Doomsday

Doomsday, at least that’s what they called it. The world started falling apart, and everyone else fell right along with it. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to gaze out a window. Since, I’ve been free to watch the sunrise, or just be able to take in a breath of fresh air. Life used to be so simple, and yet I can hardly remember what it was like then. I lost my family, my home, my hope. Now all that’s left….all that I have left is this locket. And it might just be my chance, my chance to save this place we now call the world.

“Peter, pass the ball” I cried for what felt like the millionth time. “Okay, okay. Gee, sisters sure can be pushy sometimes,” he responded with a sly grin on his face. “You got that right “ Jonathan said in agreement. “Hey, just because you guys are twins doesn’t mean you guys can team up on me, you know” I said playfully. “Aw, c'mon, you know we’re just kidding Cass, now, c’mon, let’s play.” And just like that, we entered one of the greatest games of catch ever played. After the game, I sat down to enjoy the view. The sun was just starting to set in a sky mixed with different shades of gold and blue. The grass swayed as a calm breeze floated through the air. A peaceful feeling washed over me as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

“Cassidy…Cass….Cass! Wake up!” I opened my eyes to see my mom standing over me. “Huh?” I said groggily. I glanced at the alarm clock beside me to check the time. Suddenly, memories of the previous day flooded my mind, and I realized I had fallen asleep. My parents must’ve carried me to my room. “You’ve got to get up, Cass, you don’t want to miss out on your own birthday party now do you?” That’s right! Today’s the day I finally turn the big sixteen! I had been waiting for this day to come for years! “We’ll be downstairs when you're ready” my mom said sweetly. I looked through my closet and put together one of my favorite outfits: a yellow and white polka-dotted dress with a baby blue denim jacket. After getting dressed, I hurried downstairs.

“Surprise!!Happy birthday Cassidy!” Astonished, I surveyed the room. All of my friends and even extended relatives were gathered together just for me! I couldn’t believe my parents put this all together. The living room was decorated in pink and purple streamers and balloons were dancing all around. Around 3:00: pm, it was time to cut the cake and open presents. After opening what I thought was all the presents, my mom and dad presented me with one final box. The box was wrapped differently than the other presents and topped with a small red bow. I opened the box carefully and peered inside with curious eyes. Inside was a small heart-shaped locket made of silver. It was one of the most beautiful lockets I had ever seen. My mother explained to me that it was a gift passed all the way down from her great-great grandmother, and it has been kept in the family ever since.

“I love it!” I exclaimed as I put the locket on, but a deafening siren drowned out my voice. The sound of helicopters soon followed. Suddenly, the happy looks of my guests turned into looks of complete horror. People dressed in black suits and gas masks forced their way into our home and the sound of gunshots rang through the air.

Panicking, I ran to hide underneath the nearest table. I watched in absolute horror as a man was gathering those who were alive into a helicopter. I scanned the room in search of my family. My head was spinning and I couldn’t think clearly, and suddenly my heart froze. I watched as a large man with a gun took my brothers, and my parents aboard another helicopter. Just as I was about to expose my hiding place, and run to my family, I made eye contact with my dad. With tears in his eyes, he gently shook his head and mouthed the word no. I watched helplessly as life as I knew it changed in minutes.

“NO NO NO, MOM! DAD! NOOO!”

“Cassidy! Cassidy wake up! You're having another nightmare!”

“NO! I NEED YOU! PLEASE DON’T TAKE THEM! PETER! JONATHAN!”

“Cassidy! Wake up! Wake up please!”

Eyes widened, I gasped for air with tears streaming down my face. “You had another nightmare, Cass.” Wiping some of my tears away, I looked at Jessica. “I don’t want to talk about it” I said in harsh tone. “You can’t run from this forever, Cassidy. Sooner or later, you’ve got to deal with this grief you’ve been locking up inside of you.”

“Where’s Matt?” I said in avoidance. “Cassidy! You weren’t the only one to have your family taken away by THEM! I’m hurt, too, you know, I lost my sister. You and Matt are all I have now, and we have to stick together,” Jessica said as she handed me a tissue box. I took the box and headed out of the bunker to get some fresh air.

It’s been three years since I’ve last seen my family. It’s amazing how much could change in that time span. I’ve had to go into hiding as the world around me shattered into pieces. The world has a new leader now, no one knows exactly what he looks like, but everyone knows his name. The survivors who didn’t go into hiding are forced to either live under his oppressive rules or face death. The one good thing that came from this tragedy was meeting Jessica and Matthew. All this time we’ve been helping each other keep safe, and I can’t imagine what everything would be like without them. “She’s right, you know” a voice behind me whispered. He must’ve heard me talking with Jessica. Grasping my locket, I turned around to face Matthew. “I know” I mumbled. “You miss them, don’t you?” He said as he motioned for me to sit on the bench. “Do you think we’ll ever get them back?” I asked. We sat in silence, but his eyes said everything.

“You there!” An unfamiliar voice shouted. Instantly, I jerked awake and surveyed my surroundings. We’ve fallen asleep outside the bunker! I shook Matthew awake as a young guard approached us. “What business do you guys have here?” the guard asked. Thinking quickly, I told the guard we were coming from the market and we were just headed back to our families. “Is this true sir” the guard inquired as he looked to Matthew. “Of course it’s true! In fact, you could give us an escort back if you’d like!” Thankfully, the guard didn’t call his bluff. But just as we started to walk away, the guard spoke again. “Wait a second, where are your passes?” Passes? It must’ve been a new rule given in order to be able go out. “We don’t have passes sir” I said, holding onto my locket. “Then I’m afraid I have to take you both to Him” the guard said as he reached out and grabbed Matthew. “No! I screamed as the guard grabbed my wrist. During the commotion, my locket popped open and brushed against my elbow. I heard a loud clicking noise, almost like a snap and everything went black.

“You there!” That same voice shouted. I opened my eyes and I looked to my side to see Matthew sleeping. What …what just happened? Did time just reset? For the second time, I shook Matthew awake as the guard came close. “What business do you have here” the guard said in the same tone as before. This time, Matthew spoke first. “Were just coming from the market sir, we’re headed home right now.” I knew what would happen next, so I explained to the guard that we were scheduled to get our passes later this evening. The guard seemed to contemplate what I said for a moment, then ushered us to go on.

“Passes? Is that a new rule or something? And how exactly did you find out about them?” Matthew asked once we were in the clear. “You’re going to think I’ve lost my mind!” I exclaimed as we entered the bunker. “And why is that and where have you two been?” Jessica interrupted. “Jess, you gotta sit down for this! You too, Matthew,” I said as they both took a seat on the couch. I paused for a moment—how exactly does one go about explaining time travel?

“Out with it!” Jessica said anxiously. When I told them that I think I time-travelled, they both laughed hysterically. Matthew even suggested it was serious deja vu. “Guys I’m serious! It’s how I knew what would happen! The guard grabbed us and while I was trying to get away, I hit my locket and everything went blank!” I took the locket off and opened it carefully. Inside was family portrait, and above it there was a tiny red button, something I didn’t notice before.

“I’ll prove it to you!” I said as I pressed the button. Click! Everything went blank. Suddenly, I found myself walking inside the bunker with Matthew. I couldn’t contain my excitement. “Matthew, I just time-travelled!” I exclaimed, a bit louder than I meant to. He looked at me with a puzzled expression, so I told him what had just happened. He didn’t believe me and I realized I would need proof. I told him that Jessica would enter the room any second now, and ask where we’ve been. I knew there was a chance he still wouldn’t believe me so I described exactly what she would be wearing. A few seconds later, Jessica appeared wearing the same outfit I described and asked where we had been.

Not surprisingly, he still didn’t believe me, so I decided to take a big risk. Without hesitating, I grabbed Matthew and Jessica’s hand and pressed the button on the locket. Click! This time, we all three ended up in the bunker, sitting on the couch. “What-, what just happened!” Jessica said as she immediately stood up. “I think we just time-travelled!“ Matthew said slowly. It was then that I realized that not only could we travel back into the past, but we could go to the future as well. And since we could travel back to the past, maybe there’s a chance I could see my family again. Without delay, I grabbed my locket and pressed the red button. Click! Everything went blank.

“Happy Birthday Cassidy!” This can’t be. It isn’t possible. There, standing less than 10 feet away from me, was my family. They’re alive! “Man, Cassidy, you look like you just seen a ghost!” Peter said as he took a seat in the dining room. Without second thought, I ran to them and hugged each and everyone of them. “What’s gotten into you?” Jonathan said as tears poured down my face. “Cassidy, how did you get that lock-“ “I’ve got to go, but I will explain everything to you guys soon, it’ll all be ok, I promise.” I said, teary-eyed as I pressed the red button on my locket. Click!

Less than a second later, I was back in the bunker with Jessica and Matt. “Guys...I think this locket may be the key to getting our families back. No, I think it might just be the key to saving the world.” I whispered.