 What happens to Europe after the bombs?
HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? Does love? Nothing lasts forever.... Not even forever [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, April 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] They had no place in the dust-caked, tired body, yet there they were, seeking, always seeking—searching the clear horizon, and never seeming to find what they sought. They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. He spurred his horse, and when they reached the water's edge, he dismounted and unsaddled the horse. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. They soaked it into their pores and drank deeply of it, feeling life going once more through their veins. Satisfied, they lifted themselves from the water, and the man lay down on the yellow sand of the river bank to sleep. When he awoke, the sun was almost setting. The bright shafts of red light spilled across the sky, making the mountains silent scarlet shadows on the face of the rippling water. Quickly he gathered driftwood, and built a small fire. From his pack he removed some of the coffee he had found in one of the ruined cities. Then he led him silently to a grassy slope where he hobbled him and left him for the night. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. His body sagged, and blood seemed to fill his brain, bathing it in a gentle, warm flood. It was all alone; all else was at rest. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... It was the night before he was to go overseas. World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. They had put the children to bed—their sons—and now sat on the couch, watching the blazing fire. "Oh, a ring, and it's a diamond, too!" "It's for you; so long as you wear it, I'll come back, even from the dead, if need be. She held the ring up to the light and read aloud, "It is forever."
 It becomes anarchic, with essentially no governments left.
 It becomes anarchic, with essentially no governments left.  It becomes anarchic, with nothing but gangs to officially end what is left of the war.  It falls to Russia, becoming a wasteland in the wake of its bombing.  It becomes a festering wasteland. All living things dead.