___________

The first thing you notice is the noise.

Loud and thunderous.

The second thing you notice is the dust. It's- everywhere. You can't see.

The third thing you notice-

Is all the blood and fact that where once were two legs is now one. That you could see straight to the bone. That pieces of him have been flung everywhere from the explosion.

The fourth thing you notice even before you manage to tear your eyes away from his body is the smell.

Human flesh- charred.

________

Wait Emi I'm scared.

Wait Emi.

Please don't let go of my hand.

The fear is so obvious in my eyes even a five year old child notices it. I grip her hand a little too tightly. We're in a place I used to know so well but these days any overcrowding is unbearable. Emi stops walking and looks up at me. I crouch down to her level and she kisses my cheek.

It's okay Stephie.

It's okay I have your hand.