The Day the Lights Went Out

I remember when the lights went out. We hid in the corner not knowing what from. We locked the doors to keep out the light. The sky was darker than any night. I went home with questions far more than could be answered. I remember how hard they tried to calm, but I wouldn’t relent. I didn’t understand what it all meant. So many people dead and gone - lost in the smoke I could see out my door. Forever afraid there would be more. I remember the next day when my dad left for work. I cried, afraid he’d never come back. I remember the nights for three years after that - lights on, door opened, staring at the ceiling. They were coming for me; I knew it. I remember that I’ll never forget the day the lights went out.