Waking up I found myself on the cold ground, snow falling softly to the ground around me, slowly melting away on the half frozen patch of red ice. Rising slowly, not wanting to disturb or worsen m growing headache, I look around my deserted surroundings. Seeing no sign of life or anything that looks familiar, I try to remember what happened.
(Flashback)
Running through streets, dodging turned over and upside down cars, taking cover at the sound of gunshots. A moan, light, and then a falling sensation.
(Reality)
I stopped trying to remember and started focusing on where I was going. As my hands grew numb, it was time to find shelter. Knocking on the door of a house, hoping someone was home who could help me figure out what was going on. As if in a horror movie the door creaked open, revealing a empty house.
Hello?
Slowly making my way inside, not wanting to be rude, I wide off my boots. Reaching the living room, it was your usual nice, cozy home. Pictures hanging on the wall, a boy missing his front teeth, a newborn baby wrapped in a pink blanket, a family portrait above the fireplace. Continuing my self tour of the house, I reach the kitchen. A window was missing from the screen door, molded coffee still in the pot, a small goldfish floating upside down in a rather large tank. Walking over to the fridge, a small paper caught my attention.
(Note)
Dear Jack and Megan, your father and I had to got to work early, and wont be home till late tonight. Have a great first day of school. Love you mom and dad p.s Jack stay out of trouble this school year.
(End of note, Flashback)
"Mommy, daddy!" A small child wanders around a house, a clock on the wall shows it is a little after 8 am. following the wall of a narrow hallway, she stops and peeks in to what looks like a study. "Daddy, are you ok?" the large man sitting behind the desk looks up, eyes filled with something the little girl has seen a few times in her short life. "Get out." Backing away slowly, he raise himself up leaning forward. "Get out, its all your fault. You ruined everything!"
(Reality)
The sudden sound of a dog barking brought me out of my daydream. Opening the fridge, I was hit with the smell of spoiled food. Nothing looked edible anymore. I jumped at the feeling of something wet touching my pale leg. Looking down I met the dark eyes of a red border collie. I knelt down and started stoking its neck, it laid its paw in the crease of my bend arm.
Hey there little guy, your the first thing I've seen. So you want to tell me what happened?
It barked at me, almost as if it was answering me. Looking down at the leather collar I try to find a name tag.
Ember? Well you do look like an ember.
He barked, obviously recolonizing his name was said. I stand up and go to the cabinet to see if I could find some food. Finding nothing, I open the last door. I find a few boxes of nature valley bars. Grabbing them all I slid down to the floor, opening one. Ember walked over to me obviously wanting to share my snack with him, which I did. We each had two bars, Ember quickly ate both of his still asking for more, so I gave him the rest of mine. Before he could take it, he began barking turning his body towards the front door. Standing protectively in front of me. Getting up I walk slowly out to the living room peeking outside through the front window, not knowing what was out there. Ember continued barking when I heard it. A sorta high pitch moan, and metal banging on the ground.