-1 Year Before The Vanishing

Walking through the corridor, I contemplated how the rest of my life would play out. I had been preparing for this day for years—buying construction resources, food, and any tech gadgets still being produced. Ever since the government failed to hide the fact that the stars were disappearing and that the universe was decaying, people have started buying necessities, making them expensive and complicated to come by.

Thankfully, I was among the first to believe in what was considered a "conspiracy," buying up supplies before the world realized it wasn't just a theory. I already owned property out in the woods but had yet to have the time to turn it into a homestead. After the news broke, I threw everything into developing that property—building a house, installing solar panels, and even constructing a bunker. Now that everything was built, it was time to quit my job.

I walked into my manager's office. He was peering through paperwork, probably dealing with other resignations. When he looked up and saw my serious expression, he seemed to understand why I was there. He sighed in resignation.

"You sure you want to quit? You know the CSSOA won't give you a final paycheck or anything after you leave? If you stay, I can promise the company will provide a safe place for your family. We have a bunker prepared for all employees and their close family members."

"Bryan, you know there's no point in working anymore. There's less than a year left before the collapse. I'm surprised the US has yet to fall. But I plan to be out in the middle of nowhere if and when it does. Plus, I don't want to spend the rest of my limited future working. I'd rather spend time with my parents, siblings, and their families."

He sighed and nodded. "Just give me all the passes, and you're free to go."

I put all my stuff in the corner—obviously not the first and undoubtedly not the last to do so—and left. I wandered through the front door past the heavily armed security, got in my car, and left the business for good. As I pulled away from the city, I saw more and more disorder the further I got from the business centers. People were visibly carrying guns and eyeing my car, but since I didn't stop, they didn't bother me. Everyone had a weapon these days, and getting into a gunfight wasn't worth it.

I left the city, looked out, and saw a pitiful night sky with only a few clusters of stars remaining.

* * *

-POV James

I woke sluggishly, the weight of sleep still pressed down on me. Damn, the alarm clock didn't ring again. My brother would be so upset that I was late to the garden. I opened my eyes, only to notice a thatched roof above me, and remembered where I was. The sluggishness instantly disappeared as I sat up from the furs I had been sleeping on.

I looked around the hut to orient myself. The fire in the middle had cooled down to gleaming coals, and there was barely any wooden furniture. Most things were made of mud, rock, or fur hides. It was bland, with nothing of note. I noticed some kind of clothing folded next to me. I realized I had eaten in front of the chief naked the night before and felt embarrassed. I decided there was nothing I could have done and put on the clothes. The clothes were rough and bland, but they were all I had. They flowed down me like a robe.

Not knowing what else to do, I got up and walked to the "door," simply a flap of hide covering the entrance. The sun hit my eyes, making me squint until they adjusted. To the right of the entrance stood a guard who eyed me warily. Turning to him, I asked, "Uh, hi?"

What am I doing? These guys don't speak English or any language I know. Not knowing what to do, we just stared at each other until I became uncomfortable and mimed with my hands, trying to ask if I could "speak" with someone. I needed to figure out where I was and get to the nearest city. Most cities have some people who speak English, even if I'm on some remote island in the Philippines.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He looked at me like I was some idiot monkeying around, and from his perspective, I might have been. Thinking more deeply, I searched my memory for the chief's name since we had exchanged names last night.

"Wang Wei, I want to see Wang Wei." He frowned but nodded and turned around, motioning for me to follow. He kept looking back to ensure I was still with him. We walked past several buildings and arrived at a slightly larger building. He peered inside, said something, and motioned for me to go in.

Inside, there were a few people besides Wei. I nodded and looked for directions on where to sit. He gestured to a spot off to the side. I nodded again and sat down, waiting for them to finish discussing whatever they were talking about. Even though I didn't understand their conversation, it seemed to shift immediately to me from the pointed looks and gestures. After a few minutes, they switched to another topic.

I looked around the place. This hut was more decorated than the one I had slept in. Ornaments were hanging, depicting animals and even a figure. The people were sitting on some kind of dyed cloth instead of fur, and the fire was small, providing idle heat rather than the roaring one I had sat in front of last night.

After a while, they seemed to finish their discussion, and most of the elders dispersed while a few lagged behind. I could see some of them eyeing me. I put on a determined face and approached Wang Wei. I already had a rock in hand and immediately started drawing on the ground, which caught his attention.

I started with a few houses and stick figures, then pointed at myself, him, all around, and then back at the drawing. "This is the village we are in," I said in English, hoping he might get a rough idea. I added a path and river and then a blocky city-like drawing. "This is a city. Can you point me toward the nearest city?"

Wei looked at the rough map and thought for a moment before speaking to the elders still there. After a while, he simply shook his head and shrugged, not understanding. I drew a question mark next to the city and looked at him again. He didn't understand the question mark, so I mimed shrugging and pointing until he got the idea.

"How about another village? Are there any nearby? Maybe they know about a city."

I was really concerned that they didn't know what a city was. Did I get dropped off near some uncontacted tribe? That would suck. I decided to draw a car and even a phone, but I got the same confused look. The elder even drew a question mark near my drawings.

This is bad. It seemed these people were unaware of modern inventions. Thinking it might be best to learn some of the language, I pointed at the rock I was holding and said, "Rock." Then I pointed at another rock used for the fireplace, repeating the word. Wang Wei looked at me and replied, "Shi." I nodded and moved on to sticks. Realizing what I was doing, he called over another man. He said something to him, and I was ushered out of the hut.

I followed the man to a field where several children were playing under the watchful eyes of women. He led me to the women and exchanged some words with them. They looked at me worriedly, and the man stepped aside to keep an eye on me.

I wasn't that scary, right? I was a little tall and had worked out a bit, but was a stranger really that scary?

"Hi!" I started, and they looked at each other, unsure what to do. So, I pulled the same trick I did with the chief, pointing at things and saying their names in English, hoping they would get the hint. They picked up on it quickly and started saying the words back to me. I struggled with pronunciation but managed to learn a few words like me, you, rock, grass, food, and sleep. The essentials. Now, I needed to figure out how to say "work." I couldn't just take their stuff. I doubted they'd be happy, and I wouldn't be surprised if they kicked me out if I kept taking without giving.

I scratched my head and had an idea. I pointed at the guard. "You stand." Then, I pointed at them. "You watch kids. Chief watch village. I do?" I didn't know how to say "what," but hopefully, they'd puzzle it out. They discussed among themselves, trying to decipher my meaning. Eventually, they came to a consensus.

"He (protects?), (us) watch (over) kids. The chief (protects and) watches the village. **** ** ***** work."

"Work," I repeated, and they nodded. I pointed at the guard. "He work?" They nodded. "You work? Chief work?" They nodded enthusiastically.

I had figured out the word. What a miracle. Then I asked, "I work?" They hesitated, then shrugged. I'd have to ask the chief directly.

By the time we finished, the night had already approached. I laid down on my back to stare at the sky. Exhausted and hungry, I closed my eyes. The women had shared some food with me, but I felt uncomfortable taking little since it seemed they didn't have much to begin with. I ruminated on my situation and how to get back to a first-world country before someone called my name.

It was already late, and the kids and their mothers had left the field. Only the guard and I remained. Night had fallen, and the guard seemed ready to lead me back.

I opened my eyes, bewildered by what I saw in the sky.

"What in the—"