Itnaya's Sacrifice at World's End

The ship whirred like a giant bee. It darted above, swishing the trees in town. Itnaya looked up and choked. Tears flowed out from his weary eyes. When the ship vanished in the darkening morning light, Itnaya moved out of the house. He looked back to the house and remembered Shiya and their two sons waving goodbye at him during the days when he would leave for his daily job in the city. He swallowed a lump that had formed in the throat.

The streets in town were full of dead vehicles and scattered thrashes. The whisper of the wind was the only sound that could be heard. Itnaya passed through abandoned cars. The houses were all open and empty. The town folks had been in the airbase, struggling to board the last ship bound for Mars. Itnaya knew he could never go with them. It was agreed upon. At the very least, his wife and two sons were saved.