Earth's Hell Chronicles

The blistering heat of the hot sun absorbed every last bit of moisture to be found. Even in the tunnels underground, the sun's rays wound through every possible crack and crevice in the hardened dirt and made the air feel scorched. The woman and little girl navigated the course dirt tunnel and did their best to avoid direct contact with any of sun rays seeping in from above.

Minda paused and pulled her daughter to a stop. She would have panted if not for the dry parched air. She worked her tongue against the top of her mouth trying to find enough moisture to even speak. Even sweat was nonexistent down here. Instead, she tugged Maddie to a sitting position to the ground so they could rest. Her daughter sagged against her wearily.

"Mommy, I'm thirsty" she croaked out. Minda grimaced inwardly and pulled out their only water canister they had. It was very low but she knew they needed the water. "Here love, take a drink" she said as she unclasped the top and helped Maddie drink. She took a small sip herself then packed up the canister again.

Minda glanced around at the sound of gravel crunching, her body still as her whole being focused on the potential danger. Maddie, sensing the sudden change in her mother, stiffened and clung to her arm. Minda didn't need to caution her child on the dangers of their near daily trek for water. They both knew of the hybrids that stalked the maze of tunnels underground.

Straining hard, Minda listened with her every fiber, ready to take flight if need be. Hearing nothing else, she relaxed, if only minutely, and looked down into the pale face that framed the large fathomless eyes of Maddie. Her child was ten or eleven, time blurs when there are no seasons, but the past few years of Earth's Hell had forever sketched their mark on her.

On us all, she thought to herself.

The only positive in traveling during the hottest part of the day was it kept the hybrids at bay. Apparently they didn't like the heat either and direct contact with sunlight burnt them far worse than the normals. Minda tried not to think of the healing blisters on her face from a careless moment of contact with the sunlight.

Giving themselves a few more precious moments of rest, Minda let her mind wander. How had they come to this? She clutched at the last happy moment in their lives-her daughter's last celebrated birthday. Back when things were bad but better than anyone could imagine at the time. She didn't dare think of all that was lost for her heart could only break so many times and tears too precious to waste must not be shed.

Back in the normal world of 2020, when the political riots split the county apart and the neverending worry of Covid-19, people scoffed at such minuscule theories like climate change. No one listened to the scientists that prophesied the end...How could they have known that the end came at lightspeed and fifty years earlier than predicted.

No one ever knew exactly what happened that fateful day, when Hell came to Earth in a fiery glory. She knew though, that it started with one man's warped version of righteousness. One push of the button and whole countries were slapped clean off of the earth. It was only a matter of moments before the bombs rained down on America in return.

Areas not hit by the bombs burned from the fire storms that followed. Only pockets of land and life existed.

Because of the bombs. And the fiery air and scorched earth.

One would think that such loss of life, such total destruction would band together the survivors. No such luck as the lust for blood increased with the level of desperation. She remembered those days only as a terrifying blur of mixed up flashes. The sky burning, the stench of death and charred Earth, Of running and hiding and endlessly clutching her child and begging to God to save them...and that was only the beginning.

Then came the ash winters where days were dark and the temperatures bitter cold. The ash clung to everything and many suffered from respiratory problems.

Attempts to grow any crop met with stunted and misshapen vegetation that could never fully produce food for a starving planet. There were no growing seasons long enough in the shadowed skies that supported the farmers.

Without crops, Earth's food chain rapidly dissolved. No crops meant no food for the cattle, pigs, and chickens that made up most of the meat supply for man. Mass starvation ensued. Those that somehow survived lived off of raiding for supplies when nothing else was left.

Hope came, ever so briefly, when the first rays of light broke through the dark haze. The Earth warmed dramatically. The endless winters dissipated. The sky cleared and the sun beat down on a battered Earth with no forgiveness, no mercy. Mankind soon realized that exposure to the sun meant terrible burns and sickness. Because there was no ozone left to protect the world from the deadly UV rays.

From night to day in a blink of an eye, the sun blasted through pale yellow skies and the Earth's temperature felt like an inferno.

Those that survived were forced to live underground or perish from the intense and deadly rays of the sun. Nothing lived on the surface now, at least not that she knew of. The survivors lived underground and made their homes in abandoned sewer tunnels or subway stations.

Others found caves or natural tunnels. The rest discovered ways to dig out tunnels or take over old mines. The struggle for survival became a minute by minute crisis: there was no real means for food, water, or fire. The survivors scraped by and many perished. But life continued, such as it was.

Underground springs or pools became a highly prized yet dangerous playing ground. Water was priceless. And near water was the potential to find something living to eat, whether it be some weird moss growing by the waters edge or a worm crawling along the muddy edge.

Yes, Minda thought, life had been hard enough. Then came the hybrids. They used to be human, that much was clear. But no longer. They were mutated with extra limbs and thick leathery skin. Their eyes sunken and black like the pupils were forever dilated.

The worst was the way they tried to speak but could only make odd chirping whistling sounds from holes where their mouths had melted nearly shut. Minda had heard horror stories when she and Maddie had crawled into this section of tunnels with what used to be Oregon above them. The few normals that would talk to them reported tales of survivors missing, of suction marks found on the bodies where the blood had been sucked out of them.

They had a few run ins with some hybrids. The hybrids stalked them and Minda had a feeling like they were being herded to...somewhere. She and Maddie had always escaped somehow. They, as well as the other normals, had to evolve themselves in order to outsmart the hybrids. Most of the normals preferred to make their water run while it was still dark outside. While it was somewhat cooler from the superheated surface.

However, the hybrids were most active during the dark times. Night after night came the sounds of fights and echoing screams. Death visited the tunnels often. The normals here were a tougher lot than she and almost seemed to enjoy the thrill of fighting the hybrids. The high squealing cries marked the death of a hybrid-and there were many.

Minda wondered what became of the dead hybrids but had never dared ask any of the normals.

Few came out during the heat of the day, when Minda and Maddie made their water run. They journeyed along one of the closest tunnels to the surface despite the blistering heat.

Minda didn't mind for it meant less encounters with either the normals or the hybrids. She just wanted to collect their precious water and any bugs or worms she could find then get back to their home. Get back and barricade themselves in for another restless night. Of dreams mixed with piercing screams and memories of a child's laughter from long ago.

The dozing snore startled Minda and she jerked awake. Shit! How could she fall asleep like this. Maddie still leaned against her with eyes closed.

"Double crap!" she muttered, realizing that they both had fallen asleep.

"Maddie, wake up!" She whispered urgently into her daughter's ear. Shaking her awake, Maddie flinched and nearly cried out. Minda quickly covered her little girls mouth before the sound could carry. They could not afford to draw attention to themselves.

"Shhh...it's okay," she whispered. "I got you."

Maddie nodded in understanding though the fear still echoed in her expression. And in her eyes, Minda thought. Carefully, they stood up and looked around. The sunbeams had shifted away from their part of the tunnel leaving them in a hazy darkness. Minda grimaced. She had no idea of how late it was. They had to hurry now or turn back with no food or water.

Already hungry and constantly thirsty, Minda looked into her daughters scrawny and drawn face and knew they must press forward. Going back would mean no food and not enough water. There was no way they could possibly make what was left of their water last through until the next run.

She took hold of Maddie's hand and gave a gentle squeeze. Plastering on a brave face for her daughter, Minda slung the ratted backpack across one shoulder. Giving Maddie a tug, they resumed their journey to the watering hole. Minda took the lead but kept a tight hold of Maddie, fearful of the sudden dark. Fearful of something grabbing her child.

Senses on high alert, Minda scanned front and back. She paused often to listen for any sounds of life near them. They needed to hurry but could not afford to be careless about it. A shuffling ahead stopped them in their tracks. Minda pressed her daughter close against the dirt wall and shifted in front of her. The shuffling paused then resumed again. It drew closer. Minda scanned frantically. They had no exits on this part of the tunnel; it was either go forward or back track. She tensed. Behind her, she could feel Maddie start to shake. A small whimper escaped the child's lips.

The shuffling ahead paused. Straining to hear, Minda heard heavy breathing. The sudden rattle of a small rock skittered near them. Both jumped and then Minda relaxed. She picked up the small stone and tossed it back from whence it had come. Audible relief in an exhaled sigh echoed their own relief.

In a world reduced to a barbarian existence, the survivors had to be smart to avoid the hybrids. Tossing the stone and having it returned was a crude but effective way of confirming the approach of a normal. Otherwise it was time to run. The footsteps resumed and before long a ragged man crossed their path.

Dirty tattered remains of clothing hung from his skeletal frame. His hair a rambled knotted mess blended with the colors of the dirt tunnel. Dirt coated skin scarred from old injuries and healing blisters. He looked like he had been through hell and hadn't found a way back yet.

Like we all look, Minda thought. Except for the eyes. The eyes told the tale of survival; and just how far one would go to continue to survive. She saw a coldness in his eyes that told the tale of death, and of blood on his hands. Before them stood a survivor capable of anything and a chill ran down her spine.

Her eyes betrayed her for she had not crossed that line, or forgotten her humanity. Yet she stood tall and guarded Maddie protectively against a potential hostile. She had something far more intimidating: a mother's love for her child.

After a moment, the man relaxed his stance and crept past them. Keeping to the other side of the tunnel wall, he turned and looked at them.

"Best be on your way or your kids gonna be a snack for some hybrid!" He guffawed at that and continued out of sight. Minda sighed. She pulled Maddie out from behind her and gave her a quick hug of quiet reassurance before they began walking again.

Worry coursed through her the nearer they got to the watering hole. By far, this was the most dangerous part of their trek. From here on out, they had to navigate a steep path leading deep into the ground. Multiple side tunnels held the increased risk of an encounter with normal or hybrid. Complete darkness in this part of the path only added to the fear. They would need to navigate by feel of remembered landmarks; jutted rocks, dips in the tunnel, the change in the dirt to slow muddy areas.

If not for their very survival, defeat would most certainly have won long ago. Minda knew of no other trails to take so she took a breath and slung the pack on tighter across her back. Then she crouched down to near all fours so she could better feel the path. Maddie knew the drill for she clung to her mothers back and held on for the rough ride to the bottom.

Minda began the decent half skidding, half sliding as she broached each known landmark. The curving of the tunnel to the left, the rugged boulder jutting out from the right to the beginning of the muddy stages. Here, far from the burning surfaces, the air became hot and humid. Minda slid further down and came to another jutting rock to the right. Here, clinging to the rock, she paused. She needed to catch her breath. Maddie continued to cling to her back with more strength then she would have thought possible.

Poor kid, Minda thought. So much to have to endure for a child yet her daughter clung to the desire to live. She inspired her mother not to give up either. The next part of the tunnel held the most risk. Multiple side tunnels opened up to join the main path. Minda plunged ahead. Echoing sounds of movement and activity rolled off of the side tunnels. Minda picked up speed and plowed past the other tunnels as fast as she could skid and slide.

They reached the base of the steep tunnel more or less in one piece. It was never easy going down the long steep path but they were now on flat ground. From here, it was a short distance to the water. As they drew closer, a greenish blue glow lit the path. Strange algae, growing in the mud glowed eerily. The scent of sulfur reached their noses. Minda helped Maddie cross the thick squishy muck before taking the lead again.

The tunnel glowed brighter with a hazy blue green. They rounded the last corner and the watering hole came into view. Minda scanned rapidly for any signs of company before the overwhelming call of water won. Heedless now in the desperate urge to quench thirst, they made their way to the nearest edge of the glowing water. Maddie fell down to her knees and scooped in mouthfuls of water. Although thirsty, Minda stood guard over her daughter until she was finished.

Nestled in a tall cavern with a crown of jutting grey white rocks surrounding its edge, the watering hole swirled a lazy pattern of near fluorescent light. Thick and cloudy with the taste of sulfur, the flow of the water suggested an underground current that fed the hot springs. It was impossible to tell how deep it was nor did anyone dare try cross the strong swirling undertow.

Minda remembered stories of how some normals had been sucked down into the abyss and never seen again. Nor were their bodies ever recovered. Despite the heavy humidity, Minda shivered. She kept an eye on Maddie as she drank her fill of the water. It was warm and heavy with mineral concentrates but it tasted so good. She tried not to think of what caused the glowing iridescent light but figured it didn't really matter when the only other choice was to die.

Refreshed, Minda led her child off to the side where the cavern sloped steeply down nearly connecting with the grey rocks encasing the water. It was cramped going along here and therefor not so popular an area as the rest of the underground pool. In the hunched space between cavern ceiling and jutting rock floor, Minda finally relaxed. This spot afforded them privacy for washing themselves and filling their water canister. It was also a good spot for finding food.

They washed their faces and hands, feeling a little more human. Minda wished they had more time to bathe but she didn't dare take the chance. Instead, she opened her backpack and pulled out a flat dilapidated plastic container. Like all things down here, it long had seen better days yet still served its purpose. To hold food. She gave a cautionary look to Maddie as she played near the water. She passed their water canister to Maddie so she could fill it while she hunted.

Minda heard of fish in the pool but had only glimpsed them swimming under the surface. Odd things, these fish, as they were so white as to be albino and almost translucent. These underground fish had likely never seen the light of day. Minda wished she could catch one as she dug her fingers in the muck. Pulling out a few fat grubs, she carefully rinsed them off before placing them into the plastic container. She scraped and dug some more and was rewarded with a couple thin red worms.

Antsy at the lateness of the day, Minda finished their meal with a patch of the strange glowing algae. It grew thicker by the water's edge and resembled moss. She was rewarded with the added bonus of some black beetles scurrying away. Happy at the thought of food, Minda packed her plastic container and retrieved the water canister to pack up as well.

The sound of voices invaded the cavern and Minda watched as a handful of normals entered and made their way towards the deeper end of the pool. Even in the shadows, their presence was immediately noted as the catlike eyes of the normals searched for other lifeforms. Noticed and dismissed as not a threat, Minda gathered up her child for one last drink of water. They edged their way to the beginning of the cavern all the while under the watchful eyes of the other normals.

Minda slung the battered backpack across her shoulder and latched onto Maddie's hand. They had made it to the watering hole. Now it was time to make the journey home.