A poignant tale of romance, annihilation and memory in a post-apocalyptic world.
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Life was beautiful and had hope. But with the coming of a nuclear war the world could not remain the same. Except perhaps his love for Lorna that would not stop to...
Since the fallout, a fleet of spaceships were transporting the survivors to space-colonies. Lorna wasn't on the list. But then Southern G had been beyond aerial rescue and evacuation operation. All communications shattered. Few drones were sent but they returned with grisly wasteland visuals. Lorna had told me about their family bunker and I would wish she had her suit on. Then there would still be a chance. To see her. Kiss her copper skin. And smell her hair while I embraced her ever closer to me, never to let her go again. Ever.
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I refused to board with the final batch. The fleet admiral thought me to be a lunatic. He ordered me to be escorted. But I gave them a slip, stole a long flight drone car and flew deep into the radiation zone. I saw the fleet flying off into the red sky until it was a tiny, white speck.
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Southwards, I have been on this long flight to her city with occasional zilch breaks. Lorna was right about the suit. It is indeed uncomfortable.
Well, the girl was right about other things as well-
That a mother can't see her children dying and could do whatever to lessen their pain, and that says why mother earth chose to bear such a flower. Right upon her children's grave now grew abound the mutant of fungus- Zilch HY956.
It was initially detected growing in contaminated zones and hit the drug circuits of Southern G then to the rest. Now, it covers ninety percent of the earth's surface. And has been the only edible thing growing on earth. It reduces hunger, quenches thirst and gives you rush of a memory. A single one, most close to your heart that gets repeated, gets clearer, makes you happy each time. Until your heart chokes on itself. Euthanasia at its organic best.
The scene had been poignant. Scores of dying men, women and children, I have came across, on my journey so far. They were high on Zilch and agony. Yet, spoke of the memory that repeated until they smiled to death. No one got to choose the specific memory invoked by the substance; nevertheless they all seemed contended. Yes.
I, for that matter, still have a long way to go with no food or drinkable water. Only zilch to chew on and shards of a memory to indulge in. But my heart refuses to choke on them. I hope I am not the last human breathing yet. Because every time I could see it clearly- the old world cafe by the rocky sea shore with antique cane backrests and glass display counter, a human waiter, a jealous couple, and some fugitive clouds. The sky that had held a promise of a brilliant sunset.
I had booked a table. For me and Lorna.
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