The Kids of Tomorrow
We begin in 1989. 10 years ago the world “ended”. Society was no more. The streets cracked open, lava spit out. Nuclear bombs fell into the earth causing mass destruction. The leaders of the earth abandonned their people, causing mass panic. Rather than work together, some leaders thought they could make use of the situation to eliminate certain opposing countries. World War III broke out but didn’t last very long due to toxic gasses spreading in certain parts of the world. The closer to the gass, the more deadly it was. Causing instant death within a radius of 3 kilometers. Stories arose, at first, when humanity was still fighting, that the dead that were within those 3 kilometers had all come back to life. Zombies, Z’s short, now roamed the earth. Nuclear waste created mutated humans, over time they became known as Mumans, and animals, Manimals who then created mutated halfbreeds, Molestors . Of which most have gone insane and cannibalistic, only few can still speak. Humanity gave up shortly after. Communications fell out, adults who had survived left the group of orphans who then had to learn to fend and fight for themselves. Survival was key. Joey, Debby (already his gf), Michael (his best friend), Milo, Joe and Sid had all snuck out of the orphanage to go to a punk rock party in 1979 when it all happened. As soon as it started the group ran back to the orphanage to save the younger kids. Shortly after they were picked up by soldiers in busses. When the war began, 1 week later, the army left the orphans. They were met again with a group of hippies, learned from them for a year. The hippies left one day, hunting for food, but never came back. They then survived on the streets for 9 years thinking they were the last humans, the last non-mutated beings, on the planet earth. This is where our story begins.
High on top of the highest point of Breakneck Ridge, the outpost sat Joe, technically 4th in command of the Never Generation. - Or, at least, that is how they liked to refer themselves as. It was both a mocking and an ode to the orphanage they all grew up in called ‘Newer Generation’. - But acted more as 3rd in command because Michael liked to be alone. Joe was also the best fighter and could easily defeat Milo, Michael and Joey in one-on-one fights. And nearly as smart as The Twins. But Joe was a simple guy. He didn’t enjoy the attention, or responsibility. He liked to be free and loose. Act like a child when he felt like it and grab a snack when he needed one. A no-worry life in the apocalypse. But unfortunately Joey had other plans and saw Joe’s potential. So he was named Head-Scout. A job, Joe argued, was more suited to a loner like Michael. But Joey wouldn’t hear it. Tch , Joe clicked his tongue thinking about it.
It was a beautiful day, for the apocalypse. Or is it the New World now? He thought, the young slender man looked around with his dark blue eyes, filled with sadness and mystery. Peering into the distance, his hand over his head to shade away the sun. A top of Breakneck Ridge Joe had eyes in all directions and could see anything coming. But all he saw was more of the same. Trees, water and rocks. He rolled his eyes. “Time to head home, nothing to see.” He grabbed his backpack, pulled his hood over his head and started heading South, towards home. “Only a fifty minute walk.” He said, sarcastically cheerful.
You’re too honest for your own good. The thought just sprung in his head. A faint smile appeared around Joe’s lips thinking back to his first day as a scout. His first day as scout had probably been the worst of them all. By now he’s become used to it. But then, then he was afraid to be alone because of the nightmares that haunted him at night, and during the day. He didn’t want to bother his surrogate family with his troubles, Joe always thought, mostly out of shame. One of his lesser qualities. He always wants to carry everyone’s load of off their shoulders, but never asks, or accepts, help in return. He’d just smile and comfort them with an easy-to-believe lie. He hates that. Lying. Makes his stomach twist. A quality Joey greatly admires. But he would rather lie and say he could handle it, than put his story in the hands of his real family. Afraid to be outcast or scared off, to be mocked or treated differently. And so he stayed quiet about all his past misfortunes and focused on his job and newfound responsibility. Being the look-out and scout. The defense and the alarm.
Together with Michael he had build the outpost that day. Michael had been silent the entire day, so work went by fast but the day seemed to last a lifetime. But then, when the sun was getting ready to set, the friendly ogre spoke, “You’re too honest for your own good. Do you know that?” He paused for a moment, Joe wondered if he was waiting for him to answer. But before he could think of a response, Michael continued. “And why do you act like you’re dumb and weak? What is it that troubles you? What did you live through before you reached the orphanage, Joe? You’re the only one who’s past is unknown. At some point the others will notice it as well, The Twins probably already have.” And as sudden as he had started, he stopped.
“Well, fuck me. When it rains it pours with you, huh?” He laughed, “I’ve known you for 11 years, Michael, and I’ve never heard you speak as many words in those eleven years than I heard you speak just now.” His hands went to his head and he emulated the sound of an explosion, “mindblown”, he concluded.
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Michael reputed.
Joe jumped on one foot, balanced himself and jumped back on both. “I’m well aware.” He said, smiling. His eyes sparkling with joy.
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