Hourglass (2060 CE)

Hastily brushing off small traces of black sand from their heavily scarred bodies, the two gasp and heave in exhaustion. The younger one pants thirstily. Blowing stray black hair from his eyes, he looks around with hopeful eyes for some sign of life. September wind blows lightly, fluttering his loose pants and tingling his bare chest. He rubs his nose; there is no water to wash away the smell of rotting flesh. Somewhere in the distance, an eerie howl begins slowly but is soon joined by two more. The setting sun reveals the silhouette of a dying cactus and a few boulders that are probably providing shade for scorpions and rattlesnakes. 1

The older boy gestures impatiently for his brother; grabbing dirty hands with his own, he takes another step and winced with pain as his legs crumbled beneath him. A cry of alarm, rasped and a bit high pitched, escapes from the younger boy. The fluttering of wings causes both brothers to look up in fear. Two vultures circle overhead, staring with gleaming eyes at the sight of potential meat. The younger boy starts heaving, and it takes a minute before his brother realizes tears no longer accompanied the crying. 2

Crumbling skyscrapers cast a lingering shadow behind them, occasionally groaning and screaming as steel scrapes against each other. Hills of sand stretch endlessly before them. Soon winter will arrive, and then...The older brother swallows and manages a crooked smile for his brother. One walks and the other limps slowly forward. There is nothing ahead but only painful memories behind.3

Whirlwind dusts away remnants of fading footprints. 4