They were unusually nice that day. Mom kissed me on the forehead, something was unusually sad with her smile, then just as I walked out the door, my little brother gave me a tight hug and a drawing of the sky where in the middle it said “I love you”. I paid him back with a cheeky grin and playful punch in the arm. Dad then drove me to school, and when we got there, he gave me a kiss on the cheek, and said “I love you” instead of the usual, “take care”. If only I knew at that moment.

School was so slow that day but it didn’t even bother me. As I was getting my papers from my professor she said that I was unique, remarkable, beautiful, and that the world needed more people like me. That was when it hit me, everyone was nice to me today. It was weird but I did not dare question it for the sake of not jinxing it.

After two classes that seemed to last forever, my best friend decided to have lunch at my favorite restaurant. She complimented the dress I was wearing. I ate like it was the last day of my life. Then she gave me the tightest hug before we left each other. I left the restaurant and walked to the spot where dad usually picks me up. As I was standing there, I could feel the wind on my skin. But it was different. It was warm and comfortable. Dad called and said he couldn’t pick me up today so I had to commute home. Walking to the bus station, I bumped into the librarian who was also my friend. He asked me if I liked the book he recommended and said that he has more books to suggest. I might not have the time to read them all but I said “Sure.” We said our goodbyes and left, but as I looked back his smile turned into a frown. Weird, but I didn’t mind it for long.

I got on the bus and the driver smiled at me. As I was staring out the bus window, I saw how beautiful everything looked that day. The sky looked like God Himself painted it. And for the first time in a long time, the traffic was light. We finally arrived at my stop and the bus driver once again smiled at me. I smiled back.

The whole day I was wondering why everyone was so nice to me. Now I know why: a premonition.

As I was walking home, I felt my heartbeat increase its speed and it felt horrific. Something bad was coming but I still tried to convince myself that I was just overthinking. Just a few blocks away from home, it started to rain. I ran fast, heartbeat still racing. I started counting one to ten to calm myself.

I arrived home only to see the door kicked down, the place ransacked, and the stairway splattered with a blood trail with a dark figure looming on top.

The storm was coming.

I couldn’t make it to ten.