Chapter Text
[May 14th, 2001]
It was a normal day in Gravesfield Connecticut. The sky was blue after a long rainstorm outside the previous day and people were out of the house running errands and enjoying the springtime weather.
5 year old Luz was outside playing in the yard with her Azura action figures while her mother Camila was inside making lunch in the kitchen. School was out that day due to a suprise case of lice and Luz's mother decided to stay home to look after her while her dad Manny went to work.
The family had lived in the town since before Luz had been born and always thought the area seemed right to settle down in. They got the place dirt cheap due to their realtor being tipped off by someone who gave the offer at the right place at the right time. Manny wouldn't stay quiet about how it made "all the difference in the world" for a few days after the sale. The house also had low property value due to an old shack that had been run down near the property.
Whatever luck they had seemed to be paying off and life couldn't really be better for the Noceda family within the small town of gravesfield.
Camila had the tv on in the living room adjacent from the kitchen as she and Luz were going to catch the new episode of The Great Witch Azura TV animated series while they snacked on lunch. For now it was just the news channel, spitting it's random daily news reports covering whatever event was happening around the world. One story however seemed to be quite serious and interrupted the standard news report on NBC.
https://youtu.be/e-6Niw_ZTJo?si=bUY1YykjiHDlwLCc
[May 21th, 2001]
Luz, her mother, and her father, have been sitting inside for 2 days now. It seemed that whatever was going on in New Mexico was spreading around the United States, Mexico, and even Canada. The emergency order for everyone to stay inside was given out on the 19th as the sky began to darken with thick clouds and weird events that almost seemed like magic started happening accross the country.
Weird creatures began strolling accross the street and otherworldly plants started to grow all around the continent. Small crablike creatures would pop out if thin air with a loud fizzle and begin to pounce on animals or humans alike, while what looked like large 4 legged bugs started to pass by houses, using their wings to jump high in the air.
Right before the lockdown order was sent on the 19th, Luz was out playing in the back yard when she saw a little creature slowly crawl it's way toward her. Luz didn't sense any danger, opting to approach the little creature. Camila was watching from the window and instinctively came to pull Luz away while it lunged at Luz's head. Camila was incredibly curious of the creature too, as she was a vet after all but quickly made her way back inside to call animal control. Of course, no one from animal control came as the order to stay in doors from the government was issued.
In the present, things looked bleak, and both Luz's father and mother were committed to keep Luz distracted from what looked to be a worsening situation. Ever since Camila saw the haunting body of a human shambling around with one of those crabs on their heads, the curtains of the house stayed closed.
For now the family trated this time at home like a family vacation. They had plenty of food left in their emergency kit in the basement and small propane stoves to cook with when their power and gas was cut. Luz's favorite game was Pictionary and would love to help with the stories that her dad created for the little Dungeons Dungeons & More Dungeons games they played together.
Overall, the Noceda family had hope that their life would return to normal. Only time would tell if that was the fate that sat in wait for them. As long as Luz was happy and comfortable, things would be ok.
Sounds of distant gunfire was heard from the house that night. Luz stayed up to try and get a sneak peak of what was going on outside through her window due to her youthful curiosity. Her mom forbid her to open the curtains but if it was for just a peek it would be ok, right?
She peeked under the curtains and gazed out into her neighborhood. It was impossible to see much due to it being night with clouds blocking the moon, but the street lights lit up enough for her to see some crazy plant life and the odd alien creature. In the distance she could see a large blue glow in what looked to be a spot of swirling clouds. It was in that direction that she could hear the odd pops and bangs from the military fighting something in the distance.
Before looking away to head back into bed, she saw something odd that suprised her. A tall man with a breifcase appeared on the sidewalk outside, walking down the road. He looked to be wearing some sort of formal suit, like what a businessman would wear. He was out of place, walking around at night along a suburban street. Did he have family here? Walking home from work late?
"Mom and dad sometimes got home late" thought Luz, trying to rationalize in her head.
Before she could ponder any further, the man did something truly eerie. He stopped for a moment to realign his tie under the light of a street lamp and turned to look at Luz directly in the eyes. Luz ducked to hide under the window with a chill rising up her spine. How could he have noticed her? It's not like she was blatantly giving away where she was? Had he been following her?
She didn't want to peek again, but her curiosity got the better of her and she slowly raised her eyes to peek out the window. This time the man was gone, like he had never been there at all. Luz ran to her bed and covered herself in the covers, shaking with fear. After witnessing the scary man outside, Luz ended up asking if she could sleep with her parents. In the end, the whole family slept together in the same bed.
[May 23rd, 2001, 7:00am]
Luz was eagerly waiting at the door. Today was the day she could go outside and play in the front yard again.
The United States Military arrived the day before, clearing out the populations of alien creatures from the town. It wasn't a large amount of personnel but it was definitely enough against the seemingly unintelligent creatures roaming around like animals. The biggest challenge they faced was the hoards of the 6 legged giant bugs that kept digging up from under the ground.
However a perimeter around the town was established and a forward operating base was set up near the town's center.
"How about we go get some fresh air?" Said Camila taking Luz's hand.
"Mama... It's safe outside, right?"
"Of course mija, the nice men and women in uniform will keep us safe ok?"
"Ok."
"Oh, honey? See if you can find out how long the lockdown is going to be ok? We are running out of a few things in the house." Called Manny, poking his head out from the kitchen before Camila and Luz could step out.
"Don't worry, nothing that Captain Noceda and the Great Witch Luz can't handle, right?"
Luz looks up at Camila with a large smile, one that just mealted the heart of her mother.
Both gave a little wave to dad as they roamed around to complete their mission.
Camila and Luz began to head towards the main civilian camp at the center of town. They passed many damaged buildings and homes, some looking like victims of breakins or collateral damage when the Military arrived to kill all the hostile creatures. Camila made sure to keep Luz close as she already seemed to be getting distracted by the little things all around her. The two passed military personnel as they walked, giving little waves or nods in greeting while they passed. It seemed the soldiers liked seeing Luz around her mom, the notion that what they were doing was actually helping people put smiles on their faces.
Quickly, Luz and Camila arrived at the main camp. The place was busy and filled with military men and women of all ranks asking questions and answering questions/concerns from the townsfolk. A gurney rushes by with two medics carefully moving a wounded soldier into a medical tent nearby. It seemed everyone was running at full capacity, it would be a wonder if they could get what they needed to do done.
Camila kneels down infront of Luz and puts a hand on her arm.
"Luz, I'm going to need you to be a big girl for me and stay here with the other kids ok? I'll just be talking with the nice man for a few minutes."
"Ok, I promise!"
"Good, now be safe ok?"
"Ok!"
Camila then gets up and walks over to the military tents currently hosting people's questions.
Luz watches her mom leave and starts to stroll over to the hastenly built playground made for the area. A couple other kids are playing around in the sand making sand castles while others play on the monkeybars and swings.
Picking what to play on was the hardest thing to do for Luz as this was her first and possibly last time she had to play outside on her own. However something caught her eye laying in the corner of the park, an empty snake skin.
Luz's eyes widened with excitement! This was the first time she had seen this before in person and she couldn't hold herself back in trying to show the others at the park.
"Ooo! Ooo! Guys! Look what I found!" Luz says running over to the kids in the sandbox
"Ew! What is that?"
"That's gross!"
"Don't touch that dead thing!"
Luz was too excited to take in what the kids were saying and continued with passion
"It's not dead, this is the skin of a garter Snake! They shed their pajamas as they grow! It means there's a snake near us, and it just got a lot bigger!"
"Ew!!" They yell, running away.
Luz's excitement fades as she is left alone in the park.
Letting out a chuckle from behind their gas mask, one of the military soldiers walks over to Luz with a small flower in hand.
"Hehe, that was pretty funny kid. Never heard someone call it pajamas before." Said the solder.
her voice seemed kind and understanding even under the thick gasmask which made her sound like she was talking through a phone. The soldier squats down and hands Luz the flower.
"Here kid, hope this cheers you up. If there is anything we need more of right now, it's smiles."
Luz smiles and admired the flower. It was a small daisy that was picked off the grass only a few seconds ago. Of course Luz didn't know this but to soldier, it was the perfect thing to cheer her up.
"So, got any more facts about snakes?" The solder said taking a seat beside Luz on the ground.
------
Camila was able to get the answers she was looking for, but none of them were good. The commander in charge was already busy trying to answer the questions and concerns from other adults when she got there and had to painstakingly wait until she found an opening. Eventually she found one and forced her way toward the commander.
The commander was sitting in a military green lawn chair within his command tent with a look of exhaustion on his face. You could tell that he has been up fighting for a good few days now and would really like some coffee or time to sleep.
The chair was stationed right outside the tent and had been taking questions and having conversations with people while sitting down.
"Hello, sir, I was hoping you could tell me how long you think the lockdown will continue for? Me and my family are starting to run short on important goods."
"(Sigh) look, I'm sorry ma'am... but the way things seem to be going, the lockdown is gonna stay in affect for the foreseeable future. If your looking to restock on supplies I suggest you go to the stockpile of food and medical products we set up over there before it's all taken."
The man looked done. It was obviously the millionth time he had been asked that question and was beyond tired of answering it.
"How many of you are out hunting down these creatures? It couldn't just be us that's been infested with them."
"It's all of us ma'am, the whole bloody U.S Army is scattered around the country trying to get everything back in control. I haven't gotten a meaningful break for longer than I'd like to admit."
The commander then begins to sit up from his chair and quickly straightens his uniform. He gives Camila a stern look before continuing.
"That's going to be the last question I can take unfortunately. Pleasure talking to you ma'am but I have some duties to attend to."
"Wait! Will your troops be stayi-" Camila was cut off by his subordinates shutting the tent closed in her face.
"Hey! I demand more answers as a citizen under your protection!" Yells Camila doing her best job at knocking on the draped canvas infront of her.
She would have preferred more time trying to coax the man out but ended up getting stopped by two armed soldiers who escorted her away from the tent. She was mad, but had to accept it was the most information she was probably going to get. In the meantime she should try and get back to Luz who she could see sitting in the side of a sandbox with a soldier.
-----
"And then, Azura took out her- her witches staff and... Blew up the evil serpent!"
"Oh my goodness! What a heroic ending!" Said the soldier, taking in the whole story of the Great Witch Azura tv show from a 5 year old.
It was remarkable how enthusiastic this kid was, first Luz was talking about snakes but quickly changed topics to dragons, griffons, witches, writing, all the way to Azura in the span of a couple minutes. Luz didn't really care in the moment if the person beside her couldn't keep up half the time, she was just happy to talk about the things she loved to someone other than her parents.
Camila approached the two right before Luz started to act out the cool moves she saw in the show. The soldier talking to Luz, now with the gas mask off quickly introduced herself to the mother of this child she was with.
"Thank you so much for keeping Luz safe while I was gone Miss."
"Oh no need to thank me ma'am, your daughter is quite the infectious bundle of joy." She says with a smile, clearly in a better mood than she was in before.
Luz runs to her mother's leg and gives her mom a big hug which easily melts the heart of this lady in full uniform.
"I hope that this crisis ends soon and your normal lives can continue, your both such good people." The lady says putting back on her mask.
"Please stay indoors whenever there is trouble, from the things I've seen everywhere, whatever we're up against is probably far worse than anything on earth" she says under her mask.
Before Camila could press the question of what exactly she meant, Luz calls up to her with the snake skin in hand.
"Ma ma! Look! I found snake pajamas!"
Camila lets out a laugh, "oh my gosh! How neat is that! Looks like this snake needs new pajamas!"
The giggling of between the two of them stops however as the kind lady begins to frantically prep her weapon and gear before urgently walking off to the rest of her group.
"I'm so sorry ma'am but looks like something critical is happening! I wish you luck!" She yells before running off to her group.
Both Luz and Camila wave and say bye to their new friend with Luz visibly upset. Camila gives her daughter a kiss on the forehead in reassurance as they begin to walk back home.
Walking home was tedious, you could feel the tension in the air as military personnel began to speed up and move erratically to their positions as it looked like they were moving into defensive positions around and in the town. What just was happening Camila didn't know but she was determined to keep herself and Luz safe by getting back to the house and settling down again.
{May 24th, 2001}
It was quiet at first...
The Noceda household was peaceful with a game of dndnd and quality family time... until it wasn't. At around 11:00am yesterday, Luz's parents made the decision to turn off their radio around Luz to keep her from the carnage being reported in news reports. The situation within the U.S has spread around the world while a new organized hostile force began their war on humanity just as they began to walk home that day from the military camp in town. Hope was running out and both adults were ready to keep their child safe at all costs.
After it became too difficult to maintain a signal, Camila and her husband stopped trying to listen all together. The only thing transmitting over radio was static and the odd tune of distorted trumpets. What spooked Camila more than she had thought was the sounds from the radio only happened when Luz walked by. After the 5th instance in a row, Camila turned off the radio for good. Whatever was happening outside didn't need a reporter to explain anymore anyway and spending what free time they had together with Luz was more important. As the sounds of distant fighting came closer, all that was left to do was hope that this crisis would end.