Subject AST-217: The Last Human

A moment frozen in time

Image: Dmitrii Shirnin via Unsplash+

This story was created as part of Micro Fiction March, hosted by

Mina Howell

. This prompt asked for a story about humanity’s downfall in 300 words or less.

---

Alpha and Omega stepped out from the waters of time and into the third dimension.

"Let us begin the examination of subject AST-217," Omega said.

White cables embedded in a human woman’s skull led to six crystal obelisks. All but one of the crystals were dark.

"Remember, she is the last of their kind. If we lose this subject, our research cannot be completed," Omega said.

Alpha placed his hands on the crystal that was still lit. The enclosure surrounding him disappeared.

He saw AST-217 walking through falling snow with another human. She danced and twirled, smiling the entire time. A flash of light blinded Alpha for a moment. When his vision returned, everything was covered in ice.

Alpha took his hands off the crystal.

"What happened?" Alpha asked.

"The planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere collapsed.”

"How is that possible?" Alpha asked.

"Unknown. All life on the planet ceased. Save for her."

The crystals all suddenly lit up again. A rainbow of colors began to flash excitedly across them.

"Her biological processes are beginning to cease. Her mind is struggling to grasp oblivion.”

Omega looked up from his tablet. “She is dying.”

"What happens after?" Alpha asked.

"Nothing. She will cease to be."

Alpha reached out and took her hand. He saw a place he had never seen before when he touched her.

"What happened just now?" Omega asked.

"I saw a new memory," Alpha said.

"No. That’s not possible."

"Then how do you explain this data?" Alpha asked.

"Not once have our studies shown evidence of anything beyond death," Omega said.

"Perhaps our knowledge is not complete?" Alpha asked.

Omega stepped out of the enclosure, and Alpha followed, still trying to make sense of what he had seen.

---

Thanks for Reading! Here’s Your Musical Pairing

This track inspired this story. Listen closely to the lyrics!