The end is nigh

Since the dawn of books and television, people have predicted how the world would end. Zombies, vampires, and viruses were the biggest contenders. Stories were woven around these ideas. Movies and series made in abundance, but that is what they were; only stories.

The reality was far from that.

The year is 2027 and the world is coming to an end. After the coronavirus scare in 2020, most people thought we would survive. To be honest, I also hoped we would. But we were wrong.

As civilization began to recover, morale had faltered. Suicide was now the norm as depression swept over populations. After isolation had ended, most people decided to keep going as the fear of human contact was too much to bear. The economy crashed, leaving millions without work and without money to survive.

The government, try as they may, was unsuccessful in helping. And so they also crumbled. The world seemed lost until a hero arose.

Dr. Richard was the lead scientist for WHO, tasked to cure corona. They had failed but when other problems came to light, a new mission was started: making the population happy. Years went into the research, billions of dollars were invested in this project. They had a breakthrough, a light at the end of the tunnel. A drug that replicated endorphins: double the happiness, zero the work. All had seemed well in the first few years. People were happy as they resumed their lives, suicides dropped to nearly zero. Until greed took over.

High-ranking government officials formulated a plan to abuse the drug, to make people addicted to it. And so a new trade took over where the demand surpassed the supply. Scientists battled to tweak the formula as to make it cheaper to produce in a much shorter time frame.

Then the world went to shit.

Happiz.

A Funny name for a killer drug. It only takes one infected person to kill thousands. If you came in contact with any bodily fluid of an infected person, symptoms arose immediately. The first sign was happiness. I know what you are thinking: How can happiness be bad? Well, let me tell you, it can. You start to become so happy, that you forget about anything else. Mothers would let their newborn babies starve. It was that bad. Next, came the dancing. The endorphins overrode the brain, making you want to move. It would be like an itch you can't scratch, one you tried and failed. Try so hard you forget about yourself and your needs.

Two days after infection, people would start to dance and move while leaving no time for food, water, or sleep. Most lasted two days after it began, dropping dead from malnutrition and exhaustion.

That is how my whole family died and what I am desperately trying to avoid.

My name is Sam and welcome to the end of the world.

*****

"Okay, so we have a plan," Luke announced to the group as they gathered around the table.

I was standing between my best friends, Mike and Lilly, as our leader formulated the plan. Since civilization crumbled years ago, people had started small colonies to try and survive. My settlement was small, with about sixty people, and currently in an abanded warehouse in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't very comfortable, but we had no choice.

A sharp pain pierced my arm and when I looked down, I noticed Mike was pinching me. Glancing up, his golden eyes bore into mine. "What?" I whisper under my breath at him.

A limited smile momentarily flickered on his lips before disappearing, a scowl in its place. "Are you listening?" Mike asks.

Mike was younger than me, but he always acted like an adult. That is why I loved him, but on rare occasions like these, he was irritating. I replied by sticking my tong out at him, before turning my attention to Luke.

An old map lay open on the table as Luke glared down at it, his eyebrows pinched as he focused on the details. I took in all of his facial features, noticing the lines on his face. Taking care of a group of people during the apocalypse must be hard and the strain was visible. My heart broke for him since only recently he lost his family. A daily habit for most, but still a painful moment.

"Our only option would be the river. Staying near water would increase our chances." Luke's statement pulled me from my thoughts and I once again focused on him. "There is a house at the bottom of the riverbed, only three days travel on foot." His dark eyes looked up, focusing on each and everyone as he spoke. "Pack only what you need. We leave in the morning."

I stayed behind as the group dispersed, my two friends staying by my side. We were tired of moving every couple of weeks, but it was necessary. You see, not only were the infected dangerous to us but deep down they craved to be saved. We don't know how it works, but all I know is that whenever we stayed too long in one place, they show up.

"I hope that place will be better than this. It is too dark here." Lilly's sweet voice broke the spell, pulling me back to reality once more.

Lilly was the complete opposite of Mike. She was always smiling and hugging, be it her friends or strangers. One would think she was infected, but I know she is just a truly good human being.

"I think anywhere is better than this dump," I reply to her statement as I looked at her. Beautiful did not even describe her. Long blond hair covered her head, hanging down her back. I would never admit it, but I was jealous. My own hair was a dull brown, cut short to be easily manageable.

"I know, right." a bright smile lit her face, raising my spirit as well.

"I don't care if it is better or worse, as long as we are safe." Mike chipped in making Lilly and me look at him.

"Okay, boss." Lilly jokes as she walks past him, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "Let's go pack."

I watch my friend leave but before I go, I gave a final glance behind me. I am glad we are going to a better place, but deep down I did like it. It kept us safe for a while, which is all we could have asked for. A tear rolled down my cheek as a gave a final goodbye, before following in my friends' footsteps.

*****

We had left early in the morning before the sun was even up. All of us with sleep still in our eyes and filled bags perched on our backs. The strongest would walk in the front and back as to protect the weak. Our only defense from the happiz was knives and homemade weapons. We learned early on using loud weapons or guns drew them in, resulting in whole colonies being lost with one mistake.

"I bet you we will each have our own rooms with a bed to ourselves." Lilly daydreamed out loud in front of me.

I wish I could have her enthusiasm, but right now it was useless as the area distracted me.

Humans had kept nature at bay for thousands of years and within the first few months since our extinction, she had reclaimed her's back. Before us lay a valley of green with only a few buildings visible from beneath the plants. One of the good side effects, I thought to myself. If you looked closely, white bones covered in clothes peeked through the grass and trees as hundreds of bodies scattered all around.

"Quiet."

I searched for the person who spoke, meeting the gaze of Sarah. She was currently sprinting past the group, whispering to all to keep it down. Soft murmurs started as people looked around confused and scared, huddling in groups.

Soft fingers wrapped around my arm, so I placed my own over Lilly's, giving a slight squeeze.

"It is going to be okay," I whisper towards her.

Lilly gave a slight nod of agreement, the knowledge not reaching her eyes as tears began. Mike noticed her emotions, stepping up to engulf her in a hug. I mouthed 'thank you' towards him, glad he was more empathetic than me.

I shimmied my arm from Lilly's grip and when I was free, the need for information took over. When they weren't looking, I took the time to sneak away, leaving my friends behind me. People shifted out of my way as I battled to the front, catching Luke giving orders before turning towards me.

"What is wrong? Why did we stop?" I question him.

Luke frantically brushed his hair back, strain visible. "A group of happiz has been spotted 1 mile away. It seems like they are heading our way."

I felt my mouth drop open as he confessed to me. A group of scouts always got sent in advance to check out the terrain but they had come back positive. Something else had to have drawn the horde to us.

"So what are we going to do?" I silently pleaded that he has an answer.

Luke remained quiet as his gaze flickered over me towards the group, and dread filled me. I knew deep down that he did not have an answer.

"I...I.." was all he could muster.

Since even before this apocalypse, I had known I was meant for bigger things, so when this all happened I have to admit I was sad. So when I looked at his pleading eyes, I knew what I had to do.

"I will do it." I proudly announce.

Luke looked puzzled as he returned his eyes to me. "What are you talking about?"

"The horde. We need to distract them and I have an idea."

Seconds later a lightbulb must have clicked since he suddenly looked mad. "Do you have a death wish?" My body was suddenly ripped to the side as Luke pulled on my arm, so I had to follow. "We can think of something else."

I ripped my arm out of his hold and reached into my bag to grab the second part of my plan. "I have been dying to use one of these, and now seems like a good time." I opened my palm, revealing a speaker attached to a tiny music player. "There is enough battery left for one song, and I know what it will be."

"No, I can't..." Luke started but I interrupted him.

"I don't care. Someone has to do it. You know that." I place the speaker in my jacket pocket, "Besides, I will start the song and leave it somewhere, then get away as far as possible."

Luke stared at me for a while, before his shoulders dropped in defeat. "Fine, but promise me you will come back.'

With only a nod, I turned to leave, running in the direction of my big moment.

*******

Their arms and limps were flapping wildly around, hitting the others around them. I was hiding behind a rock that perched on the mountain, my view unobstructed. All I could do was watch as big smiles littered their faces while sweat poured from their foreheads. I felt sad for them, but deep down I always wondered how it feels like.

Silently, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the speaker. The memory card was still inside when I checked and when it turned on, the notification for low battery popped up. I have had it for years, and know it like the back of my hand, so I was confident it will work. Song after song popped up as a shuffled through it, a smile on my face when I saw the name for what I was looking for.

I placed the speaker on the rock and pressed play. As the music started, so did my legs.

Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise

Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday

You got mud on your face, you big disgrace

Kicking your can all over the place, singin'

I pushed my legs hard as the first verse hit my ears, my breathing beginning to go deep.

We will, we will rock you

We will, we will rock you

My favorite verse in the song came up, and I had to try so hard not to stop and enjoy it.

Buddy, you're a young man, hard man

Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday

You got blood on your face, you big disgrace

Waving your banner all over the place

I ran down the mountain simultaneously as I watched the horde turn towards the sound, dancing their way over. Joy filled me as I watched them. Because of me, the group will be saved. And I got to listen to one of my favorite songs.

We will, we will rock you, sing it!

We will, we will rock you, yeah

As I ran, my mind drifted towards the rhythm when suddenly, I collided with a hard object. I watched as the ground came rushing up to me. I was too slow in my response, which made me eat dirt.

Buddy, you're an old man, poor man

Pleading with your eyes, gonna get you some peace someday

You got mud on your face, big disgrace

Somebody better put you back into your place, do it!

Fear gripped me as the song continued, the lyrics feeling too realistic. Pain shot over my whole body, but I ignored it. Instead, I looked for the source of my tumble. My heart dropped as I glanced upon arms swinging violently with the beat.

We will, we will rock you, yeah, yeah, come on

We will, we will rock you, alright, louder!

We will, we will rock you, one more time

We will, we will rock you

Yeah

As the song came to an end, I knew I was too. You might wonder why I just don't get up and run, but you see, the fact of the matter is my arm. Three scratches ran down my arm, lines made by nails, and not my own.

As the beat drifted down the mountain and bodies clambered to get to it, I looked around confused. Why am I here?

An unknown joy suddenly fills me as if weight is being lifted off. As I take a deep breath, I feel the stress leaving my body. A slight strain makes me lift my hand to my face and I feel a big smile spreading. Slowly but surely my memories wash away, leaving only one object. I move to stand up, and as I look around, a beat enters my ears. The catchy tune makes me happy and as I glance down, I am mesmerized by my feet.

They are beginning to tap to the rhythm.