WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD ✸ Joel Miller

ii. The Day I Died.

[ CHAPTER ONE ! ]

the day i died

SEPTEMBER 26, 2003

I WAS SLEEPING WHEN I heard the front door slam shut. With the front door being directly below Joel and I's bedroom and this house being poorly built, the entire room shook with the harsh slam. I take a moment to analyze my surroundings and look at the clock next to me, revealing the fact that it's three in the morning. 

I pull the covers off of me and notice Joel still isn't back. It's been nearly four hours and he still isn't back. I felt my heart begin to quicken as I peeked through the blinds on my window. There were planes military planes flying ahead and the road to our house was dark and had an eery vibe to it that made my stomach twist into knots. The street lights were dimmed and slowly flashed. But Joel's truck was nowhere to be found in our driveway. Meaning, he for sure wasn't back. I made my way to the closet and hidden amongst my few shoe boxes, was a bright green one where my gun lay.

Taking it out of the box, I secure the lid and put it back in the pile before standing and grazing my hand over the trigger of the gun. The metal is cold against my fingers but my shaking hands are the only things I can focus on. 

Slowly, I twist the doorknob that belongs to Sarah's bedroom, and as the door creaks when it opens only makes my heart rate fasten. Her bed is empty and I question her safety. With a-somewhat-steady hand, I grip the gun tighter and make my way down the staircase. 

I can hear the TV on and the sound only gets louder as I approach the living room. 

It's a black background with the words National Alert: Law Enforcements in your area will be in contact with further instructions shortly. My heart sinks and then, I hear a motorcycle engine revving and tires screeching. I look to my left and out the window and I spot Sarah in the Adler's yard. 

I don't hesitate when running outside and to Sarah. I clutch onto her and am relieved she's safe but my gut is still screaming at me.

"The Adler's dog--" Sarah seemed to be in a slight panic. 

I pull away from her but keep my left hand on her face, forcing her to look at me while my gun remains tight in my opposite hand. "What? What is it, baby?" 

She moves her gaze to the Adler's door. It's wide open and as I examine it, my body tenses and everything within me is screaming don't go in! "Their dog ran that way and I need to tell them." 

I find myself sighing once I know it's only the dog that she's stressed about. I see the collar in her hand and hide my gun away in my pocket. "Here. Give me the collar and I'll go tell them. You just go back inside and go back to sleep. Okay?" 

She nods and I can tell there's still some worry behind the brave face she's putting on. She hands me the collar and I jog up the steps of their porch as I knock lightly on their open door. "Mrs. Adler?" 

No answer. I wait a few seconds before walking in. There's a strong smell of copper and it's awful. An overwhelming scent that I can't shake. My gut begins to clench and my heart quickens. "Mrs. Adler?" I call out again but once again, don't get a response. As I look around, there's not a person in sight. The room is dark and ahead of me, I see two brown doors--the ones you push open for entry. As I'm ready to enter, I begin to slip as the end of my shoe seems to slide through liquid. I look down and find the answer to why it reeked of copper. Blood.