[ TT ] All your friends and family are slowly changing . They do n't notice the difference , but you certainly do ...

It's happening again. A hush falls over the house. No more children running around. My wife's voice no longer carrying on from the other room. The first time it happened was a month ago around the dinner table. Everyone went quiet and stared blankly ahead. Truly stared, unblinking. As if they could all hear something that I could n't. And then, a few moments later, perhaps not even a minute had passed, and it was if it never happened. I thought it was a practical joke at first, but when I asked about it they looked at me as if I was crazy. 
 
 As it continued to happen the moments would last longer. Minutes would pass. Just last week they did it for half an hour. Now I find myself again sitting in my study as that eerie silence falls over the house. A silence so pure that I can hear the blood pumping in my ears. I tried to find answers online. Maybe it was some sort of strange illness, maybe a virus. 
 
 I exit the study, there is a heavy feeling on my chest but I am compelled to move forward. It feels as if there are bubbles over my ears, I can hear my breath funnel through my nostrils, even the soft sound of carpet beneath my shoes. 
 
 My daughters door is slightly ajar. I do n't want too, but I peer inside. I see her standing there, toys left on the floor. She is motionless, silent, staring at the far end of her room. A deep sadness flows into me. Something is wrong with her. Something is taking her from me. I push the door open, maybe there is something I can do. I step into her room, I see her face in the mirror across from me. Her eyes lock with mine. My heart jumps in my throat. This had not happened before in a silence. She does not move, she does not blink, but her eyes look into mine through the mirror. Something inside me urges me to leave. Where my logic tells me to do anything to help my youngest child, something primal tells me to get away from her. 
 
 I back out of the room. Her eyes follow me. I walk down the hall. Round the corner towards the stairs. Hair stands on the back of my neck and my pace quickens. My son's room lies ahead of me. I see him standing at the edge of his bed. His eyes focused on me. 
 
 I move down the steps, my heart is racing now. Danger is looming but I ca n't imagine from where, or from what. Footsteps rattle behind me. I whirl around to see my daughter at the top of the stairs. Head forward, eyes locked on me. The back of my eyes sting, I feel I could break at any moment, I ca n't endure this madness. My wife is in the kitchen, a cup of tea steaming on the counter in front of her. Phone placed next to it. Her eyes. 
 
 `` B-Barbra. Please.'' I sputter in a half whisper. My throat can not form a voice, like in a nightmare, my body betrays me. My voice cracks, `` If this is a joke it's not funny anymore!'' I shout. Footsteps pound behind me. I turn. My son and daughter stand in the hall. Still. Silent. Their eyes on me. Unblinking. 
 
 With a shaking hand I snatch my car keys from the wall. I ca n't turn my back on them. I reach for the door knob behind me. They watch. I flick the bolt lock open and open the door. Backing out all the way. I feel sick. Outside is silent. No bugs or birds, no cars. I hit the unlock, yellow lights flash behind me. Silhouettes form behind the windowpanes of the front door. I feel relief once I am in the car. Escape seems the only option. I can find help, anywhere but here. I throw the car in reverse and lock eyes in the rear view mirror.
