Celestial Crypt

The northern sky was gone, it had been weeks since we had last saw the stars peering in the night sky. We sat here and wondered, what where they hiding? What were they masking from civilization that was so extramental from hiding the true fear? So many people didn’t even notice. That just shows how weak we were already faltering. It showed how oblivious we already were to the impeding destruction that lingered in our own night sky.

That’s all it took and the non-believers dissipated in their own fear. Dad didn’t train us that way. He took much notice almost right away. Mom always said that he spend his life in the clouds, pondering on the conspiracy theories and ‘impending doom.’ She told us to avoid his comments, for she didn’t want us to spend our lives in a constant state of fear. I remember how upset she would get as he talked of the end. “I don’t fear death, because I believe we are all going to go at the same time,” he would scream as he somber his nightly beer. How right he was. How right he was…

It seemed to come at night, I peered out the windows as the party below, ragged on. I grasped my sapphire locket that my father had gave me before disappearing two months prior. He gifted it as a reminder of who I was and where I came. I sheltered our family portrait from when I was a child. It was a simpler time. We were so happy and so young. Dad didn’t fear the inevitable at that time, all he worried about was keeping food on the table and smiles across our faces. He was good at that, both of them were. We weren’t a rich family, nor a struggling one. We were content in our everyday lives.

The catalysis in the moon looked like falling stars in the Marx sun, imprisoned in doubt, backend in minds, soul flare, soul sought, again alone, again apart. I peered to the night sky, just to see the moon pelted with rocks flying by. It happened so fast. In that moment everything felt still. Then nothing but quiet. It was unimaginable to see the rapid change in the world, faltering in the silence of the rain.

Day 426

I clutched my locket to my breast, as I marched into the empty abyss. Woven hills and perched clouds guided my way into the empty ground. Hours turned into days as I held a pocket size of hope. I knew better after my ordeal in Philly. You stay quiet well venturing around these parts alone. Not all survivors were friends, most were poachers with alkaline intent. I used my locket as a projection of light. It was my guide to the unknown. My friend without a home. It made me feel like something could still be out there. Some glim of hope. I knew that all my loved ones were gone. I was smart enough to know that, but still dumb enough to adventure beyond to the fallen city.

I had left this town four years prior. In the hopes of new adventure outside of my boring daily life. I flaunter on the decision now, I should have been with them. I should have gone home for the holidays and birthdays. I was so in bound with my ‘new life; that I lost track of what I was actually leaving behind. I was so selfish; my last appearance will always go unaltered.

The destruction of the moon was impending enough, that any form of life that survived was miraculous. We did not all turn into zombies and mutants. Riots in the street were not abundant. The Earth feel silence. Somewhere able to move on and still have the will to live. Others gathered their ties and gave up. You could say that I knew it wasn’t my time. I tried to convince my love that he needed to come with me, but he gave in so easily. After his mom died, he knew that he must go to. He ventured as far as Philly but gave in just as it was time to leave. I’ve been alone ever since.

I wish he was strong enough to have the will to the very end. That’s what I have originally liked about him. His bravery and will was the attraction that radiated me to him. But it was all a front, even bravery cracks in the impending darkness.

Now I waste miles, searching for a home that is gone. When I saw the destruction, I knew that it was the end, but yet here I stand. I saw the water waste and the crops die as the clouds blocked the luminous sky. Debris pelted to the ground for days after the initial sign of destruction. Cities and Towns burned. Millions of people lost their lives and homes. Shelter became scarce to find. At first, I don’t think people could grasp the gravity of the situation. It wasn’t just the moon that that we peered at above. Too far from home to cause evident danger. The aftereffects were the fall of our civilization more than we could have ever expected. Everyone was affected somehow or another. No one’s lives were ever going to be the same. We entered a new extinction and didn’t even know it.

For month I traveled from the East coast. I spent days drenched in water and cradling the salted locket. Today was the first day that I finally saw the sky. It was so blue above the mountains that stared at me from the West. Today was the first time I could breathe the open air and wiped away the worry that everyone feared. It only lasted a brief second but felt like a lifetime.

I haven’t encountered many people on my journey. There were a few children standing by their departed parents. Hopeless and lost, not grasping the aloneness that was instilled. I tried to keep my distance from the numbers. It was hard to trust anyone in this environment. People’s true colors shinned in these times of need. You saw the weak in the scared eyes. You saw the danger in the purest of minds. No one was the same, just a skeleton of a new soul. No one was to blame; this was life after all.

I grew closer to what was once Denver. I crossed into Colorado about a day prior before stopping into Greeley to refresh my mind with sleep and invasion of an old eatery. I walked along the US-85 turnpike to get to the city. I kept my distance from the visibility of the road. After all you never knew who was out here or their hidden intent. This was once my home. My parents lived in the suburban of Lochbuie, which at the time was still moderately new. I was so proud of them for finally getting the house of their dreams. It was small but content for the two of them. Now it cradles as a grave site. Stillness rose through the lingering clouds. Death rains in what was once home, I couldn’t help by shed a tear.

Day 428

Mom’s philosophy was to always leave the front door unlocked. Everyone was welcome. She believe that everyone was a guest. As I approached their home, a small part of me wished that they were inside; laughing at the kitchen table as a family game night battled on. It was silence as I pushed the door open. Dust fell from the seal as I walked in. I peered towards the entrance to see a skeleton of one of their cats. Vira, was our family cat. She was of grace and charm. She was the calmest creature I have ever laid eyes on. She perched on the window seal, staring out to the empty streets. She never moved… just waited. Waited for my parents to return.

I couldn’t bring myself to sleep inside. Too many memories circulated my mind. I took the old tent from the garage. We must have used it a total of once since Dad refused to sleep outside. My mother was so proud of her garden that she spend so much time creating. Now it lays dead, months in darkness sheltered all the suns rays. The night sky hasn’t looked the same since the disaster. A bright glim has centered the night sky. There was no more human pollution to infect. It was just a whirl of dust circulating the planet. Stars shinned brighter than they had before. A planetary ring started to form around Earth from the debris of the moon. The information unearthed after the smoke cleared. Months of darkness engulfed the clouds.

I found it hard to sleep at night, all I kept imagining was a simpler time. The before time was so peaceful with the chaos that humans brought. I know that it isn’t healthy to hold onto the past, but that was the only thing that kept me going. I knew that once I reached the inner city that everything was going to be better. It had to be. I’ve searched for months for something. Some sense that maybe one relative or old friend was still out there… wondering as lost as I. I had to keep going. I knew that every step dwindled me further into the ground. I couldn’t afford another setback.

I need to find people again; I can feel it. Just some portion of humanity left. It was a long shot just worth the aggravation and lies. I should have never left home. How silly was I to truly think that I could easily escape this state? That’s just my luck I suppose. The first time in my life that I leave Colorado… and the world ends. Great. I would give anything again to see my parents. My mother’s warm nature was missed. Dad’s stretched glorified stories had ended. I would give it all back just to fell the nourishment of home again.

Day 431

My knees weakened to the embrace of the cold concreate. One step is closer to destiny beyond this quiet highway night. As I grew closer to the center of the city, I could faintly hear a voice. I thought I was dreaming at first. This is it. I have finally been knocked unconscious and now I am dead. Was I going crazy? Were my thoughts projecting into nonsense?

I looked beyond the faded surface to see a hollow form. Who was that? Am I going crazy in this fallen world? Could that really be, another human being. “Hello there!” it scream as I grew near. I held back for a second. Should I really be approaching this silhouette of a ‘person’? what if they want to rob me? Who approaches someone saying, “hello there?” now adays? No one!

I turned around and started to walk another direction. I wasn’t going to take a chance at encountering a foe. Even in the end, I knew I didn’t have time for this. “Please don’t leave, we’re not going to harm you!” the voice rose once again. I scoffed, “oh great, there is more than one. NOPE.” I pondered for the split second as I felt the figure grow closer behind me, should I run?

I finally felt the tap from behind me, I turned around quickly ready to attack. Pulling out my small knife from my back pockets and holding it to the stranger. The stranger placed his hands up, showing no weapon, no need to fear. He was a thin man appearing to be in his early 30’s. “I’m not going to hurt you, I promise. Please we have a stopping post nearby. You can shelter there before you continue your journey. We are just hear to help.”

I moved my knife down, still keeping my caution from the man standing before me. “and why should I believe you?” The man gave a gentle smile at my question, “Because you don’t have choice. If it makes you feel better we have food and water. It’s not much but we are willing to share.” “Who is we?” “There are other survivors. I was able to locate them about a month ago. Please you must decide now. Before they come.”

I pondered a second more before deciding. If this man was one of the scavengers than he would have stolen from me by now. They don’t take kindly to conversation. So, I guess for now I will believe him. I however will remain holding my knife closely to my side. Trust is something that is gained, I learned that the hard way.

We walked between a faulted building, leaning against another. It wasn’t a sturdy shelter but one, nonetheless. He guided me to the entrance of the standing building. “Please, we must get inside. The cities are not like the outskirts, you cannot be obstructive.” This made me hesitate once again, people feared the unknown so much, sometimes it seemed like a bit much but OK.

It had been a while since I passed through an open city. I usually try to stay clear, so I should have believe him at first glance. We walked to the 5th floor, before seeing a group of people. I got what I finally wanted, other people, so why did I feel alone still? I was having a hard time grasping the illusion of others. They looked so normal, so healthy, so… clean. It was like a tiny village in this building. It made me feel uncomfortable.

I think of the months of being alone, pushed me away from the social integrity that we once knew. “You said that you got her a month ago. Where did you journey from?” I asked the thin man. “I came from Las Vegas, I used to be a promoter. You think it’s bad here. That town is completely gone.” I removed my cowl as he talked, his eyes glowed as he realized my youth. His face saddened as he realized that I lost out on everything at such a young age.

I blew off the stare, I didn’t need his condolence. I already felt bad enough. “They say that the rest of the moon is headed our way. Since the sky opened, you can see it peering closer and closer. I used to be an astronomer. Seems like a worthless skill after the meteors went undetected.” We sat in a silence for a moment. I used to work at a warehouse with 98% male coworkers, I was worth nothing even then.

I had heard this theory when I stopped in North Platte, Nebraska. I just didn’t want to believe it, but we all saw it. I used to admire the moon. It was drawing to the unique sensation of how small we were in the universe. How insignificant our existence lied in the universe.

Day 450

I decided to stay with the survivors. After talking to the thin man I realized that I didn’t want to be alone when it comes. I know I am filled with the lies of regret, I will have never known the touch of love, the design of accomplishment. I will never know how my parents spend the last of their days. Were they alone and scared? Did they have each other? Are they even gone yet? What if I made my way all the way down here, just for them to go and find me?

I live in the built despair, alone and silent. The thin man ran to me as the sky opened up. It looked so beautiful.