After Extinction
“How many rations do we have remaining, Joe?”
“When we arrived at this outpost, there were 36 months of rations remaining, so by my calculations we have 23 months remaining.”
Vlad emphatically screamed, “They will come with more!”
Joe somberly stated, “They are all dead, no one else will come.”
Joe flashed through his mind, remembering the final images which long ago streamed to the outpost via the satellite internet. The bombs, screams, horror, hysteria, as the nukes rained down worldwide, continually haunted him.
Vlad felt that they were lucky to survive. As a scientist who had been sent to research at a remote arctic outpost, he had been saved from the nuclear Armageddon that had destroyed humanity. Now stranded at this outpost, unclear on the state of the world, with only brief bursts of internet connectivity randomly streaming from a few remaining satellites.
Joe fell to his knees, and started to slip into darkness. Vlad hung his head low remembering the previous life, with his loving wife and daughter in the park on a Sunday picnic. In those days, it seemed time was endless.
Joe continued a downward spiral, spewing about the evil dictator who started the war, the corrupt politicians who had enabled and emboldened him for years. He cursed the plethora of greedy corporations, oligarchs, and fascists, who together had robbed and enslaved the world. The war was all their fault, their greed and ego enabled this nuclear human extinction.
Vlad tried to stop him, but Joe sank deeper and deeper into darkness.
“We cannot be the only ones left on the planet, Joe.”
Finally, in total despair, both fell to the ground passing out from a dark hysteria of the overloaded mind.
Later, he realized his fellow scientists Joe and Vlad died months ago. The final war had left the team traumatized and now he was alone at the remote arctic outpost. The last remaining human on earth, and he could not even remember his real name. There was only him, no one else, running out of time, and he had gone completely insane.
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Scary to think, that with all that’s going on in the world right now, such things you describe just might be possible, Chris. An extremely powerful story, well structured. Your words really hit home and that final paragraph sent chills through me.
Hi Linda – I have been a bit AWOL from the Voice Club lately, due to working over 60 hours per week. It is so nice to return home to this wonderful club, and have the chance to sharpen my writing skills!
Your comment made my day! Especially since I have enjoyed many of your previous stories, including your great voice recording of your gem:
“Our Last Walk“.
When you said: “Scary to think, that with all that’s going on in the world right now, such things you describe just might be possible” – It made me think how important it is for writers, artists, and creatives to combine their positive energy in order to offset all the current negative energy of ego and madness.
A strong community of writing and self expression is an amazing way to combine forces, and help generate this type of much needed positive energy!
I also find great hope in any situation, when I remember this quote:
“with every action theres an equal opposite reaction.” – Albert Einstein
I spent many years working in I.T. and remember those hours very well Chris, take care of yourself.
I’m so glad you enjoyed ‘Our Last Walk’, it is the story that is closest to my heart.
And I too understand the hope to be found in Einstein’s quote.
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Linda is right, Chris. It’s scary to think of current events in our world that can be compared to your story. But I pray that love, understanding, and peace will prevail and win against war, hatred, greed, and ego. Your story makes me nervous and my knees are shaking. Very well-written.
Sad so sad that the only thing man can do well is destroy. You captured the horror of an Armageddon well, in a chilling way Chris.
Hi Margarida – Your comment is greatly appreciated, as I have been away from writing, but now trying to sharpen my skills again.
When you said – “Sad so sad that the only thing man can do well is destroy” – Yes, I agree. It might be time to let the women run the world, and maybe we could have some peace.
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An incredibly realistic story…. The tone perfectly matches the style…..
Chris, considering the current situation in the world, your story is very thought-provoking. We can only hope and pray, like Lotchie said, that love, understanding and peace will prevail. This is a great story.
Hi Marianna. When you expressed a hope that “love, understanding and peace will prevail” – my first thought was that our world leaders have become insulated and detached from humanity, too powerful, and incapable of these emotions.
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I loved the story, it`s not an easy topic. The ending is scary but realistic. I think this can be a good part of something longer, like a novel. Good job!
I love this story, Chris. My favorite line is “a dark hysteria of an overloaded mind.” We can all identify with that concept, especially in these difficult times. Well-written story, worth reading many times.