A New World

A New World

“Wait, where’re you going?”

“I’m leaving!” I’m leaving this town for good.

“But, you won’t make it out there!”

I don’t believe that bullshit. I can definitely survive—not in this crumbling, desolate town.

I tighten my mask and open the door.

“Please, don’t...”

The old man grabs my hand. His tired, wrinkled eyes glisten and are watery with tears, begging for me to stay. Nonethelesss, I have locked my decision.

“You’ll die out there, just like your—”

I shake my head. “You don’t know that.”

After a long moment of pause, he finally release my hand. I know he would understand—surely, after all the time I have lived under his care. He knows how strong and smart I am. I throw him a smile before he closes the door on my back.

As I have expected, the town is filled with heavy dust and smoke. Every time I take a step, thick dust are flying everywhere into the poisonous air. This town is polluted, ill, just waiting for doom! And I still don’t understand why many townsfolks are that determined to stay here. They are basically offering their own neck to be tightened by a noose.

I’m different from them. I still want to live. I want to live.

The wind of dust blows hard to my face. The mask does its job by protecting my respiratory system. Without it, I would surely be dead the first ten seconds I breathe the air in. With my strength, I try to drag my feet. One step then another. Right, left, right. Each step feels so heavy. I feel like my whole body is being grabbed by the invisible hands of those who lost their lives in this hell hole, those who want me to end up with the same fate as them.

Many people in this town believe that the world is over. They said that there is nothing out there but devastated land. Only this town could protect the remaining humans who survive the catastrophe. Ridiculous! I refuse to waste my time to slowly extinct with it without even trying to find a way out there. I’ll prove them that they are so wrong with their stupid belief.

From a slight gap of my eyes, I could see the town’s entrance. Before, I was just as stubborn as the townfolks. When my parents decided to leave, I didn’t go with them. I hid behind my grandfather’s back because I was too scared of the terrifying possibilities of leaving this place I called home. He protected me, but later I realized how much I hate the choking smell of smoke and sprinkles of dust which suffocate my lungs. My grandfather hated the idea of me following the steps of my parents, but it was only a matter of time before the dust and smoke filled my brain and turned me crazy. I miss my parents so much. And finally, I could look for them myself and get out of here.

The moment I arrive at the gate, I lift my head and clear my visions. I am stunned. The view before my eyes now is a landscape I have never seen in my entire life.