Tap. Tap. Tap.
Carter Clove woke to the sound of water dripping from rusty pipes snaking across the ceiling.
A wave of dread washed over Carter as he listened to the dripping. It wasn't as sporadic as usual; it had become consistent, the water flowing faster and in greater volume. The floor being drenched in murky water, immediate worry seized him. Worried about his sister he ran to his sister Natalie's room in the middle of the night to check on her.
When Carter arrived in Natalie's room, he immediately heard the sound of water dripping: "Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap," the sound rapidly grew faster and faster. He stepped in and saw the puddles of water surrounding the dresser full of clothes, Carter quickly checked the dwars to salvage any clothes he could. Putting them in plastic bags to take out later.
Carter quickly picked up Natalie, swaddled her in a blanket, and rushed her outside to the car, placing her in the backseat. He then ran back onto the old steamboat they called home to get the clothes he had safely tucked away in a plastic bag as to be sure the water wouldn't ruin them.
Soon after collecting their things, they headed for the Wallflower Hotel, where they planned to stay temporarily while searching for a new place.
Upon their arrival at the Wallflower, Carter used the money he had barely scraped together from his part-time jobs over the past week to pay for a two-bedroom for a week.
Carter carried Natalie to her room, and soon after, she woke up. Disoriented and unaware of her surroundings, she screamed for Carter, not knowing where she was.
Carter rushed to Natalie from the bathroom, finding her crying in the unfamiliar environment. Wanting to comfort her, he said in a soft, calming voice, "I'll go get you some snacks from the gas station down the street."
Soon after arriving at the gas station, Carter grabbed Natalie's favorite snack: donuts. He went to the counter to pay but noticed it was empty and no one was around. Deciding not to wait, he left some money on the counter with a note that read, "I had to get back to my sister soon, so I couldn't wait for you to return. I've left the money here for the donut I took."
Carter quickly left the gas station and headed back to the car. Suddenly, he heard a crushing and splashing noise behind him. He quickly turned towards the sound, wondering what could possibly be causing it.
He saw a giant puddle, thinking it was just the water tank leaking, he continued towards the car, when he saw a shadow coming from above and behind him. He quickly looked around and saw a giant wave of water coming at him, smashing into him and throwing him against the vehicle, submerging him in water, water slowly filling up his lungs…
Then everything went black..