บท 125: The advent

"These smartphones. They are so neat and slim I always think of magic mirrors when I see one," Ghost commented as I lifted a hand to accept the call. I shushed him and pressed the green circle.

"Hi, Grandpa?" I said. "What's up?"

I didn't hear his response because at that same moment, an awful blast of a siren turned me momentarily deaf to everything except the awful shrill noise. On reflex, I clutched at my ears, hiding them from the worst of the sound. Opposite of me, Ghost did the same.

A dozen of tormentingly long seconds later, the siren shut off. Instead, a woman's voice spoke through the invisible speakers, "Attention! This is a real emergency and not a drill. All members to gather in the main hall immediately. Repeat…"

I took my hands from my ears just for long enough to end my call and stuff the phone in a pocket before I dropped it. As soon as I did, Ghost grabbed my wrist, grinning.