Future Pondering of a World Gone Dark: The first Installment.

I stood, barefoot on the balcony, the frigid wind biting at my skin left exposed by the shorts I wore. The city was displayed before me, it's artificial lights slowly dimming as the slightest embers of the natural sunlight hinted at the morning's return on the horizon. I stared dazed at nothing in particular. A small crash and sound of expletive surprise sounded from inside .Aaron must have tripped over the books he left out, despite my warning him to put them anywhere except on the floor the night before.

"You good?" I asked.

"Yeah," he shrugged as he walked onto the balcony and leaned over the railing. I opened my mouth to speak, but he interrupted me before I could say anything.

"Don't you dare say I told you so," he warned, his eyes narrowing slightly with a hint of challenge. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay," I replied, raising my hands in mock surrender. He rolled his eyes, seemingly not impressed with my resignation.

“What are you doing on the balcony at 4 in the morning in 50 degree weather?” asked Aaron, standing next to me in slippers. He had wrapped a baby blue duvet from our bed around his body.

“What are you doing on the balcony?” I asked. Although I couldn’t see his arms from under the blanket I knew they were crossed. He arched a ‘seriously’ eyebrow.

“I asked first.” he smirked.

“Firstly, it is 5 in the morning, and it is not 50 degrees. It is at least 60,” I argued. He proceeded to show me his watch screen, which confidently displayed the time to be 4:58 and the weather to be 56 degrees.

“And yet again, you prove me incorrect, my love,” I sighed. He rolled his eyes at this.

“Gosh ok, someones in a bad mood,” I muttered. He ignored this.

“What's going on? I always have to wrangle you out of bed on a Saturday,” he said his eyes fixated on me.

A moment of silence passed.

“I’m feeling really stressed,” I confessed after a moment of hesitation.

“Did you take your meds?” he inquired, concern visible on his face.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just...” I trailed off, struggling to find the words. “What’s weighing on your mind?” he asked gently, his eyes searching mine for answers.

“The world,” I sighed again.

“Is there any chance you’ll come back to bed?” he asked hopefully. I shook my head.

“Why don’t you take a run or something, then you can make us breakfast. Cooking always takes your mind off things,” suggested stifling a yawn, as he streached his arms above his head.

“What will you do?” I asked, curious about his plans.

“Oh, I am going back to bed like a reasonable person,” yawned Aaron. With a sleepy downward facing grin spreading across his face.

“We both know I can’t fall back asleep. Besides, I’ll take that run. You're always welcome to join me,” I said.

“I hate running. It's not really my thing," said Aaron.

"Isn't it because of your delicate wankles?" I teased with a playful grin. He chuckled and playfully shoved me back.

“You're the worst,” he grumbled, which was followed by another yawn, before departing.

“I love you too. Get some sleep,” I called after him. He ran back and gave me a brief kiss and then departed once more.

For a moment more, I stood alone on the balcony with this dawning skyline. Staring at the city, who like me, never slept.The president is ready to see you,” said Maria. Clyde thanked her and walked into the oval office.

“President Davis, should I bow,” Joked Clyde.

“You're an old friend. I only make the commoners do that,” joked Davis standing up and moving around the desk to give him a firm handshake.

“Congratulations,” said Clyde, taking a seat opposite him.

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said, moving back around his desk and sitting down in the chair.

“Who knew all it took was half a billion dollars to win an election,” he joked.

“How is Aaron?” asked Davis.

“Good. All good. But I’m afraid you have only reached the beginning of battle my friend,” said Clyde, his face turning stony and cold.

“The virus, It’s infected every continent. Reports of the first deaths in Australia just came in yesterday,” Sighed Davis, picking up a piece of paper from his desk.

“There’s a man who claims he has created a cure,” said Clyde.

“Really?” questioned Davis.

“It worked as well,” Explained Clyde.

“It worked. Well what has he asked for?” asked Davis.

“Nothing.” answered Clyde.

“Nothing?” repeated Davis, confused.

“There are side effects.” added Clyde.

“Let me guess, death?” suggested Davis.

“Hah. No, memory loss, complete and total memory loss…”

“Memory loss?” said Davis.

“Nevermind that.” shrugged Clyde.

“No. I’m afraid you're getting ahead of yourself, we need to focus on our victory. Let me enjoy the moment for once. Why don’t I send over a bottle of an ‘03 rose. Aaron likes rose’s right?” asked Davis.

“Yes,” said Clyde.

“Ok then, go home and celebrate,”

-

“Tens of thousands have been affected by the diseases that are now being called Delta B-19. Due to the striking similarity with the symptoms that occurred with the covid 19 outbreaks…” Aron muted the tv. Leaving just colors to dance around the dimly lit living room. He set it back on the arm of the couch. They lounged there, with Clyde’s head in Aaron's lap as he looked up at him. The faint smell of whiskey lingered in the room from an open bottle that sat on the coffee table.

“You know if you stopped watching this you wouldn’t always be so depressed,” commented Aaron looking down at Clyde.

“Hmm.” sighed Clyde, his eyes absent and distracted.

“What’s up?” asked Aaron. Clyde didn’t respond and just looked up at the ceiling.

“Do you want to go to bed, watch a show, eat Ice-cream?” asked Aaron, absent mindlessly listing the things that came to his mind. Clyde's face lit up at the last one.

“Ice Cream. Ok. If you get off me, I could get some,” said Aaron.

“Mm. No,” grumbled Clyde. “I need to burn more calories,” protested Clyde. This made Aaron laugh. Clyde furrowed his brow in confusion.

“The world is ending my love. A little sugar won’t kill you,” argued Aaron.

“You know, he can fix this,” said Clyde.

“What did I say about politics after nine…”

“You're right. The world is ending!” exclaimed Clyde. Sitting up and getting off of the couch.

“He can fix this,” cried Clyde, the passion of the moment getting the best of his emotions.

“I know,” said Aaron quietly he got up as well. He put his hands on the side of Clydes face. “I know. And he will see. But for now we have to wait,” said Aaron. Clyde shook his head.

“How long do we know?” asked Clyde as tears streamed down his face. Aaron wiped them away with the sleeve of his hoodie.

“I don’t know.” said Aaron looking into his husband's eyes. He desperately wanted him to believe.

“Ok,” said Clyde. Aaron gently placed a kiss on Clyde’s Forehead.

“Ok,” said Aaron.

-

“The Government has declared that we are in a state of emergency, the cdc and officially defined it as a pandemic and the use of face masks, social distancing, and quarantine is required. Research and development for a vaccine is underway. The president urges citizens to stay home.”

“You don’t get it, do you? We’re talking about the future of the entire country here. I can’t just sit back and watch millions of people die because you refuse to take action.” said Clyde with his head in his hands. Papers were strewn across the president's desk.

“No! If you go through with this vaccine, it’s not just the illness we’ll have to deal with. It’s the aftermath.” Objected Davis.

“The aftermath? You’re talking about memory loss! Sure, some people forget their names, forget their families…but how is that worse than dying, huh? How is letting people die for their freedom better than helping them forget who they are?” shouted Clyde.

“You think I don’t care about people? I have a wife, I have children. My god! You don’t understand do you? This isn’t about death or life—this is about people. If you push through this vaccine, we’ll lose more than just memories. You’re talking about erasing people’s entire identities. You can’t just let them forget their past like it’s some kind of... a reset button.” explained Davis who was exasperated.

“Do you know what it’s like, watching thousands of people in my country suffering, begging for help? If they forget who they are, maybe they’ll forget all this pain. Maybe—maybe they’ll have a chance to rebuild, to start fresh, without all the fear, without the rage.” said Clyde.

“You’re playing with fire, Clyde! You think they’ll forget their past, but they’ll remember their pain. And worse yet—they won’t remember why they fought for it in the first place. You’ll create a nation of people who have no identity, no history, no purpose. How do we rebuild when nobody knows who they were?” Explained Davis.

“And what if they don’t have a future at all? I funded your campaign because I believed in you, in what you could do. But I can't let people die on your watch, just because you're too proud to make tough choices.” Scolded Clyde.

“It's not about pride! It's about the heart of the country, Clyde. It's about what we stand for. You can't just make them forget who they were. You can’t do that.” argued Davis, his face red hot with anger.

“Democracy is gone and you know it. What I would do would be changing it for the better,” protested Clyde.

“No you would be changing it out of selfishness, a sheer motivation of self preservation, You care nothing for the people you only want control.” Said Davis.

“Millions of deaths have perished on your watch. When will enough be enough?” asked Clyde.

“I suggest you go home and spend the rest of your time with your loved ones,” said Davis. Clyde was silent.

-

“We don’t need him,” announced Clyde as he stormed into the apartment.

“What happened?” asked Aaron, setting down his book and walking over to Clyde who had opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. He focused all of his attention on opening the bottle, not having immediate success he got frustrated and slammed the bottle on the counter, it shattered the blood red liquid spilling down the counter and glass shards clattering onto the floor.

“Clyde, calm down. Tell me what happend,” said Aaron in a soft gentle voice.

“He is letting them die. He is letting them die Aaron,” said Clyde exasperated.

“Then our job is to make sure he can’t do that,” said Aaron simply.

“I just…”

“I will deal with it,” said Aaron. “He won’t be our problem anymore,”