Dust

More dust crumbled away with a strong breeze, and more and more of Ze disappeared. It had been about a month and I was now sure he would not put himself together again.

Mostly sure.

Getting up from sitting for so long, I had to stretch to get the kinks out of my back and knees. But in no time flat, I was back on my way to the ocean. It had been a while since I last saw it and with Ze gone, there was no one to stop me. He hated the ocean. Though I do not remember why.

Everything looked the same, lots of quiet and emptiness. Animals didn’t venture out this way, which was nice. I always tire of them nipping and smelling, getting confused, then finally leaving me alone. My Nano body lost its smell a long time ago. Or it at least I think it did.

I know I have a Nano body, but why and when I got one has faded. Small machines that have repaired and lengthen my life span. No sickness, no injury, no fire can destroy it. Long ago, Ze wanted to test this and jumped into a volcano.

It took three weeks to put himself back together.

Not that he wanted to. The Nano is just programmed that way. I remember the feeling of joy at knowing that my Nano would extend my life for decades, and for many; it did.

The ground was bare. Mostly dust and sand. Not enough green for bugs, not enough bugs for birds. The air was dry but could still feel the tundra on my toes, reminding me of the hard, dead Earth. This body was still holding up, though I knew I was cold more than I could feel cold.

There were an unlucky few that lived for over a hundred years. People got scared, and it was soon illegal, though I do not remember when.

Then there was the tiniest number of bodies that lasted much, much longer. Past governments, past countries, past people, past buildings. Space and long walks dominate my memories. Ze and I were the only references to what people looked like. They had a nose, a mouth, eyes, and hair. Variety was lost on us. On me.

I blinked and I could swear I heard the ocean, but I was nowhere near it. It would take five more weeks and two days.

But I can hear it.

I pick up my pace and jog. Rolling hills creep up from the horizon, but that is wrong. There is green grass and tall trees that are not supposed to be there. Sounds of life and waves crashing in the distance. A night sky that is opening up too soon in the day, but I don’t want to stop running.

“Where are you going?”

I can’t stop my feet and I tumble forward. Arms go straight, bracing my fall, that causes me to roll on the ground. My face has a gash, but it repairs quickly. Maybe not quickly enough? It felt not right. I got my feet under me and stood.

I spin to look toward that voice. A woman? Out here? Maybe we missed someone. No. Thats not right either. The grass feels crisp and I walk forward, staring out in fear of missing it again.

What is that smell? Rose and lavender? It is almost overpowering. Too much. I have to stop and reorient myself. Refocus. Allow my body to adjust.

“Hm. I didn’t think you could get lost.”

I turned around.

A woman with red hair gave a small smile in my direction. She had brown eyes and a plain face. Her arms hugged her body loosely. A blue dress hung past her knees and swayed gently in the warm breeze. Warm? There was a pattern on her dress, but I could not focus on it. It danced any time I thought I had discerned its shape and transformed.

“I knew you would find it again,” she said, turning and walking toward a group of trees.

“Who are you? What is your name?” I said. My voice sounded strange. It had not been used in a long time, even with Ze still with me. There was no reason to use it.

“Where did you come from?” I said, walking after her.

“From home.” She said with a smile.

She continued to walk longer through the trees until it parted to the ocean. But not the ocean I remembered, the one I was expecting.

“People.”

Small children ran along the beach and chased their dog. An older couple walked by, holding hands. Families talking and eating together. Laughter and music can be heard. Vibrant colors and sounds filled me with life. It was beautiful.

The children moved with different gates, running in weird patterns. Attire and tech that made no sense or fit with the time. Smiles and faces flickered and reassembled themselves to fresh faces. Sounds were metallic, and grainy, and wrong.

I didn’t care. My memories were open. Flooding and fitted together like loose puzzle pieces. I turned back to the beautiful woman next to me, who now had brown hair and green eyes. Her smile was the same, though. It didn’t flicker or sway.

She reached out her hand to mine, but my hand was missing two fingers.

“The water looks good. Let’s go for a swim”

She led me down. We reached the water, though I don’t remember how. It was warm, and the waves lifted me off my feet. She smiled and had a broken laugh. Joy and love fill me as the waves take me higher and higher until it lifts me up forever.

And then I feel nothing.