The Bunker

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sound of tiny drops of water ripples through the dark hallowing room with a chilling echo. Shallow breaths shivering in the cold. They knew not of the time that had passed. Nor did they know what remained of the world they once knew. The innocent few survivors of a cold and cruel war.

Throughout the unknown days that have passed, not a moment creeps by without the ringing of explosions and people screaming in their ears. A reminder of the tragedy that occurred. Flashes from the trauma of something so cruel, if it weren't for having each other, many more may be lost. Life so different in the dark sanctuary. Far from the same as how the world was once before. Time becoming almost a myth as the shell-shocked survivors stay patiently holding on for a sign. A sign of change. A sign of hope. Longing to return to the outside world. But not the old world. A new world. A world where they can thrive instead of just survive.

But none of them, not one, has forgotten. How could anyone forget? Forget the catastrophic tragedy. Or the harsh, brutal life in the world there once was.

The world once before was cold and wicked. Violence and Evil reigned their vile terror. Selfishness and greed prevailed. They held so much power, the very earth weakened to its knees. They cared not about who would be sacrificed, nor how it would affect the world. They knew not of kindness or peace, only hate and anger ran through their veins. They did not care for one another, believing in purely all for one and zilch for anyone else.

The world was a corrupt, wicked poison. Trying to trap a sliver of light in a raging web of darkness and smothering it in a choking venom. It was not long before the cauldron became so full of evil it began to overflow in a ferocious flood of chaos.

It started as one side against another but then the whole world started wanting a taste. Enter a mass wave of chaos and destruction. Of poverty and suffering. Millions of lives lost to this vile corruption by the hands of merciless villains.

But not all was lost. There were those who sensed it coming. Those who still believed in hope and love. Not knowing when, nor how much time remained for this cruel society, they set out fearlessly. Bunkers, 10 feet down and filled with supplies, were formed around the world. Next, a mission to warn and save as many as possible. A scurry of panic and fear. An urgency of survival. Thousands upon thousands fled to these shelters. Even the last few, that scrambled desperately as explosions tore through the earth and buildings fell to their demise, managed to clamber through. Falling into the arms of other survivors who pulled them to safety.

Bang!

Sealed in and finally safe. The bunkers closed tightly, protecting all those inside. Where they waited. And waited. And waited. For they knew there would be a time for them to return. Finally, that time has arrived.

With a creak and a clang, the old metal doors slowly open. Light floods in blinding everyone in sight. Then the survivors pour out. Walking, wandering, staring at what has remained. The world was silenced, rubble being the only survivor. Selfishness, hate, anger and greed all wiped themselves out along with the rest of the world.

A small silence to take in the surroundings. The rubble and dirt beneath their feet. The blue sky without a cloud in sight and the warm sun beaming down on them. They're alive. Ready to rebuild and live life again. This time to the fullest.

A second silence follows. A global mourning. Not for what once was. But for those who did not make it. For those who will not get to witness the rebirth of the world. For the loved ones lost. Lost to a mass devastation, but never once, not for a second, ever forgotten.

But then a glimmer, a flicker, a glow of golden light. A locket, with a heart shaped of gold, resting on the ashes of the world that once was. As it is picked up by the soft innocent hand of a child, it clicks open.

Within the heart of gold, a photo of a family. A family that survived. A reminder of how we are all one big family, all of us in this together. A reminder of hope, of how working together helps us all survive. How time and peace help a world rebuild from ruins. And how kindness and love help a fallen society to thrive.