Them

Here’s a little something I cooked up some time ago. It’s raw, but which writing of mine hasn’t been?

***

Doorways.

They lead in and out, don’t they? It depends which side you’re on. I like being on the inside; there are too many dangers outside. Now, anyway.

I don’t remember it being this bad when I was young. In fact, I remember a time when outside was where I loved to be. There were games to play, and friends. Oh! I remember friends!. Shouting and laughing, running and jumping. Fun all day long. Remember that? Hide and seek. Tag. Red Rover.

Now, well, it’s only safe to go out when the sun goes down. They’re out there all day, waiting for the unwary. I’m not unwary. My brother was. And my neighbours. Of course, early on, no one knew enough to stay in, did they? Not until it was too late.

Those of us who learned in time to stay in during the day are starting to run out of food supplies at the stores and empty houses. Pickings are getting slim. Tonight, I’m going to try to get to another safe haven. I can’t stay in my house much longer. I have to travel too far afield for the necessities. It occured to me that I might be able to make my way across town and from there out into the countryside. I don’t know if they have spread out that far. The news reports, before the stations all went dead, said they were in major cities all over the world, and they were certainly common in our town.

I’m hoping there’s still life in the countryside. It’s been too long since I’ve seen any other person. I’m lonely. Dark is still a few hours away and I can hardly wait.

They’re scratching at my door again and I don’t know how much longer it’ll hold. I hope I can leave tonight. I hear the door splintering. I hope it holds. There are no more doors to hide behind. This closet is as far in as I could get. The splintering is louder. I may have waited too long.