Sleep

Death

"Alisha!"

She heard a rush of wind and ran back into the house. Alisha shrieked as she was thrown back on the opposite wall, crashing into the coffee table and bouncing off the floor. She was in a fetal position, her face white with surprise, as the initial blast hit the house.

"Mom."

Alisha opened her eyes, and they immediately started to burn; it felt like knives were piercing her skin. She reached in front of her, shielding herself with her other arm. The glass from the window cut into her, and she winced loudly. Alisha carefully put her arm down, and she used it to push herself up off the ground.

"Mom."

Her mother's feeble body was strewn across the living room floor. Alisha reached for her, but her legs gave in, and she toppled to the floor. Her ears were ringing, and she felt tired and weak.

"No."

Alisha shrieked again. Her hands touched cold skin with no pulse.

"No."

Alisha backed away from her mother's body and passed out.