Have you ever imagined yourself to be in an apocalypse? I mean I certainly have. Going on an adventure with my friends or being in an apocalypse was always thrilling. Zombies, mutant monsters, alien invasion? Oh, the countless number of scenarios that I used to play in my head as a kid, pretty sure a lot of people would relate to that, but it's as the saying goes…
'It's all fun and games until it actually happens'
Three years ago, in the year 2023, an earthquake that felt like the earth was practically splitting itself apart hit us human beings, causing our numbers to drop from billions to a few million and it took mother nature only a mere 15 minutes to make that happen. The first few months after that to no one's surprise were hell, as the losses were overwhelming, and if I was being honest? Those losses still weigh heavy today…
For the next two years, however, humans slowly started to adapt and use available technology and resources. Shelters were built to house people and protect them from the harsh climate changes of the earth, transportation became limited due to lack of proper roads, and aircraft were used instead but only in case of emergency, Smartphones, however, are still used. Although, most of the apps are not functional and internet services are only made available inside the shelters.
I've been into a few shelters myself; from what I understand, the shelters work under rules rather than leadership, For example:
-People are assigned jobs that are related to what they used to do when the earth was still "functioning".
-There are no such things as leaders because teamwork is the key to survival in the shelters.
-Every morning a group of people called 'scouts' go outside the shelter to inspect the area around it and come back before sundown, sort of like the 'maze runners' except there are no monsters to look out for.
In other words, it was an ideal place for survivors to be in. Sadly though I wasn't one of them. Being one of those people who didn't want to be bound by any rules I set out as a wanderer. Of course, I wasn't the only one who thought that way for I have met many others like me throughout my journey.
"You'd have to be insane to risk your lives like this"
I think I have lost count of how many people told me that. But to those of us who chose to wander the world during its final moments, those words mean nothing. We all have different goals, some want to find the beauty of little things in this destruction, and some wander from shelter to shelter in search of their family and loved ones, the reasons are endless. I mean…we gotta go insane to be sane sometimes, right?
Honestly, I have no idea why I am writing all this down. Maybe in hopes that this would help as a guide to anyone who found it or if I were to have an unfortunate death during my journey…I would at least be at ease knowing I have left something behind as proof of my existence.
We humans never appreciated what we had, I know because I hadn't either. But seeing how things are now. I learned to appreciate things differently. As days passed by I became more aware of my surroundings and now I am thankful for even being able to breathe.
I think this is enough for today, looks like the wind outside picked up its pace too. I will come back again if I live through the night.
- Signing off J.M.
26.4.2026.
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James Miller, a 21-year-old man who was brutally murdered during his stay in one of the sheds built for wanderers. Standing in front of his now massacred body, a shadowed figure continued to flip through the last pages of a blood-stained diary that he kept with him. It was truly a pity for someone like him to end up like this.
After giving James a proper burial, the stranger sealed and marked the house-like structure for renewal. It was a pity but unlike the many other bodies that were buried by them, this one had a name.
Although the diary that he left behind was now nothing more than a dead man's guide, it was true that humans didn't have to be wary of zombies, monsters, or any kind of other creatures in today's world.
But they did have to be wary of something much worse than all of that. And those creatures were humans themselves. Not every person outside the shelters was a wanderer and not every wanderer was harmless either. Humans didn't need to be wary of any other monsters when they themselves existed.
"God's best creation, huh?".