Chapter 25 - The dust settles

I want to end up with Jake and I realize now that's not going to happen. How the last two people on Earth don't end up with each other is ironic. The preacher goes about his business like nothing is going to happen. They check the squirrel and fish traps. They bring back food to eat. Even Lisa seems to be settling into life here.

Doing the same thing day after day is boring. I think it's funny because back in the village I would be doing the same thing day after day and be okay with it, it was comfortable. It seems like everyone is getting comfortable with our new life except for me.

I think about Katy a lot. I wish my Katy were here. The Katy I grew up with. I'll never see her again. I'll never see my parents again. I'll just cease to exist and I won't even know it. Life feels meaningless. Several days pass and the Preacher calls a meeting.

"Nia," The preacher starts off, "We are all concerned about you. It is clear you are suffering from a state of depression. The resolution is too increase your physical activity. Physical activity causes the brain to release natural anti-depressants and will help you feel better. We will start by jogging to the fish traps at the lake."

"What's the point, it doesn't matter." I tell him.

"It matters to us." He says back.

"I don't want to jog all the way to the lake." I tell him.

"It wasn't a request." He answers back. So I'm forced to jog to the lake. I start jogging and whenever I slow down to a walk, the preacher yells at me to start jogging again. I feel like I'm going to die right there. I can't remember the last time I jogged. When we get to the lake I collapse. The Preacher checks the traps and removes the fish he caught. I am so exhausted I can barely move. My breathing is heavy and I'm pretty sure I'm going to die.

"Do you feel any better?" the Preacher asks me.

"I feel like I'm going to die." I tell him.

"You're not going to die. You will probably fall asleep though but don't worry, I won't leave you." He says. I end up falling asleep. When I wake up the preacher is sitting on the grass beside me staring at me. It seems a bit creepy.

"It's about time you woke up." He says, "How do you feel now?"

"I feel better." I tell him, "Maybe I just needed to get some sleep."

"Maybe ... Have you changed your mind about Jake, I've noticed your attitude toward him is less hostile." The preacher asks.

"I think I have." I answer.

"That is good." The preacher comments. As the preacher is speaking the scene changes. The lake is still there but the tress are gone and buildings take their place. The preacher also disappears. Instead of lying on grass I'm lying on a concreate sidewalk. I sit up and take a look around. There are people everywhere. I realize that I'm in Katy's future. But how did I get here and where did the Preacher go?

I get up and look around. Nothing looks familiar but I start walking toward where I think Katy lives. As I keep walking things start coming back to me and I remember where our apartment is. As I exit the lift on our floor, I see Jake. What is Jake doing here? I run up to him and put my arms around him.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"I don't know. I'm scared." I tell him.

"That's understandable, I take it there have been no changes then." He asks.

"No changes?" I ask confused.

"To Katy's condition." He explains.

"No" I tell him. I'm not sure what he is talking about but I don't want to seem like I'm dumb. Lidia comes off the lift and sees me with my arms around Jake.

"Are you Okay?" She asks. By the tone of her voice I can tell she's concerned.

"Nia is still upset over Katy." Jake explains to Lidia.

"I just came over to see how Katy is doing." Lidia says. I go into the apartment and head straight to Katy's room. She is lying on her bed and her eyes are closed. The Doctor is here. What is he doing here? It's the same doctor that locked me up and hypnotized me but it can't be. When the Doctor notices me he gives me an update.

"There have been no changes in Katy's condition." When he notices that I have no idea what he is talking about he continues, "Katy has been in a coma since she collapsed playing that virtual reality game. We have no idea when or if she will ever wake up. Her brain activity has been off the chart but we still haven't figured out what is causing it."

"What are you doing here?" I ask him.

"I'm the doctor that was assigned to your sister's case." The Doctor explains.

"You're not supposed to be here and neither is Jake." I declare.

"What are you talking about?" Jake asks. This doesn't feel right. As each second passes I keep remembering things about this life but it's not mine. My life is back in the village. Will I forget that life completely?

"Is Katy still stuck in the game?" I ask the Doctor.

"The game is over." The Doctor says, "It looks like Katy lost."

How am I going to get back to the village now?

The End