Aftershock

I stood at the edge of a tall, rocky cliff, staring at the foamy ocean below as it slammed against the rocks again and again, like someone trying to beat a door down. The sky was overcast and grey, a thick blanket that covered the earth. And when night came, the only change was the color of the sky. The clouds would still be there, the waves would still come in, and there was no one to go to sleep. Night didn't mean anything anymore; it was just ignored. It was as if it was trying to provide some change and normality to this lifeless earth, a vain, hollow effort.

The earth was dead. I didn't quite know why or how, nor did I care. Perhaps it was cataclysmic weather, or nuclear war, or perhaps for no reason at all, as if God wanted to put this terrible planet out of its misery. And now only a shell of earth remained, a rag doll to be beaten on by the elements.

Was there anyone left? Perhaps, it didn't really matter. There was nothing left here; no amount of hope or effort could magically revive the earth. So even, if there was anybody left, what could they possibly have to live for?

Suddenly, I heard a loud cry. I looked down, and saw a girl drifting about in the waves, fighting as the waves were pulling her under. So, there was someone else here. She had no way of knowing if there was anyone there to save her, and yet she screamed for help? She actually had hope? Even in the face of death?

I sighed, the type a mother would give if she had to clean up after her childen. I would save this girl's life. For what reason, I had no idea. She was just -different than the typical selfless humans I hated. It was because she had hope, even in the bleak face of death. She had the strength to cry out while the waves tried to suffocate her. Even though it went against everything I believed in at the time, this girl managed to find a soft spot.

I stepped off the edge of the cliff, landing on the surface of the water below, walking on it as if it were ice. I walked over to the girl, still flailing against the waves. As I stood over her, she only caught a glimpse of me as the waves dragged her under. But suddenly, the waves stopped completely, and she emerged once more, staring at me with shining eyes. To her, I was her hope; her miracle. I smiled warmly, and said "Give me your hand."

And not a moment later, she gripped my hand with all the strength in her body, and we were back on the clifftops. She continued to stare at me, now with curiosity rather than hope, but not saying a word. And it was then that I decided that there may be hope for them after all.