What If...

implied death of animals

Torhan and Erine were caught up in the mob, headed to the border crossing. Upon arrival, the crossing was closed. Yelling, barking dogs and screams filled the air. The couple made sure they had a tight grip on each other.

"This is not doing us, or anyone else any good", Torhan whispered to Erine. "Stay close to me". She nodded.

Slowly but aggressively, Torhan guided them away from the pushing mob. There was a bombed out first floor apartment wall. Room with a view! He grinned. Some view. The couple cuddled together in the corner, away from the yelling mob. They were safe, at least for now, which was all they had.

"I don't understand any of this. It happened so quickly. One day, normal, next day, utter chaos.

"We are safe. We have to stay together. If we get separated...". Erine smiled.

A loud explosion. this one was close. Screams and yelling, calling out for loved ones and friends. The mob then scattered. The couple were hidden just enough from the mob running by their hiding place. Torhan and Erine sighed but kept on high alert.

"How did it all come to this? I heard the leaders were in agreement. Papers were signed. There were cheers and much excitement. How did it go so very wrong"? Torhan smiled.

"It was swift. Remember, you were studying microbiology when we met". Torhan smiled. "That was a little over a month ago.

"It was my last year, PhD in neuroscience. We met in the commons". Erine smiled. The smiles soon left. "And now we are here".

"We were somewhat shielded from the rest of the world at University. That was nice".

"Then the news. Total disbelief. Then the explosions followed by chaos and destruction. So quickly lives changed, forever", Erine said, cuddling closer into Torhan. "My class took shelter in the safe Lab. Ha Ha, and we continued to work on our research. Nothing else we could do. Just keep safe. I was concerned not knowing where you were or even if you survived the blast", Erine said. Torhan smiled.

"Interesting, I wonder, if the election outcome was different, would the humans have reacted differently, or would the result have been the same"? Both thought and shrugged their shoulders.

"Remember that movie, long ago, how that actor talked about just this same scenario? How it could not end well? Why didn't people listen to his words"?

"A movie, fiction".

"Well, not anymore. Why did they not get the point? Are all humans so self-absorbed? We are doomed", Erine sighed.

Torhan smiled. "Maybe, but for now, we have to figure out how to survive".

"Agree". Silent cuddling amidst occasional explosions. Then silence.

"Did you hear that"?

"Hear what"?

"Listen". Both quietly listened. A low whimpering sound.

"There, hear it? I think it is coming from that pile of rubble", Torhan pointed to as he leaned forward.

Erine left the safety of the corner and ventured out. "Over here"?

"Yes, listen". Silence. Whimpering.

"Got it". Erine scanned the rubble pile of the collapsed room. Moments later she returned to the corner cuddling a bloody puppy. Torhan reached out, took hold of the puppy and began to scan it for wounds. He settled down next to Erine.

"The blood is not hers". The puppy began to shiver. Torhan cleaned off as much of the blood as he could with his shirt then put the pup inside of his jacket for warmth.

"Water, I bet she is thirsty". Erine washed off her hands then cupped one while Torhan poured water into it. The pup drank.

The three sat cuddled together, leaning against the bombed out concrete wall.

"Rest while you can", Torhan said. Pup closed her eyes. Erine drifted off. Torhan was wide awake. Thoughts flowing like the smoke from the explosions.

How did this once beautiful place become a warzone, in just a little over a month. Torhan leaned his head against the cold wall. He closed his eyes.

Everyone knew there would be some differences after the debates. There always is. But this? His eyes flashed open, and he leaned forward. This, as he looked out onto the rubble. He leaned back, rested his head and closed his eyes. The signs were there. This could have been averted. He can see that now, subtle as they may have been. But they were there. Patterns. There were patterns, from the past. He sees that now. History teaches but who is there to listen?

He remembered his teaching from the past. He didn't need to use this. Now he does. We are only in control of our responses to a situation. Cannot control that situation. Could they have changed this chaos from the slues that were missed? And how long ago to see this? He shook his head. Nothing he could have done.

Toren opened his eyes. He turned his head to gaze at his family, his family now, Erine and pup. He closed his eyes. What is the next step? Plan: stay alive and healthy. But right now, relax and think.

He smiled. Oh right, the conspirators. People would laugh. They knew something. No one listened. Wonder where those humans are today? His thoughts floated from past to present to future. The future? He shook his head. The present. All there is. He smiled. The present is a gift. Yes, a gift, alive to survive above ground.

If the planet is to survive, drastic measures must be taken plus steps taken to prevent this from happening ever again.

Maybe this started out as a bluff game. So, where are those players today? No one knows. No one can know. There is no communication, no transmission. Satellites, if there are any left, cannot be communicated with. The hubs have been destroyed. Or maybe there is someone who knows. But where are they?

Do they know which leader actually did the deed? So much destruction. So much pain and chaos. Those attached to Technology are lost, literally. There are small bands of these young humans, breaking into homes for food. Wow, no power of any kind. No way to cook. No way to start a fire, if they would know how or what to do with one. Torhan reached into his pocket. He pulled out a box of stick matches. Gold! No one can eat food raw, certain death.

Torhan had time to think. Clues. What does he need to remember. He looked up to the hazy smokey sky. No blue. Wait. He remembered a prophecy. There were many. But this one. Torhan became excited, his breathing became rapid. There were three places. Have to choose one, closest one. Smiling, no device to confirm with directions. His breathing was getting intense. This woke Erine up.

"What? Do we have to leave now", Erine asked? The pup grunted.

"I remembered something. I know where we need to go. Just not sure exactly how to get there, yet. The timing has to be perfect. This journey will reconnect us with our human ancestors, home". Erine smiled. She looked down at the pup.

"Home".