Page 2 of Aftershock

Fuck, I’m going to be late.

I dashed into my bedroom and shimmed out of my scrubs. I ran around like a madman for a solid five minutes, flinging clothes and packing last-minute items. A surge of adrenaline hit me. I quickly transferred some of the smaller things from my purse into a large shoulder bag to use as my carry-on. Reaching for the suitcase tucked at the edge of my bed, I rolled it out into the living room while doing a brief checklist to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.

ID? Check.

Plane ticket? Check.

Extra clothes? Check.

Toiletries? Check.

Headphones? Check.

Phone? Check.

Charger? Check.

Cash? Check.

Will to live? To be determined…

Making my way out the door, I walked back onto the elevator and down to the first floor. I tried to focus on the fact that I was going to be back here, at my apartment, in just two days—only two days of torture…I could handle that.

When I stepped outside, somehow, it seemed to be raining even harder. There was no time to turn back around and grab an umbrella, so I held my hand above my face to shield myself from being pelted in the eyes. I didn’t mind it, though. To me, the rain was always less of an inconvenience and more a welcome surprise. Less people out and about, a nice bit of ASMR, washing away all the stupid pollen, watering dehydrated flowers…what’s not to like about rain? I made my way to the edge of the sidewalk, heaving my suitcase behind me with one hand as I ushered the other up to the sky in an attempt to hail a taxi. Somehow, as if on cue, a huge bolt of lightning came down from the clouds.

“Abra Kadabra?” I mumbled, slightly confused. A taxi nearby pulled over and waved at me to get in. I stood dumbfounded, still confused as to whether or not I had awakened my wizardry powers. Maybe my letter to Hogwarts was being mailed out at this exact moment. It was the sound of incessant honking that tore me from my thoughts as I ripped open the taxi door and said, “JFK and step on it!”

The driver mumbled something under his breath as he floored the car, causing my head to ricochet and hit the headrest.

I bet he did that on purpose.

I rolled my eyes and huffed out a loud sigh while directing my gaze at the phone in my hands. I sent my mom a text letting her know I was on the way to the airport before tucking my phone back into my pocket.

***

Traffic sucked. After what should have been a twenty-five-minute car ride, we arrived at the airport forty-five minutes later. The roads were always crazy when it was stormed in New York. I hopped out of the taxi, grabbed my suitcase, and started toward the entrance while trying to avoid the large puddles on the ground that had begun to form. Stopping midway, I spun back around and dashed to the taxi.

“Wait!”

I almost forgot my bag.

Good thing the driver hadn’t pulled off.

“What the…?” he mumbled, clearly annoyed.

“Sorry!” I picked my bag up off the seat. “Thanks!”

Slamming the door of the taxi once again, I scurried inside the airport. By now, the rain had become a downpour, completely drenching my clothes within the fifteen seconds it took to get to the main entrance.

“Oh, great,” I muttered while looking down at my sweater, soaked with freezing water.

Guess I’m turning into one of those people who complain about the rain.

That just proved how annoyed I was. The squeaking of my shoes echoed in my ears as I sped over to the check-in counter. That’s when I realized again, I still hadn’t peed. I tapped my foot anxiously while waiting in line. When I took in my surroundings, I noticed everyone’s eyes fixed on the TV. Every single screen was broadcasting the news.

“The downpour is suspected to go on for several more hours and a flash flood warning is in effect for Southern New York. We urge everyone to stay inside so that you can avoid risking—”

“Next!” An older lady shouted as she handed out boarding passes.

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