Surges

Chapter 16

Surges

Rick remained in the hole. The hole which used to be part of his parents’ home. For what felt like hours.

Leaned against the side of the wall of the crater. Tried to process what had just happened. Come to terms with it all.

Bouts of sobbing wracked his body. Kept him immobilized. The reality of his parents being gone crashed down upon him.

Completely gone. No bodies. No blood. No … nothing. Just gone-ness. 

And that creature … Whatever it was. Absorbed by him. Beyond weird.

Gave him some kind of power. There was that blast of energy. Some kind of pulse, then…

He felt more alive. There was more power coursing through him than ever before.

Not really energy. Not Pep. Nor physical prowess.

But actual POWER. Power to do … things. It was electric.

This feeling of electrified power was balanced. By loss of his parents. Rick seesawed. Elation. At the feeling of new dynamism.

Overwhelming grief. From the death of his father and mother.

He got hold himself. Eventually. Scrubbed his eyes. The base of both palms.

Stood straight.

Rick turned. To the wall which he was leaning against moments before. Attempted to climb up. Out of the hole.

It was no good. The dirt was packed. Hard. Smooth. Curved.

His fingers made tiny runnels. Pulled dirt down. As he scrabbled. At the side of the hole. He was unable to get a good firm grip.

What would he do with his feet? If he managed to get a handhold. Then what? How would he climb out?

But he needed to get out of this hole. And he needed to do so now. He was done!

He had to get away. Away from this awful spot.

He felt … something … shift. Inside of him. Suddenly, he was out of the hole. On the surface.

One instant he was in the hole. Trying to claw his way out. Then, he felt that shifting.

Within a blink of the eye he was outside what remained of his parents’ house. It might have been even faster. Faster than the blink of an eye.

He heard sirens. He turned. Looked toward the source of the noise. A police car pulled up. Lights flashing.

Rick could see a fire truck. Not too far away. Slowly pulling onto his street. Making sure it was safe to do so. Siren blaring.

The police officer got out. His parents lived in a small town. Had lived in a small town. No more living, here, was there?

They probably knew who this cop was. Rick did not. He was beyond caring about such things, though.

“Sir, are you okay?” the police officer asked.

Rick wiped his forehead. The back of his right hand. He was unaware of just how dirty his hands were. Grimy.

Sweat from his forehead mixed with the grime. Caused a streak on his forehead. He couldn’t see it.

He peered at the officer. Extended his dirty hand out. Was about to say: “I’m okay. My parents are missing, though.”

He didn’t get that far. Felt a writhing sensation. It burst along his arm.

A blast of energy. Shot out from his hand. Enveloped the police officer.