Chinook by George Hosier II - I Was There

I Was There by George Hosier II

Something awakens me, jerking me out of a sound sleep, I feel my heart pounding, and the back of my neck prickling. What time is it? I instinctively turn toward my alarm clock. The red digital numbers read 12:00 pm. PM! Doesn’t that mean noon? I shake my head to clear the grogginess from my brain. What is going on? What had awakened me? How could I have slept so long? Why is it still dark? I look toward the alarm clock again to verify that I had misread the time, but the familiar glowing display has vanished.

Now I become aware that I am standing. Where, I cannot tell. I shudder in the inky, supernatural blackness. Waving my hand in front of my face, I see nothing but this palpable darkness that presses against the back of my eyes and seems to seep into my nostrils and trickle down my throat, gagging me. Beneath my feet, the ground is convulsing and retching, like a poisoned animal struggling for its last breath. Around me I can hear things falling, rocks splitting, wind howling. Women are screaming in terror, and men cry out hoarsely. I am surprised to discover that they speak in Aramaic, Greek, and Latin. I am even more surprised to realize that I can understand their words.

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