CHAPTER THREE-1
295 Words
CHAPTER THREE
When Mason finally did fall asleep, the same nightmare that always chased him started almost immediately.
I’m in the driveway, buckling Abagail into her car seat, those big blue eyes watching me as she coos and smiles. ‘Da da da da,’ she babbles, and I grin. Laura puts the diaper bag in the front passenger seat, then comes to me. I hold her in my arms and breathe her in; her hair is lightly scented like strawberries, from her shampoo.
“We’ll be back tomorrow night,” she tells me, as she kisses me.
But I know better, and I try to warn her not to leave yet, baby, don’t leave yet! Wait ten minutes, that should be enough time.
Despite my efforts, the dream doesn’t change. She doesn’t wait. I stand outside myself, horrified, powerless, watching me blow Abagail a kiss, seeing her scrunch her tiny nose at me as she giggles. Waving at them as Laura backs out of our driveway.
Oh, God, Laura, please wait...
Mason moaned as the dream shifted.
A call. The office called me. So much for a quiet Saturday morning. I get in my car, buckle up, radio on, and head out. As I approach the large intersection, I am shocked to see red and blue flashing lights everywhere. The entire thing’s shut down, all directions. Not surprising, accidents happen on a road this busy, especially when people aren’t paying attention...
And I see it as I get closer.
No. Oh, please, God, no.
Our little beige Volvo with the distinctive bumper sticker. Almost completely buried underneath a cement truck.
I park my car in the middle of the street, I jump out, I’m running forward, screaming. Two policemen approach me, hands on weapons.
‘Stay back, sir, you need to stay back.’
Darkness.
Mason came back to consciousness, soaked in sweat and sobbing.
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- Writer
