The Day Begins

 I set down the phone as my thoughts lingered over the fact that the borrowed scale broke while I was at the archaeology excavation. The order for the new one should come tomorrow before anyone knew any different about it. However insignificant it was to break the scale, it was still something that could risk my position at Bates College. At that thought, tomorrow's class as well as exhaustion of traveling back took stronger hold on my mind. Sleep, sleep that was what I needed. However, an unexpected dream came to me that night:

 Darkness surrounded me in imposing silence. The pressure of the world felt heavy upon my shoulders as a strange knowledge lurked in my mind. One of a door that would be opening soon. My hand reached out when I woke with a loud yelp, shivering, and sweating under my sheets. Despite how terrifying it was, my memory of it was already fading. It occurred to me the hand only had three fingers, except...they weren't fingers. I couldn't think of any other way of describing them. Either way they were obviously not my hands.

 I forced my thoughts upon work and getting ready. My eyes lingered on the assortment of clothes I unpacked, especially upon the pants, that however would be inappropriate as a female professor. Quickly ready myself and set off to the college on my vespa. It was a pleasant day though cool as expected in March for Maine. The school was definitely the biggest in Lewiston, and the best for that matter. I casually went to my office nodding my head with light hello to anyone who initiated. This office was admittedly the department office, but I had my own desk. The room had different artifacts decorating the place. I set to work busily with papers and making lesson plans.

 That is when the senior professor walked in. Everyone knew him as the richest person in town, as for school workers he was an intelligent, and biggest contributor to the school. As for myself, I admire his vast knowledge of sciences. He was obviously here for business, but seemed a bit surprise to see a female in the archaeology department; it was a look I had grown accustom to. The professor began to open his mouth to speak then stop. He did this several times before I decided to spare him,

 "Did you need something, Professor Cross?"

 He seemed to bring himself together as he began, "Yes I do. There is an... old story that I needed to look up. One that I think you may know something about. Um... it's ...well a story about a constellation one that hasn't been in our sky somewhat similar to Orion's belt. It marked the coming of something..."

 I thought about it hard, after all if I could help it would not only be of service to one I have admired, but serve as proof that I was better then my male coworker in this department. It did sound familiar, then it came to me, "There is a story like that in an Arabian book in the library."

 "When can we go?" he asked obviously eager to hear the story.

 I hesitated, "Er, well I'm expecting a delivery to arrive. After it arrives, I will contact you to go to the library."

 "Alright. I don't have class till late this evening"

 He turned to leave when the phone rings. I swiftly answer it, "Hello?"

 "Professor Lee, there is a delivery for you at the front. Shall I send him in?" the female secretary asked over the phone.

 "Yes please do," I couldn't help but to smile. I was curious of the details of the story and how it would interest the professor. "Professor it seems my delivery is here. So if you don't mind awaiting a moment, we can go."

He awaited slightly fidgety. Within minute or two, a young handsome and very tall man walked in with a box in hand. "Are you Annabell Lee?"

"Yes I am," I answered swiftly as he arranged the clipboard for me to sign. I wrote swiftly when things went strangely silent. It is something easy to notice, especially during the day. There is always movement, chatter of students and employees, but now there wasn't a sound. Silence, like an impeding doom lingered over us. The doors of the office were close but through the window we could see a strange fog on the other side. Something that shouldn't be in a school, or any building for that matter.

 Fear coiled up inside me. The other two stared out unsure as well. The package deliver asked, "Is this normal?"

 "No it's not," Professor replied, "It is quite fascinating."

 I spoke up trying to remain strong, "I think we should leave. There is another door over here and it doesn't seem to have that...gas."

 Mr. Cross reluctantly moved towards the door as he stated , "I don't know if it would be of harm of us."

 "I rather not find out," I stated opening the door and glancing down both ends of the hallway. One door had mist filled behind it and the other seemed clear for the moment. We all seemed to pause studying the bizarre occurrence before us. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be anything she knew of. A swift glance at both of them, confirmed it was the same for them. I turned to what seemed to be a door free of the strange fog, "This way."

 That is when wall of mist suddenly fell into the room as the other door was open. I couldn't remember which of the two open that door as anger and terror race through me. My stomach twisted making me want to hurl as the room seem to spin for a moment. My eyes waver as my head felt light, then as sudden as these feeling came, they left. It was strange. We all left the place swiftly as they followed my lead; the gas must only be in the building. I wish it was so. My eyes couldn't believe what it saw. Bate's College sat atop a hill and all around us was the town filled in the strange fog. No sound to be heard and no movement to be seen.

 "This must be an attack. The war in Europe reached here," I stated fearfully.

 The Professor, "This isn't any gas I know of."

 "It's probably new," I added firmly.

 The young man asked, "But why would they attack here? And where is everyone?"

 "I don't know," I said faintly.

 "I'm sure it's not an attack from Europe," he stated confidently  "There are much better targets then this town, such as New York and Boston."

 We all stared. I strained my ears to hear something in the silence. A noise reached me it was faint but it was noise. I gathered myself up, "I don't know what's going on here, but I'm not going to just sit here and wait for this to go away. I'm going to look for people. Are you two going to come along ?"

 Mr. Cross stated in a tone that implying it was only proper to do so, "I'll come with."

 The other said plainly, "Well I would go back to work, but with all this going on I don't think they'll need me. So I'll tag along."

 Relief washed over me; I didn't want to wander alone through this. I introduced, "I'm Annabell Lee and you are?"

 The delivery man stated, "Nice to meet you I'm Jack Smith."

 The senior teacher, "And I'm Doctor Richard Cross."

 Jack nodded at him as I informed them, "I heard a noise over this way" Pointing at where the noise seem to be coming from. They followed without question as the mist level went from ankle deep to waist to being everywhere. Visibility was limited as we traverse down the hill and down the street. It was empty until my gaze found a person upon the sidewalk ground. I gasped as I pointed it out to the other two, "Look there!"

 With a brisk walk over, I took his hand for a pulse, which was there as a steady slow beat. With further examination, it seemed the man was sleeping, but wouldn't wake up to any motion. I decided that it be best to move him to a nearby bench, which the men did so smoothly. When finished Mr. Smith suddenly pointed and exclaim, "Look!"

 Our gaze swiftly turn to find what it is the young man saw. My eyes studied the thick fog until then I saw what he was looking at; a person walking down the road...towards us.