The New World

Ch. 5

My eyes slowly opened and I found myself standing in what I could only describe as space. I stood on the empty void as if it were a floor with billions upon billions of little, twinkling stars surrounding me. Galaxy's of all shapes, sizes and colors floated in the black around me, circling me as if I were the very center of the universe, as if I was the super massive black hole creating a strong enough gravitational pull to keep them all securely anchored.

"I am a mother's loss and a lover's sorry. I am the ultimate truth, yet many wish me tomorrow. Who am I?"

My head twisted and turned in a vain attempt to find the voice which danced in the space around me. Their voice was that of a thousand voices, all mixed into one. It was everyone and everything. Yet it was nothing all the same.

"I am where the king and peasant equally stand. In my arms, the wealthy and the poor alike find rest. Who am I?"

"What?" My voice, so soft and small compared to the ones whispering their way into my head.

"I can be long, and I can be short. I can be filled with joy or fraught with discomfort. You live me everyday, but if you don't pay attention, I can slip away. Who am I?"

Their words slithered into my head and encased my brain. My mismatched eyes closed and my head tilted backwards, my hair floated in the void around my head. I felt like I was floating in the depths of a pool, though instead of being surrounded by water I was surrounded by the existence and death of every single thing ever created.

"You'll find me at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, and at the heart of every meaningful connection. Who am I?"

My mouth opened of its own accord and my voice spilled forth, spouting the answer as if I had always known it.

"Life and death." I spoke softly, yet the confidence in my voice had surprised even me.

"You're so special." The thousand voices slowly dissipated until only one remained. It was a voice I had known all my life. The soft, caring, loving voice of my mother enveloped me in its warmth.

"Mom?" I wondered aloud, a hint of desperation and longing.

"Yes and no." She whispered back. "But I love you just as much. My dear Alexandra, my dear Lexa, my beloved little destroyer."

"Destroyer?"

"Wake up and feast, devour it all and most importantly... live."

"Wait-!"

I suddenly felt something grab me by the back of my shirt and pull me downwards.

My eyes snapped open and I sat up, quickly taking in my surroundings. I was sitting on the broken remains of a wooden desk inside the small attendants office where I had been thrown.

I looked down at my left arm and frowned as I saw the damage it had sustained in my fall. It was snapped at the elbow, a piece of the bone had pierced through my skin. The injury was surrounded by a black substance that I could only assume was my blood. I stared at it in a mixture of aw and disgust. The wound was bad, the break looked clean and it was aching duly.

I was broken from my morbid trance by the sound of gunshots echoing from outside and I quickly, using my right arm, pushed myself up onto my feet.

"Ryan!" I gasped out as I began to run out of the room.

I made my way into the front lobby and ran forwards towards the, now broken, glass door. I exited the police station and skidded to a halt at the sight before me.

Hundreds of zombies were swarming the apartment building's parking lot across the street from me. The hoard was tumbling through the main entrance and into the apartment complex. I heard more gunfire and looked up towards the roof of the building where it was originating from.