PROLOGUE: ENTRY CHOO CHOO.
Choo Choo Entry)
This is a journal detailing my – hopefully awesome — adventures. Also detailing my life too, especially my foot notes on how to work this train. Didn’t expect a dream and all, telling me… Hey! That would be spoiling… Damn, well, let's start the tale – journal – of the last few days of humanity, and an intrusive MANLY thought winning.
Before the fall entry)
The news for the past few weeks were… let’s say frantic. My personal thoughts upon it was neutral. The first start of it went like this.
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June, 17th, 2029 -
I fell back onto my couch. The classic feeling of air escaping from the cushion relaxed me. I took a swig of water, raising my other arm – remote in hand – and turned the T.V on. I was met with a newscaster of XXX big new station – some name I wouldn't remember – interviewing a scientist looking fellow.
My right brow raised after I decipher what they were saying.
“Meteor trajectory is on a collision course with Earth.'' – Scientist.
“Where do you, and your team, think the meteor will land? Do you have any ideas to stop it? And for the newly tuning in listeners of the morning wave can you give a brief explanation on why this holds any ground?” – News lady.
I snuggled in, slightly leaning forward as my attention was caught by the Scientist next words. I’ll skip his explanation, but to say it was quite convincing, and not because I forgot most of it, Im’a skip to his predictions.
“Estimated landing zone is in the lower regions of Mexico. Its blast radius would easily take all living life hundred fifty kilometers, its shock wave would harm many more, and destroy any commercially built house. This isn't exactly in my field, but that's what one of my guys said. He even said it has a high possibility of causing a tsunami that could wreak havoc upon Asia. And earthquakes are a given, but that is the least of our worries.” – Scientist.
With my attention focused on the conversation I unconsciously took a sip of my water. The water decided to go down the wrong hole, and spurred me into a coughing fit. My coughs drowned out the Scientist and News ladies voices. With one last slam to my chest I was able to catch my breath, allowing me to catch the last bit of their speech.
“Humanity might be doomed. This could be a whole nother extinction event like the dinosaurs. But! We have a plan, it might not work or even make it worse. Even so, this is a far better option than waiting like sitting ducks for bread.” – Scientist.
I threw my back into the couch cushions, and slid down as I blew a raspberry – my underwear riding up my back, and into my buttcrack. “Well, shit.” Was my sole, defeated thought. Subconscious thoughts trailing behind, and building up my emotion on the situation, “Double shit.”
This spiraled me into a silent brooding within my subconscious. My hands doing a wave motion on my knees, water bottle already thrown into a crevasse between couch cushions.
This was it. The big end for us. I had to pay taxes for nothing. Was it all worth it? Just shut the fuck up. We lived good enough, taxes were still shit, but I had a good family. Most of them are dead, and I, well, minus the job. Only if we didnt fuck are knee’s up, missing the sign up period. Im content, but-
Negative emotions swelled in my chest as I began to remember. I clenched my hands, gripping with force into both knees – the pain going unnoticed. My hand shot up, and I slapped my cheek with full force. “Ow!” I yelped, as my cheek already began to throb. Most likely forming a bright pink outline of my hand.
“That's better.” I thought, feeling much better than a few moments ago, “No point in dwelling in that cesspool. We are better.”
My face twisted into an unnatural grin, and pure passion burned in my eyes, “We are Emperour, I’ll survive till I don’t.” That childish motto carrying more meaning than any string of words could describe. I felt my skin begin to cool, and the passion in my eyes slumber once again as I let the tension in my body release. And a leftover residue of cringe from speaking those words aloud.
I eventually got up, and did the usual routine. Turn music on, make breakfast, prep everything for the time I will leave, check on food, noticing it isn't done after a minute, and getting dressed and fit.
I had an idea brewing in my head at this time, but I didn't know what it was. All I can say it was an ideal I held awakening and starting to rekindle itself.
I ate my food, and double checked everything before setting off – taking my only form of transportation, a bike. Then I noticed after a few feet away I forgot something or to do something. Debat if it was worth it, and just leave after noticing I spent too long debating and I’ll be a few minutes late, along with a silent cuss.
The best part of the day greeted me, once again. The wind flowing through my hair, as I felt the slight burn of my leg muscles working to push me forward, and… the train with its horn. The good, ole’ train. I would fantasize about being a train conductor or owning one myself and traveling the States, living off the trains' highly specialized sections for agriculture, which I also made up. But, even if that wouldn't be possible I still reveled in the idea. The childish passion of that idea burned in my chest as I rode – fueling that daydream moreso.
I was taken out of it as I swerved to avoid an oncoming car. I raised my arm, flipped the bird, and yelled. With that the day passed by normally. I worked. I hate working because it’s work, go home, relax, make dinner, shower, and sleep.
Huh, I didn’t notice I wrote that much… memories are weird. But that felt refreshing, like a load off my chest. I am starting to find why people wrote books, but I feel pretty exhausted after writing that.
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I will allow you mystery journal snooper to skip this part, because I'll be giving a brief summary of the days leading up to the final day of the week. More in the sense of my old logs, but yeah.
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Day 18, Sunday.
Bought this journal on my way to work. Maybe I'll write something in it.
All the news channels seem to be more focused on the meteorite. I can’t pull myself to focus on it more, or I might be lost in the wallowing of mortality. After an argument with my boss an idea within that has been brewing for a long time surfaced. I want to run away and be free. I started organizing my plans, and going to my assets. Why not have some fun before the world ends.
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Day 19, Monday.
The people on the news seem to be more frantic in their tones and body language. I skipped work early, I'm not staying there for long anyways.
Note: Buy a shit ton of books, manga preferably, but classics too.
I got pretty much all my assets organized. Tomorrow I'll start my plan. The news casters seem oddly calm this night report, maybe due to the Scientist and his team finding an idea. I think there might be a big project with multiple countries, like they said a big fucking meteor would bring humanity together. This is a gut feeling though.
Also local news a man from my work was caught in a meth smuggling group. He was found later bleeding out with a shank in his side, alive, but will be shipped behind the bars after he heals.
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Day 20, Tuesday.
The scientist and his team had teamed up with the American military and other scientists to make their plans into reality. I am both hoping they fail and succeed. Why? Because I just started liquidizing all my material worth.
I skipped work completely and got an angry voice mail in return from my boss. I stopped and deleted it after the first few seconds of unintelligible spew of words that were screamed out of my phone speaker. Even making me feel the vibrations in my hand from how loud it was.
What An Ass. I turned on the news and plan to s- [Long pencil mark sliding down the paper.]
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Day 21, Wednesday.
Shit! Damn, I fell asleep writing that. I tried to erase it the best I could, but I was using a pen for the last part of it. I’ll just say it adds style. Yeah, style.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
98% done, now I'll just need to sell off a few other things and pawn off my unused stuff. Im’a take a nap first because I just spent, without breakfast mind you, finishing up the process of liquidating my asset, and also I am not canceling my lease and don’t expect to be coming back here. I am planning to close my accounts so they can’t charge me for early canceling. Minor illegal stuff.
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Day 22, Thursday.
I’ll be staying in this place for about one more day. I think I’ll miss this old place. I'm going to turn on the news and start making brunch – 10am o'clock – then I'm going to ignore Geralds voicemail, and you know what, why am I writing. I’ll do this at the end of the day!
I have two to three days to live. We are all fucked. I learned of this right when I was smearing my butter on my toast. I’ll write this part in more detail, and I’ll be having the rest of my logs in small quotes. I’m not spending the last remaining days of my life writing, but if this survives, I’ll be laughing in my grave. Waffle - O. Pancakes - X.
I exited my bathroom, a white towel tied around my waist. Hiding my king's rod and jewels. I swept up the remote, and popped some bread in the toaster. I turned on my heel, and turned the T.V on. News was running. The science dude, a government looking guy, and news lady were all talking. The first two, more so than the Lady.
“We are planning to launch specially made missiles at the meteor to change its trajectory. We know it isn't one hundred percent, even so all we can do is hope that’ll happen. If it doesn't, the second scenario would be the slowing of the meteors speed, even by a bit, would be good enough.” – Science dude.
“Yes you may be thinking, how did they build it so fast? Normally it would be possible to build a rocket for this kind of task. But! Due to us being supplied with resources, and due to my team already having a few experimental models built and being built. And with other, more private, items supplied to us. We were able to maciver two rockets for the job. We'll also launch other missiles at the meteor, just as an extra push.” – Science dude.
He stopped to catch his breath, from his body language I could tell he was quite winded. His jubilant rant was the source I could tell. He was normal at the start of his rant, but near the end of it he almost seemed to be bouncing off his chair.
It seems someone was having fun, while the world was about to end. And is w̶h̶a̶ , sorry, it’s just. I'm a little emotional, and I'm using this journal as a lifeline. But, I want to finish this, and live my last days. Just hope it won’t be painful. Let’s continue
He let out a cough and continued, “We would, and need a better result than our predecessors' result from five years ago, by using a satellite. If this happened back then, we wouldn't be able to prepare such a plan in a short time using our old technology.” – Science dude.
“This was all possible with the support of Sergeant S(Something)” – Science dude
He motioned towards the Sergeant with a hand.
Sergeant S. gave a nod of approval towards the Science dude, “Thank you, (Science dude). I’ll be taking over this conversation for an announcement. No disagreements?” – Sergeant S.
“Go on. I was about to announce it in a moment. Was having a hard enough time holding myself back as is” – Science dude.
Sergeant S. let out a grunt, hand over mouth, like he was clearing his throat. He lowered his hand to rest at his side before he began to talk again.
“Good.” – Sergeant S.
The Sergeant turned to face the camera.
“Citizens. As this conversation was going on we were setting up the missiles for launch. After I give this announcement I’ll give the crew the right away, and we’ll be launching the missiles at the meteor. We’ll also be showing live video of launch off, and collision ” – Sergeant S.
He tapped his right ear, and I could read his lips, “All set?” He nodded his head in some direction of the screen, confirming it was already to change screens. The three of them were shrunk down into a small box, and put to the lower left corner.
At the time I thought his nodding was due to him getting the response he wanted, but I think it was my current idea. This is my last interruption, just my heart is palpitating now, and all.
The T.V screen now was a split screen of two almost identical rockets, not the normal looking types, probably some secret military stuff or something. They were rounded on the top, and some other features I wouldn't put to a rocket. Just overall hard to explain.
Everything was silent, only the faint buzz of the three microphones. The Sergeant was cupping his mouth with his left hand, and pressing down on his right ear. He seemed to be talking with something, till he dropped his hands, resting them on the table.
“We are ready for launching in, three, two, one!” – Sergeant S.
He shouted the last part, and the rocket's thrusters began spewing out flames, one started before the other. I fumbled, and realized I didn't have anything to eat while I watched, and quickly turned to grab my toast. I saw plain, white, UNTOASTED bread sitting in the toaster – which was unplugged. I don't even think I pressed down on the lever, dongle, thingy.
“Fuck, come on, man.” I muttered. I quickly plugged the cord in, and pressed the lever down.
I turned around, and saw that the camera was still focused on the rockets.They were still being propelled up, almost breaking through the clouds, then moments later they were gone from sight. The camera focused on the sky and the now dispersed clouds. The screen flickered, and switched to a lower quality live video of the meteor. They must have broken the atmosphere or something.
I saw the meteor slowly making its way towards us, like an inevitable reaper, ready to claim our lives – humanities and multiple other species lives. Then the rockets, the two big ones, and multiple smaller ones. The two big strange ones like the leaders of an army charging with no care for their lives, the big rocket in front the commander, leading the charge, the one in behind the vice commander, and the smaller ones the soldiers.
Not the most poetic, but that was how it felt to me.
I stood there. Watching. Slowly waiting for both parties to meet contact, and for me to see how Earth’s fate would be decided. My stomach gnawed on itself, waiting for my toast to pop up.
I turned to check if my toast was done, but to see it wasnt even orange on the rack.
My toaster had broken at the worst time. I, without thought, gave it a right hook. Making it slam into the countertops wall. I grabbed it and dragged it back, putting the bread in the other two slots. I stood there till I saw it starting to glow with heat. My fist throbbed.
“Better.” I thought as I turned around. Probably shaking my hand due to the pain.
> [Author note: Anything below here is subject to change, not meaning the grammar, yes that does need to be worked on, but I mean how the story goes. I have an idea instead where he doesn't have a vision, but instead blanks out and during that time he grabs said items and moves to his original spot and the screen fixed on an unsettling still image of the meteor. Also this needs a spoiler mark. Hard to explain, but my future self will remember, and that would add to the mystery wouldn't it? Want this to be a horror/slice of life that isn't a slice of life, but a shitty world with a train dude.]
The space between the two forces was shortened, only a few feet, well, the distance wasn't a few feet, but it looked like it. The flame continued to spew out of the rocket's thrusters. On the screen the first missile seems to be moments away from contact. I stood there emotionless, eyes glued to the screen, a static buzz in my ears. And in the back of my mind I was waiting for my toast to pop up. *The sound of toast popping up* Right before my stomach could make it known once again I heard that sound.
I turned around, I threw the silverware drawer open and grabbed a knife. I grabbed a piece, feeling the slight burn on my finger tips.
I shifted the toast onto my palm, burning it slightly. Using my knife I scooped up a glob of butter, and smeared it on my toast. I turned back around to see that, “HOLY FUCK!” I mentally screamed, the missile seemed to have teleported right after I turned and was right about to hit the meteor.
I quickly turned around, stuffing the toast in my mouth. Grabbed the other toast, and another glob of butter, and turned back around to see the first meteor hit. A massive explosive was released, covering the view. I began smearing my butter onto my toast. The explosion disappeared to show no results, my gut sank a bit, but I continued chewing my first toast.
The second one hit. Another explosion covered the view. And threw the screen of a well explosion. I saw the meteor shutter. The T.V screen outer edges became staticy. My gut sunk further, my munching slowed, and the ringing buzz I kept on hearing grew louder.
The smaller missiles were about to hit, and the screen blacked out, and turned back on. But it was blurry, the static, the static pulsed now. The static in my ears was deafening, the knife in my hand dropped, along with my toast. The sound was muffled under the static.
The second explosion haze disappeared, and I saw a crack, a massive crack. Something in my head told me, it told me to “RUN!” A primal, a core part of me, a part of me, an old and ancient part of me screamed. “RUN! RUN! NOT AGAIN! RUN!” This had happened before, somewhere else, in a time before. Something, just something.
I screamed, the static grew louder and louder, I felt something trickle from my ears. I stumbled forward and used my sink as a support. I reached a hand to my ear, rubbing a viscous and warm substance. I rubbed it between my fingers and brought it infront of me. Blood. The static screamed, and I shot up to see the valley of missiles hit the meteor. I saw it, I saw the crack grow. Just like in the movies, it was small, then it splintered, and branched out. Till it covered the whole meteor. Then the meteor broke apart, and… Something hatched? The screen at this point was too blurry, but I knew something had hatched. It wasn't happy. The being was like a star, or something similar, a living star. The static nearly covered the whole screen, but I heard a voice.
It was the scientist, but his voice was also ladened with static. “"This shouldn't have happened, this could-* STATIC*”
Then I saw the being split apart, multiplying into smaller beings of a star.
Then I blinked, my toast was still in hand, along with the butter knife. I saw the meteor in perfect shape. I stood there, thinking “Was that just a daydream?” Oh god I hoped it was, but I saw static crawl up on the screen, and I heard a static ridden voice in my head, “Run.” and the static buzzed once again in my ears.
My heart dropped, and fear stilled my form for a second, a second too long. I dropped everything, and grabbed what I needed, and what I wanted to take that wasn't already packed in my backpack. I ran to my garage, and yanked my bike out as my garage door opened. I hopped on and began biking as fast as I could. To somewhere unknown, but I felt my gut would take me somewhere. Right now I am writing this as I take a break from cycling. My hands are still shaking, and the static, the goddamn static is still there. I just, I want this to end. I want to.. I want to wake up.