Damien woke up at 6:00 am on Sunday, his hand instinctively reaching for the alarm clock that had become his constant companion. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the memories of the previous day's catastrophe still etched vividly in his mind like a bad dream that refused to fade. "What was that?" he muttered to himself, his voice laced with a mix of fear and frustration, "I hope there won't be any more problems, I already have enough to deal with."
As he got out of bed, the creaky floorboards seemed to groan in protest, echoing the weariness he felt. He made his bed, a habit instilled in him by his absent father, and headed to the washroom to freshen up. The mirror reflected a pale, gaunt face, with dark circles under the eyes that seemed to hold a thousand worries. After dressing in the clothes he had prepared the night before, he checked his pending letters and bills, which were scattered near the door like a constant reminder of his financial struggles. "I need to talk to my manager about a raise," he thought, his mind racing with the calculations of his meager income, "it's been two years without an increment, and I'm barely scraping by."
Damien then turned on the old TV he had acquired from a thrift store after some tough bargaining, the screen flickering to life with a soft hum. The news channel's dire reports and government warnings only added to his growing unease, the anchor's grave expression a stark reminder of the uncertain times. As he heated up a frozen meal he had forgotten to eat the night before, the microwaves' beep seemed to mock him, a harsh reminder of his solitary existence. "Yeah right, as if you're father's going to pay my bills and groceries," he snorted, the sarcasm a thin veil for the deep-seated fears and abandonment issues that still lingered.
With a heavy sigh, Damien left his apartment, the weight of his responsibilities and uncertainties heavy on his shoulders. He headed to his part-time job, the daily grind a constant reminder of his struggle to make ends meet.
[At the corner of Main Street and Elm Avenue, a small convenience store stood, its bright lights and colorful signs a stark contrast to the dull gray buildings surrounding it. SmartTech, the convenience store, was a staple in the community, providing late-night snacks and early morning coffee to the locals. It was a place where neighbors caught up on gossip and friends met for a quick chat. But for Damien, it was more than just a convenience store - it was his livelihood. ]
Damien's gaze froze on Thomas, his eyes wide with disbelief. 'You're...you're firing me?' The words stumbled out of his mouth, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. 'How...how am I supposed to pay for...' He couldn't finish the sentence, his voice cracking as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.
Thomas's expression remained unyielding, his eyes cold and detached. 'Sorry, Damien. I've hired someone new, and they're willing to work for less. You're no longer needed.'
Damien's face contorted in anguish, his thoughts racing with the implications. No job meant no money, no money meant no exams, no exams meant no future. His heart sank, his legs trembling beneath him. 'Please, Thomas, reconsider!' he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.
Thomas's gaze remained unyielding, his jaw set in a firm line. 'It's final, Damien. Leave now, or I'll call security.'
Damien's eyes flashed with anger and frustration, but he knew he had to leave. With a bitter taste in his mouth, he stormed out of the store, the doors slamming shut behind him like a prison gate, trapping his dreams and aspirations inside."
Damien trudged along the sidewalk, his eyes scanning the storefronts for any "Help Wanted" signs. He had been searching for a job for weeks, but every door he knocked on led to rejection. His hopes began to dwindle as he approached the next store on his list.
"Hi, I'm here to apply for the job posting in the window," Damien said to the store owner, a middle-aged woman with a kind face.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we just filled the position yesterday," she replied, shaking her head. "You can try checking back next week, but I'm not promising anything."
Damien nodded and thanked her, feeling a familiar sense of disappointment. He continued down the street, trying his luck at the next few stores, but the result was the same. No one was hiring.
As he turned a corner, he noticed the sky transforming before his eyes. The blue hue gradually darkened to a foreboding black, accompanied by ominous thunder. People around him pointed and gasped, their faces etched with fear.
"What the...?" someone muttered behind him.
"Oh my god, is this the end of the world?" a woman cried out.
Damien's eyes widened as he stared up at the sky. The transformation was sudden and eerie, like event happen befor but much worse.
"What's happening?" he asked a passerby, a young man with a look of terror in his eyes.
"I don't know, but it can't be good," the man replied, shaking his head. "We need to get out of here, now!"
As the sky continued to darken, people began to panic. Some ran for cover, while others stood frozen in shock. Damien's mind raced with questions, but he couldn't find any answers. All he knew was that something was very wrong.