Chapter 2

Leaving So Soon

-Aaron-

“Lisa!” I called again. I could hear footsteps as she made her way down the hall to me.

“What, babe? You’re going to wake the kids up!” She said, exasperated.

“I know I know, but you’re going to want to see this! Look!” I said as I held up the cord to the surge protector.

“Thaaaats...nice...?” She replied dubiously.

“No! No, I mean look at it! I pulled the power cord from the wall and the computer is still going strong. There’s no backup battery on this bad boy, so this thing should have shut down by now.” I explained.

“Uh, I’m confused. Why would you pull the plug in the first place and are you sure you’re not just being stupid and plugged the computer into the other socket? What are those?” She asked, pointing to the wall socket adjacent to the desk.

I glanced at the other electrical socket, “Wha-?” I asked confused. I leaned over and pulled the plug from the second socket. “No, no. That’s the lamp, babe. Look!” I held up both cords in the air, well aware of how idiotic I looked.

“Why is it still on?” She asked. Oliver was more than happy to double check under the desk for any other plugs that remained in their sockets.

“Ollie, C’mon man! My poor computer has been through enough tonight.” I said as I reached down to pick him up.

As I lifted Oliver a sound drew both of our attention.

Whump fzzzt whump!

“The hell is it making that noise for?” Lisa asked nervously.

“Fu-” I glanced at Oliver. “Fuggin nuts, right?” I asked, making sure Oliver wasn’t paying attention; I wasn’t prepared for another reaction to my potty mouth.

“Should we grab the kids and go downstairs?” Lisa asked, moving towards Ann’s room.

“Dad, get up here, quick!” I shouted downstairs to my father who was reading on the couch.

“What’s up, boyo-”

Whump whump whump fzzzzzzzzzzzt! The computer tower began to pulsate with light while the monitor rippled; the chat window still in the background full of r’s.

Lightning illuminated the window behind the monitor once again followed by more noises from the computer tower.

Whump whump whump whump fzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.

“Andrew! Grab a pot and fill it with water!” Lisa yelled down.

“The hell is it doing? Unplug it already, boy! The power surges are frying that thing!” My dad said, raising his voice.

I pointed to the cords on the ground, unplugged as I quickly back away.

“Uhh. Huh.” Was all my dad managed to get out before the computer tower finally gave out.

Psssssshhhh whump whump psssssshhh.

The monitor finally shut off and the tower lights blinked out.

“Jeez that was rough. I said, handing Oliver off to Lisa.

“Don’t touch it until it’s cooled off, son.” Dad cautioned.

“That was weird. Shouldn’t it have shut off a lot sooner than that?” My wife asked.

“Yeah, babe. Maybe the power surge overloaded the CPU enough to keep it powered on.” I said, trying to find an explainable solution.

“No, that doesn’t make any sense.” My dad informed us. “If the CPU was overloaded it would’ve just blown. The surge protector should’ve gone out way before then, anyway.”

“I don’t understand it. Either way, computer is toast.” I said sullenly, shoulders drooping.

“Let’s get the kids back to bed, babe. We can worry about it in the morning.” My wife said, placing a hand on my arm.

“Yeah, what a way to end a Friday night.” I said, reaching out to place my hand on the front of the computer tower.

As my fingers made contact with the tower, I felt a pulling sensation from the heels of my feet. I leaned backwards instictively, as if my insides were being drawn out towards to computer. I had enough time to glance at my wife, mouth agape.

“Ba-” I was cut off as the world went dark.

*****

-John-

The computer tower came to life, lighting a bright blue. The tower fans buzzed with a speed that was far faster than normal as a loud humming vibrated through the air.

“Aaron?!” I had time enough to yell before jumping back, one hand on the stairwell to keep from falling.

Aaron’s body was pulled forward, looking as if it began to warp. Lisa’s hand followed quickly, warping with Aaron’s distorted shape. Lisa moved to release Oliver from her right arm as she was dragged towards the computer as well, but it was too late.

Oliver cried out, “Eeeeeh!” With a worried look towards his mother as he, too began to distort, warping towards the computer tower.

“Kids-no!” I cried with a panic-stricken face, releasing my hold on the rail to attempt to grab Oliver. The computer tower filled the room with a bright blue pulsating glow, dying down only once Aaron, Lisa and Oliver had disappeared. The blue light quickly faded, leaving only the dull humming noise of the fans. Movement to the right caught my attention as James appeared in his doorway, one hand rubbing his eye and the other covering his ear.

“Dad?” James called. “You’re too loud, dad.” James looked up to see John’s panicked expression.

Thinking quickly, my mind snapped back into focus, “James, listen. Grab Ann and head downstairs to Andrew’s room.”

“Wha-why? What’s happe-” James started.

“Now James! No questions. Move!” I rushed.

James quickly headed off in the direction of Ann’s room.

“Andrew! James and Ann are coming down to you now. Keep them in your room and keep the door closed. I will come to get you in a few moments. Do not let them out for any reason!”

“Okay. Where’s mom and dad?” Andrew called from the foot of the stairs.

“I don’t know! I’m hoping to figure that out. Do only what I ask you to do. Questions later!” I replied.

James grunted from the doorway, pulling on Ann’s hand and trying to get her to budge. Ann was obviously not happy about being woken up and was resisting any attempt from her slightly older brother to remove her from her room.

“Ann! Wake up! Follow your brother downstairs and be careful!” I yelled.

Anne’s eye flew open as she followed my unusually strict orders.

“Where the hell did you kids go?” I demanded towards the computer.

I tentatively peered into the office and saw that nothing was out of the ordinary, save the faint glowing blue light and plugs laying on the ground unplugged from their respective sockets. There was no evidence of my son, his wife or my grandson that were standing there only a moment ago. My foot kicked something soft and I glanced down to see a green dinosaur resting only a foot into the office. I reached down to picked it up as an idea popped into my head. I stood up slowly and the green dinosaur lightly towards the desk. The dinosaur bounced off of the lip of the desk and flounced quietly to the floor, lifeless.

“Hmm.” I murmered to myself.

I lowered myself to the floor, popping joints as I went.

“Humph” I breathed as my stomach hit the floor.

I crawled cautiously towards the desk where the stuffed animal lay, stopping as I completed each movement. I listened carefully, waiting for any change in the computer; Nothing happened. I continued my slow crawl towards the tower, moving as slowly as I could. Five feet from the stuffed animal I swore. The computer lit up, bringing a bright blue hue to the room as the fans came to life. I paused, breathing heavily.

My body was frozen, tense due to the sudden change in the room. I tentatively reached out slowly with my right arm, but there was no change in sound from the computer. I brought my left knee up towards my left arm slowly, beginning the world’s slowest army crawl. As I pushed with my right foot, the fans hummed a little louder. Two feet, I thought. I moved my right knee up to my right side and slowly, breathlessly, pushed a bit further. My hand met the fur of the dinosaur and I hissed excitedly.

“Yesss!”

The fans began vibrating louder and I paused, panting. Sweat began to bead on my forehead as I stared helplessly at the front lip of the computer hanging off the desk. I kicked my legs out behind me and dug the toes of my feed into the carpet, hoping for purchase. As I pulled my legs I pushed up with my hands, dinosaur gripped tightly. I began to move slowly backwards. The further away I pushed myself from the desk the more confidence returned to my movements.

Once at the doorway, I carefully stood up, using the doorframe for assistance. I shifted the dinosaur to my left hand and cocked my arm back for an underhand throw. I paused, glancing at the heap of toys strewn throughout the hall towards James's room.

“I’m an idiot.” I mumbled.

I took aim and tossed the stuffed animal a little harder and to the right. The green dinosaur bounced into the front of the computer angrily. I paused, confident the fluffy critter had enough momentum to disturb the tower, but nothing happened.

“Makes sense. Nothing else from the office is gone. The desk, monitor and speakers haven’t moved.” I said to myself, starting to feel a bit insane.

Backing away from the doorway, I called down, “Andrew! Grab my phone and bring it up to me. No one else come up!”

I waited patiently as a pair of feet shuffled downstairs.

“I left it on the couch, son. Hurry please!” I called again.

“I’ve got it!” Andrew yelled up the stairs. “Can I talk to my mom, please?”

“Andrew they’re not here. I’m trying to figure this all out.” I yelled as calmingly as I could.

Andrew appeared at the foot of the stairs and began to make his way up, trying to peer around the staircase curiously. I grabbed the phone from his hand and lifted it to my face, waiting patiently for the phone to respond. The phone lit up and I swiped to the home page, clicking on the phone icon. I tapped 9-1-1 and paused, realization hitting me.

“No one’s going to belie-” I was cut off by a loud buzzing coming from the office once again.

I glanced to Andrew and saw Ann and James next to him. “Kids I need you to listen very carefully. We need to leave for a bit. Andrew, I want you to take James and start packing some clothes; and no toys, James! Hold your questions for later. Ann you’re with me, sweetheart. Let’s get some clothes from your room.” I said.

Ann brought a hand up to her chin, fidgeting quickly as she started walking towards me. Andrew took James's hand and started down the steps. Once in Ann’s room I picked every dress and blouse I could find from her hangars.

“Ann grab some pants and throw them on the bed.” I said hurriedly.

I grabbed Ann’s bag from the top of her closet and began stuffing random articles of clothing inside.

“Papa John I’ve got as much as I can fit into my bag!” Andrew called from the top of the steps.

“Papa, something’s happening!” Andrew screamed, panicked.

“I’m coming!” I yelled.

Working as fast as I could, I zipped Ann’s bag and hefted it over my shoulder. Not stopping, I turned and lifted Ann with a single arm and hurried out of the room. I froze, seeing the top of the stair well where the boys were only a moment ago, empty. My heart beat rose into my eardrums and I could hear nothing but the ringing inside my own head.

“A-andrew..?” I called tentatively.

Quiet filled the house except the ever-growing hum of the computer tower just down the hallway.

“James!” I yelled. “Answer me!”

My eyes moved to the floor and halted at a lone toy truck laying on its side just above the top step – back wheel spinning slowly. I slowly set Ann down and dropped to my knees.

“Boys!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

Ann began crying, holding my right arm.

“Papaaa!” She cried “I want my daddy!”

We both jolted from our grief as a loud grinding noise filled the hall, sending goosebumps down my spine.

“Ann we’ve got to run!” I said, panicking.

I stood up quickly, not bothering to wipe my eyes. Ann accepted my embrace as I left her bag and fumbled for the stairs. A warm electric sensation grabbed hold of the right side of my body. I had been electrocuted before, but this sensation made me feel as if the electricity now had claws. Grunting, I fell, right knee slamming into the floor. I held tightly to Ann, kicking my left foot out as I tried hooking it to the top of the stairs.

“Papa I’m scared.” Ann whimpered as she arched her back, head reaching towards the hallway as if an unseen hand was pulling her by her hair.

“Baby, I’ve got you.” I comforted, terrified.

My back arched as the right side of my body locked up, paralyzed. I kicked madly with what strength I had in my left leg, hoping for purchase. My left arm instinctively reached out to the railing of the stairwell, fingers twitching as they tried to reach. With a loud yell I pulled with every fiber of my being, whispering prayers.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!” I screamed as I felt my left leg and body slip down the first step. “Hold on to me Ann!” I demanded.

I felt no response from her tiny body and I felt the panic now rising along with my determination. I began to feel a pulling sensation throughout my entire body as I glanced at Ann, horrified. Ann’s eyes were closed and her body limp, save for the arched back reaching towards the hallway.

“Dammit!!” I screamed, feeling myself beginning to lift back up the top step. “No!”

Realization quickly set in as I knew I would not be able to overpower this unseen force. The electricity was moving throughout my body, locking up my left side as well. The violent pulling was relentless, making me feel like I was fighting against a moving vehicle. Buzzing and crackling filled the hallway and stairwell, illuminating both with bright blue sparks. I felt the tears lifting slowly from my cheeks, as if in testament to my failed strength; Glistening as they wobbled with an unseen force. I let out a sobbing plea as my fingers began to pull away from the hand rail.

“P-please! Not her!” I begged.

I screamed and kicked with what little strength I had left, hefting my fingers back onto the rail. As if chiding me, the pull became stronger through Ann and I felt her begin to slip from my arm.

“You can’t! You won’t have her!” I spit as I yelled, angrily.

It was useless. Ann was steadily being pulled from my arm and no amount of strength was going to overcome this paralysis spreading throughout my body. I bit my lower lip and stared at Ann’s body as she continued arching backwards, threatening to fold around my arm. Sobbing, I buried my head into her chest and let go of the rail, wrapping my left arm around her. My body was quickly dragged across the floor like a ragdoll. My left leg flailed like a broken limb, searching for any anything to hook onto. As I rounded the corner into the office, my foot caught hold of the doorway. I kicked my other leg in an attemp to hook my other foot onto the doorjam as well, but it was no use.

“Yoooou bastaaaaard!” I screamed as I felt the wood of the doorjamb giving way.

Time slowed as the wood splintered with a loud crack, sending broken pieces flying past me. The buzzing quieted almost in unison with the pulsating blue light that still filled the room. My body lifted with Ann’s from the floor, turning slowly towards the computer tower. I shuddered as if staring into a living breathing being. Ann and I floated together long enough for me to feel as if the computer were mocking me, triumphantly. I gritted my teeth and with every ounce of strength I had left, lifted my left arm. I raised my middle finger towards the tower and whispered, “Fucker!” as we propelled forward.