By Naya Herbawi 

The only words I can use to describe life as a high school student in Hiroshima are uneventful…. My life, in particular, was ideal. I had loving parents and friends, and I did good in school…. Things were simple and straightforward––for the most part. I was indifferent to it. I didn’t mind it. In fact, I favored the way everything stayed the same, but little did I know, my life would drastically change in the span of one day. 

It was a normal day as I groggily got up from my bed, and got dressed for school. Our town was aware of the current state of the world. But we didn’t fret. After all, what would big and powerful countries like the U.S.A want with a small measly island? It was best to not think too hard on the matter, for my own sanity. The wind blew through my hair as I biked to school somewhat frantically. I didn’t know why, but the eerie feeling that I always get had gotten impossibly stronger, and the distant ringing noise I was hearing had me even more panicked. 

I rushed into the classroom, the door slamming open with a big thud. Suddenly everyone’s gaze turned to me…some shocked, some already whispering among themselves. Having realized what I had done, my cheeks flush in embarrassment, I timidly took a seat next to my friend, Meiko, who gazed at me with concern. Just as I was about to calm down, BAM! 

A massive explosion erupted and the ringing sound was so loud it felt like it was piercing my ears. The ground shook and an overwhelming bright light flashed right before my eyes. Not even a moment later, I saw everything in warm-toned colors, and every object and person now looked like cut up drawings moving frame by frame, each one being uniquely distorted. Then silence. I saw Meiko sitting in her chair, my arm instinctively reaching out to grab her hand and make sure she was okay, but my body went numb and I blacked out, a single tear falling from my eyes. 

— 

A month has passed since that incident, and it was just my dog and I in a small basement which was my dad’s old workshop. Luckily, I have more than enough water and food––or rather pills––to keep me and my dog safe. I have a thin mattress and a warm blanket as my bed, and a cardboard box with a pillow inside for my dog. Along with empty cans of spam and tuna, I also have a telegraph and a series of novels, as well as my dad’s old journals. My food consists of protein pills that keep me alive, but do not satiate my hunger. 

I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss everything I had before. I try to convince myself that I’ll be out soon. I tell myself that everything will be okay…but even as the words leave my mouth, I know they are empty. For now though, it is just a matter of waiting…and having even the slightest slither of hope. 

Credits: 

• Nozomi, the main character, is based partially on the character Lain Iwakura from Serial Experiments Lain (Triangle Staff, 1998) 

• The way Nozomi perceives movement after being affected by the bomb is inspired by the Witch’s Domains in Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Shaft, 2011).