The World We've Set On Fire ■ Wattys 2016

Grave digging

In Russia, they told me I could be a baby sitter, a grave digger or a volunteer in the medical department. I wasn't good with children and I didn't want to see more injuries.

I chose to be a grave digger. Because burial meant finality. And I wanted an end to this.

Grave digging wasn't hard but it was tiring. However, I only worked during the day and I enjoyed the company I got. Derrick and Ramona were funny people and we laughed while we worked.

The bodies came from all over the world. We put several bodies in each grave, otherwise we'd run out of space.

Though I was a grave digger, I mainly buried the people. There weren't any coffins, the people were wrapped in white cloth and I had to lower them into the graves with the help of Daniel, another worker.

We were lowering a body when I caught a glimpse of her face.

"What the-!?"

Dan looked at me. "You know her?" He lifting the cloth off her face.

"That's Bianca the high priestess." I whispered.

He didn't say anything. We buried the bodies and the ended as usual.

The next day brought the wind. It was a dry wind, bringing a stench of blood and dead bodies and lots of dust. The air became hot and humid. No sign of cold anywhere. There was a mist everywhere. Leftover snow on mountains melted. The world was a hot place, full of smoke.

After a week, came the rain. The rainwater cleared the environment and washed the earth. Rebirth.

And I felt it. As the thunder and lightning began, I rushed outside. The guards told me not to leave the building but I ignored them.

I fell onto my knees, over the mud and gravel. The rain came down on me.

I was overwhelmed. I had survived and millions of people had died. I was here, alive and in one piece. I should pray and never stop praying.

But I didn't even have a god to pray to.

The scream left me before I could stop myself.

I looked towards the sky and the rain washed my face.

Another scream.

I clasped my hands in front of my heart.

In that moment, I knew He could hear me. I never asked Him for anything and He gave me everything.

Another scream.

I had lost everything. Yet, I was okay. Because I was getting different things now.

Another scream.

He kept me safe. He kept me alive.

Another scream.

All that time, I didn't even believe in Him.

Another scream.

But now I knew.

Another scream.

"HELP ME!!!"

The clouds thundered and the rain drenched me.

"I'M SORRY!!!"

More lightning. I was shivering in the cold.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!"

I was sobbing harder than I ever had. And that was when I felt it. A rush of warmth. He had heard me and He knew everything. He would help me now.

And for the last time during that fateful night, I screamed.

               The End.