The fire roared around him, its flames licking at his scarred arm. The heat was suffocating, the crackle deafening. The smell of burning wood and flesh choked him, carving itself into his memory. Noah screamed, his lungs burning, but his cries were swallowed by the fire, devoured like a treat.
Then came a deafening crash. The flames parted, and the sky opened with a cascade of light and sound that drowned out the darkness.
His arm burned, pain ripping through him as something massive slammed into his body, tearing his torso apart. Blood and ash coated his skin. He looked down, his breath catching in his throat. His legs were yards away, his right arm lying motionless near the kitchen floor. A faint beeping began to echo in his ears.
The sound grew louder. Louder. The flames froze, like a paused video, and the world dissolved into shadows.
Noah jolted awake, his heart pounding as the beeping persisted. The dry, earthy scent of the Australian outback filled the room, carried on the faint breeze that stirred the curtains. For a moment, he lay still, his mind clinging to the nightmare. Then he shot upright, his hands flying to his chest, his arms, his legs.
“Holy shit,” he panted, tears stinging his eyes. His body was intact, unscarred save for the burn from long ago, but the phantom pain lingered, vivid and raw. Usually, the nightmares weren’t this bad—but that had felt all too real.
Calming his frayed nerves, Noah swung his legs out of bed and headed for the shower, the warm water washing away the lingering unease. His house, a modest single-story dwelling weathered by years of harsh outback conditions, creaked softly as he moved through it. The peeling paint and worn furniture spoke of a town once thriving, now faded and forgotten by the world beyond.
After dressing in practical work clothes—a worn-out pair of jeans and a faded flannel shirt—Noah quickly poured himself some orange juice and ate a slice of raisin toast, readying himself for the day ahead.
Jumping into his car, Noah began driving through the quiet roads, noting the worsening signs of decay. The road hadn't seen a hint of new asphalt in years if ever, and he noticed the boarded-up shops, some buildings either broken into or falling apart. One building had completely collapsed overnight it seemed. Faded advertisements, peeling off walls, littered the ground, their remains stuck on the bricks by old, dried glue.
There was a general air of high neglect that seemed to permeate every corner of the town that noah lived in. The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement and rusted street lamps. Their glow almost flickered to their end as they turned off for the night.
Noah turned on the radio, tuning into the only station that could be heard out here in such a remote town. "Good morning, Coolabah Springs! It's 7:00 AM on this beautiful Tuesday morning, and you're tuned in to Outback FM, your local source for news, weather, and all things Coolabah. I'm your host, Jack Thompson, bringing you the latest updates to start your day. Let's dive right into the news." The radio announcer's voice was a cheerful one, bright and energetic.
The soft background music faded in and then out as Noah listened to the weather report. "First up, the weather. Today, we can expect clear skies and plenty of sunshine as usual, unlike our friends in good old Qld who are enjoying the rain they're getting lately. But back to us now, expect a high of 32 degrees Celsius. It looks like we're in for a typical warm and dry day here in the outback. Remember, folks, stay hydrated and slap on some sunscreen if you're heading outdoors."
Turning off the radio as some rock song came on, Noah arrived at the garage, pulling into one of the worker parking spots. He sighed at the sight of several cars already lined up for repair. Getting out of his car, Noah looked at them; he recognized a few of the cars and a few he didn’t. He guessed they were here for the meteor shower tonight. But among the cars was one car he dreaded the most. "Karen," he whispered, a hint of fear echoing inside his soul. She was a regular customer whose car seemed to attract trouble like a magnet, from sounds that ‘disappear’ when she came by to bumps caused by potholes on this road or that.
Noah turned his attention to the shop, its weathered frame and flickering neon sign standing as a beacon amidst the town’s decline. The shop itself was a sturdy but weathered building with a flickering neon sign that had seen better days. It proclaimed the name of the shop, "Anderson's Auto Repair," standing as a beacon of reliability amidst the town's decline.
Entering the building, Noah saw his boss and the receptionist already busy with paperwork and discussions in their cells about delayed deliveries. The ongoing frustration over suppliers' delays was palpable. Grabbing one of the sheets, Noah saw this time they had gone to the wrong store. But Noah focused on the task at hand—clocking in, he placed his lunch box away in the fridge. His job was the steady rhythm of diagnostics and repairs that formed the backbone of his existence.
As Noah grabbed his tools and walked back to pick up a pile of folders in his to-do bin, he noticed his boss flagged him down urgently. Walking over to his boss, Matt Anderson, who quickly put his hand over the phone as he turned to Noah, said, "Noah, sorry, but we've got a massive backlog building up. Most of them are people here for that meteor shower tonight. Can you start with the diagnostics on the cars already here? And you probably already know that Karen's car needs your attention yet again."
Noah nodded, "All good, I'll get started." He headed toward the closest car, a Ford Ranger, which was one of the newer cars on the market. Opening the yellow file, he saw the key inside and checked what it was in for a service.
Opening up the hood, Noah plugged in his diagnostic tool and waited for it to do its thing. After a few minutes, it came back clean, and he marked the file fine for the next job.
As he worked methodically through the lineup of cars, he finally approached Karen's vehicle, mentally preparing for the challenge it would present. He approached it with a mix of resignation as he flipped through to the newest page in the long, long line of papers already listed for her car. Looking down to the issue part, it was written: engine sounds. Sighing again, he unlocked and popped open the hood and began his diagnostic routine.
Finding nothing diagnostically wrong with the engine, Noah marked the paper and then closed the hood, locking the doors as he entered back into the shop's interior. The shop was cluttered with spare parts, tools, and the smell of grease, offering a familiar comfort amidst the uncertainty of the town outside.
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Throughout the day, Noah worked methodically, the rhythmic clinks of tools providing a reassuring backdrop. Despite the setbacks and Karen's demanding inquiries, he found solace in the structured chaos of the garage. Each car presented its puzzle to solve, its own set of challenges to overcome—a stark contrast to the unpredictability of life outside the shop's walls.
Then the sound of a radio echoed to life as Noah stopped and listened for a moment, taking a well-needed rest as he cracked open a soft drink. "Welcome back, hope you enjoyed that old golden classic What A Hit It Was ‘EHHHHHHH ARRR.” There was a slightly pause before the radio continued “Now to local news: the Coolabah Springs community is gearing up for the annual Outback Fair next weekend. The fair will feature stalls with homemade crafts, fresh produce, and, of course, our famous bush tucker hot pot meals. There will also be live music, games for the kids, and a sheep-shearing contest, so anyone wanting to partake in that contest please phone me at the end of this update. It's always a great day out for the family, so make sure to come along and support our local community."
The sound of paper shuffling was heard over the radio again. "In other news, residents are reminded that there's a town meeting at the community hall this Thursday at 6:30 PM. The main topic of discussion will be the proposed upgrades to the water supply system. Given that our region and others have had recent dry spells as well, this is a crucial issue for the whole community, so your attendance and input would be greatly appreciated."
Noah nodded wondering if the town leader ship would try to blackmail him into allowing them to dig for water again. He was willing to sell the land not give it up, noah sighed again as he waited for a moment in case anything else was added. "And lastly, for those interested in astronomy, don't forget that tonight's the night for the much-anticipated meteor shower. The skies are expected to be clear, providing a perfect view of this spectacular celestial event. Head out to the edge of town for the best vantage points and enjoy the show."
The sound of more paper shuffling echoed through the broadcast. "That's all for the news this afternoon, folks. Stay tuned to Outback FM for more updates throughout the evening. But Up next, we've got some classic Aussie rock to get you moving. This is Jack Thompson signing off for now."
Noah continued working, but By late afternoon, Noah had made progress on Karen's car, but the lack of essential parts posed a persistent hurdle. He communicated this to his boss, who shared his frustration but encouraged him to do what he could with the Parts they had available.
As the sun began to set, painting the horizon with shades of amber and crimson, Noah wrapped up his tasks at the shop. He watched warily as Karen arrived to pick up her car. Their interaction was brief, her usual complaints tempered by a begrudging thank you, but the tension lingered as she drove off. Outside, the town grew quieter. The few remaining residents retreated into their homes, leaving the streets to the whispers of the wind and the occasional distant cry of wildlife.
After bidding his colleagues farewell, Noah drove home through the fading light. The sky promised a meteor shower later that night, a rare event that offered a fleeting escape from the monotony of his routine. The dusty roads stretched out before him, winding through sparse vegetation and past the skeletal remains of abandoned buildings. Each turn reminded him of the slow decay that had gripped Coolabah Springs.
Arriving home, Noah sighed as he stepped inside. The familiar creak of the floorboards and the faint scent of old wood greeted him. His house, weathered and worn, stood as a fragile refuge against the encroaching desolation of the outside world. Stripping off his work clothes, he cleaned up and prepared a simple dinner, his thoughts drifting as he ate.
Later, with a cold beer in hand, he settled into a battered lawn chair outside. The Milky Way stretched across the heavens in breathtaking clarity, its countless stars shimmering like scattered jewels. Out here, far from the glow of cities, the night sky was a canvas untouched by light pollution.
Noah leaned back, letting the cool evening air wash over him. His thoughts turned to his sister. It had been months since they’d last spoken, and the distance between them felt heavier with each passing day. Was she doing alright? Did she miss him as much as he missed her?
His gaze drifted to the faint outline of the scar on his arm, illuminated by the soft starlight. The fire. Even after all these years, the memories lingered like shadows at the edge of his mind. The crackling flames, the suffocating smoke, the cries that had gone unanswered. His mother, still in a coma, was a painful reminder of what they’d lost. He took a long swig of beer, the bitterness grounding him.
The night was calm, the world around him silent save for the gentle rustle of dry leaves in the breeze. Closing his eyes, Noah let the peace seep into his bones, his mind drifting toward sleep.
Then it came—the rumble. A faint tremor at first, like distant thunder rolling across the plains. Noah’s eyes shot open, his heart thundering in his chest. The sound grew louder, the vibrations rattling the glass panes of his house.
He stood, his gaze snapping to the sky. What he saw stole the breath from his lungs.
The heavens had come alive. Waves of colour—fiery reds, brilliant greens, and shimmering violets—danced across the sky like the strokes of a divine painter. Streaks of white-hot light blazed trails through the atmosphere, meteors tearing through the endless expanse.
The ground trembled beneath his feet, each impact sending a shudder through the earth. In the distance, he saw fiery explosions as meteors struck, their collisions painting the horizon with bursts of golden light. The once-familiar landscape was transformed, bathed in an otherworldly glow.
Fear coiled in Noah’s gut, yet he couldn’t look away. The sheer magnitude of the celestial display held him captive, a mix of awe and terror coursing through his veins.
Then he saw it.
A meteor, brighter and larger than the rest, was hurtling directly toward him. Its blazing tail burned with every colour of the spectrum, a fiery omen streaking through the sky. Time seemed to slow as Noah’s mind raced. There was nowhere to run, no shelter to hide in. The realization hit him with crushing finality—this was it.
The impact came with a deafening roar. The force threw Noah backward, slamming him into the side of his house. Half the structure crumbled, flames erupting where the meteor had struck. Pain lanced through him as debris rained down, pinning him to the ground.
His breath hitched as he looked down. His legs were gone, torn away by the blast. Blood pooled around him, its metallic tang filling the air. His right arm lay a few feet away, motionless on the scorched ground. The smell of smoke and burning flesh clawed at his senses, a cruel echo of the fire from his childhood.
Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision. Each laboured breath felt heavier, his body growing colder. Memories flashed before him—his sister’s laughter, his mother’s gentle voice, the life he’d known before it was torn apart. Was this how it ended? Alone, broken, and consumed by fire?
But then... the world stilled.
The flames froze mid-flicker, their golden tongues suspended in the air. The smoke ceased its climb, hanging like a shroud around him. Even the faint hum of the earth went silent.
Noah blinked, his mind struggling to process the surreal stillness. Then, in the centre of his vision, three greenish-white dots began to blink in rhythm. They pulsed softly, casting a pale glow that pushed back the darkness.
“What is this?” he whispered, his voice trembling.
The dots shifted, merging into a single line of text that floated before him. A calm, melodic voice resonated in his mind, both alien and familiar:
