by Toni
(USA)
(Now instead of making this boring Im going to actually tell this as a story so you get a more descriptive view.):)
Side note: Tornadoes were my worst fear since I was born. Whenever I hear the word tornadoes I cringe. They horrify me. Then and now. Hear is my story.
I was 13 at the time. The sun was beautiful, gorgeous and warm above the high clear sky that reflected blue. No clouds as far as I could see, perfect day for a nice walk or swim.
The breeze was gentle and the pine smell filled my nose, the sun warm on my back. It was calm, and nothing prepared me for what was going to happen.
Taylor, one of my very good friends, 14 a the time, came over to my house to hang out. Our plans were to put the water hose on the trampoline behind my home, and jump all in the water. Our special way of cooling off in this so far gorgeous Sunday.
So, as we got in our swimming suits, my mother came down from her bedroom in her Realtor outfit. Dressed up in a short black formal dress, holding her (fake) Snake Skin purse. She came up to me as I walked down the stairs and murmured, “I have to go to a meeting. Take care of the dog, and stay here with your sister, Sophie. I’ll be back around 4:00.”
We took a mental note for the dog, and thought nothing else of what she said. My mother usually went out, and there was absolutely nothing that could ruin this day, unfortunately, I was wrong.
We went outside into the hot sun, and jumped playfully water soaking into us. Our blonde hair drenched. It was so much fun, and soon we grew tired, and slowly got off the black trampoline leaving the hose wrapped delicately around the large black posts that connected the nets on the tramp.
Taylor and I walked inside, and skipped up stairs past the cream colored wall paper into my Safari-themed bedroom. We changed into plaid shorts and plain tank top, brushing through our wet stringy hair, and went back down stairs past the hallway talking about our favorite singer, Adam Lambert.
Sophie, then 9, was sitting on the curved white couch that nestled above our very large soft green rug. She slumped on the pillows eating Cheetos watching Spongebob while our 6 week old Dalmatian puppy, Daisy, slept soundly on her lap.
Taylor and I walked into the kitchen, and I opened up the refrigerator suddenly Taylor called out, “Toni it’s raining!”
My eyes rolled as I pulled out some Chicken Noodle Soup, “And?” I asked voice calm with ease.
“Toni, the house is on the trampoline we have to roll it back in, or it will make a mess and your mom will get mad.”
I sighed and told her to do it, paying to much attention to trying to figure out how to Microwave Chicken Noodle Soup.
She growled under her breathe then ran outside, arms flailing in the air. It was a very soft drizzle, the wind still calm, and as I looked up, it only seemed like a small shower. A random secluded cloud that floating as a loner in the sky.
She rolled in the hose, only getting slightly wet. I turned back to my food, taking out my Chicken Noodle soup. Sophie came to stand next to me, asking for some. We chatted for a bit, argued a little, before Taylor came back inside eyes annoyed.
“Your evil Toni.” She laughed, “Im like your slave.”
“Yup.” I said smiling.
Taylor and Sophie started talking about who knows what until suddenly there loud voices faded from my ears. Though it was drizzling lightly outside I heard a all to familiar hum. It was faint, but just enough to enlighten my curiosity.
Taylor glanced at me as I walked to the window in a daze almost, “Do you guys hear that?” I whispered under my breath. Almost to myself.
My shaking hands curled around the doorknob and I so slowly opened the door, when it was only a centimeter opened, the ear-deafening sound of Tornado Siren almost made me collapse.
My face turned ghostly white and I slammed it shut running around the couch in frantic circles screaming, “Tornado Siren! There’s a tornado!” Daisy, my puppy, woke up calm ears perked at my Fritz.
Sophie had a face of fear and Taylor ran up to me laughing, “Toni, shut up, no theres….”
It became silent and we listened. It was indeed the warning call of the Siren. Sophie burst out crying. Tears gushing from her red terrified face. I stood there in shock, hands shaking body becoming numb.
What was I to do? Im home alone with my friends? I have tornado-phobia, and the warning sirens are wailing outside my home.
Taylor came from my hallway her face red, the, oh so brave, friend now was as well sobbing her puffy face magenta, she cried out, “Toni, my mom is at the house alone with the dogs. I need to get home…I want to see my mom.” She said random lines, desperate.
Both of the only people in the house broke down, screaming as I stood there frozen.
And then, I had the sudden urge, the sudden instinct, to get to safety. A independent leadering feeling washing over me; And though I did not cry, I was emotionless, holding back the screaming mortified emotions that swirled vigorously inside of me.
I wanted to ball up and scream, but I couldn’t. I needed to help me friend and family.
“We need to get to the closet immediately.” I spoke loud and defiant, and I knew they felt submissive to me. With no one to look up to, they needed a leader, and a guide, to keep them from having a mental breakdown.
They resolved their crying to soft whimpers, tears still gushing from their red eyes, “Im going to get my cell phone and call mom. Sophie turn on the TV channel 5. Taylor get on the computer and pull up the weather website.” Orders sprang from my mouth as I felt ideas for safety rush through me.
I sprinted with Taylor into the Mud room. I picked up the phone and dialed my mother’s number, as it rang slowly, I dared to look outside.
My eyes slowly stared out the clear window and I saw dust and leaves flying into the air, the trees swaying threateningly. The sky was a dark green tint, and I knew what that meant.
Sophie let out a weak shrill screech, and the lights went off, “Toni! I can’t pull up the channel! TVs off!”
Taylor murmured in a shaking voice, “I wasn’t able to pull up the site in time.”
I nodded a feeling of disappointment and fear run through me, “Hello?” My mom answered, it was now pouring violently on the house and I signaled for Sophie and Taylor to go back into the closet.
“Mom!” I spoke with relief, “Im scared!” I said shaking.
My mother yelled into the phone, I could hear the Tornado Siren wailing on the other end, “Toni! What’s going on? It was sunny a second ago and now it’s pouring!”
I spoke in a terrified voice, “Mom, theres a tornado! Were home alone, come home! Hurry!”
My mom yelled, “I cant! Im in the office-”
“You can’t? Mom! Everyone’s crying! Come home!” My voice pleaded.
“Toni, its all wet, and I don’t-”
“You’d rather not get wet then come home to your horrified children!!!” I screeched into the phone mixed emotions coming over me. My eyes began to water, and I couldn’t break not now. Not in front of Taylor and Sophie. They depended on me, and if they saw me give up and begin to lose control, they would go mad and become incoherent.
“Okay, okay! Im coming home.”
“Hurry mom! Hurry!” We chatted for a few more seconds before I said, “Okay Im going in the closet now, hurry and get home!”
“Okay, it’s okay, just stay in the closet I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Okay love you.”
“Love you.”
Silence.
(Okay I’ll write the rest later, my fingers are tired and im taking a break!!!)
Stay tuned for PART 2 of Alone. Ill type it later.
There might have been a few mistakes but whatever. Its all good:)
