Ephemeral: An Apocalyptic Novel

Chapter 8

Elijah

To get inside the gym, there were long lines to go through--emergency check up, signing in, and supplies. All you got was a water bottle and bag of crackers.

In the gym, bunk beds filled the room as far as the eye could see. Some didn't even have mattresses, but instead had the spongey blue mats used for P.E.. The lights had been turned down significantly and the room was pretty dark.

Derek led Junho and I near the middle. I climbed up to the top bunk of one bed and set down my food. Derek and Junho were lazing around on their bunk.

"Yo Elijah, you alright?" Derek asked.

I began opening up my water. "Why do you ask?"

"Dude, we just got out of that earthquake thing. We're all shaken up."

Junho nodded solemnly and began laying down on his bunk.

"Going to sleep again?"

"Yes, Derek. I want this day to be over with."

I took a sip. "I don't know how you can sleep here."

"Hm?"

"Well y'know...this school was our childhood. Full of happy stuff. Now we're here out of fear and...not so happy stuff."

Derek chewed his crackers. "Maybe it is better to just sleep. Sleep so we can have at least a moment to forget about whatever the hell is happening. Smell the nostalgic varnish. Maybe get a little tipsy off the smell."

I chortled. "You go do that."

Soon, more people had filed in and at least half the gym was somewhat full. When it was midnight, there were no more lines and everyone was settled in.

A police officer stepped up to the front doors of the gym with a megaphone.

"Now that we all are safe, we are now going to go into lockdown for the night. All civilians in unsafe areas have been evacuated. Please refrain from walking around and do not leave the gym! Alright everyone, sleep well. Roll call and breakfast will be at 8AM tomorrow morning."

The officer left the gym and simultaneous locking of the doors affirmed his words. Junho was already fast asleep and Derek was reading a book he'd snatched from the library.

I sat cross-legged. "That book any good?"

Derek shrugged. "I'm not really a historical fiction kind of guy but this is alright."

I nodded.

Derek looked at me. "Sure you don't feel sleepy?"

"Definitely sure. I'm going to go walk around. Maybe that'll help."

I got down and started to walk through the rows of beds. It was mostly all teens & children but there were some adults. Maybe one of them knew what was going on.

I walked up to one particular older woman who was tapping her still-full bottle in a rhythmic beat.

I cleared my throat. "Hello."

She didn't look up. "What is it?"

"Can I ask what it is you're doing?"

"May, not can. I'm practicing my Morse code."

"Oh, cool."

Silence.

She looked at me with utter annoyance. "Could you please leave?"

"Nice to meet you, good night."

I walked away. Not so friendly. I found another adult in the midst of bewildered teens--Mr. Vancut.