Content Warning
Content on this page may be triggering to some. This story includes violence, including implied violence against children.
The apocalypse has ravaged the world and all of us are mutated. Out skin shimmers in the light of the setting sun, clanking and cracking as we move, like porcelain. The six of us—two kids, myself, two guys, and the eldest of us—sat around the table, discussing what we had done throughout the day. Me and one of the kids were sent outside to get the “farm” operating.
I stare at the “farm”, unsure exactly what it is I’m looking at: It’s like some kind of massive urn, with strange pipes, cranks, and levers jutting from its figure. As I clean it the kid sits at the base, churning away a crank. I tell the kid I’ll be right back, but I have to go inside to get the others.
Inside the four others are still sitting around the kitchen, talking away. I can’t hear what they’re discussing, but I butt in to let the oldest of the group, the only girl in the group, know that we have the “farm” up and running. Her and the second oldest get up and head outside, all but the youngest of the group following behind. Me and the youngest remain inside, I apologize for leaving him out of the group duties tonight before joining the others outside.
Each of us sit around the “farm”, twisting cranks and flipping levers. I learn that the older of us in the group need to eat porcelain to maintain our bodies, the youngest of the group think it is strange and call us cannibals. The last survivor group fell apart when tensions rose between the eldest and youngest of the group about porcelain eating. The child who was with us attempted to ignore the conversation.
I get up from the machine and check on the other kid inside, who’s currently washing dishes. I let him know we’re almost done and head back out, as I sit down and begin churning away at the machine again.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we were dead?” The oldest of the group says, looking down at me from her crank which sat high up on the machine. “I suppose,” I answered back begrudgingly. “So, are you saying you want to die?” She shot back. “I guess?” I answered, confused by her line of questioning.
The two kids of the group were inside, having both finished their tasks for the day. Me, the eldest girl, and the two other guys remained outside. As I sat, cranking away, the girl and two others got off of the machine and began to surround me. I realized and got up, backing away from them, pleading that they kill the children inside first.
“Look, I need to know that he won’t live to see anything like this again! Just kill the kid first, for me, please!” I attempted to plea, to no avail. “You’ve got to go first, that’s just how it has to be. But, you know, you still have time to run.” The eldest of the group replied, throwing her arms out to the side as each of her fingers elongated and formed into claws.
Taking her advice, I began to sprint away from the group as quickly as possible. But it was too late, she had sicced one of her pawns on me. They managed to keep pace with me effortlessly, practically on top of me. I reach out and scratch them with my own claws, managing to create a gaping hole in the side of their arm. But just as easily they reach out and do the same, pushing me to the ground too. As I roll over onto my back I look up to see the lady and her two goons staring down at me. Then it was over.