The Holes in the Ground
By Brady Berry
Grade 5
Ashland District School
Mrs. Beaulier
One day I was sitting in my room when I heard rumbling close by. I thought it was just a thunderstorm, for the weatherman said there would be one, but it got louder and sounded like it was just outside. Then the house started to shake.
“What is that?” I asked, but I forgot I was home alone. I jumped up and looked out the window. I was horrified by what I saw. A giant hole was forming in my yard. I slipped my shoes on and ran out the door. I ran into the street where more holes were forming. I started running down the street until I saw my mom driving down the road.
“Get in, now!” she ordered. I got in the car, and we drove off. Mom drove into town, where cars and buildings were being engulfed by the bottomless pits.
“What’s going on?!” I asked.
“I don’t know, I was at work and when I left for lunch these holes started coming!” she exclaimed. We decided to look for my siblings. We drove around town for a while, looking for any of them.
“You’re sure you didn’t see them earlier?” I asked, my voice all quivery.
“I’m sure,” Mom said, with the same voice as mine.
“Look, an officer!” I yelled, pointing toward a tough, sturdy man wearing a blue uniform.
“Maybe he can help! I’ll stop, and you stay in the car.” I agreed, but I also tried to listen to the conversation.
“…my children are lost…sure where they…help me?”
The officer said, “…idea where they might be…one in the car looks scared…ride along with you.” And at that moment I knew there was still hope. We drove around town again, with the police officer giving us tips. We drove around until I spotted some kids, but unfortunately they weren’t my siblings.
“Any luck up there?” I ask, not really directed towards anyone.
“Nothing up here,” Mom answers, in a comforting voice.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find them,” the officers says. I then hear my name. I thought it was just me, but then I recognize the voice and I realize it belongs to my little sister.
“Over there!” I yell, pointing to my siblings. Then the officer says, “The evac site is on Exchange Street. I hope you make it safely.
“Thank you,” I say and we shake hands. My family heads to the evac site, thankful for the officer that helped us.
Then, I wake up. It was a dream. I put on my slippers, and then hear rumbling, and I look outside, and my jaw drops because there are holes in the ground.
Editor’s note: This story is part of the 2015-16 Young Author anthology.
