He grew increasingly nervous as he approached his parents’ house down a steep suburban hill. The rotting carcass of a woman, he once knew lay half submerged in the yellow and dark sludge in the middle of the street.
It was freezing now, much colder than he had ever experienced before. His hands were going numb. He kept slowly trudging on-wards, past the burned houses with broken windows until he turned and faced his former home. The thick sludge had covered what was once a beautiful garden and was beginning to engulf the bungalow in its entirety. The front door was just about visible.
Knock, knock, knock.
No response.
Bang, bang, bang.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me Mum!”
The door swung open and they embraced.
It was a bittersweet moment. Boils were already clearly visible on her famished face.
He walked in and she closed the door behind him. The only light came from candlelight. It was not much warmer inside.
“Where is everyone?”
“They didn’t make it Colin, I’m sorry. There wasn’t enough time.”
His heart sank but stoically he held firm not wanting to add to her anguish.
“Here, I brought some food.”
“Keep it for yourself, I’m not hungry honest.”
They went in to sit on the couch and Colin went to take off his shoes. His feet were a deep blue and boils now covered them. They continued on up his leg, he dare not look how far.
They embraced trying to keep warm as it grew colder still.
His Mum talked less and less into the night till not at all. At least he had been there for her at her end. It was his last thought as he too drifted away.
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