Sky of Dust: The Last Weapon

by Joshua Bonilla

“Thanks…” I replied. It felt like I was leaving a friend behind, even if he had killed me and tried to turn us in.

  I hesitated then took off my watch and put it on his right arm.

  “This will help you,” I said as I pushed the side’s in. “It will make your abilities stronger.”

  “I feel it,” Paul said, looking at his hands. His body started to give off the glowing aura that I had first seen when he zapped Peter. “Go. You do not have much time.”

  I lowered myself into the hole, and Paul closed the door above me. I heard the scrape of the bed being placed over the hatch and his footsteps walking towards the front of the house.

  “They are not cooperating,” Paul shouted out. “Maybe you should send someone to help me.”

  I felt the walls until my hands touched something squishy and warm.

  “Watch where you’re touching!” Abigail snapped.

  “Sorry!” I apologized then quickly changed the subject. “Why are you still here?”

  “I wanted to make sure he didn't try to do something funny,” Abigail replied.

  We began to feel our way through the tunnel. It was only one person wide, and we both had to crouch about a foot down in order to avoid hitting our heads. I did not see how Paul would be able to fit in here if he needed.

  “Listen Abigail,” I started. “I’m sorry if I sounded like I was ungrateful about you trying to save me. I’m not. I mean, I am grateful. Thank you.”

  We walked another few steps before she responded.

  “I’m glad you’re all right,” she admitted.

  “Can I ask you something?” I asked. “And you don't have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

  “Go ahead,” Abigail replied.

  “Why did you come back?” I asked. “I mean, if it is better in the West, what would you come back here for?”

  “I have been gathering all the information I could about my mom and three sisters,” Abigail said. “I have heard that, if people don’t show any symptoms of being infected, they would be placed into a living area with others like them, so they can be kept under surveillance. Like their own town. Anyways, I volunteered to come on this mission to try and learn more.”

  “So you are trying to find your family,” I summed up.

  I felt bad for her. She was chasing after something that seemed impossible to catch. But I was not going to be the one to shatter her dreams. Besides, I had my own family I had to worry about too, and I would not want someone telling me that it was impossible.

  “That’s a good reason,” I replied.

  “You don’t think I’m wasting my time?” Abigail asked like she wanted someone to tell her for once that she could do it.

  “We are kind of in the same boat,” I told her. “If I didn't believe you could do it, then there would be no hope for me.”

  Abigail did not speak for a second then said, “Thanks.”

  We finally reached the mouth of the tunnel where the rest of our group was crouched behind a giant rock.

  “Nothing has happened yet,” Casey said. “They keep talking, but I cannot make out what they are saying.”

  “Let’s go,” I said in a hushed voice. “He said we didn't have that much time.

  As we moved from behind the rock onto a worn path that lead to the woods, a clap of thunder echoed through the canyon and a bright blue light lit the sky like it was day time.

  We turned and watched arcs of electricity connect with the helicopters, causing the engines to start up and glide across the ground. The Guards started shouting, and they began to fire their weapons.

  The lightening stopped.

  “We need to go,” I choked.

  We sprinted through the forest and tried to stay on the trail, but it was too dark to keep track of. A few times, we tripped on rocks and roots sticking out of the ground. We were about five minutes in when we lost site of the path.

  “Where…” I tried to catch my breath. “Does anyone see the path?”

  Everyone turned their heads, looking for some sort of sign of the path when the sky lit up and we heard a loud crack coming from the direction of the cabin. Paul must still be alive.

  “There it is!” Peter shouted.

  Luckily, the path was only a few yards away, and we were still heading in the right direction. We bolted towards the path when the sky lit up again.

  “Mary!” I shouted as we ran. “We should be close. Turn on the beacon.”

  Mary swung her bag in front of her and pulled out the beacon. She switched it on, and the red ball on the end started to flick on and off.

  “It’s on!” Mary shouted as she held it up, trying to get a better signal.

  Mary was not focusing on the path though, and her foot caught on a protruding root.

  Mary slammed to the ground face first, and the beacon flew through the air and hit a tree.

  Casey and Peter rushed over and tried to help her up.

  “She is out cold,” Casey said. “We are going to have to carry her.”

  As Casey and Peter struggled to get Mary propped up between them, Abigail went to pick up the beacon.

  “The light is getting dimmer,” she said. “The batteries must be dying. We need to hurry.”

  The sky lit up again and gunshots followed, but we were just able see a clearing up ahead. We were close.

  “We will run on ahead and try to get the helicopter’s attention,” I told Casey and Peter.

  They nodded as they started to drag Mary.

  “Good luck,” Peter said.

  Abigail and I darted and weaved through the trees, leaping over branches and rocks along the way. Within a few minutes, we had reached a clearing no bigger than a hundred feet.

  “Hold the beacon up,” I told Abigail.

  She stretched her arm as high as it would go. A minute past. Then two minutes. There was no other sound except the others making their way towards us.

  The others fell through the tree line and all dropped to their knees.

  “Anything?” Casey asked.

  “No,” I said in disappointment.

  Abigail held it up for another minute then lowered her arm.

  “It’s no use. They are probably already gone,” she said in defeat.

  Anger started to build up in me. There is no way that we had come this far, lost Donald, and had Paul sacrifice himself just for us to fail. It was not fair.

  I got to my feet and wrapped my hand around the beacon in Abigail’s hand and raised it up.

  We stood there for another minute, hope slipping away. We heard the two helicopters in the distance lift off.

  Abigail looked into my eyes, her eyes red and tired, and said, “Dalyn, we need to leave.”

  “No,” I said as I looked up to the beacon. The red light had gotten dimmer.

  “Please,” she started, but something caught my eye.

  A red small red light had emerged from the other side of the mountain.

  “Look,” I said with renewed hope.

  The others stared up as the red light came closer.

  “Maybe that’s Aaric and the others looking for us,” Casey suggested.

  “All of you get back into the trees and hide,” I commanded. “Just in case.”

  They did not look happy about it, but the three of them carried Mary into the brush.

  I gripped the beacon and held it as high as I could. I could start to see the outline of the massive helicopter when I heard another sound coming from behind me. It sounded like another helicopter. I let my arm fall in defeat. I had just led everyone into a trap.

  I wish I could let my family know that I was sorry for leaving them. I wish I could have told my friends that their families were taken away as well. I wish I were stronger and braver. I wish I could have saved everyone. I wish my friends could get away. I wish that I could have spent more time with you. I wish I had more time.

  All these things I wished, but knew I would never have the chance to fulfill.

  I dropped to m
y knees and closed my eyes. The rocky terrain dug into my flesh, but the pain did not matter. I was about to die, and I had not accomplished anything.

  Both helicopters started to close in on me. I was too tired to run or feel scared. I just wanted it to end.

  I heard the machine guns begin to turn, and I held my breath.

  I hope they make it.

  The guns roared.

  I winced. I hoped it would not hurt, but nothing had hit me.

  I opened my eyes, and I watched two helicopters facing each other begin to bob and weave through the air. I recognized one from Aaric’s fleet, and the other had a red light that blinked every second.

  The mystery helicopter fired at Aaric’s and tore through one side of the cabin. Aaric’s helicopter swayed to the right and ascended fast, then dipped its nose towards the mystery helicopter, giving it a perfect point of fire at the rotor blades.

  Just as Aaric’s helicopter fired it guns, the mystery helicopter sped forward, turned, and ascended at the same time, positioning itself directly behind Aaric’s. The mystery helicopter unloaded its guns, ripping through the belly and rotor blades, sending it spinning into the woods.

  A fireball lit the sky and began to consume the forest about a hundred yards past the tree line.

  The mystery helicopter began to lower itself in front of me.

  I ducked and tried to shield my face from the flying debris.

  Once the helicopter had landed and the engine slowed down, a man jumped out of the cockpit.

  He ran over to me and unclipped his mask.

  He was not much older than me, maybe eighteen or nineteen.

  “Where are the rest?” he yelled. “I am here to pick up six!”

  The next thing I remember was Abigail pushing past me and screaming, “Jason,” and giving the man a big hug.

  The “man,” Jason, held Abigail’s face and pressed his head against hers.

  My stomach began to fold into my throat, so I backed away to give them their space and to get the others.

  Mary was still out of it, so I helped Casey lift her up.

  “Who is that guy?” Casey asked. “It looks like they know each other.”

  “I don’t know,” I said glumly. “Let’s hurry before another helicopter shows up.”

  We placed Mary in one of the seats and strapped her in. Casey sat next to her so she would not fall over. Peter and I sat across from them, facing towards the cockpit where Abigail had joined Jason.

  Jason turned and called back. “Everyone buckled up? If you feel sick, then there are bags under your seats. There is also a box of food and water if you’re hungry.”

  He slid the cabin door closed, and we began to rise.

  As we rocked in the air, I felt eyes get heavy. It had been a long day, so I just let myself fall into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 13

  My first flying experience did not leave the best impression on me.

  First it was our pilot, Jason, informing us that we were low on fuel and would probably crash. Luckily, he was just joking on the crashing part, but we were still low on fuel.

  Then came the exhilarating mid-air refuel. For the record, running our helicopter into a fly tube attached to an aircraft that made us look like a fly is not my idea of fun. While the others were going on about how “cool” it was, I was focusing on other things, like my shoelaces.

  As we started to descend my ears refused to pop, making them feel like they were going to burst. When we had almost touched down, I finally yawned and the pain was mostly gone, but I still had to deal with the sudden increased roar of the engine.

  Other than that, the ride and landing were smooth. From what I could tell, Jason was a good pilot, which, in a way, I wished he was not—there is no way I could compete with that.

  I did not realize until I stepped out of the helicopter that we had landed in a hanger about a hundred feet deep. As I exited, I looked up and saw the bluest sky I had ever seen. I inhaled and filled my lungs with the cleanest air I had ever encountered, even with the smell of aircraft fuel and exhaust.

  Mary, who had awakened during the flight, held her breath and sprinted towards a group of people who seemed to be waiting for us.

  Casey and Peter walked over beside me, admiring the assortment of aircrafts parked on the tarmac.

  A loud humming and the sound of gears turning above us made us look up in admiration. The ceiling began to roll forward, replacing the blue sky with a metallic and cement roof.

  Jason slid out of the cockpit, and Abigail came around the nose of the plane to greet him. They shared a laugh and then hugged.

  Jason waved at to us and shouted, “Welcome to Oasis!”

  Jason turned and started to head towards another group of pilots hanging out near another helicopter.

  Abigail walked past us towards the group Mary was also headed towards, so we decided to follow as well.

  When we made it to the group, they had already begun to retreat up some metal stairs. Mary stayed behind to wait for us.

  “We are going to head upstairs where it is quieter for the debriefing,” she told us over a roar of an engine. “Just be honest with them. Hopefully it will not take long. I can show you around afterwards.”

  She turned, and we followed her up the stairs.

  We entered a heavy glass door that led into a big room surrounded by large screens with a huge round table in the center.

  The rest of the group was already seated, leaving four seats available for Mary and the three of us. I sat in between Mary and Casey so I did not have to feel awkward being next to Abigail, who was looking a bit more cheerful (likely because of Jason).

  Directly across from me was a stern looking lady who seemed like she was in charge since both people beside her were updating her simultaneously, shoving tablets and documents in her face and talking quickly. Finally she waved to them to stop and cleared her throat.

  “So, why are you here?” the stern lady demanded, her eyes locked on me.

  My mouth had a mind of its own and replied before it had a chance to ask my brain.

  “I am here because you wanted me to come here,” I replied with an unintentional grumpy tone. “Why don't you tell me why I'm here?”

  The lady’s face got red, and she was about to chew me out when one of her aides leaned forward and started to whisper in her ear.

  Mary leaned over and whispered sharply, “That's the President of the Western US, Julia Reeves!”

  If there was a way that I could have slid off my chair and under the table without anyone seeing me, I would have.

  President Reeves nodded and leaned back in her chair.

  “My apologies, Dalyn. I question many refugees every day. We should not continue without your father present,” President Reeves said, then turning towards one of her aids, “Josephine, please go get Bret Caddarick please. He should be in the Armory.”

  My stomach rolled into my throat, and my heart began to race. After five years of separation, I was finally going to see my dad again. What would I say?

  Hey dad, how's it going?

  Chapter 14

  Once Josephine had left to fetch my father, the room began to buzz with chatter.

  I zoned out. I was too focused about how I was about to break the news of my family, as well as Casey’s and Peter’s, being abducted. I was sure there would be fallout for withholding the news. If they abandoned me, which I would not blame them for, I would be alone in this foreign place with a man whom I had seen maybe a month of my whole life. This place was starting to look a whole lot more lonely.

  A few minutes later, Josephine entered and was followed none other than my dad.

  He was well over six feet tall and gave off a glow of sheer power. His arms were thick, and I was confident he could crush a rock in his neck. This was not unusual. What was unusual was his choice of clothing. I remember him being very bland, always wearing his Guard uniform, but now he was wearing khaki shorts that were a bit too big and
a colorful flowered shirt. It was what I imagined someone going to a beach would wear. I had seen pictures of the old beaches before the war ruined them. I believed they would be called Hawaiian shirts, if I remembered correctly.

  As he entered, his eyes dotted the room. He was looking for me. He scanned Casey, Peter, and me.

  Great, he did not even remember me.

  The aide motioned for him to take her seat, and she stood in the corner of the room.

  “Good, now that you are here Bret, we can now proceed.” The president projected her voice to get everyone’s attention. “The first matter of business we will address is that of the two extra young men that have arrived.”

  “Madam President, if I may?” Mary asked formally.

  The President tilted her head in acknowledgment.

  “As you know, it was tasked to both Abigail and me to infiltrate the town where Dalyn and his family resided and observe if Dalyn demonstrated any characteristics of being infected by the CC1586 virus,” Mary began. “Abigail determined very early on that he was suffering from head pains while he was trying to concentrate. Couple that with his lack of focus within the classroom and we were confident that he was indeed infected. However, it was not confirmed until he was in detention.”

  My dad looked at me and tilted his head.

  I guess he did remember me. I hoped I would not get a lecture.

  Mary continued on and explained what had happened in the classroom—about how I had moved and the way Peter was able to deflect the bullet. She explained about Casey’s blonde moment a year ago and how he ate one of the CC1586 with positive results. She bypassed the incident between Donald and Aaric at her house and explained how Paul had betrayed then helped us in our escape.

  “So you see Madam President,” Mary concluded, “we could not have left Casey and Peter, as they would have been in danger, as well as their families and our cover.”

  “Miss Curtiss, I understand your concern for the well being of these boys and their families,” the President began to preach, “however we do have policies in place for a reason. We cannot allow evacuation of refugees unless they have been first approved. This is for safety concerns. We do not want spies or troublemakers infiltrating our ranks.”