It’s October 20th,2007—that’s when TVs worldwide were hijacked, and Aliens announced that in twenty-four hours the world would be destroyed. Seventeen-year-old Ethan, upon learning this, realizes the one thing he wants before he dies is to connect with his ailing father. He tries to talk with him, but it fails, and he is kicked out. Ethan wanders his hometown, finding his way to a park and reliving his favorite moments from his childhood. At sunset, his old bully Gavin unexpectedly arrives at the park. While initially weary, Ethan sees that Gavin has grown weary over the years. Gavin encourages Ethan to unburden himself and to speak freely. Ethan tells the story of what happened with his father, prompting Gavin to confess that he is a father holding deep resentment for his kid, reorienting Ethan’s understanding of his father. He realizes that his father is defined by his self hatred. At this point, the aliens return and Ethan runs home die with his father. Just as he rounds the corner and makes eye contact with Arthur through the window, Ethan is caught in a tractor beam. He is frozen, and then lifts off the ground.October 5, 2021