"Get ready, get ready," my mother screams across the rooms, her voice echoing against the walls of our chaotic house. In my messy room, the battle against the clutter intensifies as I scramble to find my towel amidst the sea of scattered clothes and books.
Amidst the frenzy, I can hear my father's footsteps as he rushes out to the car, his determined strides echoing in my ears. The sound of the car engine roaring to life fills the air, a signal that the start of our long trip is imminent.
"Do you have all the things you need for the lake, dear?" my mother asks, her voice carrying a mix of excitement and organization. She has a knack for ensuring that everything is meticulously planned and ready for our adventures. Her attention to detail never fails to amaze me.
As a child, the excitement of escaping the confines of our predictable routine – school, home, and church – would often make me forget about the essentials. Who wouldn't be excited to go to the lake for the very first time? It's a chance to break free from the monotony and embrace new experiences.
With the rush of anticipation coursing through my veins, I would often neglect to eat breakfast, fearing it would slow us down on our long journey. But my mother's keen eyes, sharp as ever, would catch me in the act. She would insist that I fuel my body for the day ahead, reminding me of the importance of nourishment.
As a good boy, moulded by my mother's guidance and affection, I obediently ate my cereal. The anticipation bubbling inside me caused my feet to swing back and forth under the table, unable to contain my excitement.
Once I deemed my plate sufficiently clean, I sprinted to the car, eager to secure my spot in the front seat. The hint of a smile tugged at my mother's lips as she followed suit, settling into the backseat beside my father. With a gentle shift into first gear, my father set the car in motion, and we embarked on our adventure to the unknown.
Yet, as vivid as this memory is, there are certain gaps that leave room for uncertainty. It's as if there are missing puzzle pieces, creating plot holes within the narrative. Suddenly, everything fades to black, and I am overwhelmed by the sensation of water engulfing me, like a suffocating embrace tightening its grip around my throat.
YOU ARE READING
Drown
Mystery / ThrillerAlex Pat, a man with a deep and haunting tragic memory from his childhood spent by the lake, now finds that the spectre of his past has seemingly materialized into an unnerving and unsettling presence that relentlessly shadows his every move, as if...
