Them

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. The Elders. But, I can. Let me be more specific. I hear voices humming incantations and prayers, a constant faint buzzing, and echoes of conversations. Especially at night, when the stars are shining bright. I'm the only one who can hear them, the Vanishers, or so it seems. I never said it, so I can’t be sure. What would happen if I did? I can’t be sure either. Everyone in this place freaks out at anything new or strange, and when the Elders and the Council get involved, people start to disappear. No! I prefer to ignore the voices, despite what they say. We can all catch a glimpse of them though, from time to time. They appear on the other side of the city walls, like floating figures. And then, they disappear again. We don't truly know who they are, but according to rumors, these figures started to emerge at the end of our World, when our civilization perished. Well... When it nearly went extinct, that is! When the sky is lit by the moon, the milky way and the innumerable stars, we can see them more clearly, and sometimes it seems they are waving at us and trying to communicate.

My name is Alexa, and I have lived my entire life in Euralia. Not that I have a choice anyway. We refer to it as a bubble city. One of the few cities that was miraculously saved, rebuilt and reengineered in 2057, after the Earth's self-combustion. Fifty years later, I was born. Every birth from the first generation was a miracle in Euralia. Because most of the population who survived the apocalyptic tragedy was infertile, poisoned by their own water, food, and all the chemicals they used in excess, or so they say. The Elders. However, given our current living conditions, population regulation is necessary anyway. We cannot grow our colony too much, because doing so would result in a lack of space, oxygen, water and food shortages. Lack of resources altogether. We have no choice but to limit our growth to our capacity of expansion. Which is bound to conquering more land outside Euralia. That's what the army mostly does. But it takes time. Since the Earth has become wild and there is not enough oxygen to survive out there, we are unable to leave the glass walls of Euralia. Us, the population. Because the army does, with special equipment of course. But all reports of expeditions show a brutal reality that only appeals to the bravest amongst us. Mother Earth, it is said, has risen from the ashes like a phoenix, reshaping nature in dangerous and unfathomable ways, or so they say. The Elders.

The elders form the Order that governs the city. They were all born in the old world and somehow not only survived the catastrophe, but are still alive 67 years later. They haven't changed much, yet it is evident that they should be quite elderly by now. The majority of Euralia’s first generation, the Founders, as we call them, has died. Except for those who were children at the time, like my parents. But the Elders weren’t children. Nobody quite understands how they’re still alive, but nobody dares speak it. They live in the most beautiful areas of Euralia, isolated from the general population and protected at all times by special forces of our army. As if they were in some kind of danger that we aren’t aware of.

We are connected to 11 other cities in the world. Some people think there are more, but how can we be certain ? We are bound to the bubble. Neither the troops nor we can travel between cities, they are too far away. In fact, since 2057, there hasn't been any contact with the outside world, except radio communication. That's how we first knew we weren't alone. That's how we first knew that the world as it was before had completely changed. The continents transformed in every way, shape and form. Many territories were lost to the oceans and seas, the majority of the islands were submerged underwater, together with some of the most incredible cities and their inhabitants. I heard about London, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai, Algiers, Lagos and so many more I can't recall. Of course, it means nothing to me ; we have seen a few pictures, and it does seem opulent, but it is long gone and so very dissimilar from Euralia that it’s difficult to really imagine it. Legend has it that they were all vital to the global economy and true symbols of human evolution and supremacy. It all went to ashes. Euralia is based in what was formerly the east of France, a European country. But nothing here is like it used to be.

“Alexa ! Alexa ! Alexa !”

Bobby, my roommate and childhood friend is poking me. Her voice is kind of blending with the other voices in my head. The voices of my dreams, the voices of the Vanishers. Lately, I've been dreaming about them more and more.

“Alexa ! What’s happening ? You’ve been blanking for the last 15 minutes. Have you heard anything of what the Teacher said ?”

“Huh… Wait what ? Oh sorry. It feels like I was daydreaming and talking to myself. Since we got here, I haven’t been able to sleep well. I keep dreaming about the Vanishers calling me from the other side! In fact your voice and theirs were sort of melting, just now!”

“Alexa!” She shivered “Quit talking like that. ” She whispered these words huskily, making sure no one was eavesdropping. But once more, their voices came to me as she continued:

“… Don't mention them, please. You know it's weird and unsafe…”

“Don't talk about us. You can’t trust anyone but yourself right now ; it's too dangerous to say anything to anyone, not even to your friend. We will send someone to you though, when the time is right.”

“Yes sorry !” I mumbled. This time, I was well awake and sure I wasn’t dreaming. I wasn’t sure who I was answering to, Bobby or Them. Maybe both. “Alexa, we’ll be in touch, wait to hear from us.” And just like that, all the buzzing, the humming and the echoes I had been used to hearing for my entire life abruptly stopped.