Life After Aliens

Life After Aliens

April 10, 3000. That's a day I'll never forget. Aliens came down to Earth. The head leader, Gilligan, said that his kind is more intelligent than homosapiens. He said we don't deserve to have all the luxuries we possess. He and his group chose what they wanted from ours. They each chose a house, a car, and anything else they thought we deserved to live without. They chose Teslas, mansions, gaming computers, and anything worth having. Gilligan had first pick, of course. The group didn't just target the rich. Anything they didn't take, they destroyed with their laser-beam-shooting eyes, leaving us to deal with the aftermath of the catastrophe. We were left homeless, with no cars, and no technology. I was left to travel alone and find what I would need to survive.

Everything was in shambles. All the homes on Green Street, including mine, are now piles of ash, brick, and charred lumber. One thing was certain: I was going to have to become my own, self-taught, general contractor. It was time to put together what I could salvage. But first, I needed a tool to get the job done. I began walking the street to see what I could find. The neighborhood boulders had been blown to smithereens. There were pieces of rock scattered all around me. I grabbed a rock. The shape of it reminded me of a pickaxe head. This is going to be perfect! As I continued on my journey, I was able to find a sturdy stick that wasn't barbecued. Now, all I needed to find was a strong piece of rope.

I was now in unfamiliar territory. I wandered into an old barn. As I begin to enter, I notice the hay on the ground was spared. This is a good sign. Maybe I'll find some useful survival items. “Hello,” I hear a voice shout. “Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here. I don't mean any harm, just looking for some items I can use.” “What's your name, pal?” he asks. “Jonah,” I reply. “Nice to meet you. I'm Paul. What are you looking for? I may be able to strike a deal with you,” he responded. “I’m in search of some rope,” I answer. “Tell you what, partner, I'll supply you with the rope, but I'm in search of someone to get through the aftermath of this apocalypse with. It gets pretty lonely,” he explains sadly. “You got yourself a deal. You actually just gave me the last material I need to complete my pickaxe,” I exclaimed. “What you say we partner up and make some repairs to this old barn? She could be a good shelter,” he stated.

It took a few days, but before we knew it, our shelter was finished. “There’s an old restaurant a few miles from here. Little ma-and-pop place that was left unscathed. I know we don't have any money to eat in, but maybe after dark we could search the dumpsters for what they throw out tonight. That's what I've been doing. I heard they won't be in business much longer, though. They're running out of food,” Paul says.

I press down on the rim of the dumpster with both palms and lift myself up and over. The food and beverages began to seep their way into the holes of my shoes. My toes are ants burrowing into a mound of mashed potatoes. I use the streetlight to find what food is salvageable and hand it to Paul. Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain. “Ouch,” I yell. “Jonah, what's wrong?” Paul asks with concern. I look down with disbelief at the shard of glass protruding from my foot. “I’m fine; it's just a little shard of glass,” I assure him. “Come on out of there so I can take a look,” he says.

On the way back to the shelter we decide to check out an abandoned pharmacy. There is a fluorescent light hanging from the ceiling, pulsating. The shelves are pretty barren. We take what we need. Paul applies a disinfectant and wraps my foot. We continue on our way. Paul and I finally make it back to the shelter. I use Paul's fire starter to start a fire while Paul gathers water from the creek nearby. We boil the water and wait for it to cool. After rehydrating ourselves from the walk, we make our hay blankets and drift off to sleep.

We start our day roaming the surrounding area. As I try to take another step I realize my foot is stuck. I look down and notice a thick green goop under my shoe. “Paul, over here, I need some help,” I scream. Paul scurries over. “Oh no. This can't be. You can't come in contact with this stuff, or you’ll be infected. We only have a few days to get help,” Paul shakes his head.

I agree to let Paul tie me up until he can find a cure. Surely I’m not the only one this has happened to. We decide to call it a night. As the night goes on, my body begins to burn. I realize I definitely don't have a few days. I begin to feel energized. My biceps begin to enlarge. Blue veins are now visible all over my body. My skin begins to turn green, and goop is emerging from my eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. I begin to grow tentacle arms. My feet grow to that of a dinosaur. It seems as though my toenails have jaundice. My gut looks like a sumo wrestler. I break free from the rope around me. I can't control my thoughts. My humanity side keeps telling me to remain calm, but there's this command in my mind that's louder. It's a command I can't ignore. It keeps telling me to eat Paul. I begin to devour him piece by piece. To my disgust, I feel no remorse. It's too late for me. This is my fate now.