Prologue: You Should've Gone for the Head

Yoshiko sat on the couch with her dearest friend Hanamaru leaning against her. Their bodies were covered in bruises, dried blood on various parts of their school uniforms. They sat in Yoshiko's apartment living room, staring blankly at the TV together. Hanamaru breathed slowly, and quietly, shaking ever so slightly from fear.

The past few hours had been one of the most terrifying things either of the had experienced in their entire existence. Hanamaru held on close to Yoshiko's arm, laying her head against her shoulder, staring blankly at the TV that continued to play the news. A British woman was speaking as a Japanese voice dubbed over what she was saying.

"The death toll is expected to be in the billions as more and more turn up missing. Entire families are wiped out, as nations of all sizes are on the verge of collapse. This all began a few days ago when an Alien craft entered the atmosphere over New York City. A few hours ago, another set of similar craft entered the atmosphere over an African farming nation."

Yoshiko held Hanamaru closer as the broadcast continued.

"Officials are advising everyone to remain calm and to not begin riots. If you know someone who was turned to dust, to not flood the police lines as they are needed for emergencies. If you are trying to report someone who was unfortunately dusted by the decimation, please contact the free hotline that has been set up for public use. The number is 1 919 867 5309."

The TV changed to some other story relating to what had happened.

Hanamaru began making whimpering noises as she curled up more into Yoshiko's arms.

"My mom… my grandmother… they're all gone zura…" She cried to herself.

Yoshiko was trying to think of something that would help her friend out to some extent, but was coming up short all things considered. "Uh… if it makes you feel any better…" she stopped realizing there was absolutely nothing that would make her feel better anymore.

She simply stopped and held her close.

"Nevermind…"

The phone began to ring. Yoshiko suddenly shot up to see who exactly was calling. She panicked and nearly knocked Hanamaru onto the flooflas she scrambled to answer it.

Ruby.

Yoshiko answered it as quickly as she could. "Hello?" She asked.

"Yoshiko?" Mari was on the other end.

"Mari? Wait. Where's Ruby?" She asked.

"I got her with me now, I was just trying to see who else survived. We were just having lunch and then out of nowhere, a bunch of people began vanishing and-"

"Wait slow down, so Ruby's okay though right?" She asked.

"Yeah, shes fine, but I don't know who else might be okay. Have you tried reaching Chika yet?" She asked. "She's not answering her phone."

"To be honest, I was just trying to get somewhere I figured was safe. The best place I could think of was home…" Yoshiko paused.

"Help me find her." Mari told her.

Yoshiko stood up. Hanamaru watched her hang up the phone. "Gotcha." She put her phone away. "Come on Hanamaru, let's go find us our leader."

"But…" Hanamaru was trying to look for any reason to not go outside in case she gets turned to dust too.

"We'll be fine. Come on, let's grab a change of clothes and go find Chika." Yoshiko told her.

Hanamaru wiped a few tears from her face. "Okay then…" she replied standing up.

A few hours ago, everything was fine. everyone was alive, and over the course of maybe 30 seconds, everyone they knew began to turn to dust.

Disintegrated with no explanation.