As the world changes, a new form of reality takes hold. Man has acquired the ability to adapt physically for centuries-- and with that they have cultivated the ability to adapt mentally.
We are the leftovers of a race that was reluctant to prepare for change. A race keen on sleeping in the cavernous grooves of the desert cracks. A race who perished at the hand of adversity.
We are ten. Gerty is our eyes. Rebecca is the logic. Andrew is the ears. Craig is our voice. Dustin leads us. Trish gathers. Finn fights. Jake hunts, and tracks. Lottie raises the heart. Bronson gardens.
"Should you mention the other five?"
"Not yet, I think it's best if we start from now, and then recap."
"Oh, okay Beck."
Today we've found a recording device. We're recording this for those who find it in the future, our future. We will prosper and we will survive. Trish is pregnant now. Our generations must know about what happened.
We live in the Autumn. For five years now, we have survived in the Fall. As the trees have no more leaves to shed, the birds nests are easy to find, and the shade is a commodity. We find shelter in the only thing that we can-- vehicles. Cars and buses that are left from the change. For now we have set up in a bright orange bus. It's home, and it's safe.
Our main threat is the land. Animals avoid us, and the weather is mild. The land is what attacks. Passively, the land will fall out from under us. It will open up as we travel, it longs to take us.
We avoid cliffs, mountains, and valleys. We have traveled to the flattest existence that we could. We now live on the tree-lined edge of the Mojave desert.
"We think it is."
"Right. It could be any desert."
Trish added. "I'm back, found some cactus. Oh-- are you recording that now? Hi, MoMo." It was the name she planned for her child.
They're right, we're not sure what desert we're in. The only thing that we're certain of is that it's the most habitable place we could find. As we look to the east, more of the world is ragged and missing. To the west, there are holes in mountains, and engulfing blackness.
The world fell away with our other five. On the edge of the lake. John, Tommy, Adam, and Judith were taken. The Earth claimed them. Water followed them as they fell from us.
"They're in a better place.'
"Yes."
"Or they're in no place at all..." Finn offered. No body humored his comment.
"Trish... Trish! Hold on. Gerty! Help!"
"What's going on?"
"Trish, she's not breathing!"
"Trish, talk to me! Someone get water and the batteries."
"Here's the van batts. Oh shit... Trish is bleeding."
"GET TOWELS!"
-Transmission lost.-
"Sir. What do you think is happening?"
The commanding officer, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the virtual reality unit with the fifteen plugged in. Five of them were covered in black bags. A sixth one was being approached by two men and a bag.
"Whatever their mind is allowing."
A medical officer reports: "the remaining nine are experiencing high adrenaline levels and a spike in blood pressure. Permission to sedate."
"Denied. This is their reality. Let them live it. Cadet Lois. Take note for the team about to go under-- Create a fail-safe which allows for a 'better place' override, we can't allow anyone else to die."
The commander muttered under his breath, leaving for a meeting. "Six people in as many minutes... The human mind is a weak military tool. Let's keep this under wraps until our success rate is above 50%."
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