Always Remember

Awake Matthew

A cloud of smoke escapes my lips as I place my pipe on my desk, a cough rumbling deep within my chest. I lean my head back and the beanie I was wearing falls off of my head letting my wavy short brown hair flow free. From my upside-down field of vision on my desk chair I look at my room...my pride and joy...my safety. My bed is messy covered in blankets and hoodies, my walls are plastered with posters from bands I love and horror movies I just couldn't live without. Beside my bed is a bong and at least ten empty water bottles, and two plates. The floor looks just as much as you'd expect. I sit back up and stare out my window looking at the city...I hope one day I'll be able to be there...away...I don't want to be stuck in this hell hole for the rest of my life. My parents aren't the best of people...check that my Dad isn't...if my Mom was still in the picture maybe life would've panned out a little better. I scoff and pick up my pipe and lighter and take another hit. As the cloud leaves my lips, there's a tremor and my house starts to skate. I choke, cough, and fall out of my chair. Once I'm able to stand I dart to the window gazing outside pressing my hands against the glass, my breath fogging it up slightly. I gulp and drop my hands taking a step backward, tripping on my cluttered floor but slowly crawl away my eyes glued to the horror I see outside my window.

The City is one Fire...

I close my eyes and chuckle. "I have no idea what was in this but I'm sure I'm just freaking out..." I stand up with a hop and look out the window. I stare at it and squint...the cars are flying out of the city speeding more than usual...I gulp. I yell for my Dad but to no avail, he's probably out like always...parts of me even hope that he's not in the city regardless of how shitty if a person he is. My hand moves on its own as it grabs my phone and dial my friend who lives across the street. My tongue pokes my lower lip messing with my right snake bite and the phone rings. After three rings he picks up. "Nick hey...thank god you picked up. Have you looked outside...what's going on." I hear Nick whimper on his end of the phone.
"Matt it's the end of the world...have you not seen the fucking news?!" He lets out a strained choke. He's crying...
"Nick...I'm really kinda fucked up right now, so you better not be messing with me."
"What the fuck man?! You'd think I'd joke about this shit?! My Mom just called from her job I'm the city and she says there are people screaming and running around because other people are EATING them!" He sniffles. "I heard her get attacked Matt...Dad left to go look for her and my sisters at a friend's house...Dad took the only car...I'm fucked dude." He sighs and lets put a broken-hearted chuckle. "I can't do this man...I honestly can't..."
"Nick brother please take a breath...there probably was just a power surge and that's it...I'm sure your Mom's fine." I sigh and look out my window towards Nick's house. There's someone outside his house. "Hey Nick...there's someone outside your house?" I hear him stand up and walk down his stairs. I hear a clunk. "Nick...? Nick?!" I hear him start to cry loudly and I stare out the window, now there are three people outside his house.
"Go Away! Leave me alone!" He screams. I see the door give way and the people rush into his house there's a shrill scream and the phone turns off. But I can still hear him. He's screaming for help and then it stops. I feel my breath get stuck and I frantically look for my inhaler. I find it on my bed and take three puffs. Once my breath returns to me I take a breath...Quickly my thoughts come to me, I grab a backpack and stuff in some full water bottles and a blanket I look at myself I'm the mirror. My hazel eyes are filled with fear the red from my high completely gone. I throw on pants, a shirt, and a hoodie on. On my way out I slip on a pair of shoes and grab a baseball bat and my medication, my pipe, lighter, and stash. I pick up my beanie and start to make my way down the stairs. I make a b-line towards the kitchen and start flinging open cabinets. My stomach drops...there's only three cans...and a note from my father.
'Sorry Kid.'
I crinkle it up and throw it to the ground grabbing the three cans and stuff them in my bag. I walk slowly towards the back door place my hand on the doorknob and take a second. I close my eyes and take a breath. Here we go, I turn the doorknob and get ready to face this new hell.