Chapter 1

Josaphyna, we have to get out of here! Hurry up and pack your things. Get your clothes and blankets we need to go, now.”

Josaphyna nodded and whipped out her duffle bag and stuffed all of her clothes and her favorite blanket inside. She stuck some shoes in as well as a few pens and jolted out of her room. She frantically looked for her mother and when she heard the voice shout from downstairs she ran down.

“Momma, momma what’s happening?” Josaphyna gasped. “What’s going on, momma? Where are we going?” Her mom just shushed her and pulled her into the garage. “Momma-”

“Josaphyna,” her mother finally said as she turned to her daughter. “Whatever happens, don’t lose yourself, alright?” Josaphyna nodded. “And you know that I love you, right?” Josaphyna’s eyes widened as she grabbed her mother’s hand and nodded.

“Momma,” she let out. “Momma, what’re you going on about? We’re going to be just fine, right?” Her mother stared away from her so Josaphyna squeezed her mother’s hand. “Right, momma?” her mother shook her head.

“Hurry and get in the car. Buckle up so you don’t fly out the window.” Josaphyna nodded and reluctantly slipped into the passenger’s seat and strapped on her seatbelt. Her mother joined her after a minute. “Josaphyna, I want to take this time to tell you that I love you and that no matter what happens you have to keep going, okay?” she nods. “Good girl,” her mom reaches over and kisses the top of her head before looking at her little girl. “I love you, Josaphyna.”

“I love you too, momma.” Josaphyna squeaks as they pull out of the garage. “Oh my!” her hand flies over her mouth as she looks at the world on the outside of the garage.

The concrete was pushed up in different formations and trees were disheveled and toppled over. The roots of the trees created barricades for anyone who tried to pass. The sky was still dark with a hint of crimson red and a burnt orange with dark puffs of smoke everywhere. The shouts and screams of neighbors could be heard beyond the window as she witnessed Hell being brought to the surface.

“Momma?” she turns to the driver’s seat. “Momma, what’s going on? Why does it look like this? Momma, what’s happening?!”

Her mom didn’t answer her. She simply cleared her throat and drove off. “Momma, you’re going to have to tell me sooner or later. Momma, please tell me what’s happening. I don’t understand; what’s going on?” Again, her mother ignores her daughter’s attempt to find out what’s going on around them. “Momma,”

“Josaphyna, stop it.” Her mother says softly. “You don’t need to know what’s happening. All you need to do is tell me where you want to go.”

“I want to go home, momma!” Josaphyna shouts. “I want to go home. I don’t know what’s going on and you won’t tell me and I have no clue where we’re going to go! Momma, just tell me what’s going on.”

“I can’t do that, Josa.” Her mother says as she eyes the road sadly. “I don’t want you to panic.”

“You don’t want me to panic?” Josaphyna repeats. “I’m panicking right now! I don’t understand our situation and maybe if I knew I could be better suited for it, attitude wise.”

“No, Josa. I’m not going to tell you.” Her mother sighs. “We’ll find somewhere to go, Josa. I brought food for us and have our clothes so we’ll be okay.”

“Momma,” Josaphyna shakes her head sadly. She stays silent for the rest of the ride as she had fallen asleep.

“Josa, wake up.” Her mother gently shakes her shoulder. “Josaphyna,”

Her daughter’s eyes flutter open slowly and she stares at her mom in confusion. “Momma, momma what’s on your face?” Her mother looks in the mirror and realizes her daughter is talking about a small red patch on her cheek. “What happened? What is that?”

Her mother growled to herself. “It’s a rash, sweetheart. Don’t worry; it’ll go away with time.” Josaphyna nodded even though she wasn’t convinced. “Are you hungry, Josa? I have some chips and other snacks back there. Get whatever you want, I have to keep driving.”

Josaphyna nodded and reached behind her seat and grabbed a bag of chips. She ripped open the bag and stuck a chip in her mouth. She held one out for her mom who took it in her mouth and chewed. For a few minutes, the silent car ride was filled with crunching from the two females eating the chips.