A glint on the woman’s hand caught Maria's attention, and she picked it up taking it into her own. Most of her finger nails were missing but one of them remained, short and cracked. The hand was rough, calloused and scarred. Almost fused to one of the fingers was clearly a wedding band. The diamond that likely resided atop it having long ago been dislodged. Self-loathing began to eat at Maria again. She compared her recently blistered hand with its nearly perfect manicured nails, to the deceased woman's. Even digging the grave couldn't damage hers enough to remotely resemble the other woman’s in appearance, and yet she had let such a thing slow her down.
The sound of digging stopped. "You need not concern yourself with preparing the body to be moved Miss Patterson. I shall take care of that."
She didn't turn to look at Toby instead she looked off into the deep forest; out there all around her were more bodies just like this. Millions and billions of lives lost, among them likely was the other woman in the picture, their son, and probably even the puppy. That boy couldn't have been any older than her when the plague struck and yet, through luck and fortune, she survived while he didn't. She hadn't lost a single thing to the plague really. Mr. Miller for sure, but she still had father, mother, and eventually Toby to keep her safe and to raise her. This woman had lost everything including her soul to the plague. While it wasn't her fault, Maria felt an intense desire to try and help in any way she could... even if it was years too late.
She closed the woman's eyes, sealed the locket, and looked at her companion. "You couldn't be more wrong Tobor," she said and with that she stood and did her best to wrap the dead.
It took some doing and she was ashamed to admit a few times where she had to suppress her gag reflex as blood flowed along her bare shins and onto her shoes, but she managed to place the body in the center of the tarp, wrap it, and tie it closed. As she finished with the last knot, she looked up toward the head of the corpse and found Tobor standing silently there. She rolled her eyes. "I really hate when you do that."
"The grave is complete. If you will allow me, I can assist you in placing the body," Toby said completely ignoring her comment. She looked Tobor over, the white, black, and grey chassis covered in mud. She couldn't remember a time when it had looked dirtier though she doubted her own appearance was any better. She looked over at the grave. While it and its future occupant were a mere meters away, the distance felt insurmountable as exhaustion both physical and emotional began to set in. She nodded her head and responded, "Yes, but be respectful."
Toby picked the wrapped body up with ease and great care. While it wasn't the combat variant of his class and it most certainly wasn't even comparable to the Land Dominance Unit her father had developed to defend their land from the other Spire families, Toby certainly was not weak. Its strength was equal to that of horse. She followed them both to the grave and to her surprise watched the machine jump in. Its knees bending and the shock absorbers located throughout its body converting the energy released on landing to electricity which was stored in its back up battery for extra use making the entire action very smooth and efficient.
Toby began to lay the woman on the cold soil. "Watch her head," Maria let out not even realizing what she said until she did. It followed her instructions shifting to hold the woman’s torso as it laid the body down with its hands cupping the back of her head, so it wouldn't hit the ground. Once done, Toby jumped out and landed softly next to Maria.
"It is North American custom to say something about the deceased prior to completing the burial ceremony," Toby observed.
She looked at Toby confused and asked, "How can I say anything about her? I didn't even know her?"
"Then explain why you felt compelled to do all this."
She stared at the ground for a moment rocking side to side. "I just wanted to help. When the plague hit, Dad did everything he could to keep things together and cure it. I just hid in the safe room in the Spire. I couldn't even help Mr. Miller. No one was there with him when he died. He didn't deserve that and neither did this woman, and while I couldn't be there for him, I can be there for her."
She cleared her throat. The memories of her dad breaking the news to her of Mr. Miller's death, of all of his friends, brought back painful emotions. "Is that selfish of me Tobor? To do all this because of my guilt?" her question ended more in a statement.
The six and a half foot tall robot stood next to her and placed its hand gently on her shoulder. "From what I can tell of human death rituals, while the survivors say what they are doing is for the deceased, it would appear instead to be for those left alive. The dead have no opinions or desires."
She nodded, "Let’s finish and head back."
With Toby's help, burying the woman, from start to finish, had taken slightly over an hour; however, it felt a great deal longer and her haggard appearance both in the condition of her clothes and hair, and in the way she carried herself would indicate a much longer project. She was looking forward to a change of clothing and a long hot shower as she entered the clearing that Toby had parked the transport. Instead of seeing the aircraft, the clearing was empty. She turned toward Tobor about to ask it what was going on.
“Due to the traumatic nature of your most recent outing, I determined it best to allow you to maintain as much of your routine as possible. We shall enter the Spire at the base entrance," Toby said as it continued walking.
A smile cracked her face as she increased her pace to stay beside it. "Will I have time with the children?"
It nodded its head as it answered, "I have allocated some time, not as much as you prefer. I apologize but with how tightly the schedule is now running it is all that I can permit."
They walked on for about ten minutes over rolling hills and past giant flat stones that she had learned through her research studies were deposited here in the last ice age. They were actually native to lands farther north in what used to be Canada. Nearby was a small artificial lake. She looked over at Tobor and assessed the drone’s appearance again.
"We should probably wash off before going inside. Don't want you scaring the children."
Toby looked her over as well. "If I may be so bold, your appearance far exceeds mine in shock value young miss."
She nodded her head and yelled, "Race you!"
She finished yelling the last part as she bolted for the water line. Just as she was about to reach it, Toby dropped from the sky several meters into the lake creating a large splash of water that washed over her like a tidal wave. "Cheater,” she cried out.
"You did not specify any limitations that you wished to enact in this particular competition."
She rolled her eyes and peeled off her soaking wet and soiled clothes before plunging into the lake. There was no need to be modest. After all, there wasn’t another living soul within thousands of kilometers excluding her parents and possible ferals. She did her best to get the dirt and grime that accumulated during their toil from her hair, and while she would have to bathe again when she got inside, she was at least no longer worried that her appearance would frighten the children. Her clothing, on the other hand, was a different story. The mud and blood stains were still present despite the impromptu shower she received, and she doubted she would be able get them clean by scrubbing them on rocks.
She began to swim toward the shore and the pile of clothing where Tobor stood clean and dripping lake water. Before she could get to the shoreline, a small transport drone buzzed overhead and took up a stationary position next to Tobor. As she stood and walked out of the water, it removed a towel from the storage bay of the drone and handed it to her. Toby also removed a set of her favorite jeans, a blue blouse, and lastly a pair of undergarments. She dressed quickly as the air was a bit crisper than she would have liked but that was to be expected for this time of year. She handed the damp towel to Tobor who then used it to dry off its casing.
“It would be improper to see the children with visible water marks staining my surface,” Toby said in response
to the raised eyebrow she was presenting to it. She chuckled lightly in response, its uncharacteristic vanity surprising her.
She gathered her soiled clothing and placed it in the drone which hung there, its engines humming away, until Tobor placed the towel into its storage unit and wirelessly directed it to return to the living quarters of the Spire.
It didn't take them long to reach the main entrance that would allow them through the ten story defensive wall that surrounded the garden area at the base of the Spire. The wall was intimidating in its sheer height, but as she stared into the abyss like depth of the opening, which ran almost fifty meters, she felt a chill climb up her spine. Maria had seen the designs for the wall and was well aware of the hidden defense systems that lurked within and below the construction should any of the other families ever be foolish enough to attack them.
Some may have mistaken the purpose of the fortification as being to protect the Spire, but it protected something far more important. As they walked through the recently opened internal blast door, they were both greeted by throngs of small boys and girls, none older than five. They were dressed in a variety of types of clothing, yet each piece was either a beige or tan. They swarmed over both Maria and Tobor. Kneeling down she embraced as many as she could, kissing them on their foreheads and mussing the hair of the boys. She watched as one particularly precocious young boy actually scaled Toby's back in order to sit upon the robot’s shoulders. Tobor protested the action of course; however, Maria watched as the robot ever so slightly bent its knees making it possible for the child to successfully reach the summit.
She was barraged with questions and requests ranging from inquires to her day all the way to challenges in regard to games of chase and cartwheels. She looked over at Tobor and back to the kids and said, "Sorry little ones, but I can’t stay as long as I normally do."
Groans and falling smiles greeted her statement. "But..,." she drew the word out and the children perked up, "we can play one game of tag!" As she was speaking, her hand was already making contact with the cool composite material that was the surface of Tobor's chest. With the contact, everyone looked at the robot, and, as if some telepathic signal had flowed through them all, they instantly scattered bolting for their preferred hiding locations.
"Run Toby," squealed the little boy named Jonathan, who was using the robot as a chair, his finger pointing at a young red headed girl in a tan dress as she shot away giggling. Maria could only see her back but was pretty sure that it was Annabel, the young girl that the boy, Jonathan, had a crush on. Toby began loping toward the young girl. Having played this game many times, the machine was well aware of the basic rules and the tactics necessary for success. It was also informed in a strongly worded conversation with Maria that when playing with the little ones it was to give them a fair chance.
Maria followed having previously been "it" she could not be "it" again until someone else had the responsibility transferred to them. She watched as the little one made a beeline for a Nursery Drone as Tobor closed the distance. The little boy was holding on to the machine's head for stability and cackling like a mad scientist from one of the black and white monster movies her mother showed her. Just as Toby was about to make contact, Ana dropped between the legs of the other robot and crawled to safety... or so she thought. Toby leapt into the air, keeping both hands on Jonathan’s thighs to hold him securely in place, and landed with barely a sound on the opposite side of its robotic cousin. Its shock absorption system and knees making the landing rather featherlike.
Ana turned and found herself face to face with her pursuer. Toby's right index finger came down ever so gently upon the nose of the young girl, and Maria could swear she heard it say "boop " as her mother had to her on occasion such as this many years ago. The little boy grinned and began to laugh and for a second Annabel's face screwed up in frustration and hurt feelings at having been caught.
Maria took a few steps toward her. "Oh sweetheart, don’t feel bad," she offered in a comforting voice.
The little girl looked at her, and Maria realized in that instant... as a wolfish grin crossed Ana’s face, that she wasn't upset at being tagged, but that she had been upset at the fact that the only person next to her that she could touch was Jonathan, and he was out of reach leaving her far from potential victims. At least that had been the case until Maria had announced her presence and proximity.
Toby turned to Maria and warned, "I believe you should run."
Little Ana let out a sound that was the closest thing a five year old girl could make to a warrior's bellow as her legs propelled her full force toward Maria. Maria, suddenly adrenalin fueled, rocketed in the opposite direction toward the gaggle of youths standing on benches, perching on rocks, and hiding in trees as they hooted and hollered at both Maria and Ana. Tobor and his passenger Jonathan were keeping pace parallel to her. Maria for her part slowed to allow the younger girl an opportunity to catch up and enjoyed the look of glee she elicited from the little one.
Maria supposed that she must have had a similar grin on her face all those times Mr. Miller or any other adult had been foolish enough to enter the bouncy castle that had been a staple of company fairs held in Central Park prior to the plague. As the distance closed, Ana, spurred on by the sudden weakness in her prey, redoubled her efforts and manic laughter blended in with her heavy breathing. Maria ran over a wooden bridge that spanned a coy pond, Ana hot on her heels, and the vibrations caused by their footfalls sent the colorful fish swimming for safety.
Maria finally reached her target, a little boy by the name of Vlad. He tried to run but Maria's longer legs allowed her to catch him. She quickly repositioned him so he was between her and Ana. The young girl came right up to the two of them, her eyes locked onto Maria. She tried to side step Vlad several times, but Maria kept him between her and Ana.
Vlad began to protest, "This isn't very nice."
Ana realizing that she couldn't get to Maria decided a change in tactics was necessary. Maria knew what was happening the moment Ana made direct eye contact with Vlad, flicked her eyes up to Maria, and then smiled. Even though she was aware of the silent plot that had been hatched against her, she didn't try to stop it. Games of chase were only fun if one could catch their quarry from time to time. In a smooth motion Ana tapped Vlad on the shoulder and then he reached up and touched Maria's hand. He spun away from her coming to a stop next to Ana and both children gleefully said in unison, "You're it!" as they ran off into the park that had been created just for them. Maria fell to her knees and let out an overly dramatic wail of defeat... then slowly turned to scan for her next victim.
Tobor broke the suspense of the moment, "Miss Patterson, the children must begin their math studies and we should continue on our way."
The children nearby groaned as their caretaker units began to approach and organize them into groups. Several, including Ana and Vlad, ran up to hug her and then bounded off to prepare for class. Jonathan, who was still atop Tobor's shoulders, demanded a hug from Maria, and Toby transferred him to her waiting arms. He smiled up at her, and she marveled at the innocence in his eyes. She also had the feeling that she experienced every time she looked him in his eyes as if this was more familiar than it should be.
She kissed him on the head and placed him on the ground, so he could go on his way. When he was almost to the group, he turned around, ran over to Toby, and hugged his leg. The robot rested a gentle hand on the boy’s head and patted it. With that, the little human detached himself and bolted to his position in line. Maria smiled proudly at how well they behaved and worked together. This was the reason she always stopped here before going back into the Spire. Even though these children lived in a ring ring space of two hundred meters from the wall to the Spire and wrapped around the base of the sky scraper, they had no cares about the future, politics, or all the expectations others had for them and, therefore, were far freer than she could ever hope to be.
Not to say she disliked her life, she loved h
er mother and father and knew how fortunate she was to have survived the plague and global unrest that had killed the rest of the species. Humanity had festered on the brink of extinction until her father had managed to devise a cure for the disease. He loved the human race as much as he cared for her and her mother, and he had dedicated his life to creating the world that they and a resurrected humanity could enjoy in safety and peace.
She looked out over the children, the most tangible example of her father's tireless efforts to bring their species back from the brink, and his greatest secret from the other Spire families. Each and every child was the culmination of her father's work since "The Fall" Each had been born in a lab derived from genetic material that her father had saved from fertility clinics at the height of the global chaos caused by the plague. Because of this, they had no parents, at least no living ones; therefore, her family stepped in to provide protection and guidance.
As she strolled toward the main entrance doors, she looked up and let the filtered sunlight fall upon her face. Stretched from the top edge of the defensive wall high up to the outer surface of the Spire was a partially translucent film. The material formed a fabric roof over the entire ring space and created a controlled environment for the children to live in. The material allowed sunlight in to give them the experience a natural day-night cycle, yet it projected an image of empty grassland on its outer surface hiding the lush gardens and homes that the children lived in from orbiting spy satellites and stealth reconnaissance drones.
Maria had asked once why they kept the children "outside" rather than in the Spire. Her father had responded saying that he was trying to build a new world and that the littlest ones should be kept as far away as possible from the mistakes of the past. He cared for their wellbeing almost as much as he did for hers which is why he had gone to such great lengths to conceal their existence.
The Spire Page 12