(Story for the book, Action Contests, July 2019–Last Person on Earth)

Prompt:

What happens when you wake up one day and realize that you are a part of of a small group of people remaining on earth, except you're not sure where everyone went or why you're left behind?

Story:

Don't ask me why I'm in a room that resembled more of a prison cell than a room.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

Hearing no response, I pulled the doorknob, surprised it was open. The moment I did, an unsettling feeling sat upon my stomach as I scanned the empty hallway–no it wasn't empty.

People–dead people were laid down, all sprawled on the floor. I had to get out quickly before I add up the mess with my own digested food.

I hopped around them, with one hand covering my nose and mouth. Up ahead, lied a faint brightness behind the slightly opened door.

"Ah!"

I screamed, as my foot tripped over an arm, letting my body crash to the floor. Colliding with the hard cold tile, my body ached. Releasing the pain, I groaned and stayed in my position for some time.

It was then I noticed the paper that fell from my hands. Stealing myself upwards, I headed outside greeted by an isolated village.

I stared at the paper. It read, "I know you have a lot of questions and I'll explain them when we meet, There's a map behind this letter."

"Make sure nobody sees you. If that happens run or hide. But DON'T USE YOUR POWERS. Yes, you have powers, don't be shock–or use it. You'll need all the rest that you can get. I'll be waiting."

Flipping the paper, I decided to follow the drawn path. The feeling that someone left me a note and stranded me in a mountain was disturbing.

What's worse is that I don't remember a single thing! Completely nothing.

A–and that person, what did he–or she mean by not being seen by people and not using my powers?

Nevertheless, I still had a fuzzy feeling, telling me to follow the paper in hand.

"Hey, it's her!"

Across the distance, I saw a man in full fighting gear point at me.

Oh boy. What happened to not being seen?!?

Instinctively, I ran fast. A group of men hot on my tail.

"I'm almost near...,"

A cave can into view, but I was quickly reminded by the men chasing me when arrows whooshed past me.

In a slow motion, I caught a glimpse of it's carved design, as I dodged.

It was an intricate design if a dragon.

Dragon!

Flashes of my memories rushed back to my mind, specifically a man.

"Nile."

Taking a sharp turn to the left, I tapped into my elements, and sent a shock of ice to all, freezing them, before going back to the cave.

Standing at the entrance, a man, clutching a side of his stomach, sat on the ground.

"Nile!"

He snapped his head towards me, as I approached him.

"Kara! Wait, you remember?" He asked, as I hauled him to his feet carefully.

"You specifically told me not to use my powers and not remember, I see no problem in that."

He touched the palm of my hand.

"And yet you still did," he scolded. "I told you to save your powers!"

"Sorry if I was saving myself from a group of bandits trying to kill me!"

I pulled away from his grasp. "You're lucky you have that power."

"Compared to yours?" He scoffed. "I think it's only fair."

Before I could retort, a growl echoed from the end of the cave.

"You sure you remember what to do?"

I have him a pointed look. In response, he shrugged.

"I was just making sure," he defended.

I shook my hand as I went into position, waiting for a red fiery dragon. Nile brought his mouth next to my ear. Providing comfort, he squeezed my hand.

"I'm just here."

With one last look at him, I tapped my powers once more, giving everything I got to end this battle once and for all, with Nile by my side for support.

"You're going down."

22. 7. 19