Like a bunch of zombies, the residents of Greensbury shuffle toward the plaza. “What. Is. Happening?” Sergio mutters as he watches his neighbors, his siblings, and parents open the front door and march outside.

One day before…

“Sergio, time for dinner,” his mother called from the kitchen as she was about to bring the main dish out of the oven and over to the dinner table where the family sat waiting. Their eyes were glued to the television, on the advertisement that was playing. When Sergio’s mother’s eyes met the television, she became glued as well.

On the screen, the modulated voice said, “You are now under my command. Tomorrow morning at precisely 9 AM, you will march toward the town plaza. You will congregate before me and wait for my further command.”

The advertisement ended just as Sergio walked into the room. Everyone from his parents to his siblings became their normal selves once again. “Where have you been, Sergio? Dinner’s ready.” His mother nagged, “Just how many times do I have to say ‘dinner’s ready’ on a daily basis?”

“I’m sorry, ma,” Sergio apologized, “I was in the middle of some important stuff.”

“Like what?” His father asked. Sergio couldn’t say.

Now…

Sergio follows his family down the street. “Where are you going?” He wonders. “Where’s everyone going?”

Suddenly, he hears someone asks, “Mom? Hello?”

Immediately, Sergio turns around to find Frank, the kid who lives three houses down from his, waving his hands in front of his mother’s eyes. “Frank?” Sergio calls.

“Thank God!” Frank runs up to Sergio. “What in the world is going on?” Sergio shrugs. “Do you think someone or something is controlling them?”

Sergio points forward, “Only one way to find out.”

They followed the residents to the plaza where all the celebration takes place. On the river sits a giant rubber ducky. “What do you that is?” Frank asks. “Aliens?” Sergio shrugs.

One thing Sergio knows for sure, whatever this is, it’s controlling the people of Greensbury.

For #FFFC