The Hecatomb Redemption

"Momma, it's too hot to sleep." Bradley groaned. The sun had begrudgingly risen a few hours ago and left his bedroom sweltering. He sat up in bed and looked around the room. It was empty, as usual.

He rolled over onto his stomach and buried his face in his pillow. His bedsheets were damp; sweat had collected on the fabric, soaking through to his bare skin. He had been sweating in his sleep again.

"It's always too hot in here," he thought to himself, "Mom must have the air conditioning off again." It wasn't unusual for her to forget, especially when she was home alone. Her memory was going and sometimes he wondered if she even knew who he was anymore.

Bradley closed his eyes, hoping that would help him fall back asleep. This time he tried not to think about the dream from last night. He didn't want to remember what it looked like or how it sounded or what it felt like when he had been trapped inside of it for so long...but it was hard not to think about those things. He kept replaying those images in his mind, but this time he tried to stay awake and just think about something else.

"Think about Frank," he thought, "think about tomorrow."

The plan was simple: they would meet at the old quarry at 6:00am and then head out into the woods together before sunrise. They would wait until the first rays of light hit the morning sky, then they would move deeper into the forest and see how far they could get before noon. Bradley couldn't wait! Tomorrow would be the best day ever!

Maybe they would see a bear or a deer or maybe even a mountain lion! Maybe they would see all three! Or perhaps something new! Anything could happen with Frank by his side; anything was possible! Bradley smiled and opened his eyes again; perhaps today wouldn't be so hot after all!