The Protogen Generation

LUCAS’S P.O.V.

As I stood on Winter's porch, I spotted Oscar's old white truck off in the distance as it slowly found its way out of the woods and onto the gravel path towards Winter's house. The bed was laden with equipment harvested from the crash site, along with Garrett who was precariously sitting on the truck's tailgate, holding on for dear life.

They were returning a bit sooner than expected, though the reason why was clear. Dark storm clouds loomed closely in the sky. Winter had told everyone previously that in this region, it rained heavily around this time of year. I believe it was “April” but I can't entirely remember, these people used a weird calendar system.

Michael was eager to get his hands on his own equipment, considering he was a meteorologist. And given his fears of water, yes really, many found it ironic.

A small plume of dust began getting kicked up as the truck drew closer to the house. I figured Garrett was likely regretting his life choices as he got covered in dust, and probably was getting pelted by small rocks as well.

The truck came to a stop near the back of the house, finally giving Garrett a chance to jump off. As he did so, spitting out dust and all, Avera and Oscar stepped out of the truck's cab as well.

I leaned over the porch railing, “did you happen to find my bag?” I asked. “Yes,” replied Avera, “but it was ripped open during the landing.”

I frowned as Garrett lifted up my bag for me to grab. A fairly sized hole was ripped into the top of the bag, but weight wise it seemed that nothing had fallen out of it.

As I unzipped the top of the bag, everything seemed fine. It was only until I pulled my computer out of the bag that I found a giant piece of metal sticking out of it. I dropped the bag in disappointment as I surveyed the damage to the computer.

Vita, Michael, and Winter came out of the door next to me to check on all the commotion. “Good to see you all made it back.” Vita said with a small wave towards those who were unloading the truck.

“Did you also find my stuff?” Asked Michael as he waved his crutch at the truck bed.

Garrett picked up another bag out of the truck, “Yeah yeah, you've probably got more snacks in it, you fatso”

He tossed it up for Vita to catch, “The fact you aren't obese is BEYOND ME. I can't even explain the physics of it, and I'm a biologist for goodness sake!” He continued.

“That's because I work out, you ass!” Michael shot back at Garrett, “WE ALL WORK OUT YOU IDIOT!” was Garrett's quick reply.

Before they could squabble any further, Avera intervened. “Will you both stop it? This isn't the example we should be setting for ourselves.”

Michael and Garrett both looked at her with as innocent eyes as they could get, and simultaneously replied with “Yes commander.”

As everyone continued to unload the equipment, the outside temperature quickly began dropping, and storm clouds made themselves rather apparent.

A low, drawn out boom of thunder echoed throughout the air, stopping everyone in what they were doing.

“Thunder…” Oscar sighed to himself, “Nothing to be afraid of.” He said, gesturing towards the clouds.

“Does it get any worse than that?” Asked Vita, who was staring at the storm clouds with worry.

Winter took a look at the clouds as well, “The forecast said it'd be over us… it will be getting much louder.”

I groaned at the news, “Loud noises are the worst.” I grumbled, “At least when aren't expecting it.”

Winter laughed, “Makes sense, you guys have ears the size of my head!” She said as she stepped back onto the porch.