roadblocks and took control of Vernon.
William and his family saw smoke rising from the valley and realized the gravity of their situation. The TV flickered back on, showing the destruction in New York City. The President announced that the U.S. military was fighting back and had started to regain control. As night fell, James saw black Chevy Suburban and federal agents arriving in the town, assessing the damage and providing aid.
A knock on the door revealed first responders and federal agents, who helped William and his family, dirty and shaken from the blasts. His mother was escorted to an ambulance, while James and his father watched from the doorway. They were treated and then transported to a temporary forward operating base.
As they arrived, a large military helicopter landed on the base’s helipad. Along with other families, William boarded the helicopter, observing the wreckage below. His school was in ruins, and the town was unrecognizable, littered with debris and covered in bloodstained sheets.
The helicopter ascended to 15,000 feet, heading toward Washington, D.C. At the base, James and his family found a place to rest and recover. Reflecting on the peaceful morning he had once enjoyed, William felt a sudden surge of power within him. He realized he possessed extraordinary strength, like something from a comic book.
William lifted a vehicle effortlessly, defying gravity. He understood he had gained incredible abilities but knew he had to keep them secret. He sensed that something even worse was coming and resolved to prepare for the challenges ahead.
To be continued...
#ai #apocalypse #nj #story #scifi