The Storm

Chapter 1 | It's Arrival

 I had seen it before. The Chaos. Spiraling around in my head like a hurricane, but far worse. I watched as dark clouds had formed right above the camp. As if right on cue, thunder rolled in viciously. The sound echoed the mass mountains surrounding us. It was almost the most normal possible storm to just emerge from the blue skies and ruin the rest of the camp day until a scream broke out. It was the ear-splitting screech of a little girl far behind me on the trail. Everyone had turned their heads towards the sound to see who had made the noise. Another roar of thunder rumbled over and literally vibrated the ground beneath me.

Instantly winds began to hurl around with great strength. I almost toppled forward as it pushed hard against my back. Just then I look up at the sky where the clouds have darkened to pitch black. Before the last few clouds covered the entire sky, I could make out that the clouds were rotating around us. Raindrops start trickling down softly.

The shouts of counselors came quick. "Everyone to the lodges" echoed over and over as we all began to run towards our own lodges. I look towards RJJ, my lodge which wasn't too far and bolted. The rain grew heavier each step I took. Every step I took, I swear it felt like the lodge was only getting farther away. It's so dark now, all you can see is the lights from the building. It's as if it was the middle of the night yet its 3 pm.

Fear began to take over me. A feeling of eeriness circled as the storm progressed. There was a shriek after each crash of thunder. But it wasn't the noise that scared them ... it was in between each thunder. And the screams crept closer in the racing crowd. Now kids all around me were squealing in terror. My stomach churned as I inched closer to the building. Why was it so far?

The rain poured down like a bucket of water, soaking me completely. It was so much I could barely keep my eyes open. Water seeped into my eyes and the lights from RJJ began to subside. I wipe my eyes as I jog and quickly widen them to meet the faint lights but I can't see them. A panic overcomes me and I screech. I take the bottom of my shirt and wipe my eyes but its no good since my shirt is dripping yet. I begin to weep as I continuously rub my eyes vigorously in hopes of gaining my sight. Is it possible the lights form RJJ have gone out and it's just dark?

Water trickled into my mouth as I wail and it has an odd taste to it. So unnatural, almost like a chemical. I start to run faster in the direction I was facing. I felt bodies being brushed pass me as I shove my way ahead. Suddenly the lights become visible once again. I sigh a breath of relief and continue up the path. I was getting closer.

Out of the blue— or in this case, black— a deafening scream pieced from right behind me. It was followed by whining sobs. I turn to see a blonde haired girl facing the opposite direction of the lodge. I immediately recognized her as one of my roommates, London. She cried out in distress and I draw towards her in the rushing winds and grab her hand. She couldn't see, I could tell. She didn't even know it was me as her eyes looked lost.

I pull her forward and the building gets closer. She continues to bawl behind me as I make my way through the bustling mob of campers. Soon we finally meet the doors to the lodge and squeeze in with the people trying to get through the limited spaced doorway. Once I'm out of the airtight crowd, I fixed my grip on London's hand and dash down the halls all the way to the end where our room was. The other two roommates had not been there yet. I bite my lip in worry. I turn to London who was now holding her hands on her head like she had a booming headache. I can't tell if she got her vision back. "Are you ok?"

Her head rushed up at the immediate sound of my voice, but I see that her vision was still wretched as her eyes scurried around looking for something to focus on. I sigh in dismay. What was causing people to go blind? And what made me so lucky? Tears began to form in London's blue eyes. She held her head and lowered her self to the floor. Sobs oozed out of her.

"I'm so s—" I can't Finnish the sentence. I drop myself down to where she was and hugged her. Instantaneously thunder roared with the blaring flash of lightning lit the room. She sobbed even more.

'Whats wrong with me? Whats happening?" Her words drift off as they are no longer comprehensible. All I can do is embrace her as the chaos continued on. Screams, thunder, lightning, rain. This went on for a couple of minutes until the power went out. London obviously didn't notice but I got up and looked around. Lighting lit the room for a split second and thundered followed it. Just then I noticed the screams had completely stopped.

I try to adjust to the darkness but all my eyes can make out is the pitch blackness from outside. I lean forward reaching my hands out to find London but I only touch empty space.

"London?" I whisper across the room. No answer. "London," I stretch out her name. Is it possible she may of went deaf?

I feel for my bed then my bag and scurry through it the find a flashlight. As I pick up the rod-shaped object I began to speak, "London if you can hear me follow my voice. Come on ... London? We need to find someone ... London?"

I flick the switch on the flashlight but nothing happens. I begin to fear I might have gone blind as well until a moment later lightning blinded my eyes for a split second. I flick the flashlight again but still nothing. "London!" I call.

No answer once again. My stomach begins to churn. I bite my lip as I turned around to the endless darkness. I didn't even feel like I was in the same room anymore. But I had to be ... as I noticed something a few feet away. Sitting on what is supposed o be the table, were three green numbers. 3:33.

BOOM!