My Year Abroad

Chapter 7

As sirens blared in the distance a pair of lights appeared in their driveway. Cameron motioned Megan to the other room while grabbing his bat. He positioned himself off to the side of the door ready to swing. Not long after the lights faded there was a knock at the door.

'Looters wouldn't knock.' Cameron peered through the eyehole.

Jordan was standing there rubbing his shoulders with a runny nose. He had several bags on the ground and a concerned look. Cameron cracked the door letting him enter.

"Got a few cases in the trunk if you wanna help bring them in." Jordan walked in placing the bags down and removing a pistol from his jacket.

"How bad is it?" Cameron investigated.

"I was already at the store when it happened so I managed to avoid any problems. On the way here I heard gunshots, and saw fights breaking out in the parking lots." Jordan stated.

'Already that bad?' Cameron glanced off into the distance.

While they were talking about the state of the city a neighbor overheard. Alice peered through the window to see Cameron outside. Because of the road's current condition, she was unable to get her son back on schedule. Alice contemplated stepping out to greet them, but seeing Megan walk out she stopped.

'Is that why he hesitated this morning?'

Given the current temperature, and power outage Alice didn't wanna open the door unless necessary. Not wanting to create problems for her knight Alice closed the blinds. Jordan was the only one who noticed the movement in the window but said nothing to the others.

"Shouldn't you be at home?" Jordan asked Megan.

"Aunt Vicky is out of town right now, and I don't want to be alone." Megan began rubbing her shoulder.

Jordan was prepared to tease her, but Cameron shook his head. They both had a serious look on their face, and it made him a little uneasy. After entering the apartment Cameron began sharing the story of today's events. The psychotic man abducting them was difficult to believe, but Megan still had sores along her wrist.

"How did you escape?" Jordan investigated.

Not sure how to respond Megan glanced at Cameron. Even with her personal feelings, it was difficult to not fear him over the scenario. With this in mind, she hesitated in mentioning it.

Jordan has always been a close friend, and Cameron had no qualms about sharing the story. The problem laid in convincing him of its authenticity, or so they thought. When the story finished silence befell the group momentarily before he got excited.

"Can you do it again?" Jodan looked for something to freeze.

'Where did the bong go?'

"You question the serial killer aspect, but not the weird powers?" Megan asked.

"You know how blunt he is, and lying doesn't suit him either," Jordan replied.

"I knew we could trust you," Cameron stated.

"You know we have to leave right?" Jordan told Cameron.

"What do you mean?" Cameron investigated.

"Some places were calling it a freak storm, but a few channels called it a weapon demonstration," Jordan replied.

"Nutcases are always saying stuff like that when the weather acts up," Megan argued.

"How often does it snow in May?" Jordan retorted.

"I still don't see why he has to leave. There's no way they will know it's him unless you tell someone." Megan balled her fist.

'It won't take long to find the van, and once they do the cameras will lead the way.'

"Where should I go?" Cameron asked Jordan.

"You mean we." Jordan smacked him on the shoulder.

"You realize that will be aiding, and abetting right?" Cameron said bluntly.

"Only if we get caught," Jordan smirked.

"You t-two can't be serious," Megan told Cameron.

"It won't be hard to find his body once the weather subsides, and the smell ensues. My blood is all over the crime scene but that's not the biggest problem. Before they can even ID him the car will already be impounded. How many cameras do you think we passed on the way back?" Cameron asked.

"But the power was out," Megan argued.

"Not everywhere," Cameron stated.

They argued the subject for some time before Cameron began packing. He knew there was no talking them out of it. Jordan was a heavy sleeper, and Megan could barely wake up early on a school day. Cameron intended to sneak out in the morning to ensure they couldn't be roped in for his actions.

"C-can you walk with me to get a bag?" Megan requested.

"Let me finish this first," Cameron replied.

"We should all go just to be safe," Jordan stated.

"We don't need your help." Megan retorted.

"I would feel better about someone being here," Cameron told Jordan.

"Just don't take too long," Jordan replied.

Cameron grabbed an extra jacket for Megan before heading out the door. Observing the yards of snow truly was an unnatural sight. Megan found it unsettling, but it was nostalgic for Cameron.

Through the windows of the other houses, one could see dim lights implying Cameron was the only one with the power. They witnessed people loading gas cans into the house with generators in tow. When their gaze met the father clutched something in his jacket while discreetly continuing.

'We need to be quick.' Cameron rolled his window up.

"You pestered me for months about quitting school, and look at you now." Cameron attempted to break the silence.

"This happened because of me, and you shouldn't have to face it alone. Besides I can still get a diploma with my current credits." Megan replied.

While driving Megan home he tried to convince her to stay behind. Each argument he presented seemed to irritate Megan, and by the time they arrived in her driveway, she was infuriated. She exited the car slamming the passenger door.

"You're not changing my mind so drop it!" Megan marched up the porch.

'You have to sleep at some point.'

Cameron got out of the car to enjoy the breeze, and think about his situation. No matter how he tried to rationalize the situation he came up with nothing. There was no mysterious vat of chemicals, or mutated creature biting him.

'Maybe I was an experiment...We've watched too many movies.' Cameron sighed.