The Sky was a Flame

The Cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night a candle burned in the window. Inside a funny-looking man hummed a doomsday song as he played with his chemicals. The world's fate had been cast. He was its sole determinator. Only he believed this, but only he had read the ancient writing. He hummed more of the song. He knew his small candle would go unnoticed, in this part of the world, but his message should have already been heard. He had mailed his evidence to the US government. But nowhere on the news was there mention of it. He hummed, as he focused on his plans. The small cabin was full of drones, round hollow balls, and of course chemicals.

The chemicals had been hard to find. It wasn't stuff they had on sale on the internet, He had been worried that he would get behind schedule. The ancient writing described every detail of the part he would play. It had been his fate, it had been his archaeological find. The newspapers had written about him. He smiled remembering the day. And then he had found the document. Things changed, he withdrew and started this quest. He was not a scientist. He was not totally sure what would happen, he knew some of the chemicals created beautiful colors when combined.

The person who received the letter in the Federal Government had been slightly confused. He did not recognize the language of the main letter. But the side document was in English and was talking about a light show, of ancient chemicals, which only God knew if the world would survive. The recipient of the letter was not sure if the sender was nuts. The young man was a freshman agent, he knew a little about science. He had been required to take a simple Chemistry course in college, He wondered why this mess had been passed off to him, he was not a linguist or a chemist. He knew Spanish and English. According to the letter he had about a month, to save the world. He put a rush on his order and sent it to the archaeological division.

Dr. Weld, an archaeologist, was enthralled by the letter. It was in a language that was not often seen. The words had common roots, it's base was formed around Latin roots. The letter had been written in an ink of berries He wondered why the document had not faded. What ancient person would have had this knowledge of chemicals? If it was not a real document, what modern scholar would have heard of these chemicals? Most of the chemicals were commonly used in ancient religious ceremonies. The scientist who Weld had shown the interpretation of the document to said most of these chemicals when combined would light the sky. There were a few chemicals that the scientist was not sure about. He was not sure if they really could cause the damage the document forecasted.

Dr. Weld was a little scared to give up the letter. It was such a find, who would have given it up. The chemist recognized the berry immediately, it was common in Mexico, but the language did not originate there. The page had been coated with a clear substance. You couldn't see it but his test confirmed that it was there. Dr. Weld, then asked the chemist what he probably should have asked first, "Is this really an ancient document. Is it really a religious proclamation?"

Days passed, and the man in the cabin had put all his chemicals in the drones. He wondered if the chemicals would really combine, once the drones reached their destination and he pressed the button.

Dr. Weld meanwhile was losing sleep. He only shared the letter with his research staff. He and his staff knew that the letter was not an ancient relic, but they did not know if the explosions would occur. He wondered who would know enough to even compose the letter. Who would know the ancient language, and who would know the chemistry? And how would they know the person who found it would carry it out?

He had looked through all the recent archeological finds. Nothing rooted in Mexico. He remembered reading about a find in Costa Rica. It had been all over the papers. The archeologist had been an American. But the man had seemed to disappear. No more papers had been written about his find Nothing had even been given to any of the museums. Would anybody really believe this document without having it tested? Would the idea over the research take hold?

The cabin, the man knew would not be found. He wondered if the US government was looking for him. His passport would have tracked him to Mexico. The cabin had been used for one of his college expeditions. He had bought it, but it was not filed with any government. It had an ancient take-off runway. It would be perfect for sending the drones. He had theorized that the runways were from the Incas. He felt a moment of hesitation. Maybe instead of destroying the world, he should continue exploring it. He was living in a gold mine of archeological wonders.

Dr. Weld was shaking when he approached the President's desk. He had called the white house last week. He realized that it sounded like nonsense, but what if it wasn't. He had traced Jeff Fox to Mexico, but then he just seemed to disappear. He had researched all Fox's explorations. Dr. Ward had no other suspects, he was feeling anxious and confused. He wanted nothing more than to pass the responsibility over to the President's men.

The men with the president were biting their lips trying not to laugh as Dr. Ward outlined his findings. The doctor felt his confidence melting, he was throwing away his future in research. " The document is not real? " The president concluded. "If the document is a forgery then this is not the world's fate and there is no threat." Ward felt his body wilt. This was still going to be his responsibility. He could not cry in front of the President. In six days Fox would set the skies of the world on fire, and nobody would do anything to stop him. No one even was taking it seriously. Dr. Ward did not argue his case. All he wanted to do was relax with his family. His family, who he had been ignoring and shielding from the current reality.

His wife and daughter had not asked what was wrong, all they knew was they were packing and taking a trip to Mexico. It was sudden, they had not even sent a note to their daughter Jane's school. They were going to Oaxaca and learning about weaving and embroidery. Mrs. Ward would have been thrilled if her husband had not been so secretive and withdrawn. It was her dream vacation, which he had never had time to go on before.

The cabin was a bustling place. The computers were all set up. The drones paths were all computed. The man felt no doubt, it was fated, this was his fate. The gods had forecast it, The day had arrived. He pressed the buttons and the drones took flight.

The US president had shared his information with nobody. To him it was crazy talk and not valid info at all. That night he ate at a nearby restaurant in Alexandria with his family. At 10pm he was startled to see the sky up above him turning a brilliant red. Red dust was floating down to the earth. The people in the restaurant were glued to the window. They all thought it was a light show. They were clapping in appreciation. The president looked at his watch and felt his throat tighten.

The news broadcasts around the world were talking about light shows. The skys were purple, red, and green. Dr. Ward and his family watched the news in Mexico. Everywhere but South America and Mexico were having a light show. Mrs. Ward was disappointed that she had missed the chance to take great photos.

Fox went to a coastal bar and watched the news in Spanish. He had been right about the colors but what affect would it have on the world. Had all this work only been for a light show?

When the light show faded the streets were full of smoke. And the streets were full of people. It was a huge world party. Only the US president hid his family from the smoke. His wife could not figure out what was wrong. He had gone pale.

Life went on that night as usual. The next morning the president rose feeling at peace. It had been a hoax. He went out for his breakfast. The cook was in tears. She had nothing to serve him. The eggs had hardened and the orange juice had turned red. He had never heard of any of this. Eggs do not solidify and orange juice does not become bright red.

His phone was ringing off the hook when he returned to his office, The streets were in chaos, nobody had any food, the food was all changing color, something in the air was transforming everything that was eatable.

In Mexico, Dr. Ward and his family had a full-course meal. But Dr. Ward did not feel at peace, he just didn't know what to do. He was not willing to sacrifice his family. His daughter was crying, her friends in the US had nothing to eat. What was happening to the world?

Fox now that his mission had been carried out was sitting on the beach drinking an alcoholic drink, he was not upset it had been fated.

The world starved for two days. It was a fast for the nations. And then one morning the cook came dancing in. "The orange juice is orange. The eggs are no longer solidifying. The President did not go on tv and declare the emergency ended, he ordered massive food testing. And when the results came back, the world had a massive feast.