The End - Visions of Apocalypse

THE END Visions of Apocalypse Compiled and edited by N. E. White

Dedicated to Ray Bradbury:

May his words reach beyond the end of this world.

INTRODUCTION N. E. White

The writing forum at SFFWorld.com is a wonderful place. Like other online writing communities, members gather to share their work and for encouragement.

For the past four years, I have interacted with that virtual community, hoping to learn from writers like Elizabeth Moon, Jon Sprunk, Michael J. Sullivan, Hugh Howey, Kerry Tolan and many others that pop-in or frequent the forums. I’ve read hundreds of threads about developing character, world-building, and much more.

Those of us new to the craft of writing also get a chance to practice our skills on the forum. Each month, SFFWorld.com members take part in friendly, flash-fiction competitions. Over the years, some of the stories submitted have made me laugh, moved me to tears, or caused me to ponder an idea in a new light. I’ve learned a lot about writing fiction from reading those stories.

To show my appreciation for all I’ve learned, I wanted to do something enduring for the community. With all the recent talk regarding the Mayan prediction of the end of the world imminent at the 2012 Winter Solstice, I thought, “Better create that anthology we’ve been talking about before we lose the chance.”

And since we all love contests, why not choose the stories in our traditional democratic fashion?

Thus began “The End,” a collection of stories written and chosen by SFFWorld.com forum members. In addition to these science fiction and fantasy short stories, Michael J. Sullivan, Hugh Howey, and Tristis Ward each contributed a story for the anthology.

The topics explored herein range from the silly to the profound. Some will give you hope, others will make you pray for a different end, and one might even make you smile. I’m sure you’ll find at least one tale that will have you pondering possible events that could bring our precious world to an end. We’ve put together a fine and varied collection of stories about the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it just for you. Please, enjoy.

Before I leave you, one more quick note. SFFWorld.com supports an international community. Though many of the authors included are from the United States of America, we also have a few from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. British and U.S. spelling has been preserved (for the most part) in each story according to its author’s origin.

Thanks for reading,

N. E. White (cat herder)

HUGH HOWEY Executable

Hugh Howey is a self-published author. In 2011, his Wool series garnered national and international attention and has been optioned for a potential feature film by Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian. When not writing, he likes to go for hikes with his family, take strolls on the beach, and read. Mr. Howey currently lives in Jupiter, Florida with his wife Amber and their dog Bella.

We are becoming wired in ways we don’t even realize. In Executable, Mr. Howey explores what might happen when something sinister reveals our connections.

1. EXECUTABLE

by Hugh Howey

The council was quiet while they awaited his answer. All those on the makeshift benches behind him seemed to hold their breath. This is why they came here, to hear how it all began. How the end began. Jamal shifted nervously on the bamboo. He could feel his palms grow damp. It wasn’t the guilt of what his lab had released. It was how damn crazy it would all sound.

“It was the Roomba,” he said. “That was the first thing we noticed, the first hint that something wasn’t right.”

A flurry of whispers. It sounded like the waves nearby were growing closer.

“The Roomba,” one of the council members said, the man with no beard. He scratched his head in confusion.

The only woman on the council peered down at Jamal. She adjusted her glasses, which had been cobbled together from two or three different pairs. “Those are the little vacuum cleaners, right? The round ones?”