It’s been one thousand days since the static began. Every radio in the world went to static. Every TV went to snow. Even streaming internet radio on phones, tablets, and computers went to static. A man’s voice spoke in a perfect tenor and with no discernable accent or inflection. He only spoke one name. “Evy Natalia Danielson.” My name.

                That’s when I began running. It was the day before my 13th birthday. My parents were finally going to let me get my own cell phone. I had at least 23 of my bestest friends coming to my party, and several more I knew were coming but didn’t say anything. It was going to be a blast. It was going to be a pool party. It was going to be a birthday to remember. I was going to try and sneak off with Jimmy Nichols and dare him to kiss me. I’d had a crush on him since I was like 8.

                That was back when I was a kid. I’m only 15, but I feel like I’m 50. When the world blames you for the end of civilization you gotta grow up fast. Right after he said my name it was like someone threw a giant power switch and the world’s electric grid shut down. It was okay for a few days before people panicked. Every grocery store, gas station, and vending machine, if there was food there it was empty by the fourth day. Then the rioting began, and never stopped.

                By the fourth day it was at our house, for a different reason. Jimmy Nichols had rounded up a bunch of adults and they came to our house in the middle of the night. We were dragged out of bed and hauled to the front yard. Mayor Cumberland was there. He declared that my parents were hiding me and ordered them executed, along with my little brother. I watched in horror as their throats were slit and the blood bubbled in their mouth as they tried to speak.

                “Take her gently.” The mayor spoke to the crowd. “The One Who Spoke will want her unharmed.” They went to stand me up when I broke free from them. I ran into the night in nothing but my bare feet and a boy band nightie. I hid out in a drainage pipe while I could hear people running around on the surface speaking my name searching for me.

                That was the last time I was in a city. Until today, I’m at the capitol. The One Who Spoke is here. But, soon he won’t be. I stole a sniper rifle from a military base. Amazing how everything breaks down when no one can tell you what to do. I’ve been practicing for the last thousand days. Every day at the same time he comes out to speak to the people. Exhorting them to find me. Today will be the last day he does that. The people will know my fear.