The Nightworld Read Online Free PDF Page B

bed.”
    “Dad, what’s going on?” This is starting to get weird. Why would everyone be freaking out like this over the weather? Is that what it’s even about?
    “Listen, Nick.” He leans against one of the work counters. “During the last couple of years, I’ve been working with government agencies more than I usually do in my line of research. And not the usual agencies either. These are the big boys: the Department of Defense. DARPA—the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. I was collaborating with some researchers that work on large hadron colliders. No big deal at first. But soon control of the project was transferred out of my hands to someone within DARPA who I wasn’t even allowed to meet. I kept requesting clearance to be allowed to discuss outcomes, but they kept dismissing me, telling me that if I didn’t fulfill my research contribution on the project I’d have my grant money revoked.”
    “Dad, I don’t—”
    “I think they were trying to make a weapon. I think they released Higgs particles.” Dad’s told me about Higgs particles before. They’re sometimes called “the God particle” because if a Higgs particle was made, it could do the one thing that’s supposed to be impossible. It could create matter.
    Dad looks around at the lab like it’s a place he’s never really seen. “Nick, I think I helped them. I’ve tried to do what I can to fix it, but I haven’t had enough time—I haven’t been able to test anything.” He looks at me for a long few seconds. “Do you remember what a photon is?”
    I rack my brain. “Light? A particle of light.”
    “Yes. Okay. Now, usually light is pure energy. But a Higgs particle could interact with photons—particles of light—and it could change light, change the way light interacts with matter.”
    “Dad, what the hell are you talking about?”
    “It’s going to get dark, Nick. Soon.”
    “It probably already is by now.” There are no windows in the basement, but it’s late enough that I bet it’s dark outside. “It’s gotta be past ten, and that weird cloud was making—”
    “It’s not a cloud.”

Chapter 7
    This morning, I wake to a note on my nightstand, anchored in place by the gun from the china cabinet.
    I’m going for supplies.
    Don’t leave the house. Be safe.
    Love you,
    Dad
    Dad tells me to “be safe” all the time, but the instruction has never been accompanied by a gun before. I rub my eyes and head for the bathroom, but I back right up and grab the gun. I’m spooked.
    I lock the door and take the fastest shower ever. I take the stairs three at a time to the kitchen. Dad’s left a box of cereal out on the counter, along with a bowl, a spoon, and half a grapefruit. It’s a throwback to when I was little, after Mom died. He usually had to leave for work before I was even up, so he always got my breakfast ready for me, as a way to say good morning. We had sitters until I was old enough to take care of myself, but he never let them make my breakfast.
    My phone buzzes across the counter and I pick it up. Charlie’s texting me.
    Have you seen the news?
    I pour some milk over my cereal and take it to the living room. I grab the remote and switch on the TV. Every channel seems to be a new announcer. I stop on one and listen.
    “. . . as it would be just after dusk. No explanation has been forthcoming from any government source thus far. Scientists say it’s too early to comment—that they need more data. The White House remains silent on the strange phenomenon.”
    The announcer presses the bud in his ear for a moment, listening to some voice tell him what to say. “Ladies and gentleman, this just in—the White House press secretary says there will be an announcement today. The president will address the nation at seven p.m. Eastern Standard Time this evening. Keep—”
    That’s when I realize that the room seems dark. I mean, the curtains are all drawn, so at first I didn’t notice anything, but now