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Infected

Dark Rising

Episode 1: Daydream

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Nancy had no idea that today was the last time she would ever see her family again, let alone pack for a picnic. Packing the cooler for the trip, she looked out the kitchen window at her husband, who was double checking the car tires. Seeing the man she fell in love with 19 years ago. He was a bit older, but she could still see him. Hearing the giggles of the children playing in the other room, Nancy hoped the kids would enjoy visiting the beach as much as she did when she was their age.

Nancy saw little Ana walking out of her room twirling in her dress and Jeremy close behind her. Jeremy was scanning the room as if looking for something. "When was the last time you had them on?" she heard him ask Ana in frustration. "Outside, Outside, I was playing outside," She replied in a playful nanny, nanny booboo tune. She saw Jeremy look at the floor near the sliding glass door. "Hmm, no Ana foot prints on moms carpet. Did you leave them outside?" he asked her rubbing his chin as if playfully giving her a clue. Ana stopped twirling and with a giggle she ran towards Jeremy lightly pushing him in the stomach. Jeremy opened the sliding door smiling as she ran outside. Nancy heard her singing "Chewy shewy shoe, I found you!"

Nancy said "You're so nice to your little sister," as Jeremy walked over to her shaking his head with a great big smile.

"You said you were going to teach me how to pack clothes without wrinkles," Jeremy said waiving his finger at her.

Nancy replied, "You mean my patented packing technique? I guess I could teach you, if you really think youre old enough to pack your own suitcase."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow pointing a hand at his chest. "Are you kidding me?" he retorted.

Closing the cooler she was packing, Nancy walked toward Jeremys room. "Make sure you have your list," she said opening his door. His clothes were all laid out on his bed next to a travel suitcase. "I got it right here," He said walking around to the opposite side of the bed holding a piece of paper in his hand. Nancy took 3 of his shirts and stacked them on top of each other as she said "I'll do the first one. Pay attention and Ill let you do the rest." Grabbing the collar of the shirts she began to roll them from top to bottom. "You want the rolls to be fairly tight. Also the tighter you roll, the smaller it will end up," She said. Scrunching his nose Jeremy asked "How does this prevent wrinkles?" She grabbed another shirt and began to fold it saying, "Well most wrinkles caused from packing happen when you fold clothes. The folded clothes sit on top of each other in the bag, and over time the folds turn into wrinkles that are hard to get out. When you roll clothes there are no folds." Jeremy nodded his head, "No folds no wrinkles I see." Tossing him the shirt she had folded she said, "You got it kiddo!"

"I have to finish packing the cooler. You can finish the rest, Right?" she said as she headed for his door.

"It's not rocket science," Jeremy said as he began rolling some of his shorts.

As she headed back into the kitchen she saw an old memento they had on display in the center of the kitchen table, a star fish which had been framed.

Memories started coming back to her. She could hear the sea waves coming into the shore only to be pulled back to the sea a moment later. She Closed her eyes and she could see the beach. She could see her hands, but they were much smaller hands. The smell of salt hits her as abreeze passes by. A boy was digging in the sand. He was covered in muddy sand, elbow deep with a new handful of unearthed muck.

"What do you think you are doing?" she said to the boy shaking her head at him.

"Oh, uh me? I am just digging for star fi..." the boy said turning to look at the Nancy. "I.. I.. I am just looking for ..." he stammered.

"Spit it out, why are you covered in mud?" placing her hands on her hips waiting for a reply.

The boy paused a moment, staring at her. "My name is .. is .. Howard. What is your name?" he stammered.

"Well Howard, I am not going to answer your question until you answer mine." she said stubbornly

The boy looked down at the great big hole then back up at her, "I was looking for star fish ... but it seems I found an angel instead."

"Mom. What are you staring at?"said a small voice, pulling Nancy back from her daydream.

Turning to look at little Ana who had a curious look on her face. "Mommy was just remembering the first time she met daddy. He was so cute."

"Eww , boys are gross. Mommy you're gross!" Ana exclaimed, running off around the corner.

Letting out a giggle she turned back to the cooler, "One day you will understand Ana." She delighted in the thought of telling her daughter their story when she was older. She would sit her down, and the two of them would discuss how it is they fell in love. Ana would find happiness as she did, and the two of them would spend all night talking about love, and star fish.

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Episode 1BLC