THE COLLAPSEThe world didn't end with a bang. For me, it ended with a hum. A long, low hum that vibrated in my skull and drowned out the sound of the wind.

I was on my back. The mud was cold, soaking into my clothes, but I couldn't feel the chill. My body felt like it was made of lead. I tried to lift my hand, just to see if it still worked, but it fell back into the dirt with a wet thud.

"Demetrius?" I tried to say. It came out as a dry cough.

I turned my head. It felt like my neck was filled ...