The Nobodies at the End of the World

By Aria Zimin

Four pre-apocalyptic short stories by Aria Zimin.

 

THE PURPLE HEARTBREAK

A child raised under a strict political regime struggles to differentiate between fact and propaganda while her parents fight to keep their family alive.

 

TIME IS MONEY

Joyce is dirt poor, breathing black mould, and miserable. When her world changes for the better, she finds herself at a crossroads: help those she lived amongst or live with those who helped her.

 

A RACE AGAINST OUR PREDATORS

Strange humanoid creatures start appearing around the world. Natalie and her family struggle to figure out what's happening while the rest of the world struggles to work together.

 

THE NOBODIES

Three strangers form an unbreakable bond after a natural disaster. Together, they navigate the post-disaster world where the fallout can be more disastrous than the event itself.

 

 

 

 

CONTENT WARNINGS: the stories above contain some of the following topics that may be disturbing or inappropriate for certain audiences:

 

- swearing and coarse language

- medical malpractice

- transphobia

- violence

- murder / genocide

- pro-choice / abortions

- misogyny

- cyber-bullying

- suicide

- sexual imagery

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aria Zimin
• Release date: Oct 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215874769

Book preview

The Purple Heartbreak

"We pledge allegiance

To the U.A.C.R.

The divine government

Appointed by the people,

For the people.

One nation, across land and sea,

Borderless, with freedom for all."

A ll right, children , take your seats.

In unison, the thirty nursery students took their hands off their hearts and sat at their desks: five rows, going six desks back, perfectly spaced. Each child wore a deep blue, U.A.C.R.-approved uniform—slacks and ties for the boys, skirts and blouses for the girls.

Trinity sat in the very front, where she could see the U.A.C.R. pledge written out on a poster. They had just learned it a month ago, but she had a sticker on her tablet for memorizing it first.

Their teacher, Mrs. Greene, was thirty-something and, according to Trinity, Very nice if you were good.

Today, she had a lovely smile on her face. Now, children, today we’re going to learn—yes, Trinity?

Trinity lowered her hand as she called, Mrs. Greene, we have the same hair bow!

Yes, we do; it looks adorable on you, Trinity.

You, too, Mrs. Greene. Trinity smiled wide. She was about to add, I love you, but Mrs. Greene had told her it wasn’t right to say that in the middle of class. Still, Trinity played with her hair bow.

I also have a bow! another girl in class said, raising her hand.

Me too!

The entire class erupted, with the girls in the class showing their red and blue bows with giant red stars on them. They were modelled after the U.A.C.R. flag, made especially so students could wear them.

You all look so pretty, Mrs. Greene said, smiling.

I got mine from the present box because I got enough points, Trinity said, raising her hand again.

Good job, Mrs. Greene said.

My mom bought it for me, another girl in class said.

Wow, it’s so pretty.

The conversation went back and forth, the girls in class sharing where they got their U.A.C.R. bows: the present box, the store, or as a present.

I want a bow, one of the boys, George, said. Everyone looked over at him, and several of the kids started snickering.

Oh, George, Mrs. Greene said as she walked toward him. The energy in the class dropped as all the students watched Mrs. Greene crouch next to George and speak quietly to him, almost like she was sharing a secret with him: You know boys don’t wear bows, just as boys don’t wear skirts. You can look handsome with the matching tie, though.

George looked down and miserably started crying. I want a bow, too, he said.

Mrs. Greene gave a deep, sad sigh and continued. George, sweetheart, you know the U.A.C.R. doesn’t let boys act like girls. You’re a big, strong boy. And if you can’t act like it, I’ll need to send you to the principal’s office again. Let’s stop with talk of bows, now, okay?

George nodded, and Mrs. Greene patted him on the shoulder.

Now, after that fun little conversation, let’s learn a little about history, Mrs. Green said as she flipped her computer on. The energy built up in class, and everyone ignored George’s soft whimpering. Mrs. Greene’s computer connected to a projector which flashed their textbook onto the wall. Everyone, sitting still, in your listening positions. Hands crossed on your desks, eyes on me, mouth shut, perfectly still.

Trinity held the position and listened. They were learning about slavery today. Now, everyone, is slavery good or bad? Mrs. Greene asked.

Bad, everyone responded.

That’s right, Mrs. Greene said. And, if you did your homework last night, you should be able to tell me which nation was the first to eliminate slavery.

Trinity’s hand shot right up. Before she was asked, she replied, The U.A.C.R. was the first nation, ever, on all of Earth, to eliminate slavery in the year 2057.

Excellent, Trinity, Mrs. Greene said. And who signed the order that ended slavery?

Again, Trinity’s hand shot up. Prime Minister Lex Malicé.

Excellent again, Trinity, Mrs. Greene said. Now, Trinity, I know you did your homework. But can someone else tell me something about our Prime Minister? In addition to eliminating slavery, what else has he done?

Many other students raised their hands and shouted answers:

He made everyone equal.

He let mommies stay home so they wouldn’t have to work.

He found Australia.

He invented the internet.

He made the sick people go away.

He found mummies in Egypt.

He said no to boy/boy marriage.

The list went on and on for at least another ten minutes. Then, finally, a quiet girl in the class named Cander raised her hand.

Yes, Mrs. Greene said, calling on her.

My . . . Cander was very quiet. My mommy and daddy said none of that is true.

The class erupted. Of course it’s true! and, Mrs. Greene says it’s true! and someone else said, It’s from your homework!

Through the turmoil, Mrs. Green went up to Cander’s desk and crouched at eye level. They had a quiet conversation that the other students in the class could barely hear.

Sweetheart, Mrs. Greene said, what do you mean your parents say it’s not true?

They said it’s not true, Cander whispered back. I heard them when they were reading the newspaper. I was supposed to be in bed, but I was thirsty.

The newspaper? Mrs. Greene said, on their phones?

No, Cander said. It was paper.

Paper? Mrs. Greene said, but it was barely audible, even to Cander, who was less than a foot away.

Am I in trouble? Cander asked, seeing the look on Mrs. Greene’s face and the way her eyes darted to the security cameras in class, rigged with audio recording.

No, Mrs. Green said, gently stroking Cander’s hair as she stood up. Thank you so much for telling me. Hey, everyone, how about an early recess because you were so good this morning?

Everyone cheered and lined up to go outside.

Trinity, as usual, was the line leader. Everyone, look at my bow, and follow me! Follow the bow!

THE NURSERY KIDS WERE the only ones outside, save for the playground monitor, a severe woman in her sixties carrying a rifle, watching them.

As usual, the girls (and George) played on the grass, twisting the tall strands into dolls. The boys went up to the monitor and asked her about the gun. Can we play with it?

No, she always replied.

Can we touch it?

No.

Have you ever killed anyone?

Yes.

On the grass, Trinity noticed Cander was crying. What’s wrong? Trinity asked, scooting over to her.

I think I did a bad thing, Cander said.

Did you tell Mrs. Greene? Trinity asked. You know she is nicer when you admit it was a bad thing, and she doesn’t have to ask.

That’s the problem! Cander said. I told her about my mom and dad and their newspaper on paper. Mrs. Greene got that look like I said something bad, so . . . Now I’m worried my parents are in trouble for reading paper . . .

I didn’t even know news could be on paper! Trinity exclaimed. The grass in her hand was designed to be a girl doll wearing a skirt. So if Mrs. Greene knows and you’re not in trouble, then you’re not in trouble.

But maybe my mommy and daddy are, Cander said. I heard that sometimes mommies and daddies disappear and have to go to camp.

Camp?

Yeah, Cander said.

I love camping! Trinity said. My parents took me when I was just a kid. It was fun.

Yeah? Cander asked.

Yeah, Trinity said. If your mommy and daddy have to go camp, that’s a good thing. I’m sure. They get to sleep in tents and go fishing and ride horses.

Cander nodded, though she didn’t seem very convinced.

When the monitor told all the students to line up, Trinity again led the line back to class, smiling, knowing they would talk about how to throw a Freedom Day Celebration for the rest of the school day.

JOHN AND KARMA SAT outside their house, in the middle of their yard,