The Last Survivors Book 1

Prologue Winter 2019

There was blanket of broken clouds across the night sky, with pockets of stars that were glowing like street lamps piercing through the white veil. There was a full moon on view tonight. It was a standard night in the city of Manchester, busy with activity. There were taxis whizzing past and people cycling home or walking home. Or walking for their night out, since it was still only 8pm. There were even students sat in one of the local Weatherspoon's pubs in Manchester, all of them sat huddled at two of the tables upstairs.
'What you going to have then?' Leilani said, looking towards her boyfriend, Mark that sat next to each other.
'I want the fish and chips,' Mark said, hesitantly, looking down at the menu.
'Haven't you tried that the last like five hundred times we've been here?' This came from Jenny, a dark brown haired girl that sat with them. She was very skinny, and wore glasses. She was from Liverpool, studying biology here in Manchester. She was dating Tim who was also a student in Manchester, though he came from Yorkshire.
'I know that, but I'm going to try again.' Mark said, licking his lips.
'Maybe they will have it.' Leilani said.
'There's always tomorrow. It's not like the world is going to end tomorrow.' Jenny said with a chuckle.
'You better hope it doesn't. I will hold you to that.' Mark said, pointing his finger straight at her before he rose from his seat, sauntering off downstairs to order his food. At the same time two of their other friends arrived, one girl with dyed red hair called Brooke and her boyfriend Kevin. Hattie was wearing a leather jacket and a top with a band written across the front, while Kevin was wearing a coat, with a scarf wrapped around his neck and blue jeans.
'Hey guys,' Leilani greeted them.
'Sup,' Kevin said as they took two of the empty seats, sitting with them.
Leilani felt her phone vibrate, and instinctively she reached for it but then the sudden question distracted her.
'How's your day been?' Jenny said.
Leilani wondered for a moment if it was aimed at her but she realised she was talking too, Kevin, across the table. 'Normal really. Finished a good book earlier, The Passage by Justin Cronin. Other than that standard day.' Kevin said with a casual shrug.
'Well, we saw that weird flashing light thing in the sky.' Brooke said. 'It looked like it hit the earth.'
'Oh, sounds fun.' Jenny said, nonchalantly.
Leilani was not even sure she was even listening. It sounded bizarre but before she could dwell on it,
in that instant, Mark came back upstairs, holding a glass of Pepsi in his right. He plonked himself down next to Leilani. Then second's later two more of the gang arrived, the Irish Sarah, and the German Tom.
'I feel like watching a film but I don't know what.' Mark said taking a sip from his drink.
'Maybe Power Rangers?' Tim suggested. It was the first time he had really spoken since arriving. His eyes flickered from Mark, too Sarah.
'Oh yeah, like I have not seen that film before.' He paused melodramatically. 'Oh wait, I have like a hundred times because of Sarah.'
There were some chuckles of laughter and everyone looked up to see the waiter carrying a tray with topped chips with bacon.
'That's mine!' Jenny exclaimed before the waiter even had chance to speak. He placed the food down in front of her then wandered off back downstairs.
Jenny must have eaten three chips in sour cream before there was a sudden deep rumble, like thunder. It came out of nowhere and then it was gone just as quick. It was silent once more.
Everyone looked at each other, and others at different tables was subdued chatter.
'What just happened?' Leilani said finally.
Everyone shrugged. 'Meh.' Tom grunted.
The waiter returned though, carrying more food. It seemed as though things were returning to normal.
'Barbecue cheeseburger and chips,' The waiter said.
'Me!' Mark raised his hand.
The waiter came around and placed it down in front of Mark.
'Thanks,' Mark replied.
He readily poured mayonnaise and ketchup onto the chips before tucking in hungrily.
Leilani checked her phone finally, typing in her password. She then logged onto Facebook but someone beat her to it.
'There's been some kind of fire nearby apparently.' Brooke said, sounding concern.
Leilani saw it across her newsfeed. There were a couple of hashtags and a few photos nearby.
A sudden scream that came from downstairs. A woman.
Conversations seemed to stop again.
Other screams started.
'What's happening?' Someone at another table rose from their seat, looking downwards.
No one had an answer, as there was another rumble, the ground shook beneath them all. Glasses and plates fell off tables. Chairs shook violently. It all must have lasted a few seconds but then it was over.
It was like a switch being flicked on, people started running downstairs in the chaos. Screaming and shouting started. Almost everyone seemed to be spilling out into the street.
'Oh well, we may as well finish of our food.' Mark said, confidently as he took a bite out of his burger, sauce dripping out and onto his shirt.
'Yeah, it'll blow over in a few days, hopefully. Whatever it is.'
'I bet. Just like always, this city always come together.'
It turned out that their prediction would be wrong.