Seeking Refuge

I was on a plane, 30,000 feet above the ground, when the bombs dropped. When I landed I learnt we had lost the Big War. I was lucky to be alive. Most of my friends were dead, killed by the bombs. The official feeds said that 90% of the population had already been eliminated. A true massacre.

Enemy troops were heading into our towns to kill any survivors. I couldn’t think straight. I run home, packed a few things that I didn’t need, and headed for the road. I knew there was no safe place for my kind. My only hope was to find a place to hide. Once things calmed down I could travel to the coast and somehow board a cargo to Africa. The last continent to avoid war.

A desperate idea crossed my mind. There was only one place for me to hide. It was risky but it would have to work. The war had changed the world but I hoped and prayed my old friend hadn’t changed that much.

I traveled through secondary roads avoiding the enemy for 3 days. I waited until dusk to approach the edge of town. It was well past midnight when I found the house and knocked on the door. I brushed off my clothes and tried to compose myself. I knocked again. I felt myself shaking and I hated myself for it. I heard steps approaching.

“Hello Joel,” said a voice from behind the screen door. “I haven’t seen a robot in days. I though you were all dead.”

“Not all.” I said. “I need to hide for a few days. At least until the human troops lift the controls. You are the only one I could come for help.”

“I understand”, my friend said. “Come on in.”