Paradise Lost: My Views on The Future of The Earth

In today’s society technology is very prominent and so is the impact humans have on the planet. I wrote this story highlight the issues of our current society and possible problems that may arise because of our dangerous habits. The story is focused towards older teenagers or young adults and even older adults.

In 2052 the world’s resources grew scarce to the point where humans became animals, scavenging for food and water. Luxuries became meaningless, the technologies that we perceived to be the future ruined it. The Earth slowly degraded and by the time we realised we were in danger, it was too late. By 2054 the worst riots had begun, leaders were overthrown and buildings burnt to the ground. However, the pollution levels had reached critical and the air we breathed slowly became poisonous, our key to life was killing us.

Now in 2055, we’re forced to live underground, still separated by class and appearance no different to the surface. Those who could afford it lived in underground “Elysium’s” which were built before to ensure a place for the rich in our future. Those unfortunate enough migrated to the underground tunnel systems for safety but in turn, faced the risk of starvation. I glanced over to my son who sat gleefully unaware of the situation we were in. At only 7 years old it must be hard to fathom the problems of our society. I looked around to see dozens of security cameras, we were being monitored all the time and the unrest grew higher in the people. A few arguments here and there evolved into shoves and even fights. It became chaotic. If we wanted to survive we had to leave even if it meant joining the arrogant rich. I had a plan, through a friend who created fake passes into the Elysium’s and I had gotten two for me and my son. The hardest part was getting there. Meanwhile the unrest grew greater and the fights spread like wildfire with more and more people joining in. It was becoming a brawl which was dangerous to us. I kept my head low and began moving through the crowd, I could hear them fighting over food, water or even clothing. People were wrestling each other, it became a battle zone.

Eventually we got away from the worst of the fighting the change of atmosphere was relieving. We were walking down the tunnel to the Elysium. My heart was beating so fast I could feel it through my entire body. However when it slowed down the cold set in and the tunnel loomed over us enveloping us.It was dark, a few lights, some flickered and some broken. It seemed like an eternity but in some time we saw it. At the end was a huge door and stood in front of it two guards. The cold bit into my fingers as I pulled out the I.D cards and walked towards the guards. They didn’t speak a word so I gave them the cards and prayed, something I hadn’t done in a long time. My heart was pounding, one guard looked at the other but nodded. The doors forced themselves open with a groan. I let loose a sigh of relief. However, my heart stopped when they opened nothing could prepare me for what I saw. There was no paradise. There never was a paradise. The only thing behind those doors was everything I sought to escape.