Locket in the Window

It's been over twenty years since the fall of man, our world has now become a place of destruction and ruins; buildings and skyscrapers litter the ground from when they fell after what is called ‘The Last Bang’. So many people lost, children orphaned, husbands and wives widowed. This is what is known as the darkest of days that this Earth has ever faced.

Some say it was those to the East that did this, others say the West; it’s the argument that never stops. It wasn’t long after The Last Bang, that people banded together, to rebuild; but after the first few years of colonies attempting civilization, riots and plunderers took what was left, destroying the last bit of hope for mankind to return to normal. These days people are scares, most hide and keep to themselves. There are the occasional villages, though most have a limit on population; keeping the numbers low to avoid uprisings. Everyone is always on the move, and we normally try to just keep clear of socializing.

People do occasionally come together for trade, but from what I have heard over the years, this is the world’s punishment; limited human interaction and living mostly alone. I think it's hardest on those that lived in the world before. As for me, I was only young when things went bad, and so this shattered and broken place is really all I have ever known. Maybe in a way, I am lucky to not remember the world before, less to be sad about. I have learned to adapt to what is in front of me. I keep moving every day and survive as best I can.

I am standing in the remains of an old building.

It has been decades, but I think I have been here before. I look around the old, crumbling foundation of what was once a shopping mall, the Earth has begun to take back the walls that are now covered in vines and trees are now sprouting out of the remains of the cracked marble-covered floors.

Something about this place seems so familiar. Walking through the forest-like halls I notice how the structures resemble the stores that use to be here so many years ago. Walking towards the center of the room I could see the now decaying escalators a few feet in front of me. The glass on either side of the stairs had turned to a brown-greenly moss colour. It looked to have aged so much that rust had eaten through the metal stairs, and they looked like they would crumble at any moment.

I stare at the remains, and I can hear the faint sound of the past; I turn and…

I am four years old. Walking through the large doors of the enchanting building while I hold on to my mother’s hand, I grip her tightly and she looks down and smiles at me. I know I am safe with her, so I look to see where we are.

Shiny floors that almost reflected like mirrors as people walked by. Walking beside my mother I am seeing something that is strange. These look like stairs but they move on their own; it frightens me until I see mother step on, so I know it is safe to follow.

I shake my head to bring me back to my present. Strange how much I have forgotten over the years and how seeing old places can bring these memories back. The sound of my stomach growling brings my attention to the fact that I haven’t eaten in a few days. Looking around me to the old stalls I wondered if this place has been picked clean already. Its foundation seems to be very well preserved considering, but surely people have already found this place and retrieved all it has to offer. It looks like it was deserted years ago, but there may be something in a forgotten area. Approaching the stairs, I hesitate before going up, it does not look safe. As I place my foot on the first step, I hear echoes of memories and again I am back to a time of childish wonder.

Looking up to see my mothers’ beautiful smile; made me feel like no matter what was happening around me I can always feel at peace when I see it. I peer out of the glass sides of the floating stairs and see so many wondrous things. I see kids running and laughing; young mums and dads with other children like me. Then I smelt it, I could smell hot chips and fresh bread in the air. I look to my mother who seemed to be waiting for my reaction. We stepped off the stairs and she held out her hand and asked me if I was hungry.

I nodded and my smile only grew as we passed stall after stall looking at all the food places. From the smell of bread from the bakery to the sweetness of the ice-cream shop I did not know what to ask for. This was incredible, how did I get to be so lucky to have a day like this with my mummy.

We found a seat in the middle of the food court; we sat down and shared some hot chips and I got to have a milkshake; it was the most delicious meal I had ever had.

“Let us find that pretty face, shall we?” my mother said as she wiped off the sauce and milkshake stains from my face.

‘Come on! you must get it together! You need to focus right now.’ I tell myself, still hearing my mothers’ chuckles while wiping my face.

I look around to see if there is another way up. I then see a tree that has grown not too far, and its branches seem to be only inches from the next floor. As I grip my hands around the last branch, I pull myself up; I can hear cracking and I know the branch won’t hold me much longer, I struggle to get leverage and see something to grip on to. I pull with all my might and as I lift myself onto the floor above me, I struggle to catch my breath, so I lay wait for its return. I then noticed a strange face looking at me it was not human but animal-like, old, dated kids ride. And as I lay there staring at the faded painted mane and saddle, I can hear the musical tune it once played.

After finishing our lunch on what felt like the most exciting day, something caught my eye. It was a pony ride that would go up and down when a coin was placed into the box beside it. The music hit my ears; I was so enchanted by the tune that I barely took notice of my mother’s attempts to clean my face.

“Would you like to have a go?” my mother asked.

Still laying on the floor as the words of my mother lingered in the air. I closed my eyes as tears built up and began to roll down my cheek; I was remembering so much with everything I looked at.

With the biggest grin on my face, I hopped off the chair and waited for mother to pack up our tray. I held on to her hand and tugged a little to encourage her to come with me.

“Okay, okay. One moment while I tidy up our mess.” She said.

After wiping her hands off with a napkin she then looked at me and held out her hand and we walked out of the food court towards the pony ride. I waited in line and mother stood by my side, I leaned against her legs and watched the kids in front of me, smile and giggle as the ride would start, my excitement grew; their parents watching and cheering them on. It was finally my turn, though I was still a little nervous to get on, I walked up to the metal horse, it was so beautiful with its white-painted mane and black polished saddle. As I got close enough mother helped me up; she told me to hold on and after she put a coin into the black box, I heard the musical tune and I then felt myself be lifted as the pony rose and fell. I was overjoyed at the sensation, and I smiled at my mother as she waved at me.

As I open my eyes, I take a breath; I stand and look at how much the time has passed; and how this once enchanting ride looked so different. I then go forward on my quest to find some food and water.

I wondered through the halls and with every shop I passed I would see myself there as a child. I could see mother as she chased me down the aisles of the toy store. I saw the ghost-like figures of us playing with the teddies and toys that surrounded us. The shelves were emptied now, covered in dust and leaves.

Continuing I found some water in an old staff fridge tucked away from view, but no food. Making my way to the end of the hall I find a staircase hidden away by the shadows and can make it back down to the first floor. I realize that there is nothing left here, and I make my way to the entrance once more.

The sun was beginning to set, and its rays were pushing their way through the cracks in the walls. And then I noticed something shiny; curious I walked towards it. An old jewelry store that still had a few trinkets left in its display cases. I closed my eyes again as I squatted down in front of an old cabinet. I remember the last time I did this.

Mother was holding me in her arms as we were heading for the door to leave this wonderful place. It was time for us to head home and I was so excited to tell my daddy all about my day. Though we made a stop at a place that was filled with magical and sparkly items. I got down out of my mothers’ arms and pressed my face against the glass as mother spoke to a clerk that worked there. I stood there and was in awe of what I was looking at.

“It’s very pretty, isn’t it sweetie?”

I nodded and smiled.

“Maybe for your birthday daddy and I can get you one, so you can put a photo in it,” she said, as she offered to pick me up again.

“What photo?” I asked.

“Well, you can put mum and dad in it, or maybe a photo of what makes you happy. That way you can remember it forever.”

I was drifting off to sleep; resting against my mother’s chest as we left the store.

Now it has been over twenty years and I am back standing in front of the cabinet once more. I couldn’t believe that it was still here, the heart-shaped locket that I was so memorized by from when I was a small child. I look around me and find a heavy piece of rubble and throw it into the glass, shielding my face I look at the now broken glass and carefully pick out the locket.

Walking out into the open and out of the old shopping mall, I look back. I close my eyes and remember the reason why these memories were buried so deep. This would have been the best memory of my mother and me together, but it was only minutes after leaving that it turned into the worst day.

I look up at my mother as we walk out onto the street. I felt so safe at that moment, though something changed and that is when we heard the first bang.

This was Day Zero.