We Broke The Earth

In January the birds fell from the sky like fat, melancholy raindrops. In January the floods stole my family. In January Mother found me lying twisted on the cold concrete floor. News articles flashed through my head, permanently seared into my mind: “Climate change is amplifying deadly heatwaves”, “Sweltering temperatures melting permafrost across Siberia”, “Floods worsened by climate change”.

I still remember the strange coldness of the water on an unusually hot night. The way it crept quietly through my home, sweeping away all the everyday items that filled it. The water seeped into my parents’ room, blocking the doors and taking them away from me forever. Cata told me they were lucky; that they died painlessly as they slept. Others were taken by the fires, mutant animals and devastating hurricanes. I suppose I am fortunate as I was rescued from the wreckage by an automation, whom we call Mother. I do not feel fortunate, I feel angry. To calm myself, I counted my belongings once again: two gel ink pens, my father's glasses, a children's picture book formerly belonging to my younger sister and a heart shaped locket containing the ashes of my family. I was interrupted in my thoughts by Cata, rudely barging into my room which usually would have annoyed me but I let it slide as she seemed panicked. “Hurry Elias, the Bark Beetles are swarming!” she cried. This means we must move again, quickly.

Mother and Lou met us at the exit of our camp. Little Lou was crying softly, clutching onto Mother’s cold, spidery fingers. “This way,” Mother ushered us, her solid boots hitting the ground at a rapid pace. I could hear the scuttling of insect feet above my head. We were about to approach the Ocean Base when one of the Bark Beetles fell directly in front of Cata. It was remarkably hideous, mutated to the point of no recognition; a metre tall with long, lumpy legs. The only discernable feature being its thick shape. Cata’s reaction was a swift kick to the abdomen of the creature which sent it reeling back, letting out a loud chittering screech. We wasted no time and bolted as fast as we could, Cata scooping Lou into her arms.

We made it. The Ocean Base wasn’t much different from our previous camp apart from it being submerged under water. Thankfully we had fresh clothes already waiting for us in the storeroom as the last human groups (often led by an automation like Mother) frequently changed bases. Mother began updating our location in hopes of the International Space Station sending a rescue team to save us from the dangerous Earth. So far no such luck. At this point it was 10:56 p.m. meaning it was time to retire to our bedrooms.

I dreamt I talked to Nature, who was the mountains reaching high into the heavens, the rushing rivers and waterfalls that I longed to see again but was also hurricanes and lightning and floods that stole my family. She never uttered a word and yet I felt her voice, her anger was clear as day. We hurt Nature and Nature fought back. “Let us go,” I whispered, willing her to save us, free us from danger and death. She did not answer. My sister, my mother and father were innocent; why did you take them and not me? I thought. Nature showed me an image of my family standing happily together, smiling at me. I wanted to scream. Tearily, I choked: “look after them”. I handed her the locket containing my family’s ashes and she took it carefully.

I bolted upright, checking my neck for my locket. Gone. “i forgive you” I muttered under my breath, to no-one in particular.

“They're coming!” Lou called out excitedly. She meant the Space Station, Mother had received a message that they were coming to collect us. We were leaving Earth. Face pressed up against the glass, Lou’s eyes followed the descending shuttle. Our saviors presented us with fresh supplies and off we went. We would never return back to Earth. I looked back at what had been my home and saw Nature’s face staring back at me. I said a silent goodbye in my head. I wasn’t angry anymore. “Come see our new home Elias!” Cata called.

“Coming,” I answered.