Susie's POV
"MOM! Susie took the remote and won't give it back!" My little brother Nathan screeched at the top of his lungs. I rolled my eyes and dodged his many attempts to snatch it out of my hands. "Mommy you did say that I could watch TV this afternoon, remember?" Mom came rushing in with a tired expression. "Kids, I don't have time for this, just try to share, for once." She wiped her forehead and tied her hair back. Mom then walked over to me and patted my shoulder, which she only did when I would be ordered to something or other for her. I groaned and looked up. "Susie dear, I need for you to watch your brother while I'm away." I jumped up. "What? Mom! You know that I have a right to a life that doesn't include that little worm." I glared at Nathan, who stuck his tongue out at me. She frowned. "Yes I know how you feel, but you must take care of him all the same, as I did with my siblings." She paused, exchanging glances at both of us. Her eyes lit up suddenly, and I knew that this couldn't be a good thing. "I have an idea! Why don't you two pick out one of the board games in the basement?" I nearly choked. "Those are more ancient than grandma, mom!" She glared at me. "Susie Hazel Norris! Do not be disrespectful to your elders. I have taught you better than that," she uttered under her breath, "alone." I sighed. Yes, I was an only child, my father died when I was just ten years old. Mother never liked to bring the subject up much after that, not that I blame her, the pain must've still been too great even now, five years later. She chirped up suddenly. "Well it's just an idea, you kids can find other ways to amuse yourselves I'm sure." I nodded. I watched as she put on her coat and trekked out the door. "I love you kids! I'll be back tonight." We both rushed to the door. "I love you too, mommy!" Nathan shouted out. We waved her off until she was out of sight.
Closing the door, I crossed my arms and took a seat back on the couch. Nathan followed suit and grinned at me. I rolled my eyes. "Now listen you infant, I am the boss of the house for now, and whatever I say, goes." He stood up and started imitating me. I groaned, frustrated. "Stop that!" He giggled. "Stop that!" Oh so this is how it's gonna be? Fine. "Do that one more time and I'll lock you in your room and you won't be able to eat,watch TV, or anything until mom gets back!" He gasped at this, and put his hands up in surrender. "Okay sissy, I'll stop." I cringed, I hated that nickname, I mean, I know it means sister, but memories of the past school year had corrupted that simple word. The amount of times I've heard it go around with a malicious intent, is too many to count. I kicked my legs up and turned on the TV.
Something flashed onto the screen, temporarily blinding me. A very strong and unstable funnel cloud has been sighted forming in the Northeast! Residents are advised to evacuate as soon as possible or stay on lower ground away from all windows. I shrugged this off, after all, I hadn't received any alerts on my phone, so it couldn't be a warning. My brother stared at the TV, petrified. "Sissy? Are we gonna die?" His lip trembled. I shook my head. "No, of course not, this is just a watch, I don't think we have any reason to worry." He smiled again, and went back to his routine of running around the house making a racket before tiring himself out. I switched the channel and amused myself watching a cooking show.
After awhile, it became boring, and I was soon flipping through the channels, and then turned the TV off. My brother soon became exhausted from being a wild child, and sat on the carpet, where he passed out. I chuckled to myself as I tried to seek out a way of entertaining myself. Glancing around, my eyes were drawn to the basement door. My mind instantly went to the board games. "Well, there's no harm in checking them out." Curiosity got the best of me, and I clicked the switch on, and trekked downstairs, making sure to hold onto the railing, just in case. When I got to the bottom step, I reached out to turn the light on. Now, I must admit, our basement is a mess, but I was used to it. Boxes upon boxes of dusty junk were lying around, and there were cobwebs in every crook. Where am I going to find those games? I thought to myself, just as the top box fell and hit the floor with a loud THUMP.
