A Glimpse of Hell

Chapter 8

*Bruce's Flashback* Bruce's P.O.V.

"... Citizens are advised to stay indoors as more bombs from Russia are rumored to drop. But in more recent events, S.M.I.T.E. headquarters has just been bombed. With more details on the story, we go now to Adam Watkins, live at the scene." 

"Thank you John. Right now I'm standing in front of what is left of S.M.I.T.E. headquarters. The company set out on keeping the United States' international affairs safe and relevant. Owner and CEO of S.M.I.T.E. Sarah Maleck, is yet to be found. Some believe she was inside the building during the time of the bombing.

The bombing took an unexpected toll on Ms. Maleck's daughter Britney, who was rushed to the hospital just this very morning. She is, as we speak, receiving medical treatment for her large head wound-"

  

 "Mom what the heck! Why'd you turn it off?"

"Don't give me attitude mister help me pack this up." Mom commanded.

I was so glad we were leaving because I was sick of the old motel room. It was dirty from the shaggy not-so-white carpet, to the old broken pullout sofa. Plus it smelt of old pizza, and farts.

We had been here for about a week and now we were finally leaving. The reason. Because this Motel in Michigan wasn't getting any safer.

We had a house in Denver and the plan was to take a few trains to get there.

I packed up the rest of my things into a little brown suitcase.

Uncle Thomas had agreed to pick us up, and drop us off at the train station.

Upon retrieving my last pair of socks, I glanced over at Mom who was checking her yellow wristwatch.

"What's up?"

"Oh, it's just your father. He was supposed to be back by now."

"Mom you worry too much."

"I do don't I." she looked around. "Did you get everything?"

"Pretty sure I did."

"Ok well double check."

I looked everywhere even under the bed and that's when I found the picture.

"Hey Mom what's this?"

I gave Mom the picture and she looked over it.

"Oh this is us."

"I know that already."

She rolled her eyes. "I mean this was when we first got the house. Lets see you were about 8 or 9 years old."

"Hmm. I don't remember."

"Here" She handed back the photo.

 "I can keep this?"

She shrugged, "Why not? I mean, finders keepers right."

I folded the picture and placed it into my pocket.

We continued to pack, until we heard a knock on the door.

I walked over to open it and the 6-foot structure that was my Dad walked in.

"Carly, you would not believe the line at the gas station."

"There you are. You couldn't call or anything?"

"You didn't call me either." Dad replied whilst shutting the door.

"Well maybe I didn't have a signal."

"Well how were you supposed to receive the call?"

"By text."

"You still need a signal to text."