The Strike Of Midnight

------ This story is dedicated to my girlfriend Katrine -----

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A smile came across my face as I held up the small heart shaped locket. It was finally restored, good as new. I turn and exit my work station, stepping outside into the desolate world above. In my hands, this heart shaped locket was my most prized possession. In the distance, stood the ruins of Dallas, TX. Once the most populated city in the United States of America, now a wasteland of sorrow and destruction. Stepping past human skeletal remains and mounds of trash, I quickly made my way as fast as I could knowing full well there wasn’t a moment to lose.

Following the path I had traversed so many times, I knew how to easily avoid being spotted as I entered Dallas. Hiding behind a car, I pull out a handheld tablet. I groan, the nearest time rift was still two blocks away. The sun was setting fast, I had to hurry. No longer caring whether or not I was spotted, I ran through the streets to find the rift. I was so excited when I finally saw the blue shimmering light of the time rift.

Suddenly something hit me like a brick wall and I collapsed to the ground dropping the locket. Heart pounding, I heard the clattering clank of metal feet gather surround me. I try to reach for the locket when a large robotic foot stomps down on top of it. I look up and stare into cold yellow glowing eyes. Fear gripped my soul as I backed away and looked around at all of them. The huge mechanical monstrosities began to walk slowly towards me.

A memory flashed before my eyes as tears streamed down my face. It was day one of the machine rebellion and the eventual cause of the world's utter collapse. I’m sitting on a bench next to the woman I loved, Kelly. Everything is perfect, I hand her flowers and kiss Kelly's soft cheek. Kelly then hands me the heart shaped locket, the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever seen. We stayed at the bench till close to midnight and then stood.

Midnight struck, we heard the sirens, the shrieks and screams. I take my love by the arm and try to run away with her. Kelly's ankle twisted and in my rush, she slipped out of my grasp. I turn to find my love on her knees and before I could help, a truck runs her over and Kelly dies. I yell out her name and collapse to the ground holding the locket tightly in my hands.

Snapping back to the present, the only sounds I can hear is the sound of grinding metal and gnashing of teeth drawing closer and closer. Gritting my teeth in anger I stand and pull out pistol shooting off all six shots at the monstrosity in front of me. It falls backwards dead as I pick up the locket and run for my life. The mechanical monstrosities are hot on my heels. I leap forward, barely making it through the time rift.

I step out into the empty street and laughed triumphantly. It was the night my true love was to die. I look down at my clock, 11:30pm. A twinge of fear flickered across my face, I was on the opposite side of town where I needed to be and in only thirty minutes my love would perish…again. I look around frantic to find anything to help me. I went out into the street and stood in front of a truck driver who slammed on his brakes barely missing me. The truck driver tries to get out and yell at me, I throw him out of the truck and take it, going as fast as I could across town.

It wasn’t long for the police to be chasing after my vehicle. As I entered the street where I knew Kelly and my younger self would be, I was just in time to hear the sirens, shrieks and screams. Then I saw the truck driver enter the street that killed my love. Anger consumed me at the sight of him and I floored the gas ramming into the side of his truck pinning it against the side of a restaurant. I black out.

When I awake, I find myself back in the present, standing in the same spot, surrounded again, and alone. The time rift was gone, nothing had changed. I resign myself, and reach deep in one my pockets, pulling out a hand grenade. Breathing heavy, I slowly reach to pull the pin and end it all. Suddenly round of shots sounded off as one by one all the mechanical monstrosities surrounding me fell down dead.

I look around placing the hand grenade quickly back in my pocket. Emerging from the dust cloud, my love Kelly walked out holding a machine gun. I gasp and rush to her tackling her to the ground and holding her tightly. Kelly looks at me confused. I kiss her and help her stand, then I take out the heart shaped locket, I get down on one knee and open it, revealing an wedding ring. I slip it on her finger and she nods her head yes.

Humanity and the world we know isn't set in stone. At anytime, the world we live in may crumble around us, and it may cause separation with the ones we love most. However, no matter how dark the day, whatever storm we are facing ahead, love will always find a way to bring us back together. Love is the only bond we share that will save the world in the end of all things.

THE END