Purple Sky

"Oh wow! What time is it? I can't believe I slept so long."

I get dressed and go downstairs, not noticing it's so quiet in the house. All I can think of is how bright it is outside.

"Mom...mom...where are you?"

Standing in the kitchen, listening. No sound of morning breakfast. No radio. Nothing.

Searching the house, there is no sign of mom, no sign of Ralph, my dog. This is weird. She wouldn't just leave without leaving a note.

"I'm starving." I get a bowl of cereal, some toast, and a granola bar. Look at the clock "11:00! It can't be! Well I'm not staying in here, if she can leave, so can I."

Putting my sneakers on, I go outside. I have to shade my eyes it's so bright out and the sky is so blue. A really dark blue.

Walking down the road towards my neighbours farm, all I can hear is the gravel under my feet. No wind in the trees. no birds singing, no dogs barking, nothing. This isn't right.

I get close to the barn, still nothing.

Steve, the farm hand is always there, always with a bottle of rum in his hand at this time of day.

The cows are still there, but they're not moving, not at all. But they're still standing. Not even any flies around.

My head is spinning.

I run outside to Steve's house. I look around and no is home there either. Nothing.

Still no other sound. No planes in the sky. No cars on the road. Nothing.

This is all too much. I walk down by the river and sit beneath a huge fir tree, the branches shading me from the ever brightning sun. It's getting so hot, my t-shirt is soaked completely through. Now the sky is turning purple. Dark purple. It's pretty but wrong.

I need to lay down. The ground is so soft. Just need to take a nap and when I wake up everything will be alright. My head is still spinning, feels like my head is actually swelling. I close my eyes and it feels like I'm sinking. Sinking in a pile of feathers.

Now sleep.

Sleep.......

@May 14, 2020

A body of a 14 year old boy was found yesterday, under a hay wagon, partially covered near here. It has been determined he died from an overdose of heroin found in his mother's purse. Charges are pending.

This story is fictional.....or is it...