Imperative, "Another Day"

Raise your head and look up into the sky to see the same clouds that have always been there. Look at the green grass still wet with dew and the red gingham blanket your date brought. Feel the thermos still warm, and let the hot chocolate confection slide down your throat.

Let your hand caress your girl’s hand to create warmth in your chests. Fill the air with a comfortable silence and contemplate your next move. Either run your hands over her every curve or sit and make pointless conversation, waiting for her to make the next move.

Pay attention to her body language. See the way her soft lips are gently parted, her cheeks blushing, and her eyes following yours. Tell her you love the way she smells like rain and sadness. Let her gobble up every word until she’s yours for the taking. Pray that today is the day.

Bring your lips to hers and try not to let her sense your desperation. Let her take lead in the rhythm of kissing. Confidently run your hands around her waist and up her shirt. Notice her body responding to your touch, shivering from moment to moment.

Feel the tremors in her belly. See her eyes widen and her face turn into horror. Feel the beads of sweat rolling off her body. Turn as stiff as stone, watching her convulse. See a strange black phallic creature with small, sharp, white teeth emerge from her abdomen. Ignore your lost love, lost potential, lost lay, and get to your feet. Run as fast as you can to escape becoming the alien’s next victim.

Ignore the sounds of car alarms, screaming, and your feet haphazardly hitting the pavement. Ignore the smell of fire, fresh corpses and vomit. Keep propelling yourself forward, dodging strange creatures until you reach home.

Quickly find the keys to the front door, keep your hands steady, and get the fuck inside. Notice the lights turned off, the quiet, and the emptiness of your home. Go into the kitchen to rehydrate after running for miles. See the kitchen cabinets bare and wonder how the food could have gone missing. Wonder where the hell your family went and if your family has become alien chow.

Quietly ascend the stairs, noticing the dust and the calm. Enter your room to grab up your backpack and pack the essentials. Take the half empty container of Gatorade, the secret stash of candy under your mattress, and a pair of clean boxers. Think about how your mom would thank you, but how it doesn’t matter in the apocalypse.

Remember how when you were a kid you begged your dad for a hideaway space. Run downstairs and tap along the walls until you hear a clunk. Feel along the boards until you find a notch and open the door. Tap on the sheet of metal with all your might, hope it opens. Witness the door slowly open, the light glow from inside and find that your family is fucking safe.

Tell them that you’re hungry to break the silence, hear your stomach rumble. Ignore your sister when she tells you that you’re stupid. Be glad that your parents seem happy to see you, that there is food available, and that your dad was awesome enough to install a panic room with a super Nintendo. Sit tight, embrace your family, and try not to think of your dead girlfriend or what might happen next. Enjoy this moment.

(Word count: 580)