The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Collapse 
by Kathleen McCluskey 

Jeremy’s goggles were caked with sand and beginning to fog. He tapped his companion and pointed off into the distance. Through the swirling dust devils they could see the top of a building. The constant wheezing sound from them trying to breathe through their respirators was beginning to push Jeremy to the edge of his sanity. As they got closer, Jeremy could see that the landscape was just like everything else that once fed a nation; dried, desiccated and dead. He had hoped he would see the green, lush grasses that he had seen in pictures. Since the collapse it was harder and harder to maintain any hope to find substantial food; even the rats had become scarce. The people that were left on the planet were starving.

They stepped into the crumbling building; the wind and heat were blocked by the walls. Jeremy removed his goggles and respirator. As he rubbed his filthy hand across his brow, he looked over at Angela. She had been struggling since their sanctuary had been overrun by the starving remnants of humanity and they fled. The torture was evident from the pained look on her face. Jeremy went over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. He pulled her into his chest and she sobbed.

They found a cozy spot behind a few desks and amongst the dusty, archaic papers. He began to look at the sheets and realized some off them were pictures. Jeremy was mesmerized by a picture of a smiling group of people on the beach. He immediately noticed the turquoise water and the crisp, clear, blue sky; something he had never seen in his lifetime. He placed the picture in his jacket. He began to look further. He found another picture with an article still attached. He saw that the picture was of a giant cloud; a mushroom cloud. He had heard about these types of clouds. His father had told him that this is how the world fell apart. He always thought that his dad was making up stories, yet here is the picture along with the explanation. The article read:

“Today the United States was purposefully attacked by air forces from the Empire of Trinity Nations. The multinational syndicate inflicted damage to America’s heartland as well as every major city along the Eastern coast. The use of nuclear weapons on American soil has never been done in the history of the world. The United States has unleashed its nuclear arsenal as well. It’s only a matter of time before the fallout reaches here to the mountains of Montana. Take care, my fellow patriots, as I fear the end is near for all of humanity.”

Jeremy placed the article on his lap. Now, if only he could read.

Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgemental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!