One Last Dance

People rioted in the streets, 

Fires burned blocks to the ground, 

Gunshots shouted as soldiers posted on the walls shot down anyone who tried to climb it, 

Helicopters working together to lower a nuclear bomb in the city square buzzed overhead. 

The signs made it clear: the city was doomed. No one knew why; something about the citizens being infected. So, within weeks, everything had been “quarantined” and sentenced to death. 

Many citizens tried to fight back, but most of them were sent to early graves. Others accepted their inevitable fates and stayed in their humble homes, spending their final moments with their family. 

Others like Anne and Calvin Darby. 

They had no one else but themselves in their final days; their only son, Bennet, had been one of the many victims shot for trying to climb up the wall. 

Anne leaned against her balcony, eyes still red from a night of grieving her boy. Smoke filled her nostrils, and she flinched whenever a distant gunshot sounded out. She didn’t bother to look up when she heard the helicopters flying over her house. They had done their job and were now leaving the doomed city. 

It was their final day. 

Anne felt two arms wrap around her waist and pull her into a chest, and she couldn’t help but briefly smile as she intertwined her fingers with her husband’s. 

“Come dance with me,” Calvin asked her, kissing her on the side of her head. 

Anne wanted to refuse and ask, “What’s the point?” and “We’ll be dead soon anyway.” 

But Calvin knew what she was thinking–he always did–and laid his cheek on top of her head, “Please,” he pleaded, “One more time,” 

“Okay,” Anne finally said with a sigh, her voice raspy and broken. She let Calvin lead her into the living room, where the old radio was playing a song…their wedding song. 

The two locked one of their hands with one another and embraced each other with the others; Anne’s placed on Calvin’s shoulder, and Calvin’s roping around Anne’s waist once more. 

Anne placed her head on Calvin’s chest as they swayed to the music. She closed her eyes, letting the song…their song carry her away to another time…a simpler time. 

“Oh, come on, Annie!” Marissa scoffed as she tried to coax her best friend into staying. 

“I just need a minute, that's all,” Anne dismissively waved. 

“Okay, okay, fine. Just know, I’m coming to find you if you’re not back into a couple of songs!” 

Anne nervously chuckled and gave Marissa a thumbs up before booking it out the door. Prom was supposed to be the greatest night in a high schooler’s life, but with the strobing lights and the loud music, Anne couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable despite trying her hardest to have a good time. 

“Was it because I don't have a date?” she thought to herself, stepping outside where a couple of others were taking a break. 

Anne looked back toward the dance floor and spotted Marissa dancing with her boyfriend. She knew Marissa meant well when she asked Anne to tag along for the night, but she didn’t like feeling like the third wheel. Was that selfish? 

“Are you okay?” 

Anne was torn away from her train of thought and caught herself biting her nail. She looked over and found a few feet away, Calvin–a boy in her class–worriedly gazing at her. 

“Yeah, yeah,” she quickly answered, “Just taking a break,” 

“Hm,” he briefly grunted before turning away. 

Anne tilted her head in confusion, “Are you okay?” 

Calvin shrugged, “My date tonight stood me up, so…” 

“I…I’m sorry,” 

“It’s okay; I think she just accepted my proposal because there were a lot of people around.” Calvin then raised his eyebrow toward her. “Where’s your date?” 

Anne’s face flushed red, “I…I didn’t get asked. My best friend let me come with her and her date.” 

“That doesn’t make any sense,” 

It was Anne’s turn to raise her eyebrow, “Why?” 

“You’re way too pretty not to have a date.” 

A beat passed between them like they were both processing what had just been said. Calvin turned as red as a firetruck and tried to brush it off. 

“I…I didn’t mean it like that….I mean, you are very pretty b…but…shit, I’ve made it weird, and I…I’m sorry–” 

Anne couldn’t help but burst into laughter, which caused Calvin to stop his stuttering and stare at her.  

“You just made my night, Calvin,” Anne beamed after her laugh died down. 

Calvin’s shocked expression melted into a smile and a small blush, “Your laugh made my night too.” 

Anne’s expression mimicked Calvin’s, and she couldn’t but scoot closer to him. A slow song began to play inside, and Calvin gestured toward the dance floor, “I know it’s a little late, but do you want to be my date to Prom?” 

“Why not?” Anne chuckled, and she let him take her hand and lead her inside. 

They danced together, talked to each other in between songs, and had a good time...They even shared a kiss at the end of the night. 

It wasn’t anything special, just a small, silent confession of their feelings before parting for the night. 

Soon, they found their lives intertwining with one another. For three years, they dated as they went to college and got jobs. Then they got married, dancing to the same song they did at Prom. 

Their lives continued; they moved in with one another, fought over things, shared joy as their little boy was born and they watched him grow into a teen, and kissed each other goodnight every night.

Even after the declaration that their home was doomed to die, when the guards were posted on the wall and their son was killed, Anne and Calvin remained together. 

Their song came to a staticy end, but they refused to part. The countdown of the detonation rang out through the city, causing panic outside, but the couple remained wrapped in each other’s arms. 

“3…” 

“I love you, Cal,” Anne said, letting one more tear trickle down her cheek and finally turning her gaze upward toward her husband. 

“2…” 

Calvin let tears flow freely down his face but still smiled at his wife, “I love you too, Annie,” 

“1…” 

The couple shared a kiss, starting strong and desperate, but quickly melting away into something soft and sweet. 

Even as the bomb finally exploded…even as the fiery wave blasted through the city and consumed the buildings and screaming citizens. Even as their window panes shattered and they were thrust into light…their breath taken and their skin burning. 

Anne and Calvin Darby were locked in one last dance…one last kiss…before they found bliss.