AFTER THE PANDEMIC

 

AFTER THE PANDEMIC

It was deadlier than a nuclear blast – an endless tsunami of viruses. Those few who didn’t die learned to hide, only venturing out at night to forage for food.

 Wild animals invaded the towns with astonishing speed – pampered pets and abandoned children alike fell victim to predators or turned feral.

 

Within months the cities began to disappear beneath foliage. Decorative trees cracked pavements in their search for water. Unchecked gardens and undergrowth reached though open windows to feed on unburied corpses. Mould consumed paper, fabric and, eventually, even plastic.

 

It was the end of civilisation – but not the end of the world.

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This could all too easily be the end of the human race. Certainly humanity, in the sense of caring for others, has disappeared already in many extremist groups. Religious differences, skin colour variations, and the prejudices we instill in our children, will seemingly never end. 

Thanks are due to David Stewart for the photograph and to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers.