Final Days: Escape

by Jasper T. Scott

  To one side of them, Andrew heard a roaring river and the muffled thunder of a waterfall. It was probably the same one they’d jumped over in that ravine.

  “What if they’re hostile?” Kendra asked as they negotiated a patch of gravel between two massive black boulders.

  “We have weapons for that,” Andrew said.

  “We’ll be outnumbered,” Kendra pointed out.

  Andrew grimaced. “Yeah. Let’s hope they’re friendly, but we’ll recon the area to see what we’re dealing with before we go waltzing in.”

  “Agreed,” Kendra said.

  It took an hour to reach the base of the ridge. A wall of dark vegetation towered before them, blotting their view of the lake. Here the noises of foreign flora were deafening: trilling hoots and chirps, and rattling caws that almost sounded too alien to be real. The air was warm and thick with moisture, laced with a hundred different fragrances: some sharp and fresh, others cloying and sweet.

  “This place is teeming with life,” Kendra marveled in a hushed voice.

  “And some of it might want to eat us,” Andrew pointed out. He nodded to the nearest of two pools. Both were covered with floating layers of plants that reminded him of lily pads. “Keep an eye out for hidden pockets of water. We don’t need to wind up swimming with alien crocodiles.”

  Kendra smirked at that. “No? I thought you were a regular Crocodile Dundee.”

  Andrew smiled at the reference. “That movie was a little before my time, but I’ll take the compliment. Stay close,” he said, and started for a thread of solid-looking ground between the two pools. The route turned out not to be as hard as he’d been hoping. It was covered in a spongy carpet of moss that sank up to his ankles with each step. Water flooded his boots and soaked his feet.

  “Great,” Andrew muttered, feeling the resistance as he pulled his feet out with wet sucking noises. They left a trail of water-filled footprints in their wake, making it ridiculously easy to track them. “If Morris or Hound managed to follow us this far, we’ll lead them straight to us.”

  Kendra shook her head. “Maybe the terrain will improve as we go.”

  “Maybe,” Andrew agreed.

  They forged on, battling through the marshy terrain. Deep pools of water flashed by, along with colorful tree trunks with stalky roots that held them suspended over the calm surface. The leaves were predominately green, and some were as big as Andrew’s entire body. It reminded him of the vegetation in South America during joint maneuvers there at the end of his enlistment with the Marines.

  “This place is amazing,” Kendra said, sunlight freckling her face as they passed through a rare break in the solid canopy of leaves above.

  Andrew just nodded. “Yeah.”

  After about an hour of trudging through the jungle, they’d completely emptied their canteens and were both dripping with sweat. Andrew was growing thirsty just looking at the dark pools they were meandering between, but he decided to wait and see if they came upon a river instead. Even with iodine tablets to help purify the water, stagnant pools were still too risky.

  “Let’s take a break,” he said, glancing back at Kendra as he did so.

  That brief moment of inattention was all it took. Andrew felt his next step punching through a papery layer of greenery, and he pitched into a watery embrace with a splash that sounded muffled to his ears as cold darkness dragged him down. He got his wish as a mouthful of murky sludge slipped past his lips before he could remember to hold his breath.

  He began clawing for the dimly-lit surface even as he felt the weight of his gear pulling him steadily deeper. Something smooth and slick snaked past his body, then cinched tight around his waist and chest, squeezing the air from him in a glittering stream of bubbles. With his lungs screaming for air, he fumbled for his rifle. A dark body was wrapped around his torso, and a flash of razor-sharp teeth darted toward him as the other end of a long, snake-like creature lunged for the kill.

  * * *

  Andrew pulled the trigger right before the creature seized him in its jaws. Muffled reports sounded as bullets zipped through the water, riding thin white contrails of bubbles. At such a short range the weapon still packed a punch, even when firing underwater. The snake-like monster released him almost immediately and vanished into the murky depths, swimming away with at least a dozen fin-like appendages that ran the length of its body.

  Andrew fought the overwhelming urge to breathe in a lungful of water and swam hard for the surface, clawing back up despite the weight of his guns and pack. He almost released the pack, but then he saw pale cracks of sunlight shimmering on the surface. A few seconds later, he broke through to find Kendra standing ashen-faced at the edge of the swamp, about to jump in after him.

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him out. He lay on the wet, spongy ground, coughing and heaving for air.

  “What happened?” she demanded. “Are you okay?”

  Andrew nodded and broke into another fit of coughing. When he’d finally recovered enough to speak, he pushed up to a sitting position and met her gaze with a shaky smile.

  “It’s not funny,” she snapped.

  “I didn’t say it was,” he croaked. “I lost my footing. Those pools are a lot deeper at the edges than you would think.”

  “I heard gunfire,” she added.

  “Something grabbed me and tugged me down. I had to shoot it. I don’t think it’s dead, but at least it’ll think twice about attacking us.”

  “Do you think it was intelligent?” Kendra asked, glancing around quickly as if expecting more of those creatures to be creeping up on them.

  “No. It was large, though, maybe fifteen feet long. Something like a cross between a boa and a croc, but not sentient. But then again, how the hell would I know?”

  Kendra nodded quickly, her eyes full of concern. She reached out halfway as if to cup his cheek, then withdrew. “We’d better keep moving.”

  “Yeah.” Andrew grunted as he struggled to his feet. “Let’s go.”

  After a few minutes of walking on, more slowly and carefully this time, Andrew spied a thin, low-hanging branch and snapped it off to use it like a cane to test his footing. The cane later saved him from at least two more accidental submersions. Soon they came upon a slow-moving river, and they took a break to refill their canteens, deciding to risk it. Andrew completely drained his canteen and had to refill it again. The water energized him, but it was still an arduous journey through the jungle.

  Another hour passed before they emerged into clearer terrain. The ground remained wet and marshy, but at least the pools were uncovered and easier to see, and the trees were much sparser. They could actually spot the edge of the valley’s central lake from that vantage point, along with the huts they’d seen from the top of the ridge. Andrew crouched behind a thick tree trunk and pulled out the binoculars to get a better view of the settlement. A long, slow whistle escaped his lips as he did so.

  “What is it?” Kendra asked in a whisper.

  “Those dwellings are surrounded by water... submerged, I guess you could say.” He saw small bipedal forms moving around the structures, but they were too far away to make out anything more than that. He handed the binoculars over to Kendra.

  “So we’re dealing with... aquatic lifeforms?” she asked as she took a look for herself.

  “Maybe,” Andrew said.

  “They don’t seem very advanced,” Kendra pointed out. She sounded disappointed, and Andrew had to admit he was too. He’d been half-hoping that they might find allies to join the fight against Hound and whatever alien race he belonged to. But primitive creatures living in simple huts weren’t going to be of much help, whether they wanted to or not.

  Not to mention, there’s no chance we’ll ever be able to communicate with them, Andrew thought. “Maybe we can share some part of this valley with them.”

  Kendra made a face at him.

  He shrugged. “It might not all be a festering swamp.”

  “Let’s hope not.” />
  He cracked a grin. “Maybe we’ll get used to it.”

  She shook her head. “What now?”

  “I guess we should go say hi.”

  “I thought we agreed to be careful,” Kendra said.

  “We have guns. Do they look like they have weapons?”

  “No, but...”

  “We came all this way. If they’re dangerous, we need to know before we return with Val and Roland and the others. Come on.” Andrew started out from behind the tree, testing the ground as he went.

  “This is a bad idea,” Kendra whispered.

  “This whole planet is a bad idea, but thanks to Hound we’re stuck with it. Stay close and keep an eye out for signs of those bipeds creeping up on us.”

  “Yeah,” Kendra replied, glancing around warily as they threaded a path between two deep, clear blue pools of water.

  SEVENTEEN

  Val

  The mess hall on the ground floor of the residences was arranged in a long galley-style setting with plenty of windows facing the courtyard. The Saints selected their food from a lengthy buffet-style serving counter and went to find their chairs at big ten-seater tables.

  Val chose a double helping of lasagna and a glass of grape juice from concentrate. The last of the provisions from Eden were steadily being depleted, but at least it was better than the watery oats they were feeding to everyone else. Val grimaced at the memory of the disgusting gruel as she left the serving counter to find Tony.

  She couldn’t believe her dad and the others hadn’t changed their minds about the Saints yet. Maybe she’d track her dad down after lunch and try to convince him to stop being so stubborn. Mary’s religion was one thing—Val wasn’t sure she believed any of it—but it was hard to argue with progress. They’d built the residences, and the crops in the fields were advancing by the day.

  Val saw Tony at the end of the table farthest from the buffet counter. She walked by the crowds of Saints in white jumpsuits to reach him. As she drew near, she noticed another familiar face.

  Roland. Val stopped and gaped at him. “Rollie?”

  He flashed a tentative grin. “Hey, Val.”

  “When did you get here?”

  “This morning.”

  Val took the empty seat beside Tony, across from Roland. He glanced around at the other Saints as he ate a piece of grilled salmon and mashed potatoes. “How are my dad and Kendra?” she asked.

  Roland’s eyes alighted briefly on hers, then darted to the contents of his plate, his knife scratching around noisily as he cut off another bite of salmon. “Ah, I heard they snuck out last night.”

  “They what?” Val felt a dizzying stab of dread. A mountain of buried fears and anxieties came bubbling to the surface, and she cast a longing look at the courtyard with the tank of Communion water. It wasn’t time for her to take Communion yet, but she really needed to right now.

  “Yeah.” Roland’s head bobbed, still not meeting her gaze. He cleared his throat and shrugged. “They mentioned something to me a few days ago about wanting to leave and return to the predators’ valley.”

  “And you didn’t say anything to anyone about it?” Val demanded, her worries collapsing into anger. She narrowed her eyes at Roland and pointed a shaking finger at him. “This is your fault.”

  He glanced up, his jaw slack, eyes wide. “I didn’t think they were serious.”

  Tony placed a calming hand over hers. “It’s not his fault, Val. I’m sure they’ll be okay.”

  She rounded on him. “How do you know?”

  “Well...” Tony floundered for a response.

  “I’m sorry, Val. I really am,” Roland added.

  She shot to her feet, her whole body shivering with rage.

  “Where are you going?” Tony asked as she moved from the table.

  “I’ve lost my appetite,” Val said. She stalked away, looking for Mary on the way out. Maybe she would make an exception and let Val take Communion early.

  * * *

  Roland

  Roland peered through the drapes as the sun settled beyond the horizon. Camp was eerily silent tonight; the only noise carrying through the open window was the incessant buzzing of the local insects, whose song began the moment night fell upon them.

  They weren’t unlike some of the Saints. Now that Roland was on the inside, he discovered the Saints remained outside past the other colonists’ curfew. Someone shouted from below, and he saw a man and woman wearing white jumpsuits, holding a bottle of wine, and staggering toward the crop fields.

  He almost preferred being inside Eden One, and wondered if he’d even be able to sleep tonight. But one glance at the soft feathery bed and pillow, and the answer was clear.

  Roland yawned, wishing he wasn’t so tired. He thought someone had been drinking coffee around the complex earlier, and decided it wouldn’t hurt to go searching for a cup. He could do some reconnaissance at the same time.

  Someone knocked on his door, and Roland instantly tensed. They knew about his plan!

  “Hold on a minute. I’m naked!” he called, even though he was fully clothed. Roland moved toward the window, checking if there was any way to climb down the exterior of the building, but didn’t think he’d make it alive.

  “It’s me, Rollie,” Tony said, and he relaxed, heading for the door and opening it. Tony rushed in, running hands through his long hair. “Maybe we should have a secret knock.”

  “Or you could have just said it was you first thing.”

  “Val is super pissed at me,” Tony said, sitting on Roland’s bed. The rooms left much to be desired, with only a bunk, a small desk, and a closet, but it was better than sleeping on the floor of Eden One.

  “She’s pissed at me too,” Roland reminded him.

  “We need to stop her.” Tony didn’t have to clarify who he meant.

  “It’s happening.”

  Tony met his gaze, and suddenly Roland remembered how young Tony was. A sixteen-year-old in way over his head. A few months ago he’d been at home with good parents, living in northern California, attending high school, and cheering on his local football team. It was far different for Roland, who’d been on his own for years.

  “What’s happening? The plan? When?”

  Roland decided right then. “Tonight. We have to do it. Kendra and Andy might return any day with news, and we can’t have half the camp under Morris’ spell when they do.” He spoke quietly, peering toward the locked door. Roland, ever suspicious, kneeled by the slab and lowered to the floor, checking for any eavesdroppers. The hall appeared empty.

  “Eve’s always stationed at it. Morris has her working double time these days. I think she senses her end is near,” Tony told him.

  “Eve I can deal with. I’ll distract her, and you dump the tank,” Roland told him.

  Tony gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

  Roland sensed his trepidation and sat beside the kid, the soft bed sinking under their weight. “I know this is dangerous, man, but we’re their only chance. Keller and Carrie have been locked up in Eden Two, and the only way we can regain the camp is to stop this brainwashing business.”

  Tony leaned into his hands, elbows on knees, staring toward the floor. “Why did this have to happen?”

  Roland laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We’re going to make it through this.”

  “Then what? Hound kills us or the predators do; take your pick.” Tony was defeated, and Roland couldn’t have that, not tonight.

  “Enough. You’re stronger than that. Do it for Val, but man, do it for yourself. Do it for your family in Eureka, and everyone back home who didn’t make it. We have an opportunity to change our trajectory, and it all starts with this moment.” Roland sat up straight, feeling like a stranger was speaking through his lips. “We’re not passengers in our lives, Tony. We’re the damn pilots, do you understand?”

  Tony looked up, tears welling in his eyes, and he nodded. “Thanks, Rollie.” He rose, cracking his knuckles, and
moved for the door. “When do we do this?”

  “After I find some coffee,” Roland said, smirking.

  “Good idea. I know where it is,” Tony said, leading him into the hallway.

  A figure stood at the end of the passage, staring out a window. He held a gun, and Roland recognized Arthur by the spikes of red hair. They moved past him, trying to arrive at the stairwell without interaction, but the freckled man spun as they neared, aiming his gun at them. He lowered it, presumably because he saw their white jumpsuits.

  “Hey, Arthur.” Tony smiled at the man, but received a scowl in return.

  “Don’t think I trust you two,” Arthur said, his voice low and raspy.

  “What are you talking about?” Roland asked.

  Arthur’s eyes were glassy, his hands trembling. He wasn’t doing well. “When I wake up, I’ll be in my own bed.” He turned from them, peering out the window once more. “It’s not much, but my apartment is clean, and there’s always food in my cupboards. Pa told me, work hard and you won’t go without.”

  Tony looked at Roland, and he shrugged. Arthur continued talking, and it seemed like he forgot they were even there. “I don’t mind working at the home, but tidying up after those old people grows on you after a while. They’re constantly bossing me around, but one day, I’ll have my own record shop. Everything from Zeppelin to Clapton. The classics are the best.”

  It was obvious the guy had blown a gasket or two, and Roland didn’t trust being in his company while he was armed. Arthur had been one of the original Saints, and he wondered if they were seeing the long-term effects of the drug use. They managed to slip by him and into the stairwell, silently latching the door.

  With everyone so erratic, their mission was more imperative than ever.

  EIGHTEEN

  Andrew

  Andrew spent the time until dusk sitting with Kendra at the edge of the jungle, watching the aliens from a distance through their binoculars. They had to be sure that these aliens weren’t dangerous like the tigerwolves in the northern valley.