Short Story Collection

A T M O S P H E R E

Every car abandoned on the highway, every lonely hunter following the river back to civilization.

It's the end of the world, and we don't even care.

You're standing in the middle of the road.

I can tell you're waiting, but don't know what for.

For me

for the end

or both?

I can't tell which of the two you're wanting more.

I haven't been able to in a long time.

But the world is ending and you're here

and not with people you love.

So what does that say?

This is too much to bear, and I'm running

running

running

running.

But though you don't move, you're getting further away from me.

Like always, you're just out of reach.

And I can't keep running.

I lay down on the asphalt.

I thought the end of the world would be loud

but it's the silence that's deafening.

Overwhelming.

No cars, no birds, no people.

Save for you, still looking at me.

Always.

There's just one boom, like a clap of thunder

and then the world goes bright. 

Song: Atmosphere by Joy Division (give it a try; it's hauntingly beautiful)