(February 28, 2025)

A star shot across the night sky. At least, Mike thought it was a star. Were stars supposed to be that eerie shade of red? Because that definitely looked red.

He blinked a few times and gave his head a shake. Obviously he was exhausted if he was seeing things. It was probably a satellite. Maybe a burning satellite. Not great, but also not his problem.

He continued his hike onto the hill. Another few minutes and he’d find a place to stop and set up his telescope.

Then the earth began to rumble. It started a faint tremor beneath his feet, but with every passing second it got worse. A loud crack cut through the silent night as the earth tore open, the ground beneath Mike’s feet disappearing.

(March 28, 2025)

He tried to catch himself on the widening ground, but everything was moving too quickly, too shakily, and his fingers couldn’t catch hold of anything to hold him steady.

A scream lodged in his throat as he slid down the rough incline towards the darkness below.

What was happening? Where was he heading?

There was nothing in his way to slow his descent, and he squeezed his eyes shut against the inevitable impact.

But gradually, the incline levelled out. He slowed, slowed, stopped.

No sound hit him, and no light danced beyond his eyelids. For all he knew, he was kilometres under the earth with no way up.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

(May 29, 2025)

His heart jumped into his throat at the sight that greeted him. What should have been nothing but darkness was a wealth of shimmering brightness. Glittering rock reflecting off every rocky surface, the source seeming to come from the ceiling.

Mike looked behind him at the slope he’d slid down. There was in way he was getting back up that way. With hesitant steps, he made his way forward.

What had appeared to be random rock formations should took as he got closer. Furniture. Chairs, tables, all of them build slightly smaller than he was used to. Not quite made for a child’s stature, but definitely for someone shorter than the average human.

What was he saying? Was he so willing to believe there were… inhabitants down here?

“Hey, watch where you’re going.”