Squish's Storybook

Alone

The loud booms were getting closer, they were almost upon us.

I heard my heart in my ears over the cries of my 7 year-old brother, his eyes red as blood. 

I could see him through the window, how he yelled for me to open the door. 

He didn't sound the same, his voice was too deep and ragged.

He didn't look the same, the only white in his eyes were his pupils.

His hair had lost its red color and faded to a grey - almost white.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I ran to the back of the bunker, wrapping my arms around the little blue bear he had given me when he had first learned to sew two years ago.

It still smelled of the tea he had spilled on it last week.

My eyes welled up and I could no longer hear my heart beating in my ears.

All that could be heard was the bombs outside.

I looked up from the little bear and saw my brother, just outside the door, collapse as the loudest bang comes across.

He's not one of them anymore.

He's my little brother. 

He's not a monster anymore.

I run to the door and pull it open, the dirt in the air pressing itself into my lungs.

The world was a mix of brown and grey, the dirt pushing itself against everything.

The bombers blowing craters into the earth, leaving all the monsters outside dead.

None of them remain, unless another brought them inside.

I kneel down onto the ground and take his hand.

It was still warm, it was still him.

The welts against his skin had disappeared.

I looked into his eyes, they were still red, but they were fading.

I dropped his hand and stepped back.

The virus was alive.

I screamed and ran inside.

I could feel my heart beating a thousand times faster.

My skin was already boiling.

I watched as welts and boils formed on my skin.

I was condemned. 

I'm dying.

At least I will never be alone.

The little blue bear still sat in my hand.

I slipped the other under the table.

I cannot become one of them.

The bombs will not take me on this day.

I will take myself before this leaves this room.

I lifted my hand.

The barrel pressed to my chin.

My heart slowed, steadied.

My eyes shut.

I squeezed the bear once more.

I let my fingers come together.

Bang.

It's over.

I'm not alone.

I'm out of this hell and into the heavens.

I have shaken from my bones and my skin.

I have came from the shelter, now covered in red.

I have came from the shelter, no longer alone.

Now I will never be alone again.

I will watch as the spirits find their way to me.

I will guide those that still lie on the surface.

They'll realize they aren't alone.

No one is truly alone.

For I am always here.