Collapse - Liam S. Boyd
No one expected it. Not like this, not with such violence. Everyone had gone to bed on the 28th like they always do. Dreaming about work or school or the next week when they had a date. But everything changed at noon on the 29th. The entire world stopped. It had started with the phones. Mine had been off, lucky me. I had been at work slinging espresso to the oppressed office sheep. I had at least believed it could return. I had at least imagined it happening. I was dead wrong in my imaginings.
“Excuse me but can I barrow your phone?” a lady in a crisp charcoal business dress asked me. I looked up from the pitcher of milk I was steaming and smiled my best smile.
“One minute ma’am. I need to finish this mocha.” I answered. I listened to the hiss of the steam wand and the wonderful smells of the espresso being pulled from the ground beans filled my nostrils. It was heaven. I was alone today, but it was a wednesday so it wasn’t bad. That and everyone here knew me and my coffee. It was worth the wait. I loved what I did and it showed in my drinks and pastries. I expertly whipped the drink and handed it off.
“Thanks Doug. I’ll see ya tomorrow.” I said. “Sorry ma’am what can I get for you now?”
The woman looked up from her phone and asked if I had a phone she could borrow.
“Sure let me go grab it.” I said. I moved with ease through the drink station and pushed my hand through the swinging door. I grabbed the handset and came back out. As I handed the phone to her I noticed several other people looking at their phones their faces twisted in confusion.
“Sir, I think your phone is broken.” The business woman said handing me back the cordless phone. I stared at it pushing the talk button. There was no sound.
“Huh?”
I went to the back and looked at the base station checking the line connection and the power. Everything looked fine.
“Thats odd.” I went back out.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked. She was still standing at the counter. As I closed the distance I saw that she was looking a little green.
“Ma’am can I get you some water. You look like you’re going to be sick.” I spun and grabbed a cup for water. As I turned to hand her the cup she screamed and disintegrated in front of my very eyes. I dropped the glass it shattered having missed the mat. I watched in stunned silence as four others disappeared. I didn’t know what to do. I went into the back my stomach starting to revolt. The stainless steel shelves and appliances beginning to spin. I was losing my grip on both my stomach and my focus.
