Rebirth

by Alexia Hamlett
(Jonesboro, GA)

The sky is gray and cloudy, like as if a faint smoke, like heavy soot and white smoke, is now air. Everything stands: buildings, cars, streets, etc... But I'm all alone. Desolate.

Empty.

I wipe the grit from my eyes and walk down the street, peering through shop windows and calling out, only to receive a very, very, very loud echo of silence back. Within a few minutes, the echo sounds behind me; it has circled the world, undisrupted.

After a while, I grow tired and hungry and walk into a McDonald's. Nobody here. The floors and tables are as greasy as ever, and I can hear the sounds of popping grease behind the counter. I leap over the cash register, almost crashing into the cookie stand, and look around the corner.

Fries are hissing in deep fryers on the back wall. I grab several napkins and lift the heated metal holder up and out, dumping the fries into their illuminated holder; I sprinkle salt with relish. I find a half-wrapped burger (Thank God there is no cheese) and grab several apple pies before sitting on the counter, enjoying my greasy meal.

Finished, I save three of the apple pies and walk out, continuing down the street. A Quality Hotel sign glints in the distance and I make my way towards it. As I enter the hotel, I see a red bookbag lying on the floor. I pick it up, not looking in it due to its lightness, and sling it over my shoulders.

I search through the keys behind the reception desk and grab the master suite sky; room 927. I walk over to the elevator, thankful electricity still works as I ride up to the top floor. I step out into a plush, red-carpet hallway, the cold air conditioning making my skin pucker; I rub my arms as I walk down the hallway to my room.

Opening the door, I sling the bookbag on the bed and sit, pulling out a notebook and pen from my pocket and write:

April 2, 2027,

It has happened; damn those fools. Too late for apologies, too late for regrets. I am alone. The tides have changed, and so will I. I will begin my research on the morrow, as soon as I find a decent laboratory to shelter my work.

I have the stem cells and embryos, now all I need is my seed to seal the deal. A new race of humans will dominate this Earth, more powerful, smarter, lethal in their mysterious faults. For now, I must begin writing the new law and burning the old.

The United States of America: The land of Rebirth, the land of Change.

--The End--