The Darkness (for current lack of a better title) - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Knowing Nothing

Emma had been sitting there watching her sister play with the hem of her doll’s skirt for several hours. She couldn’t stand it anymore. She had to know what was going on. She had to know if their parents were all right. She got up and smoothed out her shirt.
Lily looked up from her doll and questioned, “Where are you going?”
“Out.” She moved towards the front hallway.
Lily got up to follow her. She said pleadingly, “Please don’t leave me here alone.”
“I’m sure mom and dad –“
The front door opened and two sets of feet came rushing in. They ran into the living room and Lily threw herself on them. “Mom! Dad! You’re home!”
“Yeah, sorry for taking so long sweetheart,” her dad patted her on the head and glanced at Emma, “we got caught in traffic.”
Their mother shot him a look.
“What traffic?” Emma asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“I figured you would have still been out…” He looked at his wife and then at Lily. She nodded back. “Come with me Emma,” he led her out to the back porch.
“Where are they going?” Lily asked as they left. Their mother hushed her and asked about her dolls.
As soon as he shut the sliding door Emma started asking questions. “What’s going on? Why did the power go out? Will it come back on?”
He held up a hand to quiet her down. She stopped, but clenched her teeth in frustration. “Let me start by saying that I don’t know what’s going on. All I know is that shortly after the lights went out, your mother and I found ourselves stuck behind vacant cars. We had to walk home all the way from my office. That’s why we took so long getting back.” He searched his daughter’s eyes for a reaction, but could find none. “I’m sure it’ll come back on soon.”
She stood there for a few moments, not knowing what to make of the information she was just given. “But… why did the power go out? There isn’t a storm coming.”
“Well, sometimes the power goes out even if there isn’t a storm.”
She couldn’t grasp the concept, so she just stood there fidgeting.
After a few minutes her father spoke again, “Well, whatever the reason… your mother and I think it’s best if we stay close to the house until we know more.”
Sometimes adults can be so stupid! How are we going to know more if we stay locked up in our house?
“Any more questions?”
She shook her head no.
“Then let’s go back inside,” he gestured towards the door.