I was in a room while my brother was watching a anime type cartoon, as he usually does. I glanced over to it and then my eyes got stuck on it.
The computer screen grew really big as it said “The Peace Tree”
and then some kids were running around an apocalyptic wasteland watching their parents getting dissolved by swarms of tiny bugs and screaming and running, but never getting away..
and then I was in it I was there, in this world I was watching unravel and be destroyed.
The ground was hot and acidic, so my feet were melting to the ground, my skin was pealing off with every step. Everywhere I looked there was someone dead or being torn apart. Then these huge scarab things paused eating someone’s intestines, and looked at me. They darted at me so i ran into a house near by. Everything was duct taped, and the furniture was stacked against the walls with windows. There was dead bodies everywhere , including the mother of the people who were living here. Five people were here, I was so happy to see all these survivors. A girl around my age Angelica who was especially beautiful but strong. Her large eyes were light sapphire blue and surrounded with thick dark lashes. Her black long straight hair contrasted with her skin that looked delicate and milky, like perfectly carved ivory. Her lips were small and soft pink. She had a gentle usually average body, and a baby girl in her soft arms, her sister Emily. She was everything I’ve ever wished I was.
They were just as terrified as I was. Eric the oldest had deep green eyes that penetrated my soul, and short brown hair with a slight wave. He had a strong structure, his clay formed body constantly in a protective stance. He asked me questions to find out everything I knew. I wasn’t much help. I knew less than everyone there. Since I’ve only been here for 10 dream time hours. He seems older than he is, at 19. He seemed to know a lot. Jordan and Justin were the second oldest. Twins and were very much the same accept that Jordan was more mature acting. Justin looked a few years younger because of his wide curious eyes, He looked to his 2 minutes older brother for everything. And you could see the love they have for each other radiating off of everything they do.
The boys both had green eyes Jordan’s were slightly darker, and he was obviously trying hard not to scream, and cry. To lash out at Justin for asking so many questions about things that are killing everyone, and everything around them.
Eric was extremely kind to me, and he was gorgeous too. I felt instant chemistry.
When he told me to come sit next to him, I felt butterflies shoot from my stomach into my cheeks. I knew I was blushing, which made me blush more. The guys were playing monopoly, and Angelica was reading “oh the places you will go” to the baby.
Eric won after a long game, but it was neat to watch.
Then the twins messed with the television attaching it’s cords to some kind of power box. And put in a movie. There wasn’t much else to do locked up in a house. So we watched, though I was mostly just enjoying being beside Eric. But the movie turned into something disturbing. It was my moms old house, and we were all in it. Couldn’t they see it was me in the movie?
I looked down at my body. I was wearing a black dress. I was thin!
I had to leave the room.
I went to the washroom, needed to see a mirror.
And I didn’t look like myself. I was beautiful, like everyone else here. I had my eyes, gray with amber around the pupil. I had my face shape, but a smaller nose, and I was thin, with perfect boobs, and nice legs. My skin was clear, and just as soft and milky as angelica’s. I was in hell but looked like what I’ve always dreamed of.
I walked back into the room with a lot more confidence, and sat back next to Eric.
I asked if there was anything else we could watch. They had the little mermaid, “That‘s a good one!” I said with added enthusiasm so I wouldn’t have to watch myself at 7 running around playing with my cat.
The twins left the room. Murmuring something about me having bad movie taste, because I chose Emily’s favourite. “This world is strange.” I thought.
And have been thinking over and over during this dream.
Angelica took Emily into the other room to change her.
She was definitely taking on the mother role. She came back to get her book than left again.
It was then just Eric and me.
And I knew he wasn’t watching the movie either.
We ended up talking about everything.
He told me They just woke up one day hearing everyone screaming.
There were explosions and the power went out, they thought it was terrorists. Their dad is part of the army he called them while in a plane. He told them to go to a store and take everything they can, everything they could need. And not to worry about money, since it doesn’t matter any more. And to stack as much stuff around the windows as possible, and “Don’t leave the house no matter what” he said mimicking his fathers stern voice.
His eyes fogged over, and tears started to pour out. They listened to their father but never heard from him again.
He promised them he’d be back as soon as he can.
His voice was shaky, and he was fighting the tears now.
He told me the bodies were his cousins, they’d try to fight there way out of this nightmare to find there friends if they were still alive. They never made it far, then they ran back in to much pain to keep going. Limbs torn off, shoes melted off, and there feet were blistered and destroyed. And cut up and dissolved in places from the swarms of the killer micro bugs. They collapsed and eventually died.
He started sobbing from deep in his chest again, no point of fight these tears they came straight from every part of his body as he told me about his mother.
She was the kindest woman he’s ever known. She had adopted him, and the twins.
Doctors told her she couldn’t have kids, for some reason. Something wrong with her uterus. But miraculously a week after adopting the twins, she found out she had been pregnant for two months already. She was ecstatic. She had Angelica with no problems at all. And then last year she got pregnant again with Emily.
He cried even harder now thinking about the end of this story.
She was due 4 and half days before the day when everything changed. So they knew she was going to give birth any minute now. They stole as much medical supplies as they could, and baby milk formula. They were not ready for it though.
She went into labour that night.
Emily was fine . But their mom wouldn’t stop bleeding, and she died in the evening of the next day. She had nursed Emily to perfect health, and had a few bottles of milk ready in the small battery powered fridge.
But after she died Emily wouldn’t stop crying. She got really sick, and wouldn’t eat.
They kept trying to find a way to get her a doctor. But every time they opened the door something would fly at them as though they were waiting.
“We have to find a way to save her.” he said. And the words echoed through my head, looking for an idea to bounce off of. Nothing.
I looked into his eyes, and then quickly looked away, the pain in them stung me.
I had to comfort him. But I knew it isn’t going to be okay. I just hugged him.
He hugged back, and clung hard while he let every last tear out.
I ended up crying too.
After a few moments he sat up straight wipes his cheeks off, and smiled at me. The smile was of embarrassment but it was still the most beautiful smile I’ve seen.
Over the next week they made a plan to go find someone to help with Emily.
We’d been living quite well given the circumstances. They’ve been force feeding Emily to keep her alive, and she was finally starting to eat on her own. But her illness is getting worse. She was throwing up blood. We had to do something
The guys were going to layer up, and wrap themselves up in shower curtains, blankets, and in everything they can think of. They told me to stay here. Because someone needs to be there for Angelica and Emily in case something happens.
“I case something happens” I thought and started hyperventilating.
Eric and I have gotten close. I told him all about how I got here. And he just thought I was crazy. “This Is no nightmare, it’s real, Believe me I feel the same way, but it’s real” he said carefully. We had been spending every minute of the week talking. “what a long dream” I kept repeating to myself. Until I started to believe him that it’s real.
The twins and Eric got completely dressed, everything wearable in the house they put on. I was crying now, and trembling in fear. Eric looked at me, and told me not to worry, they won’t go far this time. And he must’ve saw the feelings I’ve been trying to hide because he kissed me. It was unlike any other feeling, there was static on his tongue that tickled my lips. We must’ve been kissing for a while paused in this moment, cause Justin fake coughed and said “Are we gonna go or what?” I clung to Eric, but I knew he had to go. So they gathered everything, layered up till they were 10 times larger then they are. Then ran for it. I watched as they first layer of padding burst into fire and fell to ash around them. They kept running, and they seems not to be noticed by the man eating bugs. Yet. And then it started to rain, and it stung me and destroyed my flesh as it landed on me. So I quickly closed the door, and just on time because there was a loud bang on the door after I shut it. I knew it was one of the giant scarabs. We waited for a few hours. Both anxious as hell.
I went to have a shower, the water felt nice even though it was ice cold. And to my surprise Angelica walked in. She had a bashful look on her face. She giggled “Emily’s asleep” she said as she took off her pants, not wearing anything underneath. Then took off her top, and bra. As all her clothes dropped around her feet I couldn’t help but feel self conscious, even with my new improved body. She was curvy, and white with a pink blush on her face, and chest.
“this is a dream” I thought again as she stepped in. Then we heard the door slam. We stopped and quickly wrapped up In our towels. The moment totally left our minds. We ran out to see the returning guys.
Jordan never came back.
Eric was sobbing, and Justin was almost screaming in agony.
His eyes looked so dull and black, he looked more like his brother than himself.
I’ve never see someone so torn apart. Even the bodies that lay outside, they don’t have to feel it. They were both physically fine. They got some medicine for Emily. Then I watched as the family broke down over and over. Eric didn’t really talk at all for a while.
When he did I don’t think he meant it to be out loud.
I had completely forgotten I was dreaming at that time.
I fell in love with the whole family, in different ways.
Emily was starting to laugh, and was growing rapidly. She was finally healthy.
Justin grew 50 years on that day, and all he does is watch movies, and read.
No more wide curious eyes. I missed them now. And I missed Smiles.
Eric and I were getting more serious, and I knew I loved him more than anyone.
Angelica stopped being flirty, and started being extremely serious about everything,
acting exactly like a mother, a good one.
We lived alright from then on, checking regularly to see if maybe the world is back to normal. We always found something to do. And then two in-dream months later the water was no longer working, dark foul smelling toxins came out of the taps. And we were out of food. Justin and Eric offered to go to the store to see what they can find. But I couldn’t handle seeing anymore of these people I love die, I wanted to go. But they wouldn’t let me. Justin and Eric went and I watched out a crack in the boards covering the window. Seemed like hours had passed before I saw… One person coming back. I started to bawl. “Eric… Where’s Eric!?” I screamed inside, and out. Justin looked even older than when he left not a trace of 17 left.
He had a major sun burn, and a crooked twisted frown. His eyes weren’t his at all anymore. I think he died too.
He couldn’t tell us what happened, even if we could bring ourselves to ask.
The look on his face told us enough. He had gotten some water, and canned meals.
“Not enough to last till whenever this ends. Someone will have to go out again” I thought.
I couldn’t stop crying that day.
And to make things worse. Justin and Angelica were leaving too.
They had gotten paged by one of their aunties. They wanted to go see her, make sure she’s ok, and they’d page me in three hours when they got there. They couldn’t risk bringing Emily, and so I had to stay too.
“Who’s coming back this time” I couldn’t help thinking out loud, as I started to tremble in pain. But they had already left. Both so numb they acted as though they didn’t care if they came back or not.
So, I was alone with Emily, starring at a pager.
Her eyes looked older and more hopeless then the dead people laying around us. Ice blue, stone hard with not a single sparkle.
I thought maybe she knew as well as I did, we may never see them again.
There was only 1 bottle left in the fridge which we had to pump from her dead mothers breasts. I fed her a little bit when she started crying and nothing else worked. Three hours had passed, no page. Four hours… I was tapping my knee, and fidgeting with everything I could. But all I could here was the clock, and I couldn’t stop watching it. 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours …..
Emily had fallen asleep, so I put he in her crib beside me.
Then I fell asleep.
I woke up at 6. Never sure if it was morning or evening there. It was always dark dingy, with a red sky outside. My stomach was growling, I hadn’t eaten for 4 days.
And I hadn’t gotten a page from anyone yet. I knew they weren’t coming back, at least not for a long time. Which means I would have to go get us some water and some food.
I was too scared, what if she died.. But if I wait, she’ll die anyways.
I waited until the last minute had long past, which is when i noticed it was less hot out. There was a dark dressed figure outside the house, I thought it was a person, so I figured it must be safer since he isn’t being torn apart, melted, or eaten by anything.
So I ran out there with the baby, excited to see who it was, was it Angelica??. Then she turned around. She was a ghost, or a demon, or something. She screamed at me in a language I’ve never heard before. And then a swarm of the micro bugs flew into Emily’s eyes, she acted as though nothing happened. Then the ghost, demon woman launched at me, so I ran as fast as I could
I ran and cried, and ran, till I came up to this gas station
someone was obviously in there, the windows were covered.
There was candle light seen through the tiny crack between newspapers. It was locked. So I pounded on the door with all my hope, screaming until an old man, finally opened the door….
I got in just as the woman was about to grab me and Emily.
The man was gentle looking, and had almost white eyes, but not blind. He looked like he would have been a very joyous man before, but now his face was fold in a permanent pain. Right as a started to calm down, Emily started to scream, like only a terrified adult could. And the bugs that flew into her eyes exploded out, and flew
through us both like sand sized bullets, over and over again. Until he managed to kill them with a torch lighter and some hair spray.
I was alone now. There was nothing left of my family.
I was screaming the same way Justin was when Jordan died. “Why can’t I wake up?” I screamed. The man didn’t seem to even notice. I wondered “did everyone dream there way here? Am I stuck here for ever!?”
After wrapping our wounds with everything he had to stop the bleeding, we spoke about his plan on how to get out of here and see if there’s any other survivors.
He had found that the swarms of micro bugs can’t deal with cold, or fire, he had used his fire extinguishers before to kill them. Cigarette smoke seems to repel the giant man eating scarabs. So we packed up a bunch of the stations cigarette packs, and started lighting them all and throwing them out of the door , and surely enough they all flew off. I stayed with him at the station for a while. He told be about his days as a kid, back when the land was peaceful. He liked to fish, go camping, play shooting games with his friends. Much like the people in our world.
He informed me that this is year 3098, planet Earth. He didn’t seem to wonder about my strange questions.
He mentioned a scroll he had found with nothing but a picture of a tree, with every kind of plant growing on, and around it, and a map to it. He said the trunk itself must’ve been bigger than a mall. It’s had fell from the sky the same day the normal spring rain turned into acid, and fire. Then I woke up. 3 am I only have been sleeping for three hours but dreamt a few months. I couldn’t go back to sleep.
There was a second time I had the same dream as though I was fast forwarding through it. Going through it normally for a few moments. Stopping at every death, every smile, and a few kisses, switching scenes repeatedly until the end of the previous dream…. I was terrified I’d get stuck her for months again. So I told him but he continued talking about this tree. He told me If I find this tree, I might find people. I might survive. He said this as though he had no intention of doing any of that. “How do I get there? I don’t know the way!?” I said. Then his mouth crumpled into a frown I’ve never been forced to see before.. and he started to shake I thought he was having a seizure, his chest ripped open, and inside was the scroll… Then I woke up.
I expect I’ll get the rest of the story in a dream on another day.
The peace tree ~ My Dismantled mind
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