by GM Gambrell
Twenty Five
They sat under the improvised tent for another three days and Duncan regretted bringing NAME along. Though the weather information from his friend in space had been interesting, they would have figured out that it was raining on their own. And now they couldn’t move because he couldn’t move. They were slaves to his solar panels and batteries, and Duncan, sullen and depressed from losing so much time to the rain, was blaming NAME. The computer was interesting enough, a tie to a time that he would never see, but its constant fits into movie quotes and lack of general mobility were hampering their progress.
Sir Dog was going absolutely crazy in the small confines, and no amount of treats from their stores would keep him calm. He’d go to the flap, stare out into the Creeping Death and rain for a few moments, then return to Jessica’s lap, whining. The dog didn’t like being trapped and reminded them of it with every whimper and every whine.
For three nights, he watched as the storms raced across the sky. In the dead of night, with the flash of lightning, he’d see the Golem running in circles around the camp with no visible purpose and never saying a word. Every time he saw them, he thought of the lonely voices in the Void. Jessica cried in her sleep, and he knew she was dreaming of them too. He’d told her of his experience as a Golem during their stay in the tent. She knew, as he did now, that these mad creatures in the Wastes were in fact what the Magicians were summoning and controlling. They had no idea where they came from, though, and the only hint to their origin was their ancient and torn clothing, and even that held no clue that he could discern.
After three days, the clouds finally parted and the rain stopped. The pulled down the tent but didn’t move for the rest of the morning as NAME slowly recharged his batteries. Even after they finally got moving, they still had to stop often and let the computer recharge. The mud was still thick and the exertion on the ancient machinery a constant drain. After another night camping in the Wastes, they finally came to a terrain that was different from the miles and miles of mud. Everything was still dead from the Creeping Death, but the land gave way to rock and gravel. NAME moved easier and they were able to make better time.
Soon they came to hills and mountains and made their way through valleys and over the high peaks. They passed hundreds of caves as they made their way through the rocky terrain. Some went back into hillsides just a few feet while others went farther than they could see. They heard sounds from some of the caves, scratching sounds and things breaking, and as Jessica shied away from them, frightened, he tried to comfort her.
“I’m sure it’s some animals.”
“Animals don’t live in the Creeping Death.”
Duncan shrugged. The noises from the black depths of the cave bothered him just as much, but he didn’t want to show it. It wouldn’t due for them all to be in a panic, and he thought that if they could get out of the hills by nightfall they’d be safe. Safe from what, he didn’t know, but hopefully safe.
He couldn’t help but laugh at that. Where in the world was safe, anymore? Even the Magical cities wouldn’t be safe as their magic faded.
“You’re in a merry mood today, Mr. Todd,” NAME said, stuck in movie mode again.
“I don’t know that merry is the word for it,” Duncan said as they started up a small hill. There were openings in the ground to each of the natural path they followed, looking like vents into the earth. The noises were stronger there, closer to the surface. Jessica gripped his hand tightly.
NAME began to act erratically. He spun in circles, raced back and forth, starting and stopping quickly. His motorized camera bobbed up and down frantically.
“What is it, NAME?” Duncan asked.
“They’re here….”
The ground began to shake violently beneath them, sending them to their knees. Rocks of all sizes rolled down the hills around them and the air was charged with electricity. The rock beneath them was like the waves on the ocean, whipping them around violently. Duncan struggled to get to Jessica, who was gripping Sir Dog for all she was worth. The small dog was howling but the sound was drowned out by the earthquake that sounded like a thousand helicopters combined.
He crawled on his hands and knees toward Jessica as a large crack began to form between them. He tried to call out to her but was drowned out by the rocks falling and the ground shaking. He watched helplessly as the crack in the ground widened and Jessica tried to scramble away from the edge. She had Sir Dog in her arms, though, and it was difficult for her to move. The small dog leapt from her grip just as she tumbled over the edge, holding on only by her right hand. Duncan managed to stand and leap across the growing chasm, landing on his knees. He turned quickly and grabbed Jessica’s hand.
“It’s okay!” he screamed. “I’ve got you!”
Jessica was absolutely terrified, her feet hanging into the chasm beneath her. She gripped the shaking rock so hard her fingernails cracked and bled. She tried reaching up to him with her other arm but the ground shook even harder and she lost her grip on the ground.
He watched helplessly as she fell into the dark. He turned to NAME, who was turned onto his side, wheels spinning, and trying to right itself with its camera. “Take care of the dog.”
“May the force be with you.”
And then Duncan leapt into the crack after Jessica.