I groan as someone shouts, “This big guy’ll just slow us all down!” Piles of rubble fly by fast. The car rumbles and a soft hand touches my arm.

Jean smiles, “You’re going to be alright.” My breathing hurts still, “What happened?” “You had a heart attack.” I shake my head, “Yeah, it’s been on and off since the quakes.” She taps my fingers, “Never asked, any history of them?” “Yeah, I had about four before they started up like this.” “Wait, he’s one of those things!?” A man jerks his gun from the front seat. “He’d never hurt me!” “You saw what they could do!” I sigh as they shout over each other. I sit up and they both look my way. I huff and look outside.

“This place used to be paradise.” “I wouldn’t call it that.” “I’ve survived the Great Depression, it was hell back then, hunger pangs just to lose my home, had to bust my ass off to get it back at auction.” The man groans, “So what?” “Compared to back then, I’m now seeing giant crows and moles.” The driver laughs, “Yeah! My turtle turned into a friggin’ giant. I hope he can survive out here! I frown, “It’s dark days ahead.” Jean looks my way, “What do you mean?” “Half of Houston is a battleground, even days after. These blackened demons.” The driver snarls, “Hick motherfu-“ “No- black claws, razor sharp teeth for tearing out necks. That kind.” “Oh.”

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“The things were mindless animals.” Jean cries, I turn and reach a hand out. I pull it back and just watch her. Too late to reach out now. Damn it! Why didn’t I just put my hand on her shoulder, anything? I look at my shaky hands, Am I still afraid to love? My lips quiver.