The Mustard Seed

Tiny rock sediments on the ground began moving chaotically. Loud rumbling was perceivable for about a mile away. Thick white smoke slowly emerged from the bottom of the rocket and covered half of it before it took off from the ground. Netizens across the globe watching the live broadcast exalted as the first batch of the Mars Migration took off that 11th day of November 2023. It was supposed to be a wonderful project to save humanity from the brink of extinction but there was one problem with it.

"Five million dollars just for the trip??"

I reacted as I was talking to the customer representative agent that was receiving calls from the number that was broadcasted.

"Yes,sir. Before reaching Planet Must, there would be a planetary entrance fee of Twenty Thousand dollars. That would cover your first annual health screening, health kits, and vaccinations. There might be a chance that you'd not be allowed to enter the colony if you're severely ill. Moreover--"

"W-wait, a person just paid Five million bucks how the hell he would still be denied?? Do you refund that shit??"

I just couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Yes. We refund half of it as soon as the passenger gets back here on Earth"

"HALF?? Can you just cure the person at hospitals there?? And wait, what was he thinking?? That Elon. 90% or even higher of the world's population can't afford this shit. How is this gonna save us??"

Before he was able to answer, I added.

"And you, people working for him. Is he gonna take you with him??"

Seconds of silence transpired as if he just realized the thought that I fed to him.

"Y-yes. Of course, H-he promised us via a recorded video that we'll be included in the final flights after all paying citizens are transported. And-and regarding the sick, he intends to leave incurable diseases here on Earth. A fresh start on the new home."

"Are you gonna avail this migration, Mr. Madrid? We accept credit cards, cash, and online payments. Launches will be done on a weekly basis. Several locations across the Globe are now prepared for the migration. We'll just email you the location once the payment has been made."

"Moreover this price will go up as days go by. I have locked in this price for you now. Will you buy this slot?"

He added.

"No."

I hung up.

I was dazed by how people prioritized money over actual lives. For sure, a large percentage of those who availed the migration were also owners of the very companies that lead us all in this dilemma. How far can human greed go?

I was at the bunker at Zellwinger's mansion together with some residents that I met when I was going home and house helpers. I decided to bring everyone I met near the mansion inside. It's much safer in the bunker given all the aftershocks. The mansion was severely damaged nearly half of it collapsed including my room. The bunker was loaded with food and water that can feed 20-30 people for a month. It was spacious and was divided into rooms  Lit by emergency lights and generators.

There was a lot in my head. Leonna, Ed, Mr. Zellwinger, and the world. I was thinking.

and thinking...

And thinking when sudden knocks on my door caught my attention.

"Son!!"

Mr. Zellwinger wrapped me in his arms as soon as he sees me opening the door.

It was a day after the incident  strucked. It has gotten even worse as time passed by. Tsunamis were reported to have hit many parts of the world after the aftershocks. People were forced to relocate to higher grounds due to the abrupt rising of sea levels. The world's polarity has become unstable. It deranged the direction of oceanic currents and waves and the air around it creating cyclones and storms that were abnormally stronger than violent typhoons or hurricanes. The magnetic field was emitting false and spiked frequencies every now and then that made communication very hard. The internet, cellular sites, even satellite phones had a hard time acquiring signals and if you're lucky to catch some, the next question was if that person you're about to call caught signal too or not. But one thing somewhat bothered me, calling that number for inquiries about the migration had no problems whatsoever. Fishy ey?

"I got us seats. You, me, Ed, Leonna , her mom, and the rest of our men and their families.  We're leaving this weekend"

Mr. Zellwinger uttered.

"Oh? That's great, sir. Thank you so much. But where's Ed?"

Mr. Zellwinger sure is a good man. I was a bit surprised though. But not on the thought of him having to afford the tickets for all of us but the thought of him being the owner of a company that's thriving for global  technological advancement to easily give up on the current state of the world and just run leaving the rest to die. But on the other hand, I can't blame him. He's a father more than a businessman and a visionary. At times like that, I know he just wanted to make sure that we survive.

"My men are tracking Ed as of the moment. Your brother left before these tragedies started. He left after the event in Japan saying he has urgent matters to attend to and we'll be seeing each other here. But he's not here. I've been trying to call his phone but the signal is way too bad. How about you?? How are you? and Leonna? Where is she?"

Million dollar questions I hoped I had answers to back then but I just stared at him. Not knowing what to say.

Right after talking to the media on the day of the incident, I went straight to the hospital where Leonna's mom was confined hoping to find them there but all there was were a pile of crushed concretes. The whole building was torn down to its basement and even deeper.. There were a lot of people crying for help. People from all walks of life. Some wore jewelries and pearls, traces of tears running down their thick make ups mixed, rolex watches and thick gold bracelets and some with just clothes on and no traces of make ups on their faces. All bruised and covered with dirt. Some appeared to have lost their minds just walking and laughing for no reason. Survivors gathered on the streets. Rescuers were carefully digging for survivors in the wreck. Everywhere I went, I saw the same picture. I felt helpless in the midst of all the chaos around me. I felt so small in front of the power of nature.

"I failed her, sir."

Mr. Zellwinger already knew the message I was trying to say. He hugged me.

"It's not your fault, son. It's not."

The built up emotions inside me burst out. It's as if everything that's happened slowly was sinking in all at the same time. Frustration, doubt, regret, exhaustion, and fear all worked their way into my system and I can't do anything but pour them out of me tear by tear.

Days passed and we still couldn't get a hold of Ed and Leonna. The conditions of the world wasn't getting any better. Due to the very limited amount of usable magnetic energy, the government decided that the remaining energy shall only be used in news and in live broadcasts. So it means dead phones for citizens, not even internet. But at least the electricity was restored at that time. We could only wait for Ed to come home so we could go. The launch location was just a couple kilometers away from the mansion. Pretty convenient. But my thoughts were divided.

It was a rainy Friday afternoon, 17th day of November 2023. Two days before we set foot on that spaceship to another planet. Still, not a word from Ed nor Mr. Zellwinger's men about his whereabouts. I couldn't sleep. There was a lot in my head so I decided to take a walk in the rain. I grabbed one of those umbrellas infront of the main door and wen't outside. I walked.

and walked .. and walked ..

but all I could see were the wreck, the rain, and some surviving stray animals on the streets. Most of the houses were severely destroyed. The ones that lived on those houses must have relocated to a safer place already. But is there a safer place?

A harsh truth. Suddenly...

The ground was shaking again. It's another one of those goddamn earthquakes. I stayed low and got myself into an open area. I could tell  it was a weaker earthquake than the one that destroyed the city. But still, it was enough to make anyone fall to the ground. I waited. It should be over soon. Loud noises began resonating from anywhere. They were from the already wrecked houses getting even more damaged. The shaking

gradually subsided then a loud cry came from nearby followed.

"Help! Anyone? Please help me!!"

I rushed to where it may be coming from. It was hard telling where. Small buildings, houses, and roads seemed like they were crumpled papers.

"Hey! Where are you?? Keep talking!"

I cried.

"I-I'm inside the 7/11!"

That time, the voice was clearer. It's from an old man. I rushed to the nearest 7/11 store I could find. And there it was, all torned down..

"Hey! Pops. You still with me?? Hang in there"

"Y-yes. Thank God!"

It was so dark inside the wreck. I could barely see the old man moving. I started setting aside broke parts of what appeared to be its concrete walls. They were so heavy that I had to put all my strength in every attempt.

"Hey, pops. Can you move? Can you climb up here now?"

I asked him after clearing the wreck that was blocking his way out.

"Yeah, I think I could."

I offered my hand and pulled him out carefully. I carried him to the side of the road and let him sit there while I was finding him some water to drink.

"Thank you, lad."

He uttered after he drank all the water left in a damaged distilled bottled water I gave him.

"You're a good lad. I was in that wreck for almost a day now. I cried for help to some people that passed by but they were in a rush that they refused to help me. I fell asleep waiting for someone to help me then I woke up when the rumbling had started again."

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that but don't worry, pops. You're safe now and I got a safer place to stay. You can stay there with us."

"Thank you, lad. But before that, I want you to have this."

The old man reached a thing from his right pocket and reached for my hand.

It was a stone I had never seen before. I had to raise it to the sky to see it clearer. It was a crystal-like black stone. Of course it was shinny. It was cold and kinda vibrated from the inside. It also had a red blood like thing inside that moves randomly. After examining the stone I still didn't have any clue of what it was so I decided to ask the old man but...

He wasn't there anymore.

I turned around thinking maybe he's just messing with me but he's nowhere to be found. HE DISAPPEARED!

The thought of previously seeing countless body bags around the city made my bones chilled from the inside.

The thoughts slowly built up in my mind and...

I RAN AS FAST AS I COULD.

As if my mind and my body were in total sync. I galloped across wrecks at top speed. In my mind,

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇*𝒄𝒌! 𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒕?!

Suddenly,

"Aaaaa!"

I bumped at someone. I freaked out given there were no one lurking around when I was walking.

"Sir, Joe. Mr. Zellwinger was worried about you. He had me find you after the shaking subsided"

Phew! It was Mang Roger. One of the most loyal men of Mr. Zellwinger. His whole family works for the Zellwingers. His wife as a housekeeper. His son at the WCE.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone, Mang Roger. Also, please drop the "sir" part. It's kinda awkward for me you know."

I smiled awkwardly but felt total relief. At least, I'm sure I'm with someone alive this time. Then, we both went back together.

[𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚍]