He told me not to answer, but…
“Mom?”
I started to worry.
I put my hand on the knob and turned. The door creaked open, and nothing but darkness greeted me. The curtains were closed, the bed was messy, and she wasn’t in it.
I looked around the room as I walked in. Light flooded the bottom of the closed bathroom door, and I walked toward it.
“Mom?”
No answer.
I stopped in front of the bathroom door and pressed my ear against it.
Nothing.
My heart skipped a beat.
A bad feeling came over me.
I put my hand on the knob again, and I turned it. Pushing the door open, I stood still as I took in the sight before me.
The medicine cabinet was open and empty. Pill bottles lay scattered across the floor.
“Mom?” I trembled out, feeling weak all over.
Mom was on the floor, and she wasn’t moving.
Your heart was supposed to speed in such an event, but mine…stopped altogether.
My eyes hurt and I—
Dad.
I wanted Dad.
Thirty
Carter
Light and blue everywhere.
Colours danced in my eyes.
I swallowed cold water and saw a burst of white light approaching.
Dad?
There were arms reaching out for me.
Without pause, I reached back.
Dad.
Leah
“Breaking news: Footage of a rescue took place close to an hour ago. The video, which was taken by a chopper surveying the damage, shows a man being pulled from the waters and on to the rescue boat. His identity has not been released yet, as the boat continues its search for more survivors.”