The Storm

Imagine you are on an island, and there is no way to get off.
Recently, you saw a news broadcast that warned residents of the island of a brewing storm.
You, along with the other residents, wait for more news.
Eventually, it is announced that the storm is coming directly to the island.
It is later revealed that the storm is going to wipe the island off of the map and that evacuation is necessary.
However, evacuation is impossible.
Some react immediately, and the rest pitch in to help wipe their hopelessness off of the streets.
Most are able to remain calm, but despair is never far from the thoughts of any.
The news broadcasts continue to preach evactuation and safety measures, and promise the arrival of the storm any day.
Two weeks after the initial pandemonium, these broadcasts are silenced and cease to return.
The suspense heightens.
Now nobody is sure of anything: the storm could come at any time, or not at all.
Perhaps the storm was never real, but how could anybody know?
After a few months most appear to have forgotten about the problem.
But every night, the inside of each household is found huddled together in gross anticipation.
Hopelessness and fear are traded for insomnia and boredom.
No tasks are completed as fully as they were before.
No security exists in anything anymore.
No moments of joy or happiness ever seem possible again.
The storm never comes. It didn't have to. The people on the island had already lost their lives.