Goodbye To A World: Song Story

Goodbye to a world....

The Earth became uninhabitable. You could no longer see the vibrant colors in the sky when the sun rose in the morning and set in the night. The temperatures skyrocketed above the average to the point where if you stepped outside, your skin would fry in a few minutes. Fires tore through forests and demolished farms. The roads were littered with animal carcasses, sometimes even humans. 

Humanity was forced to leave, forced to live in space for hundreds of years. Billions were left behind to die on Earth. Only the lucky ones were able to escape into space, but really, nobody was lucky in the end. The survivors in the space station were never happy and were always waiting for the day when they would be allowed back on Earth.

That day finally came after four hundred years. A completely new generation of humans had been born, still longing to go to Earth. The government officials had gathered everyone together and announced they would be sending one trainee to Earth to check the conditions. Doubtful whispered passed through the crowd, some claiming it was a “suicide mission.” 

The officials hushed the crowd till their voices became whispers. Then they spoke. “Daniel Farewall has been assigned the mission by the President.” 

A cry rang out among the mass of people. All eyes turned to a woman standing in the back. Her eyes were glossy and her face was thin, framed by short black hair. It was Petunia Farewall, Daniel’s mother. 

“He’s just a boy!” She cried out, clenching her fists. 

“Daniel is the right one for the job, ma’am,” the official responded, his voice monotone. 

Petunia shoved her way through the crowd, tears sliding down her cheeks, till she reached the front. “He’s all I have! Please, you can’t do this—”

“I’m afraid we can,” the officer said, a light mocking in his tone. He raised one gloved hand in the air and two officials joined Petunia at her side, grabbing her by each arm. They coaxed her from the room, ignoring her cries of desperation. The crowd was deathly silent. 

“It has been settled. Daniel Farewall will go to Earth this coming full moon.”

 

The second week of October had passed and the moon was shining through the space station windows. Daniel was getting ready in the boarding deck after he had said his goodbyes to his friends and family. He felt quite honored to have been chosen for this position. Random people would pat his shoulder or give a slight nod in his direction as he passed by. He didn’t understand why everyone had been so emotional saying goodbye. He was coming back, wasn’t he?

As the general handed him his instructions for when he arrived on Earth, he adjusted Daniel’s helmet on his head. “Try to get as much information as you can,” the general said.

Daniel nodded, then said, “Should I bring back Earth samples? Maybe I could collect some dirt, or maybe a plant, if there are any.”

The general laughed bitterly, “‘Bring back?’ There’s no way back up from the Transport Pod, Farewall.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re staying down there.”

“For how long?”

“However long it takes for you to die. Days, hours, or seconds, who knows?”

Daniel’s eyes widened as he took a step back in surprise. “I don’t understand, sir. This wasn’t part of my training.”

The general gripped his shoulder and pulled him toward two metal doors that slid open when they got near. “Don’t forget to keep us updated. You have that intercom in your suit for a reason.”