I had finally found a place in this desolate town that contains multiple canned goods and tightly sealed bottles of water. Unfortunately, when I entered the establishment, I was met with a most disturbing sight.

Two bodies, just recently slaughtered but already surrounded by hoards of gnats. It was a man and a woman, lying in the entryway. Their arms were splayed out, fingers inches away from touching, but not quite there.

In their final moments, they had reached for each other.

The sight brought forth a rush of tears and memories, and I knew I couldn't stay here long. Every ancient textbook I have read has emphasized punishment for disturbing the dead.

Apologizing in my mind as I took supplies and began placing them into my large backpack, I quickly left.

I am sleeping on the streets again tonight, currently sitting by a campfire as I write this. The image of the dead couple reminds me of my beloved Betty. I take out my pocket watch, open it and stare at Betty's picture above the slowly ticking clock. Her face is covered by a broken glass shield. It feels so ironic, this glass. Broken just like Betty's body as I sat with her in her final moments.

I shut the watch, and attempt to close my eyes. I know the light of the fire will keep away any of the mutated beasts that roam the streets at night, looking for bodies to devour. Tonight's sleep will be a most fitful one.


One week ago…

A long, crowded building, filled with terrified families, sobbing widows, and Betty. The sight of her sent a wave of hope through Simon's body, and he ran to her, ignoring the people he shoved out of the way. He reached her, grasped her shoulders and embraced her before she got a chance to look at his face.

Betty stood still for a moment, stunned, until she came to her senses and pushed Simon away. He smiled as he looked at her face, still as beautiful as he remembered it. Her dark red hair and bright green eyes, albeit now surrounded by light wrinkles of stress and worry. He saw her eyes flicker upward to the crown, still perched on top of his head, and recognition flooded her confused face.

"Simon?" Betty asked uncertainly.

Simon felt like crying in joy right then and there.

"Yes Betty, it's me. Oh, I'm so happy I found you I-"

"But," Betty interrupted him, "I heard you were hiding in the tialdcrest bunker. That one was destroyed. Nobody was left alive."

"I was. I'm here now. It's because I…"

Simon trailed off, unsure how to explain the crown's newest power. Betty just stared at him silently, until she noticed he had stopped talking.

"Simon…I'm sorry but…what's happened to you since I left?"

She reached her arm out and held a lock of Simon's long white hair in her palm, as if she was checking it for authenticity. Her thumb ran along Simon's cheek, on which he had grown a beard. At the moment, it was closely cut and clean-shaven.

"I…well…"

How was he supposed to explain it without sounding like a lunatic?

"It's the crown, isn't it?" Betty's voice was grave and deathly quiet. It took a moment before Simon had realized she had spoken.

"N-no…I just…" his frightened tone didn't help his weak argument.

"Simon, you were never good at lying."

"…Yes. It's the crown. But I can control it!" This lie was more to reassure himself then Betty.

Betty let go of Simon's arms, turning away from him.

"No. I'm sorry, but I can't deal with you like this."

Her words were like blows to Simon's chest. What had he done to her, that first time the crown had been placed on his head?

"Please…" Simon reached for her pitifully, but dropped his arms when she looked back at him.

That's when he heard it. The quiet, whining noise that he had heard once before, right as the world had exploded around him.

Simon yelled for everyone to duck, as though it would do them any good, dived for Betty and pulled her close to his curled up body as the supposedly unbreakable roof was ripped off its hinges.

It had started like this the last time too. People's tormented screams quickly stifled as they were pelted by large, sharp rocks and debris. Simon could barely give them more then a second of mourning. He pulled Betty's face into his neck. He could feel her shaking. Outside explosions shook the bunker, and Simon cried out as his ears rang in agony.

The large pieces of wreckage hit his arms and legs, but the impact felt soft and harmless. The crown was protecting him yet again.

Next came waves of fire. The few people who were spared by the rocks were instantly burned. The crown fought back with its own power, shooting out rays of ice to counteract the flames. Simon could feel the strength of the heat, and hoped with all of his heart that the crown would allow Betty into its sphere of safety.

Then it was silent. Simon could only hear the noise of his own ragged breathing. Below his face, Betty made a weak, strangled cry. Scared of what he might see, Simon opened his eyes and slowly brought his head up, eyes widening at the sight before him.

"No…oh please no…"

Betty was unscathed except for a single shard of metal, penetrating into her back. The only spot of her body Simon couldn't cover had been struck, fatally.

Simon pulled Betty's head against his chest, wrapping his arms around her sides and slowly rocking back and forth, as tears began spilling down his face.

"Don't let go…I promise, if you hold onto me, the crown can help keep you alive."

Betty coughed, splattering Simon's ruined jacket with blood. "It's not right Simon. It's not normal."

Simon felt a momentary surge of anger.

"The world is ending and you care about normal? Look around you. All these innocent people, dead. Is any of this normal?"

"Let go of me Simon."

"I won't! I'll never let you go…" Simon's voice dropped. It was soft and miserable.

Betty raised a shaking hand and placed it against Simon's face. His tears dripped onto her fingertips.

"Simon, look at me."

Simon's blue eyes met Betty's green ones.

"I love you. Please."

Simon dropped his arms to his sides. Betty fell to the ground, her eyes glazing over before she even touched the metal floor.

At that moment, Simon felt the ice completely engulf his broken heart.


I was listening to Boulevard of Broken Dreams earlier, and I felt like that song really fit the theme of this story. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. You'll probably agree.

As always, thanks for reading and please review!