Another plot bunny... *Sighs* I'm trying a new writing style that I saw in a book, "The Book Thief" Tell me how you like it...


An explosion in Jasper, Nevada. Giant alien robots. That announcement had made William Thompson stumble backwards, away from the TV. How was it possible?

That had been three days ago, and there were attacks everyday. Some to the north, toward the Washington state. Sometimes to the west, towards Washington D.C. Always towards Denver, Colorado. When he woke up that morning, it seemed like a normal day. But around 12:00...

"William. We want you to go down into the basement." His father, John said.

"Why?"

"Just do it." His mother, Sarah said. "And don't come up until we call you."

William looked between them. "But..."

"Don't argue." John said. There was a look of desperation on his face, a look William had never seen before. That made William turn and head down the stairs to the basement.

*A quick look at the basement*
There was a TV, a Playstation,
A few chairs, a pool table, a
few more regular tables, and
a pink beanbag chair.

William went over to the TV and sat down in one of the chairs. He sat there quietly for a moment, listening to his parents moving around upstairs. He reached for a Playstation controller, but stopped. He wasn't in the mod to play.
He stood and sat down in the beanbag chair, which had belonged to his sister.

*Quick Note*
His sister, Tracey
died two years ago
in a car crash. His
mother survived
with a broken leg.

William stared at the floor for a while, uncertain what to do. Finally, he decided to rest his eyes...

-00000-

He had fallen asleep. He sat there for a while, before realizing how quiet it was. And the layer of dust on the floor. He stood and walked over to the stairs, dust floating up with each step. he made it and looked up. He could see the sky.

He ran up the stairs, clouds of dust flying up as he burst out and stumbled. He looked around. His home, his city. Destroyed. He went through the rubble that had once been his home.

He found two charred skeletons. John and Sarah. William knelt between them, bowing his head. He didn't cry, though. Not since Tracey had died...

-00000-

He felt the ground shaking before he heard it. Footsteps. Giant, heavy footsteps. William didn't look up until they stopped. He saw one of the alien robots, standing to the side.

*The Robot's Appearance*
It was silver with purple
on its shoulders, legs,
and arms. The lights
where it's eyes would
be were purple. It had
two things sticking
out it's back.

The robot took a step toward William. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" It asked with a feminine voice.

"I'm fine." William said hoarsely.

The robot moved forward and knelt beside him. "Were these your creators?"

"What are creators?"

"I'm sorry, parents."

William nodded. "Yes, they were..."

"I'm sorry... What is your design- name?"

"William."

"I'm Crystalstar." She was quiet for a moment. "Come with me, William."

"Why?"

"My friends and I can keep you safe. And we could use your help."

"With what?"

Crystalstar lowers a hand, gesturing for William to climb on. He did.

"You will find out when we get to where we are going. It is not safe to talk here." She slowly stands before turning and walking away. When William requested it, she turned and they both looked back at the devastated city. Then she walked on, William in her hands.