Thoughts on the Apocalypse | Teen Ink

Thoughts on the Apocalypse

December 24, 2012
By E.J.Mathews GOLD, International Falls, Minnesota
E.J.Mathews GOLD, International Falls, Minnesota
19 articles 2 photos 145 comments

Why is the end of the world so fascinating to us? Is it just that our minds can’t comprehend the thought of our society falling apart? Personally, I have no clue. All I know is that 12/21/12 came, I was ready. It was just in case, of course. I didn’t skip school and hide in my basement like most of my classmates. I went to school all the same, looked death straight in the eye, and smiled. Not only the Mayan Apocalypse was that day, a more personal doom loomed over my school. As a freak-out response over the shooting in Newton, rumors came up that someone was planning to do something similar at my school.

It really didn’t help that we had a real lockdown a few days before. The police presence didn’t help either. They were only there because the rumors freaked out some parents, and to assure everyone that we were safe. I think that not acknowledging the rumors would have helped more. If cops were there, it seemed to me that there was a real threat, not just the normal lies kids tell to scare one another. Suddenly the discomfort of an airport washed over my friends and I. We all got the overwhelming urge to use words we knew we shouldn’t. “Shooter”, “gun”, “bomb”. They all came to mind for all of us, and it was all we could talk about.

At every turn, it felt like I just couldn’t win. There was more than one plan out to get me, it seemed. Was this really the end for me? Well, which was it going to be, a bullet or an asteroid? Of course I still highly doubted that I was going to die, but my comfort level was far too low. My chances of dying had gone from a measly one in a million to downright possible. So I did what any sane person would do, prepare. Not physically, but mentally. I thought about my family and my friends, and it eased my mind knowing that if worse came to worst, I would die with them. I forgave my friend for a little squabble, and didn’t forgive those who I felt didn’t deserve it. After all, this was all just in case.

The rest of the day passed, and death seemed far less likely, a new feeling raised its head. It was almost disappointment. Not quite, but almost. In my own odd way, I was ready for anything the world could throw at me. Still, the world chose not to do anything. The day left, and night took its place, completely uneventful. Even the end of my 2012 Countdown app was a complete disappointment. I mean, I waited a year to see what would happen at the end of that thing. There could have been at least some digital confetti or something.

The last feeling finally overcame me as I fell asleep; relief. I thought of all the things I wouldn’t miss out on. There was still time to find a girlfriend, go to college, have kids, and become published. (Not necessarily in that order.) I still had time to live, and then I realized why my world didn’t end.

I still needed to live.


The author's comments:
My own experience on 12/21/12.

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This article has 3 comments.


on Aug. 11 2013 at 4:34 pm
Superhero_Fan SILVER, Tomorrowland, California
7 articles 1 photo 163 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible; for How many people did you know who refracted your own light to you?” - Fahrenheit 451

That's kinda how I felt, but I didn't prepare for anything. Oh wait! That was a different apocalypse! There's just so many these days I can't keep up! But you captured the emotions wonderfully. I really didn't think it was possible to include this emotion, and discription in non-fiction! Good job E.J., And keep writing!

on Jan. 11 2013 at 9:15 am
CariePierce BRONZE, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
3 articles 0 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Imagination rules the world." -Napoleon Bonaparte

I think our minds think very much alike, and I am in love with your style.

on Jan. 6 2013 at 9:15 pm
In_Love_with_Writing GOLD, Easton, Pennsylvania
12 articles 0 photos 389 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

Very interesting and thought provoking in a way. Nice. Can you comment and rate some of my stories? It would mean a lot to me. :)