I can't read that rn
the day the world changed, full story
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Feb 25, 2025
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#4
this honestly feels like someone who wrote a summary on like a book series lol, but its pretty interesting
(this is 1200 words so it may take a bit)
The Day The World Changed
Part One: The Aftermath
Nico Rojas stood on the porch of their small three-bedroom home, gazing out at the once-familiar neighborhood. It felt as if a lifetime had passed since the adults had vanished and the remaining children had been left to fend for themselves. The survivors now ranged in age from one-year-old twins to his own eighteen years, all expected to adapt and survive without guidance or support from the older generation.
He took a long drag from his hastily rolled joint, feeling the familiar tingle spread through his body. Once an occasional indulgence, Nico now relied on marijuana to cope with the overwhelming responsibilities he faced. He exhaled, watching as the smoke wafted away in the cool morning breeze.
Inside, his younger siblings - all under the age of seven - went about their chores. Yet, he couldn't help but envy the freedom they seemed to have, oblivious to the weight of the world that sat heavily upon his shoulders.
Hannah King couldn't help but notice the strained expression on Nico's face as she passed by their neighbor's home. The two families had been friends for as long as she could remember, but even that connection felt strained now. As she entered her own house, her gaze fell upon her younger brother, Benny, who was hidden away in their shared bedroom. He'd barely said a word since The Change, spending most of his time reading whatever books he could find.
Hannah sighed, wondering how long it would be before her community could find some semblance of normalcy. With the adults gone, it seemed like the order of the world had been upended, leaving a gaping hole that even the smartest among them struggled to fill.
Lily Madden wiped the sweat from her brow, trying to keep her siblings' wailing to a minimum. The four-year-old triplets, Jerry, Betty, and Mary, were a handful even by pre-change standards. Now that she was the eldest, she felt as if she were expected to be the mother that none of them had left - a daunting prospect for a mere eight-year-old.
As she attempted to change Jerry's diaper, he writhed and cried, his chubby arms flailing wildly. She sighed, feeling like she was living in a chaotic nightmare from which there may never be an escape.
Noah Smith stared blankly at the wall in their cramped living room, the overwhelming responsibility of keeping his younger siblings alive gnawing at him day and night. His sister, Terry, had been surprisingly resilient, even forming a bond with a young boy named Gordon. Noah wondered if there was a chance for any kind of normal life in this new world.
He glanced over at Jack, the four-year-old who still required diapers. Jack looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, clueless about the weight of the world that lay on all of their shoulders. Noah couldn't help but feel a pang of envy towards the child, wishing, at that moment, for the simplicity of a diaper-wearing toddler.
As the days dragged on and the weight of their new reality settled upon their young shoulders, the children did their best to adapt. Juanita Rojas, the self-appointed teacher of their small community, spent her days attempting to educate the younger children while also caring for her siblings. She felt a profound sense of responsibility for their future, knowing that their success - or failure - rested largely on her shoulders.
15-year-old Juanita was one of the oldest and most capable in the community, and she relished the chance to prove herself as something more than just a child. Though the burden weighed heavily on her, she took solace in the knowledge that she was helping to shape the world's future, even if that future remained uncertain.
Part Two: The Search for Answers
Sophia Rojas, the inquisitive seven-year-old, spent her days asking questions that nobody could answer. As the children continued to fend for themselves, their curiosity only grew, leaving them yearning for the wisdom and guidance of the vanished adults.
One day, Sophia approached Juanita, her small fists clutching a wrinkled, yellowed map she'd found hidden beneath an old mattress. Pointing at the faded lines and symbols, she asked, "Juanita, do you know where this is? It looks important."
Juanita studied the map, tracing the lines with her fingers. A glint of recognition sparked in her eyes. "I think this is the location of the old library," she replied. "A place where adults used to go and learn."
The other children gathered around, their eyes wide with wonder. Sophia grinned, her curiosity piqued. "Can we go there, Juanita? Maybe we can find answers to our questions!"
Intrigued by the promise of knowledge and hopeful that the library could hold the key to their survival, Juanita nodded. The group of young survivors set out on a journey that would lead them not only to the library but also to newfound strength and resilience in the face of their cold, uncertain world.
Part Three: The New Order
As the children explored the deserted library, they discovered a wealth of knowledge - not only about their community's history but also about the world beyond their small town. The books contained information on agriculture, medicine, and even basic mechanics, offering them an opportunity to rebuild their world from the ground up.
Inspired by their findings, the children began to experiment and learn, taking on new roles within their community. No longer reliant solely on their instincts, they developed plans for a new, self-sufficient society that could thrive even without the guidance of the vanished adults.
Hannah King embraced her love for gardening, using her newfound knowledge to grow crops that could sustain their community. Benny, always the quiet scholar, delved deeper into medicine, hoping to one day be able to cure even the most intractable of ailments. Lily Madden took on the role of caretaker, ensuring the safety and well-being of the youngest members of their society. Jack, once strictly a diaper-wearing dependent, began to learn simple engineering skills to help strengthen their community's defenses against the unknown.
Part Four: The Beginning of Hope
In the following months, the children worked tirelessly, guided by the wisdom they'd found within the dusty pages of the old library's books. They formed alliances with other small pockets of survivors, sharing knowledge and resources as they slowly began to rebuild their shattered world.
There were setbacks and painful losses in those early days, as they struggled to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of adulthood thrust upon them. Young as they were, they learned to grieve and persevere, their shared experiences binding them together in a way that no generation before them could have imagined.
As their world began to take shape, the children embraced the challenge of creating a new society, one built on the principles of compassion, understanding, and mutual respect. Though it was a struggle, they persevered, determined to build a better future for themselves and for the generations yet to come.
In the end, The Day The World Changed might have been a tragedy that claimed the lives of millions. But for the children who were left behind, it was also a catalyst for change - an opportunity to forge a new path forward, one where the power of learning and determination would guide them through even the darkest of times.
And so, the story of these remarkable young survivors will continue to unfold, their indomitable spirit a testament to the strength and resilience of the human heart. This was the world they created - one where hope still dared to thrive, even in the face of overwhelming odds.