MJ cut her eyes at him then turned back to Max. “Not only has he proven himself, but if you’re not joining us, who else knows the ins and outs of this place?”
“Maybe I will join you.”
MJ laughed. “Yeah, cause that’s what you do. I’ll see you at the council meeting, Max.”
CHAPTER 3
THE COUNCIL
Melinda leaned her head back onto the sofa and took a deep breath. She swept her brown locks from her face as the lonely strands of silver hung over her eyes. She’d earned them, not through age, but worry and fatigue. Her life was hard and the hole missing in her heart since Randall’s death had only grown.
Yawning, she stretched her arms into the air. Somewhere above her, she envisioned the sun shining, birds flying from tree to tree as the wind pushed the leaves around like a baby rattle. Somewhere above her, she envisioned a life where her kids could grow and see more than just four walls, somewhere there was a life waiting to start.
“Mom!” David called, snapping her out of her daydream. “Mom, someone’s at the door.”
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know…Hank, Hugo, one of those military guys.”
Melinda took a calming, breath then pushed herself to a stand. She kissed David on the forehead as he passed the pulled open the door.
“Ma’am,” the narrow-faced soldier said lowly.
“How can I help you tonight Hugo?”
“They’re convening the council ma’am.”
“The council? Tonight, and for what?”
“I don’t know. They’re meeting in the war room now.”
“It’s ten o’clock,” Melinda rumbled. “What’s that important?”
Hugo shrugged.
“Thanks Hugo. I’ll…I’ll be there.”
Melinda closed the door and walked back toward the living room. David and Charlie were standing at the edge of the carpet with confused looks.
“Is it Alistair?” David asked.
“What?”
“Is that why they were here?”
“No. I’ve got to go to a meeting. I’ll be back in a little and you two need to get to bed.”
They both grumbled, but turned around and headed to their room. “You never tell us anything,” David said under his breath as he vanished around the corner.
Fighting nerves, Melinda left her apartment and headed for the war room. It was a small meeting room in the center of the facility. A few years ago, they started using it to hold discussions that impacted the group, that’s when the council was formed.
Ten members strong, the council had final say on everything that went on. It wasn’t as formal as it sounded since nearly every action taken was either life or death, but it made people feel like they had a voice in their own destiny. And in a time when life or death was dictated by outside forces, it meant everything to have the illusion of free-will.
“Melinda,” Craig smiled and extended his arm.
She shook his hand firmly and looked away. He frowned then stepped to the side so she could enter the room. Some scars never fully healed.
“How’ve you been?” Cynthia asked as Melinda took a seat next to her.
“Hanging in,” she replied.
“Oh,” Cynthia said in a low voice with a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry…I forgot it was that time again.”
“Don’t worry about it. So, what’s this all about?”
Cynthia shrugged. “You know Craig makes everything dramatic. He’s probably gonna tell us they plan to use new lightbulbs.”
Chuckling, Melinda rubbed her eyes and yawned. “I’d actually be in favor of that.”
Max walked into the room followed by MJ and Alistair. Melinda sat up and stared across the table at her son, but didn’t say anything. He took a seat and trained his eyes toward the back of the room.
“This couldn’t wait until the morning?” Thomas asked as he walked in and found an empty chair.
“Sorry to disturb you, old man,” Craig replied.
“At least we’ve got some good company.”
Thomas pulled a chair out beside Melinda and took a seat. Alistair cringed, but made sure to avoid eye contact.
“Haven’t seen you since…” Thomas’ voice trailed off.
Melinda blushed and tried to hide the embarrassment on her face. “I’ve just been busy…I’ve been meaning to come see you.”
“Well, I haven’t moved or left the state, yet.”
Melinda grinned then turned away. Sighing, Thomas leaned back in his chair and stared toward the front of the room as Craig closed the door and cleared his throat.
Cynthia leaned into Melinda’s ear and whispered, “It’s normal…nothing to be ashamed of. This is a small place, but it’s lonely. There’s nothing wrong with wanting company.”
“Okay, okay. I’m sure you’re all wondering why we’re here so late,” Craig said before Melinda could reply. “I’ll try to make this quick. We are taking a team topside.”
The room erupted in a chorus of gasps. Chatter broke out and some immediately objected. Craig let them complain for a few moments then raised his hand to silence the room.
“I know this is alarming, especially after what happened last year, but its necessary. I promise you that, or we wouldn’t even consider it.”
“How’s it necessary?” Cindy asked and cast a glance at Max.
“This facility is nearing end of life,” Craig replied.
“What!”
Max stood up. “We always knew this wasn’t forever, and thank God it’s not. We’ve already seen what living like this does to the mind.”
“So, so now we’re just gonna send more people up there?” Cindy asked.
“We didn’t SEND the first group. They weren’t prepared, they weren’t trained, and they didn’t have the right equipment.”
“So what? What could’ve possibly changed in a year?
“Are we really doing this again? We’ve covered what happened with those kids over and over. Sooner or later we have to move on.”
“You didn’t see them, you didn’t see their faces Max.”
“Jesus Cindy, it wasn’t the air up there that killed them. They trapped themselves. There was nothing anyone could do.”
“This isn’t the time or the place for this,” Craig finally interrupted. “We’re discussing the here and now.”
“Who are you sending?” Melinda asked.
“We haven’t decided that yet.”
“So, let’s decide that now.”
“I’m going,” Alistair said.
“You certainly are not,” Melinda replied as she turned and stared at him.
There was a long silence. Melinda and Alistair locked eyes and no one else in the room dared to intervene.
“I’m an adult,” Alistair replied. “You can’t treat me like a kid.”
Melinda glowered. “You’re my son.”
“I’m going.”
“We, we need him, Melinda,” MJ said in a cautious voice.
“Why? There’s no one else that can go?”
“The only person that knows this place better than Alistair is Max, and we need him here.”
Melinda turned her head and beamed at Craig. He could feel her eyes burning through his soul. Swallowing, he fumbled his hands then cleared his throat.
“I’ll go,” he said loudly. “Alistair should stay with his family. I’ll go instead.”
“What? You can’t. Someone has to keep this place under control,” MJ protested.
“Max can handle that. This isn’t a debate.”
Alistair slammed his fist on the table and stood up. Biting his lip, he fumed then stormed out of the room and slammed the door.
“This isn’t right,” MJ said. “We need him.”
“Take your own son,” Melinda snapped back. “My family has paid enough.”
CHAPTER 4
BROKEN MEMORIES
Alistair leaned back in the chair and yawned. Ashley eyed him impatiently then threw a rolled-up
piece of paper at him. It bounced off his forehead and fell the ground, but he still ignored her.
She grabbed another sheet from the pile, crumpled it up and hurled it across the room. “I can’t believe you actually wanted to go,” she said angrily as the paper ricocheted from his head.
“You just don’t get it.”
“Get what? That you were gonna leave me here? What were you thinking?”
“This place is done, Ashley. I was thinking I didn’t want to leave our future to someone else. I was thinking if anyone was gonna find a way out it’d be me.”
“Craig’s been doing this his whole life. Why not leave it up to him?”
“You trust him? After everything, you trust him? They tell us one thing and it’s always something else. It can’t be like that this time.”
Ashley sighed and held her hands up. “I don’t know. It sounds dangerous.”
“Staying here is dangerous. Max says we have weeks left.”
“What?”
“Yeah, weeks until we don’t have a choice.”
Ashley looked up as a knock sounded at the door. It swung open and Daniel walked in with Amber trailing behind him.
“Is this real?” Daniel asked and plopped onto the couch beside Ashley.
Amber fell onto his lap and ran her fingers through his hair. Ashley smirked and looked away and Alistair made a gagging sound.
“Whatever,” Daniel jabbed. “Is this really happening?”
“It is. But apparently I’ll be here.”
“What does that mean?”
“Craig is going instead.”
“MJ asked for Daniel and Trevor to go,” Amber added casually.
“That’s bullshit!” Alistair growled.
“Don’t shoot the messenger dude.”
“Who else are they taking?”
Daniel shrugged. “I don’t know. Jacob maybe, I’m not sure.”
“That idiot. He’ll get everybody killed. Where’s MJ?”
“Alistair don’t,” Ashley warned.
“I just want to talk to her.”
“She was in the armory last time I saw her,” Daniel said.
Alistair stood up and gave Ashley a kiss. “I’ll be back.”
He hurried out of the door before she could object and rushed down the hallway. As he turned the corner toward the armory, MJ was walking away with her arm around Grayson.
“MJ!” Alistair yelled after her.
She stopped and turned around then sighed. “Go ahead, Grayson. I’ll meet you back in the room.”
“I’m gonna go and see Chloe,” he replied.
“Fine, but don’t stay there too late, and behave yourself.”
Grayson smiled then waved back to Alistair before leaving. Alistair nodded his head then turned toward MJ and gave her an exhausted look.
“It’s not my call, Alistair,” MJ started.
“It should be.”
“You mom has a point.”
“My mom is scared. But if we do nothing, if we just sit here, we’re good as dead anyway. I have to do something.”
“I’ll talk to Craig some more, but I can’t make any promises. He’s got his own demons.”
“I can help MJ, you know I can. I’m not that scared little boy anymore.”
“Hey, I liked that scared little boy, and he was pretty bad ass.”
Alistair smiled. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. Now, I’ve gotta dozen and a half checklist to run down and see if we can get some idea of the topography up there. Wanna help?”
Alistair nodded and followed her down the hall.
~~***~~
“You sure you’re up for this?” Daniel asked.
Trevor glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “I’m fine.”
“This is serious, Trevor. A lot is depending on this. I told MJ you could handle it.”
“It was serious before. I’m fine. When are we leaving?”
“Few days. They’re still getting supplies ready and plotting out logistics.”
“What the hell do they think we’re gonna find up there?”
Daniel shrugged. “Beats me. Hope?”
“Not a whole lot of that lying around.”
“It’s not your fault Trevor. You’ve gotta move past it.”
“If everyone stopped telling me how it wasn’t my fault, maybe I would.”
Daniel frowned. He stood up and started to walk around the room, swinging his arms back and forth.
“Sit down,” Trevor growled. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Well, I’m nervous. I’m gonna go, I’ve gotta help Max with the suits. Chloe is in the game room with Grayson. Keep an eye on them,” Daniel said then opened the door to leave.
“Daniel?” Trevor called.
He paused and turned back.
“I was supposed to go with them. That’s the only reason Sherry left, I told her I’d go. But…but, I over slept. She’s dead because of me.”
Daniel didn’t respond. He crossed the living room and placed his hand on Trevor’s shoulder while kneeling beside him. “We all thought that we knew better. We all played some part. But you didn’t make her go. You didn’t make any of them go. That was their choice.”
Trevor wiped the tears from his cheek then stared Daniel in the face. “Yeah…yeah, you’re right. Get out of here already. I’m sure Max is waiting for you.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. You’re right…I know you’re right.”
Daniel grabbed Trevor and pulled him forward into his arms. “I love you man. It’ll get easier, I promise it will.”
Trevor collected himself and watched Daniel leave. Once he’d vanished down the hall, Trevor closed the door and sat down at the kitchen table.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled to himself and pulled a pocket knife from his jeans.
Flicking it open, he moved the placemat from the table, revealing a string of grooves that had been carved into the table. As he wiped the tears that rolled down his cheek, he dug the tip of the knife into the wood and finished his message.
“I couldn’t save you, I couldn’t save myself. Mckinsey, Keyon, Hanson, Antonio, Sherry & Trevor”
~~***~~
Alistair opened the door to the apartment and crept inside. He moved as quietly as he could, but his Mom was awake and sitting in the living room with a worried look on her face.
“Don’t know why you’re sneaking around,” Melinda said.
“I wasn’t sneaking.”
“Oh, you always tip-toe now?”
Alistair bit his lip and walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. Gulping it down, he set the cup onto the counter and turned to face his Mom. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what Alistair?”
“Back there with Craig?”
“Keep you alive? Why don’t I want my son going on a suicide mission? Is that what you want to know?”
“Suicide mission? Staying here is a suicide mission. You know what’s going on, don’t you?”
“Why don’t you fill me in.”
“This place is falling apart. In a few weeks we’re all gonna suffocate. The ventilation systems are gonna shut down and we’re gonna die, stuck down here in the dark.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“What! Dramatic? Mom, this is happening. And you want me to wait down here and die? What about David and Charlie, you want that for them? I’m sorry I can’t do that. I have to find a way to keep us alive. It’s what Dad would’ve done.”
“You’re not your dad. You can’t keep running into every disaster, chasing after your father.”
“At least one of is still chasing after him.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Alistair!”
“I saw you with Thomas! You think people don’t know?”
Melinda gawked at him as the words lodged in her throat and strangled her esophagus. She turned away from him and fumed.
“So, you haven’t been sleeping with Thomas? Tell me I’m lying.”
“It’s none of your damn business who I sleep with. And your father is dead! He’s not coming back,” she cried out as tears rushed down her face.
Alistair took a deep breath and held it. With his jaw clenched, he slammed the cupboard shut and rushed toward the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Anywhere but here,” he snapped then marched outside.
CHAPTER 5
DON’T WAIT FOR TOMORROW
“You sure these things are gonna work?” Craig asked as he rifled through the closet of bio suits.
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” Max replied.
“That doesn’t instill much confidence. This isn’t a fucking game.”
“Yes, yes they’ll work. Jesus, calm down.”
“So, what now?”
We move the egg to operating level and bore out a path. There’s not much to it, we’re halfway there since the…” he paused.
Craig wrinkled his face and ran his fingers through his thinning red hair. “How likely is that to happen again?”
“Not at all. That wasn’t a mistake. Those kids had no reason to be in the shaft, it wasn’t operational.”
“All the same, could it happen again?”
“No! Nothing happened. We were venting toxic gases through that shaft. No one was authorized to be in there, okay? I’m really sick of hearing about this.”
Craig cut his eyes then pulled a suit out. It was heavy and made of a dense, rugged material. Thick metal O-rings connected the helmet and gloves and a flexible solar strip ran across the back.
Craig tugged at the sleeves then set the suit back down. “How long can we breathe in these things?”
“Depends on the air quality. Each suit can carry six hours of fresh air, but with the built-in scrubber we could run them for a day or two.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Max shook his head in agreement then whipped his head around as a loud buzz rang out through the facility.
“What the hell is that?” Craig shouted.
“Air sensor. There’s been a failure.”
Never Tomorrow Page 2