“No, of course not.” He tries to hide his astonishment. “I’m sorry, I was thinking about your brother. So what about this vision bothers you so much?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. There is obviously more to it, but I don’t know what it is yet. Although I am certain about one thing.”
“And that is?”
“Any vision that I have concerning Max is always tied to his mortal danger. I tried to warn him when we were on the shuttle, but then the crash happened and since then, he and I haven’t been on the best of terms.”
“He blames you for what happened to your parents?”
“Yes. He doesn’t understand why I took us to New Zealand.”
“So… why did you?”
“I don’t know,” she lies, turning her head away from him.
Noah doesn’t believe her, but decides not to push it. “So explain to me what happened yesterday. What did you see then?”
“Oh… that. Well that one is a little more typical of the visions I usually have. I like to call those follow me.”
“Follow me?”
“Yeah… this is going to sound really weird.” She pauses deliberately as she tries to find the words. “So I kinda see myself....” She pauses yet again and this time it’s to pull her hood down and loosen her scarf against the day’s rising temperatures. “No. What I really mean to say is there’s two of me. There’s me, as I am, and then there’s another me that’s like a projection or ghost, I guess. Anyway, she tells me what to do and where to go and I just follow myself until eventually she disappears and it’s just me again.”
Noah doesn’t dare interrupt as he discovers yet another facet of her power, but their conversation is put on hold when he hears Max calling. They turn to face him and Noah can see that the others are gathering in a semicircle.
“Evelyn sent me,” Max shouts. “It’s Hank, come quick!”
Noah charges toward the others and, as he nears, he watches Hiroshi carry the fallen man to a nearby boulder and prop him against it. Evelyn kneels beside him and gives him a drink of water while she unbuttons his shirt.
“What happened?” Noah breaks in.
Evelyn looks up at her husband. “He just collapsed.” She checks his pulse before adding, “His pulse is racing. He needs to rest.”
“I’m okay... I’m okay,” Hank insists, shaking his head. His appearance suggests otherwise.
Noah chews on his bottom lip as he considers their options. They have been hiking for almost six hours, but there is plenty of daylight ahead of them. He looks at Hank, ashen and pale and gasping for air in the high altitude. “Okay, there’s a shallow valley up ahead, about a klick away, where we can set up camp and rest for the day. I can go out farther after we get situated and map out tomorrow’s trail.”
“Why would we do that?” Josette questions loudly. “We need to keep moving. This isn’t a nature hike through the mountains. We need to get the hell out of here as fast as we can!”
The remark draws a host of stares. Evelyn rises and walks toward her. “What are you suggesting Josette?”
“I’m suggesting we take a short break and then keep moving. I’m not going to let one person dictate what happens to all of us.”
“You are right that we need to move quickly, but I will not leave you or anyone behind, and Hank needs to rest,” Evelyn says. “We can figure something out if he can’t continue tomorrow but we must stick together. Does everyone else agree?”
Opinions are mixed but even at that, no one wants what Josette is offering, and she sulks alone when they reach the valley. Noah has supported Hank heavily and, when they stop, sets up the tent for him to rest inside. Then everyone except Josette works to build a shelter of loose rocks and spongy sod that they rip from the earth in long rectangular strips. Meanwhile, a few of the others scavenge the countryside for dry kindling and any possible food.
When the shelter is complete, Noah and Hiroshi break from the others and scout for tomorrow’s hike. Divisions have begun to form, and several people vent frustration about how the day has unfolded. Craig, Patrick, and Sarah have brought their concerns about Hank’s failing health to Evelyn. While they think Josette could have expressed herself differently, they agree that they can ill afford more delays especially with the limited supply of food and water. Evelyn tries to quell their fears but she can see the alarm building within them, having witnessed on too many occasions the cruelty that people can display when backed into a corner.
It is early evening by the time Noah and Hiroshi return to camp, and the group gathers around the fire, having just finished their ration of boiled chicken, quinoa, and carrots. Hiroshi proudly lugs an eel he has caught using an old fishing technique that his father taught him when he was a boy. When Evelyn is alerted to their arrival, she goes to meet them.
“Welcome back gentlemen. What do we have here?” she inquires, inspecting the large fish.
Hiroshi lifts the fresh catch to eye level so she can take a closer look. “We snagged a longfin eel,” he says, flashing a rare but welcome smile.
Noah shakes his head and corrects him. “I had nothing to do with it; that was all Hiroshi.”
“Well it’s a welcome site, truly. What else did you find?”
“We found some fresh water and filled up. We have some challenging terrain to deal with tomorrow.”
“Fantastic,” Evelyn replies sarcastically. She looks to Noah. “May I have a word with you?”
Hiroshi takes the cue and excuses himself, walking toward the fire. Noah can see the anxiety on her face. “Is Hank alright?”
“He’s resting,” she says with a sigh. “While you were away, several of the others came to me and expressed their concern about Hank holding us back tomorrow. I don’t know what to do. I understand their position. But we all have to pull together and do what’s right.”
“I agree. I practically had to bite my tongue not to have words with Josette when she was ranting and raving. I’m just glad you were there to diffuse the situation.”
She shakes her head in frustration. “I don’t know how long I can keep the barbarians at the gate, but hopefully Hank can rest comfortably tonight and press on tomorrow.”
“He’ll have to. I’ll give him my ration of food in the morning, and tonight Hiroshi and I will be working on the traverses ahead. We’ll face an even greater challenge tomorrow, I assure you.”
“I don’t like the sound of that one bit, but you can fill me in later. I’m more curious about how it went today with Mia. Did you find out anything?”
Noah tries to stifle a laugh but fails to do so, which causes Evelyn to respond with a playful shove. “You cheeky bastard! What did she tell you?”
“Eve, honestly, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“What? Oh come on! You tell me everything, this instant.”
Noah tilts his head to the side and raises his arms in surrender. “At this moment I have more questions than answers, but I promise to tell you everything as soon as I am able.”
“Oh bollocks! You’re impossible, you know that!” She waves him off with her hand before hooking her arm through his and leading him to the fire. “No matter, let’s get you fed.”
As they walk, Noah says, “That was quite moving, how you spoke today at the funeral. I especially liked your parting for Tom, when you quoted my father.” He lowers his gaze. “That was a nice touch.”
Evelyn beams. “I thought you would appreciate that.”
“Which reminds me — when did my father say that to you?”
Evelyn’s focus drifts as she recounts the memory. “It was the summer before you left for the war, the last time we were all together before your father died. We went on holiday with them to Majorca. Do you remember? I was sitting with your parents at a café while you walked back from somewhere to meet us. Along your way, you came across a street vendor who was struggling with a wheel on his cart. Without batting an eye, you hunched over the cart and lifted it, putting all
that weight on your back so the man could adjust the wheel. Your father, bursting with pride, leaned over to me and that’s when he said it. It’s a moment I will never forget.” She turns to him, her eyes twinkling.
Noah stops walking and faces his wife. He lowers his head and gives her a long soft kiss. “Thank you for that. You honor me, Eve.”
Evelyn stands still, hidden in the shadow of his face. “No my love,” she whispers, “you honor yourself.”
Chapter 13
In total darkness, just moments before the sun tips its light across the sky, Evelyn is on her knees losing last night’s supper. She uses both hands to hold her long strawberry locks away from her face. Her vomiting is followed by a series of coughs until she slowly regains her composure, finishing it off with a long salty spit. Luna comes up from behind and gathers Evelyn’s hair in her left hand while offering a handkerchief with the other.
“Oh… thank you,” says Evelyn, reaching for the napkin. “I don’t know what came over me. I usually love eel.” She shoots her a playful wink.
Luna smiles warmly and reaches into her yellow gunnysack and pulls out what appears to be a purple root. She hands it to Evelyn. “Sniff this.” Evelyn complies — and immediately begins to erupt all over again.
Meanwhile, by the campfire, Noah and Hiroshi check the harness, zip-line, and pulley system that they had constructed through the night. The ingenious apparatuses, which will be used to navigate today’s obstacles, were assembled with the wheels from the suitcases and one of the luggage handles, modified to use as a bar for the zip-line. By fastening various pieces of hardware from Noah’s climbing gear and with a couple of additions to the harnesses, they soon have all that they will need to cut through the mountains, putting them one step closer to their rescue. After they complete the inspection, Noah instructs Jacob and a sleepy Max on the duties they will need to perform.
During the explanation, Max continues to yawn, his eyes half closed, clearly not paying attention. “Max, are we using fixed or natural anchors for the descent?” Noah quizzes.
Max opens his eyes. “Uh, fixed?”
“Are you asking me or are you telling me? Wake up!” he commands.
Max shakes the cobwebs in a quick side-to-side jerk of the head, before slowly straightening his spine. “I’m awake,” he snaps.
Noah knows the danger ahead and that everyone’s concerted efforts will be required to get through it without harm. He decides to keep the teams the same as the day before; it will only be a short march until they reach their first maneuver. He is concerned about the challenges that the others will have to overcome. Knowing that they are inexperienced and, worse, unpredictable when faced with adversity has him on edge.
When Noah informed the group that he and Hiroshi had found a passage that could cut their travel time by a day or more, they had unanimously agreed to go forth. Even after he warned them — several times — that the endeavor would be loaded with risks with no room for error, they remained firm.
As Noah wraps up his briefing, Evelyn enters the campsite with Luna by her side. Her face is pale and gaunt, her eyes glassy. Noah stops in mid-sentence. “Are you alright, Eve?”
“I’m fine,” she dismisses, offering a weak smile. She sits near the fire and inspects the skillet filled with dehydrated eggs and potted ham, her lips pressed tightly together.
Noah’s gaze lingers for a moment, sensing something isn’t right, but shrugs it off and finishes his instruction before breaking for breakfast. Hank has stepped out of the tent and appears to be ready for the day ahead of him, having regained some color in his mostly grey skin. He will be fed a hearty breakfast, including Noah’s ration, before they set off. The others in the camp are just waking to Day Five on the island. Conversation is scarce and the mood is tense while they eat their carefully portioned breakfasts. Several of the castaways ask Hank how he’s faring and he assures them that he is ready and feeling much better. He blames the altitude for his sickness, and says that he has adjusted to it and is ready to go.
The morning is brisk and the sun is rising as the thirteen castaways prepare for a short hike. With the exception of the Lockhearts, everyone is clad in mismatched layers and various hats plundered from the luggage. The crew’s whimsical appearance belies their status as a band of weary travelers fighting to stay alive. Luna takes a moment to chuckle as she watches her fellow gypsies snake through the grey starkness of their surroundings in a curious contrast of color and shape.
Noah and Mia once again lead the pack, heading southeast. They keep closer to the others and exchange no confidences, as Noah seems preoccupied with the task at hand. The early morning sun burns bright over the misty mountaintops, drenching the landscape in a golden glow. After more than an hour of walking the hike comes to an abrupt end when the mountain trail disappears into thin air. Mia walks to the edge of the cliff and, standing on her toes, peers over the sheer drop into a bottomless pit, continuing on and on, ending in nothing but a murky pool of black.
“Whoa, we’re not climbing down this are we?” Mia asks, her eyes big and doe-like.
“Hardly,” he reassures. “Come on, follow me.” Noah leads her down a narrow decline that zigzags along the face of the mountain until it opens to a long flat landing. The ground beneath them rumbles with the unmistakable sound of rushing water that seemingly comes from nowhere.
Mia, visibly nervous, turns to Noah. “What’s happening?”
Noah smiles. “It’s okay, come here I’ll show you.” They walk to the edge of the cliff and he points down below. “It’s an underground waterfall!” His shout can barely be heard above the din of rushing water. “Smashing, isn’t it?”
Mia’s jaw drops as she marvels at the stream of water pouring from the cavern below as she stands on what feels like the edge of the world. “Underground waterfall? That’s so cool,” she gushes.
While Mia enjoys the spectacle, the others catch up and share her reaction. The view is breathtaking, and under different circumstances, it would be a sight to behold. But just as they grasp their new surroundings, they fall deathly silent as they realize what is coming next. As they gather around, Noah places at his feet the two harnesses that he and Hiroshi prepared and waits for the moment to settle.
“So here we are. As we discussed last night, the quickest way to civilization from this point is due east. By traversing this canyon, we will cut straight through the mountains and save ourselves a day of hiking, possibly more.” He gestures to the backdrop behind him. “As you can see, this will be a tricky undertaking, but Hiroshi and I have devised a plan that should get all of us to the other side with minimal effort. All we ask is that you trust us and go along for the ride.”
He bends down to grab one of the harnesses. “First, using this harness and a pulley, we will lower each of you about thirty meters to a flat landing. Jacob will help you into the harness, and Max and Hiroshi will greet you down below. Once you are there, stay clear as they help the others get down. The landing is narrow, so keep away from the edge of the cliff. After Max and Hiroshi set up below, the order down will be Mia, Alice, Sarah, Josette, Luna, Evelyn, Hank, Patrick, Craig, and finally Jacob. Are there any questions?”
Noah stands quietly in front of a row of apprehensive faces before continuing. “Right. So….”
“I’m terrified of heights,” interrupts Josette.
“So am I,” adds Alice.
“I understand. But all you need to do is hold on to the rope while Jacob, Hiroshi, and Max do the work of lowering you. You will be secure in this harness, I assure you. If you are scared, I suggest closing your eyes and not looking down and it will all be over soon, okay?”
“You can’t be certain of anything. What if the rope breaks?” Josette asks, growing paler.
“I inspected the rope before we left and Hiroshi will check it after every lowering to ensure that it hasn’t been compromised. Now please, time is of the essence, so let’s keep moving.” He puts down the one harness and raise
s the other. “After everyone has been lowered, you’ll zip-line to the other side where I will be waiting for you. Again, just hold on to the bar and your weight will carry you over. Even if you panic and let go of the bar, you will still be strapped into the harness and you’ll get to the other side regardless. But I do suggest that you hold on to the bar. And try to remain calm. It is a long way across and it will be scary, so close your eyes and in no time, it will all be over. Any questions?”
To Noah’s dismay, more than half the group raises their hands. Containing his frustration, he points to Patrick. “Yes, what is your question?”
“How are you getting over there?”
“Right, good question, Patrick.” He gestures behind him to a jagged peak that rests nearby. “I’ll throw a grappling hook to that mountain and then slackline across. Then I’ll hike to that clearing over there.” He points across the chasm, directly opposite from where they stand. “When I get to the other side, I will set up the zip-line and then Hiroshi and Max will secure it from here.”
His response is greeted by a series of approving nods, but their glum faces indicate extreme reluctance.
“What’s a slackline?” Josette demands in a bid for more time.
Noah smiles. “I’ll be demonstrating that shortly. Now please, we have precious little time, and we must move. Just relax and this will all be over soon.” He ends the Q&A by grabbing both harnesses and walking toward Hiroshi, Jacob, and Max, already fixing the anchors for the pulley.
Hiroshi positions the pulley a good distance from the cascading wall of water while Noah prepares to throw his grappling hook across. He anchors the end of the rope around a small boulder and examines his objective. The peak is full of nooks and crannies for the hook to take hold of. It’s the distance that troubles him, as the mountain sits at least seventy meters from where he stands. The only advantage, if there is one, is that he is perched slightly higher than the mountain he needs to get to. Even with that, it will take all of his strength to throw the hook to the other side, and even then, there is no guarantee that it will catch firmly. If this doesn’t work, the attempt may be a failure, the first step in a plan B that doesn’t exist.