741 words (2 minute read)

Frenzy

Liam Smith passed the small 6,289 population sign on his way home, his thoughts went back to the trip to the grocery store. He was sure every person on the population list was there. Emily called to ask him to run by the store after he left work. She just needed a few things to finish up dinner. He wished he’d never gotten the call. He was already dead tired after the long day at the shop. Now his feet screamed at him due to fighting the frantic crowd for three hours. To add salt to the wound none of the produce, she sent him for had been in stock. She probably managed something else by now. He was sure it would be cold by the time he got there. It seems every time a little storm popped up all of the counties goes into a frenzy. Good luck on finding a loaf of bread on the shelf before a storm!

The big problem that had Liam so distracted was the shop would be closed all next week. Just because a small meteor storm due to hit in the next two days.That would be another check he wouldn’t get and another bill that would be paid late.They were already behind for two months.He didn’t consider himself to be much of a conspiracy theorist. Although, he had heard some wild ones the past week. From aliens landing to the government is sending the satellites crashing on us. He tried to clear his head and flicked on the radio and "Moon Baby," blasted out of the speakers."Damn Meteors," he muttered. When he finally pulled in the drive at nine o’ clock she was already waiting for him on the front porch. The look of concern on her face and a slight frown at the corner of her mouth."Here we go," he said quietly to himself.

Emily started to make her way down the steps as he climbed out of the truck. "What took you so long?" she asked Her auburn hair blowing in the crisp fall wind. He could tell by the way she bit her lip that she had been concerned. "I was getting worried," she sighed, looking down at the barely visible bump beginning to form. They found out nearly two weeks earlier that they were expecting. "I’m sorry babe, it was crowded in town," Liam paused, wrapping his arms around her. "Everybody is going crazy over this meteor shower," He claimed. She sunk her face into his chest and squeezed him lightly. "Next time call me from the store so I won’t be worried sick," she said smiling. Letting him know that he had been forgiven. "Heat up pizza for dinner tonight, since I completely gave up on cooking," Emily smirked, dancing up the stairs.

They ate in front of the television watching the local news. Everything had been the same for the last week. Only reports about the meteor shower and how to take precautions. Liam’s mind drifted away thinking about the family gathering scheduled for tomorrow. Emily’s parents had insisted they get the family together. He recalled her mother saying "If the world is coming to an end, we should spend what time we have left with family." He rolled his eyes with annoyance. Liam looked at Emily, "what time do we need to be at your parents house?" looking sincere. "At noon I believe, I’ll give mom a call before bed," She replied, getting up to head for the bathroom. At that moment, the house started to shake catching Emily off balance and tumbling to the floor.

Liam made his way towards Emily crawling on the floor. "Are you okay," he shouted. Emily nodded her head to let him know she was fine. The look of sheer terror on her face. The last earthquake to occur in the town had been nearly thirty years ago before he had even been born. The lights flicker and you could hear the dishes breaking in the kitchen. Liam had Emily pressed against his chest to help drown out the noise and make her feel safer. Emily suffered from anxiety and even though she put on a tough facade, he knew she couldn’t be fairing very well. At that moment there was a violent crash, the lights went completely off and after a few minutes, the ground stood still.




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