Sun

I look out into the deserted wasteland that was once filled with such beautiful and lush greenery. I close my eyes so I can remember and not have to look at the desolation around me. I’m in an area higher up on one of the mountain ranges. They called this place, this whole area, Cascadia. I remember the trees, so big and numerous and lush. Now all that remains standing are the old cell towers.

But no, keep remembering how it use to be. Think of better places. I remember there used to be this hiking trail around here. It passed by this creek, that had water so clear and when you drank from it, it was so clean and crisp. The water always came down from the mountains from the snowmelt. I can easily see it in my mind’s eye. The trail followed the winding path of the creek. Walking along side as the water navigates down the mountain, ever seeking the sea. I could feel the sun’s rays on my face and enjoy the chirping of the birds and the slight breeze in the wind. It smells so clean. Thinking of the sun’s rays leads me back to what is left.

No one knew at the time why it got so hot so quick that summer. The area broke temperature record after temperature record. One day the record was 108, then 112, then a week later the record was 120. None of us could handle that amount of heat. Highways closed due to buckling pavement from the heat. House siding was literally melting off the buildings. But there were no warnings from the government, but they knew. People who were constantly outside, started to get sick, but again, no one thought of it. It was just heat exhaustion or the flu, they said.

After a couple of weeks of the intense heat, we started to get extreme cold waves at night. As soon as the sun was out of range, it would drop below freezing. I think I remember reading about some conspiracy theories and, of course, people were saying its just global warming. I don’t think many people really realized how much damage the sun could do. You see, it was a massive solar flare that hit earth & our atmosphere just couldn’t take the damage that it normally would. And now every wave from the sun hits like a punch to the face. So, yes, I guess it could be related to global warming, but no one knows for sure now, not with everything and everyone dead.

I haven’t seen anyone in weeks. Only able to travel at dusk & dawn, with it being too cold at night & too hot during the day. Not including the radiation poisoning. There are no trees or foliage left, just dead burnt out husks and ash. Most of the buildings are gone too. I sometimes spot an animal that was able to survive, but they look as good as I do, half dead.

I am hunkered down in what I assume used to be an old hunting lodge of some sort. There isn’t much in here. Some broken down furniture and I think the leftovers of some animal. I’m hoping. I can see out from where I’m hunched over at a table, the chair barley holding under my lightweight body. There is a car that is melted to the ground. I think there used to be a metal shed, but that’s just scrap metal now. I remember seeing a ray of hope at finding this place, but now I know it’s too late.

I have the sickness, the radiation poisoning, maybe some form of cancer. I’ve got little to no food and haven’t seen water in days. I really hoped I could find some in this building, but luck is not on my side. I know this is my last day, maybe even my last hour. I’m so thirsty and tired, constantly weak. I am holding my last worldly object and let part of it fall out of my hand till it hits the table. Now I’m only holding the chain of a beautiful heart shaped locket. It belonged to my mother, who had given it to me when I was a little girl & I ended up giving to my little sister shortly after our parents passed from the sickness. It has a picture of my parents on one side & my little sister on the other.

It’s my fault she’s dead. In the beginning, I allowed her to play in the sun without realizing how deadly it had become. We also didn’t realize we couldn’t travel during the day for very long. She ended up dying shortly after everything fell into chaos not long after my parents. She just kept getting weaker and weaker as we looked for food, water, and shelter. I ended up carrying her those last couple of days and then she just went to sleep & never woke up again. I wish I could of done better for her, but now I’m just waiting to go see them in the next life. Be able to rest and be healthy, see all those who left me on what’s left of this planet. It’s just a giant graveyard and soon I will join it, with no one to see my death, or celebrate my life, or even lay my body to rest.

It’s getting harder to breath, and I can barely keep my eyes open.

I wish I could have died in my sleep. It’s like I’m drowning in a puddle, salvation just a stone’s throw away but no energy to reach it.

I’m so tired of fighting and trying to survive in this desolate place.

I can feel my heart beat slowing, I never thought I would have this much awareness as I die.

…

…

***

I am outside of our old cabin. I can see a young woman sitting in a chair, hunched across the table struggling to breathe grasping something in her hand. I’m completely covered with heat resistant clothing. Cost a pretty penny, but it’s always good to be prepared for the end of the world. I always knew it would happen and we prepared. People thought us stupid or crazy, but oh were they wrong. Only thing that’s hard to get is fresh meat…and we sure are gonna eat good tonight.