🟢After the Fall

Two years ago, a massive meteor slammed into Earth, shattering the surface and changing life forever. Humanity splintered some survived by retreating into underground bunkers, living either in isolation or in tight-knit communities. Others, by sheer luck or willpower, managed to endure the chaos on the surface.

Gran, a determined scientist, finally decided it was time to see what had become of the world above. Fully equipped in a hazmat suit, she ascended to the surface with her robotic companion, Jono. Together, they began exploring the forests, scanning for radiation and signs of life.

“Jono,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with anticipation, “analyze the atmosphere.”
“As you wish,” the robot replied. “This may take a while.”

While Jono processed the data, Gran wandered cautiously through the trees. That’s when she saw it—a shadowy figure watching her from between the trunks. Thinking it might be a survivor, she raised a hand and waved. To her surprise, the figure waved back.

“Hey there!” she called out.

But the figure panicked and turned to leave.

“Wait! Don’t go!” Gran shouted, breaking into a run. She chased through the forest until she caught up, breathless but determined. “Please—I’m not going to hurt you! I just… I didn’t expect to find someone alive out here. Can we talk?”

The figure slowly turned. Gran froze in awe. Standing before her was not a human, but a humanoid vixen—tall, furred, and visibly pregnant.

Jono finally caught up, his mechanical voice curious. “Oh, there you are. Fascinating… this is unexpected.”

Gran’s voice trembled with both shock and excitement. “Incredible. A new form of evolution…”

She approached gently, lowering her hands. “Hi there. My name is Gran. I mean no harm, I promise. Who are you?”

The vixen hesitated, shy and uncertain, before opening her mouth to speak—but suddenly, the bushes behind her rustled violently.

A male fox, equally mutated and armed with a spear, leapt out and placed himself between them, his eyes blazing with protective fury. He aimed the spear at Gran and Jono.

“Stay back!” he snarled.

Gran froze, hands still raised, trying to keep her voice calm. Before she could respond, the vixen spoke softly to him.

“Vance… wait. They don’t seem like a threat.”

Vance’s grip tightened, but after a tense pause, he slowly lowered the spear, still glaring suspiciously.

“Who the hell are you… strangers?” he growled.

Gran exhaled with relief. “My name is Gran, and this is Jono. We came from underground. We’re here to learn what happened to the surface after the meteor struck.”

The vixen stepped forward, her voice now steadier. “My name is Vivion,” she said. She glanced at the male fox. “And this is my mate, Vance.”

Gran’s curiosity burned. “Can you… explain what happened to you?”

Vivion’s ears lowered as she recalled it. “We were just foxes. Normal foxes. When the meteor hit, we hid deep inside a cave. Then… a green mist rolled in. It changed us. Gave us this form. Gave us minds that can think and speak like you.”

Gran’s eyes widened as she murmured, “A new evolutionary mutation… intelligent life from the impact. Remarkable.” She looked up at the sky. “That meteor… it wasn’t ordinary after all.”

To be contented....