When the World Ends

The Cold

We were huddling together to stay warm. We hadn't known it would grow so cold so quickly.

Later, we would scavenge for more clothing to stay warm. But right now, we huddle together under one blanket as we slowly walked towards wherever.

The ash blocked the sun. We walked past many bodies before, and now we pass more. They're blue, most of them. These people froze to death.

This is the first time she's gotten this close to me. The world hadn't ended long ago, but her hatred was quickly replaced with respect and care. Together, we could survive. Apart, we would die.

We arrived at a small gas station. These were plentiful in the city area we'd lived in. Many we'd arrived at were a mess--the earthquakes had caused a gas explosion in many of them. But this one had a building further back from the gas pumps--it had suffered only minor damage.

We walked inside, not caring anymore whether others were present or not. The world had not degraded too badly back then. Luckily, there was also nobody in the building. It had been looted, though, but we didn't care about that.

We walked into the back room of the station, looking for something to keep us warm. I worried especially for her--her lips were tinted blue. I'd known she was always cold no matter the temperature, but I knew this was beyond that. I had to find something warm for her, and quickly.

A generator. I blinked. Yes, a generator! A car, even with a small amount of gas, could provide warmth through its heater. But there has been no cars outside.

As I debated what course of action to take, she collapsed.

Later, I would learn that this was due to the fact that she had anemia. And we hadn't eaten in two days.

But at that moment, I panicked.

I fell to my knees, and I'd grabbed her by the shoulder before violently shaking her. I'd yelled at her to get up; I'd thought she'd died, and I was so, so scared of being left alone.

I don't know how long I had sat there, shaking her, telling her to get up. But at some point I'd stopped. And I'd stood up. And I'd walked outside the station--and I'd kept walking.

And then, I'd bumped into something.

I'd thought she'd died. I hadn't thought to check her pulse, or to attempt CPR. I'd just walked out in a daze, and found my way onto what used to be a highway.

I consider that to have been some act of God. If I hadn't somehow walked to the highway, and tripped over a torn-up piece of road before bumping into the highway barrier, we'd have had died long ago. Both of us.

I'd found my way back to the gas station, running as quickly as I could. Out of breath, yet determined, I'd realized my mistakes and quick assumptions. So I'd felt for her pulse, and found one: a very slow, steady pulse. And I'd picked her up and slung her over my back.

I'd carried her all the way to the highway. And then I'd begun to check cars.

Many cars had locked doors, but many more had unlocked doors. Many more had keys still in the ignition--people had just abandoned their cars when the world ended, since the roads they were on were no more.

I chose the first car that I find with keys in its ignition, and opened the door before throwing her inside. I started the car, closed the door, and began to look for other cars in case this one ran out of gas.

After I'd found and taken the keys of more cars, I'd set the keys beside her on the seat. And then I'd made the long trek back to the station to gather our things.

But I'd found another person, instead.

The man whirls around as soon as I walk into the station. He pulls out a gun and points it at me, and I immediately put my hands out in a defenseless gesture.

The man stares at me, and then he asks, Are those your things?

He motions with his free hand at our four backpacks lying on the floor behind him. I'd nodded, and he'd slowly lowered his gun as he asked, Is it only you?

No, I say, and he begins to raise his gun as I correct myself: Yes, I mean yes, but there's a girl waiting for me and she's cold and sick I think and so I just came back to get our stuff. Please, don't shoot. I just need our stuff.

The man looks me over, and my stomach growls loudly. He raises an eyebrow and questions, Are you hungry?

I, uh, haven't eaten in two days. Can I have our stuff, please? It's all we have!

The man smiles, and he holsters his gun. Then, he extends his hand and tells me, Sure. I'm Frank. Sorry for the rude greeting. Just gotta be careful 'round places now.

I shake his hand, Keane. It's okay, I'd do the same.

I gather up two backpacks before realizing that I can't carry anymore. I stand in place, wondering what to do, when the man bends down and opens one. Before I can say anything, he begins to take food out of his pack and put it in ours. When I protest, he tells me that he's scavenged this place over the past few days, and he couldn't possibly eat everything he took from here.

The man picks up the remaining two backpacks, now full of food, and carries them with me to the car where she sleeps. I thank him, and hand him the keys to another car, but he shakes his head. He wants to walk, he says. I nod, and the man walks away after we've spoken for awhile.

I lose and lock the car doors. The heater quickly draws me into sleep.

I dream of the horrible things humanity has become, as it isn't uncommon. But I also dream of the man's kindness. And when I wake, I see that she isn't the only shining brightness of humanity.

Because on the ground outside of the car lies a pile of clothing and blankets, and a backpack.
The backpack is filled with food, but to me it is much more than that.

To me, it is filled with hope.

And then, she opens her eyes.

Keane?