Chapter 3
It started as a low rumble. One that didn't even disturb him out of his sleep. It wasn't until Balthazar whined and curled up against his cheek that Cain stirred, blinking the sleep away. The rumble was getting louder, enough that he could hear it. Picking up the scared pup, he walks to his window, peering out at what the rumbling could be. It was a red streak in the sky, steadily getting closer if the noise could be believed.
Cain stared at the sight, perplexed for a bit, until he remembered the news story about an asteroid heading for this state. It was awfully close though. Sitting on the window edge, he pet the small pup as Elizabeth joined them, settling in to watch. He wouldn't be able to go back to sleep until it was over, the noise still growing.
Concern welled up as the asteroid flame kept getting brighter and brighter, but still seemed to be heading straight for him. Picking up his pets, not wanting to be caught unawares, he heads to the storm shelter. It wasn't often they had tornadoes or anything here, but now he was thankful for the small bunker. Sitting on the stairs, he watched the space rock anxiously, the noise getting very loud. Finally, it seemed to arch a bit, no longer looking like it would hit his house. Still, he closed the door, hiding in a sheltered corner, having to covered his ears at the sound got extremely loud, the ground shook, dust and dirt rained from the ceiling. It was over in moments, and Cain was glad to still be here.
Going back up, he opens the cellar door, taking a look. The farm looked fine, though it seemed a part of the forest was on fire. The asteroid had hit in the woods near his home. Not good. It the fire spread, it could head this way. Scrambling out, he quickly put on some clothing over his pajamas, gathering a flashlight, a hose, gloves, and a face mask. Heading out quickly, he hooks the hose to the pond at the edge of the woods, hoping to god it would be long enough. Heading towards the fire, he was careful to not trap himself, coming up to the edge. Putting his thumb over the spray head, he turns it on, high-pressured water spraying over the base of the fire. Thankfully, it has rained most of last week, so the woods were mostly wet. Not good tinder to light on fire. In a few minutes he had the fire out around the surprisingly small impact place.
The news did say it would be non lethal. Putting the hose away first, freeing up his hands, he heads to inspect the small crater. There seemed to be a jagged piece of rock in the center, a sharp point sticking out. It has odd patterns on it, making Cain wonder if the entry to earth had made them. Curiosity getting the better of him, he steps into the crater, careful of any hot rocks, closer to the object. Touching it, he gently tugged, surpised when it came loose.
Cain was more surprised to see the jagged piece to actually be a perfect cube. A small cube, but a cube nevertheless. Picking it up, it was heavy. Almost like it was made completely of steel, or iron. Cain didn't know what to make of it, putting it on the edge of the crater and climbing out. Pulling his gloves off, he wipes the sweat from his brow, then leans over to pick up the cube again.
Almost instantly it felt like electricity was running up his arms, a silent scream at his lips. His body collapsed to his knees, visions of strange symbol and metal and things he didn't understand. It was followed by a reassuring feeling, almost loving, and the largest jolt yet. Jerking back, the cube almost felt like it was welded to his hands, he fell to the side, vision fading, seeing a ghostly blue outline travel from the cube to his arms and fade away, before he couldn't stay awake anymore. Unconscious, he laid with the cube resting at his chest almost protectively, Elizabeth and Balthazar coming to curl at his back until he awoke.