EOTW/Alex Johnson
It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!" You; a slim, good-looking nine-year-old boy; sing to yourself as you climb your way over the rubble that blocks your path, effortlessly reaching the clear route to the top of the hill. It's there, however, that your worst fears are confirmed. You quickly bring an end to your singing when you gazed out upon the town before you.
Truth is, there isn't much of a town left to gaze upon; that's what scares you the most. Surprise would have been a luxury against such a sight. Sadly, however, You have seen the same thing in your previous day's walking, and the day before that, and in every other day since you set off on this journey a long, desolate week ago.
The town that should be there was called Sicherheit which, ironically, means safety. What remains is a lifeless collection of rubble and debris, much like the pile you just climbed over. There are a few standing buildings, as far as you can make out; a couple of streets of what must be houses stand at the far side of town. The standing remains of what was probably a supermarket, based on the particularly large area it occupies, sits at a slight distance on the left. In the centre is the only other standing building. Almost as if it hasn't even been touched by the explosion, an old church with a tall spire looks out upon the ruins that surround it.
Some distance from you, to your right, the hill climbs further. Embedded into the side of the slope is what looks like an old mine. Probably abandoned a long time back, more than likely turned into a bunker during the last Great War. Immediately to your left is the remains of what must have once been a rather large building; now it looks particularly run-down.
Where do you go?