Tragedy

"Babe, Can you check who's at the door? I'm in the middle of a project for work that's due tomorrow." Kevin didn't take his eyes off his computer screen.

"I didn't hear anything." Sarah said.

"Really, there was a definite knock."

Kevin walked to the door, annoyed his girlfriend didn't get up to answer it, assuming she was too absorbed painting her toenails to even bother. Kevin pulled the curtains back with his hand and peeked out window. The potted plants were leaking water at the base. Oddly, it hadn't rained in a week. Kevin slipped on his shoes and turned the knob. The night air was cold, colder than it should be in early August.

"Babe, I don't see anyone, maybe you're right. I'm gonna check on things since I've got my shoes on." Kevin yelled to an unresponsive Sarah.

"She's always got those stupid earbuds in. It's a miracle she has any sense of hearing left." Kevin said to himself as he glanced around the porch. The wind chime hadn't moved. The welcome mat was in place. All seemed normal and as it should be, but the smell. A strong foul odor lingered.

"What's that smell? Some damn raccoon probably crawled under the step to die, I better get a flashlight."

Kevin walked back in the house, looking down to remove his shoes, before looking up.

"Babe, were's the flash-" Kevin's heart clenched inside his chest.

"Let her go!" Kevin yelled, Sarah's head was bent in an awkward position rendering her unable to speak. Kevin grabbed for the broom standing next to the door.

"Let her go!" He screamed, swinging the broom handle towards her. The handle became white hot sending searing pain to Kevin's hands.

"What do you want?" Kevin asked, falling to his knee with teeth grinding pain.

"Sarah, please baby, can you hear me? Can you move? Fight baby, fight, it's our only chance."

The smell in the living room made Kevin gag with each hurried inhale. He could see the desperation in his girlfriend's eyes. She fought hard but was powerless, unable to move a catatonic muscle.

Kevin choked harder, the smell permeating his nostrils, becoming thick and heavy. He reached into his pocket fumbling to free his phone. His hands trembled, taking four times to dial 911.

Kevin dropped to the floor, one hand clenching his face, the other his stomach. His mind faded in-and-out of consciousness, the last words he heard ... "911, tell me the nature of you emergency. Hello, 911 emergency."

Kevin opened his eyes and stared into a bright light. "Am I dead? Is this heaven?" Two dark eyes soon penetrated Kevin's vision. "No, not you."

"Mr. Howell," a voice said.

"Am I dead?"

"You're at Vernon Medical Center, there's been a tragedy."

"Oh God no, Sarah, is she ok?" Kevin asked.

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Howell."

"What was it?" Kevin asked. "The smell, it was vile, putrid. Oh God! I couldn't breathe ... Oh God, Sarah!"

The dark eyed figure stood over Kevin. "She forgot to tie the bottom end of the diaper genie bag."