12 Weeks

Times Square was buzzing with excitement as the ball started to drop. It was only seconds before the new year, and the people of New York were counting backwards from ten in unison. Just as the timer hit 1, it all went silent: the ball had stopped descending and the people were curious about what was going on. An unfamiliar, almost artificial, voice spoke “Attention people of earth, thank you for taking part in our universe simulation. You will be pleased to know that we made many interesting scientific discoveries thanks to your participation. The simulation will be powered down in approximately 12 weeks.” Panic arose within the crowd and everybody went frantic. The people ran around screaming and crying unable to comprehend that the life they have always known was all a hoax, a gigantic lie. With the well-known ball drop being broadcasted live on television from around the world, it was a matter of time until the entirety of the planet would know about this catastrophic announcement.

Within the first few days, almost all of the population would quit their jobs. No firemen, no healthcare workers, and no police would be around to keep the cities safe. At this point, anything and everything would practically become legal as there would no longer be any active courts. The absence of electric central workers would result in no electricity and no internet. People would become ruthless, and armed robbery would become common. Dead bodies would be found all over the streets, and people would kill each other for a bite of food. The unfortunate people who suffered from chronic diseases would stop their treatment and hospitals would become abandoned sanctuaries. People would flee the cities in hopes of visiting their loved ones one last time, leaving behind nothing but ghost towns. This mass migration to the countryside would result in unimaginable traffic and fully booked flights. Although many of the pilots and gas station workers would probably quit by then. There would be an increase of people in poverty but hey, who needs money when you have just 12 weeks left, am I right?

Ignorance is bliss, they say. Many would believe that the end was near but many would also deny it. Although they would not be able to live normal lives due to the pandemonium breaking loose in the outside world, they would do anything in their power to prove that the announcement was set up. The cities are perfectly balanced, every sector needs one another. However most societies are extremely imbalanced and have massive gaps between the rich and the poor. The rich would be able to hold on for about six weeks whilst the poor would barely live a week during a collapse of society. When the time comes to an end, there would most likely be nobody left to witness the powering down of the simulation except the wildlife growing lush over the cities.