Authored: July 17, 2023

PROSE

“In the heart of a hundred billion worlds— Across a trillion dying realities in a lethal multiverse— In the chthonic silence— There was satisfaction. The network of mind continued to push out in space, from the older stars, the burned-out worlds, to the young, out across the Galaxy. Pushed deep in time too, twisting the fate of countless trillions of lives.”

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The static of the radio ceased and a voice in monotone, rose forth.

"I just hope you're all keeping safe out there...You're surrounded by those you love...friends looking after each other. The eastern coastline of Northern America is silent. Also, the West African coastline. As of now, all of Western Europe is gone. It's gone. As I speak to you right now...it's making its way toward our fair nation. Be a great view from here. There's no shame in checking out ahead of time, folks. You gotta do what you gotta do. It's here. It's real. We're already f****** dead. It's gonna f****** hurt. And I don't want to feel it. I don't want to feel a thing. We have 12 hours people. That's all. They called me crazy. I told you all."

The voice falls back into silence. And the static resumed.

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"There's still time," she said to him. But he was lost watching the burning nascent form encroach. He felt a touch. "It's gonna hurt a lot, and I don't want to feel it. I don't want to feel a thing."

He turned to her, "Hey, life is stronger than death."