It’s been 1000 years since the world ended. The bustling cities, the vibrant lights, and the crowded streets that we all became accustomed to are no more. The fact that anyone is alive is astounding, and honestly, I don’t think I have much more in me to keep going. 1000 grueling years in hell, is something that would drive anyone mad. However, before I join my loved ones, I must deliver unto you hope, so you may learn from our mistakes. For in darkness there may be light, and in light there may be darkness.
“What a weird intro.” I thought to myself.
I proceeded to turn to the next page and oddly enough it was blank. It was peculiar, maybe someone was trying to write a story and thought it was a silly premise, so they scrapped the idea? On the other hand, why would this notebook find its way into a used bookstore? After some contemplating, I decided to discard the thought. I got the book for free, so it’s not that big of a deal. It wasn’t like I was scammed into buying it.
As I was lost in thought I noticed that it was finally my stop. I got up and collected my things and proceeded to exit the bus. My apartment was still about 15 minutes away, thankfully the late-night walk is always refreshing. It’s the only time of my day I can really attempt to understand myself, and what I’m currently feeling and experiencing. As I began my stroll home my mind began to wonder again. From a young age, I’ve always had a vivid imagination and visions of grandeur. For the longest time I really thought I was going to be something, that I was special. However, one useless degree later I realized those visions were nothing but delusions. I have a shitty job that barely gets me by, I can’t hold a relationship, and I’m estranged from most of my friends and family. I really don’t have anyone but myself to blame for it. At the end of the day, it’s my fault. If it wasn’t for the couple of people left in my life, I don’t think I’d even make it this far. My childhood was rough, and I’ve never been what one could call stable, but all I can really do is take life day by day.
As I approached my apartment, I received a call. I checked who was calling and it was my friend Alice. Alice and I have a complicated history, but for some reason, she’s stuck with me no matter what and she’s honestly the person I respect the most. I answered the phone and Alice sounded panicked.
“Dante are you okay?”, she said.
“Yeah, I’m fine I just got home from running some errands. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”, I replied.
“I’m okay, but have you seen the news?” She questioned.
“No, I have not I am trying to stay off social media since…y’know” I said in a saddened tone.
“I know I’m sorry, but please do me a favor and check the news. You won’t believe what is happening unless you see it for yourself.”, she stated.
“Alright, just give me a moment, let me lock up and I’ll get back to you after I checked out the news. Stay safe please”, I said.
After hanging up and locking up. I sat down at my desk; I booted up my computer and began to check the news. What I initially read had to be a prank. The stars were falling. At first, I thought it was alluding to shooting stars, but it was different. No matter what source I used, it was the same weather, that be CNN, FOX, ABC, BBC all of them indicated that the stars themselves were rapidly approaching us at speeds that broke the laws of physics and the closest are estimated to reach us in 30 min with the farthest reaching us within three hours. How was that even possible? In less than half an hour life itself will be extinguished and to top it off where are the warnings? Actually, I don’t even see the point; People should be at peace in their last moments. I should probably use this time to tell everyone I care about that I love them and goodbye.
I sat down on my couch and attempted to get in contact with my family, but as expected no response. I then thought of contacting Alice, but she probably needs this time for her family. As I began to wallow in my sorrow, I decided that if the world was going out with a bang I might as well witness it. I bring my gaming chair out to my patio and watch as the stars fall. As scary as the situation is, I must admit it’s beautiful. At this very moment it truly felt like we were the center of the universe. As the nearest star approached, I began to pray to a God I have not spoken to since my youth, hoping that those I love are able to experience some type of afterlife. Oddly enough as the star drew closer and closer it seemed to slow and dim, and then it stopped. On top of that I noticed it was not nearly as big as it should have been. It was still big enough to see with the naked eye, but it was still smaller than the moon, maybe 1/5 of the size assuming they were a relative distance away from the earth. As I looked at the sight in awe a shrill trumpet like sound reverberated. It was so loud and intense that I felt like my eardrums would burst. I fell to the ground from the pain and attempted to cover my ears, but it was not enough. The trumpet played for seven minutes. By the time it finished I was surprised I didn’t pass out from the pain. I attempted to get up, however I was unable to find my balance. As I struggled to stand, I was enveloped by a white light. The feeling was odd for less than a second. It felt like an intensified sensation of waking up from a dream where you are falling to your death. By the time I finally gathered my bearings I noticed I was not at my apartment anymore. What surrounded me was an endless field filled with a sea of people. Each one of them looked as confused as I assumed I looked. After some unsuccessful attempts at trying to gather some information on what was happening, I decided to look for a place to get comfortable in. Once I found my spot and got situated, I was approached by a familiar face.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Dante is that you?”, a voice exclaimed.
“Alice? What are you doing here?”, I questioned.
“Probably the same reason why you’re here.”, She laughed.
“Yeah, my bad I’m just so confused.” I said with a hint of embarrassment.
“Aren’t we all? Anyways you won’t believe who else I found!”, she said.
“Who?” I inquired.
“Jack!”, she excitedly said.
After the discovery of the only other person in this world who has been with me through thick and thin. I quickly followed Alice to meet my best friend, Jack. Jack can be described as the opposite of me. He’s tall, easy to get along with, athletic, and carefree. It was odd, until Jack came around in middle school, I had no friends. It wasn’t because people outright didn’t like me, but my inability to communicate with others without having an anxiety attack. New people just scared me. You just never know their intentions, but Jack was different. On his first day of school, he decided to sit at my table. He looked at me with a dopey smile and introduced himself.
“Hey, I’m Jack! Whatcha doing here sitting by yourself?”, he questioned.
I attempted to respond, but all I could really manage was a shrug.
“Well, what’s your name? I gave you mine, it's only polite to give me yours man.”, He asked.
This time I was able to croak out my name, “D-Dante…”
“Well Dante, it’s my first day here, so I’m just going to sit here, okay?” he stated.
I gave him another shrug and we ate our lunches in silence. Somewhat distraught with the idea that squandered an opportunity to make a friend, I was pleasantly surprised with the fact that he decided to sit with me again, and then again. Eventually, I was able to have a normal conversation, and I learned that we had a lot in common. We played the same games, watched the same shows, and liked comics and manga. It was surprising because Jack seemed to befriend everyone he met, so I didn’t expect him to be somewhat of a nerd as well. Meeting Jack honestly changed a lot. I eventually learned how to cope with my fear of strangers due to the numerous people Jack introduced me to, and I slowly started to grow into myself. Years went by and Jack and I parted ways. He got a football scholarship at a D1 college, and I ended up going to my city’s university, but even then, we always kept in touch and when we had time we would meet up. In this peculiar situation it was nice to see him. It’s been over a year since we last saw each other. When I saw Jack, he had the same dopey smile he had when we first met. He ran up to me and gave me a bear hug.
“Did you get even bigger, since the last time I saw you?” I barely managed to wheeze out.
“No, I think you just got smaller man.”, He laughed.
“No, I’m being serious. Last time you were almost a foot taller than me, but now I’m positive you’re a foot taller than me man, what are you 6’7? You’re a fucking giant.”, I laughed.
“Yeah man, I’m actually exactly a foot taller than you, but that’s not important. Are you okay? We haven’t talked since the last time I saw you. Since the funeral.”, he asked.
“I’m alive, but I’m just happy that we’re all together man, especially in this scenario.” I responded.
“That’s true!”, he exclaimed.
“Well, I feel like the odd man out, why don’t you just kiss already dorks.”, Alice said.
“My bad”, Jack and I replied.
“Well what d-“, Alice was interrupted by a thunderous voice.
It felt as if my head was going to explode, the language being spoken was an unfamiliar one. I don’t even think humans are able to produce these sounds. It felt like I was being oppressed by a higher being. The little amount of will I had to live was diminishing at an astonishing pace. After a minute of undecipherable speech, I finally was able to understand what the voice was saying.
“7 cycles, 7 trumpets, and 7 eons time after time you have failed. Father has been very displeased, but he is kind and loving. He has imbued you insects with the ability to perform miracles for you were made in his image. Nevertheless, you have strayed from your intended path, but father is fair. He will give you the opportunity to grow into your potential. Fail once more and you will be no more for, he will bore with you.”, the voice boomed.
As the being relayed its message it slowly began to descend. With two wings, a pure white appearance, and no facial features. No eyes, no mouth, no nose, and no hair.
“What the fuck is happening”, I thought.
It continued, explaining that the world will begin a metamorphosis. That the food chain where we stood at the top will have a new order. Humans were no longer the apex predator; we were now prey. As the being finished its monologue, some people entered an outrage. Some would argue, some would plead for forgiveness, while others stood there in shock. It was absolute chaos. As I began to reach for Alice and Jack so we wouldn’t be separated everything went black.