Armageddon

The female’s brown eyes gazed uninterestedly at the front of the classroom, oval in shape, they were as rich and moist as melting caramel. Her burgundy red hair was carefully arranged around her delicate eyebrows, cascading over her shoulders in soft curls. The computerized screen at the front of the class listed names of significant events, while a short and chubby Professor droned on about the history of a world fighting to survive. The history of the world- nearly lost after the Armageddon.

Now the Human race was fighting for its survival in an unfamiliar world.

The continent where the Human population resided was once a part of what used to be known as America, as shown in the video footage from the satellites before they lost connection. However, it was now broken into multiple pieces, making up only a portion of its former self. This settlement was the last remaining civilization of their kind that they knew of. As time passed, a type of interference hindered their technology, preventing them from seeing beyond their immediate surroundings.

Central City was the hub for Humans, bustling with activity and towering skyscrapers that seemed to reach endlessly into the sky. Surrounding the city was a massive wall, fortified with high security measures. The skies above were filled with drones and flying cars, their exhaust adding to the pollution that permeated the air. Despite their advanced technology, the Humans had yet to find a solution to this environmental issue. In response to public outcry, the Government had taken steps to mitigate the problem; some of the tallest buildings in the city served as large air filters instead of traditional structures.

Beyond the protective wall, the farmlands were mostly tended to by drones and machines, with only a handful of Human engineers to oversee them. Inside the city, there were several factions each dedicated to their specific area of expertise in order to help the town prosper while remaining confined within their enclosed boundaries. The civilization was nestled within mountains surrounded by dense forests.

The Professor raised his hand to his ear, pressing the thick pads of his fingers against the smooth curve of his earlobe. The overhead lights cast a harsh glare on his bald head, causing it to shine like polished marble. His eyes were distant and unfocused as he listened intently to whoever was speaking to him through the tiny microphone in his ear. He gave a small nod and mumbled a response before placing his tablet gently on the desk in front of him. The students in the class watched him closely, some leaning forward in their chairs with curiosity. One student’s pencil slipped from their hand and rolled onto the floor, making a soft thud on the dull gray carpet that covered the classroom floor, blending in with their drab uniforms.

“I know it’s rare these days to see a new face, but I wanted to let you all know we will be having a new student join our class tomorrow. I ask that you all, please be nice to him and go out of your way to help him around the city.” The professor raised his tablet once again, signaling that he was ready to continue with the lesson. However, several students eagerly raised their hands, causing him to pause in his lecture. One of the students, a blonde girl sitting across from a redhead, spoke up without being called on.

“Professor, where is this guy coming from? I mean, people don’t just drop out of the sky.” She laughed at her joke, sparking a chuckle here and there while others nodded in agreement. In this society, there were no other schools besides those for the elite. Only families with high social status and wealth could afford to provide private tutoring for their children. These families were well-known and revered by the general public. So when someone new transferred in, it raised questions about their identity and reasons for being there.

The Professor adjusted his glasses, his expression showing his disinterest in responding to the question. He then turned his attention to the girl with burgundy hair. “Tia, let’s discuss the possibilities of Human encampments in the Dark Continent then, shall we?” Tia, the redhead, sat back in her chair with a curious glance. She couldn’t help but wonder why the Professor had abruptly broached that topic.

The blonde’s icy stare flicked in her direction before she spoke again, not adhering to proper protocol. “Why waste our time with that subject? You can’t change the subject that easily. There aren’t any Human villages left out there. Like, that’s not possible. Our troops go out to explore, and they never come back.” She leaned back in her chair, exuding an aura of self-assurance and superiority. She then turned to Tia once more before continuing, “anyone who wants to study the Dark Continent has a death wish,”

Tia ignored her fellow classmate and leaned in, resting her folded arms on the desk. She couldn’t resist asking, “Professor, what is it that you are implying? This transfer student is coming from the Dark Continent?” Silence descended upon the classroom as everyone eagerly awaited an answer to the heavy question lingering in the air.

He leaned back, searching for the right words, but ultimately, he gave in to honesty and let out a sigh before adjusting his glasses once more. “That’s how it sounds. I’ll be receiving his file by the end of the day, but tomorrow I’m sure we can learn a great deal from him. The Government has its hands full on the matter. He is the first survivor to come back in a long time; there’s much we can learn from him. It gives our nation hope for any other survivors. I’m sure the search parties may end up starting again,”

“It would be nice if we could see what’s out there,” Tia agreed, a glimmer of hope in those bronze irises.

“Yea, but like, it’s the Dark Continent. We’re not even sure if it’s a continent. Our technology can’t see what’s out there,” the blonde was dissatisfied.

“Chloe, do you feel smart by stating the obvious?” Tia’s eyes narrowed as she challenged the girl, Chloe. Anticipating a sharp retort, Chloe opened her mouth with a look of anger.

A trembling voice broke the silence, coming from the back of the room. It came from a boy with oversized glasses and tightly curled hair, almost resembling a rustic hue. “His picture was just released,” Immediately, the entire class reached for their tablets to check for the latest news.

Surrounded by the lively conversations and eager discussions, Tia couldn’t help but feel a sense of restlessness. She had been working towards this opportunity to travel out there one day, it was a small program with rapidly diminishing funding. The news of increased attention and potential opportunities filled her with excitement, but also with uncertainty. Part of her longed to escape this city and her controlling father, but another part was scared. As she gazed out the window, she couldn’t help but wonder if this was truly the right path for her.

Summer vacation had just begun, and life was relatively peaceful, being the daughter of the man. Quite literally. ‘The man.’

The President stood tall and imposing, his broad shoulders taking up most of the room. His beard was thick and well-groomed, and his eyes held a steely gaze that demanded respect. At first glance, you would think he was the head bodyguard, but no, he was the President himself.

By his side stood the Second Lady, a striking woman with perfectly coiffed hair and a figure that could rival any Hollywood starlet. Growing up, Tia’s mother passed away when she was just six years old. Her stepmother, who was more interested in maintaining her image than raising a stepdaughter, never gave Tia a second glance.

One particular memory stuck with Tia - the rare occasion when her stepmother actually acknowledged her existence. They were having a late dinner, with Tia’s father and younger brother discussing matters of ruling. Suddenly, a butler appeared with several envelopes for the Second Lady. She opened them in silence, scanning their contents as she chewed on her salad.

“Darling, stop talking now.” Tia’s stepmother gave a sharp instruction and then turned her attention to Tia. Tia’s breath hitched and she looked at her father, who watched his wife with curiosity. Her brother, meanwhile, kept his eyes on his plate, sensing the sudden tension in the room. “Tia,” she spoke, fixating her icy stare on the younger female.

“Ma’am,” Tia responded, lowering her fork.

“You’ll be eighteen within the year. It’s time we start taking steps to secure your future. We will be holding a tournament for your hand in marriage by the end of summer. I trust you will accept this and do your due diligence in producing an heir,”

Tia forced herself to swallow the lump of fear in her chest. She looked down, unsure of what to do, before meeting her father’s stern glare. She turned back to her stepmother and gave a small nod of agreement. “Of course, Milady.”

The older woman gave a single nod and turned back to her stack of letters, shifting the conversation to her spouse. Tia felt a chill sweep over the room. Wanting to escape, she started to drift away from their conversation.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day. As Tia walked down the crowded hallway, the chatter of her classmates filled her ears. News had already spread like wildfire. With her curiosity to the max she leaned against her metal locker and pulled out her tablet.

The headlines blared the young man’s name and face, his tall frame towering over a crowd of admirers. A sharp wind whipped around him as he stepped out of a sleek limousine, dark hair tousled in the breeze. Cameras flashed incessantly, capturing every angle of his confident smile and bright eyes. Tia watched the video silently, distracted by the curious brightness in his gaze. Despite being lost in the woods for years, there was an air of sophistication and anticipation about him that seemed out of place. She shook her head and turned away, dismissing her thoughts as went her way.

The bustling city streets were filled with an eclectic mix of people. Cars hovered overhead, emitting a faint buzzing sound as they zipped through the air. Those on foot struggled to walk against the gusts of wind created by passing vehicles and had to tuck their hair into skin-tight caps to keep it from flying out of place. Tia’s curly locks still managed to escape the confines of her cap, but she didn’t mind. She couldn’t afford the comb that could instantly fix her hair like others.

Tia’s worn sneakers treaded familiar paths through the bustling city streets, leading her to a small oasis tucked away between towering buildings. She bypassed the rusted playground and headed straight for the cluster of trees that provided a sliver of green in the midst of metal and concrete. The grass was littered with discarded wrappers and cans, but she knew that the silent robots would eventually come by to clean it up.

This was her haven, a place where she could escape from the bustle of city life and lose herself in a good book. As she settled onto a bench under the shade of a tree, she couldn’t help but cherish this little piece of nature that remained in her gray landscape. Her eyes closed as she took a deep breath, trying to imagine what the world was like centuries ago. But her thoughts were interrupted by an amused voice, cutting through her brief moment of reflection.

“I’ve been here a total of four days, and you’re the first human to come here.”