It’s a brown pleather notebook he grabs for, sitting among all other objects around it, shining in their twenty-fifth-century appeal as if the world hasn’t ended. Then, thumbing expeditiously through, he finds an empty page, the last page.

“I guess this is where we end then,” he says aloud to the journal, then picks up his pen.

Day 513

I’m the only one left now. There was another, but he decided to go yesterday, stepping out into the toxic air and letting the virus take hold of him. The entire decay of the organs with this virus takes approximately five minutes. So I doubt his body is far from the bunker.

The vents here are still holding on, far more than I am. There’s no food. Not really, at least. What’s left is rotten, growing mold, and turning odd colors. After some time, I’ve become accustomed to the smell. I tried to eat from an old can. The label had been ripped off, but I believe it to be lima beans. Who knew canned foods eventually go bad? Isn’t that what people hoard in times like this?

All communication with other bunkers has ceased. I keep the radio on just in case, but there’s been no other broadcast in months. Sometimes, if I can sleep, I hear other voices, but it’s never from the radio. I can still hear my spouse yelling at me to do chores or softly saying, “I love you more.” It’s all in my head.

If only this hadn’t happened. I had so many opportunities to be better. Not working so hard, taking extra time away for the money, and having been a better spouse. I’m sorry I didn’t cherish my family as I should have while they were alive. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop the virus from taking them moments after it ravished Earth, they were thousands of miles away, and I was here in this lab. If I had that second chance, I would have died with them.

Regret is all I’m filled with now.

It’s time, old book. Five hundred and thirteen pages of nonsense that maybe someone will eventually find after all this is over. Who knows, perhaps the human race will never exist again? Maybe . . . just maybe, I am the last one.

I told you on day one that when this book is complete, I will walk outside too. I’m going now.

Dear Future Inhabitants,

The planet you are on right now is called Earth.

Earth was home to humans. There was an era of peace for a long time. Everyone was happy. But then humans turned against each other. A world war broke out. There were nuclear rockets and bombs. Gunshots everywhere. People would fall dead in the streets. No one survived. But I did.

I want you to know to keep Earth safe. Don't make the same mistakes we did. Start fresh here and make this the best Earth possible.

But for now, I'm old (87 to be exact). It's time for me, and the species of humans, to move on.

Signed,

Your fellow Earthling.

I have exciting news!

I'm not alone! Last night, around 2AM I heard a knock at the door. This happened before, but in my dreams. I would rush down stairs and rip open the door only to find...nothing.

So last night, I heard, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK...then the door handle rattled, but I had locked it (why do I do it that? lol!) Old habit I guess.

Anyways, I just thought it was a dream, I've been disappointed so many times I couldn't believe it was true.

But here's the crazy part! When I looked out the window this morning, there were foot prints! There was a light snowfall, most of it had already melted, but up the path to the front door was shaded, so it hadn't melted.

The tracks are large, like a size 13 or 14 men's. At first I thought they were from a bare foot (not like grizzly bear I mean a foot with no shoes or socks LOL,) but that's impossible, it's too cold for a human to do that. It must be those special sock/shoes that some of the joggers used to wear for better traction. (Remember jogging?? LOL! Never jogged once and I outlived {almost} everyone. Maybe this guy is a jogger? Ugh, that would be the worst! LOL!)

The snows all melted now so I can't follow the tracks. I shouted and yelled but he must be too far away to hear me.

So, I set up a fire in the yard and covered it in fresh branches to kick up as much smoke as possible, like an old fashioned smoke signal. lol (Aren't you proud of me? I went from a cheerleader to a frontier woman and it only took a deadly virus to motivate me LOL!)

Well, I should probably go, it's getting dark and I need to keep that fire stoked. Up on a hill you could probably see that flame for a couple miles. Hopefully he sees it and comes back.

WAIT!!!

There was a KNOCK!

Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back!

Welp it finally happened, i told people it was in the water thats why i dont drink tap, to soon? It is so quiet, i thought i would enjoy the quiet bliss of nothingness but it gets played out very quickly. I always said " i cannot stand people" thats why i love... wait are the animals still alive. Hold on journal as i look for my puppies really quickly...journal all hope is not lost we still have animals woo-hoo. I may be the last person on earth but i still have mans best friend by my side, i coulnt be happpier. Wait do you think they will rise up and turn against me.......... nahhhh.

Ta-ta for now

P.S. omg i dont have to worry about wearing stuffy old clothes anymore because whos gonna judge me hah.