'What is it, mom?' I asked, shielding my eyes from the sun as I peered up to see what was causing all the commotion.

'I don't know honey, why don't you head back inside?'

But I stood rooted to the spot, completely intrigued. There, in the middle of the sky, was a large pixelated black dot. People all of ages were out in the street; with their doors left wide open, TV's still blaring.

'I think it's a UFO, mom! What if there's aliens coming down to meet us? What shall we do? Shall we make them food?'

'Calm down, dear. There's definitely no aliens, perhaps it's just a trick of the light.'

But Josh was certain it wasn't a trick of the light. His mind was racing with ideas. Oh the excitement! What could it possibly be?

Just then, everyone swivelled around as they heard the sound of ear-splitting rotors from behind them. An Apache Attack Helicopter was approaching rapidly from the south, and its sudden appearance caused an instant panic. The street emptied almost within a minute. Doors slammed shut and curtains were drawn.

'Josh, get inside, now.'

'But why, mom? I want to see the helicopter!'

His mother grabbed his wrist and yanked him inside, slamming the door shut behind her. She looked very unsettled, and was scaring her child.

'Something's not right,' she muttered to herself.

Just then, there was banging at the front door. Heavy banging.

'SPECIAL FORCES!' A deep voice yelled. 'Mam, we know you're in there. If you haven't opened the door within ten seconds, we have permission to break it down.'

Although she was scared, and in shock, her most basic primal instincts kicked in almost immediately. She picked up her son and ran up the stairs, along the corridor, and opened the airing cupboard. There, she lifted him up and told him to hide himself in the blind spot behind the top of the water heater.

'Joshua,' she said, looking straight at him with wide fearful eyes, 'I want you to listen to me very carefully. You stay up here, you don't make a noise, and you don't move until I come and get you. Understood?'

Just then, the front door was smashed open. She jumped and let out a whimper.

'But mom!-'

'Shhh, stay quiet my baby.'

And with that, she shut the door. He heard footsteps as she ran up the next flight of stairs. Why is mommy running away from me? He thought.

Heavy footsteps followed her almost immediately. They sounded like men, men wearing rubber boots that squealed loudly on their polished wooden floor.

Josh heard a scream, and he started to sob. Then he remembered his mothers last words to him. 'Stay quiet my baby.'

Ok mommy he thought to himself, as he covered his hand with his mouth.

Three hours later

Josh slowly opened the airing cupboard door. His mother had told him not to move until she came to get him, but he was scared, lonely, and he needed to pee.

Hesitantly, he made his way downstairs. His mother was sat in the living room, staring at the TV, which was turned off at the wall.

'Mommy?'

'Oh, hello dear.' She said as she turned to look at him.

But something wasn't right. Normally she'd rush over to him and swing him around in her arms, normally she'd smother him with kisses and tell him she loved him. Tell him that he was her special little man. He enjoyed these moments very much, because her hair smelled of strawberries and strawberries were his favourite.

'Mommy, are you okay? What happened to that black dot in the sky?'

She stared at him; her face void of all emotion, her eyes lifeless and blank.

'What black spot in the sky, darling?'