September 2018 Winner: The Countdown by Angel Caro

The Countdown

By Angel Caro

“10” The loud speaker echo’s throughout my town. Our family gathered around the dinner table. All of us ready to devour a meal made to each of our own liking. “9” Softly creeping through our windows. We quickly dive into our plates, except for dad. As I eat, I can’t help but notice my saddened little sister, those big blue eyes are so adorable. “8” somewhat interrupting my dad’s little spiel about how he “should’ve shown more love” towards mom. “7” alongside the clacking of our silverware hitting the plates. Never has mom’s dinner tasted so good. “6” drowning out the sound of our chewing. Mom is holding back tears as dad speaks. Little does he know about her affair with the man two houses down the street. “5” mixed in with all of our sniffles. My wrist convulses with the fork. Again I look at my sister. “4” suddenly feeling much louder as the echo sends waves throughout my body. Though annoying for the most part, “she will always be innocent” floods my thought process. “3” a number I never thought I’d fear. No more bites, no time to leave the table and lock myself in my room. “2” almost as if the window was wide open, letting every foreign sound in. Diner was nice, I wish we did this more often. “1” much like taking a dive in the pool, when time comes to a complete halt. One second is all you need, to get one last look at those big blue eyes. Just enough time to reach our arms out and attempt to hold hands. Perhaps even gracious enough to allow us to all gaze upon each other and say what we should’ve said ten seconds ago. Silence takes over. As a family we shout "I lov

Angel Caro is a film and TV student.