A Day Before the Apocalypse
The school bell chimed, signaling recess, but all I wanted to do was sleep. Just as I was drifting off, something smacked me in the face – a book.
"Done with your siesta, Sleeping Beauty?" Randy asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I tossed the book back at him, annoyed. "Careful, that thing weighed more than your thin bag," I retorted, watching as he laughed.
"You guys should stop flirting with each other; I'm jealous," Maya, the girl in front of Randy, interjected.
She was clearly infatuated with him, but I couldn't care less.
"Can't help it. Look at how adorable our Sleeping Beauty is," Randy teased, winking at me.
His antics gave me the shivers, so I got up and left the classroom with Randy still calling my name.
"Fuck you," I shouted before exiting the crowded classroom.
Because it was time for recess, everyone was so eager to get out of their classroom. I could see a couple flirting with each other in front of me or even someone playing soccer in the hallway.
God, High schoolers were so dumb sometimes.
I headed to the restroom and stared at myself in the mirror. My black hair was a tangled mess, and I had pronounced bags beneath my crimson eyes.
Those damned crimson eyes.
My parents claimed it was a special gene from our lineage, but I'd rather do without it. With this appearance, I looked like an emo kid.
I splashed my face with water, washing away the last vestiges of sleepiness caused by staying up late. I had to finish that game before the apocalypse!
I chuckled, recalling how that website managed to fool so many people. It was just a random site that popped up out of nowhere, and yet people bought into it hook, line, and sinker.
What a dumbass. I bet they were the same people who believed the apocalypse would happen in 2012.
I retrieved my cell phone from my pocket and browsed social media. Everyone was going crazy over the website. There was even an entire account dedicated to it.
The website itself was nothing more than a countdown with the title "Apocalypse is coming, brace yourself" displayed above it.
I rolled my eyes in disbelief. How could so many people fall for this bullshit?
Although before that countdown, the website predicted various accidents, like eruptions, plagues, tsunamis, and more.
But I still believe that these were mere lucky guesses, or the person behind the account could predict disasters based on science and logic.
I put my cell phone back in my pocket and returned to the classroom, where everyone was still buzzing about the countdown. A day left, and people were eagerly anticipating the impending doom.
Back at my desk, Randy greeted me again. "So, what will you do after the apocalypse, Seth?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "Die?" What else was there to do?
"You actually believe in that countdown? Isn't it just someone playing a prank on the whole world?" Randy questioned.
Maya decided to join the conversation. "Look at how gloomy he is. Of course, he believes it," she mocked me.
Maya only seemed to talk to me when Randy did, and when she did, it was usually to taunt me.
I sat down, rolling my eyes. I couldn't believe I had to endure sitting near these two for another year.
"Don't be like that, Maya. I believe in the countdown too," Randy said, looking slightly annoyed with her.
"That's not what I meant! I was just joking, you know," Maya laughed awkwardly.
What an odd couple.
After school, I was eager to sprint home, but Randy was quicker. He suggested, "How about one last trip to the arcade? Tomorrow's the apocalypse, anyway," he said, already heading out.
"Wait for me, Randy! I want to come too!" Maya interrupted, hastily tidying up her desk.
But Randy pulled me out of the classroom, and the two of us took off running, laughter trailing behind us, leaving Maya behind. Honestly, that girl was annoying anyway.
Now we were at the arcade, and it was busier than ever. We stepped in, and it felt like a whirlwind of activity.
The place was alive with a symphony of flashing neon lights and the excited chatter of people from all walks of life.
Randy suddenly quipped, "Want me to win you a doll as a keepsake?" he pointed at the crane game.
I nudged his elbow playfully and headed toward the zombie game. I inserted a coin from yesterday and grabbed the pistol while Randy did the same.
"Let's make a bet, Seth. The loser treats the winner to MCB," Randy proposed, getting ready with his gun.
"Sure, why not?" I agreed, starting the game. I'd never lost at this game, and my highest score was still etched into it.
A cocky grin stretched across my face, as confident as ever in my triumph. I unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the approaching zombie horde, fully immersed in the game's heart-pounding thrill.
The idea of a world plunged into chaos didn't daunt me; it felt like an adrenaline-fueled adventure. And as for Randy's little challenge, well, victory was practically guaranteed.
Why on earth had he dared to test my gaming prowess?
"You're still as unfazed as ever, even though this might be our last game," Randy chuckled.
His words annoyed me now. "It won't be our last. That website is bullshit," I retorted, starting the game again and defeating all the zombies in my path.
"Why not? Anything could happen, right?" Randy countered.
I remained silent, not wanting to argue further. He might be right, or he might not. But I didn't care. Even if tomorrow was the apocalypse, it wouldn't affect me much.
I had nothing left to lose in this world. Everything, even my parents, had left me. I didn't care what happened to me.
But Randy was different.
"Don't say that. You still have your brother to take care of," I reminded him as I put the gun back.
After a tiring round of games at the arcade, we walked together in silence toward MCB. The day slowly transitioned into evening, painting the sky in golden hues.
The silence between us felt strange, especially for Randy, who was usually quite chatty. I couldn't help but wonder if he genuinely believed in the apocalypse.
"Hei, start talking. It's unsettling when you stay quiet like this," I finally spoke up, breaking the tension.
Randy let out a chuckle. "Isn't it weird to think about the world ending suddenly?" He gazed at the sky.
His words made me uncomfortable. "Let's not talk about that. Sure, humans have messed up nature, but that doesn't mean the world will turn into an apocalypse," I said, hoping to put an end to this unsettling conversation.
Randy's obsession with it was starting to get to me.
Then, out of the blue, Randy asked, "If I don't make it, can you take care of my brother?"
I didn't like that question at all. It filled me with discomfort and a strange fear of what tomorrow might hold.
I stopped in my tracks, furrowing my brow. "If you don't survive the apocalypse, I don't think I will either."
Randy just chuckled and patted my head, which only added to my unease. "I think you'll be okay," he said.
The two of us spent our final moments together at MCB, eating our favorite burgers. I won't deny it; it was the best time I'd ever had with him.
Apocalypse Begin
Today was a stunning day as I strolled toward my regular bookstore. The sun bathed my face in warmth, and the sky stretched out in the deepest of blues.
As I looked around, a bustling cityscape unfolded before me, defying any sense of impending doom.
People went about their daily routines, some hard at work, others leisurely shopping, and a few simply strolling through the city.
The traffic flowed as relentlessly as always, a seamless stream of life in motion. Despite the dark predictions, there wasn't even a whisper of an impending apocalypse in this vibrant, thriving world.
Maybe it had all been a bluff, after all.
As I pushed open the bookstore's door, a piercing sound assailed my ears, causing me to instinctively cover them.
It was like a trumpet but in lowercase – a low, reverberating noise that sent tremors through the glass windows before me.
Turning around, I witnessed chaos erupting on the streets. Cars collided, metal against metal, creating a chaotic symphony of crashes.
But soon, that dreadful sound dissipated, replaced by the collective screams of people. They streamed out of stores, offices, and homes, converging in open spaces, bewildered.
Their confusion mirrored mine, and frantic calls to loved ones filled the air. Many murmured or outright shouted, "The apocalypse is beginning."
My heart thudded so loudly it felt like an echo in my chest, and my nervousness triggered a fit of coughing. Sweat drenched my brow, and I couldn't stop trembling.
I didn't understand. Did the apocalypse really happen?
Then, as if on cue, every large screen in skyscrapers, TVs, and even cellphones displayed the image of a woman. She looked far from human.
Her body resembled a dark, star-studded sky with intricate tattoos. Black hair framed her face, and her eyes shimmered like a vast universe.
She wore a bodysuit adorned with opulent accessories – gold and diamonds.
Her confidence radiated arrogance as she proclaimed, "Let the apocalypse begin."