Cessation

It was the end of an era.

The world as we knew it had fallen to ashes. All that was left behind were the ruins of the structures that once were reminded us of our power. It all turned into rubble and smoke. Jayden walked through the streets of his city. A city that was once crowded with people now lay barren. He looked at the torn down structures that once stood tall.

What was the point? He thought to himself as he walked on, the black smoke in the air clouding his vision. Jayden glanced at his father's watch, the cracked glass and the worn out leather strap indicating that it was much older. Another fifteen minutes. He went on, his mind drifting to the deal he had made. The question playing in his mind ever since he had said yes.

Was it worth it?

Looking around him, Jayden was certain about his answer. There was something calming that the destruction brought about, and even though a thick black smog rested over him, he felt like it was the first time he could breathe.

He remembered the first shock wave. 12:30 am. The beings were on time. He had been mesmerized by what they had said;

'The Earth was never for your kind to keep. You have crossed over to hostile invaders. It is time for you to relinquish your rights.'

There was something so hauntingly alluring about what they had said, that Jayden found himself aligning with them. He saw humans the way they did and he agreed to take a step back. All they needed was one willing human and Jayden was not going to stand in their way. It was for a greater good. Not for humanity, but for the planet they survived off. Jayden had believed them and they had promised to give him a part of the new world.

Five phases. The Earth would be cleansed in five phases. Four had already passed him by. Each bringing on more destruction than the last. It had started with the plague. An unknown virus taking out quarter of the population, people dropping dead in their homes and in the streets. It was instant. Jayden could see the people gasping for air as they fell to the ground. It headlined not an hour later. An infectious virus that killed in matter of minutes. The dead were left on the streets for the trucks to carry away. Jayden remained alive, as they had promised, however it was hard watching his brother die as he clutched his throat in front of him. Jayden knew the consequences when he had said yes, as he dragged the body out on the street.

The world was a little quieter.

The second shockwave came at 5.30 am. Four hours later. Jayden had fallen asleep in his armchair, when a loud crack of thunder jolted him awake. Rain and hail fell, a phenomenon no one had heard before. It poured and thundered heavily for the next four hours, destroying most infrastructure. The television was calling it the Wrath of God. Jayden had switched it off. Unable to watch. The question at the back of his mind grew louder. It was only when the skies cleared and he opened up his windows, did he realise that it had been raining acid. He could see the destruction it caused as the burned bodies lay on the street. Jayden shut his window and retreated back into his house.

The third shockwave came at 10:30 am. Earthquakes. In places where they were not possible. As for the places built over two tectonic plates were wiped out. Jayden felt the shockwaves as he sat in his house, the walls shaking. He had switched on the television again, only to switch it back off after he saw a clip of a Japanese earthquake spewing lava.

Was it worth it?

The question pestered him as Jayden ran his hands over his face. He thought it would be much easier. The fourth shockwave was at 3:30 pm. Dust veil. A dark cloud had settled all over, dimming the sun, making the surroundings eerier. Jayden had stepped out for this one as did some of the people that remained on his block. Jayden saw shadows moving through the thick dust and the people standing there dropped dead. He saw one approach him. Bright red eyes had stared at him . It had turned around, and the question got louder. Jayden stepped out. Taking the routes he was familiar with. He could barely see where he was going, but he could hear the shouts of the people as whatever roamed in the dust got to them. It got very quiet, very fast, and when the fog began to lift a little, Jayden knew that he was alone. Ten minutes until the last cleanse. Jayden hurried home. He did not want to be outside when it happened. When he neared his house, he saw part of his roof had fallen in. Jayden entered his house. At least what was left of it. He watched the deserted street through his window that was once filled with life; now was a shadowy ghost town, with the rubble and dead bodies on the street. Smoke spiralled out from the blackened bakery that once severed the most delicious plum cake. He contemplated the question that had been tormenting him. Was it worth it? Living when all else had perished. Jayden stared up at the dusty sky. It was the end of the world and he had caused it.