When the World Ends

Now, When I Arrived

I drag my feet across the sand. She encourages me on--I can make it. We're almost there. To the place where the boy she loves is. To other people.

She gives me strength. I force my bare, bloody feet to continue on. In the distance, I see the light of a fire.

   And she smiles. And she cheers me on.

   I hear people exclaiming as I walk into the area surrounding the fire. Small hut-like buildings and small homes reside further back.

Two men run toward me, and I register that they speak Spanish before I fall to the ground.

   Ah, how long has it been since I last slept?

When I come to, a boy runs out of my room. Two men, different from those before, replace him.

   They ask me questions. How did I get here? Why am I so torn up? How am I still alive?

But I only repeat the question: Where is she? Where is my little bird?

   Hours of questioning. I am deemed mentally unstable.I arrived here by myself, they tell me.

There was no girl with me.

Then, beside me, I see her. I wonder when she came in?

  But, look! She's right here!

They shake their heads sadly. They say I arrived alone, with only the letter I still clutch I my hand. I screamed that they're wrong, because she's right here, right here beside me! How did they not see her come in, the imbeciles?!

   But they only assure me that there's no one there. And I argue, I fight and yell and scream before I begin to cry when she touches my shoulder to get my attention. Because I know what she's going to say.

And she smiles sadly, and says, Ah, but Keane, don't you see?

   I died.