Ahh, good to meet you, I have heard a lot about your work. Anyhow, let’s get down to brass tacks. What have you heard so far? You know of the boy who saved this world nigh 50 years ago, but I’ll tell you how it really happened, because I am sure everything you have heard of is a mere speculation. The books that have been written, the politicians and the media organizations---they play the story out as if it were black and white---hero vs villain. Let me tell you, their ignorance to the truth astounds me into a hole! Every time I catch some stupid spiel from the so-called authorities I turn my ears away in disgust. 

It was about 40 years ago and began with the boy who became a legend closing his eyes to sleep, as normal. The only abnormal thing was the dream that subsequently followed.

This was not the type of dream where you are aware of what is happening, but one you can barely remember. The boy is just one block away from his house. A youthful gentleman, nearing the end of his time living with his parents. He walks... He walks more... Not a thought on the boy's mind. He sees a particular house that for no particular reason always comes to his attention. This house has perfectly trimmed hedges lining the narrow walkway that leads up to the vibrant red front door. The door is not particularly special. It has a small decorative window in the center near the top, just so high that if the boy stood on the top of his toes he might be able to see through.

One thought pops into the boy's mind as he walks.

I always notice this house for some reason. I wonder if it’s because it’s simply a red door and it reminds me I’m close by to my own house?

The boy knows nothing of the red doored house, it is a normal house. He doesn't know the owner of the house. He has never even seen a car in the driveway. There are many properties like this one in the town, possibly the only defining feature of this one being the red door. 

The boy walks. He keeps walking. His family lives in a beautiful suburban town, nearly 200 years old, with grandiose trees so large they form a canopy of branches and leaves over the road in the combined foliage from both ends. The houses have an aged feel to them, the roads cracked, and the sidewalks are jutting out at the seams from the tree's roots. This is home. It always will be.

The boy walks. The boy keeps walking. The boy keeps walking because the dream inadvertently compels him. Sure enough he's a few houses down and he can see his own. He pays it no mind however, it's the weekday and the boy knows no one is home. He crosses the street to his neighbors house and walks up the driveway, stepping onto the slabs leading to the front door and continues. He knocks once at the door. Then, three times at a fair pace, he knocks again.

Slightly muffled, a response comes from an obviously aged female who calls out from the other side, “It’s open!” The boy twists the doorknob and gives it an extra push to break the humidity in the paint sealing it. The boy steps in, assimilating to the ‘homey’ smell of distant candles mingling with faint notes of dust. The kind of smell that just can’t be gotten rid of when you have pets. Stepping just off the floor mat at the step of the door he takes off his shoes and pushes them out of the way. The scent of the familiar home seems to calm him, of course not that he knew he was anxious. 

"Your mother called and told me to have you take a shower and get dressed to leave. And no, I don't know where she's taking you." 

"Got it. What are you watching?"

The boy steps up to the TV, not particularly eager to know what she's watching, just making casual conversation. 

"Oh, just the evening news, dear."

He passes through the living room culturally decorated with bits and bobs of decor and obviously worn furniture, of which most everything is lined with, or made entirely out of wood, embedded with hand carved designs. The entire place has a homey atmosphere to it, “lived in”, you could describe it. He sees a non burning candle, the end of the wick blackened, seated on a vanity dresser. Paying it no mind, he heads through the small hallway connected to the living room to the rest of the house, then steps into the bathroom. He takes off his t-shirt. He's lean but not particularly muscular, having never played many sports.

He goes to undo his belt, but stops when he hears a blood curdling scream that nearly takes him to his knees. He catches his balance and breathes through the pain, registering the possibilities of what is happening, he yells out to his neighbor and begins running out into the living room.

"What happened?!"

When he gets into the living room, all is quiet, except the white noise of the television set in front of the coach. 

“What’s wrong dear?”

“I thought I heard a scream…” The boy says in near disbelief. I thought for sure she just screamed, what happened? The boy begins to redirect his attention for his beloved neighbor to the television set once more, tears forming as he stares. But, she was just watching the news, why is it static? 

Suddenly, as if the boy is seeing visions, a well dressed newscaster with disheveled emotions is seen reporting some sort of otherworldly wasteland. If the boy hadn’t known any better he would think it was some dressed up video game commercial emanating the news. It’s not until he hears the words coming out of the newscaster's mouth with a stricken expression and sweat laden forehead, does he realize what’s really happening. 

“An unidentified… tragedy, no--- tragedies have been reported in the following areas of North America. It---it’s unknown at this time exactly what is going on currently, I mean… Just take a look at the videos for gods sakes.” The caster says with shuddering breaths.

The boy notices the video replaying over and over again overlayed next to the newscaster on the screen. The boy, as if only focusing on the clip in front of him, hears only his own thoughts as the newscaster's voice blurs into nothingness. From the view of a helicopter, the boy sees a barren landscape, of what was once one of the largest populated cities in the world is now ashen with a fire that looks like it is vibrating, and billowing smoke in the air visible for miles. There is dust and ash quite literally coating the air, a faint outline of what remains of the city skyline is peeking through the wisps of smoke. Miles away the city is seemingly intact as if someone took a cut out of it. The video cuts out in static.. Then it replays again. Static. Replay. Again and again.