The day that started was a long one. A day that started like every other and finished like none seen before by the eyes of man. At the age of 35 – a bachelor and and living like one in my ancient flat on floor 12 – I thought I'd seen it all. The Far East, the Midwest, places I'd done during my gap year with what little money I had. Anyway. The day.

It was around 7pm on a cold December evening. It didn't bother me, however – I had the heating up. Shorts and a vest worked well that day. The clocks already having gone back, it was dark outside. I was watching EastEnders drear on while I drifted in and out of active conciousness – even the sound of Peggy's piercing voice leaves a permanent migraine etched unto my mind. I got up and switched on the coffee-maker. Dark coffee. No sugar. I sat back down. Enough EastEnders. Time for some decent viewing. The remote had decided to hide once again – this time far underneath my torn sofa. I really couldn't be bothered to get it but decided that I was far more compelled to change channel than usual. Strange that. I reached for the remote and heard a scream. I'd hate to play Peggy Mitchell – she screams an awful lot. Must do nothing good for her voice. Another scream. This time feeling closer and more high-pitched. I raised my head. Something wasn't right. Even my sleep deprived mind told me that something was wrong. I heard the scream go right past my door. Then I did worry.

Bursting the door open with more strength than I could muster. I poked my head out of the door and heard someone shout “THE FOG! THE FOG! RUN AWAY FROM THE FOG!!”. My mind jolted. What was the fog? I had heard nothing of it. A flurry of people bolted like lightning past my door. With less than a moment to think, I hastily followed them.

Escaping from the building seemed to take longer than usual. Once in the car park, I decided to look back at the home I had unwillingly left. To my horror, a large cloud of green smoke was rising from it! And it was spreading everywhere!

I ran. Faster than I ever had before. Away. Just away. I could think of nowhere to go. So I ran. Others came flooding out of their homes. Soon the whole street was swamped with people. It was difficult to move.

BANG! I looked back again and the building I called home had exploded! And the Fog was eating the remains! This horrifying thought quenched my stomach. Had to run. Had to run.

The Fog was spreading faster now. Quicker and quicker it came. Some slower people behind me evaporated in an instant when the Fog got them. Hopefully it wouldn't get me. Still running. The Fog was too. If only I had led a better life. Met a girl. Had some beautiful children. Then maybe I wouldn't feel so bad. But it was the feeling of utter emptiness that clouded my stomach with guilt. If only I had lived better. Not lived a bachelor and not lived the life of one. Maybe then running from the Fog would have been easier. Only if..

I am writing this now as a message to all humanity from the depths of Hell from which I now reside. May this message come to you now in good health.

Godspeed.

By Kevin Emsley, Wootton Bassett School