27 May 2012
The morning was breaking as Hayley woke up, stumbling bleary eyed towards the bathroom. Echoes of loud voices boomed through her head. "No time for breakfast" she though as she splashed cold water on her face. The voices did not lapse, they were intruding on her morning. It was time to rouse the children, the mind numbing morning routine kicked in as she stood upright and shook off the sleepy haze. Walking light footed into her sons room, Hayley gazed upon her son, sprawled out on his bed looking more like a man than an eight year old boy. "Jayden" she sang in a whispered tone, he did not stir. "Jayden" a little louder this time. Nothing. The maternal fear struck in, he's not moving! Panic over came her as she tentatively moved her little boy repeating his name with a whimper. He stirred and turned, relief waved over Hayley as she stood and composed herself. "Mummy, what's that shouting?"
"It's just adult business baby, it's nothing for children to worry about". Jayden was up and on his way sleepily to the bathroom. Now it was time for Hayley's daughter Riley, not that there was need to stir her. "Riley" Hayley sang cheerily, as Riley came bounding out of her bedroom all blond curls and wide smiles. Riley jumped into her mother's arms and started chattering on about her dreams with such passion. Her five year old imagination was vivid and she took great pleasure in explaining her wonderfully creative dreams through mouthfuls of foaming toothpaste. The shouts got louder, a scream, barking from downstairs as Loui the family dog was desperate to get out of the house. Alarm bells rang for Hayley as she knew something was wrong. Smiling sweetly at the children she subtlety went to the window, looking out over the estate the view was unbelievable. The usual idyllic houses and miles of plush green fields were ignored as there were people strewn about the street, some moving some not. Two of them were running, their faces distorted and then she saw it, the blood. "What the fuck is going on" said Hayley aloud.
Survival : Ch1 • Opuss № I