[ WP ] The only , and deranged , live man on the planet does n't know that he lives among mannequins . Start with the line , `` They do n't usually answer back to what I say . ''

They do n't always answer back. But at least they listen. The other voices just keep speaking. The people outside, well, they're a breath of fresh air. Excuse the pun, but they let me talk about anything; I get everything I need to off my chest - I guess that's what kept me sane all these years. Ever since the world went quiet I have n't been able to get much sleep, so I suppose people letting me talk to them has helped me out. The people do n't move much so I guess they're like me - they do n't need to cause they have what they need right here. 
 
 We get water from the fountains. You know the ones that are in city hall? The ones just inside the big glass doors in the front lobby. *I know what they look like, let me tell them*. Anyway, they're the marble ones with the round bottom and the tower in the middle where the water used to fall down from to fill the bottom. The water does n't flow no more, but the rain fills it up through the holes in the ceiling. You have to boil it before you drink it or you get sick. I think it's cause a lot of animals use it, too. 
 
 Oh, and that's what we eat. We all hunt together. Well, really, the only ones I see hunting are Terry and Jim. Terry stares from the window and watches me. I do n't know how he hunts through the glass, but he must be good at it cause there's a lot of birds that fly in that window. *Terry's not a better hunter than me, shut up! * I'm sorry, I told you that these other voices just keep talking. 
 
 They started talking to me right after the world went quiet; although I wish they would be quiet. It was n't always quiet, ya know? It used to be loud and noisy. I used to play ball with my friends, walk with my dog in the parks where lots of people would pet him and say hi. My dad and I used to ride the trains into the city to see hockey games - talk about loud. Then one day, everything stopped. And I mean, everything. It started with the school bus. *Why ca n't I tell them what happened? * *I do n't need a reason, they just want to know. And I like sharing good stories*. I'll try to ignore them as much as possible from now on. Anyway, it was a pretty normal day. My mom just packed my lunch and I was seeing the school bus from the kitchen window. I remember because that day was the day Colin and me were gon na beat all the school records at the field games; I could n't have been more excited. On our way there I remember Colin saying he felt sick and I got nervous that he could n't beat the records with me - not that I could n't do it alone - just that I really wanted my best friend there, too. It turns out we never got to find out anyway because the bus stopped just then and there; right as he said he felt sick. *What do you mean that's not what happened? Of course it is. I was there, I know*. The bus stopped right there, and Colin fell to the floor. The bus driver told me to back away, angrily as if I had made a joke about it. I was scared, the most scared I've ever been. The bus driver called an ambulance and it took Colin to the hospital. We all went to school, but when we got there everyone was being sent home - the bus drivers included. My parents were called to come get me, but I never knew why. Then it happened. While I was waiting for them in the front of the school I started seeing the Earth shake, and I felt the wind pick up. I saw birds fly out of trees really quickly and cars try to slow down. I got nervous and then all of a sudden, all my fear went away, and everything went dark. When the light came back, I was in the same place, but everyone was gone - until I met the city goers like Terry and Jim I was telling ya about earlier. It was about two days later I started hearing the other voices. At first they - *I told you I do n't care that you do n't want me to tell them, I'm going to tell them* - they were nice. They used to help me find things like food and water and they'd tell me where to go to get out of the rain. Eventually, they started getting angry at me. I guess they were just mad cause they had less and less to talk to me about each day - you know since eventually I could find water and food on my own without them. Still, I think they're good. They taught me to read and write and stuff so that's always good. I wonder sometimes if they talk to the people in the city. When I ask them they say no, but I ca n't imagine I'm the only one worth talking to. In any case, the talking became less frequent and there was a point where I did n't hear them for a while - I'm not really sure how long exactly; could have been a few years. That's when I started looking for more people. I started walking down this road - always dead silent the roads were - until I found the city. Once I got here I figured why should I leave? The people here were the only ones I have ever seen since so I figured I'd join their town. They're my friends now. One day, though, the voices a came back. It was probably around the time I started noticingTerry getting all the birds to fly through his window - it's always so easy for him. They said I should n't be jealous, but it's hard work for me - plus, they even make fun of me sometimes. *It's not just hard work! You try doing it! Oh, you think you can just push a button and poof! Birds? Please*. Sometimes these guys crack me up. They talk tough, but they never show their face and put their money where their mouth is, so to speak. You know, I would n't be surprised if they were n't even real, and I've just been fooling myself the whole time. Wha- what is happening? Why is the ground shaking again? 
 
 Voice: *Wake him up! We're losing him! * 
 
 Who? Who are you losing? 
 
 Voice: *Bring him back, damn it! * 
 
 The light flashed back. It was the middle of a war zone. 
 
 All the memories are back? But so is all my fear. Where are all my friends? I'm bleeding! 
 
 Voice: *Stay with me John! * 
 
 Colin? I, thought you were - when did you join the army? 
 
 Voice: *It's me, buddy. You're gon na be fine, been with you since we were kids, you're not getting rid o' me this easy, you bastard! * 
 
 The only thing I said back before everything went dark again was the letter b. I was gon na ask him, `` But how did we get here?'' When the light came back on I was in my bed. My dog had been licking my face. I rolled over and sat up, popping the last pill I had left to stop the aches. I have to go find more now, which is good cause I'm hungry anyway, and I ca n't wait to tell Terry and Jim the dream I had about them.
