The Rising

Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England: This prehistoric monument hosts one of the most famous solstice celebrations. Visitors gather to watch the sunrise over the Heel Stone, which aligns with the Sun on this special day. They would gather on the night before the solstice to await the sunrise on the day of the solstice.

Every year people came from near and far to witness this solstice wonder. People brought fold out chairs, cots, camping beds, or they just laid under the stars and enjoyed the naturalness of nature.

But somehow, tonight was different, the winds of change brought a different tone to the festivities, and the people were in for the shock of their lives. The timbre of the air shifted above their heads as the earth beneath their feet started to gently rumble.

Then suddenly, the gigantic stones vibrated with the mighty force and power which was being generated by the enormous ancient looking spaceship hovering above Stonehenge.

The people celebrating the culmination of the summer solstice stood rooted to the spot in alarm as the strong gusts of wind threatened to knock them off their feet. How could such a huge object just appear out of thin air?

Hundreds of cell phones pinged on almost simultaneously, appearing upon the air like fireflies in a still life portrait.

People started running away from the stones as the machine hummed. The stones began rising one by one, each disappearing into the underbelly of the ship. When the final stone rose high into the air, it hovered for a moment, as if wishing a fond farewell to the onlookers. Then it flew into the strange looking craft as the alien-like vessel spun around, seemingly at warp speed and sailed off into the night.

No one moved after the craft had left. Some stayed out of curiosity, while others were too terrified yet fascinated by the happenings of the night. There was no denying it, hundreds of phones and digital cameras had recorded the event. Many more were pouring in after the messages and pictures went viral. Most people refused to sleep in anticipation of more events to come.

Just before sunrise two of the alien ships abruptly again appeared in the sky above Stonehenge. Again, all phones and media pointed to the sky.

By then every UFO enthusiast within close proximity were camped out with state of the art equipment to record the historic moment in time. The dreams of UFO buffs everywhere were being realized at last.

But something was not right. The ships hovered while people silently waited for history to be made. By the time the people realized the danger it was too late.

The inner belly of the ships opened slowly, and blasts of laser-like rays painted the spectators in orange and red glows of fiery orbs as they crashed into the crowds everywhere.

The people screamed as they burned. They tried to run, men, women, children and even their pet animals, no one was spared. It was as if the alien beings wanted no spectators, or maybe this was a threat of war and what was to come.

Over and over the crafts spewed damnable fires down upon the innocent people of Wiltshire. The large police and military presence were no match for the slaughter which was unfolding as their bullets and missiles bounced off of the ships.

The reporters died where they stood recording the travesty of the night.

Why had this happened? People had been observing the summer solstice here for many years. Had they got it all wrong. Had they read the signs, writings and carvings on the stones wrongly all these years. Had they disturbed the delicate balance of the stones by constantly touching and eroding the lichen and markings as they indulged their whims.

Had the aliens felt threatened by the presence and mass of people around the stones. Perhaps they had just wanted to remove their stones in privacy, without the pesky humans being there to observe a private venture by another specie.

The world mourned the senseless death of thousands of people.

The alien ships disappeared as they had come. Governments everywhere were scrambling to find an answer and a solution to bring the culprits to justice. But how?

Stonehenge had disappeared without a trace. The site has been declared a national site of mourning.

Despite the tragedy and the authorities warning people to stay away, the people still gathered for the sunrise and summer solstice every year. Governments watched. The military everywhere were all poised for action.

Somehow, somewhere and at some time...Justice would be served.

On the longest day of the year, a town revives an ancient solstice ritual and discovers its unexpected power amidst horrible tragedy.