A Hackable Life

Digit 2

1 year later

"Lucinda! Lucinda!"

The storm thrashed, the black void of night broken by cracks of sharp, bright lightning. The loud thunder rumbled through the dark clouds; a wave of sound that engulfed anything in its way. Suddenly, a blinding light made Lucinda and Steven cringe. They heard the crackling of fire nearby, and smelt the burnt scent of smoke. Steven ran back into the house, slammed the door behind him and lept up the stairs, 3 steps per stride. Lucinda looked out the window in fright.

"It hit the tree!! Steven GET DOWN! It's gonna FALL!!"

"Lucinda! Oh..."

Steven ran into the bedroom towards his wife in desperation, Lucinda's eyes filled with fear and worry. She hugged the bundle in her arms tight; she could not bear to let it go.

"We have to get him out of here."

"Lucinda, we have to at least try and save the house. I know this sounds crazy, but please; I know safety is our first priority, but if the house burns down, we won't have enough money to even get another home, let alone support the family. We have to try."

"I know. But we need to get Ivan out. I'll wrap him up in a wet towel and put him somewhere out of harm. You go and try and call the Fire Brigade, then get the hose. Be quick, but be safe!!"

Lucinda ran out of the room, holding the baby close. She ran down the hall towards the bathroom, where she forcefully turned the tap on and shoved a towel underneath the cold running water. Lucinda looked at the little Ivan in her arms, who looked up at her with innocent round eyes, obviously not knowing what was happening. She gently put him down and wrapped the soaking wet towel around him. Just as she picked him up again, a terrible cracking sound made Lucinda snap her head around and frantically run out of the house. Up the hall. Down the stairs. Lucinda wished she could run faster, but her muscles were already screaming out in pain. Lucinda swung the door open, the baby bouncing around in her arms as she tore down the driveway.

"Ivan," Lucinda swiftly put him down at the front of the house, away from the tragedy behind her.

"You have to listen to mummy, okay? Mummy and Daddy love you so very, very much, but we have to leave you here for a bit. Stay here until we come back, alright? Don't go anywhere, okay?" said Lucinda hurriedly, running back towards the house.

Ivan stood where his mother had left him, his eyes looking at the fire. The tree, now charred and black, had fallen on top of the house. Half of the boy's home was engulfed in flames, but he didn't know what to do. He just stayed there, obeying his mummy's distressed orders.

Mummy and daddy love you so very, very much, but we have to leave you here for a bit.

Ivan started to cry, but it wasn't because of the dark smoke stinging his eyes. He started to wail, hard and loud, as tears streamed down his cheeks with snuffling and choking breathes in between.

Stay here until we come back, alright?