• 35221: Is anyone out there…?

    The words showed plainly enough on the otherwise blank terminal screen. Elizabeth Black stared at those words for twenty straight minutes, but there was no reply. Would it really end this way? Would she die here, alone, locked up in a tiny room? Who could say? But the fear of it swelled in her chest as she continued to hope for a response.

    ***

    The day had started like any other normal day in New York City in the year 2112. Elizabeth had woken up, and then decided to hit the snooze button. Fifteen minutes later, she realized that she had to get up so she drug herself to the bathroom, fixed her hair, did her make-up, had a quick cup of coffee and rushed to work because she became late

    Elizabeth’s parents had landed her a good government job in a high-security facility. It wasn’t that Elizabeth hadn’t worked hard to get it, but having parents in high positions did help. However, Elizabeth knew that her parents had helped her get this job because they feared something catastrophic and wanted their “baby” to work somewhere safe.

    Her job was not particularly interesting and she had never really wanted it. Elizabeth disliked technology and found it a bother, but she worked well with it. Still, she couldn’t complain. The pay was good, so she had plenty of money for hobbies and shopping and whatever else she really wanted.

    Elizabeth had rushed into her office, barely having time to say hello to her co-workers. She had made it in time, but just barely. Her heart was still pounding from the adrenaline as she sat down to work. She settled into her office and everything seemed right in the world… Then it happened.

    A thunderous BOOM shook the building. Even in the basement level where she worked she could feel it. Many people rushed out into the street, or at least into the hallways before the building began to lock down. Elizabeth was busy trying to recover from the shock. Her nerves were not particularly strong. She looked at the door and rushed over, trying to open it. It was locked. There was no way out and even if there was… what lay outside might be even more terrible. The electricity flickered. What had happened? She rushed to her terminal and began to search for some kind of news on what had just occurred. Her eyes widened at what she saw: “NUCLEAR WAR” in big bold print at the top of the screen. How had this happened? There had been no warning no inkling or sign of an attack… The screen went blank. Quickly, Elizabeth tried the telephone, but it was no good. All of the lines were dead. She tried to contact her family and friends through her terminal, which seemed to be the only thing that was semi-functional. It was all in vain.

    ***

    It was now day three as she continued to stare at those words on her terminal. Every twenty to thirty minutes she would type again.

    35221: Is anyone there…?

    Her cursor would blink. She tried different channels but to no avail. She was living off of the emergency kit under her desk. There was enough food and water for meager rations for about a month. If she couldn’t find anyone in that amount of time, what would she do? She would starve, alone in this room.

    Elizabeth tried to hold back the tears that were coming, but then again, what was the point? She was alone. No one would see or care if she cried herself into dehydration. Just then, she heard a small “ping” on her screen. She looked up.

    10482: Hello?

    Elizabeth’s heart jumped. Was she imagining this? She quickly typed a response.

    35221: Hello?! Is someone there?

    She waited, barely breathing until again a message came across her screen.

    10482: Yes.

    Elizabeth practically jumped out of her seat. Someone was there.

    35221: Where are you? Who are you? Are you ok? Do you have any news?

    10482: Umm… I’m in New York, my name is David. Other than a bang on the head and being rather hungry I’m ok and no, I don’t have any news.

    35221: I’m glad you’re ok David. My name is Elizabeth. I’m also in New York. I know you need to be careful about who you give your information to, but given our situation I think a more exact location might be necessary. I’m sadly in an undisclosed location, but it’s near the main city, on the Western side.

    10482: I’m on the Eastern side, also in an undisclosed location. You’re the first person I’ve made contact with since the incident.

    35221: You mean since the attack? I would hardly call it an “incident.”

    10482: Yes, well, either way, the point is, I’m very glad to have made contact with someone.

    35221: As am I. You said you were hungry, how much food do you have with you?

    10482: Not much. I only had emergency rations in my office. You?

    35221: Same. That means we’ve only got about 3-4 weeks before our food and water is gone.

    10482: Yes, I estimated that as well.

    35221: What should we do?

    10482: I suggest for the time being we stay put and hope that the authorities handle the situation. Hopefully, it was nothing all too serious and we can be out of here in a matter of days.

    35221: While I admire your optimism, I highly doubt that will be the case. However, I agree with your plan. At least now we won’t go insane from being alone.

    10482: I suppose that is true. So Elizabeth… Does a last name come with that?

    35221: Black. Elizabeth Black.

    10482: How funny. I’m David Brown.

    35221: Well Mr. Brown, since it is likely that we will be stuck here for at least several days, why don’t you tell me something about yourself?

    10482: I suppose. What do you want to know?

    35221: … What do you look like?

    10482: Seriously?

    35221: Yeah! Why wouldn’t I be?

    10482: Fine. I’m moderate height with black hair and black eyes.

    35221: I’m moderate height with blond hair and blue eyes.

    10482: I never asked.

    35221: You’re being rather rude.

    10482: You’re the one who was longing for company, not me.

    Elizabeth frowned at the computer screen. She was glad to have someone to talk to, but this guy was kind of… mean. She wondered what he would be like in person.

    35221: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to annoy you. I’m just trying to make conversation.

    10482: I apologize as well. It’s not really your fault. I’m just angry at this situation and worried. I try to be optimistic but it’s difficult.

    The blond girl’s lips turned up in a slight smile. She understood that.

    35221: I’m frustrated too.

    10482: I think they should add a gun to that emergency kit.

    35221: That’s not really a bad idea, but a bit impractical.

    10482: I know…

    35221: So, since our world is crashing down, what were you working on before the bomb went off?

    10482: I was experimenting with rockets. We’re working on a space craft that will be able to reach the surface of Venus.

    35221: Wow! That’s pretty incredible! I hope that when this blows over you’ll be able to finish that.

    10482: What were you working on?

    35221: Oh, I design super-computers.

    10482: You must have gone through a lot of schooling for that.

    35221: Oh yeah. Although, to be honest, I don’t really enjoy it that much.

    10482: Then why do you do it?

    35221: It’s what my parents wanted.

    10482: How old are you anyway?

    35221: 30

    10482: Don’t you think you’re old enough to make your own decisions then?

    35221: You do realize I’ve only had this job for like 2 years.

    10482: Yes. However, I don’t think you should be doing something you don’t enjoy. What did you want to do?

    35221: I wanted to be an artist.

    10482: …

    35221: What?

    10482: Nothing… that’s just a little odd.

    35221: What’s so odd about it?

    10482: I just mean that you wanted to be an artist and you became a designer of super-computers. It’s a big jump.

    35221: I know. But I worked so hard to do this for my parents I don’t really want to quit now. What about you, have you always wanted to work with rockets?

    10482: Yes. I was a pyromaniac when I was younger so I’ve always enjoyed rockets.

    35221: Good for you.

    10482: You seem aggravated.

    35221: No, not really. I guess I’m just tired. Promise you’ll be here tomorrow?

    10482: What if I’m really a dream? You can really only prove your own existence. I might be a dream, or a figment of your imagination.

    35221: Quit joking around.

    10482: I’m not joking. In fact, how do I know that you aren’t a dream.

    35221: I’m going to sleep. Please be here tomorrow.