Thread: Cataclysm (BlisteredBlood & darkangel76)

Change. It was the inevitable way of things. Rivers flowed and cut valleys, which became ravines, and eventually canyons. The tides ebbed and flowed, carving the shores, shaping the land. Change was not new. But sudden change...it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially when one realizes what change actually means. It means things get destroyed, torn down, ripped apart. All that is familiar, all that feels safe is taken away. Forever. But with change can also bring hope. It's that hope that drives you, that keeps even the tiniest flicker of sanity burning. It's the one thing that can make or break you. It's the one thing that can mean the difference between survival and...death. Emma just shoved her phone in her bag. There was no sense in looking at the damned thing any longer. She had to change her plans. Thoughts about that test, her day, her life...they had to change. Right then. Right now. Get it together, Em, Emma sniffled as she readjusted her bag. There was another tremor and she lost her footing, falling against hard concrete with a loud thwack. Emma groaned, knowing she bruised herself good with the fall. In the distance, she heard the wheels of cars screeching, the sound of metal crunching as the typical traffic on any given day collided onto itself. There was a wall of cars, jagged and broken. Some of the bodies within those once moving vehicles were lifeless and just as broken as the beast in which they rode. Others were stuck, hopeless, helpless. Still others were angry, determined to fight back whatever force of nature decided to piss on their day. But none of that mattered. The tremors kept coming and the buildings kept falling, crumbling like old toys ready to be brought to the curb on garbage day. You! came an angry voice. Emma slowly stood up, brushing herself off. You! the voice came again. Emma glanced toward a battered car pinned between two others. She swallowed hard and rubbed her sore hip. A bit nervous, she pointed to herself. Yes, you! What are you, stupid? A small fire ignited in Emma's chest. This guy was upset. She understood that, but to be so obnoxious! She curled her lips and took a step back. Ok ok ok. Look, I'm sorry, he said, trying his best to smile. His smile was nothing like the guy's who'd been crushed by the train. For a moment, she felt a wave if sadness wash over her. Quickly, she pushed it aside and blinked back the tears she felt beginning to form. I'm just in a bind, the guy continued on. You can understand, right? he pleaded. I just need a little help. Emma nodded, a hand adjusting her bag as the strap caught her fiery hair just a little. I...I suppose so, she said, rationalizing the situation. She took a step forward. Yeah. Exactly, the guy said, giving a nod. Stuck in traffic. Places to go. Then this shit storm. He paused. You can get that, right? And Emma could. She thought about the hospital. Her test. Her feet continued a slow pace forward as her thoughts flitted over the course of her afternoon. It had started out so very dull... and now? Suddenly, she'd reached the car. The guy looked up at her, his smile big and showing off his pointy teeth. He reached out and grabbed Emma's arm, gripping hard and pulling her partly through the window. Look, girlie, he rasped. I don't have time for your starry eyed bullshit. Get. Me. Out. He brandished a knife in his other hand and brought the shiny blade up close so she could inspect it. He rested the flat of the blade against her ear, slowly dragging it downward. Deciding to toy with Emma a little, letting her know he meant business despite his situation, his let the edge of the blade just barely graze her throat. Now wake up and get me outta here. Now. He brought the knife down, but his grip on her arm did not ease up. Emma winced, her tiny body having no choice but to listen as this man held onto her. She did her best to work the buckle that was stuck. It took forever, but she eventually managed to free it. Next, was moving the bumper of the one car out of the way of the door handle. It had partially wedged itself underneath it, making it impossible to open the door. It had been hard, harder still because the guy refused to let go. But after much struggle, she got the hunk of metal to move and hit the pavement with a loud clang. At that, the guy thrust the door open, which caused Emma to stumble backwards. For a moment, the guy lost his hold. And this was Emma's chance! She seized it. Not thinking, just running. She ran along the road, people screaming and crying and not one of them caring that she might be in trouble. Get back here! the guy shouted, his steps heavy, quickening as he started to run. Terrified, Emma glanced over her shoulder. He was gaining and that knife was glinting in the low light of the sun as it began to set in the sky overhead. Good god, what would she do once it was dark? Her thoughts ran wild! Everyone was panicked. Just then, another tremor. Emma fell. She heard the low groan of metal as a nearby building began to fall. Eyes wide, she let out a scream, but it was cut short as a hand covered her mouth. Shut the fuck up! Emma thrashed in the guy's grip, her screams muffled as she struggled against him. Again, the ground rumbled. The man lost his grip. The knife fell. Emma lunged for it and quickly jabbed it into the guy's shoulder. He let out a loud roar as he clutched his shoulder, crimson rivulets running over his thick fingers. Emma's face blanched when she realized what she'd done. Horror struck and trembling, she scrambled away with tears in her eyes and fresh bruises on her skin as she cried and the sun dipped lower on the horizon. She was frightened. Alone. Hungry. She was never going to endure this...change.