[ WP ] Without explanation , the Earth suddenly becomes tidally locked , one side perpetually day , the other forever night . One year later , society has been radically altered as people still struggle to adapt and survive…

They sent us there to die. There was no “ Alternative Living Space ”. It was a cemetery. 
 
 The questions we asked unsettled them. They truth of what really took place on the side of the darkness was not something they had come to peace with. But it made life easier for them. The light was what fueled them—was what fueled their lavish lifestyles—and they did not want to share it. 
 
 We arrived on the other side just days after we challenged them, and we were met with no greetings. All we encountered was death. Life on the surface had withered away, leaving a degraded slate of a once-great civilization. Not a soul could be seen, nor a source of sustenance. The plants had all died, the animals had all died, and the billions of humans that had been sent to this monstrous ghetto were nowhere to be seen. This must have been the greatest genocide carried out in human history, and not a single person born into the light would know of its existence. 
 
 Our party consisted of only five members, but within days it only consisted of one. I wanted to cry, I wanted to mourn for those who had passed—but I couldn ’ t. Something within me was not surprised, not even disturbed at what had occurred. It made too much sense. 
 
 I started asking questions because I wanted answers. And as grim as these answers were—I did get them. I could have died in the light in a state of blissful ignorance, but I had always known this would not be enough. The darkness, the bleak and gruesome darkness, was a sanctuary. It was the one place where I knew the truth would be present. This was the place I wanted to die. 
 
 “ Sir? ” A voice rang out from the darkness. I looked to see a young girl peeking out from behind a thicket of dead trees. Her clothes were tattered and she appeared not to have eaten in days. 
 
 “ Where is your family? ” I asked. 
 
 “ They ’ re gone. I haven ’ t seen them in many days. ” 
 
 “ How long have you been here? ” 
 
 “ We were dropped off a few weeks ago. We found some canned food to eat but it all ran out. My parents said they were going to get more. They still haven ’ t come back. I ’ m hungry. ” 
 
 My heart dropped. Since when did they send kids here? Why did they send kids here? 
 
 “ It ’ s okay, ” I promised her. “ Let ’ s find you some— ” 
 
 I was cut off by the deep thrum of an engine behind us. I turned around and saw a massive silhouette in the air above us. 
 
 We were abruptly blinded by the glare of a massive spotlight. 
 
 After recovering, I was able to make out the details of the machine above us. It was the same chopper that was used to transport me here. The emblem of the Regime of the Light was branded on its side. An anger surged up inside me. 
 
 “ We need food! ” I yelled. “ This girl is going to die! ” 
 
 There was a gunshot. The grip on my hand loosened. The girl fell to the ground. 
 
 I looked up in despair as tears began to drip down my face. 
 
 “ Why are you doing this? ” I screamed. 
 
 A second gunshot rang out in response. 
 
 The light from the chopper went out, leaving only darkness.
