The world stared in mixed feelings of disbelief, horror, resolve, but most of all, hope, as one of the most historically horrid people to ever walk this planet bled to death.
Ordinary people, people that would cringe to see anything brutalized, now gathered to watch this moment. Again, the world stood still. This man, responsible for more death and destruction than any before him, was now gurgling as the light faded from his eyes. It was pure poetry.
In just that few minutes, the tides shifted. The war was won, and the world changed yet again. At one time, America was a symbol of freedom, liberation, trade, and economic growth. It was now a shell of less than half the population.
In the wake of these events, the rest of the world stepped in to rebuild the infrastructure of the once great nation. A new nation formed from the ashes, the United Americas, which included Canada and Mexico.
Throughout the country, areas of Trump supporters remained strong, long after the death of their racist messiah. Known as "The Dark," these areas became ruthless, lawless, and were overtaken by gangs and organized crime.
The law of entropy tells that any structure, whether physical or ideal, will eventually crumble and fail. It is the law of life that allows that structure to be rebuilt anew, and better.
On that day, the Americas was rebuilt anew, and the world was made better.
Chapter 7: Impact Day
March 6, 2046
With less than two hours before the first impact rolled across the planet, the Cloud had already been the single most unifying event in all of human history.
The stillness of the air was preternatural; again, a worldwide quiet had ensued. This time, rather than in the wake of tragedy, it was in anticipation of one, much like when the most prominent nations stood poised to destroy one another with nuclear arms.
At that time, all across the globe, people waited on a few men to determine the fate of all humanity. This time we wait but have no say in our fate. It is an eerie sinking feeling, helpless; we are adrift in empty space.
All over the world, people stood still, humanity as one, quiet, awake. Never before has all of the human race shared a waking consciousness, uniform attention on a single idea — united by simultaneous hope and dread, regardless of understanding, beliefs, culture, or geographical location.
Humanity's nine billion people were indeed one. The most brutal rivals forgave one another and joined hands, their anger and hatred replaced with fear and uncertainty. Huddled masses gathered in the millions, wailing, praying, and singing, foregoing the safety of the underground and banking on prayer.
Empty freeways and office buildings, stopped trains, grounded airplanes, and ported ships roused no sound as the planet drifted ominously toward the Cloud. Even in the Dark, people waited patiently to be dealt their hand.
"BREAKING NEWS, CLOUD IMPACT IN 22 MINUTES" trailed across the bottom of the screen, alternating with, "FIRST CLOUD TO TOUCH DOWN OFF THE EAST COAST OF BRAZIL AND AMERICAS."
"That's right, Dawn; the Cloud is supposed to touch down starting just before the eastern seaboard of South America, and then throughout the United Americas."
The Announcer chimed in, "We here at Channel 9 will be staying with you, and on the air from our bunkers for as long as we can. Cameras have been strategically placed worldwide, and we will stream the footage as the Cloud begins to rain down."
"Now Jeff, we're told that the impact should fill the sky from north to south, as far you can see. It will further create a massive wall of smoke and fire."
"Again Jeff, we believe most of this debris should burn up in the atmosphere before it reaches the troposphere." The Announcer added, "The troposphere is, as you know, now the portion of the atmosphere that we live in."
"However, we believe there are some large chunks we are going to have to watch out for. Plus Jeff, remember, we don't know what the Cloud is composed of, so we really can't say for sure that it will do anything."
"That's right, Dawn, as we understand it, the cloud should begin a cascading meteor shower as far the eye can see in either direction and sweep west across the planet like a massive tidal wave."
Warnings continued to flash across the top of the screen, encouraging people to make their way to underground shelters as soon as possible.
The Announcer continued, "The cloud will touch down just before dusk, and the two will roll over the earth together, leading with the most elaborate, exciting, and spectacular fireworks show ever to fill these skies and trailing with complete darkness."
The parallels to life are everywhere here, Kelly thought to herself. The reporter continued, "Because as you know, Jeff, most of the world has shut down its non-emergency power-grids to help preserve them."
Kelly sat with Mika, holding her tight. The news channel was unnerving but necessary, joining the world together to watch the event spread and unite humankind under one uniform blanket of terror.
"What's going to happen, Auntie? Are we going to be okay?" Mika asked with fear in her eyes. Kelly gazed into those wondrous and frightened eyes, trying to find the words to comfort her.
Realizing they were hiding in a basement with all the entrances heavily barricaded, and surrounded by weeks of food, water, and comforts for a long haul, Kelly worked up a smile.
"Of course we are, my sweet girl; everything is going to be just fine."
"It's okay to be scared Auntie K," Mika said. "I'm scared, but I know you will keep me safe." Kelly's heart dropped, then wrenched, and tears flooded her eyes.
"Oh my baby girl, you are so brave. No matter what happens, we will be together. I will never let anyone take you from me." Kelly wiped the tears from one side with her wrist, squeezed her tight, and stroked her hair.
When she was sure Mika could not see her face, it settled back into the dreadful worry that would surely have terrified her. With a now steady stream of tears running down her face, she silently wished she had the confidence of little Jelly Bean.
~
Macie and Magni sat in their small lounge chairs sipping rum and fruit juice on the beach, patiently waiting for the show of a lifetime. At 65 and 66, Macie and Magni had met when they were young and had spent nearly their entire lives together.
Their hide was tan as any horse saddle, and they had the leathery skin that marked those who had spent nearly every day in the sun.
Magni had first seen Macie when he was only fifteen at Carnival, a week-long party, and a glorious celebration of freedom and color. He was in the heart of Rio de Janeiro's festival, playing a game of war, armed with handfuls of powdered paints.
Magni had just let loose a borage of fisted paints and was in full retreat. He ran around the corner and there she was, more beautiful than anything he had ever seen before.
His world immediately stopped. The melodic thump and drum of the music became muted and sounded as if he were swimming in water. Time refused to move forward; she seemed to float in suspended animation.
Magni stopped in his tracks and went slack, his jaw fell slightly open, and he just stood in awe, unable to move. When she turned and saw him, she smiled... and it was magnificent; it was scary; it changed his life.
Her smile was angelic; it had so much power and grace. He couldn't believe she was a mere woman, but a goddess sent to bless the celebration.
It's incredible how people can communicate so much by looking into one another's eyes, or with a slight contortion of the lips. He could see there was more to her smile; in the tiniest facial movements, she suggested there was hope.
He