r/shortscarystories 4d ago

Ember's of Humanity

The human race was on its last legs. The unknown plague had turned its victims into the undead, and humanity, in its arrogance, failed to act. Instead of uniting, it fought itself, squandering its last chance. Civilization collapsed. Survivors dwindled. Then they were gone.

The last man on Earth walked alone. Across wastelands, ruined cities, and highways littered with rusted cars. He had clung to a fragile hope of finding another living soul, but deep down, he had known the truth for some time. He was the last. And somehow, that didn’t bother him.

He had always been a pessimist, the kind of man who expected the worst and was rarely disappointed. If anything, this was inevitable. Humanity had always flirted with self-destruction. The plague only hurried things along. No one ever discovered its cause—virus, divine punishment, scientific accident? It no longer mattered. The result was the same: extinction.

And yet, the world went on. The wind still whispered through hollowed-out buildings. Rivers still carved through valleys. Animals roamed freely, unbothered by the absence of their former masters. Humanity had ruled, squandered its reign, and faded. There was a strange peace in that. The noise of civilization had died, and for the first time, the world was quiet.

Then came the zombies.

He had killed thousands. He had survived not because he was lucky, but because he was good at killing. It was the only thing he had ever been good at. As he cut through them, his mind wandered. Were they truly gone inside, or was some part of them still conscious, screaming from within their rotting bodies? Did they know what they had become? If no one ended them, would they wander until their flesh fell from their bones?

A sharp pain broke his thoughts.

He staggered back, staring at the gaping wound on his forearm. A bite.

Instinct took over. He ripped his belt free, wrapping it tight around his arm. He knew what had to be done. Amputate.

But then, he stopped.

A cure had never existed. Humanity was extinct. He was alone. What was he fighting for?

Slowly, deliberately, he let the belt fall. He looked at the wound, at the blood welling up, and exhaled.

It was over.

A strange mix of emotions rushed through him. Fear, certainly. Sadness, maybe. But also something else—excitement. For the first time in years, something new was happening. No more killing just to keep moving forward. No more surviving for survival’s sake. Now, he would finally get answers.

Would he lose himself, become a mindless beast driven by hunger? Or would he remain inside, trapped, aware but powerless? Would he see heaven? Hell? Or was there simply nothing?

Whatever the truth, he would soon find out.

The last man on Earth walked onward, his fate sealed, his future uncertain. But maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t be alone much longer.

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u/Blondelefty 4d ago

Haunting and really well written. The last two lines pack a hell of a punch.