On the very last step Solum was already shaking all over. Every cell in his body was screaming at his to run.
Solum turned to the kitchen counter with a memory of a dark, gut twisting feeling Solum felt lost.
What last night not a dream?
Solum stared at the counter his heart thumbed slow within his chest and loud in his ears. The memories from the most realistic dream he had ever had flashed before him. Solum remained quiet only staring. His mother was laying on the counter moving back and forth last night. And his father, his father was,
" Solum,"
And his father the memory placed like a disoriented glitchy film in Solum's mind. The darkness, the blood, his father,
" Solum,"
Solum heart kept racing as if it wanted to burst out of his chest. He stood staring at the counter petrified. A hand then pat Solum's shoulder for acknowledgement. When Solum felt the weight of someone he was taken from his thoughts, he looked around and seeing the figure standing he stumbled to the floor his hair standing up right.
Solum was now covered in sweat as he stared wide eyes like a house with doors. Looking up he did do see his father, he saw the creature he saw in his dream last night. The creature that opened it's head, throat and chest for a mouth, the creature that consumed his mother.
" Solum?" The voice called concerned crunching down to and shoke Solum he seemed to be mortified from shock.
Solum used his had pushing himself from the ground to sit on his bottom. He calmed his heart down telling himself it was only a dream and then he repeated several random numbers before he set himself free.
" Good morning Dad," Solum spoke his voice slightly shakey as he stood up.
" Are you ok Son?" His father asked.
" You seem to be out of it all morning. I realized you were late for school and that's very unusual. Did something happen last night? You stay home today if you want," His father spoke while brushing Solum's clothes.
" No it's fine,"
" Well good," his father said with a smile.
" And remember Son don't call me Dad, my name is Cary," his father said pleasantly. " Oh I need to head for work," Cary added before hopping away as if he was in a hurry.
Solum nodded at his father's words. He pulled on his bag strap walking to the counter step by step. He stared at it for a few seconds and gulped. Solum wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him as the counter should be a bright white, but through his eyes at this moment it had a faint pink colour.
" Hey Da-, Cary where's mom?" Solum asked looking back.
" I don't know Son, I heard she said something about meeting someone over the phone yesterday though," Cary answered shouting from a room.
Solum stepped wider steps leaving the house. He got on a bus, but he was so lost in empty thoughts the bus passed his school, when he realized he stopped the driver and rushed out. Solum cursed himself, he needed to focus. He jogged about five minutes before reaching school.
Solum's first class had already started and was over ten minutes in. He rushed in panting and everyone stared at him. All the other students were stunned seeing him. Solum had never been late before or have ever looked so ragged.
Time pass by and Solum paid little attention in class, normally he would be raising him hand shyly and answering questions. But today he was quiet, quieter than usual.
Time pass by and it was lunch time now, he sat by himself ate and the rest of the day went on the same.
When Solum returned home there was no one there. He called for his mother only for the silence to answer. He walked to his room slipping off his shoes and got into bed. It didn't take long for sleep to greet him and he accepted it with comfortable ease.
By the time Solum had woken up again it was dark out. He freshen up and felt a bit hungry now, but as he turned the handle of his door pulling it open the voices in his head told him not to go outside. And strangely enough he obeyed.
Instead Solum completely the homework he was given and ate a snack he usually carried in his bag for emergencies. Feeling thirsty he drank the water from the bathroom sink as his water bottle was empty. But either way he was still hungry.
The next morning Solum woke up a bit earlier. After getting ready he went downstairs, he called for his mother once more and didn't hear her. Once again he almost passed his stop, but managed to call out to the driver before anything happened.
Solum's teachers paid attention to him as his behavior was out of sync from his usual focus, eager, willing persona. They attempted to approach him, but after classes he left in a haste shoving the books in his bags, usually he would be carefully and tidily put his things away.
Another three days pass and Solum hadn't seen his mother and his father looked unbothered by the situation, in fact his father wasn't even home most of the time.
It was Saturday now and Solum couldn't cope with his mother missing like this and the memories that were tormenting him at every hour. Solum went to his father asking for his mother, and in response he said he hadn't heard from her as yet and she might return soon.
" No, no Cary. We need call her," Solum said in a stutter. He couldn't wait for his mother to return, he needed to see her or at least hear her today. If he waited any longer he might go crazy.
There were the constant sounds of voices counting in his head and the sounds of someone kneading meat too, not to mention the constant flash of of gruesome scene and he had the fear of leaving his room at night. Solum's believe he was getting paranoid and he needed some kind of proof to get the voices to shut up.
He didn't think he could go on any longer.
" It's okay Son, you're mom is an adult. I'm sure she's fine," Cary answered flipping a page of the newspaper without looking at Solum with his voice still calm.
" No, no Dad," Solum stuttered louder. " Just please try reaching her or something," Solum pleased his throat getting tight and he was on the verge of tears. " Let's tell the police,"
Cary stared at his Son for a second. He exhaled closing the newspaper into a bend.
" Ok, let's tell the Police Son," Cary said.