by Cameo Renae
The sadness came as I watched my body being carried across the outer yard and laid on the ground as Dr. Bennett and Dr. Simon rushed over.
My family, Finn, and others gathered round. I couldn’t see their faces, but their bodies showed despair. I knew it would take time for their hearts to mend, but they were safe from the mutants now.
Oh, how I wished I were still there to finish off General Drake.
“Abi,” a voice called out. “Abi, can you hear me?”
“Dr. Simon?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“How can I hear you if I’m dead?”
“Because you’re not dead. Not yet.”
“What?” I looked closer at my lifeless body and saw the golden cord connecting us. It was dim, much lighter than before. “Oh God.”
“Abi, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve astral projected and don’t know how to make it back. The cord connecting me to my physical body is fading.”
“That’s because you’re dying. You have to find a way to come back, before it’s too late.”
Did I really want to go back into my physical body? I’d also have to deal with General Drake and others like him for the rest of my life. Would my family be better off without me?
I sailed back down to Earth to get a closer look. I walked by my parents, who knelt next to my body, holding each other as they wept, and came to a stop next to Finn. He held my hand and bent over my body, praying.
“Stay with me, Abi. You promised to never leave me. We’re a team. You can’t leave me here alone. I can’t do this without you. I won’t.” He lifted my hand and placed it on his forehead and wept.
My answer came.
I needed them as much as they needed me.
The cord was barely visible, so I closed my eyes and took a leap of faith.
An electrical surge jolted me upright. I gasped, sucking in air. Excruciating pain racked my body, but I welcomed it. I briefly saw Finn’s look of shock and relief before I collapsed into his waiting arms.
*****
Two shots of the regeneration drug, and four days later, I was back on my feet in the medical wing, and heavily guarded. I hadn’t been allowed any visitation with my family or Finn, since the day of the attack.
And Juan was no longer outside my door. I hoped he and his father were still alive. Now that my strength was growing, I was motivated to see the resistance take control.
There was a stirring feeling in my gut that let me know something was coming.
My fight wasn’t over.
Sure enough, two guards came into my room, with guns pointed and head’s down, avoiding my gaze.
They didn’t know I no longer needed to look them in the eyes to control them. But I didn’t know where my family was, and didn’t want to do anything that might get them injured.
To my surprise, one of the guards lowered his weapon and looked directly at me.
“Grant?” He was Finn’s old roommate from the Montana bunker, and Ava’s brother, the girl who’d tried to steal Finn away from me.
“I’m so sorry, Abi, but we’ve been ordered to take you to the general. He has your family.”
I nodded, and let him walk over and slip the black sack over my head. He then bound and tied my hands behind my back.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered again.
“It’s okay. I know you don’t have a choice.”
I wasn’t sure what General Drake had in store for me. I’d have to wait and see what cards fate would deal this time around.
When we finally stopped walking, I heard a door slide open and felt wind blow across my face. Grant took my arm and led me, to what I believed was the outer courtyard. After a bit more walking, I felt Grant’s hand start to pull up the sack, but the general stopped him.
“Leave it on, and bring her here.”
Grant did as he said and led me forward. When we stopped, I felt his hand release me. General Drake was smart. Taking away my sight and binding me was his way of gaining advantage. I could ghost walk, but my physical body would have to be asleep, and I’d fall to the ground. That would suck.
The place was quiet, as the general began to make a speech. Something about how he was trying to create a better place, and taking care of his people…yadda, yadda, yadda.
His words were nothing but chocolate-covered bullshit.
I had to see my surroundings and know what I was dealing with. I wondered if I could project a part of me, and not my entire body. If I could ghost with only my head, but keep the rest of me inside, maybe I would stay partly conscious.
It was worth a shot. I had to do something, because he was now mentioning the resistance, and I had no idea who was out there with him.
Closing my eyes and concentrating, I imagined only my head leaving the confines of the sack. Pushing forward, I blinked, looking directly at General Drake standing in front of me.
To one side was Mr. Hernandez, who was bound with a guard behind him. On his other, was Juan, and…holy shit. They’d beaten the crap out of him.
Juan’s face was swollen and bruised, his eyes were so bad, they were nearly swollen shut. Blood trailed down his face and neck, staining his shirt and pants.
Two soldiers, on either side of him, were holding up his barely conscious body.
Mr. Hernandez’s eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and hate.
I looked behind me to see rows of soldiers, and behind them, the rest of the survivors. I would have never known they were here, the courtyard was so quiet.
All those in the resistance—those wearing the red material or ribbons—were kneeling in front. Other soldiers stood behind them, guns aimed at the backs of their heads. Off to the side, I found Finn, hands bound behind his back. Behind him, my family.
My heart broke all over again, seeing the anguish on their faces. The pain I was putting them through would take a lifetime to make up.
I watched as Grant slowly made his way over to Finn. And while everyone’s eyes were turned toward General Drake and his captors, no one noticed him discreetly hand Finn something.
Finn’s eyes were glued to me, his face hard.
My ears fell back to the words of the general.
“These men tried to form a resistance against me. Against us. They are power hungry and aim to tear down every good thing we’ve done here. Here, there is order. Without order, there is chaos. I am here to guide you toward a better and brighter future.”
More bullshit. Was anyone buying this baloney?”
“And look what we found wrapped around the wrist of Abigail Park—the one you call savior.” He held my arm up for everyone to see the red ribbon. “She did not save you. She doesn’t care about you. What she did, was selfish. An act to save her family. She’s joined the resistance. She’s betrayed us. She cannot be trusted.”
I pushed myself back into my body as he grabbed me, turned me around, and wrapped his arm tightly around my neck. I could feel the muzzle of his gun pressed against my temple.
“The members of this resistance have committed treason. Therefore, they must die.”
There were murmurs in the crowd.
“The girl shouldn’t die,” a man shouted. “Like it or not, she saved all of us.”
There was a gunshot, and screams echoed in the yard. My heart sank, knowing what happened. The man who spoke out was shot.
“No!” I screamed.
“That’s what happens when you speak out against the leadership,” General Drake roared.
My breath became ragged as my pulse raced and sweat trailed down my face.
Something had to be done.
“Abi,” Finn’s voice echoed in the yard. “Drop!”
I knew exactly what he meant. For thirteen years, Uncle Frank had trained us in combat and weaponry; to listen to our partners, and never hesitate.
As soon as the word left Finn’s lips, I went limp, letting my entire body weight pull away from General Drake. At the same time, there was a single gunshot,
and the arm slung around me came loose. The sound of his body thudding against the ground sent a flood of relief through my veins.
Chaos broke out.
In seconds, I was lifted from the ground and carried. When we stopped, the sack was lifted from my head and the bonds cut. Finn stood in front of me with a dimpled grin on his face.
“Not too bad of a shot, after all, am I?”
I looked over to where General Drake laid crumpled on the ground, a bullet hole in his temple.
“You saved me,” I sobbed.
“I have to play the knight in shining armor whenever I can,” he replied.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he held me close. The warmth of his breath on my cheek brought instant comfort. “You’re okay now, Abi.”
My father came running over, with everyone else behind him.
Anya stood above the general’s body. “Finn. What have you done?” She turned to her son with a look of horror on her face.
A slight smile curled on his beautiful lips. “I call it, retribution.”
*
A FEW SOLDIERS, WHO WERE loyal to General Drake, died that day, along with a few members of the resistance. The majority of the survivors were shaken, but alive.
General Hernandez took control of the bunker and made changes immediately. They used a bunch of their fuel and sprayed it over the bodies of the Arvies and set them on fire, hoping to get rid of the stench and disease.
Keanu was given the regeneration drug, and within a week’s time, was up and slowly walking around.
Finn and I decided to visit him in his medical room, and retold the events of everything that’d happened while he’d been recovering.
“Man, I wish I could have been there to witness it,” he said, face lit up by his large, signature smile.
“Believe me, you were better off in here,” Finn replied. “Oh, and General Hernandez is going to start moving people out of the bunker. Letting them start lives of their own, and giving them the means to do it.”
“That’s a relief,” he said. “What are your plans?”
Finn looked at me. “We aren’t sure yet. We know we have to make a stop at Murdock’s to pick up Midas, but don’t know where we’ll end up after that.” He shrugged. “You are more than welcome to come with our hive.”
“Thanks, but my parents will need my help. I’ll need to be there for them, especially now that they’re getting older.”
“That’s understandable,” I said. “Family is everything.”
“That it is,” he answered. “And just to let you guys know, you’ve become a part of mine. So anytime you need me and can find me, I’ll be there for you.”
“Same goes for you, brother,” Finn replied.
We both hugged him before we left.
“Until we meet again, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong.”
“Until we meet again, Mr. Keanu,” I said, and laughed.
Early the next morning, we found ourselves in General Hernandez’s office, along with our entire hive.
“I know you’re probably wondering why I called you here,” he began with a smile. “Walking up to my father, he stopped and addressed him. “I am setting you free, Dr. Park, to find the land of your choosing. Wherever you plant and rebuild, will be yours. My men have put together seeds of every kind, a few rabbits, and some rations to get your group started. You are free to leave whenever you like.”
My mother and Aunt Sandy cried and the group hugged each other. Even Nana and Pops were excited.
General Hernandez walked up to me. “It’s the least I could do for what you’ve done for all of us. Your bravery and strength have given us a leg up on surviving the topside. Because of you, humans are once again the dominant species.”
“I just made due with whatever was given to me.”
“You are a real leader, Abigail. I am also giving you the vehicle the men confiscated. I see you have elders in your group.”
“Thank you so much,” I said, hugging him, and he hugged me back.
He then stood in front of Finn and shook his hand. “You showed courage and bravery, and are a hero in many of our eyes. Keep Abigail safe, and maybe one day, we can come and dine with you.”
“We would love that, sir,” Finn replied.
The room was buzzing with happiness. There were smiles painted on the faces of my loved ones, and it was almost overwhelming. Tears burned my eyes as I watched them. One by one, they thanked General Hernandez for his generosity.
Then, I caught a glance of Finn, standing with my parents. After a moment, they wrapped him in a hug. I smiled, my heart wanting to burst.
Juan came and stood next to me. “So, you’re ditching the joint again, huh?”
Laughing, I hugged him. “Yeah, but this time on good terms. And that feels amazing.”
He patted my back and pulled away. “It was nice knowing you, Abi. I wish you the best of luck out there.”
“I wish you the best of luck as well. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Just before we all left, Finn spoke up. “General Hernandez, can I ask for one more favor?”
“Of course,” he replied.
“I wanted to know if you would do us the honor of marrying Abi and me. It’s time we make it official.”
I gasped, my eyes shooting to his. His dimpled grin in danger of splitting his face.
“I already asked your parents’ permission.”
I swiveled toward my parents, who were standing hand in hand, nodding, with bright smiles on their faces. Anya squealed and clapped her hands.
“It would be my pleasure,” General Hernandez answered.
I ran and jumped into Finn’s arms. He caught me, twirled me around, and kissed me.
My life would now be complete, knowing I would have him by my side, for the rest of my life.
My lover.
My hero.
My husband.
I STOOD AND STRETCHED AFTER planting the last row of strawberry plants, admiring the sun making its daily retreat behind the mountaintops. The bright colors of the setting sun were picturesque, as they were mirrored in the lake below. The green grass under my feet and the multi-colored wildflowers all around me brought a smile to my face. A flock of birds flew above, singing their melodic songs. The Ark’s had released their animals, and they were quickly repopulating the planet. Life was finally returning to Earth.
Cold air swept around me, and I smiled, breathing it in. The smell of freedom was more beautiful with each passing day.
I turned and looked at the house Finn had built with the help of friends and family. It was a quaint, two-bedroom, and just the right size for our growing family.
“Abi,” Finn called, stepping outside. “Our son wants you.” He carefully carried the bundle out to me and placed him in my arms. Midas barked and ran past us, chasing a rabbit into the taller grass.
“Midas, don’t kill it,” I yelled. His one bark made me laugh. He just wanted to play.
I looked down at our son, and my heart swelled.
“Don’t cry, Pike. I’m here,” I cooed.
He stopped and looked at me through his wide, long-lashed, chocolate eyes—just like his father’s.
His rosy cheeks were round, and he laughed as I peppered kisses all over them.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Finn said, wrapping his arms around both of us, kissing my temple.
“Oh, you’ll get your fair share tonight,” I said, leaning into him for one of his breath stealing kisses.
Pike was almost six months old and the joy of our entire community.
After we’d left, we found an area in the safe zone which we made ours. Once we’d laid down claim and started building our homes, we reached out to Grammy. And after a little persuading, she came too. It was the perfect area in the mountains, which overlooked a lake below.
There was a lodge already there, and despite the long years in the elements, it’d held up well. With some ingenuity and elbow grease, we made it hab
itable, while prepping the land. My father had even found a natural spring not far away, which provided us with fresh water.
It took us nearly a full year and a half of hard labor to clear the ground, prep the soil, build our homes, plant our gardens, and settle in. Everyone in our original hive lived around us. And our newest residents had just begun breaking ground on their homes.
We were ecstatic to welcome two new couples into our safe haven. As newlyweds, Keanu and Tina, were moving north of our property, and almost too sickeningly sweet to be around—then again, Finn and I probably deserved a little bit of our own medicine.
Keanu’s parents, Ikaika and Aulani, had made the journey with them, and would live in their house, in a specially designed suite of their own. Finn spent most of his days helping Keanu collect building materials, while Tina helped me watch over Pike and take care of the garden.
General Hernandez had given us enough rations to help us survive, while we planted our seeds and started to grow our gardens. With the aid of the botanists from our original hive, Tom and Mei Hatch, our crops bloomed in no time, and our community became a little piece of heaven.
The scientists had effectively created and tested a vaccine, from Danielle’s blood, to resist the infection of the Arvy bites. The struggle to keep her alive, and get her back to the bunker had been worth it. We were finally safe, and at an even greater advantage, knowing we could survive the infectious Arvy bites.
Once in a while, we would run into stray Arvies. But with my telepathy, they never snuck up on us, so they were quickly dispatched.
As far as my other gifts were concerned, they were still with me. I tried not to use them very often, but they came in handy when I could ghost-walk into Pike’s room to check on him.
I loved our new home. Every night, the entire community would come together for dinner, and we would celebrate life. It was a tradition we’d grown up with, and something that would probably continue long after we were gone.
After thirteen years underground, and a hellish few months surviving topside, we were finally thriving and fulfilling our dreams. We vowed never to take each other, or any moment we shared, for granted. Every day we looked forward to adding new adventures to each new page in the book of our lives.