Between Two Worlds
The End of Normal

A loud cracking sound pierces the air and is followed by an equally loud crash. Up ahead, I see a large oak tree lying on the ground. That must be the source of the noise. Apparently, during all of my aimless wandering, I wandered close to the gate. The gate is closed, and probably electrified, I can see the small solar panel boxes nearby. It’s weird seeing the gates closed but unguarded. With this storm brewing, not a soul is making noise or moving, except me. The town won’t have to worry about threats from animals or raiders. I spin a slow circle, taking in as much of the town as I can see from here. The whole town looks abandoned, I guess I’m the only one above ground.

I turn and walk along the wall, continuing to walk away from the community center and the so-called safety of the storm shelter. A gust of wind blows in my face, feeling as though it is pushing me backward. I can almost hear it telling me to go underground with everyone else. But that’s not happening, I haven’t been underground in five years, no need to change that now. Instead, I turn my face to the sky, eyes closed, and embrace the warm summer rain. It soaks through my clothes, reminding me that I’m still alive. Another large crack followed by a loud crash fills the air, and I turn in the direction of the sound. Another tree down? Maybe it would be wise to at least go inside one of the buildings. I turn back to head for my assigned housing but stop short. There is a man lying on the ground, tall with black hair. Espen?! How?! I run for the body, my heart pounding in my chest. It feels as if a vice is squeezing my lungs, making it hard to breathe, to make any sort of sound. But you died five years ago! It’s him, I know it is! I have to get to him! I cannot let him die, out here, all alone! Not again!

◆◆◆

As the wind roars through the tree above us, I can hear the snapping and popping of the branches above our heads. “Espen, I’m scared. What if the storm blows something on top of the door and we get stuck down here? How long until someone replaces us? I don’t want to die down here.”

“Ssshhh. It will be okay, I promise. We have light and look, over there,” Espen says holding out the lantern. “There is food on those shelves, water in the barrel over in the other corner, and a large bucket way over here in case we need to use the bathroom. I told you; I like to plan for every possible outcome. We will be fine, I promise.” He moves closer to me and throws an arm over my shoulder. “How about you get your mind off the scary things and concentrate on the happy ones?”

“Like what? With the crazy loud wind, all I can think about is what ifs.”

“How about you focus on the fact that we are happily married now? Or the life that is growing inside of you? How about we think of names for the little one?”

“Espen, it’s way too early to be thinking about baby names. We don’t even know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl.” I say.

“Come on, Rayanna baby, work with me. Forget the storm, imagine holding the baby. What name are you imagining?”

I close my eyes and imagine holding our tiny baby in my arms. I can see a tuft of black hair poking out of a small baby blanket. Our baby will look just like Espen, I’m sure of it. “Well, if it’s a girl, Willow. If it’s a boy, Grant.”

“Those are good sturdy names. I like them.” He says. “Now listen.”

I’m quiet for a moment, straining my ears to hear whatever he is hearing. “What am I listening for?”

“Sshh. Do you hear it?”

I scrunch up my face, trying hard to hear it. Sighing I say, “I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly,” Espen says.

“What do you mean, exactly? You said to listen, I did. Was I

supposed to be listening to nothing?”

“Rayanna, my love, the storm. It’s passed.”

“Oh, good. Let’s get out of here. I can’t stand it anymore.”

“All right,” he says heading toward the stairs. He opens the door, and light fills the dark cellar.

I race for the stairs and turn back to give it one more good look. The light doesn’t quite reach the corners of the cellar, they remain dark and mysterious as if they are hiding a secret. I bound up the stairs and into the light and fresh air. I’m just glad nothing fell on the door trapping us inside. I don’t think I could have handled staying in there any longer. I turn and survey the yard. Branches lay broken and scattered across the ground; trash and leaves cover the ground like a blanket. My heart sinks as I survey the damage. The house, the place where Espen and I started our lives together, has been destroyed. “Oh, Espen. What are we going to do?”

“Don’t worry, we can and will rebuild it,” Espen says, standing beside me.

“But it’s such a mess. There is so much to be done.” I say, feeling overwhelmed.

“Let’s start with the yard, one thing at a time. Once it’s cleaned up, we will move on to the house.”

I stand, in silence, for a few moments more, contemplating the damage. A loud crack fills the air, followed by a crashing sound, the noise pulls me from my thoughts. “What was that, Espen?” I ask turning around. Where did he go? I didn’t realize he walked away. The large tree in the center of the yard is now lying on the ground. Fear and panic claw at my chest as I notice a patch of black hair sticking out from between the branches. No, no, no, no! Please tell me it isn’t him! I run to the tree, to that patch of hair, hoping beyond hope that it isn’t Espen. But hope is worthless, it doesn’t change the facts before me, that it is indeed Espen, caught underneath the heavy tree trunk. I feel a scream building up inside of me, that finally breaks loose, and can probably be heard for miles. In a blind panic, I start pulling at tree branches, trying to pull the tree off Espen. I fall to the ground several times but get back and try again. I refuse to lose Espen, to lose the future that I have been looking forward to for months. I pull so much that my stomach starts to hurt, but I don’t let that stop me.