Future World Story - Catherine M. - 12/27/17

Contest: Winners

Future World Story

Submitted by: Catherine M., age 12, Larchmont, NY

Alone in Space

The black behind my eyelids suddenly changed to red as I heard my lights flicker on. I felt around for the button on the side of my bed and pressed. Seconds later I felt a pillow being pressed against my face. I snuggled back into my squishy bed.

I waited for Mom to come in and yell at me for using my pillow, but her shrill voice never came. Eventually I took the pillow away and got up. The darkness stung my eyes.

I ventured down the glass staircase to find a dark room. “Lights,” I said. They switched on to reveal an empty kitchen. “Mom?” I called. “Dad?”

Our whole dwelling was empty. I checked it all and slipped clothes on and hurried out into the hall. I walked up and down the hall, calling for my parents. I expected one of our neighbors to come out and yell at me for being so loud.

But nobody came. I resorted to pounding on doors, panic replacing my blood. I took a shaky breath and did the one thing I’d been forbidden to do: knocked on Mrs. Freedman’s door. I knocked loudly. Without thinking, I turned the knob and screamed, “ANYBODY?”

No.

I ran back to my dwelling and fell to the floor, crying. I crawled to the circular window and stared out at the Earth below. Was everyone gone there, too?

I allowed my sobs to fill the room since nobody would hear me. I felt a soft handkerchief dabbing my face. I saw one of the robot arms holding it. I heard Mom’s soft voice reaching my ears. “. . . You’re okay . . . Don’t worry . . . You’ll be fine. . . .”

Her recording. It was set to play if I cried. “NO IT WON’T!” I screamed. I snatched the handkerchief from the robot arm and threw it at the speaker with all my might. I sprinted back to my room and dove under my blanket. “Lights . . . off . . . ‘” I sobbed.

Suddenly I woke up, Mom’s soft hand on my face.

It was just a dream.


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