our escape

29.07.3032

Im sick of it! I spend my days the same, wake up before dawn gather my things and start walking, look for food, find shelter and run. I despise it here, there’s always something in the darkness out to get you. Not a day goes by where I live in peace. Im tired and finding it hard to continue. Going from empty house to empty house, covered in dust and relics from the past. I long for people, for laughter again. I just want a safe place, a moment to stand still and clear my head. Im always on the move, a person with nowhere to go and no where I can just be. And honestly im finding it hard to remember a time when I was still.

Narrator

Alexander was one of the last humans on earth, by now most had either perished or escaped. The earth had become desolate a sad sight from its formal green glory. Dust and rubble filled the streets. It happened quickly, the change. One day it was bright and normal day, people traveling to work cooking dinner for loved ones, enjoying a drink by the river. A terrifying darkness was thrust upon us. Life became a horror that you had no choice to confront to survive.

At first the Alien ships seemed like bright stars. Eventually they grew closer, 1000s of ships with bright lights, an array of colours danced in the sky. Alexander didn’t deem them dangerous, they reminded her of fairy lights at Christmas and almost filled her with joy. The ships where dark grey and blended into the night sky. On occasion thought they would fly close, giving you a glimpse of their futuristic air crafts. People became spotters, chasing the ships and others spent there days in hiding.

No body knew why they came, noise of those who were foe and enemies of the aliens quickly filled the air. It seemed you couldn’t go through a day without hearing about them. They didn’t attack, months went by and still the ships hovered above. Mental warfare it was called by the media, just like how it was done in wars here. Cause fear, break down the enemy without any expense to their race. Panic lived at the centre of our world, media, political parties and rebels all rose up with ideas on how to deal with the Aliens. People marched with signs saying they came in peace, they where outcasted as “anti human supporters”. Anti alien gangs grew, it seemed rational idea was non existent. Evil groups with guns and a love for violence. They struck anyone and anything claiming to protect their rights and land. The fighting eventually turned into war , many fleeing to outer areas. It was then the government showed its true colours, rolling out large missiles and nuclear weaponry. Not only where they pointed to the alien ships above, but the people rising up against them.

The ships where mainly invisible during the day, I'm not sure if this caused more or less concern. Curfews where enforced with military guards manning the streets. Rioters ignored this, nights where no longer silent. Gun shots and bombs where ever present. The government then unleashed its new weapon the night seekers. Robot hounds, animalistic moving machines loaded with weaponry complete with clever programming. Originally intended to “keep us safe at night,” who’s pack instinct and love for the hunt turned them into Lethal killers who worked for no one but themselves.

On the second month after their arrival, portals arose in 8 places around the earth, purple beams of light coming from the ship, hitting the ground leaving an almost ancient pattern at the end. It was rumoured the ships where our escape. People began to migrate on the mass to these sites. But anyone trying to escape via the Aliens was hunted down. Some made it, they left their home but it was still unknown if horror or safety that met them. It was a confusing time to live, not even your mind could be trusted on most days. Which team to fight for was an ever present question. The ships loaded up specimens, trees, plants, waters even building facades.

Alexander had lost everything. The building her and her family had found shelter in was destroyed by military missiles. She got out alive, turning back as her temporary home and family turned to ash in front of her. Her instinct was to survive but her heart wished she would have died along side her family. Not trapped in such a vile world. She replayed this moment almost every night when her eyes would finally close. It wasn’t long before the cold sweats and paranoia became a normal part of life. It was simple in her eyes, from the beginning. A deep knowing the aliens where friendly and after witnessing the monstrosity that humans had inflicted on one other she believed in them more and more.

30.07.32

Theres one more township to walk through, before I get to the wilderness. Just one more, I keep telling myself. I paused this time before I entered the town. You know when you climb so high and become terrified of heights. Your body starts to shake and you cant seem to let go of what your holding onto in order to climb higher. Well it was like that, the idea of taking a step forward seemed unthinkable. I froze minutes went past and all I could do was stand there and shake. Move forward Alex, just don’t stop marching until you find safety. Its out there. Maybe this is just something Im telling myself. The rioters and their gangs have become more ruthless, they take more lives than the military these days. It seems the military have stopped shooting and are hiding behind defences growing stronger. Despite what we all saw, went through, there’s no sense of banding together to help one on other. A lone female is a dangerous thing to be in this world. I understand the appeal, join a gang and be protected. But sell what’s left of your soul to do so. I used to trust, now, now I’m scared to get close enough to see peoples faces, there all just shadows I hide from.

Just one more town.

Narrator

The final town of Lander was at the centre of large ranches In the Wyoming state. Mountains backed them, who’s edges provided thick forrest grounds. The lake was the other reason this place became Alexandra mission. A safe place to hide, with not only resources. But a piece of beauty that would help Alexandra remember the world that was. She walked cautiously through the town, not to disturb the peace. Sometimes when towns where quiet for long enough, she would forget there was a threat at all. Life would seem to go in slow motion as she would wonder openly down the streets, gazing into stores. She would enter homes, tracing her fingers along photographs in their halls

These moments filled her with sorrow, but she never let her mind slip into sadness for long. Alexandra focused on the plan ahead. She carried a small blade which she became skilled at using. A gun which she hated to use but only kept as everyone else did. Her shoes were worn, covered in mud just like her unwashed body. She had found herself entering a house on the outskirts of the town. Walking straight upstairs, into a small girls bedroom. She sat on the bed wiping the sweat of her forehead putting her bag beside her.

I wasn’t sure what happened exactly. Maybe the sweet innocence of her surroundings, the pink jewellery box, the warmth she felt. Combined with the excruciating pain of taking the bandage of her swelling leg. She wanted to clean her wound before reaching the town centre. It wasn’t so painful at the start but by now, it was beginning to hurt that bad she would almost black out as she unwrapped the bandage.

As Alexandra re bandaged her knee, with one of the only clean shirts she had left. She screamed out in pain putting her pants back on. Stopping for a second, she found herself filling with rage. Without even thinking she began to rummage through the bag she carried, pulling out items of clothing. Firstly one by one, in a calm way not to be heard. Then almost frantically throwing items around the room. After the bulk of her clothes, she threw torches and cutlery. Slamming them to the ground, She was overwhelmed with sadness anger and exhaustion. “Where is it” she cried out, “its not in here” she shouted louder between hard breathes. She threw the empty and lifeless bag on the floor and began to cry. Loosing her balance she fell to her knees. As she started to breathe slower and calmer. ’its not in there’ she repeated. She realised then what she was searching for something impossible to carry in a bag, Home. She had become a turtle and this bag was her shell. “It isn’t in there Alex.” She almost whispered to herself

She slumped her body to the floor, sitting down completely. It was then she felt something under her foot and a gold shine came off it hitting her in the eyes. Bending over and grabbing it in her hand. It was at this moment she heard the noise. An alarm and light flashed through the sky like thunder and lighting. “Believe what they say.” The voice that came from the sky said. “on the last hour of the last day, we will come.” A small smile could be seen from the corner of her mouth. Just as all hope was lost. She opened her palm, revealing the golden locket in her hand. A reminder of strength.

The locket was looked after at the start, but thrown to the bottom of her bag as away to dispose of it. She opened the small necklace revealing a picture of her family. If only they where here now she thought, she could hear the noise her brothers shoes would make as he would run through the house. See her dads warm smile, and mum. Oh mum she thought, how proud she would be.

She clenched the locket in her palm one more time, stood up and put it around her neck. “Hold tight Alex.” She said with more courage and determination than shed ever new she would possess. “Hold tight.”