“Ring! Ring! Ring!” The incessant clamor of the alarm clock shattered the tranquility of the early morning.
After a brief interlude of silence, it resumed its relentless ringing, prompting an exasperated voice from the other room.
“Timothy! Are you going to silence that infernal thing or not?” came the irritated call from his wife
Timothy lay with his head buried beneath the pillow, a habitual position that he had adopted for sleeping. He preferred this arrangement, particularly to muffle the sound of the alarm clock, ensuring the morning noise was as muted as possible in his ears.
It was foolish, and it undermined the very purpose of an alarm clock. Yet, he found it inconsequential; he consistently set his alarm early, fully aware of the struggle that awaited him to rouse from slumber.
It vexed his wife, Allison, to no end, but he believed it was a necessary evil to motivate him out of bed each morning.
Certainly, Allison worked hard and required her rest just as much as he did. However, he was the primary breadwinner in the family, and she seldom asked for financial support.
With a deliberate effort, Timothy pushed aside those thoughts as he finally removed the pillow from his head upon the fourth round of ringing.
“Fine! Fine! Just give me a moment! You know how arduous it is for me to awaken in the mornings!” he exclaimed. He was well aware that he was not inherently lazy; on the contrary, he was a diligent worker.
However, after returning home from a taxing day, he was often so utterly fatigued that the prospect of rising again just four hours later felt insurmountable.
No, he was not the archetypal individual who achieved eight hours of sleep—or even the minimal amount typically recommended.
This reality didn’t faze Timothy; he was remarkably intelligent, with an innate ability to complete every task he undertook and a swift aptitude for learning.
This trait had recently earned him a significant promotion at his workplace, elevating him to new heights within the company.
“Timothy! Come on now! Turn that damn thing off! You know how pivotal this day is! This is the most significant day of your life!” she implored
Her words flooded his mind with urgency, reminding him of the importance of rising.
What was at stake today? Indeed, it was the most critical day of his life, as his wife had astutely pointed out.
He was set to meet with the prominent figure—the scout who would guide him through the negotiations. He would discuss terms of the deal and ascertain precisely what he was about to embark upon.
Richard, the man orchestrating this venture, was only marginally older than Timothy and was preparing to depart for a vacation in Wilmington for a few days.
This would mark the family's first vacation since their honeymoon a decade prior.
Ever since that time, he had been ensnared in the whirlwind of life. Following his college graduation and entry into the workforce, it had seemed as though he was perpetually ensconced in work.
Though they were a close-knit family, Timothy often found himself absent, consumed by various responsibilities.
Soon, his life would become even more hectic. The purpose of this vacation was to prepare for their impending move from the quaint town of Kinston to the bustling city of Raleigh.
While the relocation was not geographically far, it represented a monumental leap—one that felt daunting compared to Kinston.
This prospect particularly concerned Timothy for his son, who struggled with making friends, in stark contrast to their daughter, Angela.
The sixth ring resounded just as these thoughts occupied his mind, prompting Allison to storm into the room, her footsteps echoing with urgency as she approached the alarm clock.
"I can't sometimes with you, Tim..." she murmured to herself, letting out a soft sigh beneath her breath. With a decisive motion, she turned off the alarm clock. Strangely, the sudden silence seemed to rouse Timothy from his slumber. He jolted upright in bed, yanking the pillow off his head. "Hey! What are you doing, Ally? You know today is important, right?" he exclaimed, the urgency of the moment evident in his voice, as if he were reprimanding her for silencing the alarm
Allison glared at Timothy, squinting her eyes in irritation. "I am waking you up!" she declared, and in a swift motion, she slapped Timothy across the face—a tactic her parents often employed with her and her siblings during their childhood. This method was usually effective, often yielding better results on the second attempt. However, Timothy, unaccustomed to such treatment, recoiled in surprise. "Hey! What the hell?!" he gasped, his eyes widening in shock at his wife's unexpected aggression. Their relationship was not characterized by hostility, save for rare occasions, making her action all the more startling
"I'm waking you up! Get up! You need to shower, change, and get dressed! I packed your clothes while you were sleeping last night!" she implored, her voice tinged with urgency
His eyes widened as he recalled crashing early the previous night, having spent a long evening celebrating with his close friend Andrew. Andrew had also received the same promotion at work, and their camaraderie made it seem as though everything was falling perfectly into place
"Right... I'm getting up..." he muttered, grunting as he sluggishly acknowledged her command, contradicting his earlier statement.
Allison raised her hand, threatening to slap him again, prompting him to hasten his movements. With a sudden burst of energy, he leaped off the bed, ready to embrace the day.
"Good choice! I'm going to make sure the kids are up, and then I’ll start preparing breakfast! I should be almost finished by the time you’re ready!" she said, a genuine smile illuminating her face as she spoke. It was evident to her that her husband was now fully awake, as he began to rummage through the dresser in search of clothes
He was adept at getting ready in the morning, quickly brushing his hair and applying cologne and deodorant. Though his routine was succinct, he remained a remarkably handsome man nonetheless.
"Okay! You go right on ahead! I'll be out in just a little bit!" he replied, exhaling a rough sigh as he did so.
Despite feeling mentally and physically drained, a part of him yearned to return to the comfort of his bed. However, he resolutely dismissed the notion. He turned towards the bathroom once he had assembled his outfit for the day.
"Alright! See you in a bit, honey! I love you!" Allison called back, opening and closing the bedroom door behind her
"Love you too, Ally!" he responded, just before she exited the room. He knew she had registered his words; he was the only one who referred to her as Ally. She despised it when others used that name, but when he did, it carried a distinct significance for her. Their love had blossomed since their freshman year of high school

**************************************

"Mom! Ben is being a little turd again!" the loud voice of a young girl rang out, reaching her mother’s ears
Allison turned her attention to her daughter and son, trying to ascertain the cause of their dispute, though she was indifferent to who was right or wrong. "Well, whatever it is... how about you two leave each other alone for a few minutes? Goodness, what has gotten into both of you lately?" she said, addressing her children
They had once gotten along splendidly, always cherishing one another. Yet, in recent months, their relationship had soured, and they now seemed incapable of tolerating each other’s presence
With a soft sigh, Allison contemplated the discord. She disliked witnessing her children argue and hoped it was merely a phase that would soon pass.
As she flipped a pancake, a splash of grease unexpectedly leaped out and stung her hand. "Ow!" she muttered quietly, though no one noticed her momentary discomfort.
Ben, her son, was too preoccupied with pestering his sister. "I'll tell you what’s gone wrong with her! Ever since you got her that phone, all she does is text her boyfriend... she never wants to hang out with me anymore!" he complained, crossing his arms in frustration. It was evident he was unhappy with his sister’s treatment of him.
"Well... I'm 11 years old, Ben, and I don't want all of my friends thinking it's peculiar that I'm best friends with a four-year-old. Why don’t you go and forge some friendships of your own for a change? We have an entire neighborhood teeming with them!" she asserted
Ben gritted his teeth sharply before retorting, "I miss when we were close... You know I don't like other people
Angela diverted her gaze from her phone, adopting a serious tone. A flicker of sympathy for her younger brother crossed her mind, but simultaneously, she felt an overwhelming apathy.
"Well... best of luck in school in a few months..." she replied, turning her attention back to her phone with an audible sigh of exasperation
Ben remained visibly displeased by her words, steadfast in his stance as he countered, "Yeah... good luck to you too... You won't have any of your new friends... or your boyfriend either..." His voice dripped with malice, a smirk forming on his face, as he relished the thought of his words cutting deep. And indeed, they pierced Angela profoundly
"I can still talk to him over the phone... and unlike you, I can make friends... I can always find new ones..." she retorted, concealing the sorrow woven into her words. Deep down, she was distressed about leaving her friends behind, and the thought of losing her boyfriend gnawed at her
She endeavored not to dwell on it, but Ben’s final words lingered ominously. "Yeah... let's see how long that lasts..." he grunted, arms resolutely crossed
Turning his attention to their mother, who was diligently tending to the stovetop, Ben noticed she was just about finished with her first pancake. She had been acutely aware of her children's exchange; her role as a mother compelled her to be attentive
"Both of you will make friends... Relax and leave each other alone, please. Ben, go find something else to occupy yourself..." she instructed, her voice firm
As soon as she uttered her command, Ben averted his gaze, closing his eyes in an attempt to mask his simmering anger

**************************************

"Ring! Ring! Ring!" A distant noise pierced the air, barely audible over the cacophony of water cascading from the shower overhead.
Timothy halted his shower, contemplating whether the sound warranted his attention. With a grunt of frustration, he muttered, "That damn alarm clock! Ally turned that thing off
Once he emerged from the shower and his ears cleared, he realized the sound was not emanating from his alarm clock at all, but rather from his phone resting on the bathroom sink
"Oh... someone's calling me..." he mused to himself, feeling an inexplicable reluctance to answer the call. Yet, he recognized the significance of the day for various reasons.
Reaching for his phone, he noticed the caller ID displayed Richard (Work). A wave of annoyance washed over him; he was tempted to disregard the call momentarily. But he understood that this was pivotal for the promotion he had been anticipating
He grasped his phone, making an effort not to drench it in water, and pressed the green accept button, speaking into the receiver. "Yeah, Richard... what's up? Is everything okay?" he inquired, striving to maintain a calm demeanor
He suspected the issue was trivial, despite Richard's stature. The man had a notorious penchant for discussing matters of little consequence.
"Yeah, yeah... everything's fine on my end... how about you?" Richard replied, his tone suggestive of a casual exchange between siblings
Timothy didn't yet regard them as friends, his indifference palpable as he bit his lip and responded to Richard, his voice tinged with impatience. "Yeah... you caught me in the shower, Dick... I'm getting ready, and the family is about to leave..." he replied almost simultaneously.
"Good… Is everything alright over there? Nobody is unwell or hungry?" Richard inquired, his tone laced with an unusual undertone that briefly perplexed Tim, though he chose not to dwell on it.
"Uh... well, my wife is preparing breakfast, and nobody is ill... Is there something on your mind, Richard?" he asked, though he was reluctant to hear what Richard had to say.
Timothy recognized the man's significance in his prospective future, yet he harbored little affection for him in his present life. He felt an urge to terminate the call at that very moment.
"That's good to hear... No, I’m just ensuring everything is in order. Today is just as pivotal for me as it is for you..." Richard replied, a cheerful smile evident even through the phone.
"Ah... and why is that? Are you getting promoted alongside us?" Timothy queried, referencing the fact that his friend Andrew would also be present.
"No… not so much a promotion as it is receiving a substantial bonus for securing two exceptional individuals like yourselves!" Richard exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable at the prospect of a $20,000 bonus.
Timothy rolled his eyes at this revelation. He understood that Richard was primarily motivated by monetary gain, while he himself yearned for recognition and the sense of accomplishment before his life came to an end.
"Ah! Well, that's fantastic! Everything is proceeding smoothly thus far... I just need to finalize my preparations... Please..." he said, striving to convey his urgency.
As soon as he articulated his sentiments, he hoped to impress upon Richard that he did not wish to prolong the conversation.
Richard, perceptive as ever, grasped the implication and responded one last time. "Well… keep me updated on your status and when you’re approaching the hotel. I’ll be checking in on Andrew and his wife to ensure they’re faring well as well..." he stated, his tone brisk.
Timothy was relieved that they had reached a mutual understanding. He replied, "Alright, Rich! We’ll see you later then!" His tone suggested a desire to cut the call short, yet he recognized the importance of ensuring everything proceeded smoothly.
As the line disconnected, he placed his phone back on the counter. Although tempted to return to the shower and complete his routine, he decided against it, acutely aware that he didn't want to fall behind schedule, as he was perpetually anxious about time

**************************************

"Dad! Finally, he's awake!" Ben's exuberant voice resonated throughout the kitchen and the rest of the house.
All eyes turned toward him, intrigued by the commotion. Angela, however, remained indifferent, her gaze firmly fixed on her phone.
"Hey Ben! How are you this morning, son?" his father asked, ensuring his son was feeling well.
Still harboring concern over Richard's inquiry about their health, he dismissed it upon noticing his son appeared vibrant and healthy.
"Yeah! I'm doing great! Mom is just about to finish preparing us a delicious breakfast!" Ben replied, his head held high as he endeavored to maintain a positive demeanor, nodding toward Allison.
Allison, aware of her husband's presence, cast a brief glance in his direction while primarily focusing on the hash browns and eggs sizzling before her.
"Oh, I believe it! Your mom is an exceptional cook! Quite possibly one of the finest chefs around, to be honest!" He said to his son.
Angela was only partially engaged in the conversation, yet she managed to interject at precisely the right moment. "Not as good as those Japanese chefs at those restaurants! Those guys are extraordinary! And their food is absolutely exquisite!" she declared, a wide smile illuminating her face
Tim and Ben, seated at the table, turned their attention toward her, prompting a twinge of embarrassment that flitted across her features as she promptly returned to texting on her phone
"Oh! I wager that if you provided your mother with the same ingredients those men possess, she could easily surpass them!" Timothy responded to Angela with enthusiasm
Angela, however, chose to disregard her father's comment. Allison, standing by the stovetop, chuckled softly before adding, "I genuinely appreciate your encouragement, Timothy! But I am no match for my mother’s culinary prowess!" Abruptly, she halted her words, a shadow of disquiet crossing her face as she regretted bringing up her mother. Trying to dismiss the uncomfortable thought, she resumed her cooking
Timothy, well aware of the longstanding rift between the two women, opted to refrain from further discussion. Conversely, Ben seemed to embody the opposite sentiment
"I’ve never met your mom... Why have we met both of Dad’s parents but not yours?" Ben asked innocently, his voice imbued with curiosity
Still naive to the complexities of adult relationships, he glanced at his mother, his expression one of confusion. Allison maintained her composure, her gaze fixed intently on the stove
Angela, reminiscing about her grandmother from her childhood, seized the opportunity to speak again. "Sounds like you're fortunate then, Ben! Grandma is quite the eccentric character!" she remarked, recalling her last encounter with her grandmother when Ben was of a similar age
Ben regarded his sister with visible discomfort. He bristled at her disrespectful remarks about their family member. Narrowing his eyes, he retorted, "I don’t care if she’s eccentric... Some people struggle, Angela... She’s still my family!" His tone conveyed a mixture of annoyance and disappointment
Not only was Angela’s derision of their grandmother troubling, but the absence of support from the adults left him questioning the true nature of his grandmother’s eccentricity
"Look... I don’t discuss my mother because we had a disagreement long ago... I want to forgive her, but she refuses to forgive herself..." Angela expressed in one breath, her voice tinged with unresolved pain
Feeling compelled to contribute once more, Angela locked eyes with Ben and continued, "Well... I don’t remember the fight, Ben... But she’s still unhinged..." A grin crept onto her face as she delivered the words
Unwilling to accept his sister’s viewpoint, Ben shook his head in disapproval and muttered under his breath, "That still doesn’t give you the right to act that way..." His gaze shifted to his mother, recognizing that the topic of their grandmother was evidently distressing for her
Timothy, sensing the palpable tension in the room—and despite being distracted by the incessant texts from Andrew—endeavored to alleviate the discomfort. "Everything will work out in the end... Don’t worry, everyone... We are on the brink of a new life, and I assure you it will be for the better..." he proclaimed reassuringly
He then returned his attention to his phone, dismissing the moment. Angela, however, was not appeased by her father’s words; she began to whisper to herself, "Yeah... Leaving everything behind isn’t better..." Her heart ached with the anguish of departing from all she held dear.
Andrew, largely preoccupied, was less attentive to his daughter and instead fixated on the incessant stream of messages from Andrew. "Yes... We are about to hop in the car and leave; we will keep you updated!" the text informed him. A twinge of guilt gnawed at Timothy regarding the current state of affairs.
He recognized that he possessed a sharper intellect than Andrew, yet it seemed that Andrew executed tasks with a swiftness that Timothy found enviable. He knew he shouldn’t harbor jealousy toward his friend, and with a sigh, he began typing a response. "Got you... We will be a bit delayed, but we should still arrive well ahead of schedule..." he replied to Andrew, punctuating his message with a thumbs-up emoji mere seconds later, indicating comprehension and acknowledgment
This was one aspect Timothy appreciated about Andrew; he was succinct and direct, in stark contrast to Richard, who often meandered through conversations.
"Alright, everyone! Breakfast is served! Enjoy!" Allison’s voice broke through Timothy's musings, drawing his attention back to the moment. A smile spread across his face as he met her gaze, extending his hand to accept the plate she offered. "Thank you, love! Alright, kids! Are you ready to pray?" Timothy asked, looking toward the table

**************************************

"Aside from today being a radiant, sunny day with clear skies and a balmy temperature of 80 degrees, we come bearing devastating news!" the radio announcer proclaimed. Richard remained vigilant, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as he navigated the winding path. His phone lay on the dashboard, streaming a live broadcast from one of his favorite YouTubers—a man who delivered the unvarnished truth about current events without succumbing to political theatrics
This was precisely how Richard preferred it; he sought straightforward information devoid of melodrama. Yet, one might find it ironic for a man known for his loquacity.
"Shit! Are they talking about the deranged cannibals trying to seize control?" he blurted out, flinching at the gravity of his own words. He had been following the alarming reports of a widespread illness sweeping across the globe, driving individuals to madness and cannibalism. The broadcaster suggested a disturbing connection between the epidemic and these horrific acts, proposing a biblical parallel, even though Richard himself was not a devout believer in God. He did, however, acknowledge the stark reality unfolding before him
"Ummm... The images we are about to present are graphic... Viewer discretion is advised... If you have children nearby, or if you are a child watching this..." the announcer cautioned. The stream abruptly paused, inciting Richard’s frustration; his phone’s connection had been erratic throughout the day. Despite repeated resets and attempts to check for updates, the issues persisted, mirroring the chaos enveloping the nation.
The world was descending into turmoil, and yet he found himself preoccupied with the prospect of securing a $20,000 bonus for which he had been laboring tirelessly. It was indeed a tumultuous ride he was on, that much was certain.
"Relax... The world isn’t unraveling... Things will sort themselves out, just as they always do..." he muttered to himself, though thoughts of the Bible echoed ominously in his mind. Was the end of the world unfolding at this very moment? And here he was, about to embark on a vacation with a group of men he scarcely knew, all while potentially earning significant financial rewards—not merely the bonus he was already anticipating
Money—this singular pursuit governed his life. Hence, his position revolved around identifying individuals worthy of hiring and promoting for this substantial corporation. He had little interest in the company’s inner workings; all he cared about was the financial gain it promised
"As you are about to witness..." the stream resumed, revealing that he had not lost the signal after all; it had merely been a temporary interruption. Richard understood all too well that such pauses often heralded significant developments
"It's about to get... bloody... And this isn't a video game... This is real... Real fucking life!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with enthusiasm. The scene on Richard’s phone transitioned, showcasing a vast throng of people gathered in what appeared to be a venue or event.
"Everyone, remain calm and stay in your seats!" an armed guard commanded as the camera zoomed in on him. Unfortunately, the crowd appeared to be largely unresponsive. A distressed woman at the front, accompanied by her two children and their friends, was visibly agitated by the guard’s refusal to allow her family to pass
"That man just attempted to devour those poor elderly gentlemen! They might die! Do you not comprehend the gravity of the situation?" she exclaimed in a state of panic and fervor. Her frantic outburst only exacerbated the crowd's anxiety, and the officer’s displeasure was palpable
"Yes... it is being addressed and handled according to the law. If you believe you can manage the situation better, by all means, step forward," he retorted, casting a glance at the frightened children, whose expressions reflected their mother’s distress
"Addressed? You better ensure that man is removed and confined to a jail cell by nightfall! He’s one of those deranged individuals they’ve been warning us about!" he shouted, his words further inciting fear among the throng
At that moment, a well-dressed woman stepped to the forefront, bypassing the guard as she did so, and began addressing the agitated crowd. "He has been apprehended and arrested... He will be dealt with. As for the elderly couple, we have an ambulance en route at this very moment; they will do their utmost," she assured, glancing toward the groaning couple sprawled on the ground nearby
The camera shifted to show the elderly couple for the first time, eliciting an audible gasp from the live stream audience. Richard swerved his car slightly, shocked at the sight before him. The blood and bite marks covering the couple were unmistakably grisly; it was evident they were on the brink of death
The screen abruptly faded to black before transitioning to the face of a middle-aged man with a rugged, country demeanor. "That was an incident that transpired last night in Chicago... Could such horrors unfold in your town, in your city today? Who can say? What I do know is that this situation is only escalating and intensifying. My best advice to you, Alexander Welsh, is to find refuge in a secure cabin somewhere near Asheville, North Carolina..." He paused momentarily, his facial expression betraying a hint of disturbance, as though he were lost in contemplation. Perhaps it was merely an act; he was adept at both performing and delivering the news
"Stay away from large gatherings... Remain indoors... If you lack long-lasting provisions or canned foods, procure some immediately and return home... Let us hope this is merely a fleeting phase... However... if it is not... Alexander Welsh... farewell... for what may be the last time?"
The screen then went dark, signaling the conclusion of the live stream. Richard stared in disbelief, his shock rendering him momentarily speechless. After a brief interval, he took a deep breath, grappling with the weight of the unfolding reality.
"My God... Is this truly the end? And here I am, heading on 'vacation' with some guys I barely know... Well... damn it! I suppose you only live once!"

**************************************

"Jordan! Come on! Get in the car, son!" exclaimed a robust Black man, addressing his son with a mix of urgency and frustration. He watched his child, grappling with envy at the fleeting nature of youth, feeling as though it was being squandered away
"He’s still young; he still has time to change and adapt!" chimed in his wife, Julie, a white woman. Their interracial marriage was one that many in their neighborhood and family seemed to disapprove of
He considered himself an intelligent man, perhaps not as astute as his colleague Timothy, but he recognized that his son Jordan possessed considerable intellect as well. Yet, instead of applying himself, Jordan opted to engage in reckless behavior and instigate fights with his peers. He towered over most children his age, often emerging victorious from these altercations
However, such victories did not grant him the license to perpetrate violence against others. He needed guidance; he had nearly failed kindergarten—not due to his academic performance, but because he struggled to treat his classmates with the respect they deserved. It was evident that he required a lesson in empathy and regard for his peers
Julie, however, did not share Andrew's perspective. She had protested against the school’s disciplinary measures, successfully persuading them to reconsider. This decision left Andrew discontented, believing his son needed to face consequences for his actions. Yet, he was also acutely aware that such a lesson might cost Jordan his friendships, a fact that weighed heavily on his mind. More pressing, however, was the fear of disappointing Andrew and the possibility that Jordan would be confined to the house for yet another year—a scenario Andrew desperately wished to avoid. He felt a need to support his wife in this matter
"I'm coming, Dad! Not everyone is the big, fast Black athlete like you! Mom's genes aren’t exactly built for speed!" Jordan retorted, his tone laced with youthful defiance
He was indeed quite intelligent for his age, which made his propensity for bullying even more troubling. Any retort from his victims only served to fuel his need for humiliation, a behavior that Andrew found deeply unsettling as a father. He endeavored to maintain his composure, fully aware that Jordan was deliberately dragging his feet
Andrew observed as his son ambled toward the car with exaggerated slowness. Once inside, Jordan turned to his mother and queried, "How long are we going to be in the car for, Mom?"
Julie glanced back at him, hurriedly rummaging for her phone. Once she located it, she opened the maps app and inputted their destination—the hotel. She then presented the screen to her son.
"Less than an hour and a half… Relax, Jordan… It won’t be that bad," she assured him, blissfully unaware of the actual travel time. She based her assessment on what she had read the previous evening
"Uh… that says four hours, and there are a lot of red marks along the route," he pointed out, his finger indicating the alarming congestion on the map
Julie paused, momentarily incredulous, before scrutinizing the phone herself. Andrew, catching the exchange from the corner of his eye, was attentively following their conversation
"Fantastic… traffic… just what we needed to kick off our vacation! I can play your favorite music for you if you'd like… How does that sound, Jordan?" he suggested, masking his irritation at the thought of enduring a lengthy drive in gridlock
"I don’t like music… music is stupid. How about you just give me your phone so I can play some games?" Jordan countered, extending his hand toward his father's phone, which rested on the dashboard
Andrew swiftly snatched it away, annoyance bubbling to the surface. "Ask your mom if we can play that… game. I’m going to listen to some Mozart or maybe Beethoven," he quipped, a smirk creeping onto his face at the thought of teasing his son
Jordan rolled his eyes, clearly displeased, and turned to his mother, hand outstretched for her phone. "Please, Mom
Julie regarded her son for a moment, knowing she was not particularly keen on allowing him to play video games during their outing. "Fine… but please don’t bother me. I think I’d prefer to listen to some Mozart... that sounds like a good plan, right Andrew?" she replied, glancing back at her husband
Aware that Andrew rarely indulged in classical music, she recognized his comment was likely intended to irk Jordan
"I think the sound of tires on the road is music enough... How does that sound?" Andrew chimed in, adjusting the rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of his son.
However, Jordan had already lowered his head, paying no mind to the unfolding scene. He was completely absorbed in a game on his mother’s phone.
"Yeah... the tires on the road don’t sound too bad to me, I suppose..." said Julie, letting out an exasperated yawn as she gazed down at the front of their house
"Well... alright... here goes our little adventure!" Andrew exclaimed, attempting to inject a modicum of excitement into the atmosphere. He shifted the gear into reverse and began to navigate out of the driveway
Suddenly, an ominous darkness enveloped everything around them. Andrew halted the car, momentarily gripped by panic, before the world flickered back to normal
"Whoa! Hold on now!" he said, pulling down the window of his car door. He leaned his head out to scrutinize the sky, perplexed by the abrupt shadow
He saw nothing unusual, his confusion palpable. Julie shifted her attention to her husband, noticing the worry etched on his face.
"What? What is it?" she inquired, perplexed by the sudden engagement of the emergency brake
Andrew continued to stare at the sky a moment longer before retreating back into the car.
"Uh... it just got very dark for a few seconds... kinda spooked me... that’s all..." he admitted, shaking his head, still feeling a residual sense of unease
"It must have just been a bird flying overhead... it could’ve merely been a shadow... Don’t worry, Andrew..." Julie reassured him, sensing his apprehension
Not wholly convinced by her words, Andrew merely shook his head and whispered back, "Yeah... maybe so..." He disengaged the emergency brake and began to pull out of the driveway
Jordan, paying a modicum of attention to the unfolding drama, looked back up at his father with a mischievous smirk.
"Oh! Lookie here! Andrew Edwards! The magnificent black king! Afraid of the shadow of a mere bird!" Jordan quipped half-jokingly
Still irritated by his son’s taunts, Andrew chose to ignore him, refocusing on the task of exiting the driveway!

**************************************

Timothy glanced down at his phone for a few fleeting seconds before seizing it and commencing to type on the keyboard.
"We are heading out now!" he announced to Andrew, sending the message to his friend. After verifying that the connection was stable and the message had been dispatched, he swiftly grabbed his car keys and made his way outside, where his two children and wife awaited him.
"It's about time, Dad! We've been waiting out here forever!" Angela exclaimed, poking her head out of the rear right-side window.
"Apologies, Angela! I just had a few matters to troubleshoot before we departed... that's all... Let’s go!" he replied, jingling the keys as he approached the already unlocked car.
As soon as he settled into the vehicle, where his family was already seated, he received a text from Andrew. Before inputting the directions on the map, he glanced at the message.
It transmitted through the car's Bluetooth precisely as he pressed to accept the directions.
"Message from Andrew Edwards! 'Well... it seems our early start may not have panned out so well after all...' Would you like to respond?" announced the car radio.
Upon hearing this, Timothy quickly grasped the implication of Andrew's words, as the map calculated the journey to take approximately four and a half hours.
"That's peculiar... I suppose a lot of people are heading to the beach this time of year... there’s traffic all the way there!" Allison remarked, her eyes widening in astonishment at the information displayed on the phone screen.
"Yeah... I guess so..." Timothy replied, not particularly concerned, as he was not the one behind the wheel. He always allowed Allison to take the helm, given her passion for driving.
"Well... buckle up, kids! It’s going to be a long ride to the beach!" Allison declared, glancing back at her children from the driver’s seat.
Angela momentarily diverted her attention from her phone, visibly displeased by her mother’s proclamation. She scrutinized the map displayed in front of the car, noting that the estimated travel time exceeded four hours. She let out a loud, exasperated groan.
"My phone battery won’t last that long! Can you at least let me charge it?" she pleaded, extending her hand toward a charger as if it were an absolute necessity at that very moment.
Allison regarded her daughter before nodding and responding, "We have chargers in the front... Relax, Angela... Is it truly the end of the world if your phone dies and you have to spend time with your family?" A hint of amusement colored her tone and danced across her face.
Angela chose to remain silent in response to that rhetorical question, while Ben gazed out of the window just as Angela initiated the drive out of their neighborhood.
"It's the end of her world..." he murmured to himself, staring off into the infinite expanse in front of him, where the houses all appeared to mirror one another

Little did poor Ben know... it wasn't merely going to be the end of Angela's world when her phone inevitably succumbed to a depleted battery later that evening.