I decided to make a little break with poems and lyrics and try to write a set of 10-15 short stories about different people dealing with the knowledge that the end of the world is here. The way I imagine it evert story should represent a day in a countdown to the end. Here's the first one, although not first chronologicaly. It's not a final version, I know there'll probably be a some of redoing later on but I just wanted to know what are your impressions. Any comment is appreciated. It's called "Breaking News". Enjoy Breaking News The ground was becomming closer and closer. The pavement was painted in red. Pople were just passing by, it was a common sight these days. His body was lying silently on the ground in front of the entrance of a builing in The 22nd Street. That was where he lived, on the seventh floor, with his lovely wife Miriam. They were a young couple, got married just a couple of months ago and his father bought them this appartment. Things were starting to get better for Richard this year. After three years of waiting, he finally got a job in a famous law company, found the love of his life and he finally quit drinking. His friend were saying that they've never seen his so happy and enjoying life. But The News from two nights ago shook him so much that he became a completely different person. He's been barely speaking to anyone since then. Miriam was crying the entire last night, afraid he would do something stupid. It was morning now. "It's ok honey", said Richard, "Honestly, I'm ok now, there's no need to worry. I know you are scared, I'm as scared as much as you are, but there's nothing we can do about it." "Richard, have you started drinking again?", asked Miriam. "No, of course not", said Richard. He lied. "I have to go to work now to finish something, I promise we will talk more when I get back. I've been thinking alot about this all. Everything's gonna be fine in the end honey, believe me." He kissed her and walked out. He lied to her once again, he knew nothing's gonna fine. He was in his car on the way to work. Meanwhile, Miriam was in her bedroom with her head in her hands crying. This morning she found out that she's pregnant. She didn't know whether to tell Richard or not. It's not like it'll make any difference now. She was standing by the window, looking at the world that won't be here anymore in just a little more than a week. Her eyes were weary and she was tired although she woke up just two hours ago. Deciding to tell Richard about her pregancy when he comes home, she went to bed. "Honey, are you here?" She snapped from here sleep and went to living room. "Hey my sleeping beauty", said Richard and kissed her, then turned on the TV. "I was taking a nap, I haven't slept very well last night", said Miriam. "Yeah, me neither. I can't stop thinking about it." he said, "It's on every damn channel. This all still feels like a bad dream...", he was muttering to himself. "Darling... I have to tell you something...", she hesitated. "What is it?", asked Richard, still starring at the news on the TV. "I'm... I'm pregnant", said Miriam in a low voice. Silence. Richard's eyes were still nailed to the TV screen. "Are you sure?", he asked. "Pretty sure" she replied. "Well then honey, I think that's the best news I have heard in my life.", he said with a smile and hugged her. "Oh Richard, I didn't know how you would react, I didn't know what to think myself." said Miriam. "We can't do anything about it honey. I hope that there's even a slight chance he actually sees this world", said he. "Who said it's he, I always wanted a girl", she said. They laughed and Richard turned off the TV and they started kissing. They looked happy. They were lying in eachother's arms. "I think I'm gonna go out for a bit of fresh air" said Richard a couple of minutes later. "Ok darling, I'm gonna go and prepare something for lunch, you must be hungry", she replied. Richard just nodded, and went out on the balcony. The air had a strange smell, and he felt like he was choking. His look was lost in the distance, a thousand things were going through his head. The best news ever in the worst possible moment. Irony of life. He looked down on the streets. He felt completely broken, couldn't wait a week, a day, not even a second. This had to end now. He climbed on the fence of the balcony, raised his look to the sky and leaned forward. The ground was becomming closer and closer.