The Haze

It was so sudden. The thick and heavy clouds converged in the sky. Darkness blocked the view of the sun. Even the air changed, a cold snap taking over. Gathering its strength in the Atlantic, everyone assumed it was a hurricane. Just another storm that the local weatherman would update you on, but it formed too quickly to be a normal storm. It also didn't move, but instead it spread itself out. Like someone stretching their body, the clouds started to obscure the ocean from sight.

Only three hours after being spotted, the eastern coast of Africa was hit. Heavy rainfall and high waves caused major flooding. Windspeads were reported to be 60 mph. A reporter was lifted into the air and carried for eight whole miles before falling fifty feet. The cameraman was then engulfed by a massive wave and drowned. All of this was caught on live television. The news cast were horrified along with their viewers. 

I remember my jaw dropping to the ground as they replayed it, but the horror was just beginning. 

As the darkness spread across the African continent, reports of earthquakes came in and F5 tornadoes had touched down. This triggered volcanic eruptions and record breaking tidal waves. Hundreds of thousands of people were dead or missing, they're families pleading for a miracle. Many countries sent help and supplies, even opening their borders to refugees. 

It was when the darkness had taken over half of the continent, from sea to sea, that other countries started to worry. Scientists were baffled by this immense power and durability. None of them could understand how this storm continued to grow stronger, or how it caused such devastating aftershocks. They couldn't even figure out where the storm was heading. It just got worse and worse. 

The darkness reached the southern part of Asia within a week. Again there were earthquakes and tornadoes. All following the rain and wind. People were terrified to stay home, so they started heading north. The darkness only followed. It slithered it's way through the north, the south, the east and the west. Millions were dead or missing and again countries tried to send help, but it was all for nothing.

Another week had passed and the entire African continent was lost. Asia would soon be completely engulfed as well, leaving other continents to make the decision to abandon it. People were scared now that it was clear there was no stopping what had started. What was worse was the fact that there was no way of escaping it either. 

People were forced to flee from their homes with whatever they could carry. Power outages spread across the globe. This made it impossible for families to call for help, especially as forest fires, land and mudslides wreaked havoc. Entire towns were gone and wildlife was almost nonexistent. Shelter, food, water and so much more became harder to find.

Then came the monsters. Creatures of hell and mythical legends. Good or bad it didn't matter. They were chaotic, staking their territories and defending them with deadly determination. From the  land to the sea. Forests or deserts, hot or cold, something was claiming the abandoned area. People said they came from the Haze, referring to the darkness. 

It spread across the world, overtaking countries and the people. The Haze functioned as the next extinction, but what really scared people was the mystery on why. No one could tell you exactly where they came from, or why they're here. Many say it's an act of god. Conspiracy theorists suggest that it was an interstellar attack, or another dimension. So much was uncertain. Where were the signs, warnings and signals. 

But that didn't matter anymore. World leaders fell from power, mainly due to people rioting in the streets. Criminals were on the loose, but even they struggled to survive. Politicians were persecuted by those who believed their corrupt actions brought the end of the world. Many wealthy people faced the growing crowds, with no one to protect them. They didn't last very long. 

In less than a month there were chaotic natural disasters, rampaging crowds, deadly creatures and terrifying monsters overcoming the world. In six months, half the world was covered by the Haze. The other half would soon be engulfed as well. At this time a man only known as Lucaus, started to rally Americans and put forth a plan of survival. He vowed to lead the whole world through this chaotic change and that he would ensure a future for humanity. With the support of the American people, he began fortifying cities that had not been overcome by the Haze and to give people secure shelter against the monsters.

Cruise ships were modified to act as shelter for people. Salvaged materials were used to build walls around major cities. Mass production of weapons and traps for capturing creatures had been enacted. Fossil fuels were abandoned for more efficient power. Testing on mythical creatures was underway. More military outposts were built. Gas powered vehicles were stripped for parts. Only military vehicles could run on gasoline. It was quite impressive to see the whole country work for survival. 

As they did so, Lucaus gained more power over people. He used military force to fortify other countries. Many resisted, but they all fell under the control of the Haze. Those who obeyed were able to protect whatever land they had left and the people who reached it. It seemed that his accession to leadership was undeniable. Even encouraged by his supporters. 

Some people were skeptical, for good reason. Thinking that this would make it easier to be picked off. Still it happened, and it seemed to work. The first cities were New York, Tokyo, and Sydney. With a tight set of rules and advanced logic plus weapons we seem to survive. Soon the critics relented.

As many worked to create strongholds, people scrambled to reach them. Taking whatever they could and heading to the nearest one. Everyone hoping to reach safety and reunite with friends and family. Even I packed up, along with my friends to escape the Haze. 

The last report I heard was that the Haze was engulfing Mexico and it would be two days before it reached the United States. My friends and I were in Texas, grabbing what we could and heading for the evacuation outpost. My friends were trying to get me to come with them to Colorado, but I was planning on staying in Texas. 

I was helping my friend Bryan load up his truck to go to Oklahoma. He was going to pick up his wife Alice and head to Colorado with everyone else. I went to take a breather at a nearby gas station. I know, the end of the world was happening, but we were getting a move on. Soon we would be on the road heading to the evac spot. Then I would go to Dallas and lay low there, while my friends would head to Denver. 

I took a walk to the nearest gas station. Thankfully it was still open, although not for long. The manager and cashier were grabbing as much as they could before leaving themselves. They gave me a drink, then readied their truck to go. I went back outside for some shade. 

Although so much was going on, I just couldn't take it the way it was. Natural disasters, chaotic monsters, and heavy darkness blocking the sky. Taking a break, and having some silence I considered going back right away or taking a few more minutes. After all this could be last moment peace, before I have to say goodbye to all I know.

It would be tough splitting up. I've known my friends for years. In fact I met most of them here in Texas. Adele and Lawrence I've known the longest. We met in elementary school. When I started first grade I became friends with Bryan and Clay. I also met Simon, Alice and Nico too. It was when Bryan and Alice started dating I became friends with Tyler. Though he makes it out to be more than that.

Then the authorities got involved, so I had to move. My home life was chaotic, but it didn't get better when I lived in Colorado. I spent my fifth and sixth grade, working through the mess I had been a part of. Then I moved to North Carolina and that's when I met Jesse and Lia. We went to middle school and highschool together. 

After graduation, I made plans to move back to Texas. Jesse decided to come with me since she was dating someone who lived there. Lia also chose to come, so we saved up enough money to live there. It turned out that Jesse had been dating Simon, which allowed me to get in contact with my old friends. Although they broke up when Jesse started crushing on Tyler. Everyone made jokes about it, how there was a love triangle. Because Tyler was known to flirt with me. At the time it seemed like the most dramatic situation I was facing.

"But this happened." I muttered.

I had only been living here for eight months. Then the whole world falls apart and it will never be the same. It always felt like life was working against me. Even before I was born, hell was wreaking havoc on my family. All I wanted was a normal life, but now that would be impossible.

While soaking in the sun, I didn't notice the wind pick up, the clouds roll in, or even the cashier run out of the gas station. It was only when the demonic shrieks had reached my ears that I opened my eyes. Everything went cold. The sun was blocked completely. I could glimpse creatures in the sky as the Haze rolled in. 

"Anna!" Tyler yelled. 

He was getting out of his car while I was gawking at the sky. I could feel my body go numb, then started to shake from the realization. Tyler grabbed my arm and dragged me to the car. 

"What about everyone else?" I asked.

"Gone. They left when I said I'd get you." he answered.

He must have rushed them in their own cars when they saw the Haze. Even Jesse chose to ride with them instead of sticking to Tyler. She must have done it for Lia, who would be scared beyond words. 

"You think we can stay ahead of it?" I wondered. 

He didn't answer. His eyes stayed glued to the road, avoiding abandoned vehicles from early evacuations. 

SHREEEEEEEK!

A demon glided past us, not bothering to stop our attempt to escape. Then the ground started to shake. I looked behind us. Something was chasing us, and it was getting closer. Tyler pressed down on the pedal, but the creature was catching up. I could feel my inside ready to come out, but knew we had to go faster. The ground kept shaking, making it difficult to avoid other cars. The creature just shoved them out of its way and came up on my side. I could see big black eyes and horns jutting out of its head. 

BOOM!

All of a sudden it slammed into an abandoned semi. I let out a sigh, but had to cover my mouth. Tyler even laughed, out of pure relief. He was gripping the steering wheel and holding down the gas pedal. He looked my way and smiled. 

"You see, we do better together." He said. 

I rolled my eyes, "if you think I'm going to change my mind…"

He chuckled, "yeah yeah yeah Dallas all the way."

I glared at him, but he just smiled back. His hair was a mess and his eyes were wild. The green color was almost glowing. He had always said he knows I stare at him. Now we were speeding to the evac spot and he was still acting like everything was ok. 

"What, you wanna kiss me?" Tyler joked. He caught me staring.

"In your dreams." I muttered, he just laughed. 

I looked out the window, hoping we would get there soon, but Tyler just kept flirting. Then he made a move, which was so uncool! I would've slapped him if he wasn't driving. Though even then he wouldn't stop smiling. I wish I never took that smile for granted. 

CRASH

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Everything went Black. Silence, pain, and cold were what I felt. 

I don't know what hit us, but it was enough to flip the car. I was thrown out the windshield. Tyler was still in the car, which had rolled in a ditch. Someone had managed to help him, but I was too far away to be seen. I don't know how I wasn't dead. From the crash, the creatures or the many people fighting to escape. 

It was raining when I woke up. The darkness had settled as I got to my feet. Blood and mud stuck to my face, obscuring my vision. There was glass embedded in my arm. My legs could barely hold me upright. I stumbled through the trees looking for shelter. The army had cleared out, so I knew I was most likely alone. I managed to find a shack. As I tried to tend to my wounds, all I heard were the howls and growls of the monster. Eventually I managed to clean off the blood, but I still didn't know if I would make it.  Most nights I spend crying myself to sleep. This is the new world and now I'm alone.