The Demise of Humanity
Page 16
The day was sunny and warm. The air was thick with death and humidity. The combination was nauseating. It was quiet outside, everyone needed some air after the long nights in the bunker. We spread out and kept mostly to ourselves. Silas, Gabe and I held hands and faded away from the backyard and into the main entrance of the facility. I didn’t want to look at the gate or fence. I didn’t want to know if the infected people had gotten through because if they had that meant the screamers would have access too. Instead I kept my eyes on the entrance.
“Why didn’t you teleport us into the room with the patients?” Silas questioned.
“I didn’t know what state the people would be in,” Gabe whispered nudging Silas.
“Oh right,” Silas replied meekly, “Layla, if you would like to wait out here Gabe and I will go in and check.?”
“It’s ok guys,” I stated, trying to sound strong, “I am prepared that my father is probably no longer here. I need to see for myself.”
We entered through the dreadful entrance and cautiously made our way into the area where the coma patients rested. Upon entering I had tried to prepare myself for the worst. I had hoped the beds would be full and the machines would be beeping quietly. Instead alarms sounded in a panicked manner. All that remained on the beds were bloody sheets. It was evident the sleeping people had been torn apart and in some cases dragged to the floor where they meant their final resting place.
My heart sank as I walked to where my father rested only days ago. Now the bed lay empty. Rusty colored splotches were the only indication that my father had once been here. I hoped death had come quickly for him and the pain was minimal. I glanced at the pillow and saw something shiny, hidden poking out from under the pillow. I moved the pillow to reveal a small gold chain necklace. I lifted the chain up and examined it closer. A small skeleton key slid down the chain. I stared at the key and wondered what it went to. I slid the chain necklace into my pocket. I had seen all I needed to see here. I knew my entire family was gone. I felt my body quake.
“Gabe, let’s go home,” I spoke.
“I agree, let’s get out of here,” Silas added.
We gathered and went to take hands when a loud bang sounded behind us. We all turned in unison and saw Zola standing in a hunched position by the exit.
“I knew you would come back,” she hissed, her voice thick with liquid and blood.
“Zola?” I choked.
“I have a gift for you,” she spit and threw a body towards us.
A man stumbled forward and landed hard on the floor. He was wearing a hospital gown.
“Dad,” I cried.
Silas pulled me back and took my hand. Gabe locked his fingers around my free hand.
“Layla?” A quiet voice echoed.
The man glanced up and stared at me. His eyes begging. He was clearly sick. His skin was grey and a steady stream of blood left his mouth and nose. He reached his hand towards me.
“I love you dad,” I cried.
“Wait, Layla,” he begged, crawling towards us.
“I need to tell you, I’m sorry baby girl. The key...remember. You need to remember." He dropped his head to the floor.
We faded away but not before I saw Zola dart forward and attack my father. We were back and standing in the field. The field where I had been so many times before. I wanted to cry but my tears were dried up. Silas walked over and stood next to me. Gabe stood on my other side. I turned my head and watched Hannah, Greg, Lucy, Sara, Wes, Addy, Sally, Olyvia, Nate and Jacob make their way to where we stood in the field. We formed a line, looking out into the world. A world that not so long ago had been filled with humans. Hustling and bustling around like busy bees. They worked, played, built incredible structures and created endless wonders. They loved and were beautiful beings, but they had a dark side too. They lived but didn’t see what was before them; right in front of them. They consumed, wasted and destroyed. At some point the bad outweighed the good and here we stand now. Although all the humans are gone and the screamers are fading, we are the new species. The thirteen of us are all that is left. Our human traits still linger but as the days pass we discover we are nothing like the humans were. We do not consume and destroy. We do not hold hatred in our hearts and we are not bound by religion or beliefs. We are connected to each other. We did what we could to save humanity but in the end people were their own demise.
The End
Or
Beginning…