Storm

Based on the story by MiaDeLaceur

Prologue

Crunch… Crunch… Crunch…

The crunch of the gravel under my shoes was all I heard. I investigated the wreck that once was part of the Elmore neighbourhood. Wood, fabrics and metal alike are strewn across the road - like the product of spilt smoothie. You could see smashed TVs, broken china, clothes and fallen bookshelves - all of each book's pages ripped in some sort of fashion.

You couldn't tell who these things belonged to - things were all thrown onto the asphalt, regardless of where they came from. However, there was one thing for sure - you could've realised what caused this chaos and how it all happened. I kneeled down to the ground and looked at the trail of dust. I dusted my orange fins, in time to hear a radio from a distance.

"This is the Department of Meteorology - we declare Elmore California a danger zone. If possible, stay inside - in a basement most preferably. Do not evacuate until we have confirmed the safety of the area."

"About time…" I said to myself.

I walked around a little bit more and found a door that lead straight to the basement of what was left of a house. I opened it, startled to the fact that it was unlocked. The handle was hanging on a thread, about to fall off any moment. I entered the basement and touched all the crates - covered with a thick layer of dust. And then something caught my eye. A bottle of jam, open and fresh. Someone else was in here.

"Hands up."

I turned around to see a blue cat, pointing her musket at my face. Then our eyes meet. We both now remember the past - our pasts. She put down the gun and hugged me. She was my mother - the one who celebrated my birthday when my brother was too busy to come over. We had all went our separate ways and especially after my father died, my mother had only felt the pain of loneliness.

She missed us all.

"Darwin… I missed you…"

"I missed you too, Mrs M-"

I stopped. A gust of wind blew and we both new what it meant. The feline blocked the door with her musket and all the firewood she could find. We both knew it wasn't enough. I removed all the things that blocked the door, and opened it.

"Darwin! What in earth are you doing!?"

"Close the door!" I insisted. "I'll handle this!"

I closed the door behind me and tried to push a huge rock down the stairs and in front of the cellar door. I was too weak. The wind was growing stronger every second I wasted. And then an idea hit me. I smashed the window of the wagon that I used to get brought to school with. I pulled the door open and closed it firmly. I felt the leather seat my father used to sit on.

My father was an idiot but underneath all the thoughts we had about him, he was a loving father. He was the one who guided us to be the people we are now. My brother, sister… myself… We all owed him something. Ever since he died, we felt like we owed him something. And what was worse was that we haven't done anything in return.

I stepped on the gas and pushed the great rock down the stairs. When the bumper collided with the rock, it was like a shockwaves went throughout the car. Slowly, the boulder rolled into position, as the car was burning the rubber. I could see my mother, crying - with a wide grin on her face. I smiled back and stepped on the pedal once more. The boulder was in place. And so was the tornado.

I ran to my truck and tried igniting it. It was too late. The truck's back was being pulled into the tornado. I only had minutes to live. So, I decided to press the comm button.

"This is Watterson - Storm Chasing unit. Send this message to Dr Gumball…" I paused and then started. "I love you Gumball… Even if you weren't there the past few years, I still love you, as your brother. I hope… You love me too."