avatarZachary Seda

Summary

"Dead Man's Diary" is a short story that depicts a post-apocalyptic world plunged into chaos and violence following a mysterious event known as the Eternal Night, which caused a permanent loss of electricity, internet, and electronic functionality.

Abstract

The narrative, presented as a diary entry dated July 17, 2047, reflects on the past five years since the onset of the Eternal Night, a catastrophic event that led to the collapse of civilization, order, and peace. With no functioning electronics, no government communication, and widespread looting, society has devolved into survivalist factions, and violence has become commonplace. The protagonist, who has survived by preparing for such an event and remaining isolated, muses on the selfish nature of people in crisis and the absence of any external help, emphasizing the need to defend one's home and resources against the threat of other survivors.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that the loss of modern technology and communication has led to a breakdown of societal norms and the emergence of a new, lawless world.
  • There is a prevailing sentiment that the government failed to maintain order or provide guidance in the face of catastrophe, contributing to the widespread panic and eventual silence that followed.
  • The protagonist's perspective indicates a belief that people inherently become selfish and violent during a crisis, forming only temporary alliances based on convenience and mutual distrust.
  • The story implies that preparation and self-reliance are key to survival in a post-apocalyptic scenario, as the protagonist has successfully lived in isolation by defending their home and resources.
  • The author seems to question whether unity and cooperation are possible in such extreme circumstances, given the emphasis on the protagonist's solitary existence as the reason for their survival.

Dead Man’s Diary

A short story

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

July 17, 2047

They call it the Eternal Night. Final Outage. The Dark. There’re many names for it. They all mean the same thing, it’s the end. Not for humanity, not for animals or plants. The end of civilization. The end of the order and whatever peace we could muster as a species.

Chaos followed and we welcomed it.

Eternal Night. The day everything stopped. The day the lights went out for good. The day the internet stopped working. The day electronics ceased to function. And they never came back.

And no one knows why.

It’s thought the governments tried using other means such as post offices to get messages out, but people took advantage of the situation quicker than expected. And with no communication from the government, no one stood in their way.

Is it just America, or did the rest of the world get hit? Is this an attack on America? Can the army still function? What do we do? Where do we go?

All questions, no answers for the last 5 years. Before, it was panic. People were expecting some invading force to overtake any day. We would all die or become ‘citizens’ of another country.

But we were wrong. Or, at least, we’ve been wrong for the past 5 years. No one has attacked, besides fellow Americans trying to survive.

No communication meant no order. The police were useless in keeping the peace. Most fled to protect their loved ones, along with everyone else, causing production, security, and every other company to ceased to function over time. The government didn’t send word, furthering the panic. Stores looted for all their goods but never replenished.

Then, everything went silent.

Silence. A silent fear of the unknown. Everyone lived in the unknown for the past 5 years. Eventually, people got used to the silence. People got used to no electronics.

What people didn’t get used to was the violence that broke out. Instead of coming together in a time of need, people separated into semi-trustworthy pacts, ready to sink the dagger into anyone who looked at them the wrong way or had a granola bar on hand.

People are selfish in a time of crisis.

Such as myself, sitting here alone on my house’s porch in the woods. Always knew the day would come, been prepping for years. Guess my adjustment to the new world was easier than most.

Sticking to myself is what kept me alive for the last 5 years. There’s no one coming to save us, for we are on our own now. And I plan to defend my home for as long as I live. My stash is my own.

I’m ready.

-J

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this short story, consider checking out some of my other work. Also, connect with me on Twitter! I enjoy engaging with other writers.

Short Story
Apocalypse
Fiction
Diary
Illumination
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