#the woods here aren't dense enough anymore to get lost in and it makes me saaaaad

[thetruemek]

that's it, going insane again!

[ladreams17]

2090 Pt. 1

Hi. This post here is a short story written by me. My native tongue is german, which can lead to possible grammatical errors. Sorry in advance. There are two more short storys set in the same universe, that I will upload shortly after this one. Have fun reading and please feel free to leave any kind of constructive criticism.

Part one - Part two - Part three

Looking out the window and seeing… nothing. The smog in the air is so dense that I can't even see the sun clearly. "Kristyn we're going to be late. Hurry up! We have to get to the town hall before 12!". I sigh and get up. The big flood caused my mom and me to lose our home. We used to live in a small city on the coast of Florida. But we were lucky. We found a new home in Dallas. Now we just have to get registered. Before I go out of my room, I take my medicine, as always. I have to fight against my cancer somehow, you know? I don't want to die like my father did. I go to my mom who is waiting for me by the door. I quickly slip on my jacket and my shoes and I put on my mask. Nobody goes out without a mask nowadays. We walk through the little garden in front of our house and look at the little thing that is painted on our mailbox. It's a white bear going on all fours on a tiny iceberg. My mom says it's a polar bear. I've never seen one and neither has she. They died out years ago.

Both of us get in the car. My mom is in the driverseat and I sit next to her. My moms small figure is looking weird behind the steering wheel even though she was an excellent driver back in the day. My mom starts the engine and the car starts to drive on it's own. We start driving from the outskirts of the city to the center of Dallas. Our car is one of the older hydrogen models but it works just fine.

While my sight is just swerving around the car and the scenery that we're passing by I am beginning to think. So much has happened in the past decades and mostly because of climate change. The polar caps have almost been melted, due to the whole world warming up, and because of that the water level started to rise. Floods were occuring more and more, getting bigger and bigger everytime and islands started to vanish from the world's surface. It's like they got erased with just a snap of two fingers.The countries that thought that they wouldn't get flooded got flooded. The once beautiful Caribbean islands aren't existent anymore and you can only see the volcanoes of Hawaii. The rest is under water. The Netherlands are under water as well and a huge amount of Germany too. The continents becoming islands, caused the rate of homeless people to skyrocket and the world leaders to worry even more. Speaking of them, the politicians have finally realised that climate change is indeed real. Even the people that totally denied it.*cough* like republican politicians *cough*. I'm assuming they "realised" it because the fossil fuels died out and they lost their best money source. Their best money sources were of course their stocks in coal and oil. Even though the extinction of the fossil fuels was a good thing, because they emitted most of the carbon dioxide, it still wasn’t enough to stop the ongoing climate change.

As I'm looking out of the car window, I can see almost no trees anymore. Because of the deforrestation and the huge forrest fires, there is basically no wood left. The whole landscape went bald. Now the free land is used for windmills, because that's the only source we can get our energy from. But it's honestly way too late to make these windmills our main energy source. We should have done that years ago, when there still was a bit of hope to help our planet. When there still were possibilities to change at least something. When there still were people who actively fought against climate change.

We are now in downtown Dallas, almost at our destination. The people outside look power- and emotionless, they have blank looks on their faces and most of them don't have hair anymore. Because of the carbon dioxide we were emitting, the ozone layer got tremendously destroyed and that highered the chances of getting cancer, because the sunlight couldn't get filtered anymore. This led to many people getting cancer. The state that the world was in didn't help at all to cheer the people up. Everyone fell into a depression. It seems like a dark tunnel without a ray of sunshine at the end of it, for them. They fell into a big hole of nothing with nobody to help them get out or a plan to escape it. Along with depression everyone feared that their life would just end tomorrow, maybe because of a big flood while they were asleep or because of a lung disease due to the smog. They basically got anxiety as well. Everyone was fighting from one day to the other, not caring about anyone else. They became egoistic and got angry easier, as if their life depended on that package of toilet paper, that they were currently fighting over like cavemen. The whole society got messed up.

The car came to a halt. We are standing at a traffic light two minutes away from the town hall. Suddenly the car is starting to move even though the traffic light is still red. I am looking to my side and see my mom helplessly trying to stop the car which is speeding into the ongoing traffic directly into another car. In panic I am trying to shield myself with my arms as our car is colliding with the other one. I am hearing a horrible crash sound and I am starting to scream. I am feeling like I'm being flipped around and I can feel pain rushing through my right arm. I close my eyes, not wanting to see anything. I am getting pushed into the already popped out airbag. The last thing I hear before everything goes quiet is a loud 'Boom' and I feel heat rising all around me.

Everything around me is black. I am looking down and seeing my body. Ok so my soul hasn't left my body yet. My vision is starting to get blurry and when it's starting to clear up I am astonished. I'm standing on a breathtaking forrest clearing. All around me are big and strong trees and the sunlight is seeping through their leaves. It looks like golden threads are sewn through this wonderful scenery. It almost looks like a work of art, no, it is a work of art. I lay down on the grass and look up to a sky colored in the most vibrant kind of blue with clouds that look like fluffy cotton candy. I breathe in the clear air around me, close my eyes and let the sun tickle my skin.

Opening my eyes again I'm standing in a busy city. There are hydrogen cars everywhere and smog is nowhere to be seen. The people around me have smiles on their faces and almost seem to be careless. Everyone has beautiful hair styled to perfection, not a bald head from chemo therapy, and they all look totally healthy. I'm starting to think that I want to live here so badly. This is the life the world should live, the life everyone wants to live, the life that we could've had. I am suddenly hearing my name beeing called. I turn around to see my mom just a few steps away from me. Between us, just a pedestrian crossing. "Sweetie, come over here!! We can get coffee to celebrate that we just moved in our new home here. You were right, it is so beautiful here." I smile at her just because of the fact that she said that we live here now. We will live in this clean city with beautiful and happy people, with clean air and a clear sky and with trees on the sides of the street. My mom is calling my name again and winking me over to her. I am starting to walk but I speed up my walk, so that I am almost running. I can't wait to be able to live here. I can finally live without worrying for our planets future and mine, to finally get healthy again and to finally live happily. I am rushing over the pedestrian crossing and almost jump into my moms arms that are widely spread for a giant hug. I am hugging my mom tightly like she is hugging me. We are reunited again like the old times, when everything seemed to be perfect and we all lived a relaxed and quiet life...

A long "beep" is echoing through the intensive care unit of a hospital in Dallas. A doctor and a nurse come rushing in to check where this very familiar sound is coming from. Finding the source they sigh. The world has lost another soul. The heart rate monitor of a young girl in her teenage years has gone to zero. "It was just a matter of time until it happened. It's sad that she died this young, eventhough it is 'common' in today's state of living.", the doctor said. As he jotted down the time of death on his clipboard the nurse is nodding. "Yes you're right sir. I think that it's just kind of weird that she died in a car crash. I mean the cars are driving themselves, so how could that possibly have happened?...". The room is filling with silence, both of them trying to figure out how this girl died in such an unusual way.

[sapphirerogers]

Chapter 3

"Dory," April called out to her nineteen-year-old sister, "come with me, will you? We need to pick some apples."

"Be there in a minute. Ju, stop making a fuss and eat that. Tina, drink your milk. You're not a kid anymore," Dory called out, putting a bowl of cereal back on the table for her younger brother Julian at the same time. She joined her outside a little later. "I got the baskets," she handed one to April. They walked a little way beyond their house, further into the woods. Nothing too dense. It made a pleasant and peaceful location for a house.

They reached their apple tree, staring up at the laden branches with glee. "Yup," April bit her lower lip in excitement, "definitely a feast, though it's a pity the cherries aren't ripe yet. Come on." She and Dory stretched their arms, plucking off the fruits from the lower branches. They always spared quite a few, too good-natured to leave the tree completely bare.

However, today, Dory spotted a particularly delicious-looking apple, just above the highest branch they had reached. "Say, see that one? It looks marvelous."

April squinted, assessing the shiny red skin. "You're right, it's definitely going to be crunchy, and juicy."

Dory leaped up, trying to grab the apple, but missed by a long shot. "You're taller, you try," she pushed April ahead.

The older girl took a deep breath, handing her basket to Dory, and leaped up. Her fingertips barely brushed against the fruit as gravity pulled her down. She tried again. Nothing. After repeated failed attempts, she shook her head, "You ever heard the tale of the fox and the grapes, Doe?"

"Of course I have. Leave it; the grapes are sour."

"Let's go. It's not like we absolutely need that one more than every other apple." They turned to go, not aware of the fact that someone was watching them from behind with an amused smile. He reached up and being tall enough, plucked the much sought-after fruit just by standing on tiptoe. "Hey," he called out pleasantly, "here you go."

The girls turned around. April caught the apple he had chucked at her, just in time. "Uh, thanks," she stuttered, not really bothered about apples anymore, or for that matter, breakfast. In fact, she had almost lost her appetite at the fact that Captain America had turned up at her house. Though she knew he most likely wouldn't cause trouble, she was still worried. "Go inside," she told her sister, hiding her uncertainty, "I'll come later. Don't worry, I know him."

"But–" Dory began to protest, not wanting to leave her with a stranger. However, her arguments were cut off by April's stern look. She turned with one last glance at the man, almost warning him subtly not to mess with her sister and skipped back into the house.

"Hi, April," Steve began, sensing her discomfort. 

"Um...hi," she frowned, biting her lip, this time, out of nervousness, "I didn't exactly...expect you here." 

"I know. In fact, even I didn't, to be honest." April furrowed her eyebrows at his cryptic words. 

"Why are you here? You, of all people?" 

Steve shook his head, "I just need to talk to you about something." 

That only puzzled her even more. "That's just it?" 

"Yeah, I promise." 

"Who else is here?" 

"No one else. No one even knows I'm here, except Bucky. He was the one who told me about you."

"Oh," she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, "that would explain how you found me here." 

Steve nodded, daring to step a little closer, "So, can we talk?" 

She thought for a while. He seemed polite enough, even friendly, she might venture to say. And she was getting more curious by the second. "Sure, follow me."

They walked back together, Steve smiling a little at the beautiful atmosphere. "You have a nice home," he complimented, "almost makes me envy you." 

She smiled back, beginning to relax. "Thanks, Steve," she returned, recalling him purposefully introducing himself by first name back at the base. Regardless of when he was or wasn't Captain America, he was extremely nice as a human being. "So, are you going to come to the point?" 

He stared at her for a while before counter-questioning, "Can I be honest with you?" 

"Sure, I'd appreciate that rather than take offense." 

They stopped just outside their house, "Look, that day, I was surprised that you helped me out. I, uh, learnt a little more about you. And I believe that you shouldn't have to do this. They shouldn't have to face this," he gestured towards the house, indicating her family, "and I'd like to help. After all, I really owe you one," he added with a small smile.

April studied his manner and tone with a nod, then, deciding to push her luck, replied, "Go ahead. I'm listening." 

"Okay, first of all, the rest of them need to be moved somewhere nobody can find them, right?" 

She nodded, "Yeah, top priority. All I do is for them." 

"So, how about a safe house? Nobody will know, I can assure you that. Just us." 

She considered the idea for a moment. She would be taking a big risk if she trusted him. But the need to move her father and the kids someplace safe was far greater. She made up her mind. "Sounds good. Where is it?" 

"Just outside New York City. Countryside, peaceful ambience; in all, it's a nice place. I mean, you might like it, given the surroundings here."

They talked a little longer, then she said, "Alright, why not just tell my father too?" 

He pondered over the question, then nodded, "Go ahead." 

She motioned him to stay here, then went inside and upstairs to tell Joshua Westwood about the offer. He came out a while later, readily agreeing. Within half an hour, things were happily settled. They'd be moving, all but April. Mr. Westwood and Dory knew about her job, knowing what forced her. Dory, legally an adult, was introduced to Captain America, aka Steve Rogers at the same time. As time passed, April found herself increasingly at ease. With Steve around, she almost felt safe. God, that sounds ridiculous, she told herself. But she couldn't help finding him sweet, caring, well-mannered, and extremely handsome. Nope, she wasn't a Truce agent any longer, not in the true sense of the word.

"Steven?" her father called out. 

"Yes sir?" 

"Can I have a word with you?" 

"Sure." 

"Arrow, go look after your brothers. I need to talk to him." 

"Alright, Dad," she went inside with Dory, but before that, she looked back at Steve over her shoulder. He gave her a nod, telling her he'd be fine.

He had breakfast with them, the rest of the children taking a liking to him instantly. The girls, except Dory, were already huge fans of him, and they openly admitted it. Dory declared that she liked Bucky more. Seventeen-year-old Alex, the third sibling, and fourteen-year-old Julian, immediately began asking him about anything they could associate him with. April watched with a soft smile, forgetting every worry for the rest of the morning. This just might turn out right.