The Passover

The Begining

I awaken in the small, dank room of our bunker. I take off my oxygen mask before laying down once again. I continue to rest as I  watch the rest of my family slowly wake up.

Soon everyone sits up, taking their oxygen masks off as well.

My mother stretches and yawns. "That only felt like sleeping for a long night.  I feel so rested." We all agree, nodding our heads which results in a lot of cracking.

"Should we go outside?" My father asks gently, placing his hands upon the mat.

"We may die if we go out." my mother warns.

"We'll die if we stay in here." I answer.

"I guess we'll have to go outside." My father stands, his knees cracking. I can't help but notice how dry my throat is from the oxygen mask. I stand to follow my father as he opens the two steel doors, my family following.  My father opens the hatch and climbs outside, slowly we all follow him.

I am assaulted by the sweet smell and color that surrounds me. Insects that look like a mix of dragon flies and butterflies fly from flower to flower. The entire bunker is surrounded in wild flowers. I look to the south to see that the ocean is the color of aqua instead of its stony gray. That must be because the poles have straightened. Most of the world will live in a tropical paradise now, except the poles which will have eternal winter.

My mother and brother run through the grass and wild flowers chasing "Butter Dragons" towards the trees. My grandmother helps my grandfather so that he can get a better look at the ocean. I notice that the asphalt roads are still around, though badly cracked from new growth plus fire and water damage.

My father places his hand on my shoulder, beaming. "You did well." he tells me in his low voice. He wears a maroon jacket, and his dark hair is slicked back, glasses sit upon his nose.

"Thanks, dad." I go in for a hug. As we hug, my feather whispers, "Evidence, you know there is no way that what has happened only took two days."

I pull away from my father with a worried look, realizing how right he was.

He continues. "I didn't want to tell you this, but I looked up your friend Mr. Signfeld, and found something out. He's not a doctor, and he is not in the FBI. He doesn't exist."

"What are you saying?"I ask, confused. I knew my father could get special information on people for being a lawyer and former anthropologist.

"I think you know." he replies and winks. I did not know what he meant, but I wouldn't press since my mother ran into my father's arms and then mine. I'd have to ponder this later, perhaps on the road.

"I am so proud of you!" she gushes, squeezing me tight.

"Thanks, mom."

I turn to my father. "I'm going to find Stevie using the roads. I know he's at the lab's bunker with his friends. Together, we'll find some engineers and electricians and try to fix the power and the internet. If you can find out what buildings and man made things have survived, would you do so?"

"Of course." he places his hand once again upon my shoulder. "Be careful." he warns.

I place my hand on his. "I will." I promise. Then, I  turn to my mom and hug her, tears in her eyes. Next, I hug Henry and my Grand-parents before my father re  appears with a backpack and supplies. I hug him deeply, tears know in my eyes. I back up, take the backpack with a nod, place it on my shoulder and head out onto the open road.