An Eagle's Cry at the End of the World

by Zoe in a land of daydreams (which my teachers say I visit too often)

This is a story I am writing just now, from three point of views. They are all present tense, which I have not done before. I hope you like it, please comment.

Evan Micheal(8 years old)
Flames burst from the ground, the smoke stinging my eyes. I cannot see, can hardly hear over the roaring sound in my ears. I cry out though, hoping someone will hear me. I stumble fowards, the only source of wet in so much heat the tears that fall from my eyes.
"Momma! Michelle!"
There iss a screech overhead, sounding like an eagle. I look up, but the night sky is covered in smoke, so much that even the stars seem to be choking. I wonder what could possibly become of the stars in this, an innocent thought among so much panic. I have no clue what is happening, and I don't know if I want to.
I was been sleeping when the ground started to shake. I have felt many earthquakes in my eight years, but none like that. The ground shook so violently, and for a long time. It wasn't like a wave either, but the ground went up and down like a pogo stick, over and over. I rushed outside, Momma holding my hand. Her other hand clutched the shoulder of Michelle, my older sister. There was chaos, and people screaming, and then the ground blew apart and fire soared from its cracks. I am scared now, I really don't wanna to die. The eagle thing crys again, more loudly, clear in my ears. I fall to my knees, still crying out. Smoke stings me, and wraps around my lungs. I am scared. My senses are going dark, blank, and I just want Momma. My blanket is clutched to my chest, and suddenly I can't breathe. I am choking, on ashes and smoke and fire. I am aware of an eagle crying again, and nothing else.

Harry Schmitt (age 76)
Things are going dark for me. The world is ending, I know it. I can't hear anything, I have been deaf for a while, but I can see the death around me, see the chaos, see the Mommy's crying for their childeren. I am safe from the fires, but buildings are falling and the world is cracked. Fires are around hear, and I am glad I am deaf, I can close my eyes and it is peacful. I hate the chaos, want God to take me soon so I can be in peace. The world is dying, and I am dying with it. I've lived a good life, so no harm is done. Heat is hitting my body like a bullet, rays from the earth's core. Oh, Lord, come take me quick. I don't want pain when I die. Make it quick.
I can hear an eagle overhead. I close my eyes and imagine peace, the symbol an eagle is. There will be peace for me, and I will welcome it.
The eagle cries again. More heat is coming at my body. The world is rumbling. I am falling.
Something splits under my feet. The earth. It has cracked, and I am falling in. I open my eyes to see the sky, only the sky, not that eagle, but it cries again and all is gone.

Marian Lavenard (age 46)
Rob leans over me. I can see his face, his tears falling upon me. Jenna is with him. She is bleeding, but she leans over me too, clutching Rob's night shirt. I hope she lives. She is a good kid, she doesn't deserve to die, not yet. I don't know if I deserve it, but it will happen. My only regret is leaving Rob and Jenna.
Blood flows from my face. I can see fires, lapping everywhere. They have caused many deaths already, but mine was caused by the rubble, the falling. I am on the ground now, I will die. Rob and Jenna still stand over me, however. Why? I want to tell them to leave, to get the hell out of here while they can, but I am too weak. Rob is talking, in words I cannot understand so I don't know why he bothers. Fire is swimming to us in waves, and they do not run.
Something cries from the sky. Some bird or something, its high-pitched cry so sweet and sad. There are tears all around, and calling and chaos, and pain. So much pain. I just want it to end, it splits my sides and I cannot think.
The bird calls again. I would look for it, but I want to see Rob's face when I die if he will not leave. Nothing else. In my mind I am telling him I love him, but I do not know if the words are coming out. Pain rips me. I see his face, sad and torn, but beautiful. He is my love. Tears do not stop falling from his green eyes, and I want so bad to kiss him, but can't. He has not shaved for awhile. I don't know why this is what I notice on death's bed, but it is. I focus on his face, there is a final shock of pain, and the bird calls above me. Now nothing.