Everything went to shit that Thursday evening at exactly 9:15pm.
The events of that day are etched into my memory, clear as day in my mind’s eye.
I had spent the day at the doctor’s office, she told me I was going to have a baby.
Elated, I set out to prepare a candle lit dinner for Richard in celebration.
It was supposed to be a special day for us.
The only warning we had of the difficult times ahead was an unusual bright light that shone mysteriously yet magically in the sky for 3 hours.
The news of the strange light was everywhere.
It was all over social media and the news. It was the most talked about topic on Twitter and Facebook. #TheBrightLight trended on all platforms.
Waves of tension rippled the atmosphere.
No one had seen anything like it.
Torn between being frightened or being in awe, everyone did all they knew to do best — they made jokes.
If only they knew.
I suggested to Richard that we relax at the Patio with the other residents as they watched the light. They all looked enthralled by it.
Instead, he grabbed me from behind and lifted me to himself.
“Stay in bed with me tonight. Just you, me,our little bun and the blanket” he said in his low husky voice sending shivers down my spine.
He knew the effect he had on me. It was a losing battle but I pushed.
“Hmm”
“Foot rubs are a bonus” He continued.
“I refuse to buy what you’re selling Mr. Richard” I say with little conviction
“Yeah okay, Mrs Richard. Whatever you say”
My stomach rumbled with laughter and in that moment, I was grateful for little things like Love and Joy.
We snuggled against each other under the blanket and watched the Anchor interview the millions who had gathered from different parts of the world just to witness the ethereal event.
Social media platforms buzzed with news of it. Some concluded that it was the end…
Others ruled it off as a causal effect of global warming.
Everybody had something to say but no one really knew what was going on and this etched a collective fear in our hearts.
It was subtle but it could not be denied.
It was abundantly clear that we were all afraid.
As sudden as the bright light came 3 hours ago, it disappeared leaving us with a darkness that engulfed us.
The horror truly started when the power went out.
Horns blared from cars, pale colors of blue and red swamped the streets, filling the silence with intrusive sirens.
It sounded chaotic outside. Curses flew out as cars collided against themselves.
But we couldn’t see anything or tell what was going on outside because it was dark.
While we waited for power to be back up, we heard a piercing scream from one of the apartments down the hall.
It sounded like Miss Enya, the single mother who lived alone with her son, Mason.
Richard and I swung to action immediately, grabbing a torchlight, we rushed out of our apartment, her desperate cry for help getting more intense as we drew closer to the apartment.
Other residents had already gathered in front of the apartment.
They had obviously heard her cry for help
“Do you know what’s going on?” My husband asked Phoebe, the teenage girl who has had the longest crush on him.
As if on call, two red dots sat squarely on her cheek
“I- I don’t know, we just heard her screaming” she replied, not looking my husband in the eye.
I would have chuckled if the situation was not so dire.
We could hear Mr. Taddosh, Phoebe’s father, banging on their door. “Miss Enya, open the door!”
…
His voice thundered above her screaming.
Suddenly, her voice was cut off.
Chilling silence fell on everyone.
It was silent enough to hear the gurgling sounds coming from the other side.
It sounded like when I carelessly choke on water because I drank it too fast.
The gurgling stopped and was quickly followed by a muffled thud.
“Miss Enya?!” Silence.
“Miss Enya Let me in!”
I sighed and looked down, trying to gather my thoughts.
That’s when I saw it.
Blood seeped slowly from the tiny space under the door.
I screamed,horrified
Everyone turned to me but I could only point to the blood still seeping out.
No one said anything, afraid of what it could mean.
The door to the apartment creaked open slowly.
My heart rate picked up speed.
