Drastic: The Change

Prologue

Edited chapter

She laid down right by the riverside staring into the sky. Her hands stretched out giving a feeling like she was pulling down a star.

It was crazy but her mind was drawn to the movie she had just watched " Before The Falls". The movie was about how humans had lived before everything ended and how they struggled to survive in their new world.

The most interesting part was the prediction of the scientist that though they were off by ten per cent of the increase, the arrangements made was enough to save the earth from falling into a new age completely helpless.

The whole idea seemed a little farfetched and would be considered fiction if it was not part of their history.

It was sad how they were watching the beautiful attempt of the actors to reenact the most painful time for people 300 and ten days back.

Also, kind of silly how a few days back she had been so sure there was probably going to be another 100-year catastrophe Though her parents did warn her to be careful the world to her and others have always been peaceful.

As scientists, they told her that the only predictable change is small tremors that were relatively small-scaled

Despite the peace was it possible for the earth to have recovered 100 per cent not to have a few lapses. After all, a disaster like that practically shook the solar system.

Lost in thoughts . Her phone rang drawing her out of her thoughts.

"Hey"

" Lana where are you ? " a loud voice boomed from the speaker of the holo compact.

" Are you trying to live out some stupid fantasy…." before her eardrums burst Lana moved the compact away from her ear.

Not surprising that was not enough distance to stop hearing her voice. Lana instantly pitied the people around her.

During the next body check, the doctor would probably give them a bad hearing tick and a free hearing aid after listening to their story.

" Lana are you listening?……" oh it was becoming obvious from her tone that she was getting angry.

" of course I am. Who could ignore you . It was a bad connection " she hurriedly blamed it poor the network just in case she needed her to repeat what she said.

" By the way am on my way so don't worry too much. Bye mwah" she said blowing her a kiss through the compact, hoping it would cool down her anger.

Stuffing the compact in her pocket she got up from the river bank. Right by the bank, a shine flashed catching her eye. Curiosity gripped her heart as she walked to check it. Everything was relatively normal so she waited patiently for another flash.

Another flash shone by as fast as before but this time she was able to pinpoint a location. Opening her back she grabbed a cloth bag and a spoon and began to scoop up the stones.

Lana's compact vibrated but due to collecting her stones, she ignored it . The stones were surprisingly lightweight on the spoon.

" rrrnng rnnng rrrrnnngggg" her compact rang yet again. She placed the cloth bag and the spoon in her bag. She did not have to look at her contact to know who was calling.

Running straight towards the camp she missed the crumbling rocks that took place right where she had stood a few seconds ago

Arriving at the camp, the first person she found was Diane. In her black crop top and blue jean with green-dyed hair , her hands rested on her hips.

Lana stood there awkwardly as she watched her friend walk away from her. She knew Diane was probably fuming , though it was not the first time it had happened. She still felt bad every time.

" Diane " she called out to her but Diane seemed to walk even faster after hearing her name.

Lana walked into her tent home and sat on the miniature bed, she patiently waited for Diane to come in but she was absent throughout the night. Lana was not sure if Diane ever came back to their shared tent but it was more glaring her friend was not going to forgive her anytime soon.

" Hey Diane , I found this pretty shell how about we make a necklace " Lana suggested holding a small blue sea shell.

Diane only briefly glanced at the necklace before walking away . Lana decided to try the old simple heartfelt apology.

Before she could think of how to start they were told to close their tent home and move into the bus. Lana hurried onto the bus with her tent home and bag. She sat down waiting for Diane at their favourite spot when Diane walked to sit at another spot.

Now Lana could have let her cool down but she rather not. She immediately got up and dragged Diane towards her and made her sit with her.

"Am sorry. I should not have disappeared like that " she said while holding her down.

Diane was never really angry with Lana she was only worried. She did not want her to suddenly go missing because she was being careless. Halfhearted Lana hoped Diane would forgive her though she was not sure.

The uncomfortable silence between them seemed to last an eternity. It was soon cut open when Diane said Lana could sit.

Lana was already seated but since Diane told her to remain sitting it meant she had forgiven her.

With a comfortable peace around them. Lana rested her head on Diane's shoulder and slept letting the boats of sleep land sail.

Sometimes Diane wondered how Lana who was so responsible usually had her off days. It was not bad but she went off by herself and sometimes forgot the people who care about them. Soon she too was lured by the temptations of sleep.

Miss Carta gently tapped her favourite student Diane but Lana woke up straight away her bright eyes shone brightly almost staring deep into her bones.

After teaching this group of students for a while she knew that Lana was not being rude, it was just how she looked each time she woke and Miss Carta would know as she slept a lot in class.

Noticing the bus was no longer moving Lana guessed that it had stopped Infront of her home as it was the closest to school.

All she had to do was sign out from the bus. Lana woke Diane up and pointed out of the window. She lifted her bag and left her tent home with Diane who carried it and her bag off the bus.

With both of them alighting the boss. Miss Carta waved at them and the bus continued its journey. Lana and Diane walked into Lana's home.

Back at Lana's home , Diane closed the door behind her and knew better than to expect Lana's parents' home. It was kind of weird as she felt bad for her friend. " Lana are they coming home soon"

" Diane, is it not good enough for me to see them once a month. As long as they love me , I think it is good enough"

Diane regretted bringing it up " Well they will be coming by the end of the week right"

" Yeah" Lana answered.

Back at the campsite near the river bank a small yet stable rift was opening collapsing the ground beneath it into a small stable space.

The girls were so busy with their world that they forgot to ask why their excursion was caked shot or how Lana retrieved a sea shell near a freshwater bank.

Maybe the small tremors had already begun.

22/06/24