The Warning

You grab the big silver microphone with shaky hands. "Everyone, listen!" you shout. "Cover your ears! Turn off your radios!"

Your voice booms across the town. Some folks press their hands tight over their ears. Others run inside and slam their doors. But the beep is sneaky. It slides under doors. It buzzes through windows. It hums right through fingers and walls.

You see the red meter climb higher. The sound is getting stronger, not weaker. Outside, a streetlamp flickers. Somewhere far away, a dog howls and then goes quiet.

You have to choose. Fast.