Book One: Day One, Part Two
Nobody had covered up the body. It took me a while to do it, but I gently laid my blanket down on top of the burnt little girl. Nobody else had even seemed to notice she was there. Nobody else cared. All they cared about was the Twix they had taken illegally from the little corner store.
Did they even realize what was happening?
It seemed like everyone was going to the plaza, so I did, too. Maybe, just maybe there would be some sort of announcement. Somebody was here to save us. Somebody wanted to create order before we turned into Lord of the Flies.
I definitely didn't want there to be a Simon.
When I arrived, all I got were whines and tears. People were looking for missing family members they'd probably never see again. People were looking for a leader. People were looking at Sam.
For a few minutes I watched Sam, as most of the crowd was. His expression was normal, he seemed completely terrified at the large amount of people staring up at him. A little boy ran up to him, asking for his help, crying. Within seconds, the little boy had run out into the road towards the burnt building. No way I'd let another child go.
I ran to the boy. He was dressed in jeans that were too big for him and a dark blue shirt with Spiderman flying across the front. His orange hair looked as if it were fire around his eyes. In his arms was a worn gray bear, and he was using it to wipe his tears.
"Hey, little boy. What's your name?" I didn't know what else to say, yet again. He looked so afraid, so sad. All I knew was that he needed somebody to care.
"Parker. Parker like Spiderman's last name." He pointed weakly at his shirt through constant tears.
"You like Spiderman?" I was trying to be as relatable as possible. I know that's how you make friends when you're older, so maybe it could work on a little kid, too.
"Yes," he stuttered, his tears were slowing, "I like Batman, too, but he can be scary sometimes."
"I agree, he can be totally freaky," I couldn't help but giggle a little. The boy was so cute.
"Yeah," Parker's eyes began to trail towards the day care. The lights were off inside.
"Did that boy over there tell you to go to the day care?" I pointed to Sam, who was turning to walk out of the plaza. Not again.
"Yes, but it was dark in there. I don't like the dark." He held his head up high, as if I was going to judge him for being afraid of the dark.
"That's ok. Where do you live? You should get home." I patted him on the back. He burst into tears, shaking uncontrollably.
That's when something strange happened.
The little boy's hair changed dirty blonde. His eyes flared deep green. He grew about two feet, his face aged with each inch. Where the five-year old red-haired boy once stood, a twelve-year-old blond child had taken his place.
"Oh, I'm back."