My name is Alex. This is my story. Being one of the few survivors in this hell hole changes you. The entire world ended almost fifteen years ago. The volcanoes decided to erupt creating a dystopia. I remember it like it was yesterday, the sudden unbearable heat surrounded the air, and people were struggling to breathe and find shelter. Black ash covered the street, magma reaching different heights and destroying buildings leaving everywhere in disarray.
Before you know it people get desperate, some want to take advantage of the situation and start bombing everywhere, creating their groups and cults to control the people. A twist on the government if you will. Some even venture out for themselves, although they don't last that long without something or someone killing them. Some refugees are even living in a bunker trying to survive. Some of those refugees included me.
Life here has been a routine since we entered the bunker. Every two days a group of three, usually the young and strong ones go outside and search for food for an hour. If they find nothing they come back and unfortunately leave a few people pissed. I feel sorry for the people here, including myself. I want to get out and do something, stop all of this.
I always wonder how things ended up this badly, how the world can betray us so quickly. We didn't do it any favours, polluting the ozone layer every chance we got, eventually, greed runs out and maybe this is our punishment.
I help out in any way I can around the bunker. There isn't much to do anyway. I always volunteer to go out and find food but I guess other people are just as desperate as me to get out of here so we take turns and that means being trapped in that bunker for a week or more.
The bunker is no home for me, it is a place where one barely survives. It consists of black walls and floors which are made of steel, my best guess is that this was built after the disaster to keep people safe. It has two floors, the first floor is spacious, it could easily fit 50 people in there. There isn't much in it, there are three worn-out couches with springs coming out of them, a bunch of rounded tables much like a school cafeteria although not much food is served and a small kitchen with some provisions such as tea, some expired coffee but people don't care about that. They'd rather die with coffee in their system than ash suffocating them.
Many people stay in the kitchen, it gives them a sense of home, washing the dishes or putting plates and utensils in their places. I could never understand that delusion but it keeps them content and distracted so I stay out of it. The second floor houses the bedrooms, men on the left and women on the right. Very state-of-the-art beds that are just mattresses, some with mould on them but some people are lucky and they have bedding. Usually, those are left for the elderly, I usually take the floor, it is cooler there anyway, and winter nights don't exist anymore.
This morning was nothing different. Everyone was still miserable. I was filling up the kettle for some well-needed disgusting coffee when I heard an interesting conversation between two old women. They were most likely gossiping about something, this was also part of a routine however you couldn't blame them, they had nothing much to do here except talk. I usually tune them out but one can't help but overhear when something catches your ear, especially when the topic concerns something that you wish to hear.
" It's getting harder to breathe every day now," said Elenora
" They are slowly killing us in here, the fumes will eventually reach us and soon we will be 6 feet under the ground just like the rest of them," said the other woman whose name I cannot remember.
" nonsense now, The leaders are doing the best they can. They are still bringing in food and as long as they keep doing that we have a chance. If God wishes to end our suffering, by all means, we should let him, it's the young ones that should worry" Nina said quite arrogantly.
Eleanor replied "There is no need to start an argument, there are some people in here with potential, for one I am not planning to see the Lord any time soon "
" Sure, and I suppose you will be going out looking for that Tree then? You can barely even stand," said Nina
" Someone will Nina, and if needs be then-"
All the hushed tones were becoming irritating, I was planning on shushing them when one word in their gossiping caught my attention.
" Sorry to interrupt this fascinating conversation but, what is this...tree exactly?" I interrupted.
"Alex! My dear haven't you heard? This Tree is possibly the only thing that can save us all. Police have been trying to access it for some time now. It is located on the edge of the island, a bunch of Thorns in the way now and I'm sure the lava isn't helping anybody. I mean not even the police can-
"meaning we are all done for," said Nina in a defeated tone.
" What happens if they reach it ?" I asked intrigued.
"Well, according to what that blasted radio is saying, the sap of the tree can melt an ocean of lava instantly. Don't ask me how but that's what I heard."
This has to be bullshit if I ever heard it. Maybe the radio is on crack. It barely worked, we didn't have satellite here, it just caught on sometimes when the police had something to say and we would be lucky enough to hear it. They always tried to instil hope in us, little did they know that same hope died the minute the lava started killing people and then the population started to turn against each other.
We couldn't even trust the people who were trying to keep us safe. How can a tree save humanity? It might save the environment but the people will never change. At least it would be a start. I suppose one might even call it hope.
"problem solved " Elenor chuckled without a laugh
"Yeah well we can all keep dreaming " implied Nina
"Thanks for this. You helped me a lot, keep trying to get that radio going again," I said as I started to leave, thinking of a plan.
I started to walk away but Eleanor shouted out "Don't do anything stupid, Alex !"
I kept walking away but I responded: " I won't!"
I never do anything stupid, all my ideas are legendary.
.....
Everyone was asleep now, it was probably late at night, not a time better to leave the bunker and start the journey. I knew going alone was probably not the best idea but I wasn't going to drag anyone with me, I didn't want anything on my conscience, if it's just me then I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself. I always have ever since my so-called parents put me in that God-forsaken orphanage.
I got up and started packing the necessities I needed careful not to wake up anyone in the process. I got some food with me, bandages, water, a knife, and rope, I closed my bag and headed for the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" Busted.
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around slowly knowing exactly who it was.
" Nicholas."
"Alex"
There were in total four leaders taking care of this place, they had the final say in what went on in the bunker and everyone held them in high regard as they were the ones who usually went out venturing for food and came back with their hands full, well almost everyone. Nick was one of them, he was older than most people here, and he was highly respected, I know he had had to have some sort of military training before. Once we went out together to gather food and he had identified a hidden safe in the ground carrying over 50 cans of beans, it was remarkable. When I asked him about it he said it was easy to find as the dust was pointing to it. I didn't understand but something told me it was better that way.
He had a hidden past just like I did, which is why I never really questioned him and respected him although I would never tell him that to his face. Nick was also somewhat of a friend, he and I conversed sometimes when I first came to the bunker. He admired my ambition to go outside knowing what awaited me, I suppose he found it strange why I wouldn't have wanted to stay inside where it was safe like most women my age here. I guess I preferred trying to do something with my life rather than cowering at what might happen.
" look I'm just going for a stroll I'll be back, go back to sleep or patrol or whatever you do on your nights to yourself, "I whispered to Nicholas.
Nicholas chuckled at my response. But he never backed down at one of my witty comments.
"What I do on my own at night is my business and my business alone. But please, don't let me disturb you from your stroll,"
" thank you, "
I think I made it three seconds to the door before I heard him behind me, leaning over me to block the door with one hand.
" Just do me one favour, give my regards to the Tree for me when you get there," he said mocking me. I knew it seemed too easy.
I turned around to face him, we were inches apart but I didn't care. " How do you know about that? "
"Eleanor told me, " he said
" I knew she couldn't keep her mouth shut " I angrily replied
" Yeah, and I'm glad she didn't. In what world do you think that I'm gonna let you walk out that door to search for a Tree on the other side of the island?" he said quite angrily.
" You are not my leader on this. I can make my own decisions. You don't know anything about this Tree Nicholas, think about it. Maybe it could save us all. My entire life I've said to myself you can either do nothing or something great. And I've already tried nothing." I said in an almost whisper. A friend told me that line and I never knew I would use it till now.
" AT least nothing won't get you killed" he retorted.
" won't it? We're gonna die anyway. This bunker won't last long and the food supply will diminish more than it already has. You're good Nick but not that good, the food will run out and I HAVE to try even if it gets me killed." I said while walking slowly towards the door.
Nick pulled me back by my elbow to try to get me to see some sense "What about the elderly, they certainly can't venture out for food, not even the kids, who will do that? You would leave them alone?" Is he just looking for excuses now?
" You stay with them. I don't need your help, I've always lived on my own I can take care of myself Nick, goodbye" I started walking closer to the door and as soon as I opened the door of the bunker a hand wrapped itself around my wrist.
" Wait," Nick said as I turned around slowly to face him
" Give me 5 minutes".