Page 3 of Aftershock

I moved up in line as I lugged my suitcase behind me. The squeaking of my damp shoes caused me to wince. I hated that noise.

Okay, fuck this weather.

I wouldn’t say that I was trying to manifest anything, but if the weather were to delay my flight, then maybe missing my father's funeral wouldn't be so bad…I mean, it wasn’t like he ever played a significant role in my life, anyway. We lived in the same damn house for twelve years, yet I felt like I barely knew him. How fucked up was that?

The sound of the roaring thunder interrupted my thoughts once again. The line was moving relatively quickly as I got my boarding pass and handed them my suitcase. I pushed forward and made my way through TSA to screen my carry-on. After I had made it through each checkpoint, I glanced down at my phone and saw that it was 9:23 a.m.

Finally. Time to rest.

Walking over to my gate, I plopped down one of the available seats and waited for boarding to begin. I could relax, just so long as no one bothered me. Once again, as if on cue, my phone buzzed, causing me to jump at the sudden sensation. I dug the phone out of my pocket and flipped it over.

It was my mom.

Of course, she would call as soon as I sat down.

“Am I using my powers for good or evil?” I softly sighed as I answered her call.

“Hey, sweetie. Are you at the airport?”

“Yeah, Mom, I made it. I’m just waiting at the gate for boarding to start.” I yawned at the overwhelming sensation of exhaustion that inexplicably washed over me.

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure because I heard it was raining cats and dogs over there!”

I laughed slightly. “You know no one says that anymore, right?”

“Hey! I say it…and I’m someone!” She exclaimed.

“Yeah, I think that California weather is really going to your head…”

“It’s actually very beautiful up here. I can see why your dad liked it,” she trailed off.

“Yeah, he liked it so much he decided to move halfway across the country where he didn't have to feel guilty if he ever saw us at the grocery store.”

“Autumn,” my mom began as I cut her off.

“It’s fine; I’m fine.” I wasn’t fine…but that was how the illusory truth effect worked—if you told yourself something over and over again, you’d eventually begin to believe it.

“I know this is hard for you, but going to your father's funeral is the right thing to do.”

“I know, that's why I’m going,” I frowned. That’s the only reason I was going. “Anyway,” I started, “I’m going to go grab something to eat from someplace nearby before the flight takes off. Airplane food is way too fucking expensive.” Pushing myself up from the seat, I reached down and grabbed my bag.

“Okay, sweetie. Stay safe. I love you.” I could practically hear the sad smile on her face.

“I love you too.”

“I’ll see you soon,” she ended.

That's what worried me. Not seeing her, but seeing him.

Quickly shaking off the thought, I made my way to the nearest deli. I walked along the aisles as I looked for something appetizing. Honestly, even though my stomach was growling, I wasn’t really in the mood to eat anything, but you know…surviving requires you to eat, so I guess I had to.

Yay me.

While browsing for food, I also picked up a bottle of water, which just so happened to be the infamous and trendy water that was taking Pinterest by storm—Smart Water. Don’t get the wrong idea, though. I wasn’t one of those “crazy people” who only liked boujee water. It was just the only option the deli had. Speaking of “crazy people,” as I walked up to the front to check out, I saw a group of maybe twenty strangers screaming while running right past the store. Squinting my eyes, I whipped my head toward the direction they had just come from and felt the sudden urge to start sprinting as well. Was a chainsaw-wielding murderer chasing them? Did they just witness a plane crash? Was the building flooding? Just as I was about to give Usain Bolt a “run” for his money, I noticed that everyone else seemed pretty calm. So, no danger, I guess? Just people being crazy. Maybe I just manifested them into existence with all my thoughts about weirdos.

Three for three. Hogwarts, I’ll be waiting patiently.

I paid for my lunch and silently pleaded that those people weren’t on my flight. After grabbing my receipt, I made my way back to the gate and sat down. I sighed in an attempt to relieve the stress that was building up inside as I looked down at my sad excuse for a meal—a ham sandwich and a bag of chips. Thankfully, those people weren't around, but wherever they were, I could still hear their shrill screams in the distance. To get as much peace and quiet as I could before my flight, I put my AirPods in for the second time that day. This time, I had a song in mind.

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