“I’ve got a handhold so start pushing,” he grunted.
Like a well trained unit they hacked at the earth and shoved the boulder until if finally gave way and tumbled to the ground with a muted whump. There was no time for celebration though, and in an instant they clawed at the wall with hands for shovels until there was just enough room to slide through to the other side.
“Okay,” Aaron gasped, “ladies first.”
John helped Vanessa through, followed by Anita and then Candice, whose bleeding fingers smeared his shirt and stained his cheek. It took Aaron’s assistance to lift Eric up and for a moment it seemed he wouldn’t fit, but with a wince and a groan he squeezed his way through the small gap. Aaron made light work of the scramble, leaving only Joey and John.
“After you mate,” John said.
Joey paused as if to decline the offer. “Looks like you’ve got someone waiting for you on the other side. I don’t.”
“Actually,” John replied, “you’re family’s in there waiting for you.”
Joey reluctantly let John boost him to join the others and scrambled through the divide. Once his boots slid into the engulfing shadows John was suddenly aware of the fact that he was now alone, or at least it sure felt like it. They might have been only a few feet away, but standing in front of the wall with his back to the dark brought an instant and vivid sense of isolation. For reasons he couldn’t pin down he thought of what Anita had told him, and with it the thought of what it might feel like to die in a lonely dark place.
A sudden noise broke his morbid train of thought. It wasn’t loud, but it was there. Snapped back into the moment he pressed tight against the wall and was about to climb up to the gap when something bumped into his feet. He tilted his head to light up the floor.
Oh shit.
Water was pooling around his ankles and splashing against the tunnel walls like a slow running creek. Bouncing beneath the torchlight it was almost beautiful, tranquil even, but John knew this was the baby and mama was on the way.
With a fresh shot of adrenaline he scrambled up the wall of rubble, pushed his way through the small gap and dropped to the ground on the other side. Candice was quick to help him to his feet as he analysed the situation. A long, golf cart like buggy sat on the centre of the path. Perched on the rear in her wheelchair, Talitha held Bobbie tight as he nuzzled her neck with the top of his head. Her eyes widened with a tentative joy at the sight of John’s arrival, but there was no mistaking the fear hidden in the background.
He looked further ahead where the others were desperately moving a large pile of rocks and dirt blocking the buggy’s access. Leaning against a wall with Eric crouched by her side, Klementina wiped at the constant sweat that pooled across her face and neck. Even by the dark of shadows, it was plain to see there was something very wrong.
“Hey there princess,” John greeted Talitha with a quick ruffle of her hair. “Is Bobbie looking after you okay?”
“We’ve just met and he’s already my best friend,” she said while pulling him even closer. “I knew you’d come back.”
“I knew Bobbie would like you,” John winked before rushing to kneel beside Klementina. “Helluva way to catch up huh?”
“Yeah,” Klementina winced, “I kind of pictured things turning out a little different.”
“You think you can move okay?”
“Of course. I’m just catching my breath for a moment.” She peered up at John with an expression of knowing. “Jung once said that when an inner situation isn’t made conscious it makes an appearance outside as fate.”
“In that case,” John replied, “us humans have some explaining to do.”
“Maybe not just us humans…” Klementina whispered as another drop of sweat dripped from her nose.
“Okay,” John announced as he jumped to his feet. “The tide’s coming in so we need to get moving now!”
With Vanessa’s help Aaron shifted the last of the large stones from the path and looked back towards the wall.
“How fast is it hitting?” he asked.
“Considering water’s already made it this far,” John replied solemnly, “it’s a good bet the surge will be here any second.” He pointed to the buggy. “If that thing works, we need to be on it.”
“I’m driving,” Vanessa stated.
Eric helped John to lift Klementina. The buggy had three bench seats and they carefully laid her down on the one in the middle, making her as comfortable as possible considering the circumstances. Aaron and Anita jumped in the front besides Vanessa, with Eric and Candice sliding into the rear. Joey, having missed out on a seat, climbed onto the front and found a couple of strongholds.
The electronic engine started up with barely a sound as John jumped up onto the small platform that cradled Talitha’s chair. Looking down he could see that Bobbie seemed content to play with the headphones cupped around her neck.
“Is it scary outside?” she asked.
“Just a little,” he replied.
The buggy took off into the barely lit dark and slowly picked up speed. The ride was bumpy and claustrophobia was starting to set in, but they were moving. John gripped the small railing for support, squeezing a little tighter when a deep echo bounced along the walls. He lifted his head to look back into the distance with the torch beaming out into a wide arc.
The little creek was no more. Mama had arrived.
Foaming water was cascading through the gap they had just torn open with sweat and blood. The pressure coming from the other side was strong enough to spit chunks of mud and stone flying through the air as new streams began to pierce through the wall. Any power in the rocks would soon be lost to the disintegrating dirt.
“Hey Vanessa,” John called out as Talitha clenched Bobbie with growing fear.
“Yeah?”
“Set fire to this damn engine ‘cause surf’s up!”
“You got it!”
The thin rubber wheels let out a squeal as she slammed her foot down to bring metal against metal, the buggy lurching forward with a surprising jolt of power. Candice reached over to hold Talitha’s hand and looked back at the growing waterfall in shock. The wall, she knew, would give way any second.
“Hold my hand tight sweetie,” she said with a false bravado.
“You’re just as beautiful in this world,” Talitha replied.
“So are you.”
The buggy raced ahead at top speed as a river of water began to tail, its tiny headlights opening up the darkness. Curled up on the middle bench Klementina leaned forward and vomited across the floor before rolling back to stare up with tired eyes. Still, as they bounced across another series of rocks she managed to lift a thumb in an attempt to say she was okay, but the symbolism didn’t quite work.
With eyes still glued to the path behind them John had lost sight of the wall but was very much aware of the water’s speed as it fought to catch up. It still only looked about waist deep but it was more than enough to sweep them under. If the engine failed now it would be a futile game of breath holding.
“Straight ahead!” Vanessa yelled.
John whipped his head around and saw the tunnel had finally come to an end, marked with yet another steel door. If I live through this somehow, he thought, I’m gonna live in a tent ‘cause I don’t want to ever see another damn door.
Vanessa brought the buggy to a stop mere inches from their chance of escape. Seconds later the foaming and filthy water rushed around the tires and splashed against the walls. A wheelchair was going to be useless, so John leaned down with his back to Talitha.
“I want you to reach over my shoulders and hang onto my neck okay?” he said.
“What about Bobbie?”
“He’ll stay with you I promise.”
“Okay.” She lifted her small arms and wrapped them around his neck as Bobbie clawed up onto his shoulder, crying out at the sound of gushing water. “I’m holding tight now.”
John carefully stepped down into the water and ins
tantly felt menace in the way it pushed against his hip, enough that he had to grab the buggy’s frame to keep upright. He held firm until everyone had jumped out, with Klementina using Aaron and Eric for support, then forced his legs towards the door that was slowly disappearing beneath the incoming tide. Out of nowhere a low rumble began to vibrate along the walls and roof.
“How do we open this damn thing?” Vanessa asked with growing panic.
“That scanner there,” Anita answered, “only I don’t have access.”
“I’ll need to do it,” Klementina said.
Aaron helped her get closer to the panel while John peeked back over his shoulder, his mouth dropping open with a sudden sense of hopelessness. An exploding torrent of frothing water as high as the roof was hurtling towards them like a freight train.
“Close your eyes Talitha,” he said.
Desperation dripped from the air and all they could do was watch and pray as Klementina placed her hand on the panel. The roar of the surging water was almost deafening, a crushing impact just seconds away. John pulled Candice close with one arm and tightened his grip on Talitha with the other. There was nothing more he could do, except hold his breath.
The panel suddenly flashed green against Klementina’s palm and the metal door slid open with a whoosh! Blinding white light pierced their eyes and the water charged through the new opening, threatening to sweep away their feet as they crossed the threshold.
John’s hip slammed against a metal rail and with a rush of pain he turned to look back into the tunnel. The massive surge was almost upon them, but just as it was about to burst through the opening Aaron lifted Klementina’s hand to the panel and with a sharp electronic whine the door slid closed. The water around them dispersed and a low hum filled the air. Still holding on tight to John’s neck, Talitha opened her eyes drew a deep breath.
“It’s bigger than what was in my head,” she said.
John turned slowly and could only shake his head with disbelief at the fact he was still alive, and at the space ship just an arm’s length or so away. Painted with a soft shade of pink and lit by a ring of hundreds of pulsing lights, it was truly a dream in the waking world.
The room they’d stepped into looked like a hangar that had been built on the inside of an ancient crater. A circular walkway traversed the circumference of the ship that was cocooned in towering natural walls, the ceiling high enough that it lay shrouded in shadows. Looking across to the other side the earthen walls gave way to a massive carved out chamber with a myriad of tools and machines and, John was quick to notice, a line of masked figures with assault weapons pointed straight at them.
“I hope they’re on our side,” Joey muttered.
“Hey,” Klementina did her best to call out, “I don’t need to be put out of my misery just yet.”
The masked figures lowered their weapons but didn’t move. Candice reached out for Bobbie as John adjusted Talitha into his arms. “I’m sorry but I gotta ask,” John said to Klementina. “Why didn’t any of your armed friends hit the tunnel to help you out?”
Klementina leaned against the railing to catch her breath. “They’re job is to guard this site with their lives. It’s a black zone. No communication in or out. They knew we’d be coming, just not when. There’s no way they could’ve known.”
Vanessa took a few steps around the ship and stared in amazement. “I ain’t never seen a rocket ship in real life before, and I sure as hell didn’t know they came in pink.”
“It’s incredible,” Candice agreed. “God knows how you put this thing together, but it’s truly incredible.”
Klementina nodded with appreciation. “You’d be surprised at how simple something like this really is though.”
“How do you figure that?” Vanessa asked as she studied the windows and hatches.
“Ninety percent of what you see is for escape velocity and the rest is somewhere to sit. It doesn’t have to be able to turn on a dime, just point straight up and let the firepower do its magic.”
Vanessa looked over the railing and down to the bottom of the rockets where a jet black pool of water reflected the spinning lights. “Magic seems about right.”
“Okay,” Anita said as she placed Klementina’s arm over her shoulder, “we need to get you looked at.”
Klementina winced before breaking into a quick laugh. “I know I don’t look so good, but I’m still alive and my problems can wait.” She took a moment to look them all in the eye. “This is it. This is the Hallucigenia Project, and it’s time to launch.”
“Amen to that,” Aaron said.
“Exactly what you said,” Joey agreed.
Slowly but surely they followed the walkway around the ship until they stood at the opening of the enormous chamber. One of the armed figures stepped forward and bowed ever so slightly before Klementina, who in turn reached out and removed the mask to reveal a young man with a shaved head and eyes that had seen clearly far beyond his years.
“It’s good to see you Carl. I almost didn’t get the chance.”
“I guess fate had other ideas,” Carl replied.
“Not fate, family. Now tell me we’re ready to light the fuse.”
“The tanks are at capacity and the power cells are operational. The only thing left to do now is choose your seat.”
“Carl here is one of the best rocket scientists in the country,” Klementina said to the room as she unravelled from Anita’s arm to stand on her own. “As far as logistics are concerned from this point forward, he’s in charge.”
Aaron stepped forward and slapped Carl’s shoulder, though a little harder than anticipated. “I don’t know a great deal about rockets, but I love a good explosion. I also love the lady that got us all here, so if there’s anyone with medical skills now’s the time to put their hand up.”
When Carl could only shake his head Candice stepped forward. “I’m a different kind of doctor but get me your med kit and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Okay,” Carl said. “You’ll get your kit and then we start launch procedures.”
The masked line of guards broke rank, with the tallest of the troupe setting up a small fold out chairs for Klementina and Talitha. As soon as Talitha was seated Candice handed her Bobbie and followed Carl to get the med kit. Against the far wall one of the guards pulled down a heavy lever, bringing a deep mechanical rumble that began to fill the air.
John crouched down and studied Klementina. She looked tired and somewhat distant. “Do you think it’s an infection?” he asked cautiously.
“I’m almost certain it’s poison,” Klementina answered with a sigh, “something that acts slow. Must’ve been the bullet.”
“But they took the bullet out.”
“Obviously not quick enough.” She looked across at the ship and smiled with pride. “The only thing that matters now is Talitha’s limousine.”
Talitha clutched Bobbie against her chest as a wave of spasms shook the base of her neck. “Such a beautiful colour,” she said.
“I thought you’d like it,” Klementina winked.
Carl called Aaron and Vanessa over as Candice rushed back to Klementina’s side with a large box of medical supplies. Swiftly and silently she ran her temperature and measured blood pressure. Neither returned good news.
She searched through the box, frantically wondering what to do next. A blood test was out of the question so all she could do was flick through the bundled vials hoping to stumble on something that would give her a good idea.
Suddenly Klementina shot out her hand and pointed to one of them. “I think that one will do just fine.”
Candice read the label and tilted her head with surprise. “But that’s pure adrenalin!”
“There’s no time to make a strong coffee,” Klementina said as she gently laid out her arm, “so give me a shot of your finest.”
“But you’re heart…”
“Don’t worry sweetie, my heart will hold out long enough.”
There was
no point in raising any more concerns, and so Candice prepared the syringe and searched for a good vein. Once a suitable candidate had presented she stripped the belt from her jeans and fastened it tight around Klementina’s arm.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“If you think there’s a better time waiting I’m all ears,” Klementina smiled.
There was a sharp sting as the needle broke skin, followed by a hot flush as the clear liquid was forced into the slow pumping bloodstream. Klementina stiffened in the chair and sucked in a deep, sudden breath as her eyes shot wide open. A second later her hands began to shake and face flushed red, but she was also now very much awake.
“Wow that kicks like a mule!” she gasped.
Talitha watched her transformation with curiosity. “You look awake now.”
“Nap time is officially cancelled,” Klementina replied while pushing up from the chair. “Now let’s get you up to your meeting in the sky.”
“We’re really going to fly?”
“Higher than you’ve ever dreamed possible.” Klementina clapped her hands together to snatch attention. “Okay everyone, let’s get Talitha into the ship and comfortable. We need those rockets fired yesterday!”
“Loading the ladder now,” Aaron confirmed.
“Feel like climbing on my shoulders again?” John asked Talitha.
“What about Bobbie?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, he’ll come up with us.”
John lifted Bobbie into the still soaking wet harness and then crouched down to allow Talitha’s arms to reach around his neck. He hooked his elbows around her feet and, once he was sure her grip was strong, stood to watch as Aaron locked a steel ladder into position. There was no time to try to make any sense of the moment, as mechanical rumblings grew louder and louder and Klementina raced ahead to the ladder.
“Have you ever been on a spaceship?” Talitha whispered into John’s ears.
“Can’t say I have.”
The Hallucigenia Project Page 76