A Feeling About You

CHAPTER 1: Shattered Serenity

The evening sun descends toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue that paints the coastal road in breathtaking splendour. Our family minivan glides along the winding path, brimming with excitement and eager anticipation for the adventure that lies ahead.

The Mizuno family is no typical bunch. We possess an enigmatic gift called chroma empathy. With this unique ability, emotions appear as vibrant colours, forming an intricate tapestry of human experiences that not everyone can fathom. But we keep it secret, safeguarding it from the world, wary of any misinterpretations or exploitation.

Tonight, though, is different. Finally, a break from my parents' relentless chroma empathy lessons and homeschooling—we’re headed for a family vacation, a chance to escape the usual routine and dive into the beauty of the world.

As we cruise along, I can’t help but be captivated by the scenery outside the window, the soft breeze caressing my face. My heart flutters with a kaleidoscope of emotions, ranging from excitement to a slight trepidation that I can’t quite pin down. Suddenly, an electric jolt of fear and panic surges through me, and my eyes widen as I spot an oncoming vehicle careening down the road with reckless abandon.

"Dad, watch out! That car is out of control!" I call out, my voice trembling as the world around me bursts into vivid shades of deep red, indigo, and black, mirroring the danger ahead.

My dad’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, and he acts with swift skill, expertly maneuvering the minivan to avoid a catastrophic collision. We veer onto a narrow dirt road, the danger and urgency of the situation becoming all too real. My empathic senses heighten, allowing me to perceive the collective emotions of my family—worry, fear, and the fierce determination to keep each other safe, all woven together in a symphony of hues.

My heart pounds like a wild drum solo as we narrowly dodge the oncoming vehicle, the hair-raising near-miss sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins. I feel like a leaf caught in a hurricane, trembling with the raw intensity of the moment. A breathless sense of relief washes over me, soothing my frayed nerves in calming hues of tranquil blue and refreshing green.

But just as I think we're out of harm’s way, the sharp crack of a gunshot reverberates through the air—a sound that cuts through the serene evening like a thunderclap. The unmistakable noise shatters the calm, and in an instant, the front tire explodes. The loud pop morphs into a sickening hiss as air rapidly escapes. The minivan jerks violently to the side, metal screeching as rubber scrapes against asphalt. The whole vehicle shudders with the force of the blow, teetering on the brink of control as my dad fights to keep the steering steady.

Time seems to slow as the car swerves, veering off the main road and onto the jagged dirt path that leads dangerously close to the ocean’s edge.

The once-calm ride morphs into a nightmare as the minivan transforms into a helpless metal beast careening toward the abyss. The deafening crash fills the air as we plunge into the salty embrace of the sea, the world morphing into a swirling frenzy of chaos and panic.

Water gushes in through the shattered windshield like a torrential downpour, swallowing us whole. It feels like we're trapped in a waterlogged coffin, struggling against the relentless force of the unforgiving waves. Panic gnaws at the edges of my mind, fighting for dominance over the indomitable will to survive. It's a battle I never asked for, but one I’m forced to wage with every ounce of strength left in me.

As the salty brine envelops us, I cling desperately to anything within reach, my fingers grasping for a lifeline. The world around me blurs, and time seems to stretch into an eternity of uncertainty. The suffocating darkness and coldness of the ocean seem insurmountable, yet amidst the turmoil, an ember of determination burns brightly within.