Earthquake

Mom is in Japan. We sit next to Nao, her face seems quite clear, I make out all her features and her short hair is the same. Though it seems like we are getting ready to eat, Mom demands we take Nao to a really nice restaurant. My head turns, do my eyes open? Mom is gone. Nao is gone. It is just me. Where did they go? It was so pleasant to have them both here. I am in bed and the room is warm and comfortable, much better than last night when I fell asleep to The Beautiful and the Damned. My heart is going, something is happening but I am not sure what it is. The movement must be caused by a car, a reckless driver must have woken me up, I live so close to the street. If that’s so, why do I feel like this? The world around grows angry. I feel regret. I’m supposed to have the radio on all the time but I used the outlet for the keyboard. I should have a bag ready. Do I wait here for something to fall on me and snap me out of this fear?  Seek shelter, get under something, quick! Don’t let the world’s wrath envelope you!

But I know I won’t make it out of the room. I get out of bed and quickly metamorphose into the cobra I have always been. On the floor and in a matter of seconds I am under the bed, but part of my snake tail hangs outside. I can’t get it in no matter how hard I try. I pray to Mother Nature: You mustn’t be so angry. Everything will be fine.

How long? I can’t tell. It seems like time stopped. Is she done or is she just contemplating, reflecting over how to show her force once again? We know you are strong. Please refrain from being so ostentatious. But I am at your mercy.

I am human again and wondering how I will get out from this shelter, much too small for my limbs. I finally crawl out and look out the window. No one is outside. I go back to bed. Any sound makes me think it is she again, angry again or just wanting to play. She plays so rough. Mayuko calls. If it happens again you have to go outside, she says. Nao writes. Be ready, if it gets worse we have to evacuate to a shelter.

A sound. It’s just my alarm. I managed to sleep three more hours.