Smile

Manhattan the year,3031 or something like that. Dilapidated skyscrapers. Potholes the size of craters. A lot of burn marks can be seen on most of the buildings that are still standing. Most homes are not liveable, not because they are inhabitable per se but because they leave one too exposed. Too exposed to the elements. Too exposed to the animals. And too exposed to the other survivors, survivors of the day the world burned. Everyone knew the world would end in flames but flames from war and the bombs dropped because some stupid person pissed some other stupid person off, but no that wasn’t the case. The sun just started getting hotter and hotter, or so I’ve heard. That was about 1000 years ago or something. History says there were about 8 billion people living all over the world on every continent, now there's North America and Russia all the other land in the world flooded once it got too hot and then because it was too hot the water melted leaving nothing but ruin and displacing maybe a couple of million people, we lost count. Lost count way before I was born or they just stopped counting. Makes me think why do people keep reproducing, why don’t they stop and get this torture over with. Let the next dominant species control the world, maybe roachmen.

“You’re writing in your diary again, we have to start our day,” Andrew says to Sadi.

Andrew is Sadi’s older brother by two years, and he’s annoying as hell. Dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin were the common look, most lighter-skinned people and lighter-eyed people kind of died off early from mutated skin cancers given because of the intense sun or went blind and was robbed and killed by the “people” that survived. None thrive all just…. survive day to day surviving is living and trying to live is nearly a death sentence. Andrew and Sadi have been tied practically at the hip since their parents died from heatstroke. The life expectancy is now around 30ish forties if you’re lucky and aren’t burdened with taking care of two kids. The body works too hard throughout the years now to stay cool even under shade.

Sadi closes her diary and stands up. She too is darker with dark hair and eyes. Her lips were just as heavily pigmented. Andrew often jokes around with her, if she stands outside her skin would be sure to absorb all the rays from the sun, letting everyone on earth live comfortably again. Of course, she’d die but he would surely make sure no one forgets her name and her sacrifice was for the greater good. See annoying as hell. She carries a heart-shaped locket around her neck of a family not her family of course cameras and photos were a thing of the past most photos will fade or combust into flames if exposed for too long. But this is a family of five, all of them smiling and looking…happy.

Not a lot of happy days or happy people in the year 3031. In the 2000s it was said that happiness was at an all-time high. Now people wish just to have a picture of other people happy. Not to say it gives people hope, that feeling died a long time ago but it does show people happiness was a thing... photos were a thing... civilization was a thing.

“I’m ready, but do you think we should go out right now the sun is beaming.” Sadi asked.

“ I haven’t seen any activity in the area in a few, this might be the best time .”

Sadi although very courageous has always been apprehensive about going out when the sun is at its brightest. Who wouldn’t be if you saw your parents melt away slowly?

Reluctantly “Okay.” Sadi replies.

“Good.” Says Andrew. “Now Sadi pay attention.” He puts his hands on both sides of her face and presses it making her spit out.

Hitting him. “Stop it.” Andrew is cracking up by now. He’s the only one she knows that’s so light-hearted. Not that she knows many people, but she has run across some kind people. None happy. But kind. “Come on, I thought you said we had to go now.”

Still laughing, “you’re right. We have to clean Finnigan’s kitchen again it’s infested with roaches.”

“Again?” Sadi exhales.

“It’s a steady job and we never have to worry about our next meal because of it,” Andrew responds in what he calls the big brother voice.

“Not the big brother voice,” Sadi says.

“I didn’t want to but you made me.”

Roaches and reptiles thrive in this new world. But Sadi hates roaches. She’d rather sleep in a bed full of lizards and snakes before volunteering to clear roaches. She shivers.“Let’s go.”

“You sure you want to bring that?” Andrew asks Sadi, pointing at her heart locket. Happiness is a euphoria that people rarely felt so happiness captured is worth a lot these days. Even worth a life.

“You said there was barely any activity today right?

“Yeah, but.”

“But, I need it.”

Andrew grunts. “We don’t have time, at least tuck it in your shirt.”

She tucks the locket on the inside of her shirt and slightly flinches because of the hot metal on her skin. They step out of their resting place. A home is a concept of the past. Someone will always ransack where you stayed or the “Neanderthals” will try to make you work for them: protecting, robbing, or killing. Sometimes all of the above. The Neanderthals are one of the five gangs that took over North America once civilization went to hell. No pun intended. The Neantherdals, The Cro Magnon, The Sapiens, The Errors, and The Fluin were all equal problems, and sometimes each of their problems seem to clash.

Today Sadi’s and Andrew’s resting place was an alley between two buildings one of which, a wall had fallen and was now resting on the other building’s wall. Which were a perfect covering from the sun and other elements. A dumpster rested on the building as well where they placed some bricks and trash to rest their head.

They head to Finnigan’s. The area is a very bleak sight. So many skyscrapers have toppled over it looks like a war zone. The roads were pretty empty of other people since the sun was still out. When the sun goes down that’s when it's best to be out of the way, people are more dangerous than the sun rays.

“Spare an item?” a beggar asks. These days beggars don’t ask for money, money no longer has value now the credit is in something useful: a pair of sneakers (left and right preferably) a pot, a pan, a jacket could probably get you a whole week of food.

“Sorry I have…”

“Get away from us.” Andrew runs the beggar off. “You can’t be just talking to anyone and letting anyone walk up to you Sadi you’re too goddamn trusting.”

“She was just asking for something to barter,” Sadi replied.

“And then gutted you when you said you had nothing to spare. Dammit, Sadi I’m not trying to be hard on you.” Andrew notices his tone is too harsh so he tenders up like a loving older brother. “Sadi you’re all I have and I just want you to be smart and be safe.”

Sadi nods in understanding and they continue to walk on. Snakes are easy to step on and rats run in and out of buildings that have been uninhabited for centuries now. Broken windows, bloodstains on the wall (probably a robbery turned murder, which is common) the only thing missing from this Apocalypse were zombies. They make it to Mr. Finnigan’s restaurant but it’s not what they expected. Mr.Finnigan had been robbed, everything is scattered about. Finnigan is leaning over the bar crying. “They took everything,” Finnigan says.

“You’re still alive,” Andrew said trying to be positive.

“They may as well have killed me.”

“This cleaning is on us,” Andrew replies.

“Thanks.” I still have a stash of food I keep for myself just in case. “I will feed you both.”

“Deal! ”Sadi said. Happy that she was still going to eat at least.

They begin cleaning the restaurant up for Mr.Finnegan as he cooked over a manmade fire pit. The sadness on his face has not left. He just keeps preparing their meal as Andrew and Sadi clean up the restaurant. They finish up the cleaning.

“We’re done Mr.Finnigan.” Andrew says.

Finnigan walks up to them with two hot bowls. Still looking sad or..frightened, “ Just in time” he feigns a side smile.

Noticing the look on Finnigan’s face, “You ok Mr.Finnigan,” asked Andrew.

“Huh? Oh yeah. I guess still on edge. Eat up before your food gets cold.” He walks back into the kitchen.

Andrew looks at him confused because this isn't the first time Mr.Finnigan has been robbed and he was sure it wouldn't be the last, but he let it go.

“Well well well look what we have here.” The Neanderthals walk into the room. Laughing, whistling, and being rowdy and intimidating. There are a few of them about three or four. One is obviously the leader, he’s huge about 6’5” with a mask on, big but not fat his skin is not showing, of course, no one shows skin because of the sun. His face is scarred and shades on his face. The line of an eyepatch can be seen. He puts his hand on Andrew’s right shoulder, he didn’t do it with force but his hand was so huge and heavy you can hear it land. “Don’t get up.” Andrew looks up at the man. He pulls down his mask and smiles. “Hand over your items.”

“We don’t have any,” Andrew says bravely.

“Is that right?” said the leader not removing his smile or his hand from Andrew’s shoulder.

“Yes, that’s right,” Andrew replies moving his shoulder from underneath the man’s massive palm.

He stops smiling. “I don’t like liars.”

“He’s not lying,” Sadi interjects.

The man looks at Sadi. “Well, a little lizard told us differently. Didn’t it fellas?” He turns toward his men.

They all agree.

“Gerald!” The man shouts.

Mr.Finnigan comes out of the kitchen with his head down. “I’m sorry they were going to kill me.”

“You son of a…” before Andrew could finish he’s cut off.

“Sounds like your tune has changed.” “Randy.” The big man turns to one of his lackeys. Randy is slim and tall. Long dreaded hair, babyface, but eyes of a clear psycho. “Grab the bitch.”

“Yes, boss,” Randy says as he walks over to Sadi.

“Stop.” Andrew tries to jump in between Sadi and Randy but is snatched in midair by the Neanderthal boss and slammed to the ground. He begins stomping Andrew everywhere on his body.

“No!” Sadi cries out.

Randy snatches the heart-shaped locket off of Sadi’s neck. She goes for the necklace out of reflex and is slapped down.

Andrew is getting stomped out. His face is bloody and he’s clearly dying. Mr.Finnigan is inaudibly crying and repeating how sorry he was to Sadi and Andrew.

Randy opens the locket. He smiles. “Just like he described it.”

The boss smiles as he kicks Andrew’s lifeless body one more time. “Bring it over here.” Randy walks over and hands the locket to the boss. He takes it from Randy then opens it up. He smiles at the happy family. “Smiles, a really beautiful sight to behold." He chuckles."This gonna make us a fortune. Let’s go guys.” He closes the locket, whistles and they leave just as fast they arrived.

Sadi runs over to Andrew’s lifeless body crying.

Finnigan has not moved from his spot. He continues to rock and say sorry.

END