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.