Dragoln's and KZ's Short Stories

The world left behind

Only the very oldest people remembered a time when humans could see in colour. Before the war began... Before the fighting and strife ripped humanity apart - there was peace, society and civilisation. No mutations, rampant diseases or crippling hunger.

"It feels like a dream." A hoarse, tired, weary voice croaked. Slouching, the old man sat on a tiny bench in a makeshift classroom. The walls were almost crumbling; the floor was dusty, with little chairs for the kids to sit on.

Even in post-apocalyptic times, humans were trying to rebuild society and education. All to achieve a better future for the ones that come next.

"What was it like?" Suddenly, a squeaky, curious voice piped up.

"Hmm..." The old man, Tora, closed his eyes to reminisce. "Back then, it wasn't like this at all. If I were to use one word to describe the past... It would be heaven."

As the corners of his mouth quirked up at the memory, Tora continued, "You could get hot food and meat every day, roam the streets without worries of any monster and colour had still been able to fill my eyes."

"Colour?" A few of the children in the classroom were confused. Their whole life, the concept of 'colour' had never existed. The disease and mutation that infested the world caused humans to lose their sense of colour - among other things. Some became like rabid animals; others went insane.

This caused the next generations to also lose the ability to decipher colour. Soon, it would be a lost relic of the past when the last people who remembered a vibrant world passed.

"That's right." Tora gazed off into the distance with a solemn look. "Red was the colour of passion, love, war. Green was life, health, peace and rest..."

While the Tora rambled on, the children listened intently to his every word. Even though they didn't understand much.

Despite all of the adverse mutations, there were useful ones too. Humans could spot living creatures more easily. Life stood out as a bright contrast in their darkened world.

"... That's all for today. You should all get back to your parents now, no need for them to worry too much."

Although there were a few groans, the children were obediently led out of class to be sent home. However, one particular child lagged behind - waiting for the others to leave first. Wearing a worn scarf, the kid wandered up to Tora.

"Oh, Kerrin, what do you have here?" Tora saw that Kerrin had a few blades of grass in his palm.

Kerrin looked up at Tora with an intriguing gaze. "What colour is this?"

Slowly, a wrinkled hand picked one up to inspect it. "A blade of grass... If I'm remembering correctly, this must be green. Heh, as kids we used to play in the grass fields all the time." Promptly, his eyes glazed over as Tora vividly remembered those times.

"So this is green? Like leaves?" Kerrin tilted his head slightly as he fiddled with his scarf.

Tora's eyes lit up with surprise. "Well, yes! How do you know?" The last sentence was spoken in a curious tone.

"Lucky guess." Kerrin admitted shyly.

–

"How did it go?" Outside the weary, almost crumbling building, a young girl wearing a frayed dress hopped up to Kerrin. "Did Mr Tora tell you what it was?"

Slowly, Kerrin nodded. "He said it was called green."

Unlike the other children in his class, Kerrin knew something about him was different. While everyone's world were in greys, blacks and whites - his vision exploded with colour, vibrance and saturation. It was when class started did Kerrin find out why. Only his close friend, Ayla, knew his secret.

"Wooaah..." Ayla breathed out, astonished. "Do I have colour?" She eagerly asked next.

"You do but I don't know what to call it..." Kerrin hesitated for a moment. Elder Tora was the only last remaining town person with any knowledge of the Old World. Luckily, he had volunteered for classes with the kids. Otherwise, Kerrin would have had to rely on other means of learning. Very few books remained in the library: they were illegible without the proper reading skills that all the children lacked so far.

"Mmm... Well, I have to go now! My parents are waiting for me. Bye, Kerrin!" After Ayla waved goodbye, she quickly dashed through a cracked tarmac road.

Buildings all around were patchworks of old and new, having been maintained for quite some time. The shadow of what the Old World used to look like could be seen through the faded signboards that were barely legible. Words such as 'Pharmacy' or 'Cornershop' were rubbed out so you could only make out one or two letters. All types of buildings were converted into living quarters for people to live in after the apocalypse.

Kerrin always liked to walk back to the orphanage slowly - taking in the view. Occasionally, armed guards wielding guns would walk past so Kerrin would always offer them a smile. They were the protectors of the town who fought the terrifying monsters, after all.

Sometimes, he even stayed out for hours just to watch the sun fall. All to be amazed by the inspiring glow of the sky as it was dyed in all sorts of beauty and colour. Lessons with Tora were always the best as he got to learn more about the world only he could see.

"Orange... Red... Blue... Yellow?" While staring at the sky, Kerrin struggled slightly in naming the tones that stretched long and wide. However, he wasn't discouraged. If anything, with each mistake, he became more fueled by his desire to learn.

Maybe he was the only one now who could decipher...

... The world left behind.