End of Extinction

They still called themselves "Survivors." Even thirty-five years from the "Day of the Bugs." Even thirty-four years from the "Marauders." From the "Tsunami." From the "Aliens." Thirty-one years from the "Chups," the "D.C. Military." Attacks. The original Survivors had survived it all and now lived, with their subsequent generations, in their own small village on the north Oregon coast, nestled between the coastal hills and Tillamook Head. At one point, long ago, they had been warned that they were devolving into some sort of cult. They were told that they would not survive, that they were dependent upon scavenging from the past. That was true, except for the "cult" slur. And yet after all these years, here they were. Of the original Survivors, Stan and Joan had been killed early on in the battle with the Aliens. Joe and Jan had died recently after battling cancers. Twelve originals survived. For now. In year thirty-five there are now thirty-two Survivors. Three generations. It was true that civilization's perks were mostly gone, but they were doing just fine with horses, cattle, chickens. They gathered berries, harvested clams, crabs and salmon. They farmed potatoes, tomatoes and apples, and recently, hazelnuts. It had been a long peaceful time. Now their lives would be challenged yet again. Only the original Survivors knew the trauma and cost of life-threatening enemies and events, but the subsequent generations would soon learn. Would the new younger Survivors live through coming, seemingly impossible challenge? And what of the original Survivors? For everything there is a beginning - and an end.