N. White - The End - Visions of Apocalypse

The metal from three ships.

Norman Gray is a 24 year old aspiring author from Toronto, Canada. He began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a science-fiction/fantasy writer in 2010, when he joined the sffworld.com writing forum. Norman attributes most of his knowledge of writing to this forum, and the invaluable wealth of expertise possessed by its members.

In Relapse , Earth is on the brink of annihilation. Two scientists disrupt the flow of time to prevent the apocalypse from occurring. But while the entire human race is unknowingly sent ten years into the past, one man retains his memory of the life that was taken from him. Haunted by his memories, his only choice is to struggle through his dark past in order to relive his bright future, and once again win the heart of the woman he loves. But is he up to the task?

July 8th, 2022

They were going to make history, and end history.

Dr. Emil Werner and Dr. Joseph Heinrich worked tediously. They left the television on in their rundown workshop while making their preparations, watching in hope of hearing some good news. It seemed there was no such thing today; in fact, the news seemed worse by the minute.

“ The world holds its breath, mesmerized by an unprecedented phenomenon that perhaps threatens our very existence. ” The newscast showed an image of a black object in the sky, growing nearer. Then they cut away to a media conference where a woman standing at a podium was bombarded with questions.

Werner toggled some switches while keeping one eye on the T.V.

“Device is powering up. Standing by.”

“ What can you tell us about this object and its origins? ”

“All systems activating,” Heinrich affirmed.

“ Very little. From the images we’ve received, it is estimated to be one hundred times the diameter of Earth, approximately. Astronomers first located it traveling from within Sagittarius A-star, roughly two hours ago. ”

“All calibrations correct. Reset point programmed for June 16th, 2012. All readings are normal.”

“ Have there been any attempts to make contact with it or divert it? ”

“Device at full power.”

“ All attempts to make any form of contact have been unsuccessful. ”

“Are we ready, Dr. Werner?”

“ What is its current path? ”

Werner inspected everything one final time. “All systems are ready. Stand by for reset.”

“ It appears to be making a nearly direct voyage toward the sun. Neptune, Mars, and Jupiter will be within its estimated collision course. Given the object’s size and unprecedented speed, it will likely continue its path with little resistance. Earth will narrowly evade impact. ”

Werner rested his hand over the switch and stopped. Sweat poured down his forehead. This was it. His next action would decide the fate of the world. Humanity would never progress beyond this point in time, whether they fail or succeed.

“ What do you and your colleagues believe will be the result if it collides into the sun? ”

“ We expect the result will be devastating. The sun could be displaced, possibly even destroyed .”

“ Then what is the likelihood of Earth’s survival? ”

“ Miracles can happen… All we can do now, is hope for one .”

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

Werner stood silent for a moment. “When we go back, everything will be just as it was. Everything . Even our own memories. It will be as if the last ten years never happened. How can we prevent this from happening again?”

“We can’t,” Heinrich said regretfully. “But if nothing changes then we will reset again in another ten years.” He paused. “It’s entirely possible that we’ve already done this a hundred times before.”

“So. This is it then.”

“It’s this, or extinction, Emil.”

There was a long, dreadful silence. Werner stared at the switch; just a harmless little switch, like that of a light or a fuse. “We should wait.”

“Wait for what? A divine miracle?”

“Yes. Why activate it until we absolutely must?”

They waited. The tension grew as the object approached the sun.

“It must be done now .”

“A moment longer.” Only a sliver of sunlight remained, darkness falling fast.

“By the time we see the impact it could already be too late!”

It slowly created an eclipse, turning daytime into night. Then it happened; an explosion lit up the darkness, flames spreading around the black silhouette.

“May God have mercy on us.” Werner flicked the switch.

June 16th, 2012

Johnathan Gibbs awoke from a dream. A dream that felt so real, yet so wonderful that it had to be impossible: He dreamt he had a wife, a home that they had bought together, and two wonderful children. He was holding them in his arms. The last thing he remembered was seeing a bright fire illuminating the sky, and telling his wife he loved her more than anything.

We’ll always be together , she said. Even in the hereafter.

But the bed he woke up in was not theirs. This was his old apartment; seventh story of the Elmont building, 3rd Street. He shook the sleep out of his head. The memories didn’t fade, didn’t dissolve like most dreams do. He remembered her name; Kara. Their kids, Elena and Johnathan Jr. Their address, 45 Grand Oak Drive. Aluminium sidings painted powder blue, white shutters on the windows. A two car garage. Home.

It was real. He was sure. And yet he was here, in the cramped apartment from his bleak past. He got out of bed, went into the washroom and looked at himself in the mirror. His reflection showed a man he had long forgotten; a young man, thin and frail, pale and sickly looking. A man with many burdens to bear.

This isn’t real , he thought. It can’t be .

He ran up Grand Oak Drive, struggling for breath. He reached number 45. It hardly looked like his house; the shutters were gone. The sidings were a faded white. Someone else’s car was parked in the driveway. Panicking, he threw open the front door and barged in. “Kara?”

There was an elderly man sitting in the living room. He stared fearfully at John.

“Kara! Kara where are you?”

“Get out!” The man yelled.

“This is my house!” John screamed back at him.

“Get out or I’ll call the police!”

This must be hell , John thought. I’m dead and I’m in hell.

June 21st, 2012

They had dressed him in the same blue attire as every other patient, and gave him sedatives. He felt like a zombie; his eyes were in a distant place, his head swaying back and forth lazily. John wanted to sleep, wanted to be left alone. But they wouldn’t leave him be.

He was escorted to the psychiatrist’s office and seated in front of the doctor’s desk. “How are you feeling today, Mr. Gibbs?” he was asked. John just shook his head, unable to find the will to even speak. “You have a visitor,” the doctor said. Someone entered the room.

“It’s always something, isn’t John?” A stern voice addressed him. A chill ran up his spine. John slowly raised his head, his eyes confirming his worst fear. There was his father, with that condescending look John remembered so well. “You broke into an elderly man’s house and assaulted him. For Christ’s sake, kid, when are you gonna grow a brain?”