I.
I never felt alone. I mean sure, the entire world may be gone, but Naomi and me are still around. Strangely enough, just that thought alone gives me hope. I feel like I can conquer whatever else the world still has to throw at me as long as I have Naomi with me. Sure, she leaves on her own little adventure from time to time, but she always comes back to me when I need her the most.
I sigh and look towards a nearby mirror. Even through the rusted and broken mirror, I can see the end of the world taking a toll on my appearance. Cuts, bruises, and patches of dirt surround my skin, and my clothing has definitely taken a few scrapes and cuts themselves. My chestnut brown hair is quite a mess itself as well. Oily, ragged, and unkempt are some of the few words I can choose to describe it. I sorely miss the ability to have warm showers and keeping up my appearance. Just remembering the old times is making me quite depressed. I try my best to calm down, taking a few deep breaths. It's been almost a year since the apocalypse started, I can't let my emotions get to me now. I take a look back down to my journal.
"Michael, you're suppose to use 'I' instead of 'me' on that first line."
I turn around, Naomi's face only inches away from mine. I instinctively pull my head away. She turns towards me and flashes a warm smile, which always seems to calm me down.
"Geez, Naomi. I know we're the only survivors, but you could still knock on the door, y'know?" I close the journal, mostly because I didn't want her to continue reading my thoughts.
Naomi stands at about the same height as I do, maybe a few inches shorter. Even after the world ended, she always finds the time to keep up her looks. Her jet-black hair flows smoothly and silky down just slightly below her shoulders. Her crystal-blue eyes are wide, giving her an almost innocent look. Her seemingly impossible clear and fair skin completely contrasts with the barren, constant-orange sky.
She giggles as I put away my journal, "Even after the world ended, you still want to be a writer, huh?"
"Well, yeah. God knows I need something to do when you go off on your own little adventure. Who knows, maybe millions of years into the future, another race will come by to inhabit Earth, and my journal will become a masterpiece in their society."
Naomi stares at me with the same expression as a mother would use when they hear a child talk about their dreams.
"That's pretty cute of you. But you know, I'm sure the first thing they're going to comment on is our race's terrible use of subject pronouns if your book is the first thing they read."
"Ouch, Naomi. Well, I guess that's why I hired you as my editor!"
We both laugh, even though we both know it was a terrible joke, if you can even call it that. In times of stress, it's always good to laugh it out. That's what I was told before the world ended. I can't imagine spending the last few moments of humanity by myself, I think I'd go crazy before I die.
"Anyway, Naomi, I found this wonderful place that we can stay at. The water wasn't tainted when I scanned it, so we could probably stay there for some time. Not to mention, a great view of the town." I told her. She places her fingers on her chin, and makes a humming sound as she thinks.
"Sure, you know I always love going on an adventure. Let's pack up and head out."
I did just that, packing my journal and pen, as well as my only other extra set of clothes. I was about to say the same to Naomi, but it seems that she planned ahead, already carrying her own pack behind her back.
She turns to me and flashes me a smile, almost as if she knew what I was thinking.
II.
We begin our trek through the empty roads. The very same roads that once had life, society, and other people. No matter how many times I walk through them, the feeling of dread and despair never stops coming. The grass, now a dull shade of brown that extends past our view. Buildings around us crumbling, a shell of their former glory. It's funny how I long for the noise that once annoyed me back then.
