The school glowed in the darkness, its white walls and windows reflecting the car headlights like stars in the night sky. The outline of the building was sharp and distinct, beckoning to the passengers in the car.
"You miss this place," Stephanie asked her brother, her body straining against the tight seat belt as her body stretched into the front of the car in between her mother and brother. George sighed, his eyes drowning in emotions as he peered at the high school he graduated from a few years ago.
"You don't ever really appreciate the time spent here until you leave," George spoke, memories of friends laughing as they walked down the hall to class surfaced in his mind. "Makes me feel fifteen again." George's face lit up as he surveyed the partially filled parking lot. Their mother eased off the gas pedal and started scanning for a spot near the entrance to the gym, carefully avoiding getting too close to Martha's and Stanley's truck.
"Holy shit," Stephanie let out a gasp as the window of the compact car was shattered, the shards of glass glinting in the headlights like deadly diamonds. The metal frame was bent and twisted, creating a jagged edge that looked like a mouth full of sharp teeth.
"Martha did a number on it didn't she," Stephanie asked rhetorically, the others nodded their head in agreement. The car suddenly came to a halt as Sally slammed her foot on the brakes. George's head jerked forward from the sudden stop, while Stephanie nearly flew into the front seat.
"Jesus ma,"George exclaimed, his hand reaching out to steady himself on the glove box. "I got distracted," their mother explained, pulling up the emergency brake and turning off the car.
"Welcome, welcome, as your elected leader, have no fear. We will come out of this stronger and more united," The tall, lanky man stood at the front of the gym, his voice booming louder than expected from someone of his slender build. His piercing eyes scanned the room, seeming to size up each individual as he gave his rehearsed speech as if assessing their level of trust in his words.
"Ah, the Banks, it is so great to see you," he spoke loudly as he walked up to the family of three that walked through the gym doors. "George, you are growing up to be a fine man," the mayor strode towards George with a confident smile, reaching out to shake his hand. But George's hand hung limply at his side, still unsure and awkward in this new environment. As the mayor's clammy hand enveloped his own, George couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over him. "Stephanie you are becoming quite the woman," his grip on George's hand loosened as he spoke, his voice taking on a leering tone as he appraised her from head to toe. "And Sally, you have raised such fine and accomplished children, I'm sure they are going to bring this town to prosperity." As he leaned in for a hug, his hands outstretched, Sally took a step back, her body language tense and guarded.
"Mayor," a sharp voice shot through the gym, the Mayor had to stop himself from standing at attention as he eyed the individual standing directly behind the Banks family.
"Ah, Sheriff Bobby," the mayor said as his eyes narrowed in dislike. "Excuse me," the mayor spoke to the Banks family as he walked past them to speak to the sheriff.
"Is Emily here, or at least Rofous," Bobby asked looking around the gym searching for them as the mayor walked towards him.
"They are on the way, I'm sure Rofous is sticking his head out the window of the van and wagging that brown tail of his," the mayor said with a genuine smile, as Sheriff Bobby groaned at realizing he was alone in managing the mayor.
"Fuck it, they'll live until either Emily or Rofous makes it here," the sheriff muttered to himself as he turned and walked away, leaving the mayor standing alone, awkwardly watching Bobby's back as he left. The loud clang echoed through the gymnasium, marking the exit of a determined man and snapping the mayor out of his daze.
"I claim this area," Stanley's booming voice bounced off the plain walls of the gym, announcing his claim to the territory. His hands were coated in white from the chalk line he drew outlining his area.
"Fuck no you ain't, that's half the damn gym," came a retort from Terry, as he casually strolled over Stanley's line without care.
"Now hold on there Terry," Stanley interjected, pointing towards a patch of ground a few feet away. "That's my sleeping space, and over there is my man cave." He continued, sweeping his hand in grand gestures around the entire outlined area. "And this spot right here is for when the missus kicks me out again and I need another tent."
"You ain't need no man cave you dipshit," Terry replied, as he shoved one of the three tents still in their bag, as it slid against the wooden floor away from the back corner of the gym.
"Friends, let us work together in these trying times," the mayor voiced his shoes squeaked with every step as he walked over to the bickering men.
"Fuck off John, I didn't vote for you," Terry said spraying saliva over Johns's dress clothes with every word spoke.
"Perhaps we can have a communal recreation center using one of Stanley's tents instead," John spoke, his voice reaching a higher pitch as he ignored Terry and addressed the entire population in the gym.
"This is why more people voted for Rofus than you," Terry criticized, "we ain't got enough room for all the people and cots, let alone a recreation whatever you called it," Terry finished as people gathered around the three men.