Behind The Cold Window

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. She couldn't believe how this world was a mess. Her name is Meg. She turned her head away from her father and his room. The girl just walked by in the hallway. She looked on both walls with many photos of herself as an infant to high school graduation. She also looked at the photo between herself and her parents, happy together. Then, she looked outside at that window again.

The outside world was nothing but a winter of darkness. It has turned into the apocalypse of ice. She could see through from behind the cold window. She felt the chill, sadness, and total darkness throughout her body. She knew that it was coming. Her anxieties drained her deeply thanks to the TV news. She felt lonely, scared, and helpless. No one would ever call her or her father right before the storm hits. But why? How? Most of her friends were busy 24/7. It sounds odd. In other words, they would not have enough power soon. Sadly, she was desperate. The fog came out of her breath from the cold. She was trying to breathe and warming her hands.

When she walked into her father's room, he was sitting in the old wooden chair that his grandmother made for him when was a child. His room was very dark. She has always been terrified of it since kindergarten.

She called him if he needed any help. He turned his head gently from the shiver. ‘No. I’m fine, dear,’ he answered. Nothing. It seems like nothing. He was quiet. Her father hasn't spoken a word much after the argument with her mother about weeks ago. It was heartbreaking. So, the girl was carrying one of the thickest crochet quilts to him. It gave him warmth. He smiled. “Thank you, dear,’ he said.

Meg was concerned about both of her parent's separation. She could still see her neighborhood through the cold window. It was dark. It was like a ghost town, even much spookier at night. There was no one outside except the neighbors who were packing & driving their cars for evacuation for a warmer place.

The outside world has been pleasant for the past week. About a week ago, it was Valentine’s Day. During the evening, there was a slight freezing rain to a strong snowstorm. It was rainy, and then it got colder, colder, colder, and colder, and so on. After that, the trees and plants were completely petrified. It turned weak. It kept falling and falling into pieces. It kept hitting the roofs many times. It scared her. It's like the sky has kept falling, day and night. Meg couldn't sleep with that noise either.

Meg has been thinking that she and her father should leave. She went to the kitchen to grab some soup cans.

“RING! RING!” the phone rang.

Meg grabbed the phone and answered. It was one of her friends named Denise. Meg thought Denise would lose her connection because of the storm. She was calling Meg that her family is setting up the bonfire, cooking nice chili, and having cozy sleepovers. Denise asked Meg if she’ll come. Meg accepted it. Even though talking about chili was making her hungry. Meg realized that she hadn't eaten very much.

Meg and her father knew that they have to leave. They also have portable heat and a generator in case Denise needs some extra. Meg and her father pack their belongings: with warm clothes including their favorite cozy sweatshirts, favorite books to read, hygiene products, thermal socks, the best snow boots they have, extra blankets, pillows, quilts, mittens, scarves, and knitted hats.

By the time Meg finished packing, the phone rang again. It was her mother. Meg was nervous about answering it. But, her mother was worried about her and her father, especially the icy neighborhood. Meg didn't care about the argument but at least she was reuniting her mother’s connection. She wants to know if her mother is ok. Same as Meg and her father as well. It was relieved. Meg has to finish packing before heading to Denise’s place.

Meg was about to warm up the car.

Meg went upstairs to get her father. He still looks through behind the cold window again. “Dad, we have to go. My friend Denise is inviting us for a sleepover and a chili. Let's go.’ He nodded.

They grab their winter jackets, their bags, and extra layers of blankets and are ready to drive on. Meg is driving the car. She drove slowly on the icy road. It took a few minutes to get through the neighborhood. She looks both ways, left and right. She's also tried to remember the address where Denise lives. It was a dark blue house that looked like a Victorian mansion. It was about a couple blocks away, not too long. Meg and her father arrive. So, they all looked forward to having a nice bowl of chili at her friend’s house.