Springfield 2104

Screens all over the remnants of North America were turned on. People were huddled in their homes, ready to remember the day the storms arrived and to pay a moment of silence to those who had been taken from them during that time.

"The year was 2054...the year of the storms." The voice coming from the screen was flat, resigned.

Clark was not one of those nestled inside. His farm was in need of work, especially while the current clouds outside showed signs of rain.

"Hey," he hollered inside as he stepped through the door. "I could really use some extra hands outside."

Clark went to the sink in the kitchen to wash the dirt and mud off of his arms. He had been out in their massive greenhouse, tending the crops for a couple hours. Time was of the essence as he had no idea when the rain would disappear again.

He finished washing off quickly as he realized there had not been a word in reply to his declaration. Clark stepped out into the living room to see all three of his children curled up on the old threadbare couch. "Hey, you three, we have work to do."

"It can't wait?" asked his oldest son, Sam, eyes still glued to the TV.

"The asteroid had been destroyed, but the particles were still on course for Earth's atmosphere--" The droning voice continued, mesmerising in its utter lack of emotion.

Clark cut off the visual to a chorus of sighs from the children. "No, it can't. Besides, you know how the story ends."

"Shouldn't we still at least pay some respect for the dead?" replied his sassy middle child, Kira, curly hair tossing with her head.

"We will, but later. These clouds are changing out here and we need to get some work done before we see new storms." He replied as he grabbed pairs of gloves from the gardening rack in the hall.

His youngest, Aiden, was at his side in a heartbeat, grinning from ear to ear. It was infectious. Clark could not help but smile in return as he turned to the others.

"C'mon," he said tossing each pair of gloves to their respective owners.

They each snatched a pair and reluctantly strapped on their mud-caked boots.

Kira, however, refrained from putting them on. “Why do I have to go? The boys do a better job than me anyway.”

“Kira!” said Sam indignantly.

Clark put a hand on his eldest son’s shoulder. “Relax. Kira, get them on, no excuses.”

Kira sighed as she forcefully pulled her boots up her ankle. Clark shook his head and turned for the door with Sam right behind him.

As he reached the door knob, his youngest son, Aiden, was instantly at his side with a big grin once again spread across his features as he stared expectantly up at his father. Clark let out a small chuckle and put his hand on top of the little boy’s head. “I never have to tell you twice, do I?"

Aiden shook his head animatedly as he maintained the smile.

"Clark!" came the loud urgent yell of his wife from upstairs.

He quickly turned to Sam, his smile disappearing from his features. "Get out there and finish up the work in the garden. If I'm not out before the work is done, turn on the shields, close up all doors, and make sure the teleporter is on."

Sam nodded dutifully in reply and ushered his siblings out the door.

Clark immediately ran upstairs. Rebecca had been sick for some time after having been caught in a purple hued storm. After that day, Clark had witness many perish due to its effects. He hadn't told the kids yet, just how much things had deteriorated.

He made it to their room to find her leaning against their wall, exhausted and out of breath. He immediately moved to her, lifted her up into his arms, and gently set her on the bed.

He sat next to her for the moment, as he brushed her wispy auburn hair out of her eyes. She was sweating and was warm to the touch. "You have a fever," he whispered more to himself than to her.

Rebecca slowly shook her head. "Don't you worry about me." She put her hand in his shakily, the stark contrast between his dark skin and her pale complexion all the more evident. "We knew something like this could happen."

His other hand clenched shut. "The medicine we requested should have been here a week ago. If they would just get here..."

She smiled at him wanly but her eyes told a different story, even if the medicine arrived, it could still be too late.

A single tear rolled down his face, his features soft for the briefest of moments before becoming like steel. He turned his face toward her and gently laid her down. He would bend heaven and earth to get her that medicine if only he could figure out how.

His wife gave him a smile. He could tell she was trying, that she didn't want to give in. Fighting was taking its toll on her and the family, but Clark was fighting for them all.

He slowly backed out of the room with a small smile. "Get some rest honey. I love you," he said as he gently shut the door.

Clark then sprinted downstairs and grabbed the landline phone in the hopes of getting a doctor on the other line. However, before he could dial, Sam burst through the door as a strong wind rustled his shirt about.

"Dad, there's a storm surging this way, but I've never seen these clouds before," he said in a panic.

Clark looked at his son skeptically. "What color?"

"Yellow," he said with an edge to his voice, a hint of fear creeping in.

Clark slowly hung up the phone as he looked back outside. Bright gold clouds loomed toward the house like menacing claws. He rushed for the door while yelling to Sam, "We need to get Kira and Aiden out of there! I'll get the shields up, you hurry with your sister and brother!"

They both then sprinted to the farm, the clouds maliciously racing them to the finish line.