Nuclear Fallout

Chapter One - Ellen

Chapter One - Ellen

I couldn't breathe, dust filled my lungs whenever I tried to. I need fresh air. I need to get out.

A heavy wooden bar pinned me down and I struggled to lift it. Groaning, I manage to lever it upwards so that my legs slid out from under it. A blinding pain shot through my legs and I winced. Gingerly, I lifted up what was left of my jeans and my stomach heaved at the sight of the wound that gaped open and red. Dried blood mingled with fresh. I slowly stood up.

I tentatively put weight on the injured leg but cried out as the pain became too much. Soft whimpers escaped my lips and I resented myself for it. Pull yourself together, I thought, Come on Ellen, get yourself out of here. Look around. Where's the best way to get out?

Glancing around, all I could make out through the haze of dust were piles upon piles of broken furniture. I was becoming desperate, desperate for a way out. Anything, anywhere! Panic boiled in my stomach, the room suddenly grew hotter and the air seemed to be turning into soup. Ellen calm down! Think, Ellen, think.

A ray of light; a ray of hope! The golden rays shimmered slightly to the left of me and in the distance was open air. My heart leapt but suddenly sank as I saw the mounds of broken obstacles that blocked me from freedom. The fingers of panic creeped through me but I forced them back. I had to keep calm.

Okay, you can do this. Turning slightly to the left, I took a step forward and gritted my teeth againts the pain that issued from my leg. Another step, then another. Slowly, little by little, I managed to bring myself towards the first mountain. There was no other way than to go over it as I peered from one side to the other. A wooden chair leg jutted out from the pile. Because it was my last hope I grabbed the polished leg and gently tried it for my weight. It gave just a little. I decided it would hold.

Bracing myself, I jumped and pulled at the leg to heave myself up onto the pile of furniture. Clambering and wincing, I manage to find my balance and lie panting on top. With my height advantage I took in the surroundings: more mountains and dotted here and there were bodies. Bodies of human beings. Judging by the amount of them, it seemd that everyone who was unfortunate enough to be in this building died. My heart gave a painful wrench as I spotted a child's foot pointing towards the ceiling. Or what was left of the ceiling.

The contents of the first floor spilled out through holes in the ceiling and broken beds balanced precariously on the edge of each. Mattresses swayed ominously and creaked with each sway.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Snap out of it! I shook myself and returned to reality. I sat up straight. What was that? I had heard a noise; it was the smallest of rustles but that suggested there was something moving.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

The mattress swung backwards and forwards. Just ignore it. Focus on getting out of here: the sooner the better. My senses on overdrive, I went back to my task.