Curiosity is Bittersweet

A lot of us grew up knowing what this phrase meant, "Curiosity killed the Cat". The desire to investigate the Unknown digs a craving into our curious minds and causes us to know and learn more. From local news stations and even on social media you can hear the current incidents or successful accomplishments of individuals which spread so rapidly nowadays. These current issues influence our point of view and impact people to better self-reflect on their passion to thrive. The good and the bad news will always be out there. What are we to believe? Everything we know about ourselves can only lead us to pursue better morals and be more self-aware. We know much about things that can cause us to fear for our safety and mental health but what about the uncontrollable things? The ones you tell yourself everything will be ok even when there is fire to put out. Growing up in the valley has been remarkably pleasant and fun. The majority is cautiously attentive to everything that happens and protective of one another. From an early age, the locals would start by telling their children to behave or the mystical creature known as the Cucuy would take them away. Any children who stayed past curfew were warned to listen and obey their parents otherwise the Llorona, a woman that sacrificed their children in a river, will be out to get them. Mexican culture is rich with folktales and legends that undoubtedly leave children and even adults believing that the supernatural is real and out there.

As the fresh cool air settles in with the night creatures, a simple walk at night will give you shivers and goosebumps throughout your arms and legs. Nighttime brings in many creepy sounds such as a person's cries or gunshots from a distance. The places with the strangest activity are the canals, abandoned sites, and even agriculture fields. You would think otherwise about abandoned places but not for the residents here. These places past 10 pm can only be spookier which will leave dogs running for the hills. It is much possible to feel a heavy presence watching you from across a room or through a window. With dogs continuously barking after you, there is barely enough quiet space to think properly. Your fast thinking interferes with everything happening now. Your only option will be to run home when suddenly, you hear big thunder sounds over your head. You turn around and continue walking fast.

Unfortunately, you forgot to check the weather forecast and see the clouds fill the night sky. In the far far distance, bright lightning zigzags through the sky and listen loudly enough that it wakes you to know that home is still 2 miles away. You double-check to see if it is safe to cross the road; however, no sign of life is present. Big roars of thunder move closer, and you immediately contemplate your options. Walking will not due, so you decide to order an Uber. You reach into your pocket to pull out a phone with a 10% battery and no bars of reception. The incoming storm must have affected the cell phone towers and most of the houses nearby have all lights off. Trying to carpool is best, but only big branches of leaves brushing against the wind are near as you start to jog past them.

The clouds are big and heavy with rain which refocuses you to keep going. Your jog suddenly becomes a run when you feel the first drop hit your face. Mud and dirt begin to make their way into your shoes because you did not dress to be out in the rain. How much farther to the next available convenient store is your pondering question. As if the convenience store is not approximately 10 miles in the opposite direction. The barking of dogs only intensifies as you try to catch some shade from the heavy rain underneath the branches. A subconscious thought arises to the surface warning you that lightning will not strike. You run closer to the next crossing section- a four-way. Not impressed by the mud in each direction, you decide that getting home faster must be done by taking a shortcut through Jefferson Rd. Far in the distance, just like a lighthouse warns ships about the dangerously large rocks on land, you spot home with the light outside still on. Great, power is available but not a ride in sight.

This direction is isolated from the rest of the neighborhood in a unique way such that the homes here are without residents often left alone. The distance home is very short and only a field without any vegetation remains as a barrier. Oh, more mud to fill your shoes and socks. Hurry! Run! Screaming from inside your head amplifies and the heavy rain pours onto you like a blanket that covers you to sleep. As you step into the field, without turning back you start to notice how clumpy the rain has made the mud. It is raining excessively now with minimum visualization of the house. Like breaking a branch 100,000 times louder thunder is heard. The entire field lights up like a shining crystal ball as a lightning bolt hits a metal rod sticking from the ground 50 ft away. Your body instantly hits the ground and you land face-first injuring your hands. You tell yourself not to give up and make it home-it is now or never.

The struggle of getting up from this disaster could not be any harder than getting up in the morning out of bed so you tell yourself. A trail of blood comes down your right hand and you instantly feel the throbbing pain in your head as you get back up. Heavy with water, you let out a big scream in agonizing pain and brush off any remaining mud from your shirt. Approaching a fence with bob wire is the final obstacle you must cross to be on your property. Rocky, your dog, barks as you make yourself through the fence. Once he identifies you, he welcomes your arrival with big leaps and licks your hands in gratitude. The light of your house flickers and instantly goes off. The thunderstorm must have knocked out the electricity polls and you decide to make your way inside to look for a candle. Rocky waits by the door as you follow the familiar path touching each object and making your way into the house. It is quiet as you feel yourself making your way into the kitchen. Underneath the cabinets, close to the refrigerator, you find a lighter and candle. The candle is then immediately lit. You see the room clear and can tell yourself the walk home has come to an end and so has this thunderstorm of a nightmare.