Swampy Nightmare

Chapter 1

Home... people say it's where the heart is. If that were the case, then my heart would be long gone. I used to have a home with friends. But one month ago, my mother and I left that home. We left it to go on a photography session around the country. We've been everywhere from East Coast to the West Coast and back again. It's been a journey with some amazing sights. But it seems our journey is finally coming to an end.

Just recently mom got a new photography assignment. She was to take photos of the Medina swamps. When she told me this, I was curious. After all, why would someone want pictures of a swamp? And why Medina specifically? Wouldn't pictures of the Everglades be just as good? I didn't know the answer. But I guess I shouldn't worry about it. After all, I'm sure that mom's eager to take the job despite the weirdness. Oh well, but hey there are some good things about this.

Mom, after a week of searching, found us a house there. We won't have to be on the road anymore! Yay! I can't wait to finally stay in a house. It's been too long. Man, I seriously can't wait to get inside that house. Mom was telling me it looked wonderful. I can't wait to see how wonderful! I'm so glad mom found this house. It was unfortunate what happened to our last one.

Mom and I used to live in New Haven. Last week, a series of chemical plants melted down and exploded. These explosions were large. So large they ended up destroying the entire town. When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it. No way could our home, our town, be destroyed. No way could we now be homeless. I didn't believe it. However, after about a day of denial, the realization ended up coming down full force. My denial was swiftly crushed by the realization of what happened. Despair began to fill my body like an empty vessel. Tears rained down from my eyes. I was homeless. I had nowhere to go. I had nowhere to live. Why did this have to happen? Why did my home get destroyed? Why? It was terrible. I couldn't stop crying. Not even my mother's comforting smile could bring me out of my despair. I had no home, I had no friends, and I had nothing. Nothing except the cloths on my back and the memories of my now destroyed home. Even now as I think about it, I still feel shocked. How could such a thing happen? Why did New Haven have to be destroyed? No answers came to me. The only thing that came was the echoes of my despair. Before long, I began to notice something running down my cheeks.

Tears had begun to rain down my face. I'm crying? But I thought I was done with my despair? I guess I wasn't. But then again, something like this takes time. I can't expect to be healed the next day. Loosing a home takes time to heal. Maybe I shouldn't push myself too hard. Maybe I should just give myself some time. Yeah, I'll do that. Suddenly, a voice rings out. Its gentle concern breaks my contemplation. Slowly, my head turns toward mom. Her brown eyes hold within them a look of concern. Her expression conveying a look of worry.

"Kit, are you okay?" Mom asks, her voice painted with worry. Immediately, I nod. Mom's always been a worrywart. To be honest, I don't want to say anything. I know we already talked about what happened to New Haven. And I know we decided to put it all behind us. But still, I just can't help but feel sad. Plus, mom's been excited for this trip. She's pretty much been smiling all the way here. I don't want to ruin her happiness. But yet, I should tell her. Keeping my emotions bottled up won't do any good. They'll eventually come out one way or another. I should just tell her. Immediately, my mouth goes to open then closes again. I shouldn't. I don't want to ruin her happiness. Quietly, I turn my head back towards the window. When I do, mom speaks up.

"Honey, I know something's wrong. You can tell me. Talk to me." My mouth opens up. When it does, everything comes spilling out at once. As I talk, mom's look of concern begins to grow. When I'm done, mom speaks up again.

"Honey, it's going to be okay. I know this isn't easy. But it's okay to feel sad and lost. It's okay. Don't beat yourself up. I know how you feel. To be honest, I feel the same way. I'm shocked and sad too. But you what, it's going to be okay. Everything's going to be fine. Once we get inside our new house, everything will be just as it was. Trust me Kit." Mom's expression begins to change. Instead of a look of concern, mom begins to smile. Her warm smile begins to sooth my despair. Mom's right. Everything will be okay. With that, I began to smile too. Yeah, everything will be just fine. No need to worry. Mom turns back toward the wheel. When she does, a figure appears in the distance. Their walk slow and unsteady as they cross the road. Immediately, mom goes to slam on brakes. On instinct, my hands cover my eyes. My body preparing for the inevitable crash. Then, I heard it, the inevitable loud bang against the car. With a jolt, the car finally stops. When it does, mom hops out and goes toward the body. I expected mom to go towards the front, however instead she went behind. The body must have gone behind the car. I should get out too. After all, mom may need some help. Quickly, I unbuckle my seat belt and open the door. However, a voice suddenly sounds.

"Kit! Stay in the vehicle. This is too much, even for you, to see. Get inside and stay there. While you're at it, call 911! This man is hurt badly!" All right. As quickly as I could, I shut the door and grab mom's phone. Okay, dial 911. My fingers go to hit the buttons. This is bad! I have to call them! I have to get help! When my fingers start to hit the nine, an ear-shattering scream comes from the back of the car. Oh no! Mom! My hands drop the phone and race towards the door. Quickly, I open it and go outside. When I did, a horrendous sight greeted me. The man we ran over was alive. And he was... he was eating mom. What the?! Is he... eating her? On instinct, I race back to the car and get a gun from the glove compartment. Then, without a second thought, I fire onto the man. I did my best to steady my hand as I fired. However, despite my attempts, my hands were shaking. After a several shoots, the man's body falls onto the muddy pavement. Immediately, my feet race towards mom. Mom... please... please!

"Mom! Mom!" I say as I shake her. Mom please be alive! Please! I don't want you to die! Not now!

"Mom! Please wake up! Please!" I continue to shake her. As I do, a realization slowly begins to creep up. Maybe mom isn't alive. Maybe she's... no... no, she's alive! I know it! I just have to get her up!

"Mom! Please wake up! Please just... open your eyes! Please just give me a sign you're still alive!" There was no response. Mom continued to lie there. Her eyes closed tightly. Gently, I go to check the pulse on her neck. When I did, tears began to fall from my eyes. No pulse... she has no pulse. Mom is... dead... gone. I... I... mom! No! You can't be gone! I have to get help! I have to save you! I need to get to town and get someone, anyone. I won't let you die. Quickly, I get up and get inside the car. My mind focused on where I need to go. Don't worry mom! I'll get help! Just hang on. My fingers grasp the keys and turn on the ignition. As fast as I could, I begin to drive towards the nearest town. Up ahead, a curve appears. My foot immediately hits the brake. But it was already too late. The car spun out of control. Desperately, I tried to turn the wheel and stop the car. But it was no use. With a loud bang, the car hit a nearby tree. Before I knew it, my vision had gone black. I'm sorry mom...