The Day the Sun Went Out

It was a regular day in History class. Everyone was half asleep while the teacher droned on and on when we all knew he was watching the clock as closely as we were. I had taken off my hoodie an hour ago after the blazing sun was microwaving me to death. Back in High School, we didn’t have any heat and now in college, we have no air conditioning. It’s like I can’t win.

I was growing tired myself and decided to look out the window to daydream. I usually do this so it’ll make time go faster and so I don’t get in trouble for being on my phone. If History wasn’t a required course, I would not be here right now. I looked at the people outside walking their dogs or chatting with friends as the sun glared at me through my peripheral vision.

I started closing my eyes every few seconds as the tiredness started to seep in. When I opened them again, I squinted my eyes in confusion. Why was it dark outside? I looked over and saw stars. I checked my phone. 10:41 A.M. What the-?

Before I could do anything, one of my classmates burst in, out of breath.

“The sun just went out!” He exclaimed.

“Michael, I am trying to teach a class here,” Professor Harrison said, annoyed.

“No, the sun literally just went out! Look!”

Everyone looked over and saw what I was seeing. I could hear gasps and whispering around me as everyone huddled around the window.

“I was just scrolling on Twitter in the bathroom and it was suddenly dark,” Michael explained.

“You were on social media during my class?”

“That’s not the point! I went to the news network and they’re saying the sun went out.”

After he said that, everyone started pulling out their phones and looking up the news. I did the same and went to one of the news live streams on YouTube.

“If you haven’t looked out your window, then you should know that the sun has vanished. We don't know how or why but scientists are researching as we speak. For now, please stay wherever you are and-.”

The broadcaster suddenly stopped speaking and squinted at what I think is the teleprompter.

“I’ve just received word that there’s a huge, red timer in the sky with ten minutes left. We don’t know what that means or what happens when the timer hits zero. But again please stay indoors and don’t go outside. This is Danny Spokes and we’ll be right back after a message from our sponsors.”

What the fuck?

“Everyone, please remain calm-,” Professor Harrison tried to say.

Everyone ran out of the classroom before he could finish. I grabbed my bag and walked towards the door. Where do I even go? The college is five hours away from home and I don’t even have a car. What should I do? I left the classroom and looked out one of the big, glass windows. The timer was at nine minutes now. I felt someone touch my shoulder and I flinched. I looked over and saw Andrew, my roommate.

Andrew and I have been roommates since Freshman year. We’re complete opposites but we somehow got along. He’s a popular extrovert on the debate team and I’m a loner introvert on the track team. At first, I hated him during the first year, but then, I started to fall in love with him. With his smile, his laugh, his hair, his dimples, his freckles, and most importantly, his heart. He still doesn’t know and I plan to keep it that way, even though we have less than nine minutes left of what’s probably the end of our lives.

“Are you okay?” Andrew asked.

“Not really, we’re in an apocalypse.”

“Well, we don’t know if it’s an apocalypse.”

“The sun is gone and there’s a timer in the sky!”

“...Yeah that’s pretty bad,” Andrew said, giving in.

“What do we even do? Where do we even go?”

“...Do you wanna watch the stars?” Andrew asked.

“...We’re probably going to die in the next eight minutes, and you want to look at the fucking stars?” I asked, hysterically.

“Yeah, why not?”

Before I could say anything, the building started to shake. I held onto Andrew’s arm as the building shook violently.

“What’s going on?!”

“An earthquake, dumbass!” I yelled.

“What do we do?!”

I looked around and saw people going into the elevator.

“Don’t go in the-!”

But the doors were already closed.

“We gotta take the stairs!”

I grabbed his hand and dragged him down the stairs. I tried to ignore the warmth of his hand and my fast-beating heart since this was NOT THE TIME TO BE GAY! But after we hit the second floor, I heard creaking sounds and a terrifying snap. I looked back, the building splitting in half; I quickly pulled Andrew towards me causing us to fall down the stairs. Before I knew it, my arms wrapped themselves around him protectively as we tumbled to the ground.

I opened my eyes and saw Andrew below me. I quickly stood up while clearing my throat. I was about to help him up but then I saw it. Blood. Coming straight from the elevator. I shook it off and went back to focusing on Andrew.

“Are you okay?” I asked as he stood up

“Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

We ran through the door only for Andrew to stop me by grabbing the back of my shirt. I was about to ask why but then I saw a giant gap surrounding the building. It was like we were at a castle surrounded by a moat. Only the moat wasn’t filled with water or alligators. It was filled with boiling lava. I looked up at the timer.

“We only have a minute left,” I said.

“Okay, since we’re about to die, I have some things to tell you. I’m the one who broke your guitar.”

“That sucks but okay,” I said, trying not to make him feel bad.

“I also put my laundry with yours so you could do my laundry for me.”

“I know, I’ve told you a million times to stop.”

“Is there anything you have to say?”

Should I? No, I can’t. I looked up as the timer went down from ten seconds. I felt Andrew intertwine his hands with mine. I love you. I want to say it. But even now, I’m still a coward.

We watched as the timer hit zero. Suddenly, a loud alarm rang causing us to cover our ears. I looked up and my heart dropped. I watched as monsters started flying out of the sky. One of them dropped down in front of us. We didn’t move a muscle, petrified that if we moved, we would die. The monster was a large, furry creature with sharp teeth and silver eyes showing in the darkness. It was staring at us but it wasn’t attacking us. I took a risk and waved my hand. It only stared. It can’t see us.

A girl suddenly appeared screaming and the monster set its eyes on her. It immediately pounced on her and I looked away as it ripped her apart. I looked back at the gap and saw that it was small enough for us to jump. I backed away and before Andrew could say anything, I jumped over. I looked back over at him and saw him hesitating.

“Come on,” I mouthed.

He sighed and got a running start. He reached the other side and I helped him off the ground. I looked at the parking lot and saw that only one lamp light was on but it was flickering. I thought of an idea. Andrew has a car. If we can make it to his car then maybe we can escape. I turned to Andrew and pointed at the parking lot. He nodded and we made a run for it.

But once we got there, we were met with disappointment and our hope disappeared as quickly as it appeared. The parking lot was filled with tiny monsters. They don’t look like a threat but we watched as they killed students left and right. We turned to run but the blind monsters were heading straight towards us.

Andrew dug in his pocket and gave me his car keys.

“Go,” Andrew said, not looking at me.

“Andrew, I can’t-.”

“Marcus, you have to leave right now!”

“I’m not leaving you!”

“I’m not asking.”

He pushed me down the small steps and ran straight at the monsters. I heard him yelling, trying to distract them as I ran to the car. Maybe I can make it before-.

I heard a sickening scream. I turned around and it was like the world stopped. I watched as the monster threw Andrew’s lifeless body to the ground. I screamed as I continued running. But as I turned around, I was stabbed by one of the tiny monsters. I coughed up blood as they took their long, sharp claw out of my stomach. I fell to the ground, holding my stomach.

No. Andrew’s sacrifice was for nothing. I looked over and saw Andrew’s cold, dead eyes staring at me. I reached out for him as tears streamed down my face.

“I love you,” I said, weakly.

Death wrapped its arms around me and engulfed me into sweet darkness and nothingness.

I jolted awake and looked around out of breath. I’m in class. Everything is fine. It was only a dream. I sighed out of relief and smiled as I looked out the window. Thank God. It felt so real but most of my dreams do that. I looked directly at the sun even though you’re not supposed to but I just needed the comfort that it was there. The comfort quickly vanished along with my smile as I watched the sun fade away.