Youβre a daycare worker, watching over toddlers, when the imminent end of the world is announced. It becomes increasingly clear none of the kidsβ parents are going to show up as the end inches nearer.
[Audio starts]
βMom has been texting me for the last twenty minutes. She wants me to come home. Itβs a four hour drive, when the roads are clear, and from what I hear everybody is trying to get somewhere right now. Thereβs no telling if Iβd even-β
βEverybody else has left. All the other kids were picked up, the other staff left. They gave me all the keys. I promised to stay and wait for as long as- well. Even if some of the parents show up, I guess some of them wonβt, so Iβm just waiting. Until.β
[Clears throat.]
βA couple of people came after everybody left. Peter, one of Aidanβs fathers, gave me three hundred dollars for staying. What am I going to do with money? Itβs- anyway. I kind of get it. He wanted to give me something.β
[Audio ends]
[Audio starts]
βTheyβre all between 2 and 4.β Sniff. βTheyβre so little. Too little to really- maybe if they were older, Iβd have to tell them something. But um. Iβm just- trying to stay calm and keep them happy and occupied. I think thatβs the best thing, right now.β
[Heaving breaths.]
βI normally use this recorder to help me remember stuff. Itβs just, uh, habit to talk to it. I donβt know. Theyβre napping, right now. Iβve got the baby monitor, they know that if they talk into it, Iβll come, so-β
[Sobbing.]
[Audio ends]
[Audio starts]
βMom keeps texting, so I blocked her. I sent her a text telling her goodbye, first, but. I do. But these kids need me.β
[Sniff.]
βI tried calling their parents again, but I canβt get anybody. Itβs just busy signals. I called the firefighter station, 911. I canβt get through to anybody.β
[Shaky breath.]
βI went out into the yard. Um, I think they can play. Itβs nice out, and you canβt really see it yet. Little bit of a glimmer, if they ask Iβll just tell them itβs a plane, but itβs nice out and weβve got hours before-β
[Murmuring childβs voice, indistinguishable.]
[Audio ends]
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