In the street played the many kids of the neighborhood. They jumped rope and skipped and played jacks and rode their skooters as the sun started to set in the west, exactly on the street end. All that is, save one. A young boy, Calvin, was being hurriedly pushed into the house by his mother. She was dressed up nicely with lipstick and makeup and a fine dress. His father was in his best suit and tie, and his baby sitter was holding her weekend bag. None of Calvin's relatives would watch him for the three days the parents were gone, and all eyes pointed to Rosayln. She agreed.
"Honey, we have to go. You know how the Foxes are. Honestly, though, I don't know why Roger would want to spend three days at a cheese festival." quipped Mom as she prepared her purse.
"Okay, now son, while we're gone you must behave for Rosalyn, obey every rule, and never stray outside the lines...and while I'm at it, I might as well as ask you to change you're DNA so your body converts toxic waste into penicillin, but I have to at least say it. Oh, and Calvin, these are for you." Dad produced a paper bag. Calvin grabbed greedily and peered inside. "Fireworks?! WOW!" Calvin didn't notice as Dad got a playful hit from Mom. As they walked away, she hissed silently "What are you thinking?!" Dad then produced from his pocket several books of matches...the only ones that had been in the house. Mom laughed.
Calvin was shoed up to bed. He watched from his room as Dusk's rosy fingers touched the edges of the horizon and the kids played on. Soon they were out, catching the many darting lights that were the fireflies. In the sky, several lights darted through the sky, falling stars. Today was one of several days that a meteor shower could be seen in Chicago, a rare event. Calvin had to get out, and he had to now.
"Hobbes, tie the sheets together, we're getting out of here." Calvin grabbed his binoculars as Hobbes quickly hoisted sheets together and slung them out the window. "We can sneak into the garage and get the wagon." suggested Hobbes. "No, too noisy. We can walk."
The twosome climbed down the sheets and through the backyard and into the woods. They were laughing and pointing at the house and Rosalyn, and started toward one of the several back fields in the woods.
Halfway down the two mile path Calvin heard a snap from the woods. Calvin turned. "Who's there?" Another snap. Calvin jumped. "I said who's there?" From the shadows came a figure. Calvin screamed and backed up. "Geeze, don't soil yourself, it's just me." Calvin felt like a fool as he stared at the annoying girl before him in the dark. "Yeah yeah, shut up Susie." "Can I come too? I heard you going into the woods and I followed?" "Nooo..." "Is that Hobbes?!" Susie screamed gleefully and hugged the stuffed tiger. "OH, i'mcomingimcomingimcomingimcomingim-" "Alright, alright, just shut up."
The trio marched through the woods for the last mile until they came to a clearing. In the clearing was a large field full of wheat and several rocks. Calvin sighed and looked up. Another streak of light. "Okay, I get the first half of the time with the binoculars, and Hobbes gets the second." "What?! I think I deserve it more than your smelly old tiger!" "Bite me."
In the arguing, the two never saw the streak of light in the sky grow brighter and brighter. Calvin looked up suddenly gasped "Oh God..." The light grew and grew until it filled the valley. "Uh....run." Calvin grabbed Hobbes and ran with Susie shortly behind him.
The valley grew a light blue tin and then turned fiery red as the meteor hit the southern side. The wheat around it was instantly incinerated as it disappeared under soild and dirt. The explosion rolled over the trees on that side and the shock wave knocked Calvin to the ground. He breathed in dirt.
Susie got up and ran to the meteor. "Ouch!" she shouted as she neared the lip of the crater. Calvin was following right after her. Around the crater the rocks were hot and red, and several were afire in the crater. Calvin could feel his sneakers melting beneath him.
Susie was gaping at the rock that was the main meteor. Calvin saw it too. It was about the size of a space football, with a brittle egglike structure. It looked like it was glowing and throbbing, and worst of all, it looked like it was alive.
