Making our way towards the gladed park, the stench of cold air and roadside sea salt stung our noses.

CHRIS: Hah..! To think you would be so soft..!

DEREL: Hey! Don’t go smiling now–just because I broke the stereotype doesn’t mean you can point it out..!

Smiling with a stiff grin I could only smile harder.

CHRIS: Yeah, you certainly did. I wouldn’t know any other guy who’d do that for anyone.

CHRIS: Haah..but then again..

DEREL: Are you going all sappy on me already? I don’t think I could take on anymore of your loneliness.

As we both cynically chuckled, Chris familiarly hit my arm once more, though a little harder than usual.

CHRIS: Hey..! That’s personal.

DEREL: Heh..! That felt personal.

Making our way to a nearby bench–we shoved off the access snow before sitting on the colden, wet wood.

DEREL: Guagh…! I’m gonna need a warm shower after today..

Cracking a slight smile, Chris only looked at me familiarly.

CHRIS: Hm. Wait, isn’t tomorrow Christmas?

Realizing that it was–I checked my phone.

DEREL: Right, I almost forgot because of our scuffle.

CHRIS: Pft! Don’t make it sound like we had a fight.

As the darkened screen excitedly lit as I pressed the anticipated button, a familiar noise caught my attention.

BaTing!

A notification sound from my homepage. Sliding it open, I checked my texts to see a missed call from my mother.

DEREL: Mm..

CHRIS: What? Did someone call?

I nodded my head.

DEREL: Yeah, it's my mom–I guess she was just worried.

Looking at the white snow around us–I couldn’t help but feel relieved.

DEREL: (Sigh)

CHRIS: What’re you sighing for?

Playing with a curious smile–Chris’ curiosity turned her attention towards me.

I only gazed on.

DEREL: (Scoff)...It’s nothing, really.

DEREL: Just thinking is all.

With the silence filling the area, distant crows chirped their nasty songs.

CHRIS: Isn’t it nice?

Without saying a word–I could only agree.

DEREL: You’d always like shit like this you know?

Again silence filled the area. Though this time permanently.

CHRIS: Thanks for being out here Derel.

I still gazed on.

DEREL: Yeah, you're welcome..

Watching the fevered snow–its fall only synced our lips in silence as they dried with a cold vigor.

Feeling a sense of deja vu, my divided attention was soon distracted by a screening noise.

PSSH-CURR!

Looking towards a certain direction down the river bank–I quickly looked over to Chris, her eyes concerned and worried as well.

As we made our way through the slippery slope, we helped each other down the path–silently praying not to slip or fall.

DEREL: Ah..! Damn, I got mud on my pants..

Without speaking, Chris only nudged my arm to get my attention.

Looking to where she was facing, I now knew what she found.

A large chunk of black metal blocked the small river path. Only dribbles of water were traveling through the glinted cracks.

DEREL: W-What in the..?

Walking closer–we both took caution, and sturdy branches.

Bending on my knees–I scanned at the damaged metal, its stained of mud, snow and dried spurts of red gave me a certain chill.

Knowing what cryptic message it was trying to send–I swiftly got back up and walked back towards Chris.

With her holding onto the sturdy branch as professionally as can be, it looked as if she was ready to swing in all directions.

DEREL: M-Mind calming down with that..? I don’t necessarily want a concussion over break.

Chris, with a somewhat serious tone–then tried to respond to my sarcasm.

CHRIS: Right…after hearing a strange noise in the woods, then ‘investigating’ it–I’m not supposed to be on edge.

Chuckling at her satirical reply, I soon climbed back up the hill.

Grabbing onto a tree–I dropped the branch and reached for Chris' hand.

Taking it–we both made it out of the creek alive.

DEREL: Whew…! I think that’s enough adventure for today. Let's say we make it home with some hot coco.

Chris nodded somewhat excitedly.

CHRIS: R-Really? Coco?

With the manner of a snot nosed kid–the spark in her eyes grew.

DEREL: Yeah, my fingers are cold as hell and I don’t want to worry my parents.

As we walked back towards my house–the eerie quiet of the forest hollowed its last rays of sun.

CHRIS: You think everyone went home already?

DEREL: Mm. Probably, I’m not too sure how long my relatives usually celebrate–but by this time everyone should have already packed up I think.

Arriving on the porch–the jingle of my keys grew excited as the warm heat from my house emitted through the cracks. Unexpectedly I cracked it open.

DEREL: W-What..?

With it gliding across the entryway, the faulty lights feign warmth as the subliminal building I once called home, felt off..

CHRIS: W-What? Is something wrong?

Peeking from behind me–Chris took a look towards where I was looking.

Shattered glass and prints of wet, muddy snow layed scattered across the living room.

With my heart slowly panicking–I knew not to shout but I needed to know if my parents were okay.

DEREL: M-MOM? DAD?

Instinctively I regretted it.

As the both of us shuffled inside–we didn’t take off our shoes as we had no time to think about daily mannerism. This only gave me an ominous feeling.

Heading towards the kitchen–the window was shattered as the sink caved in on itself. From the angle of the scattered glass–someone or something broke in.

KURR.

A certain noise came from up the stairs. At the same time the lights flicked off.

We were now in darkness. Grabbing a nearby kitchen knife–I armed myself.

CHRIS: (Now whispering) Are you…are you really..!?

PURR-CLINK. PURR-CLINK. PURR-CLINK.

With what sounded like dragging metal–we quickly both hid behind the refrigerator.

Grasping the edge of its side solemnly, I clenched the knife cautiously as I peeked around the corner.

A wire. But not just any type of wire–its tip had some sort of sharp metal rod sticking at the end– exactly like a needle for injecting substances.

Its components of machinery stun me to my core. This–though not exactly living but breathing–thing had transparent latex skin. The skeletal structure of the thing looked to be fully metal along with running wires as its veins.

DEREL: W-What the hell..!?

I whispered a little too loudly.

JSH!

Turning its head–I swiftly ducked back within the shadows and with one quick turn–I looked at Chris. Showing her my panicked face.

PURR-CLINK. PURR-CLINK. PURR-CLINK.

Its metal legs strut across the living room.

PURR-CLINK. PURR-CLINK.

With the shining of a red light–the doorway to the kitchen was bathed in its sight.

Quickly grabbing Chris’ hand–we started to move quietly towards the other side.

Then it stopped–staring and standing.

Looking back–the red light just stood, no sign of movement nor intrigue.

Thinking this was our chance I looked away to run but then suddenly.

Zzt!

A sharp needle caressed my neck–barely inches away from piercing my throat.

Trying to hold in a breath–my heart skipped a beat. Chris did the same.

Making a face of conforming resolve–I looked back at the red light, still unmoving, unflinching.

As I moved my head away from the needle–I peeked to where its body was.

Nothing but the wire of its tail.

Unable to find the confidence to run–we were essentially trapped.

With almost nothing to use–and no opportunity to get ourselves out, we had no other choice but to stay still.

VOICE: Hey!!

KAPSSHING!

The sound of shattering glass caught the things' attention. As does my fathers voice.

DAD: Get away from my son you despicable hunk of shit!

Throwing what sounded like my computer–it directly hit the machine.

PUNG!

Ejecting a sort of steam like shriek, it sounded like it gritted its teeth in anger.

TSSHHIE!

Hearing quickening footsteps, my father ran towards his room.

Heavy metal footsteps followed suit.

PLAKING! PLAKING! PLAKING!

Taking this once in a lifetime chance, we both quickly ducked and ran out of the house.

Skipping on ice–we were a meter away before I came to my senses. My parents are still in the house.

Grasping the knife–I swiftly turned back and headed towards the door.

CHRIS: Derel! Where are you going!?

Looking at Chris–I didn’t stop running, only giving her an expression.

Tripping on snow–I reached the porch.

KSSHH-KINNK!

Soundly hearing the pottery vase scatter, I stomped up the stairs towards my parents room.

There it was, its tail–half way through the door frame.

I relented, unsure if my parents were safe or not.

Standing–I didn’t realize I was noticed by the thing until I saw its glaring red eyes–quickly looking down; my jacket was scanned red.

DEREL: Oh..fuck…

Sprinting with powerful gears, its heavy metal compressed and decompressed.

KATHUM!

It leaped itself towards me–though luckily with my slippery boots; I fell back, gaining a slight cut on my forehead.

DEREL: Ah..!

Getting back on my feet–I swiftly headed towards my parents room.

DEREL: MOM! DAD!

There was no one in sight. Only the bedroom window swaying in the chilling air.

TRRSHK!

The thing was right behind me–ready to pounce once more.

I ducked, fleeing from whatever abomination that thing was and whatever nightmare I found myself in.

Thump!

DEREL: Auah!

Hitting my side on a desk–I had no time to lay down. As I moved towards the window–I jumped.

KUSH!

Crashing into a nearby bush, I feign conscious as I looked up into the clouds.

DEREL: Augh..! Damn..

With heavy breathing, I got up. As I heard the engine of my dads car–he yelled.

DAD: Come on! Let's go!

Running limply–I opened the side door and quickly ducked into the back.

With us rolling away from the house–we didn’t stop. My dad didn’t stop.

DEREL: D-Dad..where are we going..?

With a shaking voice–I stuttered. He sat silent–looking at the road ahead.

JEREMY(DAD): We’ll head towards a gas station to fill up. Once we’re there–we’ll head straight towards the airport.

Half heartedly understanding what he meant–I sigh the heaviest breath I could muster.

Sitting next to me was Chris, she only looked at the window. Seemingly deluded from the world that suddenly struck us with lightning.

My mother on the other hand was in the passenger seat, unwilling to show me her face though glancing once in a while towards me and Chris.

Feeling exhausted while still slightly panicked.

I layed limply–the feeling of the slight pain from the cut on my forehead and soreness from my legs were ever more irritated from the skewing road.

DAD: Hey…Derel, you alright?

I looked on tiredly.

DEREL: Y-Yeah…just..I just need some time.

JEREMY(DAD): (Sigh)...I mean, did you sprain an ankle?

With a straightforward response, I then looked at my father with slight astoundment.

DEREL: Uh, well–no but it does hurt only a little..

Now looking at me in the rearview mirror, he looked at my forehead.

DAD: That cut…honey search for some bandages-

MOM: Already on it.

Searching desperately–my mother finally nabbed some left over first aid and handed it to me.

DAD: Chris, do you mind wrapping the bandages around his head?

Without resistance–Chris only nodded willingly.

As she grabbed the wrap–she then twirled it around my head.

DEREL: Pft, make sure not to block my eyes.

Without a word–my satirical jokes only claimed the silence.

CHRIS: A-Ah..! Yeah..

Having no energy to reciprocate–I was entirely alone in the endeavor to release the tension.

Having made it to the nearest gas station–everything seemed normal…everything was normal..

Clunk!

Closing the car door–my father went into the station. Seeing his figure disappear into the light–I couldn’t help but think about the movie.

CHRIS: Are you…are you sad that it’s Christmas..?

Slightly confused on what she meant, I quickly checked my phone. Eighteen percent battery.

Twelve O one AM.

Keeping silent–I didn’t realize it was already midnight.

Turning to Chris–I was gonna ask how she knew, until I saw the timer on the car.

I then looked down at my boots.

DEREL: Aren’t you…

DEREL: Aren’t you sad…about leaving home..?

Chris didn’t respond–only stared ahead towards the illuminating light.

CHRIS: I guess…not really..

Was all she said. Though knowing her–I understood she too was processing whatever the hell just happened.

I stayed quiet. We all stayed quiet.

MOM: Derel, Chris.

I perked my ears.

MOM: Remember the time we went fishing that one summer?

Trying to lighten up the mood–I appreciated my mothers effort.

DEREL: Yeah…it was-

CHRIS: Fun..

Looking at Chris–her eyes shown by the station light–were somber.

MOM: Do you two remember when you both tried walking across the slippery rocks before Chris slipped?

Feeling guilty, I stayed silent.

DEREL: . . .

Chris just kept on staring forward.

MOM: Well, after that. Derel when you rescued her from the currents, we all thought you weren’t going to make it.

Lowering my head–I half heartedly knew where this was going.

MOM: That day–when we rushed you to the E.R, we waited for hours before they finally revived your heart.

Sensing the pain in my mothers face–my dried eyes started to burn.

MOM: Derel, honey.

Now turned to me with slight tears in her eyes–she only looked at me warningly.

MOM: You did it again today, Derel.

She then looked at me seriously.

MOM: You’ve disregarded your own life in what you think was right.

I could only look down in shame.

MOM: Honey…I-I know you want to do good, you want to be good. But please, don’t trade your life for it.

I only sighed a silent heavy breath.

CHRIS: I…I agree..

I then looked at Chris with saddened surprise.

CHRIS: But–I also somewhat disagree.

Staring longingly I didn’t change my expression.

CHRIS: Even though he does the stupidest things, he..he at least does it for a good reason..

Now curled up into a ball, Chris looks down with tired eyes.

My mom didn’t respond–only nodded

MOM: I understand your point Chris, but you too–shouldn’t do something that’ll worry us.

With a certain surprised look on her face–Chris’ expression just expanded in slight astoundment.

My mother just continued to speak.

MOM: Don’t go about life thinking you aren’t a part of it, you matter–to us,

She then paused a bit to look at Chris with ensuring eyes.

 MOM: And to Derel.

Making an expression of a familiar sadness–she soon put her head down, curling her arms to hide her face. Her growing hair to hide her slight shakes.

MOM: It’s okay Chris, it's all going to be okay.

Breathing a last sigh of emotion for the night–the car solemnly fell silent.

Right on time–my fathers’ figure walked out from the illuminated gas station. With him were bags and certain items.

Clicking the door open–he put the bags next to our feet.

JEREMY(DAD): Drink those, they’ll help you sleep.

Taking what looked to be packaged milk–I looked up at my dad.

JEREMY(DAD): Don’t worry, it's already preheated so–it’ll warm you up.

Popping open the lid–the warmth of the milk soon made its way into my stomach, starching a drowsy kick as I finished its entirety.

Without realizing it the lids of my eyes grew heavy as the bumps on the roads cradled us to sleep.