“The elderly and the women should sleep in the chopper. It’s a lot warmer in there and better protection. The rest of us can make camp out here,” Sergeant Powell suggested.
My grandfather and I decided to sleep outside, since there would be too many bodies cramped in the chopper. We pulled out our tents, and set them around the chopper in a half circle.
“Is it safe to take our masks off?” I asked.
“Yes. It should be safe. We are way outside of the blast zones,” Sergeant Powell answered.
I glanced at my dad for his approval.
He nodded. “Yes, go ahead.”
I didn’t wait and peeled the mask off. The cold air smacked my face, and it felt amazing. I closed my eyes and sucked it in, letting my senses take over. My first breath of fresh air in thirteen years. The sun kissed my nose and cheeks, warming them instantly. The cool air, mixed with the warmth of the sun, sent shivers over my body. I took in another deep breath, filling my lungs, and as I exhaled, a tear of happiness escaped my eye.
This was the moment I’d dreamed of. All those years sitting in the park, staring at the painted ceiling and walls, wondering when we’d get to see the real thing.
I opened my eyes and everyone else was taking off their masks, experiencing the same magical, euphoric feeling I had. I quickly unzipped my suit and shrugged out of it. The cold air bit through my jeans and t-shirt, but it felt like diving into cold water after being in the middle of the desert. It made me feel alive, and was putting smiles on everyone’s faces. For a moment we were free. For a moment we didn’t have anything to worry about. I wished I could press the pause button and keep replaying this moment over and over.
“Can we make a fire?” Tom Hatch asked. “My wife and I would like to make some food. It’s been a while since we’ve all eaten.”
“I suggest we don’t do anything to draw attention to our location. Smoke could give us away, but we do have a propane torch in the chopper,” the Sergeant answered.
“That would work just fine. Thank you,” Mei replied with a smile.
While we set up camp, the Hatch’s prepared our meal. They poured water and opened several packages of dehydrated meat into a pot, along with some chopped carrots, potatoes, spices, and herbs. It looked like we were going to have some kind of stew, which was perfect. The air was a lot colder up here.
I unrolled my sleeping bag and laid it out inside my tent. My dad had put his tent up on one side of me, with Finn was on the other. They were followed by my grandfather, Mr. Hatch, Charlie, and Dr. Banks. I could tell my grandmother was relieved to be inside. I watched her rub her sore joints and wished there was something I could do for her. She just needed to rest. We all did.
My mother and grandmother offered Sergeant Powell and Captain Decker their tents, and they gladly accepted.
The sky was the most beautiful, azure blue; filled with fluffy white clouds. I imagined birds flying, but the only thing alive around us was the wind.
I noticed everyone wore a smile, except one…my cousin Lily. She was sitting on the edge of the chopper, so I walked up to her and took a seat.
“What’s up, Lily? Why so glum?”
“Why should we be happy? I came out here from the only home I’ve ever known. The only place I’ve ever felt safe. Since we’ve come to the topside we’ve been attacked and almost killed. Tonight we’ll have to sleep in the open, not knowing if those things will find us. Why should I be happy about that?”
“Lily, everyone is happy because at this very moment, we are free. Yes, we were attacked, but we survived, and we’re all still together. I mean look around. We are breathing real air. This is a moment I will never forget. Even though it’s a small moment, it’s definitely one of my best. And here’s a word of advice… the answer to your problem is just an attitude change away,” I grinned.
I saw a smile slowly rise on her lips, and then she nodded and turned to give me a hug.
“I’m glad you’re here Abi. I love you.”
“I love you too, Lily,” I said and hugged her back.
The sunset was one of the most magnificent things we’d ever seen. We all stood, in awe, gazing breathless at the pallet of pink, orange, and violet painted across the darkening blue sky.
We climbed into our tents as darkness fell, and the crescent moon and stars illuminated the sky. It was beautiful, but the night was also filled with silence. There were no birds, no crickets, and no sounds of life. It was the silence that scared me. It meant death had visited, and was still whispering its plight of terror in the winds around us. I absentmindedly placed my hand on Hellfire, which lay ready on the ground next to me.
My thoughts were suddenly broken by the sound of Mr. Hatch snoring. I was actually glad for it, because even in the hive there was a white noise with the ventilation system, so it helped break the silence. Soon… I fell fast asleep.
***
TOPSIDE: DAY 3
The heat and the blaring sun welcomed us the next morning, and we were all still alive and accounted for. That was a very good thing. Now all we had to do was wait for the rescue chopper to bring us fuel to make it back to the safe zone.
“Sergeant Powell,” my grandmother called. He glanced up at her with a mouth full of coffee. “There is someone talking on the radio, and we don’t know how to answer them.”
He quickly placed his cup down and ran to them. A few minutes later he emerged with a look of despair on his face.
“What’s up?” Captain Decker asked. Everyone’s attention turned to the Sergeant.
“They aren’t coming,” he answered slowly.
“What do you mean they aren’t coming?” the Captain questioned.
“The Arvies found and attacked the other two fuel stations.” He paused and shook his head. “They aren’t able to come for us without fuel.”
“So what does that mean?” My grandmother questioned.
Sergeant Powell looked over to her. “It means we will have to travel by foot the rest of the way, ma’am,” he answered.
“What if they find fuel and do come? How will they be able to find us?” My grandmother asked.
“I have an emergency, hand-crank radio. It will work as long as they are within a five to six mile radius, and there are no large obstacles in our way.”
“Well, isn’t that going to be tough, now that we are in the mountains?” she questioned.
“If we hear them we should have time to get to an area that will allow us to make contact.”
“We have traveled many miles further than we could have on our own. How much further do you think we are from the safe zone?” my grandmother asked.
“I’d say about a thousand miles, give or take,” he responded.
“Oh God,” my grandmother breathed. “There has to be other fuel sources out there. They were practically drilling the earth dry before the apocalypse. What if we leave here and they do come. Shouldn’t we stay with the chopper? It would probably take us a month or more of constant traveling, not to mention trying to get through the Arvies surrounding the safe zone. I think we should stay put.”
Everyone seemed to be in agreement.
Sergeant Powell answered. “That is a good plan, but what if it takes a lot longer than we expected. What if it takes them months to find a safe fuel source? We only have a limited food and water supply. We can’t hunt because all the animals are dead, and there is no vegetation. Most of the ground water is contaminated, unless we can find a spring, or deep well. They can only fly with what fuel they have, and they won’t be using it to come out and look for survivors. They will use it to look for other fuel sources.”
“I think we should start to make our way to the safe zone. The closer we get the better and easier it will be for them to pick us up.”
“He’s right,” my father confirmed. “We have come this far, I think we should make our way toward the safe zone. If we get close enough, and can contact them, they might just come and pick us up. It’s worth a shot.”
“But what if we run into the Arvies?” My mother questioned. This was the first time I’d heard her speak since we’d arrived.
“We will make sure to try and steer clear of the areas they are most likely to be hanging out, sweetheart,” my dad answered. “It’s our goal to avoid them or have any contact with them.”
My mother nodded. Either way was a gamble, but I knew moving was probably our best bet. When we first set out, we were going to travel by foot anyway. At least we were a couple hundred miles closer to our destination.
I hoped my father was right. If we got close enough to the safe zone, maybe they could send help or reinforcements. It was this hope that would keep us going.
“Sergeant, I’d like to stay here,” Captain Decker said. “If they do find fuel and come to our rescue, I think there should be someone here. Just give me the path you’ll be traveling and if they do come, I’ll find you.”
“Decker, what if they don’t come?” The Sergeant’s brow furrowed with concern.
“Then I die of starvation,” he said flatly.
I could tell the Sergeant was wrestling internally. He wanted to keep the group together, but there was still the possibility of them coming before they ran out of food or water.
It was the first time I’d really noticed the pilot. He looked like he was in his mid-thirties, clean-cut blond hair, green eyes, and was not bad looking. The Sergeant was older, like his mid fifty’s. He had brown eyes, and white hair that was buzzed on the sides. His face was weather-worn and wrinkled, and he looked a bit sterner.
“I think we should all stick together and leave. We have safety in numbers,” the Sergeant added.
“I don’t think the Arvies will come all the way up here. There is nothing for them here. It’s cold and the land is bare, which means no food or water. If I was them, I would be staying near the cities, and the government safe zones.”
A few minutes later my grandmother and grandfather went to see my father and Uncle Frank. It looked as if they were having a heated discussion, and I had a feeling I knew exactly what it was about. I knew my grandmother wouldn’t be able to make the arduous journey to the safe zone. I saw how she struggled. I didn’t want to leave her here, but I didn’t want her to suffer. She would be able to take care of the pilot and keep him and my grandfather healthy.
I knew my father and Uncle Frank would not let them stay, not without putting up a fight. It was their duty. They were their sons. My heart was already starting to break just thinking about it. I couldn’t even imagine what they must have been feeling.
I also knew, no matter how hard they fought, my grandmother would win. She was a feisty old woman, who knew her limits; and traveling a thousand miles through rocky terrain wasn’t one of them.
“Stephen, they will eventually have to come for us. We have one of their few operational helicopters. I think they’ll make it a point to come and retrieve it. They’ll just get a few bonuses when they do,” she said, patting his cheek. She then wrapped him in one of her bear hugs. My father hugged her back, and for the first time in my life, I saw him cry.
My heart ached knowing this would be the first time in thirteen years that any of us would be separated.
“Don’t worry, boys. I’ll take care of your mother,” my grandfather said.
“I’m staying with you,” Uncle Frank insisted.
“Oh, no you won’t!” my grandmother scolded. “They need you to get to safety. Both of you were born to lead, and both of you need to go and be there for your families. Your father and I will be just fine, and couldn’t be more proud of the both of you.” She was smiling, but her voice was shaking with emotion.
“We are very proud,” my grandfather repeated, wrapping his arm around my grandmother. “Just take our grandchildren to safety. That’s all we could wish for. Anyway, I think we’re getting the better end of the stick. We don’t have to travel, we can rest, we can eat, and we might even get rescued soon,” he winked.
“Let’s hope that’s what happens,” my dad said wiping his tears.
“And, don’t you worry. We will bug the hell out of headquarters, or whoever’s in charge, until they find and bring us all to safety,” my grandmother added. “They haven’t met Momma Park yet, and believe me… they don’t want to mess with this tired, old, persistent woman.”
My dad and Uncle Frank hugged my grandparents goodbye, and then so did everyone else.
“Abi, we love you so much. We are so glad we had the chance to watch you grow. You’ve become a smart, beautiful young woman. Please, take care of the others. They’re all you’ve got,” she said hugging me tightly. My heart hurt like hell, and tears streamed from my eyes, not knowing if I’d ever see them again.
We somberly gathered our things, and made sure all of our weapons were loaded and ready. The adults divvied up the food and water and left enough for the pilot and my grandparents to survive for two months. Hopefully we would all get to the safe zone way before that.
Saying goodbye to my grandparents was the hardest thing I’d had to do in my life. But we’d all have to push on, be strong, and hold on to the hope that we would see them again.
As we left, a piece of our hearts remained with them.
Ahead of us were mountains which stretched as far as the eye could see. We had quite a journey ahead of us, and it was almost hope crushing. At least there were no Arvies in sight.
“Just focus on one step at a time. One step is a step closer to our destination,” my mother said to the group before we started off. She was normally quiet, but what little she did say made the most sense, and stuck with me. One day we would take a step and see the safe zone.
Uncle Frank and Sergeant Powell lead the way, managing to keep our spirits high with marching songs to keep us going. The adults seemed to be in good spirits. Lily and Charlie were dragging behind the adults, while Finn and I brought up the rear.
I tried not to glance over at Finn too much, because I knew I’d find myself staring a little too long. Now that we shed our protective gear, he was only wearing a tank top. The sun was like a spotlight on him. His muscles already seemed to be tanning and glistened with sweat. I even noticed the little bit of stubble growing on his face, which oddly made my insides tingle. But what really made my pulse race was how hot he looked with his backpack and shotgun lazily slung over his shoulder. I sighed, to myself.
It was times like these I was thankful Finn and his mom had become a part of our hive. It was destiny. My life would not have been the same without Finn in it. He’d become such a vital part of my existence that I couldn’t imagine my life, or my future, without him.
He turned and smiled at me along our path, and it was that smile that kept me moving.
We walked for hours, only stopping a few times to rehydrate and refuel. And right after, we were moving again. When night fell, we were surrounded by the earth’s everlasting silence. The moon and stars were the only things at night which brought light and a bit of comfort.
As everything settled, my thoughts went to my grandparents. At least they had the chopper to keep them warm and safe, and the pilot to keep them company. I was happy for that, and knew they would all be able to take care of each other until helped arrived. I prayed it would.
Chapter 11
As we pitched our tents, Finn walked over to help me. The adults were sitting around one small lantern which provided enough illumination to see what they were eating. It looked like they were eating chili and crackers. Nothing fancy would be added to the food for a while. There was very little small talk, and I could tell everyone was exhausted from the days trek. It was long and arduous. And we’d have to do it all over again tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that, until we reached our destination or were saved.
But no matter how far we walked today, there were still endless mountains and rocky terrain ahead of us. However, that was much better than confronting the Arvies.
I was glad Finn came and helped me with my tent. I was so
tired I didn’t even want to eat. And I had huge blisters on my heels. He disappeared for a few minutes and came back with our dinner. We sat a few yards behind my tent on a large rock. We didn’t say a word, and in a matter of a few minutes we had both finished our food.
“The stars are beautiful tonight, aren’t they?” he said, taking my bowl and placing it on the ground next to him.
“Yes, they are,” I said, taking a sip of water and gazing upward. Then, I felt the warmth of his arm wrap around me.
I quickly glanced behind, and noticed the adults were occupied. Some were talking, others were heading to their tents. The dark concealed us, so I rested my cheek on Finn’s strong shoulder, and as I did his arm tightened around me.
“Abi, when we get to the safe zone and you meet a whole bunch of other… options, don’t forget about me, okay?”
I lifted my head and gawked at him. The dim light of the moon and stars glistened in his beautiful dark eyes. Holy hell.
“Finn Armstrong, are you kidding me?” I exasperated. “I will never forget you. For the past thirteen years you’ve been my best friend.”
“Is that all you think of me as?” He asked with a glint in his eye.
I felt heat rush through my cheeks. Thank goodness it was dark and he couldn’t see.
His eyes suddenly steeled on mine, and they were serious. Dead serious. I was suddenly hyper-aware of every single point of contact between us. I felt his hand slide up my back, and paused on the back of my neck, holding me. His face was so close. I could feel his breath tickle my cheek. His closeness ignited a flame within me, filling me with a heated desire. It was unlike any other feeling I’d ever experienced before. Was it possible for a heart to explode?
The world around us could have caved in, but at this moment, I wouldn’t care. I closed my eyes, and rested my head in the middle of his chest while his arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace.
There was no other place I wanted to be at this moment, then right here, with Finn. He had always been there for me, and I knew he always would. Fate had brought us together, and fate was probably smiling on us. It had watched us grow together for thirteen years, and now had brought us to this moment.