Ground Zero, Day Zero

 


When an asteroid hits the Earth, the impact can be felt miles away, there is fallout, and a crater is left behind, each of these things takes a different amount of time to return to a "state of rest," a kind of "normal." Quite quickly the earth stops trembling, a few hours, or a day or two later the dust has settled, and the people affected are clearing up the debris, and given time even the crater my be filled in, and the planet is healed.


I don't really remember the chain of events of that first day, I know I found things that I wish I hadn't, I know I made phone calls, and who I spoke to, but not what order it all happened, I was frightened, and confused, and angry.


Then I was alone.


The last shock-wave passed, (there would be an after-shock, but at the time I did not know it,) and the dust started to settle, you can't see the crater when you're in it, but the world feels a very different place.


I've been told since, that I seemed very calm as the events of the morning unfolded, but that it was equally apparent that I was in deep shock. I didn't feel calm. My mind was maelstrom of emotions,I was functioning by instinct, I arranged to stay at Karen's place, at least for the immediate future, got contact details for the police dealing with the arrest, grabbed a few clothes, and took the first steps away from the scene of devastation, into an uncertain future.


I had barely spoken to A (this is how I shall refer to the man I had loved for so long, at least for now, to protect his identity,) that day, and I did not know how long it would be until I could, he was under arrest, and being held in custody, but that was all I knew.


That was the first day then, Day Zero. I didn't sleep much that night.


Looking back now, 28 days later, I still don't know how I managed to survive that first day. I do know that I'd not have made it this far without the support of good, and true friends, some that I didn't even know I had. To them I owe a debt I can never repay. But that first day, well, I just don't know.



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