Outside the hospital, the chaos escalated. People flooded the streets, staring at the crimson sky with a mixture of awe and terror. Children clung to their parents, while survivalists shouted from street corners, proclaiming the end of days.
Emergency broadcasts blared from car radios:
"This is a global emergency. Citizens are advised to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The phenomenon has been classified as a Category Alpha threat. Further instructions will follow."
Despite the warnings, people took to social media, sharing photos, videos, and theories. The internet remained unaffected, providing a lifeline for humanity to connect, to speculate, and to fear.
Ethan barely had time to process the first distant roar before the hospital trembled beneath his feet. The faint hum of the building's advanced machinery was replaced by the wailing of alarms and the chaotic noise of people shouting.
