The world has ended.
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It was a silent end gifted by beings beyond human comprehension. Things that fed off any emotion it could find. Every light and joyful thought was consumed. Every shadow and depraved thought was savored then devoured.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplW9yKnfQI
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All things were dragged screaming into the black mist.
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Now, only 2 humans remain.
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In this wasteland filled only with misery lies a mother and her male child. Both leaving behind names. For what use are names in this ash-filled hell?279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHorvh91FBC
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The only thing to make this bearable was most animals. Beings driven by pure instinct weren’t dragged away. The only ones taken were the ones closest to us.
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“Don’t cry child, lest you bring doom upon us.”
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“I promise mother, I just…”
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“Enough, we’re lucky enough to be able to bare Rex. He was…a brave dog.”
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“…He was.”
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The two say one last prayer before that too was detected and devoured. Hope had no place here. It couldn’t and shouldn’t exist.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBEFdqA11d
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So they left it behind. The grave built by sticks and dirt. The last thing tying them to a happier time.
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“Don’t dwell on the past. That happiness will only bring pain. Either will endanger us.”
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“Yes, mother.”
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The rest of their days don’t matter. It was an endless cycle of the same gray day. Scavenging, eating, shitting, and sleeping.
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Emotionlessly existing for its own sake. Their tale unworthy of telling until they couldn’t scavenge anymore. Until eating became painful. Until there was nothing to shit out. Until sleeping brought only nightmares and whispers from the mist.
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As usual, the only story worth telling is one filled with pain and tragedy.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi843gFyoMe
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“I’m-
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“Don’t say it child, I already know. We will find something edible at the next town. But to get there we need to…sleep.”
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“…I understand.”
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“Close your heart off to it. It will pass.”
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“It never does.”
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“Be silent!”
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Her voice reverberated throughout the city and instantly she realized her mistake. The mist begins to shift and writhe. They smell the anger, desperation and despair.
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“Mother?”
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“Calm child, give me a moment.”
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She closes her eyes and within a few moments opens them again. Within those brown eyes lies nothing, a void of emotion. A lifeless husk that refuses to die just yet. Satisfied with the death of her true self, the mist stills.
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“Like that child. Do as me and we’ll survive.”
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“But I want to live.”
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“We can’t afford that. Think rationally and get rid of that light in your eyes. It’s time for you to grow up. I won’t be here forever and you’ll need to survive the world long enough to find another survivor.”
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“…I’ll try mother.”
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“Don’t try, do.”
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As many times before, the child closes his eyes. After a minute, he opens them again. Within those blue eyes lies…something, a dying ember. A husk that wishes for life but is denied it. Unsatisfied with the performance, the mist slightly stirs.
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“I’m…sorry.”
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“…It’s fine, you’ll get one day.”
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The 2 escape the city before they lose what they assume is daylight. Luckily, they find a dead tree to sleep against a few yards outside the city limits. They take out their worn and torn blankets out of their bags. Out of the child’s school bag comes a blanket with Sonic on it. Out of the mother’s backpack comes out a plain gray blanket.
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They get into position against the tree and close their eyes. Eventually, they’ll go to sleep.
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…279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXhGY9USYB
…
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“I have no choice.”
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The child wakes up to see his mother’s dead eyes looking down on him and her hands around his neck.
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“I can’t make it to the next city with you endangering me. It’s the logical choice if I want to survive.”
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The boy kicked, scratched, and fought back against his mother. But it was to no avail.
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“Shh, just go to sleep child.”
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He wanted to live. He didn’t want to die because-
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Wait, why did he want to live?
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The child looked to the right. The child looked to the left.
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There was nothing.
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Only pain and devastation. Why live in such a world?
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As those thoughts consume him, his hands slack as he accepts death. It could even do some good. His mother is getting too skinny after all…
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So he gives in and waits for his mother to choke the life out of him. But something else broke first.
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A tear.
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Her mask slightly crumbles as tears begin to fall from her left eye. The child caresses his mother’s cheek in her time of need.
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“Don’t cry for me mother. You need to eat and pain will only bring doom upon you. You’re right, I will only endanger you.”
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Her grip weakens and her eye fills further with water.
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“Don’t stop mother. Kill me, please.”
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“Why should I live anyway.”
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The embers in his eyes slowly evaporate, leaving a lifeless void in his eyes. That change in her son was all she could take.
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She removes her hands from his neck and embraces him.
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“Because hope still lives within us!”
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“W-What?”
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“I’m sorry son, I…was wrong. This is not the way.”
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“Even if we must end, it won’t be by my hands. We’ll go as humans, not the living dead.”
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The child’s eyes widen and he returns the hug with renewed warmth.
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“I love you, Zachariah.”
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“I love you too, Abigail.”
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The lifeless husk regains the light in her eyes and the embers of the child explode into a kaleidoscope of color. All of their bottled-up emotions resurface and manifest in warm tears.
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But it matters not.
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The creatures of the black mist feel this and move to consume the last living light. It slowly encircles the pair. Their ravenous hunger can be felt in the soul.
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Their world was about to end but they choose to accept it. Not out of despair but because they finally found the truth.
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No more words were necessary. The mother and son ignore the madness, finding peace in each other’s eyes. Within them lies love and warmth that drowns out the voices all around them.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg3jm0KXhL
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The creatures of the mist feel this and fully envelops the last ones. Devouring all that they were and could be.
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The only victory they could claim? They didn’t scream and they finally lived a moment worth living. A story truly worth telling.279Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlbeLtiG2X
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