Precipice is a short story by Greg Campisi originally written in 2013, set in the future, about a deadly pandemic wiping out humanity. The story was missing something and was shelved. In 2021, Greg was inspired and guided to re-work the story, and it is finally released to the public…
Synopsis:
Thanks to The Council, which is guided by the divine Creator, humanity has evolved and lived in peace for over a century, free of emotional reactions, violence, and death – until now. A deadly and brutal virus is swiftly wiping out the population. Fear, anger, and violence have been resurrected, tearing apart a once peaceful life, and only a select few hold the possibility of producing a cure.
We are given a glimpse into this world, focusing on one man’s decision who may hold the greatest possibility of saving what’s left of humanity, but the procedure could kill him. Standing on the precipice of extinction with the clock ticking, life hangs in the balance based on his decision.
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The white room engulfed him.
White table. White chairs. White walls. They said it was soothing. It had all been precognitively chosen and placed with precision into the SafeSpace, including Jan and his family. Everything down to the antiquated white clock hanging on the north wall. Mechanical clocks were no longer manufactured. They said it was there as a piece of art more so than anything functional—except it was functional. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Supposedly the sound, too, was soothing. Something to bring the mind back to the present moment when it wanders into dark corners. The entire room was prearranged to instill inner calm in the face of outer turmoil, or so they said.
To Jan, the clock was a reminder that every passing minute meant more empty bodies. A reminder of why he was chosen. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Time was an enemy in this space. He glared at it, as feelings of fear and anger, which were also antiquated, gnawed at him from the inside out. Only three hours left.
They knew what they were doing when they fashioned the SafeSpace, but their choices were not without a sense of irony. Everything was white. Immaculate. Peaceful. Everything, except the one thing they did not want him to forget—the outside world. The WallGazer, permanently set to transparent, filled the entire west wall of the SafeSpace. The building stood at the edge of the SafeZone, forcing a clear and constant view of the decaying city.
Only 3 months and 3 weeks ago, the virus began devastating humanity. Over a billion people had already perished, leaving behind piles of expired, decomposing bodies. It was spreading exponentially. More people had expired in the last 11 days than over the last 11 weeks. It had only been 3 days since Jan and his family were granted sanctuary inside the SafeZone, but it already felt like an eon.
No one should have to make the choice Jan was given. No one. The edge of his fist slammed against the table for the third time, now warm against his skin. He laid his palms against the smooth white tabletop, and abruptly pushed himself to his feet. The white chair jerked, falling back onto the cold, white tile.
With one hand, Jan gently set the chair back upon each of its legs and stepped nine paces to the WallGazer. The silhouette of his body appeared minuscule against the massive window. In front of him, past the clear, shatterproof viewing wall, was the remains of a once pristine and peaceful society. The summer sun was getting low, and a shadow loomed in the distance from an approaching storm. Sealed inside this confined space, he watched the chaos and despair outside. A tear escaped his tired eyes.
His fingers folded shut, forming another fist. Slamming it against the everglass wall, the sound echoed throughout the room. He had never felt such extreme emotions before. Such anger, sadness, and guilt. Jan stood alone in his feelings. Who could understand the magnitude of emotions that accompany such a dire decision? Could the fate of humanity—at least, what was left of it— depend on his choice alone? One thing he knew for certain—whatever choice he made affected his family forever, however long forever would be.
A presence entered behind him. Even through the anguish of his emotions, he knew her soothing presence, but he didn’t turn. His gaze remained focused on the expired bodies laying in the street…