A loud screech sounded, causing a slight rumble on the surface of the busy national road. It was clear to see it originated from the tunnels that went underground, lining the small town. Some even called it the upside down of the real town. It screeched and roared causing a mini earthquake to those who payed attention to vibrations. Something moved in the darkness of the tunnels, something awaken from its ancient slumber. It couldn't be more happier to be let loose at last. It knew it was only a matter of time before the generation skip stopped, it was hibernating... collecting knowledge, moving in the darkest shadows, trying to stay unnoticed while inflicting unspeakable pain and madness to all humanity. It has always gone nameless, only its deeds preceding its reach, every knee trembled at the appearance of its sinister smile. A creature moulded in agony and fire, it's first breath simmered in the air and evaporated like thin mist. It sneered thinking about adorning a mere human body, an even wider grin broke in his face, reminiscing about the taste of horror in the eyes of the lowly human whose death ticked closer as he stepped back into the living world. He relished in causing grief and chaos to humankind... yet here they were again, he wondered which important god the measly humans have failed to appease for them to have him revisit this realm again.
It was time to dance!
...
Seer Hospital. Nick had made quite a good recovery with his loved ones always beside him in every step of the way.
"Dana still hasn't made contact with anyone at home?" he asked with a half hopeful, half despaired expression on his face. He could see the dark shades under his wife's eyes. He realised how much toll all these bad things happening to their family are taking on his dear Sally. His heart ached for his wife and he felt motivated to make even better progress for his wife's worries to reduce even if just by a bit. It was clear she wasn't even sleeping enough, trying to stay strong for everyone. It was a wonder how she hasn't had a complete breakdown yet but who was he kidding, the girl he fell inlove with all those years ago is very strong. She smiled when their eyes met and unshed tears shone in her eyes. A mild swelling in the brain, the doctors have said, that they were just keeping him for observation incase the worst came to pass which in this case was an internal bleeding due to hitting his head badly when the car had hit a tree at high speed. He tried to stay positive for her sake but he could see the lines marring her face with worry. It made her age by a decade and he smiled at the thought which brought a questioning look to Sally's eyes.
"You don't know how adorable you look right now, I never could've imagined a hospital bed will get you those wrinkles you didn't have a day ago" she found his to be strange for finding humor in his unwell state.
"You know, Nick..." she paused, taking his hand in hers before giving it an affectionate squeeze, "It's not everyday that you sit and think about how precious a gift is human life until one day you wake up to the dawn of it fragility" a lone tear slipped through her lashes but she tried not to let the rush of emotions overwhelm her.
His poor Sally.
She had seen more death and pain in the last month alone to last her a lifetime. Death came like a tidal wave at them, without giving them time to take a single deep breath. The secrets and darkness that they had been blind to in their family just came raining down on them all at once. He hadn't thought it would come to this... he hadn't known his parents kept this many secrets in their marriage, simply because he had no such thing in his own home. His unassuming wife had bit hit with a blast. As if sensing his train of thoughts, she said "I guess I have finally figured out why your mother never really liked me or our daughter" a faint smile stretched her lips as if in self mock.
His eyes turned to look at his wife tenderly, he knew it was pointless to try and defend his mother's actions now, heck he didn't even want to. All he wanted was to know what happened the last day. Was it wrong for a man to seek answers about his mother from his daughter. He had thought things were going to take a turn for the better when his mother had allowed Dana to accompany her to her bedroom, never could he have imagined the mess they were all drowning in right now.
"She needs to know I don't blame her Sally" Nick smiled bitterly at his distressed wife. She couldn't even bring herself to talk about that fateful night after seeing the way her husband couldn't even look at their daughter. It broke her heart that she did nothing for both of them. One ended up in a hospital bed, while her daughter... her dearest daughter...
Another tear while she tried not to sob.
"She must be confused, feeling all sorts of horrible things. Alone" she thought out loud, almost whispering to herself to let the words sink even to her own mind.
They both knew the kind of person their daughter was. If she wasn't out there carrying the weight of the whole universe on her shoulders, she was frustrated out of her mind and about to make some terrible decisions with dire consequences, convincing herself it's what's best for everyone.
Their faces sobered up at the realisation. They shared a look, both making a silent prayer for their daughter's safety.
We love you Dana . . . please come back home!
"Should I come back another time?"
A female nurse they hadn't noticed stood at the entrance of the door, wearing blue pants with a matching short sleeved tee. She held what looked to be a leather clipping board that had neatly folded papers clipped tightly together, and a pen on the other hand.
"No no, uhm... you can come in" Nick said wondering if this was all the time he could spend with his wife for the day.
"What's wrong" Sally asked, her heart readying itself for another set of bad news. The crest fallen look on Sally's face didn't go unnoticed to Nick.
"No need to worry Mr and Mrs Simons, I am only here to make routine check-ups before the doctor can see you for the day to make sure everything is alright" she smiled sweetly at them "You are welcome to sit through the check up if you wish to Mrs Simons"
The check up was quick and routinely like the nurse had said, her name tag read 'Suzanne'. Sally liked her professionalism. They waited until she was done before exhaling loudly. "The doctor will see you in the afternoon with the final results of your scan, please be patient until then and should you need something, feel any pain or discomfort before the doctor arrives, do not hesitate to alert us" she said indicating to the nurse call button near the bed Nick was occupying.
"Thank you Suzanne, we will certainly do so" Sally said politely. The nurse smiled again and left them to their own company.
Surely, nothing should hold him back from going back to his house to be with his family from the positive look the nurse had after asking him a few questions and doing her routine checking on him.