Thread: Cataclysm (BlisteredBlood & darkangel76)

A story of divergence... What happens when a sudden decision could mean the path you were treading completely falls apart, crumbling beneath you as you desperately try to run ahead? The ground shakes and infrastructure falls, life as you once knew it no longer is the norm. Now it's a dog eat dog world and choices suddenly determine your path to redemption or your path to utter despair. Though isn't that always the way of things? This is a story about choices, about facing your future, as well as yourself. As we tread along our paths into a seemingly endless void, heed that looming shadow in the corner. It just might swallow you whole before spitting you out once again. Shit! Shit, shit, shit! Emma grumbled as she clutched her books tightly against her chest. Her bag was only half-heartedly slung over her shoulders and she'd not bothered to button her jacket. Hell, even her fiery hair was slightly mussed. She glanced down at her phone and bit down on her lower lip. It was already 115pm and class began at 145pm. There was no way she'd make it all the way from Cambridge to Longwood Ave in time. The damn green line was glacially slow and traffic would definitely be backed up on a Friday. Fridays were never good. Not ever. Emma raced toward the station that would take her along the red line. She cringed knowing that Park Street would be swamped when she transferred. It always was. Damn station! Damn everything! She clamped her green eyes shut and tried her best to clear her mind. She really needed to get it together. She had a test to get to and she needed to be both calm and ready once she got to the hospital. Who's bright idea had it been that she apply to Harvard Med? Oh right. Hers! Scowling inwardly, Emma saw the red train pull up and she quickly got on. Again, she glanced at her phone. 117pm. That was it. She was dead. She'd undoubtedly fail and all because she'd end up a no-show. Would they let her retake the damned thing? God, she hoped so, but she wasn't about to fool herself. Medical school was competitive enough and then she had to go and choose Harvard Med! How in the hell had she even gotten accepted? 'You know why, Em,' that little voice would always say. And it was true. Emma did know why. It had been her dream to attend Harvard Medical ever since she'd been a little girl. She was now living that dream due to dedication and hard work...and it helped that she genuinely wanted to make a difference in the world. Now if only the damn trains would move faster! Shit! Emma muttered. A passenger glanced her way and quirked a brow, but they didn't pay the flustered girl too much attention. It was only a matter of moments before they were back to reading the book glowing on the kindle tablet screen they held in their hands. Emma gripped the pole and focused her eyes on the window. There wasn't much to see as the red train hurried along the track. 120pm. Damn it, Park Street seemed farther away than ever! She wasn't even sure why she was constantly checking the time. It was hopeless. She'd be late. She'd fail the test. Suddenly, the train began to slow. Park Street. Finally! She rushed off the train and headed for the tunnel that would connect her to the E-train on the green line. She was tempted to take the D-train, but rumors had it that there was some riff-raff hanging out at the stop she'd typically get off at and she wasn't in a state of mind to deal with any of that nonsense. So, E-train it was! As Emma dashed toward the connector tunnel, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. What? she shrieked as she saw the caution tape bar the way. I can't believe this! Believer it, a security guard explained as he made his way toward Emma. He seemed tired, his eyes drooping at the corners, as dark circles formed beneath them. Area is flooded and there's been some electrical issues. We don't want any injuries...or worse...today, he added. Emma gave the man a weak smile and glanced at her phone. 125pm. Her luck had run out before she'd started her afternoon. Why had she agreed to that lunch date? The guy had been the drabbest person she'd ever come across since ever. He left without her number and she left...late. Not having any choice, Emma headed back the way she'd come. Perhaps she could take the orange line instead. At least she'd be closer. Who cared if she'd still have about a mile to walk? Feeling defeated, she headed toward the alternate tunnel. Nope, came the voice of another guard. Didn't they announce it? All tunnels at Park Street are impassable. Now they tell me, Emma rasped, completely exasperated. She could feel her eyes beginning to prick with tears, her chest tightening at the inevitability of her afternoon gone wrong. She just wanted to get to the hospital, to do well on her test and be that much closer to making a difference in the world. Perhaps she wasn't destined to make a difference. After all, who was she in the grand scheme of the world? Whether she became a doctor or not, the world would keep on going... No. Just no. She couldn't believe that. She didn't want to. A single tear dripped from Emma's eye. Frustrated, she wiped it away and headed for the stairs leading up. Well, it wasn't that far to Copley Square. She walk there and take the green line from there. At least then she wouldn't have to worry about tunnels. Slowly, she climbed the steps leading up and out. Once outside, she glanced up at the blue sky above. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Somehow she'd right this awful, awful day. She'd get an extension. She'd retake that test. As Emma began making her way to Copley, the ground began to tremor. She stood stock still for a moment, blinking in disbelief. Boston hadn't had a tremor in eons. Maybe she'd imagined it all. Ignoring the sudden jolt of the ground beneath her, she continued on her way. 145pm. Emma finally made it to Copley. A part of her wasn't sure why she was bothering to make it to the hospital. The test had started and she wasn't there. It would be at least another twenty minutes before she was given how the E-trains ran. Heaving a heavy sigh, she walked up the steps to the station. Just then, the ground trembled again, her feet shuffling to help her remain balanced. What the... she whispered mostly to herself. Others around her seemed to notice the odd jolt, their hands reaching out to hold onto walls or rails, anything to keep them from falling. When the tremor stopped, Emma went into the station. Fortunately, her train was there. Waiting and ready. The train moved slowly along its track, but at least Emma knew she'd be at the hospital by 200pm. Maybe. It was better than nothing. She had to try. You got the time? a random guy asked her as she shifted uneasily in her seat. Oh? Emma asked. She raked a hand through her fiery hair and nodded. Crinkling her nose, the smattering of freckles popping out against her pale skin, she glanced at her phone. It's 155pm, she said. Thanks, the guy responded, giving her a warm smile that made her tummy flutter. You're welcome, Emma answered, smiling back. Suddenly, the train screeched to a halt. Emma perked up and looked out the window. This wasn't a stop. The guy who'd smiled looked just as puzzled as she'd felt. Just, what was going on? With the train stopped, she felt the metallic hunk of junk rock on the tracks. Her green eyes went wide and panic roiled through her veins. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Unexpected stop, came the announcement. Track damage ahead. We are under earthquake advisory. Wh-what? Emma said out loud. The guy looked her way and shrugged. Everyone on the train began to whisper, talking quietly among themselves as word of an earthquake made its way through the line of cars. We can't stay on this thing, the guy said, looking directly at Emma. She gave him a nod, agreeing completely. Unable to help herself, she glanced at her phone. 205pm. The guy pushed on the doors and was soon being assisted by others on the car. Stay seated, came the voice. Remain calm. But the tremors were back. Emma felt them as the train swayed where it was. It wasn't long before the doors finally opened, people rushing for the door in one massive lump. Emma felt suffocated as everyone moved. Go that way, the guy commanded her. Without thinking, she followed his directions, as it was, she was having a hard time thinking. She wasn't ready for this. Would she be ready to be a doctor? Closing her eyes, Emma shook her head. Of course she would be! She had to be! Just as Emma was clear of the train, the ground shook once more, the train rocking so hard that it began to tip. Her eyes fixed on the guy with the nice smile, his own eyes somehow finding hers amidst the sudden chaos. At that, the train fell over, the ground shaking so hard that Emma fell, hard, against the ground. When she looked back over to where the guy had been standing, he was suddenly no where, hidden beneath the monstrosity of metal that crushed him from above. No! Emma shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks. She dropped her book and scrambled to her feet. The ground was still shaking, people shouting, screaming. She fell back down once again, crawling toward the door leading outside. She had to get out, to... Something tugged on her leg. Emma glanced back and saw a woman trying to get in front of her. The woman's eyes were wild with fear and panic. She tried to climb over her, desperate for freedom and any other train that might happen to fall off the tracks. But she couldn't let her mind shut down now. No. She had to get out, to survive. At that, Emma kicked her foot, her heel striking the woman in the shoulder. She winced, but let go. That was all Emma needed as things began to fall, to crumble. Once outside, she saw cars stopped in disarray, people running from their vehicles as buildings began to sway, light posts wobbling like ribbons held up on a breeze. What was happening? How? Why? Not wanting an answer, Emma just sobbed, knowing she had to hope for the best. Looking at her phone, the tears just refused to stop. 215pm. And everything in the world had changed.