The Day Our Lives Came to An End

Imagine if there was a world where all your dreams came true simply by sitting back and doing nothing... everyone's been there. A world, perfect to fill our desires. I could even recount it, the moment from whence I had long thought of such a place.

A Utopic world where all my dreams could be solved without lifting a finger nor wasting my energy. However, such a thing is fiction. if it were to happen it were to be absurd... the mind flickers like a candle at times of delusions the more u think about it.

"Hey.. Pen, are you even listening to me? Sometimes I wonder what u even think about. U always have that dreamy look when I'm with you. Stop being so up in the clouds all the time and listen to what your best friend has to say would you?"

a girl in her teens sitting on the comfortable couch, most probably 17 locked eyes with the boy In front the table across her whom was looking out the window.

"My bad... I don't think I'm feeling good these days." Ah, good feelings; I wonder how that feels for many people.

I always was the odd one compared to the rest. An outcast, pleasant with his dreams but ponder many things which confuse others. This society... which favors people who take actions rather than those who dream. If only I could relate to them in those moments.

Selia... she was always the type to be more outward than me in every aspect. I respect her... rather is what I'm feeling... envy? my feelings I cannot tell but be guided by a fog. I know it's unhealthy to look at her as if she was a superstar and me who is nothing compared; yet, I cannot help but be enchanted by it.

The smell of fresh coffee in the morning brewed by the barista fills my nostrils with joy. A quiet cafe always hits the spot; albeit without any company one might feel a sense of loneliness. So that's why I had invited her over, but I know in my heart even with her around my presence, this sense of need to be complete and away from the loneliness will never be satisfied.

I've always been lonely since birth even with all the joy given by god, i am always the invisible one, the one needle stacked in the hay. I stick to her because it gives me a sense of purpose that i am needed, these cravings for human connection is a certainty i am human.

"I knew something was wrong with you. Come on, tell me what's been going on with you lately these past few days. You haven't been answering my calls and you suddenly invited me over to grab a coffee... don't tell me, you've come to finally seek my charms, Pen."

Selia had a playful smirk on her expression, her fingertips tapping the table, curiously locking in with Pen's eyes.

"N-No... It's nothing like that, it's just that i was trying to make sure everything is alright and all." Even though she was gorgeous, I couldn't help but feel that it'd be best if we only stayed friends. Many guys sought her out because of her personality and looks back when we were still in elementary but strangely enough she still hung out with me, the quiet one out of the others to be her best friend.

Besides, I feel that a free spirit like her would never feel any adoring emotions towards someone like me and could be using me to fill a gap in her heart. Atleast, that's how i feel about her.

"You know i wouldn't mind right? we've been best friends for years, if you keep this up, you might be single when you hit your mid-20's. I wouldn't want that to happen. Plus, you don't need to care about me that much, i can handle myself already. I'm not a child anymore."

Selia twirled the side of her long silky and smooth hair, curling it as if it was a cotton candy. Disappointed to have heard the answer from Pen.

"I didn't mean it like that, I just think it's best for the future and both of us to stay as best friends. Besides... you're going to be way happier with another man. I'm just going to be a nuisance haha." This again... almost like a bird chirping down constantly over and over, I said to Seila before how I don't want to be in a relationship, it was tiresome. I was never the one to move anyways rather the one to dream; a dreamer without dreams.

"You're not a nuisance, Pen. I been with you for so long, I'm always fascinated by you, I could always read others easily, they're fake. You're almost unreadable to me, I can't seem to guess what you're thinking all the time. Interesting people like you always make this world a better place to be in." Selia reassured Pen in a sweet voice noticing his self-deprecation. She even showed off a smile revealing her brightly white teeth which was beautiful to any man who was inside and outside of the Cafe watching them.

"Maybe you're right. However, your parents wouldn't want that now do they... remember the last time you introduced me to your parents? yea, no thanks. Besides, with your looks, any man would want you by their side, even the CEOs and powerful people on top your dad is working with. By the way didn't your dad want you to marry Coth, why not go with him? I mean he's rich and funny"

Pen was trying to persuade her that it wasn't a great idea, not only that, he could tell that he himself wouldn't be a great person to be with. Looking away from her with his chin resting on the palm of his hand and looking to the window near their seat revealing the outside world and thereby revealing him, it only reaffirmed this idea. He was distasteful of his own looks(even though he looked quite alright).

"If you say his name again, I'm leaving hmph! you say that like it's so easy but you know he's too easy to read and too.... dare I say full of himself. I'd rather be with you than him. My parents wouldn't understand."

Selia pouted, expressing her frustration with his comment. How dare he tell her to look for another man while they were talking about Pen himself.

"it's just that...." Pen hesitated, this was too much of a hassle to deal with. Selia always had a comedic face when she was frustrated over something. Pen looked at her, his eyes gazing her, rummaging his mind for a reply for what she said. Pen understood what she meant and how she felt by that.... however, his mind was set.

Not out of fear of her parents, rather... the idea that she would not find him to be the one she had in her mind. He knew.. he just knew that she'll one day be disappointed by how he was not how she envisioned him to be.

How long will it take before her illusion of me break? ...maybe I should had left when I had the chance but what will she be feeling after I leave, I can't just do that, it's common courtesy to not just outright leave someone hanging.... he'd have to choose his words correctly.

"Look Sel, i- understand... however-" Before Pen could finish uttering his sentence, a loud thum sounded the table he sat across from Selia. The palms of her hand and made that noise out of impulse thumping the table surface.

The eyes of the workers looked at both Pen and Selia, most of the attention going to Selia. To Pen — She could had been much more than an obsessive girl who stuck with him for so long. Thus, he couldn't go back to what he said but he'd try to de-escalate the situation from getting too heated.

"Can you sit back down and listen to what I want to say, Sel...? I know it's been hard on you but we won't be able to work anything out if you are too hasty. Besides, even with everything said I'll still be around to support you."

Pen said calmly without a hint of nervousness in his voice, decisively chosen his words so that the chances of de-escalation was high. Selia sat back down slowly, lowering her back to the couch. the workers began to stare for a slight moment before whispering to each other.

He liked that she was honest towards him even now when he tried deflecting her feelings towards him but couldn't help feel pity towards her obsession, he did like it — the thought that someone cared about him so much but he knew reality was a harsh mistress to be trusted.

"...Fine, but you'll have to treat me to a strawberry milkshake" Selia crossed her arms, accepting that Pen had no intention of engaging with her cherade anymore than he had. She was extremely happy to know that Pen would still be there for her atleast.

Someone to always be there behind you supporting you even if it felt creepy. she didn't know why but it was a relief to hear that from someone especially Pen, whom was mostly known to be quiet and a little bit angst at times.

Meanwhile, Pen finally being able to be comfortable with her look of relief. He looked out of the window smiling when he thought about her expression. That smile however would not last long, he began to see civilians outside running with bewildering emotions of horror. Everyone he saw panicked and seemed desperate to escape. His body feeling the imminent danger about to come... he knew just one thing.... They could not be founded. No matter what.

His breathing began to become faster, feeling the anxiety of this mysterious danger. His hand suddenly without any thought grabbed Selia's from across the table and pulling her out of her seat. Immediately hiding her and him under the table, which was large enough for two people particularly adults to hide in, without a second thought. "H-Hey-"

Pen without any second thoughts covered her mouth from speaking, acting out only in his impulse and instincts due to all the stress he was feeling. he couldn't even explain properly even if he wanted to.....

Soon, all lights faded from the cafe and glass could be heard shattered behind them above where they were hiding. Selia and Pen's breath began to become heavy, the chaos of the noises in the background, everyone was screaming. Pen closed his eyes hoping it would all come to pass. A thought so horrible came to his head then, what would had happened if they were found out? his breath became more unstable, hearing the sounds of metal clattering and all the people dropping to the ground.

He looked to Selia, he couldn't see what was Infront of him due to the darkness but he could see Selia whom was near him. They were close enough that he could feel comfort knowing she was still beside him. He could see it... the fear in her eyes. For the first time, this was the first time, he could see her fear. Her mind in a state of panic just like him. He did not know what to do except apologizing for ever inviting her and getting her into this mess.

The screaming stopped, so too did the gritty noises of metal and glass being pounded on. Soon, both of them would be confronted by nothing but silence. Footsteps scraped the ground besides where they hid, was it...over? Pen removed his hand from Selia's mouth. Now she was finally able to speak.

"Pen, i-im scared.. what's happening right now? a-are they safe?" Selia's tone could be noted as being quiet but most of all frightened. Pen could her the gulp and hesitation in her voice. His heart was racing, he also wondered what was happening but right now what was most important for him was that she was safe. Selia's legs were shaking so much right now, so too were his arms.

"it'll be alright... I promise, for now let's get out of here. Don't overthink what you touch on the ground. let's go.." Pen's heart was racing, was this the right choice? he wanted to cry so badly right now, all this stress welling up in him was too much. If he cried, Selia would not be able to withstand the fear she had so he held back. He'd let go of her arm and crawl out from beneath the table, his hands could feel some sort of liquid when he did. the feeling of something unpleasant... he dared not to look at the palms nor the fingertips of his hands. He crouched and looked at the outside world.

Selia crawled out of the space under the table as well finding herself looking to the outside world through the shattered glass caused by the chaos and destruction. What they saw were just flames and corpses piled up together, almost like dolls. They knew at this very day, there lives changed forever, society had collapsed and the 'apocalyspe' began.

the sounds of traffic did not cover the streets anymore like they once used to, instead now they were replaced by the sounds of flames coming from the streets and the cars being packed tightly together among the streets.

"N-No... Why is this happening? what should I do now? everyone just like that gone... no no no no" Selia panicked, muttering to herself besides Pen.

She absolutely could not accept the reality in front of them. I mean who could blame her, all you've known was peace and comfort in your life, that once you experience death and discomfort, you'd be spun into a world of madness.

"No signal as well... seems radio signals are dead... it really is the end of the world, if there is no internet." Never thought, he'd say that line.... Not what Pen was expecting out of anything in his life or rather this situation, he could not tell if this was real either nor could he tell how he could act so normally under these circumstances still.

No signal equals, no news stations means no way to tell what is happening. So it was obvious their objective was to find a way to escape this madness first then figure out the situation after escaping.

"Come on, let's g-" his mouth covered by what felt like a cloth on his mouth, he tried to use his hands to move it away. Only to struggle, looking back at Selia, she was laying on the ground unconscious. When did they get here and knocked her out so fast, Sel-

his lungs began to feel weak, his eyes were giving out as he panicked. He reached his arm, the palm of his hand facing Sel trying to reach and call out to her while the other struggled to move the cloth from covering his mouth. if... he could just call out to her and save her.... His thoughts started to become a mess of jumbled words that sounded like whimpers now... I... nee.... t... sa....v.....

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Thus, this was how I was reincarnated and how my second life started as soon as the first ended.