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The Post Humans: A post-apocalyptic science fiction short story
A dark, standalone science fiction short story set in a fractured future.
After the apocalypse, nothing is pure—not matter, not bodies, not humanity.
Millions of years after nuclear war poisoned the Earth beyond repair, reality itself has begun to fracture. Matter is destabilised. The surface world is believed dead. What passes for humanity survives deep underground, sealed inside a brutal society known as the Family.
Six Two is one of their a numbered body bred for obedience, violence, and control. She hunts the monsters that infest the underground and the post-humans who threaten the Family's authority.
But when Six Two steps deeper into the dark, fragments of forbidden knowledge begin to surface.
The world above may not be dead.
Survival may not require submission.
And the Family’s version of truth may be the greatest danger of all.
The Post Humans is a haunting, philosophical post-apocalyptic short story exploring identity, control, and what remains of humanity when humanity itself has dissolved. This story serves as an entry point into a larger world, with a full-length novel set in the same universe currently in development.
After the apocalypse, nothing is pure—not matter, not bodies, not humanity.
Millions of years after nuclear war poisoned the Earth beyond repair, reality itself has begun to fracture. Matter is destabilised. The surface world is believed dead. What passes for humanity survives deep underground, sealed inside a brutal society known as the Family.
Six Two is one of their a numbered body bred for obedience, violence, and control. She hunts the monsters that infest the underground and the post-humans who threaten the Family's authority.
But when Six Two steps deeper into the dark, fragments of forbidden knowledge begin to surface.
The world above may not be dead.
Survival may not require submission.
And the Family’s version of truth may be the greatest danger of all.
The Post Humans is a haunting, philosophical post-apocalyptic short story exploring identity, control, and what remains of humanity when humanity itself has dissolved. This story serves as an entry point into a larger world, with a full-length novel set in the same universe currently in development.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
About the author
Kendall Harper
2 booksI’m an indie author from Australia. I write speculative fiction about strange futures, hidden worlds, extraordinary endurance and what it means to be human.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 11, 2026
I’m not usually drawn to post-apocalyptic stories, and I’m not the biggest fan of having trauma described in bold, unflinching detail. With this one, i really felt every desperate crawl for survival. I think it needed a bit of a content warning for violence, body gore, and psychological cruelty. It’s gritty, relentless, and doesn’t give the reader any room to look away.
That said, it was a good read. The writing is sharp, confident, and totally committed to the world it’s building. The voice is distinct and strong—I felt immersed the whole time, even during the scenes that made me kinda wince. What really impressed me was how much character growth was packed into such a short story. Arvos starts off as just another number in a brutal system, but by the end, you're reading about a fully formed person trying to break free from the machine. That arc from anonymous to self-aware is what really sold the story for me.
By the time I hit the last page, I had to stop and sit with it for a bit and kinda stare at my coffee. It's a super short read. So short that every swipe on kindle immediately increases your "percent completion." Yet for something this short, it hits hard. The message about self-worth, community, and what it really means to stay human when the world is trying to grind you down, that's gonna stick with you. It’s haunting, not just visually, but emotionally.
If you’re up for a harsh but powerful read that doesn’t waste a single word, this is one I definitely recommend. Personally, i wish it was a bit longer. Still, what a story!
That said, it was a good read. The writing is sharp, confident, and totally committed to the world it’s building. The voice is distinct and strong—I felt immersed the whole time, even during the scenes that made me kinda wince. What really impressed me was how much character growth was packed into such a short story. Arvos starts off as just another number in a brutal system, but by the end, you're reading about a fully formed person trying to break free from the machine. That arc from anonymous to self-aware is what really sold the story for me.
By the time I hit the last page, I had to stop and sit with it for a bit and kinda stare at my coffee. It's a super short read. So short that every swipe on kindle immediately increases your "percent completion." Yet for something this short, it hits hard. The message about self-worth, community, and what it really means to stay human when the world is trying to grind you down, that's gonna stick with you. It’s haunting, not just visually, but emotionally.
If you’re up for a harsh but powerful read that doesn’t waste a single word, this is one I definitely recommend. Personally, i wish it was a bit longer. Still, what a story!
Displaying 1 of 1 review