"Ting!''
''Message loading''
''Do you believe in the one true god?"
Elijah looked like a boy no older than nineteen with short curling hair with fades, piercing sharp eyes, and a perfect oval face, which was attractive enough to be called handsome.
But right now he was about to make a decision, not knowing how it would affect him. But like every other human being looking at the message that seems to float on air.
Even though he was frozen in fear, with his brain acting immobilized, not understanding the situation he was in, he still manages to voice out a word.
''Ting''
Not understanding why the voice sounded again, he was only able to speak after 10 seconds had elapsed.
''Results processed''''
''Answer invalid''
''Answer invalid''
....
13 hours ago
A woman was chopping onions, scrunching her eyes tight and trying not to trying to get injured by not moving a thumb.
''Could you two stop lazing around and come help me with the dishes for breakfast? She put down her knife, glaring over to where Elijah and James were currently watching the current seria A-league finals playing on the TV to see who would win.
''Elijah it looks like we have to go help your mom before she gets mad' 'James said while looking at his son who looks like his younger self.
'' Yeah, it seems we won't watch the finals this time again' 'Elijah signed! While lamenting his fate.
''Don't worry we could still catch up with the preview '' James said, cheerfully trying to comfort his son since nowadays due to the ''catastrophes'' he doesn't have time for both his wife and children, add that to the job he does for a living, making things worst for him every single day.
''Yes, but it isn't the same' 'Elijah grumbling replied while thinking of the outcome of both teams who would come out on top as the winner.
''Come on, it isn't a big deal, what made you love football all of a sudden''.
"Nothing, I was just interested'' Elijah hastily replied while thinking about the bet he placed on one of the teams after all football becomes more interesting when there is a stake involved.
''Okay'' James said while looking at his son that even he did not seem to recognize. It seems all those years of being alone has done a number on him, but with what the world is going through right now it was understandable.
'Who the hell am I kidding? even without that, I was barely at home now I can't even see my kids grow up, ahhh' James breathing out loudly thinking of how to make it up to his son before his phone began to ring.
Beep! Beep!
Picking up his phone from his pockets, James answered the phone, but it didn't seem to be good news because he and his crew members have been called for another new space exploration.
''What, but you just got back yesterday, we haven't even caught up with each other over the years and now you're leaving again'' Morgan yelled while feeling frustrated at her husband, maybe she felt the loneliness of not being taking care of as a wife both mentally and physically. But it also made her feel helpless because she knows that she's the same as him, sacrificing her family to do what is right for her country and the world just for the sake of surviving in this god damned age of humanity.
''I'm sorry, but I promise I will be back soon" James gave his wife a quick hug but not before a kiss on the lips, he quickly took what he needed after saying goodbye to his son promising to spend more time with him when he comes back from his trip.
But Elijah knew that it was the same as usual and could only look at the dashing vehicle of his dad wishing that all would be well for the better.
...….
Two hours since his dad left, Elijah had prepared himself to visit the supermarket to get the groceries for tomorrow before it runs out. Because of the shortage of food, luxuries like vegetables, rice, or meats are hard to come across but only families like Elijah could manage to afford it, not forgetting the current foodstuffs only available to the lower class are bread and milk.
.....
As Morgan prepares to herd out, she looks out the windows with sadness in her eyes, not being able to spend time with her children caused her grief. Because only a mother would understand that unbearable pain of not spending time and bonding with her kids, even her little boy still trapped in that cell of a so-called hospital stabbed her heart with pain.
But she could only endure and hope she passes these problematic situations with too few scars. ''Be back soon" Morgan said.
''Okay, mum'' Elijah answered as strides away with his bicycle. Since the day the 'Catastrophe' began, the time he spends with his family had almost become non-existent forcing him to look for comfort in the books he reads, those of magic and fantasy, which he enjoys at times because was nigh impossible to the reality of the world he lived in.
He knew society was reaching a critical turning point. In some countries, most schools were currently shut down, hospitals were shut down, even the streets weren't spared as refugees camps served as homes for the homeless and drifters were often common at this point, since food shortages tend to happen often.
Even the livestock wasn't spared, as they couldn't keep up with the consumptions rate of humans, therefore more were killed just to meet humans ends meet, at worst cases scenario some species of animals had gone extinct every once in a while.
Elijah had been living by himself since the start of the ''catastrophe'', both his mum and dad couldn't help with the situation either since they were mostly at work. But fortunately, he had grown used to it, at first it was quite difficult to adjust to this everyday kind of lifestyle, but seeing the situation the world was facing whenever he steps outside of his home, made it look like the norm.
''Hey, get off your vehicle, with your hands over your head, or you'll be shot for violating the law''
''Hahahahaha, can't you overlook this one officer, I'm sure you haven't a proper meal too?"
''If you promise to let me go, I promise to share the meal with you'' A man who was on a hoverbike screamed as he been chased by a police car trailing behind him, as the car flew at a very high speed almost catching up to him.
''BANG…BANG''
''Hey! I get your point, I may have lied okay''
''Send me your contact email, and I will send it to you in no time''
''BANG''