Tag #2 – Unheeded Warnings
"Mama…?"
The eight-year old lingered in the doorway uncertainly as his mother turned towards him. "Danny, what's wrong?" she asked, seeing the distressed expression on his face.
Danny rubbed his hands along his arms as if to ward off a chill. "Don't go today," he blurted abruptly. "Something really bad will happen unless you stay home."
"Danny…?" Her tone was puzzled as she knelt down to see him eye to eye. "What gives you that idea, sweetie?"
Danny swallowed nervously, dropping his gaze to focus on his mother's knees. "I had a dream," he whispered after a moment. "The white lady said you're going to leave me."
"Oh, Daniel." She drew him into a gentle hug. "It was just a dream, sweetie. I would never leave you. I love you."
"N-not just you, but Daddy too," Danny continued, vision blurring slightly with unshed tears, a stutter slipping into his words. "S-s-she said y-you'll b-both go away."
"Shh, hey, I'm right here," she assured him, rubbing gentle circles on his back. "Your father and I would never leave you. Ever. It was just a dream, Daniel. We're going to stay with you forever. I promise."
Three hours later, Danny sat in silence as his parent's lifeless bodies were taken from beneath the coverstone.