The story I’m writing will have a sad ending. I’m trying to cope with that.
Today has been gray and gloom because of the severe storm alert in town, and I think that factor has affected my mood. It's not just me, however; pretty much every resident of this town is in a pit of concern.
The people who live in the hundred-thousand dollar luxury cabins at the foot of the mountains were evacuated in case of a possible mudslide. My house, although it’s not far from the mountains, is in what is considered a “safe area” because there’s a forest and a wide field between here and the mountains. I should be glad I’m in the clear, but there’s something in the air that feels unfortunate.
Strong winds have been sweeping through the area continuously. I’m at the point where I’ve started to think the winds sound like harsh whispers echoing through my usually soundless house.
I wish I wasn’t braving the storm on my own, but my dad, as a dutiful elementary school teacher, volunteered to assist the families that were evacuated and are taking shelter in the school. Even though he called earlier to make sure I’m okay, I feel uneasy. There’s something strange in the atmosphere, and it’s stifling because I can’t get used to it.
I try to distract myself by taking a walk down the hall, but when the hall lights begin to flicker, I end up pacing in my room instead, feeling frustrated about being a scaredy-cat.
After a few minutes of useless wandering, I’m back at my desk. I lay my Sponge Bob Square Pants blanket over my shoulders, and sip my cold tea while I give my manuscript another look.
I go back to a day much different from this evening, a day in which the sun shined bright and I embarked on the adventure of writing the story that had lived in my mind and dreams for many years. I conjure up that feeling of excitement to put down my ideas on paper… to have them become more than just scenes in my mind.
“Mia, you can do this,” I encourage myself, “You can finish writing this story. After all, sacrifices must be made for the sake of this book. The sad ending will add shock value and tie everything together.”
You’re a genius, I think to myself.
Suddenly the light in my room begins to flicker. The timing of this incident is… as if someone’s disagreeing with me. It makes me feel rather uncomfortable.
I adjust my glasses and take a look out my bedroom window to see just how bad the storm has become to mess with my electricity when, a sliver of light tears through the sky and all the lights in the house go out, leaving me completely in the dark. The branches outside the window come alive and start clawing at the glass, like they want to be let inside. The whispers intensify. My soul is officially gone.
Just as I start to wonder how much scarier this night could get, a white figure slowly crosses in front of my window and disappears into the darkness.
To be continued…
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