The road was long and winding. The clouds over casted the sky, making everything surrounding me a shade of blue. The static was the only sound over the radio, occasionally interspersing with a song cutting in and out that I could barely make out.
I turned the volume knob down. The static was starting to give me a headache. I could feel my temple throbbing.
As more turns twisted the road ahead, I found my attention being drawn to the many pine trees on either side of the valley that dipped steeply down from the road. There was a light dusting of what looked like snow atop the pines. It was rather odd, as it hadn't even begun to snow, although it felt cold enough for it.
I thought it interesting that there was not a single car in sight. Perhaps they were smarter than me and found a better route to take.
Why did my parents have to live in the mountains? I thought to myself. Why couldn't they live in a suburban neighborhood like every other old married couple?
It felt weird to refer to them as old. I was their same age when I was a child. I still mentally picture them in their 30's. It's crazy how quickly time flies.
I found myself quickly approaching a gravel road. This was it, their road. I sighed and made my turn. The car rumbled under the rocks underneath, making me rapidly bounce in my seat. Why could they not have this road paved or something? Or at least smooth the gravel out. This almost felt dangerous to drive over.
Oh, how quickly I'd realize how dangerous this road would truly be...
***
The gravel road seemed to stretch on even longer than I'd remembered. How long had I been driving down it? Looking at the time on my radio, five minutes had passed. It certainly didn't feel like it.
Up ahead, there was a car that suddenly swerved the corner of the loop ahead. It almost seemed to be spinning out. I started to panic. Was it going to try to pass me? I tried swerving to the side so they could get by, but I hadn't done it quick enough. I stopped the car just in time to see their car driving off the gravel road and down the steep decline on the side of the mountain.
I screamed and ran out of the car. I went to the very edge of the road to see what had happened to them. With my phone in hand, I was ready to dial 9-1-1. But when I looked down the side of the mountain, what I saw was something that, even now, I have trouble explaining. Their car looked like it was casually driving down the side of the mountain, maintaining a steady speed, as though the car was on a smooth stretch of road. It leveled out when it reached the bottom and drove straight, disappearing behind the forest of trees.
Slowly, I staggered backwards, "What the f*ck was that?!" Those words escaped my lips as I questioned if I was awake or dreaming. I stumbled back until My back hit the car. I turned around and got back in.
Still shaken, I sat in my seat for a few moments, my head buried in my hands. Had that actually happened? How did that car defy gravity? How are they okay? Nothing made sense about what had just happened.
Eventually, I turned the keys and started the car. Again, I continued my way to my parents house. Maybe I could tell them about it when I get there.
Turning the corner, what I expected to see was my parents house. What I didn't expect was to see their house burning.
I quickly got out of my car, running toward the house. I called out for my parents but the only answer was the crackling from the fire, as well as some falling debris. I ran inside and dodged the roaring flames, choking on the smoke. Speeding through the rooms, I saw no signs of life. Instead, I saw my childhood room and their precious belongings just burning away.
Suddenly, I heard a sound. A sign of life. It was the meowing of a cat. I ran to the sound. It was in the kitchen. I grabbed it and carried it outside with me. I put it in my car and went back to the house. I grabbed my phone to call my parents. I had to know if they were okay.
It rang once. Twice. Then, I heard a ringtone going off. It was muffled but definitely nearby. I stepped closer to the house but it sounded more distant. Then, it stopped. I dialed the number again and the sound continued, I followed the sound away from the house. Hold on. Was it coming from inside of my car?
I threw the door open and the sound was clear as day. I searched the car, continuing to dial the number, but found nothing. That was, until the cat I'd found stepped closer to me. And it began coughing. Had it eaten their phone?
As it continued to cough, a large object spewed from its mouth. A human bone. I stumbled back as I realized what had happened. The cat had eaten my parents...
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