Beyond repair

3016, The year the world ended. It didn't really end, but when things go wrong, people tend to get dramatic. It started with the rain. No one noticed it at first, people don’t notice things like rain until it hits the ground. The world had been so dry, crops producing less and less that the rain would have been a miracle, but it wasn't. The beautiful, clear rain we are used to was a bright red color.

 When you first see it, you instantly think the sky is bleeding. The pretty blue fabric was torn and pouring crimson. The soft relaxing sound of rain hitting window panes and the sidewalk was replaced with fearful screams of confusion. Pedestrians ran for cover, grabbing their children and belongings, and holding them close. It poured for hours that day, trapping terrified people to marvel at its beauty. It's funny how things tend to work that way, finding beauty in horror. 

Like all things, the rain eventually ended but the world was no longer the same. The once dull grays of the city were stained red. People instantly turned to the government for answers they didn’t have. They reassured everyone that they would figure it out and to remain calm when they were skeptical themselves. Soon, scientists collected samples and after four more blood rains, they had the answer.

The rain was not blood, it was in fact, the result of human pollution. The official report was broadcast on 4/15/3016 at exactly 12:30, "We don't know exactly what made the rain turn red, but we have found that the rain possesses small traces of nuclear substances that may result in some damage later on. It is advised that you should not be outside when it is raining until the problem

is further assessed. There is no need to panic" such foolish advice.

We tried to carry out life as normal, running to shelter every time it rained, but you can't run from everything. After months, the

chemicals started taking effect just like we knew they would. People were getting sick left and right, smiling one day and gone the next. The crimson water seeped into our pipes, spoiling our drinking and bathing water. Humans couldn't live off of preserved water forever, and our sources were running out fast. People grew mad, taking desperate measures to save themselves and those they love.

Grief and insanity got to everyone, and soon the once-peaceful world became rabid. Wars broke out, and fighting became natural, there was no more love. Death soon became a common thing, human blood mixed with the rain. Maybe things would have been different if we kept our heads, but then again, maybe not. Our food and peace were draining fast, and that wasn't the only thing we had to worry about. 

Amazing creatures, animals. It's in their DNA to adapt and survive in any condition. But they didn’t understand the dangers of the red rain. They drank the contaminated water and ate what was left of the plants, the nuclear chemicals were in their system. Instead of killing them like we thought it would, it changed their nature. Even the sweetest bunny became a savage killer, their senses heightened and instincts sharp. As new generations of animals came into this world, they mutated with each birth into monsters. We call them Humanoids. 

Humans had no one to blame this time, the end of the world wasn't caused by the government, or the economy, not even some far-away aliens. No, the end of the world was caused by themselves. The population was dying, most of it gone and by now, people have started looking for a miracle. That’s where I come in

My name is Skylar, and I'm one of the few babies that were born into this hell. My mother was pregnant with me when the first rain fell, and the chemicals got into my system. Part of my DNA. There were very few of us, many people lost the ability to reproduce, and even if they could they wouldn’t want a baby now. I grew up in this red world, watching people die, and starve. But like animals, humans adapt too.

 Because I was born with the nuclear chemicals in my blood, I am immune to the sickness that the blood rain causes, and can breathe in the chemicals of the air.  Because I was born with the mutation, I  have some of the skills the animals possess and some of the traits. Heightened smell and stamina, wicked survival instincts.  Although my eyes look like any ordinary human eye, in the red haze of the outside world, they glow blue. No, it's not like i have some superpower, more like damage. My eyes are a gift brought on by chemicals, they allow me to see exactly what the humanoids see, which is helpful in many ways.

After almost three years of this Taurus, the last remaining of the scientists and engineers, anyone alive really, came together. They took the risk of using all the left supplies creating a haven. Everyone traveled from all over, to Peru, where the heavens were built. We only had enough supplies for three, but with the population so small, everyone could fit.

The Havens are an artificial web of safe havens, where humans can live a "normal happy life". Of course, they weren't perfect, but they made life a lot easier. The havanas have a large dome-shaped field surrounding it, a forcefield if you will. The forcefield, also known as "the edge", has surrounding vents that would filter out any dangerous chemicals, and it would clean the falling blood rain into the water we could use. Over time, the ground became healthy enough to grow crops. The people were healing. but we still had work to do. 

In the Havans, everyone has an equal and important job. The Scientists would study the plants, and teach the food civilians how to grow or destroy them. The engineers would fix any problem throughout the havens. The electricians would work on the force field, keeping it up and running. There were basic jobs, like doctors and teachers and stuff like that, because we still needed to have a normal life, but the "Leadmakers" Ran the government. They were a council of 12 people that would try to improve our Havans, and they gave the people a voice. 

One of the top priorities was training the blood babies, me. We grow much faster than most people so I was old enough to understand what was happening. I was old enough to be scared when they tore me away from my mother and put me with a bunch of strangers. Throughout the next five years of my life, I trained along with the other kids. Forced, more like. When we were old enough, we were finally given a job. Protection. Before us, there was no way to communicate with the other havans, no way to travel. But now, we can go out unmarked, as we call it.

 We call this group of “the adapted generation” sparkers, because of the color of our glowing eyes. I’ve been outside the havan many times, and it's straight from nightmares. At first, I was terrified, running more than fighting, but I grew. Every time we leave, someone dies whether it is a friend or a leader. It doesn't matter, I've become numb to it. Death will come for any of us so I stay closed off, if I don't become close to anyone…then I can't get hurt. Pretty soon I was the only OG sparker left, but soon more kids were being born. It was a miracle! The population had hope.

I became a mentor sparker, a leader. When the new kids were old enough, some would be chosen to be the new sparkers and I would be in charge of them. I taught them how to fight, prepared them for what they would find, and grew attached to them. But after seeing the boys and girls I raised...I cared, for them to die, get torn apart by a savage humanoid, poisoned, and simply collapse. I couldn’t take it. I hate this job

I look at the faces of this year's trainees, they are young, very young. The youngest is 10, he didn't choose this! It wasn't his fault he was born like this. The havans are supposed to make our world better, or at least improve it, but in a way, sending children to protect us just feels wrong. But I can't grow attached, not again.

Softly sighing, I start the speech I've memorized at this point.

"This job isn't easy,. the weak of heart will die, and be torn apart just like our world was. we were born broken, but that doesn't make you broken." I looked into the eyes of these children. "I can't ensure that you will return once you cross the edge, but as your mentor, we will fight together. It's not perfect, but it's the best I can offer you" 

the best isn't good enough, I'm not good enough. I know that in exactly 4 hours, I will be leading these kids, these children into a world of death. We tried to help, tried to fix our mistakes… but I fear that we've created a new world, one beyond repair