A New Death: CJ's Story Read online

  ***

  Everyone was quiet as we packed the vehicles with the food and supplies. We had our SUV, and G-Dad brought his pick-up truck, so there was plenty of room for cargo. Mom and G-Mom worked in the kitchen, packing up food and cooking utensils. I carried the boxes out to G-Dad who was cramming them into every nook and cranny he could find. Hailey was coloring at the table, out of the way, but I noticed that Dad and Aunt Laura had slipped away from the rest of the family.

  After taking a box outside, I went back in and said I had to go to the bathroom. Mom nodded and told me to hurry. I went towards the bathroom, but kept going and went into my parent’s bedroom. I heard voices in their bathroom.

  Aunt Laura and Dad were talking quietly.

  “Josh probably will assume we went to the cabin, but just in case he comes here to check and see if we’re here, this note will point him in the right direction,” I heard my Dad say.

  “Yeah, I know he will probably come here first before heading out west or trying to head in town,” Aunt Laura answered. “At least to see if we made it out. With the house empty, he’ll know where to go next. What’s the safe passcode?”

  “3836.”

  “Got it. You think-”

  She paused.

  “You think he’ll use it?”

  “I doubt it, but I’d like for him to have the option, just in case he gets in trouble.”

  “Yeah… trouble…” Aunt Laura trailed off.

  “He’ll be fine, Laura. He’s probably already got his hands on a machete. Heck, I’m surprised he doesn’t already walk around with one!”

  I heard her laugh half-heartedly, which I felt was my cue to walk into the bathroom.

  “Do you have any boxes I can take?” I asked nonchalantly.

  “No, CJ. We’re good in here. C’mon let’s go finish in the kitchen,” my Dad said, pulling me out of the bathroom.

  I had enough time to catch a glimpse of the note they were talking about. Written in lipstick on the mirror was:

  Gone to cabin.

  Safe code: 3836

  I love you

  Ps- don’t leave me to do this by myself

  Don’t die on me

  What? Don’t die on me? I thought. What does she mean?

  My brain began to race. I had no idea why everyone was so worried and talking in ways where I couldn’t understand them. I had no idea why we were packing everything up and leaving to go to the cabin. I had no idea why I was carrying my gun around and I had no idea why Aunt Laura was afraid of Uncle Josh dying.

  And why do they keep saying they wish he was here? That’d he know what to do?

  Uncle Josh was good for a lot of things, don’t get me wrong, but they were mostly related to video games or movies. If I ever needed to know where to get a certain Pokemon, Uncle Josh was the guy to go to. But serious things? The only serious thing I ever heard my uncle talk about was the Bible.

  My Dad looked at me. He knew that I was trying to piece things together, despite how much I tried to play it off. He could always see right through me.

  “What’s going on Dad?” I asked, very cool and grown up-like.

  The adults all looked at each other. I could tell they were “telepathically” arguing about whether to tell me or not. My mother’s and grandmother’s eyes both screamed no, while G-Dad simply shrugged. My Dad looked back at me.

  “I’ll explain once we’re on the way, Son. Promise.”

  I nodded. My father always kept his promises. I’m sure there was a reason why they weren’t telling me. A reason on why they were acting all weird. I went to ask when we were planning on leaving, but didn’t get the chance to, because a gunshot was fired in the distance. Another two shots were fired, then silence.