The Vanishing of Chicago – 20 Minute Prompt Short Story

People give me credit for seeing what was coming, but I think it was more luck than anything else. I couldn’t sleep, and I felt like going out for a drive. That’s the truth. And it seemed like a normal, quiet night until a normal, quiet night until I inevitably reached the drop off. Third time in two days. I’m tethered to this place now, no matter where I start I end right back here. Pulling off to the side my hands stay glued to the wheel. Stop doing this to yourself.  My vision blurs in and out of focus, the throb of blood pumping through my veins screams at me and quickens. A tightening pierced across the back of my head. Just go home.

My fingers gripped the ignition key and turned, the car shuddered to a gentle stop.

“It-it could be different this time.” I breathed out as I fumbled for the glove compartment.

Grasping the flashlight inside I pushed myself from the car. Feet crunched across the dirt shoulder, a slight breeze swept through the trees making the leaves hiss their taunts against me. Even they knew it was pointless.

“No, come on!” I shook my head harshly “You found the irregularity! You can find them again! You have to.” Steel grey eyes glint in the moon soaked sky, breath quivered out as the footfalls regained their cadence.

The tightness doubled across my head, migrating to my chest. My lips vibrated just slightly. Same old signs. Nearing the edge of the drop off my legs refused to continue.

The earth lay gouged and raw, gashes of torn up dirt cut down for miles. One would assume it an expanse of alien-like canyons, if one hadn’t just passed the sign welcoming you to Chicago. Half a country can’t be ripped away in a day and be gone forever. I still didn’t know what caused this but I just knew I had to bring them back.

 

<- A Mad Mother Scientist