Damon's POV
The house was filled with the odor of fried stew. Mom was in the kitchen stirring the pot and Dad was in the couch reading the newspaper. Sophie was drawing with the crayons on the dining table and Ethan was on the floor playing with his toy car.
It was a normal day. Peaceful.
I came in and left my backpack at the door and yelled, I am home.
Mom smiled over her shoulder. Wash your hands, dinner is nearly ready.
I said yes, and went to the sink.
Mom, there was a big black truck that kept on following me on my way back to school. I said, and I was instantly aware of a shift in the atmosphere of the room.
My father got tensed and dropped a piece of paper in his hands. "What did you say?" He inquired, gradually rising and gazing at the door as though the truck were going to crash through the door.
"A big black truck-" my words were stopped by the sound of a truck coming to our driveway.
"Kids go to your room?" My mother yelled.
However, we had not reached the stairs when the door of the front opened.
In came three men, big, rough-looking men. One of them was taking a small metal case. One of them was holding what looked like a rod.
Dad went up to them at once. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The leader, who was obviously the man in front, came nearer. His face had no emotion. You see the reason we are here, Carter.
Mom froze by the stove. "What are you talking about?" she said, trembling, and took up her phone.
The lips of the man turned in a slight curve. Your husband, got into the wrong people lady. He spoke and one of the men came to mom and took her phone roughly out of her hand.
Dad's eyes widened. Listen, please, we will not speak. We'll leave Blackridge. We'll move away, I swear. Just let my family go."
Mom ran to his side and took his arm and nodded his head in desperation. Oh, oh, we have children, please, please, we have children--
The man cut her off. "No. The Hayes family does not risk. We have come not to hear your prayers, but not to make the Hayes worry any more.
He snapped his fingers. The two gentlemen behind him began to move. One got hold of Dad by the collar and threw him to the floor. Mom was grabbed by another and pushed towards the wall. Sophie screamed and ran to her, but one of the men kicked the chair that struck her, and she went flying on her face to the ground.
I didn't think--I just moved. I ran on, screaming, "Go away! go away!
A great hand grabbed my shirt and threw me aside like rubbish. I hit the floor hard. I made attempts to rise, but the man stamped a heavy boot on my shoulder, and kept me down.
Dad tried to crawl toward me. "He's just a boy!" his voice broke, he screamed. No, no, please, touch my children!
The leader squatched beside him. He should have minded his business, he said to himself. "Now, everyone pays."
He approached the man with the metal case in his hand. "Do it."
The man opened the case and drew out a long cord to which a metal rod was attached. My heart started racing.
"No! Please!" Mom cried. "We'll do anything! Don't--please!"
But they didn't stop.
The humming began first. Then the sparks. There was flickering blue light in the room. The air was filled with the smell of electricity, sharp, burnt, awful.
Mom screamed. Dad's voice joined hers. I attempted to rise again, but the boot of the man was pressed and I heard a bone in my shoulder crack. My vision blurred. Beside me were crying Sophie and Ethan.
"Stop it! Please stop!" I screamed. My throat was sore because I was screaming, and they did not cease shocking my parents.
I heard the screaming of my parents, then it died. Something was burning and the room was filled with the smell. And then, there was silence.
No more voices. No more movement. Only the mute moaning of something dying away.
The man eventually got off me. His eyes were cold and flat looking down. "Remember this," he said. "You didn't see anything."
Search every room and get whether they have anything. The chief gave orders and sat down on the chair which my father had sat several hours ago.
I crept up to my parents, and they did not move. Mom had her eyes open, and stared at nothing. The hand of dad was still extended, as though he were reaching out to me.
"Nothing boss." The men agreed in unison as they walked out of the rooms.
"Good. Take these two and abandon this one here. The leader indicated to Sophie and Ethan.
"Let them go!" I attempted to scream, and scrambled to my feet, but was kicked to the groin, and went sprawling forward, all black everywhere as the pain flashed through my body.
"Finish him." The boss left commanding him dragging Sophie and Ethan.
I was horrified as the men pulled me to my mom and dad with the intention of attempting to electrocute me.
"Stop!!"
I woke up screaming. I sat up in bed in a state of sweat as my chest heaved. I was not sure where I was a second. The blackness, the odour--it was all too lifelike.
A light switched on. My therapist, Dr. Harlow, came into the room. He kneeling, laid a firm hand on my arm.
"You're safe, sir," he said softly. "It's okay. It was just a nightmare."
I rubbed my face, seeking to draw my breath. My heart was still pounding. It happened again, I said to myself.
Dr. Harlow nodded slowly. "I know. Breathe, Damon. Just breathe."
I did. However, in my heart I was aware that it was not a mere dream.
It was a memory.
And I would never forget it.