Grips

Chapter 2- Stars

My next moments were a blur. I wanted to tell myself that this was a dream. That everything was fine, but deep down I knew the truth: my life would never be the same. But I was desperate to survive. No matter what happened.

I took a backpack and told myself I was never going to come back. I packed three shirts and shorts, a few sandwiches I found in the fridge along with more food, and.... I hesitated. What about water? I knew I needed it but..., it was heavy. I needed to travel light. I ended up taking three average size water bottles. I also grabbed a flashlight and tried looking for a rope but decided not to waste my time. What else did I need? My phone, obviously, but that was about it.

I got ready to leave when I looked back. Who was I kidding? I couldn't do this. Looking at a picture of my family, I knew. I wasn't strong enough. Even I didn't believe it. I didn't even know what I was doing. My whole body was shaking. My breaths were loud and unsteady. I sank to my knees, put my face in my hands, and just let the tears fall.

I heard another bomb. This time, it sounded as if someone had ripped a piece of cotton inside my ear. The last one had sounded like a bang which presumably meant the bombs were getting closer. The thought of how many people d... Of all the casualties, brought me to the reality of the situation. I couldn't bring myself to say it. Not when it was true. Not when I knew this wasn't just about some random story. Not when my mother and sister could be along the... the victims.

My eyes flooded just thinking about them. But now wasn't the time. I had to stay on track. I swung my bag over my shoulders and stuck the family photo in my bag. I left my childhood home without a glance back.

***

I won't begin to describe what I saw in the distance because it was too much of a monstrosity. I forced myself not to think of all the people I knew. All the people I loved. My friends, my family, and those I cared about..., where were they right now? I cringed. I had to stop. I had to find a way to keep the horrifying thoughts out of my mind.

Everything was different. The streets were unwelcome and cold. They were all dark and empty with an occasional face running, screaming, or all three at the same time. Was this really real? Or was it a nightmare I just couldn't wake up from?

There were a few helicopters roaming in the sky and buildings on fire, destroyed yet still standing. It seemed as if everything had been planned to minimize the damage yet maximize the deaths.

I walked no longer than a mile into my flood of thoughts, when I heard it. I heard gunshots. They were really loud gunshots. One going off into another. The city was so silent it awakened me. Scared me. I heard screaming in the distance. A shudder went through me. I saw goosebumps popping up on my arm, and without a second thought, I ran.

I hadn't given much thought to where I was going. I really didn't need to. I was going west. I was heading far from the coast and logically, far from the soldiers. I still heard the gunshots. It was what kept the going. The fear.

***

I'm an idiot. I knew this when I saw an abandoned bicycle lying in front of me. As I was picking it up, my phone rang. A single thought jumped in my head: Catalina!

I picked it up without a second thought. "Catalina?" I asked, my hope evident.

"Christina!" A familiar voice cried.

"Oh my God, Maya?! I cried. "Where are you? Are you alright?" I blurted out. Before she had the time to answer, I heard gunshots firing which were typically louder than they should be. "Maya? Maya!" I practically screamed to the phone, "Get out of there!"