Title : Apocalyptic Author : Emily Martin Genre : Science Fiction

The city was in a panic. Actually the whole world was in turmoil. A day ago, President Al Mond addressed the country. He ordered everybody to hide. Leave belongings and run as far underground as possible. Five days ago, scientists received unusual broadcasts – on every wavelength. There were no words, just noise. The scientists used advanced technology, yet couldn’t determine what it was or how it was caused. NASA rang and reported disturbing findings. Their radars were showing hundreds of objects hurtling at break-neck speed towards the planet. Government officials discussed the matter at great length before deciding to inform the population. Now it was silent. I believed I was the only one left. Alone in the lab, I crashed onto the break-room sofa. I was exhausted, as I hadn’t slept in thirty-six hours. I had been working around the clock trying to decipher those mysterious codes. The machines still beeped around me. What was the point now? It was too late. I woke in tremendous pain. I tried to sit up but couldn’t. Suddenly somebody came running in from another room. “Don’t move! It’ll make it worse.” I froze. Standing in front of me was Hazel. She had worked at the lab for just under a year now, and we talked frequently. She had shoulder length blonde hair and hazel eyes. “What happened?” I asked, grimacing. “The pods crashed. They’re all over the world now. There are bodies everywhere, in the streets, in the waters. I don’t understand why we’re still alive.” Hazel explained. “Have you seen them? The things in the pods?” “Yes. They have goldfish bowls over their heads and their skin has a green tinge. Some have two legs, others have three, some even four. They are all different. Some are over ten feet high, others are barely three.” “How do they kill?” I urged her to tell me. “They overpower their victims. Then they use some type of gun, I think, and insert it into the victims stomach. After approximately seven seconds they move on.” Hazel finished off. Horrified, I looked down. My shirt and lab coat were covered in blood. My blood. I peeled my coat off and lifted my shirt up slowly. There was a gaping wound, like my skin had been pulled from my bones. Hazel grabbed a towel from the rack and pressed it against the gash. “It’ll stem the bleeding. I noticed it before and was getting something for it then, but I heard you wake up.” “Thanks. Are we the only ones left?” “I don’t know. You’re the only one that I’ve seen who’s still alive.” Hazel trailed off. “The equipment’s still working!” I said in surprise. “I guess they only wanted living beings.” Hazel offered her theory. “Did they get you? Concern was clear in my voice. “Yes, two days ago. I’m fine now.” What date is it?” “July 28th 2084. You were hit yesterday by the look of it. You should be fine tomorrow.” Hazel advised me to lie down and rest. “How much food do we have?” I asked. “Enough to last us a week. But there’s no water. It’s all contaminated.” “How?” “The creatures. I saw an old woman sitting drinking it, but as soon as ‘they’ landed, she dropped dead on the spot.” I closed my eyes and promised myself ten minutes rest.