Everything exploded. Sounds of screams filled the air as people ran past him.
Just screaming and laughing as they carried fire.
Before it started he was with his family, and not a care in the world. Now the end was near.
He somehow got separated from those he loved. He never knew this kind of thing could exist. The sheer terror, that he felt in this moment was unlike anything he ever felt.
He looked around and saw many loud colors. Rooted to the spot he began to cry. People still rushed past him. These people were chaotic, and wild. He didn’t know what to do.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The noise never stopped, continued to get louder. A group of people started walking by carrying strange metal objects. These created loud noise too. His ears began to pound inside his head, as he frantically swiveled his head back and forth looking for any safe haven.
When he was about to give up hope he finally saw a familiar face. Gathering all the courage he had he raced across the sea of unpredictable people, screaming the whole way. His feet pounding into the gray hard ground to propel him forward as fast as he could. The man spotted him and he leapt into his arms. He was picked up and gently held.
“There you are Billy!” The man said. “We have been worrried sick looking for you. Isn’t this great?”
He only whimpered and buried his face in his grandpas chest.
His grandpas tensed and began stroking his head. “It’s okay Billy, it’s only the 4th of July parade! It’s a fun time with fireworks, music and food. Come on, let’s get you a hot dog!”
With that his grandpa began walking away from the large crowd of people. He dared glance over his grandpas shoulders, and saw all of the loud colors exploding in the sky again.
He would later learn the name of the loud colors that imprinted terror so deeply in his heart.
Fireworks.
All day was normal. Almost.
It started with a feeling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone. Even in my one bedroom apartment with nobody there I half expected to find someone just around the corner.
Then throughout the day at work, and walking around the city it became more out of the ordinary. A whisper here, a shadow there. I’ve always been called paranoid by my family. They love me of course like a person that loves moldy cheese. It’s good but an acquired taste. And a little weird.
As I was walking up the run down stairs of my apartment building, after a long day, I could hear the couple that lives below me fighting again. They were nice but like fire and gasoline. I wished they would just move on, so the building could be quiet again.
The sound of police sirens filled my ears as I approached my apartment. I took a look at my door and blinked a couple times. There, taped to my door was a letter with my name on it. I gulped as I took the letter and opened it.
The letter said, “This is going to be hard to believe but your actions today will not only save my life, but the lives of millions. Now I know what your probably wanting to do. You want to crumble this letter, go into your apartment, and get lost on the internet until you pass out. But Lacy would be disappointed and sad that she never got to meet you in person. Not only that, but she will probably be dead. I hope for all our sakes you make the right choice. Go to Willow Creek park at midnight and it will become apparent what you need to do next. See you soon. P.S. Shave your beard. Don’t want you looking like a loser when you meet Lacy.”
I stare at the letter with an expression that probably looks like a gaping fish. I reread it multiple times, and then read it again. This was impossible. Nobody could know who Lacy was. She had come to be a dear friend to me, but she wasn’t real. I only see her in my dreams. Lord knows I’ve never told anybody about here because I know people would think even less of me.
I stood outside my apartment door for what felt like forever. Finally, with my stomach growling, I enter my apartment to scrounge up dinner. I can’t make any decisions on a empty stomach. Scratching my beard, I walk toward the kitchen.
Damn, I should have taken my meds this morning.
