The Beginner's Guide(Keana Cobarde) “The Beginner’s Guide”


“This is how the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.”
-T.S. Elliot


Look, I’m not too good with introductions. I’ve never been. Let me just set some things straight, alright? There’s a lot going on. By a lot...I mean A LOT. I don’t have much time, but you gotta keep up with me. Once upon a time, there were two BIG nations. They were strong. They were smart. They were both on opposite sides of the spectrum. They didn’t like each other, so they fought in a war. Keyword: fought. They’re not fighting anymore. Because they’re dead. Everyone is. One nuclear missile later, the world is destroyed. You get my drift? For the longest time, I’ve been trying to find out why. Why did you have to kill us? Why did you have to destroy our world? Why did you have to do this to your people?! That was never answered. Like I said, they’re dead. Obviously. Now, I’m kinda just here...alone. No!! Wait!! I have you. You came here a few days ago, so I had to keep you alive until you woke up. You were hurt pretty bad. Wounds. Burns. Cuts. You didn’t put on your gear did you? Don’t worry about it, I’ll get you some. The world is cold, and you’ll need it. All the soot from the bombs covered our atmosphere. It’s Nuclear Winter. Ever heard of that fancy term? It’s self-explanatory. Also! Don’t go past the treeline, once you go back there, I can’t help ya. There’s radiation all around the shore. Follow me, and you should be fine. I haven’t met anyone in a long time. You’re a first. Thanks for that.

Oh! Just in time! It was getting dark, and I didn’t see you for a while. I was worried...anyways! Let’s get this show on the road! I gotta get my trusty can opener. Hm? You got a problem with canned food? Sorry...we don’t really have a choice. You know, I had a problem with it too, but...which would you rather be? Dead or mildly disgusted? You pick. Most of the crops died a while ago. It’s Nuclear Winter and all. Come on..don’t look so down, it’s not that bad when you get used to it...I promise. Let’s get to bed soon before the swarm comes. Wait, you don’t know what I mean about ‘swarm’? No, silly, I’m not talking about bees! I mean, the stragglers. People who search for food..or take it from others. You know, I thought you were one of them, but...you didn’t try to kill me on sight. Now, just close your eyes. Sleeping in silence is a luxury these days. Let’s appreciate it for a moment.

Wake up! Did you seriously think we could sleep in? I wish, but we have to get going. I gotta find my can opener, I think I might have lost it somewhere. Hey! Don’t look at me like that! You must lose stuff too. Well, never mind, let’s get going, sour-pants! Okay, well we’re outside right now! We have to suit up. Coat, gloves, pants, sunglasses...check! We have them all! I have to get you some sunglasses, don’t I? Hm...we can wait it out. Just don’t look into the sky. Look down. I’ll guide you. What? You don’t like that? Whatever. You’re fault. Keep up! We have to get going before they find us…

We’re almost there. Oh, come on. Don’t look so down! We’re only a mile off. Let’s keep going...wait, come here. Take a look at the sky. Isn’t the ultramarine hue just pretty? That’s how they said it used to look every single day. It only looks like this sometimes. And...usually, we don’t see any stars like we used to. Yeah, I’ve never actually seen a star. You have?! Oh, my god!! That’s so amazing!! Are they pretty? Are they bright? How bright are they?! Wait...this must be a bit overwhelming, sorry. Oh, and by the way. Watch out...there might be some mines along this field. If you stepped on one...that’d just be unfortunate!

Few, finally. We made it! It’s a bit shabby, but it’ll do. I hear that children used to actually go to school! That’s weird, right? They get to sit down and listen to someone else...without worrying about bombs or knives getting thrown at them. Hold up...you’ve gone to school too?! WOW!! You’ve just done it all, haven’t you? You’ve seen stars...you see a blue sky everyday...you go to school. I’m jealous. Very. Let’s just go inside. Say, I haven’t found my can opener yet..you need to help me look later! Until then, let’s just sit down…

Huh? Ask that question again, would you? How do I live like this? You’re asking that to me? Oh...simple really. I know something that you might not have caught onto yet. I know it’s cheesy and all, but hear me out...just for a second, okay? Back then, when the bombs dropped...you could have said a lot of things. You could have said the world ended. You could have said that humanity had ended. You could have said that we’re all doomed. That’s not true, though. In ten or so years, the soot will fall from the sky. The ozone might just heal itself. Crops will grow again...I know it. The radiation will disappear. Everyone will stop fighting. You can say that this ground that we stand on is...destroyed. Well, you should stop being a negative nancy! We’re waiting...waiting in something that has yet to be built. We’ll survive. I know it...wait!! I found it! My can opener!! Yay! Hey...are you okay? You look a bit tired. We should sleep. Morning is coming.

---