text: Sarah dug her toes in the cool and soft sand, letting each granule tickle between her toes as she wiggled deeper. Tears silently fell down her cheeks while she watched the sun slowly rise above the horizon. It cast a hue of violent reds and deep oranges reminiscent of fire. The bright yellow of the sun’s body appeared and menacingly increased in size and intensity. Sarah held her gaze toward the sun until her eyes naturally reacted with blinking away the sting. She turned away and wiped her face. She held a fistful of sand in her other hand and squeezed the bits of beach in her palm. She squeezed until the blood rushed from her knuckles, turning them white. A notification beep sounded on her phone and snapped her back to reality. She dropped the sand and dusted her palms on her jeans. Her cell phone beeped again to indicate a new message. She swiped the screen and opened her notifications. Twenty-seven missed calls and twice as many unread messages. Most of them were from her sister wondering where she was, begging her to call her back, and getting infuriated with Sarah’s avoidance. Sarah decided to ignore the missed notifications and opened the holo news app on her phone. Through a small projector built into the phone, a holographic screen appeared before Sarah. A news anchor in a tight navy blue suit appeared on the screen, shuffling a few holo pads on the desk in front of him. He stared blankly into the camera for a few moments. In those few moments, Sarah could see the look of fear and panic in his eyes. The light blue tint of his skin due to the holo display sent a chill through Sarah. He looked robotic. “Good morning, to all who are watching. I know it is not a good morning. Not in the least. After last night’s emergency Presidential Address to the nation, I believe I can speak for everyone here, on behalf of the station. There will be no weather reports for today. No traffic reports. There will be no news other than this one thing.” His monotonous tone somehow comforted Sarah as she started to feel disconnected with herself. It lulled her into a sense of apathy as the anchor continued. “Seven years ago, we learned of a celestial body hurtling through space toward our little blue marble. Identified as a hypervelocity star, we nicknamed it Telos. Scientists do not have an exact reason why this star appeared out of seemingly nowhere. Possible theories include a collision with another object that sent it off course, or a slingshot from a rogue black hole. Whatever the case may be, we thought we had more time. The president confirmed last night that today, June 14th, in the year 2239, is the last day for our world. Today, we will spend our last precious hours with our families and loved ones. We will replay previously recorded interviews with experts in the field until the end. From all of us at the station, we thank you for your attention.” Sarah listened for a few moments longer while the attention of the news program turned to well known scientists and astronomers. They spoke of NASA’s involvement, the ship that was sent to try to knock the star off course but failed miserably, and the failed Mars colonization that took place two centuries ago, which ultimately ruined any possible future colonization efforts. Sarah flicked off the projection and closed her phone. The sun was now hanging low but in full view in the sky. Due to the star’s proximity, the sky became a constant bright orange for the last four months whenever it was daylight. A few degrees to the right, she could she the small but bright spot in the sky. It's bigger today than yesterday. It became visible at night a year ago. It became visible during the day a few months ago. Sarah inhaled sharply and checked the time on her watch. The digital display lit up as she waved her hand over it. 7:08 a.m. She decided it was time to go home. Her sister will be livid with her. She found it silly to care about things anymore. After last night’s address, and the last few months’ events, Sarah has stopped caring about anything. She stood up and lightly stretched her arms and neck. She slipped into her sandals and brushed off any remaining sand. The air was already thick and hot. Beads of sweat were forming on her neck as she made her way off the beach and to the transit station. As she walked the seven blocks to the station, advertisements jumped out at her, but the street was seemingly empty, save for a few looters and those that had nowhere else to go. Most people are at home with their families, spending whatever time the world had left with their loved ones. A few screens had news vids on. Sarah heard bits and pieces of scientific experts, reporters, and celebrities cashing in their two cents on the matter. One thing she didn’t hear anyone say was what was going to happen once the star reached our atmosphere. Sarah wondered if anything would even be alive by then. She heard that most likely, the star’s radiation would destroy the atmospheric layers and sun flares would scorch the earth, killing everything before impact. She shook her head and focused on the path to the transit station. There wasn’t even any time to declare martial law, or organize a military roundup, or whatever the government would have done in preparation. She reached the transit station and punched in her identification code on the display, then let the machine scan the chip in her wrist. The light rail trains were automated and still ran even though today was the last day of existence. She was thankful for that. She couldn’t imagine being stranded out here alone. And yet, she almost didn’t want to leave and go home. Another notification dinged on her phone. Her sister was calling again. She took a breath and swiped to answer. “Hello.” She humbly answered. “What the hell, Sarah? Where have you been?” Her sister, Katy, yelled, furious at Sarah. “I know. I’m sorry. I just needed time alone. I’m heading home now.” “Just hurry.” Sarah ended the call before responding, indicated her destination on the map, and waited for the train. Within a minute, it arrived and the metallic doors creaked open to empty cabins. She stepped off the platform and into the cold cabin. Multiple train cars, linked together, were completely empty. A few pieces of trash were strewn about, that will never be picked up. Sarah picked the closest seat to the door and plopped down, exhausted. Her eyes closed for what seemed like only a second before her identification chip buzzed inside her wrist, indicating that her stop was approaching. The train came to a halt and the doors once again creaked open. She stepped out onto the platform and stood in place, waiting for the train to depart. Her heels played with the edge of the platform. Once the train left, she felt a rush of air against her back. She loved that part. It made her feel alive. Slightly smiling at the fleeting normalcy of the moment, she walked the rest of the way to her home. She reached the steps to her townhome and stood at her front door, hesitant to walk in. Every fiber of her being told her to just run away. Go back to the beach and stay there until it’s all over. Run down the street. Find the closest skyscraper and just end everything early. Her legs tingled with adrenaline. Her toes tapped with anticipation. Katy opened the door before she could make a decision and she reluctantly walked in. “Get in here now.” Katy always told her what to do. Katy walked briskly into the kitchen and began to wipe her 18 month old’s face from the morning’s syrup and pancakes. Josie, Sarah’s niece, played gleefully with her toy blocks, blissfully unaware of the day’s agenda. “I really wish you’d change your mind and come with us. We’re all meeting upstate.” “No. We’ve talked about this. I’m better off staying here.” Sarah played with a loose thread on the hem of her shirt. “They’ve never accepted me. I’d rather not spend my last moments avoiding their judging gazes.” “It’s not like that.” Katy stopped her menial chores at the sink and turned around to face Sarah. She put her hands on her shoulders and looked at her with the same fake concern that she always had. “You’re family. They will be happy you came.” “No. I’m staying.” “Okay. I understand.” Sarah nodded and kept silent. Katy sighed heavily and pulled Sarah in for a tight hug. Katy was shaking uncontrollably and began to sob. Sarah instinctively wrapped her arms around her sister and rubbed her back. “It’s okay.” Sarah tried her best to speak in a comforting tone. “No it’s not. This can’t be the end. I don’t want to die. I don’t want Josie to die. She’ll never be able to grow up. Or know love. It just isn’t fair.” “Katy, let’s not think about what could have been. Let’s just live for the moment. However many we have left.” “I love you, Sarah. More than you know.” “I love you, too, Katy.” They held each other for a long while before pulling apart. Katy finished packing what supplies she needed to make the short drive to the rest of what was left of their family. “What will you do with your time?” Katy asked through tears. “I’m not sure. I don’t know yet.” “If you change your mind...” “I know.” Sarah helped Katy pack up her car, hugged and kissed Josie and her sister, then watched them drive away from the steps of her townhome. Once they were out of sight, she walked back inside and made her final preparations. She took a long and relaxing bath. She cooked her favorite meal and ate to her heart’s content. She popped open a bottle of wine and worked on a painting she’s had in progress for months. Once the sun began to set she decided to go out for a walk. She put on her favorite party dress and strappy sandals. She contoured and dramatized her makeup to the best of her ability. She put extra time into her hair and dabbed her favorite perfume on her neck and wrists. Leaving her townhome, she felt it silly to lock her front door and opted to leave it unlocked. Afterall, she wasn’t coming back. Looking at her home one last time, she headed down the street to her favorite night spot nearby. She looked around at the tall townhomes lining the street. She could hear a few hushed conversations through open windows. However, the city has never been this quiet before. She shook off the eerie feeling and continued walking. Once she arrived, she didn’t expect to see many people. In fact, she thought there might not be anyone around. However, there she stood at the entrance to the patio bar she frequented and saw it was full of patrons. A large holographic sign projected on the building’s wall exclaimed “FREE DRINKS FOR THE END OF THE WORLD”. She chuckled to herself and opened the vintage gate to the patio. The familiar bartender waved enthusiastically to Sarah as she approached the bar. Soft music played from a piano in the corner. Everyone talked in low and hushed voices, giving the bar its familiar atmosphere that she enjoyed the most. “Hey, Tyler, the usual, please.” “Right away, Sarah.” The bartender with kind eyes and dark curly hair poured Sarah’s favorite whiskey and winked as he handed it to her. “You didn’t want to spend tonight with family?” she asked after sipping her drink. “They’re on the other side of the world. There was no way to get to them in time. We said our goodbyes on the phone earlier today. This is where I want to be now.” “Cheers, Tyler.” Sarah raised her glass and bumped the air in an imaginary toast gesture. She turned in her seat and looked out among the crowd. Watching people laugh and joke with their friends, she slowly sipped her whiskey and soon noticed she was smiling at the seemingly positive vibes of the evening. She also noticed a few tearful faces and a few engaged in deep conversations. Here, in this crowded bar, she felt the loneliest she’d ever felt. At the same time, she felt the happiest. There were no longer any expectations of her or standards to live up to. It was freeing in a sense that responsibility was completely gone. She spent the evening mingling with random small groups in the crowd, involving herself in serious philosophical discussions, and danced with strangers. Once they reached early morning hours, many people had cleared out. They’ve gone home, went to another bar, or went home with a lover for the night. Wherever they went, they weren’t alone. Sarah ended the night at the bar, talking with Tyler about various things that didn’t matter anymore. University, work, family. Whatever they could to keep their minds off of the end. “Should be happening any time now.” Tyler mentioned quietly during a break in the conversation. “I wonder what that will feel like?” Sarah gazed at the last few drops of liquor in her glass. “By that I mean, will we feel like we’re burning, or will it be so instant that we won’t feel a thing?” “I don’t know, but I hope it’s the latter.” “So do I.” “Sarah, I’m calling it a night. I’m just going to pour myself one last drink.” Tyler refilled her glass and poured himself one. “Are you going to be okay?” Sarah nodded and smiled dryly. “Goodnight, Tyler. Thank you, for everything.” Tyler smiled back and made his way to a red overstuffed couch in the corner. He laid his head back and fell asleep. Sarah, took one last long sip of her drink and made her way down the street to the transit station. The streets were more deserted than she had ever seen them. Trash littered the sidewalks from looters and activity. She set her destination to the beach and stepped onto the platform. Thankfully, the unmanned train arrived quickly and she entered the cabin. The five minute ride to the beach was quiet and oddly peaceful. When the train stopped, she lingered for a moment before stepping off. The summer air was hot and sticky. Her hair matted itself against her face as she walked onto the beach and up to the tide. Sarah sat down on the warm sand and played with the grains for a moment. She relished in the moment, contemplating that it was her last. A dull orange haze filled the sky until it turned into a bright white light. Tears streamed down her face once more as her breathing became heavy and labored through the heat. Loud crashing sounds of explosions around her deafened her ears. She resisted the urge to run. When the light from the star became unbearable, she closed her eyes. Waves of strange euphoria washed over her from the star’s light and heat. She smiled one last time.