Can I tell you a secret? I can?
I'm actually really scared of the dark. Like, I'm stupid afraid. I'm 22 years old and still do that thing where you get ready to turn out your light and then leap into bed and under the covers. I can't go outside at night unless I'm with someone because I'm terrified that
something
will get me. And you know what? Its not even that I'm scared of what 'it' will do. I'm just scared of
it
.
The terror of the unknown hits me deep inside, in a place that most humans have long since forgotten. They don't remember until something truly terrifying happens to them.
I haven't forgotten though. There's a
reason
we're scared of the dark.
I spent several hours hiding down in the basement, in the little safe room. Its all cinderblock on two sides, nothing but wide open house on the other two sides, so its supposed to be pretty safe, especially in a storm.
And boy had we gotten a doozy. At least a dozen tornadoes had touched down, all of them too close for comfort to where I live. Funnily enough, this is the day right before my birthday.
Way to say 'happy birthday' Mother Nature!
I was alone, no one to keep me company except the two dogs, Percy and Dough, and the cat, Duncan. He nervous-farts so you can only imagine my thrill at being stuck in a 6x10 space with him.
I had been in and out of this shelter for the entire day. It only really got scary at night, once there was no outside light. The t.v. cutting off suddenly startled me. Suddenly, it was pitch black around me. I tried to keep my head. I tried not to panic but I could feel it already welling in my chest, threatening to overtake me. Hands shaking and heart pounding, I rose from my overstuffed chair in search of a flashlight. Or a candle. Anything to light my way. The thunder outside made me jump. It was too close for comfort.
I could hear a deeper rumble, further in the distance. A tornado maybe?
Shaking, I called to the dogs. I had to chase Percy down and snatch her up, because she refused to go down to the basement again.
But down we went, into the most protected area we could find.
I actually have a pretty nice basement. Its got a bedroom, a full bathroom, a living room, den area, and separate room for storage. Behind the bathroom is the little shelter I told you about. The den area is separated from the living room by the staircase but its nice regardless. In this den area is a set of french doors that open up into the sideyard, as a separate entrance. It doesn't have any furniture down there yet but the carpet is half-done.
But I digress.
We were in the shelter and had been for nearly an hour and a half. I dozed intermittently, trying to keep my personal panic at bay with a dozen lit candles, throughout the bathroom and our hidey-hole. The animals slept around me, Percy by my head, Dough by my feet, and Duncan behind my knees. My cell phone was dying. I'd just sent my boyfriend a last text message.
"Don't text or call unless its an emergency. My phone is dying. I love you."
We'd fought the weekend before, about him moving in with me. We'd been together five years and he still has trouble with the idea. But that's fine. I'm willing to wait.
I could hear the house above me creaking in protest, clearly straining against the fierce winds outside. I could hear it howling against the sides of the house, making a deep melancholy sound that chilled me to the bone. I hugged myself, wrapping a blanket tighter around my shoulders. Fear had wormed its way deep into my psyche but I fought it relentlessly. I trembled with the effort.
