The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter One

February first, two thousand and twenty.

Ellie and Cisco laid on Cisco's bed. It was a rather cold and dark November night. The moon was shining bright through Cisco's window. Their legs were tangled together as the sound of the Life is Strange soundtrack played quietly in the background. They layed next to one another, not saying a word and staring at the ceiling, thinking about whatever they had going on in their heads.

Ellie: Don't you just wish something would happen?

Ellie glanced over at Cisco, breaking the silence and noticing how pink his cheeks were due to the heat radiating off his radiator.

Cisco: What do you mean by something?

Cisco looked over at Ellie, confused by her words.

Ellie: I don't know. Anything! I mean, we all know I'd do all I could to get out of that fucking hellhole.
Cisco: School?
Ellie: Yeah. School.

The room fell silent again. All the two teenagers could do was lay there and think about what they'd like to happen.

Ellie: I just feel like my whole life is being ripped away from me slowly.
Cisco: How so?
Ellie: I don't know.

Ellie sat up and hung her legs over the edge of the bed. She rested her palms on her cheeks and sighed.

Ellie: I really hate it. It's taking my life away. And if something would just happen to change that, I'd be thrilled.

Cisco sat up and scooted in next to her. Ellie layed her head on his shoulder as she heard her phone vibrate from across the room. She sighed and stood up, almost tumbling over before slowly walking to get her phone. She picked it up and read the message.

Cisco: Who is it?

Ellie didn't say a word. Cisco noticed her eyebrows furrow.

Cisco: El?

Ellie turned her phone around to show Cisco.

Cisco: I need you home. Now.

Cisco read out the message in a confused tone.

Ellie: What does this mean?
Cisco: I... don't know. Text back?

Ellie texted her mom back asking why immediately. In the meantime, Ellie could not stop pacing. Five minutes passed and she wasn't replying.

Ellie: She's not replying
Cisco: What do we do?
Ellie: What do you mean what do we do? We go. Come on. Get your things.
Cisco: What things?
Ellie: I don't know. Your bag? Just come on.

Cisco picked up his bag which always had water, his pellet gun, spear pellets, a compass, a lighter and a bandana inside. Chloe reached into her pocket and grabbed her car keys, ready to get into the car and drive. She had only just passed her test so she was still pretty nervous about driving. But if her mom was in danger, she had no worries but that.

As soon as they stepped outside, a car alarm went off a few houses down. Somebody slowly started walking towards the car, groaning and banging on the windows. They both glared at the person acting strange.