Doomsday Diary

Era crept carefully and silently through the shell of the old burnt out building. It had once held several luxurious apartments, all of which had been abandoned after The Rift occurred. The building had stood empty and derelict ever since, it’s skeleton rising to tower over the dark city streets.

Era hoped to find food or some still-functioning piece of tech that she could use amongst the ruins. It was her only means of survival unless she wanted to prostitute herself out and that was simply unacceptable.

Entering the first apartment she came to, Era looked around. Fortunately, the apartment appeared to be deserted: there were no other scavengers about. Era combed through every room. She found the remains of scorched furniture, the detritus of every day life, and little else. Definitely nothing that would be of use.

Sighing, Era turned and started to leave the apartment. It was then that she spotted it: a glimmer of something gold amongst the rubble. Bending to retrieve it, she saw that it was a heart-shaped locket. It was missing it’s chain and the front cover was dented, but it still shimmered in the weak light.

Era picked up the locket and forced it open. Inside was a miniature photograph. It depicted a family of four. They appeared to be happy and they were all smiling. She had never seen anything quite like it.

Era brushed a finger over the small, mesmerizing photo and tried to imagine what life had been like for the family it depicted. None of them looked hungry or ill. They were clean and they had a glow about them that she had heard of but never seen in real life.

Since The Rift had occurred, most people lived on the edge, eeking out a living. There were the few that lived beyond The Wall who, rumor had it, lived in plenty. Era wasn't one of the later.

Era closed her eyes and visualized what the apartment around her had looked like before The Rift when the family in the photograph had lived there. The debris that littered every surface was gone. The rooms were clean and neat. In the cupboards, there was food of all types. There was laughter ringing through the rooms and the children felt loved by their parents. Era could barely remember her mother and she had never known her father. If she had siblings, she didn’t know about them.

Era's life was hard, she knew that, but it was hers and she fought fiercely to protect it. She told herself that she was glad she didn’t have any familial ties. That would only have meant more responsibility. Family would have been a weakness that she could ill afford.

Opening her eyes, Era pocketed the locket. Maybe she would be able to trade it to the scrappers for a nutrition bar or two. Feeling dejected, she swiped a tear from her cheek and then walked out of the apartment.

Yes, Era told herself once again, she was better off without family.

Era's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, reminding her of her never-ending search. She placed one foot in front of the other, being as stealthy as she could.

Era was tired, she was so tired, but she couldn't stop. That would be her ruin. He only choice was to continue her search, fruitless though it might be. No, she told herself, she would be successful no matter how long it took. She would persevere despite everything.

In the next apartment, Era hoped to find food or some still-functioning piece of tech that she could use…