by Benson, Tom
Naturally, there was another murmur around the passengers.
“We also found that there are three maintenance portals.” Bill went on to give a brief description of the MPs. “Although we haven’t got it working yet, the portals do have a water supply system in place. Until we say so, ration yourselves to our bottled water—don’t go exploring, or take any risks with unknown sources.”
A man in the mid-section of the coach shouted. “A couple of trips into the dark and now you’re dictating when we can drink—”
“I’m sorry—you’re quite right, what’s your name and what was your pre-apocalypse profession?”
“Alex … Alex Burgoyne. I’m … I was … a baker.”
Bill stepped away from the door to stand to one side. He indicated the doorway with one hand. “Be my guest, Alex … oh, but do remember you’ll have no light because we’re not allowing you to have one of our two flashlights.” He paused. “While you’re out there, keep an eye open in the dark for Archie and Paul, both of whom we left behind.” He paused again. “There may be one or two large rodents, so mind you don’t trip over one.”
Alex had stood up, full of bravado, but sat down, murmured and looked around sheepishly.
Bill said, “I apologise if I sound patronising. We’re in strange circumstances and we don’t need mutiny. A small number of us are trying to make life safer and more comfortable for everybody. We have no lighting in the tunnel, but we’ve now discovered what might become basic accommodation. There is a means to provide water, which may or may not be safe to drink very soon.”
Bill paused when the hubbub commenced again. He looked along both sides of the coach until there were silence and attentive expressions.
“I have a question,” a woman at the back called out. “We might have those portal places, possibly with water. How long will we have an air supply?”
“As we suggested earlier, there will no doubt be multiple ventilation ducts throughout the tunnel, and it’s highly unlikely in a railway tunnel that so many will block up that we’ll run out of air.”
“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “I’m having difficulty taking in our situation.”
“Please don’t apologise, we’re all in this situation together. We did discover something else of importance during our interesting exploration. What we found is the reason only two of us have returned.” He paused. “We’re not alone in here.”
8 - Enlightenment
The expressions and the gasps were enough to assure Bill that his message had registered, so he smiled, held up a hand and waited until the inevitable barrage of questions died unanswered.
“Thank you.” He looked at the expectant faces. “Don’t worry, Paul and Archie are perfectly safe, and there was a good reason to leave them behind—which I might add was their choice. I can now confirm that the tunnel is five miles long, and goes through two mountains. It has no operational lighting system at the moment, but as I said, we have discovered a means of obtaining water. The details of the source and how efficient it might be are not important to you right now—we all have to become accustomed to learning a little bit at a time.”
When Bill paused, there was absolute silence, except for the sound of breathing.
“We’ve been in here less than twenty-four hours so far, and I’m sure that like me, many of you are tired, hungry and worried about what happens next, but I must ask you for two things. First, I’d like you to continue to trust any decisions that are made by our committee. Second, I’d like you all to grasp hope with both hands, and don’t give up on our chances of survival.”
Bill accepted the water bottle offered. “Thank you, Dawn.” He sipped a minimal amount of water and capped the bottle before handing it back. “Yesterday, for the most part, we were strangers to each other, referring to ourselves as tourists, passengers, and later as ‘the group’. Until somebody comes up with a better name, I’d like us to use a name that our friend Louise offered as we trudged back in the darkness—we are survivors.”
Nods of agreement and a few nervous smiles were the response.
Alex stepped forward and shook Bill’s hand. “I apologise for earlier, it’s just that we’re—”
“No need, Alex, we’re all in the same position here, mate, and tempers will be frayed occasionally—that’s not an option, it’s an expectation.” Bill smiled and Alex returned to his seat. “I don’t want to say too much about the person we found in the tunnel, but for now, I can tell you, he appears human, of good character, and pretty damn intelligent. Of course, that’s just my opinion.”
“When will we see him?” A woman from the back of the coach.
“Later today if all goes well.” Bill turned and checked the digital clock at the top and centre of the windscreen. “It’s now nine-forty, so if we take our friend at his word, he told us he’d give us a report by three o’clock today.”
“What can we do in the meantime?” A man sitting halfway along the coach.
“I know it’s easy to say, but all we can do for now is use as little water and energy as possible.”
Dawn said, “If you’d like to go with me, Bill, I’m going out to do an inventory of our supplies.”
At ten minutes to three, Dawn nudged Bill awake from a doze and whispered, “Bill, something is moving out there—near the rails. Should we switch on the main lights?”
Bill blinked and looked around for a moment. “No, leave everything dim, it won’t do their eyesight any favours if it’s our people returning.” Bill slipped out of the driver’s seat and climbed down the steps to go outside. He was aware that he’d see better on the other side of the windscreen.
“Hello, Bill,” Paul said as he became more than a dim shape. “We brought our new friend along—he’ll maybe inspire some hope in those who need it most.”
“Good idea,” Bill said. “Hi, Archie—are you okay?”
“I’m fine, though I’ve put in a few more miles than normal over the past twenty-four hours.” He laughed. “I’m bloody exhausted.” Humour, though dark like the tunnel was holding.
“Hello again, Bill,” came Harry’s voice from behind the others. “I take it everybody’s here?”
“Yes, mate, but I didn’t give your name—I wasn’t sure if you’d be making a personal appearance yet.”
Harry said, “We can do it now if you like—we’ve got some news, even if it’s not all great.”
Archie and Paul both climbed aboard while Bill and Harry had a quick word outside. Greetings were called back and forward when the two wanderers waved at their companions to show all was good with them. Both sat near the front to await the address by Bill and the guest.
The new addition stepped up into the coach, swiftly followed by the spokesperson.
Bill said, “Once again, guys, it’s speech time, but on this occasion, I’ll ask when our guest speaks, that he is not bombarded with questions. The summary he gives all of us now is as up to date as we could wish for—please listen carefully.” Bill stepped to one side. “It’s all yours, mate.”
“Hello everybody—my name is Harry Mason, and I wish we could have met in more salubrious circumstances.”
A young blonde woman near the back stood. “Professor Mason?”
Harry squinted as the woman approached, smiling. “My dear, I’m not sure I—”
“Victoria … Victoria Boyd.” She continued forward rapidly and hugged the bearded man. “I’m so glad you’re with us—”
“How did things turn out for you?”
“I’m … I became a botanist, though now it might all have been for nothing.”
“Don’t say that, Victoria. It’s good to see you, but you’d better take your seat—people are staring.” He laughed briefly and waited until his ex-pupil resumed her seat. “Okay, now I feel properly welcomed, and I haven’t told you anything. To prevent any misunderstanding, Victoria was a student when I was in my final term as a university lecturer before I retired from teaching physics.”
As
usual, there were a few murmurs, but Harry was equal to the challenge and waited for silence.
“I ended my time with education and went back to investigative and applied sciences, which is how I eventually ended up living alone in this tunnel—a recluse. Of course, this isn’t about me—it’s about you guys and now, our combined survival. Bill and the others briefed me on your situation, and it appears that you have one and a half bottles of drinking water left per person. You also have a couple of cases of protein bars.”
He looked along the two sides of the coach. There was a range of expressions, on the faces of those in the vehicle.
“Two of your friends stayed with me overnight to assist with a special task. As Bill has apparently suggested, it’s better that you only know about successes as we achieve them. We are all in the same situation with regards to our survival. Water is now supplied to the maintenance portals, or as we will refer to them, the MPs.”
“Can we use the water supply for drinking now?” A man from the middle of the coach.
“No, because the plumbing has been unused for years and requires sterilisation. It will take at least another twelve hours before it will be safe to drink. Overnight with help from Archie and Paul, I have introduced a sterilising solution into the main plumbing system.”
“Twelve hours—how do we last for another—” a woman near the front, her tone panicky.
“It may sound like a big thing to ask, but I’d like you to remember that people have survived earthquakes and other catastrophes for days—no water, and no food. In here, you are relatively safe, and all I ask is that for now, you rest and ration your water. You don’t need food and water if you conserve energy by dozing.” He paused. “Okay, I can take a few questions but nothing detailed please.”
“Professor—” a man at the back.
“Harry, please.” The professor said.
“Harry … how long will we survive if all we have is water?”
“Again, I can’t afford to give specific answers to such questions—we are all different. I am working on an idea which will provide us with nourishment apart from water. I’ve only recently found out about your existence, so I have a few calculations to make.” He looked around at the faces and wanted to offer more but held back.
“Bill has asked us to trust him and not give up hope,” a man said. “He said we shouldn’t give up, but what is there to hope for?’
“We have an inbuilt needs function as human beings, and if I may be so bold, I’ll explain the order briefly.” Harry looked along both sides of the coach. “Our instincts tell us we require the following in priority order; homeostasis, water, food, sleep, clothes, shelter, companionship and sex.” He grinned. “Those last two are inextricably linked.”
“What’s homeostat … whatever it is?” a woman near the front.
“Homeostasis is effectively your state of mind. If you can retain a positive and hopeful attitude, it will help deal with certain negative situations. Food, for example, will be forthcoming eventually, like drinking water, but you need to be patient. Sleep is needed, but as I said, it would be an effective way of curtailing the desire for other things. Clothes, shelter, companionship and sex are the other main areas of concern. The clothes we have now are what we will have for the foreseeable future. Our main shelter is the tunnel, but we have shelter within too.” He laughed. “As for socialising and sex, well, we’ll see how we get on with everything else first.”
“You sound very upbeat for a man living in a post-apocalyptic environment,” a man shouted. “What are your conditions like, Harry, yeah?” The Liverpool accent made the man’s speech sound like he had a mouthful of phlegm.
“I’m alive.” Harry paused. “I have a place more comfortable than the tunnel itself, but I am like you; I am inside the tunnel. My abode is also a workplace. I live at the far end, which is quite a long way in the dark without a light, so, until we fix a few things—no uninvited visitors, please.”
Bill stepped forward. “Thank you, Harry. I know you’re eager to get back to continue tests.”
“Maybe some of us could go back to your place, Harry, yeah?” The man at the back again.
“What’s your name?” Harry said in a casual tone, having seen that it was the Liverpool man who’d been interested in living conditions.
“Craig Alford and I don’t see why we should all be cramped in here when you’re obviously comfortable somewhere farther along, yeah?”
“Craig, I don’t live in luxury,” Harry said. “I would appreciate Archie and Paul coming along when they’ve both had a rest because they’ll be working on something.”
“Oh, yeah, right,” Craig said slightly louder. “A secret project team is it now, yeah?”
Bill stepped forward. “Until we all feel sure the tunnel is a safe place to exist, please don’t wander outside alone. That goes for everybody, not just Craig.”
Craig said, “It sounds to me like you’re both choosing a few special friends—”
“Craig—I’ve explained already that we’re all in this together.” Bill inhaled deeply to control himself. “Please calm down and be patient—you’re not alone in feeling cramped.”
Craig stood and looked around for support. “Who else thinks some of us should go to the other end with the professor, yeah?”
A hubbub started, and in two minutes, half a dozen voices of dissent were rising above the others.
Bill stepped behind Harry and whispered to Paul. The coach was thrown into total darkness.
Screams and shouts filled the coach. One woman burst into tears and sobbed.
“Okay,” Bill said. “Look around, and what do you see—nothing.” He spoke to Paul quietly, and the coach was illuminated with minimal lighting again, but after the pitch dark, it was like bright sunshine. Bill stood beside Harry, and they both watched as those who had panicked calmed once again.
Craig shouted when there was no need. “Is that your way of showing how clever you are, yeah?”
“No, Craig,” Bill said. “It’s my way of showing anybody in a state of panic in here what it will be like if they go out there in the tunnel. We have one dead—who wants to have an accident next?”
Craig sat down, muttering, and his fellow mutineers quieted.
“Excuse me,” Victoria said as she stood and approached the front. “If I’d be able to help in any way I’d be happy to go back now with the prof—with Harry.”
Bill turned to Harry. “Recalling our chat earlier, I suppose a botanist would be helpful?”
“Indeed,” Harry said and turned to the young woman. “You’d be most welcome, my dear, and useful beyond words regarding my experiments.”
“Oh, another friend is it, yeah?” Craig shouted.
Bill said, “What age are you, and what did you do on the outside, Craig?”
“I’m thirty, and I was a … a sales executive, yeah?”
“Well, when we’ve got an idea that nobody is interested in and we need your expertise we’ll give you a heads-up. Until then, I’d personally appreciate it if you’d stop upsetting people, yeah?”
Craig murmured to those nearest him, but there were no more supporters.
“Before you go, Victoria,” Bill said. “Please check in with Steph so she can adjust the buddy-system pairings.”
Archie and Paul got comfortable to catch up on rest, while Harry and Victoria, his ex-pupil, set off into the darkness with a small LED to light the way.
Calvin and Alan said they’d be happy to do shifts at the coach doorway. Control was needed regarding the numbers of those going out towards the back area for hygiene purposes, but stopping anybody exploring the tunnel ahead.
Bill reclined in a front passenger seat and closed his eyes. Sleep did not come quickly because his mind was preoccupied by important information which had been shared by Anne. She and her recently murdered colleague were hunting a resourceful serial killer.
Bill opened his eyes, blinked and sat still. Paul and Dawn both had thei
r seats turned sideways chatting quietly.
“Hello, sleepyhead,” Dawn said, returning the greeting used on her by Bill. “How are you feeling?”
“Peckish and thirsty, but rested, thanks.” Bill looked up at the digital clock above the windscreen; 22.05. He’d slept for six hours. “Is it just me, or is there a slight vibration?”
Paul said, “I’ve got the motor running.” He let the implications sink in and then followed his statement with more detail. “Last night, while Archie was working on the plumbing, I was chatting to Harry, and he asked about the coach and how it was powered. I explained the hybrid system and how the back wheels were used for traction, which in turn also charged the power-pack.”
Bill nodded, having previously wondered how they could put the coach power-pack to some use.
“Well,” Paul continued. “I drew out a simple diagram and showed Harry how we were sitting on the rails, with tyres on the front wheels but none on the back.” He slowly shook his head and grinned. “It took Harry less than fifteen minutes to come up with a solution to prevent us losing light and heat in here. We used the breakdown jack to raise the coach so that the rear wheels were slightly clear of the track.”
“Right, and there are no fumes because it’s a hybrid system. ” Bill said. “You’ve got the motor running, and the drive wheels are turning freely—neat work.” He paused. “Wait a minute—the front tyres are still inflated, so will they not slide off the rails?”
“No, because once again, thanks to Harry, we added stability and reduced vibration. By slowly deflating the tyres until they had no air, the front wheels eased into position over the rails. The rubber of the tyres is compressed between the weight of the coach and the firmness of the rails. There is hardly any vibration.”