Here the Moment, Gone the Moment
“Who’s there?”

“Be quiet, and this will all be over soon.”

“What do you want? I’m telling you, I’m armed!”

“Don’t be stupid, Kiely.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I said to be quiet. Don’t make me tell you again, Kiely. And you have to do this. Now, come with me.”

“Can’t I say good-bye to my family?”

“No. Just know you will see them again. Now let’s go.”

“Don’t do this in front of Janice or Jake.”

“Fine. Follow me.”

There is a nearly silent creeping, as Kiely and the stranger walk down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, the two stop. There is an eerie silence. A minute passes. Then two. Moments later, the sound of a gun breaks the silence.

Back upstairs, Janice wakes up, knowing her worst nightmare just came true.

“Jake, your carpool will be here in fifteen minutes. Would you please get up?” Janice called into his room.

“I’ll be ready on time, Mom. Don’t fret,” Jake yelled back out.

“How do I know you are up? Why won’t you come to the door?”

“I’m responding to your questions, aren’t I?” came the response.

“If your father were still alive, you wouldn’t be talking that way to him,” Janice reminded Jake.

The door opened, and Jake walked out and walked past his mother, without looking at her. Instead, he looked at the floor.

Turning around, still staring at the floor, he spoke. He did not ask a question. Instead, he said, “Well, he’s not, is he.”