May

"In recent news the public's original concerns for the Cleansing Act seem to have been subsided as madame president Natalia Emerson's controversial plan has seen resounding success since it was first enacted. The first major city subjugated to have been ground zero, Chicago, has seen a drastic decline in crime and a rise in public morale thanks to major improvements to many of its poorer areas from the reparations the government spending has been pouring into the Cleansing Act after Emerson cut military spending from the country's budget due to the lack of military presence needed in allied countries. Other cities such as Oakland, Detroit, Baltimore and New Orleans have seen sharp drops in crime rates. Meanwhile prisons are becoming overcrowded with hundreds of new residents arriving every week from the countless arrests being made from the Cleansing Act. Despite these positives, the more tragic side of this plan has resulted in several deaths. Vice president Madison Weathers had this to say regarding the lives being taken from the Cleansing Act:"

"We are deeply saddened by the losses we've received from the reports that have been delivered to us from our brave captains out there commanding their forces to deal with these dangerous people. We can assure you that our police officers and SWAT teams are trying their best to avoid using violence if necessary. But unfortunately speaking to and negotiating with these criminals is not always successful and leads to a peaceful resolution. Sometimes, fighting back is the only choice. This Cleansing Act was enacted for the good of the people of this country who have to live in fear of their lives every day. We are eliminating those fears and doing our best to reshape these cities and towns not only by ridding them of dangerous people, but also working to fix and repair the poor infrastructure that years of mismanaged funding and incompetence by our previous administrations has lead to."

"President Emerson expects the Cleansing Act to continue to push forward well into twenty-thirty-one. Possibly even twenty-thirty-two. We all pray for a brighter future for this country going forward even with the troubles and tribulations our world is facing right now. Moving on to the governments plans to deal with the ever-growing rise of climate change and the threats it poses to those remaining coastal populations-"

Vincent shut the television off and got out of his chair to stretch his limbs and back, hearing the loud cracks coming from his aging body. He sighed and pulled out a cigar along with a gold Zippo lighter. Deciding to take a stroll to the backyard he lit the cigar, taking a deep puff as he slid the back sliding glass door open to step out onto the porch. Two figures were sitting on cushy porch chairs surrounding a decorative fire pit. A man and a woman. The two of them were quietly chatting amongst themselves until they heard Vincent approaching them, drawing their attention. Vincent smirked at them.

"Mister Peter Masterson. Missus Laurie Dawson. Sorry to keep you two waiting. I see that lady Emerson had spoken to you two and recommended my knowledge regarding the...string of strange occurrences that have been happening not only around our country, but the world as well. How flattering of her." Vincent snickered taking a seat to face the two of them. "How honored I am to be in the presence of two of the most powerful people in the world. Tell me...what is it you wish to know."

Peter and Laurie glanced at each other. Laurie nodded to Peter. He rolls his eyes then they look at Vincent.

"Okay sir. Explain just what the hell has been happening will you? Because in one of the vaults of one of the many banks I own, two security officers up and vanished out of nowhere. And with my friend Laurie here, her grandson has apparently been speaking to some 'thing' in his closet on multiple occasions and even has been experiencing mild hallucinations after every time he claims he speaks with this closet entity he swears is real." Peter explained, slamming his hand down on his lap. Vincent took a puff from his cigar and crossed one leg over the other to get comfortable.

"From my vast knowledge of the paranormal and extraterrestrial, I believe that what we are experiencing is a series of tears and warps within our reality. Mysterious disappearances. Visual and auditory Hallucinations on a massive scale. People getting lost in normal places and losing bits of their memory. Ethereal beasts science cannot explain popping out of dimensional rifts and attacking people like we saw on that viral news broadcast last month. Remember when Natalia spoke of the fall? That ominous message she gave to you all? Yes she told me everything after desperately gaining her trust. This is it baby. The fall is coming and we are drawing near our last days. June sixth to be exact. Just a month away my friends. Reality as we know it is falling apart right in front of our eyes and we don't know what the hell to do or think about it. Natalia even managed to find a way to deal with the public's once-growing concern after that viral news broadcast by sending the National Guard into full force, pulling them away from their duties with the Cleansing Act. So...do what you will with that information. Honestly I did not expect early signs of the calamity to come like this. Tiny bits and pieces of reality crumbling away."

Laurie and Peter both exchanged worried glances. They remained silent for a moment.

"S-so this is really happening?? Natalia wasn't lying then..." Laurie stammered, her hands trembling. "...we really are going to die aren't we? Peter! That bunker! The one Joseph spoke to us about! W-we must head straight there before the deadline! I...I do not want to see my family perish. My grandson is so young and bright but even his feeble mind is being fucked with."

"I..I know, Laurie. Vincent. Serious question. And I cannot believe we are revealing this confidential information to a stranger we just met. But...underneath the Washington Monument there is a massive bunker that had just finished being constructed. Do you...think we'll be safe there?"

Vincent's furrowed brow raised at the question. He quietly puffed on his cigar, tapping on the tip to get some of the ash off. He then scratched his chin.

"That is a good question Peter. We're talking a calamity that is fated to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth in order to rebirth it anew. Free it from the damage humanity has caused in the form of a fresh start. Who knows? Maybe an immensely strong and durable doomsday bunker will be the only way to protect anybody from eradication. This, I cannot answer but only assume. Let us hope so anyway. I for one are ready to embrace the end along with my followers. But I understand you both wanting you and those you care about to survive. But ask yourself this; Why? Sure, the greatest minds could survive maybe and rebuild from scratch. But why bother? If you want my opinion, just accept the sweet embrace of death soon to come."

Peter and Laurie both glanced at each other. The ominous words spoken with a soft tone and calm demeanor only made it that much more disturbing to them. They both stood up and nodded.

"Thank you for your time...we have much to think about." Peter stated. Him and Laurie headed back into the house. Vincent turned to watch them leave, smiling and shaking his head.

"They still don't understand. But I commend their bravery with the weight of doomsday on their shoulders."

Some time had passed since Peter and Laurie left. Vincent's followers had arrived to the property and gathered inside the living room. Vincent stood before them with his hands in a praying gesture. The followers, all still cloaked in black robes concealing all but their smiles as their faces were veiled by shadows.

"Greetings fellow members of the Covenant of Asthatathu! The time will soon by upon us! Remember what we discussed when lady Emerson had delivered her message sent by the Outer Gods?" Vincent asked. The followers all nodded in response. "That's right! The fall is nearly here so... We must begin practicing the ritual to summon our beautiful and almighty goddess, Cthylla! We will go over the steps one-by-one, learn how to pronounce the proper speech in the foreign tongue of the tome, and make sure we perfect the ritual so when the time comes...we can call her forth to bless us with her presence! Rejoice!"

The followers all cheered, throwing their hands into the air then started clapping. Vincent smirked and looked up at the large painting looming over the living room of the deity known as 'Cthylla' with a gleam in his eyes.

Joseph Carter was being escorted through the Presidential Emergency Operations Center located under the White House by Natalia and a couple of Secret Service agents donning black suits and sunglasses with earpieces on. The bunker seemed to be well-kept with the walls and floors looking very clean. The rooms were organized and free of any clutter aside from miscellaneous papers and pens. The group was silent until they came to a large set of steel doors with a keypad and scanner on the wall next to the doors. Natalia pulled out a key card and flashed it to the scanner before entering a code on the keypad. The steel doors slowly started creaking open.

"Here we are. Gentlemen? Proceed forward with him. I will follow behind." Natalia said with a snap of her fingers. The agents proceeded forward and Joseph followed. His jaw dropped as he peered over the railing on the open elevator. Below them and ahead was a massive steel bunker the width and length of a football stadium and ceilings as tall as a small skyscraper. A couple of forklifts were driving around, workers with yellow hardhats were standing around talking and armed guards with full body armor were protecting some of the rooms. Joseph's original concept was being seen in full form here.

"My lord...so it's finally finished?" He asked. Natalia stepped forward and stood by him. A pleasant smile upon her face.

"Yes. Three administrations have witnessed this bunker start as a rather difficult and time-consuming project and evolve into the largest underground bunker in the entire world. I feel proud to have my current administration be the one to see it completed. Keeping it under wraps from the public thankfully wasn't an issue. We're standing in the civilian entrance. The other entrance is a large tunnel big enough for trucks and other vehicles to come and go as they were during construction. Everyone in the kabbalah has their own rooms secured, as do I and the entirety of the White House staff alongside many other important and key figures we've handpicked for reservations. While I am unsure if this will truly protect it's residents...the hope is there. By the way, Joseph..." Natalia paused.

"Y-yes madame president?"

"...June the third. I will be making the announcement. Mass panic will undoubtedly spread amongst the public everywhere. Make sure your network of contacts is notified as they will need to travel here. We will be notifying certain people as well. The National Guard will be guarding the entrances and escort as many people as possible into the bunker excluding our reserved guests. Once the population counter hits it's limit...the doors will begin to seal. Three days prior to the fall will be enough time...as many of our esteemed residents will be flying overseas and across the states to get here. I expect riots and mass hysteria to set in as soon as I finish the speech. The public will not be ready to bear the news. But everyone will be doing their best to get the bunker filled. You understand?"

Joseph swallowed hard and nodded.

"I understand. I guess by that time I will need to break the news to the kiddos... Oh fuck how will they handle this...?"

Natalia gently put her palm on his back and rubbed it.

"There there. I know it will be overwhelming to the younger ones. Children are crucial to any hope of a future should you all survive here."

"What...do you mean 'you all?' What about you?"

Natalia closed her eyes and chuckled under her breath.

"Silly. I am the Harbinger. I will need to be there when 'they' awaken and arrive here for the fall to commence. I'll be fine. I promise."

Joseph crossed his arms and came to terms with accepting this right away knowing how her mind worked. She then pressed a button and the elevator descended down for what felt like several stories to the ground floor. Natalia decided to give Joseph the grand tour. From a built-in garden complete with special lights simulating sunlight to a cafeteria with a full kitchen to a large playground for children to roam around in. He was then shown to his room. It resembled a small apartment with two bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and dining table. Joseph was floored with the amount of work that had gone into just the room built for his family. Natalia explained how every esteemed guest had a room like his while regular civilians had smaller rooms that would be accommodated based on if they were alone or had families. She then took him to the restricted section of the bunker for government workers and exclusive residents like himself. The tour concluded with them heading back up the elevator to the top and taking one more look at the bunker.

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"With all the blood, sweat, tears and money poured into this project...let's hope it can save us all..." Joseph murmured softly to himself.

A black man with a red baseball cap wearing a dark gray suit approached the dressing room door marked with a golden VIP plaque. He rapped on the door, gripping his tablet tightly. His head was beaded with sweat from the heated hallways keeping the interior warm. A cheery and feminine voice responded from beyond the door;

"Come in!"

The man opened the door. The dressing room adorned with bright red walls was mostly empty with the exception of one individual. A beautiful young dark-skinned woman with deep purple hair done up in twin-tails wrapped with black ribbons stood at the sole lit mirror doing her makeup. She finished up and turned to face the man. She had a slim but toned figure with a petite chest and wide hips. Her eyes were a striking teal with purple glittered eyeliner and a light red foundation on her cheeks along with black lipstick. Around her neck was an onyx necklace with a red gemstone encased in a twisted, round black and purple seal. She wore a sleeveless sheer black blouse, black mini-skirt with fishnet stockings and black thigh-high leather boots, giving her a dominating and sexy appearance. The man looked down at his tablet then back up at her.

"Miss Silvestria. How are you doing?" He asked.

"Hey Lucas. I'm fine. Feeling pumped as hell for this show! How's it looking out there?" Silvestria replied, putting her hands on her hips.

"People are already rolling in as we speak. This is about to be your biggest show ever. And I...well just wanted to catch you for a moment since we got time to kill before the show." Lucas closed the door behind him. Silvestria went ahead and took a seat in the chair next to the makeup station. Lucas leaned up against the wall. "Time's almost here ain't it? And you're about to perform an entire album loaded with heavy subject matter to these young folks. Man...it's a lot to handle I'm sure. You think your messages will get through to them?"

Silvestria stroked her chin with a finger, pondering how to answer. She took a deep breath, crossing one leg over the other.

"You're referring to the fall aren't you? Yeah... Fan reception has been overwhelming to the album from what I've read. And the critics keep singing my praises as usual. And honestly, it seems a majority of them seem to get it. They know the world has gone to hell. I had my drug-fueled college party phase. My self-loathing phase. Right now...right now this is my provocative, self-aware, doomsday party phase. We're all gonna die soon so...the least I can do is give these people the night of their lives. One last time to truly live in the moment. I'll be fine. You'll be fine. My home-girls will be fine. But all of those people out there...they won't be as far as I know. It's fucked up to think about but... This is what fate decided upon us. You know, I always thought the world would end with bombs, not with some cosmic apocalypse straight out of those dark fantasy stories I'd read back in my teenage years."

Lucas sighed and shook his head.

"Well I can say that as your manager and close friend I couldn't be happier that you secured me and my wife a spot in that bunker they got over in Washington DC. Would love to survive so that our child can be born... Even if the world will be nothing but ruins. Must be hardest for the president though. Can't imagine what's been going on in her mind."

"Of course. You know I have your back. And from what miss Dawson has told me, a lot. Like, a whole lot. Emerson must be a mess mentally but she's real good at keeping her image clean. Rumor has it that she's going to be making a speech just days before the fall. So expect all hell to break loose."

"I'll keep that in mind. Anyway c'mon girl. Let's stop sulking around here yeah? You got a show to put on in a few. I'm gonna go make sure the crew has everything ready. Cameras, lighting, that massive screen we got playing the visuals while you're performing. All that shit. Be back soon."

Lucas left the dressing room. Silvestria stood up and took a deep, long look into the mirror.

As the sun began to set over the horizon, the sidewalks outside Madison Square Garden were packed to the brim with thousands of people lined up eagerly awaiting to get into the arena. After having showing their tickets, Victoria and Adrian followed the line into the arena. Several rows of seats were already packed. The stage was in the process of finishing up being prepped for the show, the large display monitor playing a series of animated apocalyptic imagery such as burning cities and red skies. The two eventually reached their front-row seats and sat down. Adrian took a sip of his Mountain Dew then groaned. Victoria also took a sip of her drink then looked to Adrian with her eyebrow raised.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"My poor bank account. These seats were so fucking expensive but I caved and snagged them up at the right time. Got to say, this is quite different compared to all the metal and punk shows we've been to." Adrian replied. "My anxiety would be skyrocketing if I had smoked beforehand so I'm glad I didn't for once."

"Well I'd be right here next to you regardless. Let me get a shot of us here together. My co-workers will be so envious of these seats we got."

Victoria pulled out her phone and posed with Adrian to take a selfie then uploaded it online and sent it to her group chat as well. She smirked as she was already receiving death threats from Amy and Ben. She noticed a trio of people wearing all black outfits and one wearing a Silvestria t-shirt strolling by on their way to their seats. Adrian noticed as well, scratching the back of his head.

"You recognized those guys?"

"I went to college with them. We were in arts class together. The tallest one is literally the textbook definition of a goth and I see he hasn't changed one bit. Good for him."

"Your style looked normal compared to him. At least I'm hotter."

"Yes. Yes you are."

Victoria and Adrian held hands and kissed each other before the lights in the arena started to dim. The crowd started to get excited. The entire arena was pitch black until a series of red lights lit the stage up followed with the large screen behind flashing the same apocalyptic imagery but this time a name appeared in large, glistening silver font: SILVESTRIA. A single individual shrouded in the shadows could be faintly seen walking up onto the stage from the back. The spotlight shone over the scantily-clad woman on stage with her head down. She looked up at the crowd and smiled. Everyone in the arena exploded in an uproar of applause and cheers. Victoria clapped while Adrian was flabbergasted with her appearance. She grabbed the blood red microphone, the stand laced in barbed wire. She took a deep breath. The crowd began to simmer down. Behind her in the shadows six other individuals stepped up onto the stage.

"New York City... Are you prepared to take a journey with me?" She murmured. The crowd erupted again in thunderous applause. She snapped her fingers and more spotlights flashed on to reveal the six female backup dancers, all wearing skimpy, black leather outfits with pale white masks resembling plague doctor masks.

"It's about to get really intense here." Adrian murmured. Victoria just nodded and squeezed his hand tightly.

A pulsating beat started to play thorough the surround sound. Victoria and Adrian immediately recognized that this was the song first revealed from the album; Distasterpiece. The dancers began to move in a synchronized fashion like robots. Silvestria's foot was tapping to the beat. She took a deep breath and began to start singing:

"See the flames are rising in the sky. Feels like we're on our way to die. See the fear that's stricken in my eyes. My words are more then just panicked cries. I feel the end, is here. And I'll bring you down, with me my dear. Accept the truth that the world, we know. Is slowly dying and it's time, to go. Oh the screams that echo through my ears, they plague my deepest nightmares and my fears. Open up your eyes and say your last goodbyes, cause it's all we have left inside!" The red stage lights flash brighter as the chorus kicks in. The dancers start to go wild on stage, the crowd mesmerized by the performance. "Time, is running out! All I can do is just scream and shout! The future is so bleak but I'm okay! I'll watch on until the final day! We'll dance while the world burns! We'll dance while the world burns! Who is pulling the strings? Who is really to blame? Our existence is about to cease. Keep it down as I score this disaster piece."

As the performance played on, Victoria felt a slight pain in her head but ignored it to continue watching. As the opening song had come to an end the disembodied voice started to creep through her ears amidst the cheering. She knew the feeling of headaches all too well to know that he was about to speak to her.

"This one speaks of the fall. Thy senses something emanating from that particular human. Knowledge. They know what we know. Child of the bloodline...thou must speak to that one when the time arises. Do. Not. Hesitate. Seek them out. Thy does not sense anything else from here. Just from that one. Perhaps...they can be of use."

Hastur's words stuck with Victoria while the performance continued. Adrian meanwhile was entranced with his gaze fixated on Silvestria in particular. The ominous, foreboding lyrics carried with dark, industrial beats and polished, catchy pop song structures gave Victoria the chills in both a good and bad way. About midway through the concert Silvestria paused for an intermission to speak with the audience. The two of them were listening closely.

"How is everybody doing tonight? Are you all having a blast?" Silvestria shouted through the mic. The crowd responded with cheers. "Now we may not exactly know when the end is coming, but we're going to have a hell of a great time anyway! This party is far from over! Keep those good vibes going okay? Let's keep this party going!!"

The audience exploded in applause and more cheers. The show went on with pyrotechnics adding a flashy visual flair to the otherwise dark and atmospheric stage presence. Each song was performed with such radiant energy, heart and soul with every lyric poured out from the young singer's mesmerizing voice. From the upbeat melody of 'Booze not Bombs' to the droning, synth-driven 'Accepting Demise,' the album seemed to set the tone of what's to come. Victoria realized that the words spoken to her earlier were accurate. Then the final song started to play. A driving bass line and throbbing club beats accompanied the track. The lyrics sung were stinging Victoria deep while she listened. The final verse was sung as the song slowed down with a simple piano melody and orchestral strings playing on;

"-Even if you lose the ones you love. They're all waiting in the heavens above. Extract the pain and wash it all away. Just remember when we die that it's all okay. Forgive us all. Forgive us all. If there is a God then forgive us all... Thank you all for coming. I love each and every one of you. The world is scary and the road ahead is bleak. But keep holding onto hope that we'll be alright. And most importantly... Keep the ones you love closest to your heart. Good night New York City." Silvestria closed out, lowering her head and bowing.

The stage lights all began to dim. The large screen in the background showed light peering through dark clouds over the ruins of a scorched city. Then everything went dark. The crowd erupted in a sea of cheers, applause, and even some faint weeping from where Victoria and Adrian sat. Victoria wiped her eyes and stood up, pulling Adrian out of his seat with her. Without saying a word she darted down the row shoving past people until reaching the door leading to the backstage. A stocky man in a suit stopped them. In the blink of an eye the two of them flashed their VIP passes. He nodded and stepped aside.

After waiting for the small line of other VIP pass owners finished greeting Silvestria, Victoria and Adrian approached her. She gently waved at them.

"Hey there! Oh I just love your style girl!" She greeted them with a warm smile. Adrian went and shook her hand. His palm was sweaty. Victoria just approached and murmured to her;

"Thanks. Um... We need to speak in private... Just trust me on this please miss Silvestria. It's about...the fall. June sixth. The end of the world."

Silvestria's expression went from cheery to sullen. Her eyes narrowed. She glanced around then motioned for them to follow her into the dressing room. The masked backup dancers were all hanging out smoking cigarettes in the corner. Silvestria lead them to a corner on the opposite end of the room and crossed her arms.

"How...how do you know about that? And how did you know I knew about it?" Silvestria asked in a serious tone. Victoria took a few minutes to properly explain everything she had experienced and coming to gain the knowledge of the fall. Silvestria backed up against the wall when she mentioned being a vessel for Hastur. Her heart was racing inside her chest.

"I promise everything she talked about is true. Sorry if this is so overwhelming. Um. We... Actually need to ask you. Hastur. He mentioned he sensed something about you. Would you mind telling us?" Adrian asked. Silvestria sighed. She took the bottom of her necklace and held it up.

"This here, is my heirloom of protection. Given to me by my parents before they passed away. You see, they lost faith in God seeing how fucked up the world was and... Were convinced by some friends they drank with to join this cult that worshiped some cosmic deity. Throughout our family history there's this strange illness that would pass down through generations. Good seventy-five percent chance someone would catch it. As my parents became sick, they made a pact with this deity in hopes of protecting me from the illness that would soon take their lives. This necklace was made by the leader and directed to be given to me for protection from this illness. After mom passed and dad was on his deathbed he confessed all of this after handing me the necklace. Even told me the deity's name. It was...Yog-Sothoth. He passed not long after that. Once I started to blow up and become the newest, most popular musician known around the world I was assimilated into this secret society. Found out that this harbinger of sorts, delivered a message of doom and calamity fated to end humanity as we know it. Punishment for our sins and destroying this one beautiful planet. So...that's my story. This necklace and myself, may be what was sensed."

Victoria and Adrian glanced at each other with wide eyes then back at her.

"D-did you say a harbinger?" Victoria asked.

"Yes. You mentioned how finding this harbinger may be the key to ceasing the fall?"

"That's what I was told by my own deity. If there is any hope at saving humanity... We need to find the harbinger. Were you given a name??"

Silvestria anxiously scratched the back of her head. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them back up.

"I..I was. Um. Well. Since I can trust you now that we've opened up to each other, I guess I can tell you. I don't want us to die. I want a future. So bare with me here you two. The Harbinger...is our own president of the United States. Natalia Emerson..."