Whatever It Takes: Mutations

Chapter Seven

Mama's Song 

October 1st, 1:26 am

Current Location: Baltimore, MD

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I suddenly shot up in my bed as a huge rumble shook the underground bunker. It sounded like thunder, so I tried to calm myself down. After rubbing my eyes to get adjusted to the darkness, I glanced over at the kids, and I noticed Braxton sitting up in his bed. I smiled softly. 

"You okay?" I asked. 

He continued to stare until he looked down. "No." 

I nodded slowly, trying to think of something. My face picked up as an idea finally came to mind. Throwing the sheets off of me, I tiptoed over to Braxton's bed and offered him a hand. A confused look flashed across his face. "What's going on? What are we doing?" 

"Come on, Brax," I suggested. "Let's go outside for a while." 

He frowned but took my hand. I hoisted him onto his feet. He whispered, "Why are we going outside when it's raining? I don't want to get wet." 

I quickly shot a glance at Olivia, who was still sound asleep. Sighing, I said, "There's a dry spot out there that'll keep us dry, I promise." 

He nodded. "Okay, I guess." 

When I placed my hand on the doorknob, my body instantly froze. My thoughts went back to when I found Sgt. Brown acting insane with the syringe. I took a deep breath, recollected myself, and slowly opened the door. Nothing out of the ordinary was found of course, although there was a strange odor coming from the kitchen, which made me cringe. I suppose Navarez forgot to take out the trash again. It was also eerily quiet until another loud clap of thunder changed that.  

When I quietly opened the outside door, a huge gust of cold wind shocked me, and I almost dropped the door. Catching it and barreling outside, I held it open for Braxton before quietly closing it behind me. We found the dry spot I was talking about, which was behind a large concrete wall that was spared by the bombing. Fortunately, there wasn't any bad wind, just fairly heavy rain, and lightning.  I glanced at Braxton as we sat down, and he didn't seem fazed by it whatsoever. 

I later attempted to spark a conversation. "I've always loved storms." 

He glanced at me and nodded. "Me too." 

"I remember when I was just younger than you, and it was storming really terribly one time," I started, noticing Braxton glancing my way again. "I got scared so I ran to Mom, who was sitting in the love seat back home. She rocked me to sleep while she sang the mockingbird song; remember that one?" 

Braxton looked up at the sky. "Yeah, it...it was my favorite one." 

Following his gaze, I saw that it was almost black. When the lightning flashed across the sky, a gray color followed it. "It was for me too, Brax. I remember her singing it, too. She had a beautiful voice." 

I glanced at him and I saw a tear running down his face, so I scooted closer to him and wrapped my arm around his shoulders, trying to comfort him. After another minute, I started to sing the song:

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word. Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring. If that diamond ring turns brass, Mama's going to buy you a looking glass. If that looking glass gets broke, Mama's going to buy you a billy goat. If that billy goat won't pull, Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull."