When Everything Was Still Alive -- A short abstract tale about the apocalypse

[blarghith]

Alex was born when everything was still alive.

***

"I'm going through hell." He said the last time I saw him.
"Oh?" I asked.
"I'm so far gone." He replied, looking off into the distance.
"Sorry to hear that..."

***

When we used to live where children played, I guess we never wanted this. To be so far gone. Now, all around is death and chaos. No chance of resurrection.

It's just like watching tv, when things go down in flames. It almost seems unreal, it's just that you've never seen something like that before. Nor do you want to see something like that again. Now, everything is ash, dust and rubble.

***

I find my way home between ruined buildings, memory flashing between past and present.

***

That time at the Neon Eyes, which my friend Jim owned. Judith was so damn hurt after Joey dumped her, but so damn beautiful. I remember taking her home that night, and tucking her into bed. I longed to be in that bed next to her. I didn't dare crawl in. Was I a gentleman or a coward?

Alex joined me for a smoke that night.
"-you know?"
I zoned back in. "What?"
He smiled. "Nothing."

***

The way the wind blew, all night, I was lost in darkness of thought. See, the way I think, it's like a dark cave, where you can find your way in easily, but it takes hours to find your way out. That night, I was thinking about the future and the past. I don't know why, but whenever I can't sleep, I've searched for God too. And every single night without sleep, I feel so alive.

I never needed someone to hold, until now. As I drifted off to sleep, I dreamt of sleeping with Judith.

***

When I saw the ambulance arrive carrying a boy with broken wings, I knew we were so deep in shit that it was impossible to escape. The companies put God-knows-what in our waters. See what happens?

***

When everything crumbled, and we all ran, like sheep being herded, I saw that boy. He was flying as high as he could go. And then he vanished.
"Son of a bitch."

***

I arrive at my shelter. Nothing has changed. Nothing has moved. Good. I stick a cig in my mouth, light it and puff away. The warm smoke filling my head makes me sleepy. I flick the butt, climb into bed and drift away.

***

I'm sitting on her porch. HER porch. Shit. I close my eyes, and suddenly I'm standing at the station. I have my suitcase packed, filled with my belongings. I board a train to nowhere. The boy with wings is there. I smile and I sit down. The seats are plush and comfortable. The train moves and we pass the sea. An ocean of seagulls are screaming overhead. I float through the train window and out to sea. I am at peace forever.

-2014