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They told us that they would protect us all. That we would be safe from the upcoming war. They gave us hope and we gave them our trust, our lives, our hearts. But they lied and soon we will all die.
We knew the war was coming if you could call it a war. It was broadcasted everywhere around the world on the 14th of April 2022. Every screen, every country, in every language. The New Ones were coming, and they would slay us all. There would be no hope for humanity, no one would survive. We would all perish on the 26th of September 2022.
But then the Shield came and gave us all hope. They spun us a tale of how they would protect us from the upcoming annihilation. They told us how they had bunkers filled to the brim with resources and an army to defeat the New Ones. The leader, known only as The Shields Father, swore that he would protect all of those who followed him. There were those who were sceptical, like there always are. People who did not believe a word that came out of the Shield Fathers mouth. They were right and I regret not listening to them.
I remember the panic that stuck the hearts of those around me on the 14th of April. My mother burst into tears, holding my younger sister close to her, rocking back and forth telling her it will be okay. My dad stood up and walked from the room, and we all heard the crack of flesh meeting the kitchen wall. I stood by the door, just staring at the scene. It was such a quick change from what the atmosphere was five minutes ago. I had just gotten home, trying to sneak in since I was not meant to be out. But they had known, and I was being given one of my parent’s lecture on rules and respect when all the screens around the house came to life, showing static. My sister ran into the room, complaining about how her favourite show had now been replaced by static. Right as my mother was about to reply They came onto the screen.
“Inhabitants of the planet designated as Earth. You have been declared guilty and your punishment will be carried out on the Earth date of 26th of September 2022.” the screen went blank.
Guilty? Punishment? No one knew what it was about, and no one knew why, only that humanity would cease on the 9th month of 2022.
The days that followed were filled with riots and crime. People were in a panic, and rightfully so. Governments all over the world swiftly called meetings but at first no one could agree on what could be done, except enforcing strict curfews. Once the governments realised people would not listen to the set rules, The World Government was formed, a representative from each country and their first act was to declare martial law around the entire world. New laws were enforced at the end of a gun by the end of May 2022.
1. No one was to leave their homes for any reason other than the following
a. Work
b. School
2. No one must leave their homes before the time of 8:30am in their given time zone.
3. Everyone must be in their homes before the time of 5:30pm in their given time zone.
4. All food and essential supplies would be delivered to each home on the Friday of each fortnight. Please see the attached schedule for your allotted time.
5. All Schooling and Work will continue as normal, unless specified. Those who do not work will be assigned work by their local government.
The new laws were protested by many around the world. It was followed by protests on the streets which lead to the deaths of many. The World Government took the end of humanity seriously and would not let anyone off with just a warning. By the end of June, a new normal was in place, and despite many still protesting the new order, life appeared to become stable.
Mid-July, three months after The New Ones broadcasted their waring around the world, our screens flickered to life once more. We all sat in fear, as we waited for the New Ones to declare some new major announcement to the people of the world. But this message was not one of dread, but of hope. A man around fifty appeared on the screen, his greying hair and kind smile, drew us all in. He looked wise, welcoming, and safe.
“My children. I am the Shield Father, and I am here to welcome you into my open arms. We have been devastated with the news of humanities upcoming demise, followed by the tyranny of The World Government. Forcing us all to work and live by their command.
“I declare no more my children. I am here to give you my hand and welcome you into my family, to welcome you to Shield. I am here to declare that I will protect you from the fate that has befallen us.
“I have bunkers around the world, stocked full of supplies, and an army to protect us. All are welcome, all will be safe in my warm embrace. Please, join us this weekend and I will save you all from the destruction we face.”
With that the screen displayed a series of addresses in our country. There was one that was only an hour away from us. My father rushed to copy down the addresses and ordered us to pack only what we needed, stating that we would leave in the morning. But my mother seemed sceptical and tried to argue against leaving. She stood before my father and argued how the World Government had a plan and that they would save us, that we did not need to follow this unknown stranger. My father looked down for just a moment and when he looked back at his wife, he slapped her so hard that she fell to the ground.
My little sister sat on the couch crying as I rushed to my mother, to check that she was okay. We both looked up to my father in disbelief. This man was never violent. He had a heart of gold my mother had always said, would never hurt a fly. She would joke that she was the one who would be more likely to beat someone up. But here he was, a blank look on his face and zero sign of regret, as if hitting his wife was perfectly normal.
“I will NOT repeat myself. Pack up, get some rest. We leave as soon as the roads open.” He said through gritted teeth before storming into his room. My mother stood quietly and followed him, submitting to his rule. Our family was never the same.
I sat on my bed that night, texting my best friend about the situation. Once I told him that we would be leaving first chance, he rang.
“You can’t go.” he said in panic as soon as I had put the phone to my ear.
“What?” I asked confused.
“To the bunkers. Don’t go.”
“Why? They said they would help.”
“And you believe that? Seriously?”
“Well… not really, but its not like I can just leave my mum and sister. I need to protect them… after what my dad did.”
“I get that, but please Sam. Don’t go. It’s not safe.”
After he tried to convince me some more, we said goodnight and went to sleep. In the morning, as the family was packing our car, my best friend showed up, out of breath from running from his home two blocks down.
“Sam!” he yelled as he approached. My dad glared at the boy before he snarled “you’ve got five minutes” and ushered my mum and sister into the car. I jogged over to my best friend, and he embraced me in a hug, holding me so tight, like he never wanted to let me go.
“Please don’t leave Sam.” He whispered in my ear before resting his face in my neck.
“It’ll be okay Pete.” I whispered back, returning the hug just as tight. “You should come too.”
“I can’t Sammy. They aren’t safe. Please don’t go. Please.”
As Peter pulled away, I could see the tears and fear that flooded his vision. He was terrified for me. I wish I had listened.
“They are our best chance, Pete. And my family… I’ve got to go. I have to protect them.”
“But-” Peter was interrupted by the horn of the car as my father impatiently called me to hurry up.
“I’ll be okay Pete. Don’t worry.” I told him with a reassuring smile, hoping he will trust me.
“SAMANTHA JEAN! GET IN THIS CAR!” My father yelled from the car window.
“I have to go Pete.” I gave my best friend one last hug and jogged to the car, sliding in my seat next to my little sister. I waved goodbye, knowing deep down that I will never see his kind face ever again.
When we arrived at the closest bunker, we were admitted with a warm welcome. We were asked to leave our possessions at the door as they were no longer needed. We were only allowed the clothes on our back and one personal item. My sister held onto her teddy for dear life, and I took the necklace Peter had given me on my twelfth birthday.
Inside we were taken to a decontamination station, told to strip off our clothes, stand under the shower heads provided and once the decontamination was finished, we were given grey, numbered jumpsuits to wear. We were then led to our designated ‘family space’ s they called it. Four beds and one toilet in a very small and cramped room. A schedule on the wall of what this following week would involve.
06:00 – Wake Up
06:30 – Morning Workout
07:00 – Breakfast
08:00 – Work
12:00 – Lunch
13:00 – Work
17:00 – Showers
18:00 – Dinner
19:00 – Free Time
19:30 – Retire to Sleeping Space
20:00 – Lights Out
The lady who showed us the room told us that someone would be around shortly to dictate the rules, show us around and answer any questions we had, then she left, and the door was locked behind her.
“This is fantastic” My dad declared after she had left. “They will keep us safe and in order.”
The person who came to initiate us, wore a long dark blue robe and took us to what he called “the temple”. It was here we learnt the rules and requirements of the bunker. There were only two very vague rules.
Number one: All must play their part.
Number two: Fail to do so will result in punishment.
By the time August had arrived we fell into a rhythm at our new home. We followed the rules and the schedule, doing our part for our new family. We honestly believed that the Shield would save us, that we will be safe. But when they declared that I had been selected to the ‘breeding program’ since I would soon be 15, my mother and I realised we had made a mistake. We should have just taken our chances in the real world.
“We have to get you out” my mother whispered to me and my sister before lights out a week later. Our father had joined the ‘Priests’, the so called army who would protect us. Each given orders, a uniform and a skeleton key. Our father wasn’t yet in our bunk due to his new role, so it was the only time we were free to discuss our intent to desert the Shield.
“What about you?” I asked her, holding my sisters’ hand.
“I will try to come as well, but we need to get you both out of here.”
Right as she finished talking my father walked in, a smile on his face and his eyes landed directly onto me.
“Sam! How proud you must be! The Shield Father has blessed us with choosing you! Oh, wonderful days!” He almost sang as he removed his day clothes.
“What do you mean father? What have I been chosen for?” I asked quietly.
“I have been given permission to inform you that YOU my child, have been chosen to be the Shield Fathers personal breeder. Fate has smiled upon you, my daughter!”
We sat in shock as the lights went off around us.
I was woken by my mother around midnight, she was panicked and begged me to hurry. She had managed to steal my fathers key during the night and as I held my sisters’ hand, my mother unlocked the door and lead us down the halls. We were leaving. My mother has had enough of this doomed organisation.
We were so close to the exit when the priests ran after us. Our mother showed a small USB and my father’s skeleton into my hand and then blocked us from the priests with her body, whispering for me to run with my sister when she gave the word. Father walked over to our mother, disappointment on his face.
“Have you lost faith in the Shield Father my wife? Do you intend to steal my daughters and leave the safety of his arms?”
“The shield father can’t save us; we should never have come here! We should have just lived the remainder of our lives, happy together in our HOME!” she argued as she backed us up towards the exit.
“This is our home now. We have rules, and order and we must follow them in order to receive the protection we need to survive the New Ones. Why must you diverge from the Shield? Why must you question the Shield Fathers word?”
“He plans on breeding our children! Our fifteen-year-old daughter is to be his! How can you agree with that!?”
“If the Shield Father wants our beloved daughter in exchange for everlasting protection, then it shall be done! It is an honour!”
“No, it isn’t. And this isn’t the organisation I wanted to put our trust into. They LIED to us! They cannot protect us, Stephen! Can’t you see that this is just some sick and twisted man who used the end of the world as a way to control hundreds of people!”
“LIES! BLASPHEMY! THE SHIELD FATHER LOVES AND PROTECTS US ALL!”
“that’s what I wanted to believe too Stephen. But it was all just lies. ALL of it was just LIES and I have proof!”
Father began to yell as he walked forward towards us. The other Priests were chanting “Lies! Blasphemy! The unfaithful will be silenced!”
“Silence my children!” the calming voice of the Shield Father called to us as he approached. He had this effect on people, like he could hypnotise them with just a smile or a few words. He approached my mother and stroked her cheek, causing her to flinch at his touch. “You may leave unharmed Patricia, with your youngest. But I must insist that my future bride remains in my care.”
“Never” my mother hissed, backing us away from the man.
“Then I shall have to take her from you.” He said calmly before turning and nodding to my father.
“Sam, take your sister and run” my mother insisted and pushed us away. My sister began to cry as we took one last look at our parents and I pulled my sister along at a run, my fathers key in my hand. We reached the door, commotion heard behind us and soon as I had the door unlocked and loud BANG was heard from where we left our mother. We turned as the room shock from the small blast, and debris filled the hallway.
“MUM!” I yelled, even though I knew the worst had happened. I mourned for a second before looking at my sister, “Come on, we have to go.”
We escaped to the surface and ran. We didn’t stop running until we reached the closest town. The streets were empty and quiet. I ran with my sister to see if we could find help. We found a diner, the door was left open, but no one was there. I grabbed her a drink while we rested for a moment. I had no plan except find our way back to our house. I noticed the news paper on the counter next to my sister. I picked up the paper, the heading reading
“The End.”
I took my eyes away from the foreboding message the front page has displayed to look at the date.
26th of September 2022.
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