CRASH! SLAM! BANG!

 

Sounds of a screen door swinging in the wind as the hole whispers sweet nothings in the crisp air. Adrian is awakened out of her sleep by a monster, wearing heels with red bottoms and a black purse that matches the black fabric of her sleeveless dress. The monster reeked of spearmint gum in a desperate attempt to mask the smell of dark liquor, as she wore it like a new Chanel fragrance. The monster, eyes as red as blood, asked if they were ready to head home. The day turned to night as the bells chimed midnight. A tired and injured Adrian slugged herself to the front door, drooping her left arm, which is wrapped in red hardened material. Her kid sibling trailing next to her, hand in hand, both dressed in their school gym uniform, navy blue, with white letters, and black sneakers. Adrian stopped in her tired demeanor to tie his sneakers. Even in sleepiness, she always makes sure to protect him with her life. She grabs his lunchbox, and they both head for the door. She buckles him into the car as she refuses to click her seat belt. 

SKRTTTT! BEEPPP!

The monster darted out into the street, with its legs turning in different directions like a newborn giraffe learning to walk. The monster howls as they enter the car, growling and drooling as the engine begins to purr. Adrian is afraid but looks at Michael as he is smiling in his car seat, as children do, who are protected by their innocence and their innocence alone. Adrian was innocent once until she was robbed of all things good in this life and the next. 

The monster made a sharp turn. Lights began to flash like the Fourth of July. A gasp was heard throughout the air, and everything went dark. 

SKRRRTTTT! BANNGGGG!

Adrian opened her eyes and discovered, for a moment, that she could not move her arms. She saw smoke from the window, as her feet were now on the ceiling. The car was flipped over, and Michael's screams and cries echoed throughout the car as the radio static supported his every outburst. Adrian's heart began to play on the track as the beat circled the Earth and came back blasting in her ears. She unbuckled his seat and forced open the door, getting her and Micahel out safely. The monster coughed as blood poured out of her forehead gash. The howls and growls turned to whimpers and bruised prayers that would not make it off the ground. Each time the monster opened its mouth, it sparked flames, followed by mountains of smoke. Who knew alcohol was so flammable? Michael grabbed Adrian's injured hand, wrapped in red, hardened bandages that itched like hell. 

 

Michael saw his lunch box burst into flames as apple sauce and a half-eaten sandwich burned to a solid crisp. An ambulance sang in the distance as the monster melted, and armies of civilians marched to the scene, offering a service of bravery, helping hands, and a multitude of exhausting questions. Adrian needed to get help, more help than was provided. Was it the help she needed, or was she running from her guilt of being the deciding factor in letting her monster die? How can one play the role of God? Shoes too big to fill and powers too great for a 14-year-old to bear. Adrian ran. Her feet kissed the wind and slapped the ground. Her white socks, now brown, from clapping against the street. Cars hissed and cursed and beeped as she swerved in and out of traffic. Adrian holds Michael on his side as his shoestrings flop in the air because he can never keep them tied. Adrian makes it back to the safe house she knocks on the door, pounding the code into the door, her fist fluffs like pillows, and the banging forges no sound. 

BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG...BANg BANg..BAng BAng BAng...

Bang, Bang, Bang..bang, bang, bang, bang. Silence. Whispers. 

Michael and Adrian are sleeping on the couch, arm and arm. His lunch box hides underneath the couch, out of sight, out of mind, but visible enough for him not to forget it. His sneakers are pre-tied, waiting for him to slip them on. Adrian swings her left arm off of the couch, which is wrapped in red, hardened fabric from an injury three days before. The door swings open as the wind whispers foreshadowing statements and tells us the secrets of a late Friday night turned to an early Saturday morning. 

 

The monster enters, red-eyed and swaying from side to side, growling and casually chewing gum in an attempt to mask the smell of liquid courage. Adrian opens her eyes and glances at a sleeping Michael, in all his childlike innocence and glory, as she pictures the life he has left to live. She takes the monster's bag, finds the car keys, and carries Michael upstairs to bed.