The Present [3]

I dropped the phone. Not once thinking to pick it up, and reply to my brother who was shouting profanities at the other end. 1

I had no choice, but to look up.2

Beneath me shards of glass lay in a pile beneath the porch. My eyes deceived me. Taking no tome to betray my need to run. They lingered for a moment towards each window, but I knew before I even laid eyes on mine that I had been the victim of their attack. 3

I clutched my jacket firmly. Unbuttoning the first three buttons to allow the air to circulate around my burning body. My skin was warm. My goosebumps had turned into short pricks of pain that radiated throughout my body, and made it excruciating to breath. 4

Attack one successful.5

I looked at the entrance to the house. Watching the curtains blow in the wind from the corner of my eye.6

I could be a man, and charge in there demanding to know the meaning behind their attack. The haunting of my life. I could be the strongest link. I could be the hero.7

I was not a man. My knees where weak, wobbling, ready to buckle underneath my weight. There was no way I could charge into the house. Run up a flight of stairs. Knock down my bedroom door, and confront the likings of a poltergeist, or worse- something more sinister.8

I was the weakest link. The whole reasoning for their violation was because they sensed my vulnerability, and leeched of it, fed of it like blood to a vampire. No- I was going to stay put. Right outside the house where I didn't have a chance to go flying through a second story, broken window. 9

I shivered. My whole body screamed in fear.10

I had come face to face with the dead before. Never though, in such a violent manner.11

I shuffled around moving the shards of glass aside with my shoes.12

Then I noticed it. My box of 'evidence.' Whatever was in my room had thrown the box of 'evidence' out the window, and it was now laying right at my feet. 13

Was this some kind of trap? Was there an entity trapped inside my box like the genie in Aladdin? 14

If I rubbed it hard enough would I get three wishes? I knew what my first, second, and third wish would be. I would not hesitate to erase everything that ever made me who I was today. To rid myself of my gift. To erase the present.15

I wanted a fresh start. A new life. A new me. I needed it.16

I cautiously approached the box, bending down onto one knee. I pocked it up with both hands. The outer layer-ice to touch. I backed away from the glass. Almost sprinting to my car when I rose to my feet.17

The phone lay beneath the gravel, vibrating. I had no time for my brother right now.18

I picked it up, and switched it off. Throwing the 'evidence' into the passenger seat of my car.19

“Don't look back,” I chanted rocking back and forth the same way a psychotic patient would if they were strapped in a straight jacket.20

“Drive damn it Ivory- drive,” The little voice in my head resounded.21

I clipped my seat belt on. Throwing the phone beside the box. 22

I needed to disappear as far away from the house as my half-a-tank of gas could take me. I knew exactly where to go. Though at this time in the morning I disliked the idea immensely, I had no choice. It was the only place I knew I would be safe. The only place no one would ever look for me.23

With one foot on the pedal, and the other reaching for my jacket. I felt like a fugitive on the run. 24

It was boiling a sauna inside the car. I reached for my buttons one by one popping them open till my shirt was exposed to the cold breeze seeping through my windows.25

The sensations weren't right. I detected no cold chill beside the wind. No spine tingling fingertips trailing up and down my spine. Nor was their any brushing my hair to the side. I eased a little knowing that I wasn't being followed.26

I could feel my nose drying in the heat. The warm gases lulling me into a soporific stare making it hard for me to focus under the moonlit city street lamps. 27

My stomach grumbled. 28

Food. I needed food. I kept forgetting that I was malnourished. I rubbed my stomach ridding my mind of he thoughts of food. There was no time to eat, and drive in a situation like this.29

I leaned forward looking out into the bust streets. The city so full of life even during the early morning. I stared, passing groups of preadolescence, and adults piling outside of clubs in pods, and groups waiting for the bouncers to let them in. I watched as couples sat in restaurant sipping on their beverages, and eating their overpriced cuisine.30

My stomach rumbled. The empty. Hollow sensations that followed where the icing on the cake. I had to eat.31

Up ahead I could see the familiar yellow monogram that was my main food source these days. I pulled inside the parking lot. Detouring to the drive through, and waited my turn in the heavy que of impatient, and hungry customers.32

I watched as a sprightly young woman ran across the parking lot to her car. Burger in one hand. Its contents oozing from the bun,down her cheeks, and onto her fingers.33

I licked my lips. Driving slowly as the cars began to move.34

The radio tuned into the intercom. The voices inside the store began flooding through the speakers.35

I blocked it out as best as I could. My head throbbing. Knowing well that I was the only one who could hear their message.36