Wayne was a 20-something guy stuck in life’s quicksand. By day, he flipped burgers at Burger Blast, and by night, he scrolled through social media, watching peers chase their dreams while he felt chained to a fryer. His life wasn’t a train wreck, just an endless track to nowhere.

Every so often, he’d dream of making it big — what “big” even meant, he wasn’t sure. But nothing ever happened. Until the voice came.

The First Whisper

It started on an ordinary Tuesday. Wayne was standing at the bus stop, earphones in, zoning out to some lo-fi beats when he heard it — a voice, clear as day.

“He’ll say he’s sorry, but he won’t mean it.”

Wayne pulled out his earbuds and glanced around. The only other person nearby, a tired man in a rumpled suit, didn’t seem to notice anything. Shaking his head, Wayne chalked it up to lack of sleep.

Later that day, his manager Carl cornered him over an overcooked batch of fries. “You’re slacking again, Wayne. This isn’t rocket science.”

Wayne started to defend himself, but Carl sighed dramatically. “Sorry, but you’re on thin ice,” he said, with all the sincerity of a reality show apology.

The voice had been right. Wayne dismissed it as a coincidence, but something about it gnawed at the back of his mind.

The Second Whisper

A week passed. Wayne was stocking shelves during his side gig at a convenience store when the voice returned, whispering directly into his thoughts.

“She’ll offer you hope, but it’s hollow.”

Wayne froze mid-step, glancing around. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, and everything seemed normal. He muttered under his breath, “I’m losing it.”

That evening, a sharply dressed woman strolled into the store, all smiles. She handed him a glossy flyer promising a life-changing financial opportunity. “It’s easy, and anyone can do it!” she chirped.

Wayne almost considered it, but the voice’s warning echoed in his head. A quick internet search later, he discovered it was a well-known scam.

This was no coincidence.

The Third Whisper

By now, Wayne couldn’t ignore the voice, even as he wished it would just leave him alone. Days later, while he sat on his couch playing video games, it came back.

“He’ll tell you he’s done, but it’s a lie.”

Wayne sighed, putting down the controller. “Alright, what now?” he muttered aloud.

The next day, his coworker Dave stormed into the breakroom. “That’s it, man. I’m done with this place,” Dave declared, dramatically flinging his apron into the sink.

Wayne didn’t react. He knew better. Sure enough, an hour later, Dave sheepishly returned. “I was just blowing off steam. Don’t tell Carl,” he mumbled.

The voice was three for three, but what was it leading to? None of these predictions were life-altering. Wayne started to wonder if this mysterious presence was toying with him.

The Fourth Whisper

The voice went silent for days, and Wayne thought maybe it was gone for good. Then, one evening, while he walked home beneath a slate-gray sky, it returned, louder than ever.

“Three will speak. One will stand. The fourth survives.”

Wayne stopped in his tracks, staring at the cracked pavement. “What does that mean?” he asked aloud. But the voice offered no reply.

The next day, everything unraveled.

First, Carl came into the convenience store, unusually polite. “Hey, Wayne. Sorry for riding you so hard last week. No hard feelings?” Carl said, before grabbing his coffee and leaving.

The first.

Then, an hour later, the same woman with the scam flyers appeared, smiling the same artificial smile.

The second.

Finally, just as Wayne’s shift ended, Dave strolled in, ranting once again about quitting for real this time.

The third.

Wayne felt the air grow heavier with every moment. He stepped outside, scanning the quiet street. And then it happened.

The ground trembled violently beneath Wayne’s feet. A deafening roar split the air as a massive sinkhole tore through the street. Asphalt crumbled like paper, power lines snapped and sparked, and screams filled the chaos. Buildings collapsed into rubble, the world transforming into a nightmare in seconds.

Wayne barely made it out of the store as the ground caved in behind him. Flames erupted from ruptured gas lines, cars vanished into the abyss, and a thick cloud of dust swallowed everything in sight.

Amid the destruction, the voice returned, eerily calm.

“The fourth survives.”

Wayne’s heart raced as he looked around. He spotted Carl, the woman, and Dave huddled together on a fragment of asphalt, screaming for help. Before he could move, the ground beneath them crumbled, sending them plunging into the sinkhole.

Wayne stood frozen, his mind racing. The voice had been clear — three would speak, but only one would stand.

Then it hit him.

“The fourth survives.”

It was him. He was the fourth. The whispers, the warnings — it was all leading to this moment. The destruction, the chaos, it had all happened just as the voice had predicted.

But why? Why him?

Hours later, Wayne sat on the back of an ambulance, a paramedic wrapping a blanket around his shoulders. The distant sound of sirens and the occasional shout of rescue workers filled the air.

As he sipped a cup of water, his mind churned. “Why me?” he muttered under his breath.

“You’ll know when the time comes,” came a deep, calm voice behind him.

Wayne turned quickly and saw a man — tall, nondescript, with piercing eyes.

“Who are you?” Wayne asked.

The man simply smiled and said, “Because your story isn’t over yet.”

Before Wayne could say another word, the man turned and disappeared into the chaotic crowd of rescue workers.

Wayne sat there, shaken but alive. Somewhere deep inside, he knew this wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning.

 Enjoyed the Journey? Discover More! 

If you loved diving into this story, there’s a whole world of tales and insights waiting for you! Follow us on Medium for fresh stories, thought-provoking articles, and inspiration to spark your curiosity and imagination. Let’s explore new perspectives together—see you there!

The post When the Earth Shattered, Only One Survived—This Is His Story appeared first on A Home for Stories that Inspire and Intrigue.