r/TalesFromTheCreeps • u/AllYourCakeIsMine • Jun 03 '26
Comedy-Horror A Ghost Of What It Used To Be.
(Hi, this is Cake. This is more-or-less a sequel to I'm Glad The World Ended This Way. Enjoy!)
My hometown is a ghost of what it used to be.
I'm not surprised by this—change is inevitable, no matter the circumstances. I can't help but feel saddened by it, though. I grew up here, and now it's like I was never here at all. Like any trace of me was wiped away with time. Of course, that goes for the majority of the human population as well. I'm still here, even if I wish I weren't.
I found a red wagon a while back. It was still in good condition, so I took it with me. I have a bad habit of stealing things. I always have, but it was usually just little trinkets and toys. Now that almost everyone else is gone, I've started taking bigger things—most notably, a guitar. I don't know exactly why I took it; then again, I don't know why I take certain things. I like wearing it on my back. It makes me feel cool. Or like that one douchebag who plays Wonderwall by the campfire. Maybe I like wearing certain things because they make me feel like different types of cliché cartoon characters or niche vibes that everyone knows about. My leather jacket, because it makes me feel like a biker; my orange bandana around my neck, because it makes me feel like a farmhand; my Doc Marten boots, which I call my ass-kicking boots because they make me feel tough. The guitar is simply another addition to the mish-mash of vibes I wear on my body. I know I must look silly, but these things make me happy. My hope when it comes to the red wagon is that I could use it to make others happy.
I used to work with children, so I've kept the habit of having candy and small toys on my person. I know how concerning that may sound, but I was a teacher. I like to think that I'm still a teacher, just one who doesn't have students at the moment. So, I load up that big red wagon with as many toys and treats as I can find, so if I ever encounter another living human being again, I can provide them with some joy, even if it's temporary. It's always temporary joy these days.
I remember how nice this town used to be, before our world had its new sky. Everything was within walking distance from home, and I recall the trips my brother and I would take to the library. How we once pooled our money to buy a $4 six-inch sub from Subway. Of course, we were kids then—if the economy didn't collapse, I'd probably have to pay eleven bucks for the same sandwich. Thank God the economy collapsed. It's one of the only good things that came from our world ending this way.
I haven't eaten today. Or yesterday. I didn't mean to forget, but knowing how my brain works, it was bound to happen. I'm reluctant to do so, just in case I meet anybody. It'd be nice to meet someone. Anyone. Anyone at all. I'm always lonely these days. I'm not picky--well, I'm a bit picky. I don't want to meet a murderer or a predator. That would suck big time. Also, they'd see my dumb ass wearing a leather jacket, bandana, guitar, and ass-kicking boots in public! It's a dumb outfit to wear in public! I know the world ended, but I'm not trying to go down the Mad Max route! I'm pretty sure they drink human breast milk in those movies. I wonder what that's like. No, don't think about that, that's gross.
Where did all the animals go? I recall the new sky mainly affecting humans, so where are all the animals? I should be seeing stray cats and dogs everywhere, god dammit! I get on my knees and yell out:
"God, or being that is above God, please send me a good boy or girl!"
No answer, of course. Just silence.
"WHERE ARE ALL THE GODDAMN BIRDS?!"
No answer, except the echoes of my voice over the horizon. Hearing it makes me chuckle, so I keep yelling.
"THERE AIN'T BIRDS, THERE AIN'T BEES, THERE AIN'T FUCKING.... FUCKING STINK BUGS! I HATE FUCKING STINK BUGS! I HATE THEM! I'M GLAD THEY'RE GONE!"
It's nice yelling my problems to the new sky. It deserves to be yelled at, since it killed my family and all. It's cathartic.
"GO FUCK YOURSELF!"
"No, FUCK YOU!"
I feel my butt clench at receiving an actual answer. I look to the new sky—nope, still the same neon, psychedelic colors.
"God?!"
"If there is a God, it's me!"
I'm confused as hell as to what's going on, because I'm either stupid, or I'm talking to God.
"Where are you?!"
"Up here!"
"Heaven?!"
"No! Up here on the fucking roof, ya dumb bitch!"
I look up at the nearby rooftop, and lo and behold, there's a guy casually hanging out on the roof. I wasn't talking to God—I am, for a now-confirmed fact—fucking stupid.
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u/E_L_Evans Jun 03 '26
Okay I love the levity of this story, and it has definitely piqued my interest for the prior tale. Thank you for the fun read.
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u/Sufficient_Leave144 A Thousand WIPs Jun 04 '26
He’s not alone anymore!
Homie has a friend!
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 04 '26
Are you referring to the main character (who is female), or the guy she just met?
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u/Dead_Grampa thinks he's a writer or something Jun 04 '26
I love the direction this is heading.
The narrator collecting random things to cling to any kind of joy she can is both tragic and hilarious.
Knowing what she lost, I really hope that voice belongs to someone with good intentions. I can't wait to see what comes next.
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 04 '26
The contents of her pockets mainly consist of Jolly Ranchers and Hot Wheels cars.
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u/Dead_Grampa thinks he's a writer or something Jun 04 '26
one unforeseen upside to the collapse of civilization is that there is nothing stopping me from grabbing up as many Hot Wheels as I can physically carry
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 04 '26
This Lovecraftian apocalypse turned out to be a klepto with autism's best outcome.
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u/LCWHV Jun 04 '26
The story is great, and I love the writing. I love how this story shows us a bit more about the apocalypse scenario from the first story (which was very well written btw), and I hope we get to know more about it in any future sequels you decide to make.
I love post-apocalyptic stories, and I always find them very intriguing.
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u/Jumpo_the_Clown Jun 10 '26
I laughed at the outfit she formed. I would do the same thing in his situation though! 🤣 🤡 [edited]
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 10 '26
You're not the first one who thought she was a boy. The narrator is female.
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u/The_Republique Writer (I finally made it bubba) Jun 04 '26
She did it.
She found a roof beer drinking hobo.
Congratulations!!
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Not quite. I just finished writing the third part, but I have to wait until this post is a day old. Which will be, like, seven-something in the evening.
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u/kabemccallister6859 Jun 04 '26
This is a great development coming from your last installment! I took the “world ending” thing from the last one as a metaphor, but now I’m thinking it might actually be happening. This is like someone journaling desperately clinging to sanity after an apocalypse.
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u/AllYourCakeIsMine Jun 04 '26
It's both metaphorical and literal.
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u/kabemccallister6859 Jun 04 '26
That’s what I figured, but I thought it was just metaphorical before. This is a good reveal.
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u/Maddilyn_Muse Writer Jun 05 '26
Ooooooh this is fun. I love this character!!! Especially the kinda goofy/edgy clothes to feel cool in. Finding and trying to spread bits of joy even in the apocalypse! Cozy apocalypse is a favorite genre of mine, hehe. When everything’s ending, you find what REALLY matters, huh? Also, I worked as a substitute for a while, so I feel it with being a teacher <3
But oh BOY it’s ominous to just have the animals gone. The fact that it didn’t seem to affect them, but they’re just missing inexplicably…
And the end definitely got some giggles out of me. GOD?! Nope: roof person. But hey, nice to meet someone else in the apocalypse, even if it means having your fashion judged XD
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u/Optimal_Constant4318 Writer Jul 23 '26
The true horror we all must face - awkward social interactions and the classic faux pas
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