Why the Lights Went Out

Are you ok?! Matt, asked as his eyes searched the dark. Fear gnawed at his spirit. “Yeah, I’m ok…wait!, I can’t feel my legs!”. His girlfriend cried. “I can’t feel my legs, Hon! It’s like they’re not there!” He leaned over, holding on to her, feeling for her legs. Then he breathe a sigh of relief, that they were fine. “Just lean on me, Baby”. “Where’s everybody?” she asked. One minute there were others walking, driving in cars, street and car lights lit the streeet, now they stood in pitch black darkness, confused and afraid of the unknown. “I think we should sit right here, out of the path until we figure out what’s happening”, he suggested. “Yeah, I guess". But what's with my legs?” “I remember there was a bench a few feet back just alongside of the sidewalk, near an oak tree”. He took out his cell phone, it would reflect some light and nothing happened, it was dead. His nerves were rattled by the situation. “Look, we’re going to have to feel our way towards that bench, Honey. Can you feel the street beneath you now?” He asked. “No, I can’t”. She replied, her voice shaky. “Ok, here we go.” Matt picked her up in his strong arms and with ginger steps, began to walk in the opposite direction, using his left foot to feel alongside the concrete for the wooden bench. With electricity this would take a few seconds, however, this seemed like it would take forever. Finally his Nike touched the edge of the bench and he turned to place her down gently. Grateful that was over, his mind began to focus once more. Standing up, his eyes searching the darkness seemingly endless, he realized that it would be impossible to walk back home, as maneuvering the streets was something he could do by himself, but not if he carried her in his arms. Silence ruled the darkness with each passing moment. It felt like they were in a vacuum. None of the usual cricket sounds you hear on warm summer night could be heard. He could tell she was scared by her voice tone. Her whispers were hardly audible; just enough for him to hear as he stood close to her. He sat down finally to rest. He'd lost track of time and hours seemed to pass in dead silence, without one flicker of light. ~*~ For Matt's "Finish The Dream" Contest Cont'd on Pg II