SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Art by MOrtiz. IG: _miiart_

“Do you actually believe in this the-apocalypse-is-coming crap?”

S125,234 looked over to his left. S134,543 was shaking his head slowly as the others milled around them.

“Well, why shouldn’t we?” S125,234 asked.

“Good question. Which I can answer with another question.” S134,543 said. “Ever met anyone who actually saw, heard or experienced this coming apocalypse?”

S125,234 thought about that. And thought about it some more. Finally, he shook his head.

“Thought so.” S134,543 looked around. “And yet all these…sheep are willing to believe that it will happen. Do you know what I think? I think it’s all a hoax. A scary bedtime story to keep us in line so we don’t ask the more important question.” He paused for effect. “Who put us in here, locked us in and why?”

It was then the room began shaking violently. S125,234 was thrown to the ground, grunting as S134,543 fell on top of him. The world was thrown into chaos, as everyone struggled to regain their footing. The quakes grew even more violent and S125,234 suddenly felt like he was being buried alive under the weight of everyone piled on top of him. It was then that he felt someone pull him violently out of the pile.

“Over there” screamed S134,543, pulling S125,234 after of him. S125,234 saw that the wall in front of them had been split open, probably from the quakes. From behind, he heard the rush of water. The shock as the water crashed against him left him breathless and dizzy, and he could barely do anything more and ride the violent wave that was carrying him.

Finally, S125,234 found himself deposited by the wave on what looked like a barren hill. He looked around him, at the harsh, unforgiving landscape and felt a chill, despite the heat. It must be nighttime, because he could barely see anything around him. He heard movement to his left and barely made out another figure slowly running forward.

“You must be kidding me? It’s real?” S125,234 recognized S134,543 now frenzied voice. “The Wall of Salvation is real?”

“What!?” S125,234 thought. He squinted towards the direction that S134,543 was headed for and saw it. A gigantic spherical wall that radiated warmth and light and, more importantly, safety. “But if the prophecies were true…”

S125,234 mouth gaped with horror. He started running as fast he could towards the wall, hoping to reach it before S134,543 did.

When S125,234 finally reached the wall, he saw that S134,543 was already almost through the section of the wall he had peeled open. S125,234  tried to dive into the open section when S134,543 slammed it shut.

“Sorry, buddy” S134,543 whispered. “But you know what the prophecies say. Only one can make it through and survive”

The hole in the wall suddenly disappeared.  S134,543 turned and went further inside.  S125,234 sat outside the wall and knew he was going to die.

Six weeks later.

Elaine hurriedly goes into the bedroom and nudges her husband, Joe, awake.

“Guess what, honey?” Elaine said. “We’re pregnant.”