We Dream In Ones and Zeros: An Anthology

A Sharpie, A Scratcher and A Cold One

PROMPT: Write a post-apocalyptic story that includes: 1) a sharpie, 2) a cat scratcher, 3) a pack of Corona beer.

CW(s): lots of swearing, mention of a gun and implied violence.

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A u d i o L o g 2 3 - 5 4

"This is Dr. [ static ] speaking. Day ... 296 (I think? Yeah) of my search for the JATA signal tower.

Sorry if the sound isn't the best. I have to whisper right now, because there's another human being snoring up a storm just a couple of feet away.

Yeah. I found someone.

Finally, after all this time of roaming this hellish, God-forsaken place alone, I've found another living person!

Well ... mostly living.

They were a bit out of sorts. But I've patched them up as best as I could without exposing them to the radiation for too long. The fever will break soon, and a couple of hours of sleep should take care of the rest.

I'll keep a close eye on them though.

You know ... just in case.

[ ... ]

I really hope they make it.

I need them to make it.

I don't care if this sounds selfish, but I'm tired of being alone.

I'm tired of talking to this stupid recorder. I'm tired of listening to nothing but my own voice. I'm tired of the constant dead quiet that settles deep in the back of my skull. I'm tired of the sleepless nights. I'm tired of the paranoia and the constant looking over my shoulder. I'm tired of being tired!

[ loud snoring ]

[ ... ]

I'm just ... so fucking tired...

[ ... ]

This was Dr. [ static ] speaking. Over.

A u d i o L o g 2 3-5 5

"This is Dr. [ static ] speaking. Day 299 (?) of my search for the JATA signal tower.

I would like to formally retract everything I said in my last audio recording.

I may have found another living person, but I clearly failed to consider that 'living' might not necessarily equal 'functioning'.

Honestly, I don't know what I was expecting. I should've known that the chances of finding someone sane in this apocalyptic hellhole were even slimmer than finding another human being who hasn't been reduced to toxic sludge at this point.