You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. - unknown

--

The cars in front of me starts to move first, and finally I get to drive ahead. 

The Day of Reckoning? 

Is it some kind of joke? Maybe the radio system was hijacked by some kind of terrorists. 

Logically speaking, if it were truly the Day of Reckoning, wouldn't God just appear up the sky and uses a giant speaker to speak directly to us? Or at least, the Pope should be the one announcing something. It just came from the radio system, and I'm not even sure if it's just the city radio or just District 10 radio of the Starry city, of the Republic of Aero, of Earth, 21XX. 

By the time I arrive at my flat, it's already half past 6. Blue Residence Building is a good compact place. My apartment is a one room apartment around 30 meters square. And my working space already occupies almost half of it with a long table, 2 big monitors and my drawing equipment. Working as an animator is hella tiring, I mean working overtime is often as having a meal, but I enjoy working. 

My phone suddenly vibrates. 

Jules is calling...

"Hello, it's me, what's up Jules?" 

"Emma, have you heard? The Last Day!!! It's all over the net now!! What the f is happening!" 

It's Jules being hyper-excited like always. 

She asked me if I wanted to come over for dinner, she might make a home party and invite all the co-workers, and asked me to delay my overtime-work today. I think it's not a bad idea, so I said yes I'll pass by at half past 7. 

Haiz, I hope she won't burn the whole kitchen before I get there. 

Right after I hang up Jules's call, another call appears on my phone screen. 

Mom is calling...

"Emma, good evening, it's mom" 

--

I'm driving on the Yellow Highway to the South Gate Hospital to pick my mom up. And I just declined Jules's invitation to her house. 

So they all say it's true, about tomorrow being the last day of humans. The Day of Reckoning has finally come. 

After the call, Jules sent me some posts on Twitter about it. People are stockpiling, going to the church to pray and all types of shit they show off on Twitter. I mean it's quite an event. Of course, there are many people who are skeptical of it as well. It's not like you listen to everything the media feeds you to. There are certain types of information that everyone knows it's fake but keeps falling for it, because this, after all, is not an April Fool Day's joke. 

There's one particular tweet that caught my eyes actually. The account asked: "If tomorrow is actually The Last Day, what would you do?" 

I mean, what else would I do? Well, just do what I normally do? But I didn't imagine those kinds of answers in the comments. 

Loads of people said they would go home and say "I love you" to their family, spouses, children, pets. Loads of other mentioned ice cream. It must be because this is the summer season, else I'd imagine it'd be some hot tea if it were winter. Lots and lots of people said they'd go on a trip to the beach. Well, I get it, it's the summer season again. And to my surprise, tons of comments mention they will come forward with their sins and regrets in the past, they'll change. 

Some guy even said this: "The first and foremost thing I'll do is that I'm gonna feel sorry to my parents, siblings and for my bad behaviors. Besides, I'll go to the masque to beg for forgiveness of my bad deeds in front of almighty Allah. Last but not least, I'll make a movie about my life." 

I mean if you have lived a trashy wishy life, what's the point of making a movie out of it? To contaminate others' lives? Or what? I don't understand. 

Anyway, it just bugs me now as I'm driving. 

There are lots of vehicles, all moving slowly. I think it will take me 30 minutes more in this traffic. 

My mom suffers from kidney cancer since two years ago. She's living with my brother's family in Aster City. But since recently she receives treatments here in the Starry City, so I often pay her a visit every Sunday and take care of her after every radiotherapy session. 

My mom's a lively person, she's kind and makes great food. I grew up taking after no one in the family, being introverted. There are nice things about being an introvert. I can't name exactly what are the good sides of it that fit all the introverts out there, but there are some nice things about it, as much as the extrovert pals. 

I sometimes get real irritated because of being an introvert, and the thought usually makes me even more paranoid. The thing is that I know deep down, being a coward and being an introvert are two completely distinct matter. 

I get to the hospital at 7.20 p.m. It gets me surprised to see the hospital is way more crowded than usual in this hour of the day. A girl just parked next to me, but she jumps out way faster than I do, there I hear her voice shouting "Moooom!!! Let's go home". Her mom's a middle age woman, sitting on a bench near the stay-in patient block. They hug very tight. 

The image stayed stick in my mind until I found myself standing in front of my mother's room. 

I knock the door. And I hear a young man's voice echoing. 

"Coming" 

That is... strange. 

As I remember, her roommate was another middle age patient, who's receiving lung cancer treatment. 

As the door opens, I see a tall young boy, with a baldy hair. 

Oh, so he must be the new roommate of my mom. 

"Hey beautiful lady, who ya looking fer?" 

"Hm, this is my mom's room, Ms. Yamaoka, I'm her daughter. Is she in the room?" 

I sneak a peek in the room, but I see my mom's bed is blank. 

"Ah, Yamaoka-san? She went to the doctor Floyd's room to get her prescription while staying home. Ms. Chibi-Yamaoka, please come in!" 

Eh... Why does he act like he's inviting me into his house? It's getting awkward for me. 

"Oh come on! Don't be awkward! I'm Kenji Fukushi, I just moved to this room starting last Monday" Fukushi said with a broad smile, his eyes got smaller but sparkled so brightly with his right hand out in the air for a handshake. 

Is it weird to say that for a long time, I haven't seen such a smile, innocent and genuine? His lips curled perfectly, he's really enjoying himself to the fullest. 

I wonder what disease he's suffering. What kind of cancer... 

"Thank you, Fukushi, my name is Emma Yamaoka, Emma is fine" I'm putting my hand to reply his handshake. 

But by the time I touch his hand, a weird sensation runs through my spine. We both say nice to meet you. 

My mom's bed is neatly made, and her clothes and personal belonging are half packed on the couch nearby. I usually sleep on this couch over the weekend. The room does smell like lime, her favorite scent. 

"Emma? You're gonna drive auntie Yamaoka home today?" 

Fukushi asks as he opens the fridge. He pulls out a fruit juice bottle, he then pours it out in a cup, and hands it to me. 

"Here have some, Emma" 

Fukushi, from appearance, I think he must be a full fledge Japanese, but his accent has a certain American mixed in his way of speaking. 

"Thanks! Yes, I'll take her home!" I reply him as I receive the glass. 

He pours a glass of juice for himself too. He takes a sip and says. 

"It's nice to return home on such a day, don't you think, Emma?" 

I nod, and take another sip of the juice again. 

"Are you going home today, Fukushi?" 

Fukushi tells me he's not going home. He looks over-cheerful about it, as if he's trying to be cheerful. 

"So they say it's the Day of Reckoning tomorrow, do you think it's true?"

"Does it matter if it is?" I honestly reply him. 

Just that, I hear his laugh shaking the starry night out the window, I hear the cold air blown away, as if strays of sunlight has broken into the room. The sound of that laughter... reminds me of him. 

"Emma, do you mind taking in a stray cat?"

The door slides and my mom appears with a broad gentle smile on her face, and her voice softens. 

"Emma! Welcome home!"