by Kip Nelson
It wasn't long before Nick was surrounded by women. They all came up to him, giggling and smiling, eager to pet Backdraft. They looked at Nick with wide eyes and all of them asked him about his adventures. He left out the more gruesome parts, figuring they didn't need to know. When he told them he was a firefighter a light sparkled in their eyes and they practically swooned. In his youth it had been a perk of the job, but now it was more like a hindrance. As he glanced around the camp he saw that a number of men were looking at him enviously. The last thing he needed was to make enemies. He also caught Tanya walking off with one of the boys in the camp. They were chatting happily. He was glad she was making a new friend, and yet he wondered if there was something more to it. But then again, why should he care? He had pushed her aside. It was good that people could find romance in this world, but romance always had been something for other people. Not for Nick.
A few women offered to show him around. Some were more obvious with their desire to be alone with him than others. In the end, a few led him around the camp and gave him a more detailed tour than the cursory one he had been given the previous night. The camp wove through the trees and he was impressed with how well they had managed to set things up. The plane, though, was a stark reminder of all they had been through. The metal shell gleamed under the sun. There still were some drops of rain trickling down the dented metal. In time he was sure that nature would take its hold and disintegrate the plane, slowing pulling it apart. As powerful as humanity liked to think it was, nature always would win.
His mood shifted when he was taken to the mass grave where those who had not been fortunate enough to survive had been buried. Some of the women sobbed and he realized they had lost loved ones in the crash. Everyone had lost somebody. Nick wasn't alone in his mourning. He spoke of John and what a good friend he had been. Gillian, who had joined the group, heard Nick's words and placed a hand on his shoulder in sympathy.
“We try not to talk with sadness when we speak of the dead. We try remembering the good things they experienced in life. It is not always easy, but we find it is often for the best. None of us know why we survived when they died, but we try honoring them by living our lives to the fullest, with grace and happiness.”
Nick found her words comforting, and he spoke well of John. It didn't help, though. Anger still burned deep down in the pit of his stomach. He was glad he had survived, but what good was it if he couldn't avenge his firefighter brother? He was only one man, though, and he was a firefighter, not a soldier. He could not raise an army.
Soon enough, a man called Ethan approached him and asked to borrow him from the ladies. They all sighed, and Nick played it off for laughs. It did bother him, though. All of them liked him, yet none of them knew him. He wondered if it was possible for any of them to ever truly know him. The only person he'd opened himself up to was Samantha. That relationship had failed the first time they'd been tested. As soon as she had had a better career opportunity, it was clear they weren't meant to be together. She had dreams of a big city, while Nick wanted to stay and protect the place he'd always known. Now he was out in the forest, and she was...somewhere.
“Some of us are going on a hunt,” Ethan said, “we wondered if you'd like to join us?”
Nick thanked him and gladly accepted. It would do him good to feel like he was doing something productive. Everyone in this camp had a role to play, and if he was going to stay there for the foreseeable future, then he would have to find his role. That was the first time he had thought about staying here. He hadn't talked about it with Cosmo and Tanya yet. He doubted Cosmo would want to stay. Maybe Tanya wouldn't either. She said she needed to get to Alaska to find her parents. It was a risky business, though, traversing the country. Maybe the best thing they could do was to stay in this place and become a part of this group.
Before he went hunting with Ethan and the other men Nick went to talk to Cosmo, but as soon as he approached Cosmo disappeared into the darkness of the trees. Nick sighed and went off with the men on his own. It would have been good for Cosmo to bond with the men and see them as they were, not as the enemy. Nick still had Mikey's crossbow. In some ways it felt strange using a dead man's hunting weapon, but it had served Mikey well. Nick thought he would want it to be put to good use.
The six men, led by Ethan, who was a burly man with curled black hair that ran to his shoulders, fanned out through the forest. They didn't seem to care too much about being quiet as they teased and cajoled each other. They all bantered with Nick about how the women gravitated toward him. Nick took it in good humor. It reminded him of how he and his firefighter brothers had interacted with each other, although with that was accompanied by another swell of sadness. Some men were more jealous than others, though, and Nick made sure to watch his back just in case Cosmo was right.
It never hurt to be too careful.
Nick soon proved himself adept at hunting, and the men returned with a great deal of food for a feast. When they returned Nick was hailed as a star and he was fully accepted into the camp, with everyone congratulating him on the skill he had shown. Ethan told the story of the hunt, how Nick had stalked through the forest and how crossbow bolts flew from his weapon, embedding themselves in the hides of animals. The meat was cooked, and people rejoiced at the meal the land had provided for them. The sound and smell of sizzling meat filled the air, and Nick's stomach growled. He was sitting in the middle of the crowd with Backdraft at his feet. Meat was passed to him, and he handed some down to Backdraft. The dog ate as well as anybody that night. Nick barely spoke to Tanya and Cosmo. He searched the crowd and couldn't even see them there. Part of him wanted to go find them to make sure they were okay, but he wasn't given a moment to himself.
He tried playing down the day’s efforts, but those in the camp wouldn't hear of it. Soon he was beaming with pride and felt truly accepted by them. They all wanted to hear stories of the city, since none of them knew what it was like. Nick didn't want to say too much that would dispirit them, but he didn't want to lie to them either.
“The city is a dangerous place now, filled with dangerous people. There are those who are the opposite of you. They do not see the chance they have been given for a new life. All they wish to do is to tear people down and make them miserable. I'm glad I found you all because it has shown me there are still people out there who want to live, and live well. But please, I'd like to hear more of your stories.”
As they shared meat, people shared tales of their past. Most of them expressed sorrow about family they never would see again, loved ones who were far off on the opposite side of the country. Nick listened intently to all they had to say, and his heart went out to each and every one of them. Everyone had their burdens, and in that moment, he knew that everyone who survived had that in common, and even though the world was a dark and grim place, none of them were alone. They all were bonded by the fact that they had lived through the end of the world. Gillian's story was perhaps the most harrowing. Nick got the sense that everyone had heard it before, and yet it had not lost any power in the retelling.
“I and my husband were flying home from a short break, ready to see the kids. The plane went down. A tree came through the window and slammed into his chest. I watched him die, and I never got to say goodbye. The stupid thing was that I insisted he sit next to the window. It so easily could have been me. And now, miles away, I worry about our children. The worst thing is they don't know what happened to us. And I know that, as much as we can make this place into a good place, there always will be a part of me that wonders what happened to them. Maybe one day we'll all reunite, though. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that miracles can happen.”
Many of their stories were like that. They reminded Nick of how fire survivors had spoken. Nick wondered how they managed to remain so spirited in the face of such adversity. Perhaps that was just the effect a near-death experience had.
Chapter Three
Nick and Tanya both were stupid. Why were they no
t listening to him? It was clear that these people were up to something, and Cosmo was going to find out what it was. It would have been easier if Tanya and Nick were helping him, but he didn't need them. He didn't need anyone. If Tanya wanted to go with that boy, then it was her mistake to make. Nick, well, he was a different story.
When Nick approached him to go hunting Cosmo's eyes almost popped out of his head. He couldn't believe Nick would put himself in such a vulnerable position. He almost went just so Nick had someone watching his back. For all they knew, this could be how these people controlled newcomers to their camp. They may have taken them out hunting and killed them. It would be easy to pass off as an accident. So far, Cosmo only had these people's words to go on that they were good and kind, but they already had admitted there was a mass grave. Maybe it wasn't just filled with the bodies of the plane crash victims.
A hundred different conspiracies ran through Cosmo's mind. There was a dark undertone to the world, a secret cabal who controlled things. Only a few had been aware of it, but their books had been ridiculed by those who were afraid of the truth. Cosmo had read them all, though. It wouldn't have surprised him if this entire apocalypse had been the work of that select few, but Cosmo couldn't deal with them. What he could deal with were this group of people. He would seek the truth and reveal it to the world. If Nick and Tanya didn't believe him, then they could be damned, too. It was a shame because he owed Nick his life, but there was only so much Cosmo could do.
He'd been up all night thinking, too afraid to sleep, and he knew that if there was truth to be found, it would be in the plane. That was the key to this whole mystery. Frankly, Cosmo didn't buy their story. Miracles were called miracles for a reason – they were impossible. There was always a story behind a miracle. These people weren't telling the truth. Every fiber of Cosmo's being was telling him that. Every sense he had was warning him that there was danger around. He had ignored it at the farm because they had been so desperate for shelter. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again. They had had a narrow escape, thanks to Nick, but there had been only one old farmer to contend with. Here there were plenty of people to take advantage of them, and Cosmo was sure they were just biding their time. He watched as Nick walked away with the men, and was glad that at least there would be fewer people in the camp to interfere with his own plans.
Everyone had their own little tasks, and nobody was really paying attention to Cosmo, which was the way he liked it. It had been the same for most of his life. He was one of those people who slipped through the cracks. Sometimes it annoyed him, but other times it was an advantage. He was able to slip into the rear door of the plane without anyone noticing him. The plane was at an angle. Oxygen masks hung down above the seats. The luggage compartments were open. There were gaps where rows of seats had been wrenched out and used in the camp. The plane was just a shell. All the food already had been taken out and used, as had the cutlery and other tools. At the other end, the door to the cockpit was shut. There were marks where people had tried wrenching it open. The only way into the cockpit now was through the cracked window at the front.
Cosmo didn't know where he was going to find the truth, but he had to start somewhere. Systematically, he went through the plane, starting at the top compartments then working his way down below the seats. These people were good alright. They had stripped the plane and made sure there was nothing left. Cosmo was better. He was eagle-eyed, and nothing escaped his notice. Everyone made mistakes, and he would find theirs. All he needed was a little time...
“What are you doing in here?” a gruff voice snapped.
Cosmo turned. He was halfway down the plane, on his hands and knees, looking under the seats. He pushed himself up and tried wearing a friendly smile. He'd been introduced to so many people that he couldn't remember this man's name, but he looked older than Cosmo. One lens in his glasses was cracked.
“I just thought I'd have a look around. Planes always have been something of an interest of mine, but I haven't the opportunity to travel much. I thought I'd take a look to see what one’s like. It's strange to be on one without being jostled around by everyone else.”
The other man looked at Cosmo with narrowed eyes. “We don't really like people coming on here. It's a symbol of the new world we're creating here. It's something of a sacred place. You know we've all been through a lot on this plane. This is the place of our rebirth.”
“I understand. I hoped you wouldn't mind, given that you've all been so friendly and welcoming. It was my mistake. It's a curious way of phrasing it, though. A sacred place. Do you really believe that?”
“It's a figure of speech for the most part. It's just that this is important to all of us. We all went through a profound change when we crashed. Nobody came out of it the same person. We got on this plane as strangers and we came off it as a family.”
He spoke with reverence in his voice and placed a palm against the side of the plane. His eyes closed as though he was in communion with some higher power through the shell of the vessel. Cosmo stared at him with incredulity. It all sounded like hogwash to him.
“This shared near-death experience brought us all closer together and gave us a new perspective on life. It is not easy for anyone who did not go through it to understand, but it was a profound change. We soon realized that, even though we were different, we all were the same. Even though we were from different walks of life, we had so much in common, and we could come together as one people. It is a wonderful understanding, and we truly hope that other people can see the light just as we have done. Tell me of your suffering.”
Cosmo arched an eyebrow. He'd never had much time for this free love crap. As far as he was concerned people needed to be a little less free with the people they loved. Still, he knew he had to humor the man if he was going to get to the heart of the matter.
“My suffering is great. I walked a lonely path when the world went dark, and I almost died myself, yet Nick came to my rescue. He was my savior and I have pledged my life to him, in the hope that one day I will be able to repay that debt. It is because of him that I stand before you now, and I, too, know the pain of being close to death. Since then I vowed to never walk alone. I am honored that you have brought us into your community. I can feel the energy of your rebirth surging through this vessel. I felt drawn to it.”
The man walked up to him and, for a moment, Cosmo worried that his performance had faltered. However, the man took a deep breath and placed a hand on Cosmo's heart. “I can feel your pain, brother. Let your heart be calmed. You are one of us.”
Cosmo didn't know about that. The man turned, but it was clear he wasn't going to leave Cosmo on the plane. Cosmo walked away and skulked around the camp. Even when the mill had been burning his life hadn't flashed before his eyes. The only thing he remembered feeling was sheer breathless panic. He didn't know what Kool-Aid these people had been sipping, but he was more convinced than ever they were crazy. Yet, he didn't know how to convince Nick or Tanya.
Nick still was out hunting, so Cosmo went to the river, following Tanya and her new friend. Cosmo watched them from the trees, catching snippets of conversation. It was clear the boy liked Tanya. Whether she felt the same in return was another matter entirely. There was something strange about her, something that Cosmo couldn't quite put his finger on. It was as though she was hiding something, but he didn't know what it was she had to hide. Even with this new guy she seemed guarded, like she wasn't fully sure how to act. Maybe the threat was closer to home after all. Cosmo wasn't going to let anything happen to Nick. He'd already failed once by not seeing how much of a threat David was. Thank God they didn't have to worry about him anymore. Cosmo rarely spared a thought for that man. He probably hadn't even made it out of the storm unscathed. There were too many people out there looking to hurt them, too many people who were selfish and only could think for themselves.
Cosmo stayed to the shadows and kept quiet as the day drew on. He listened for anything incriminating
around the camp, but he only heard inane chatter. These people were keeping their plans very close to their chests. Before it grew dark, the hunting party returned. Cosmo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Nick had returned, although he didn't like how close he seemed to be with the men now. If they had bonded, it would be harder to convince Nick when the time came.
Cosmo waited and watched patiently as the food was handed out. He waited for other people to eat and swallow the meat before he started chewing on it. He listened to what people had to say as they went around and talked of their pasts. He noticed how Nick didn't tell them the whole truth about the city. That was good. At least Nick wasn't giving them everything. There was an underlying tension to the evening. Cosmo caught some people exchanging surreptitious glances. He wasn't quite sure what they meant. It was surely nothing good. Cosmo kept his guard up, and was watching in the places where Nick wasn't. If Nick was dead set on trusting these people, then it was up to Cosmo to maintain suspicion and make sure to keep them safe.
He was so concerned with observing how people acted that he only was half-listening to the stories they told. He wasn't even sure if they all were true. They were sad, of course, but then everyone had a bit of sadness in their lives. It didn't do anyone any good to wallow in it. Cosmo had learned that a long time ago. Sadness was a waste of energy, as was caring about people. It was much safer and easier going it alone...unless you were fool enough to let a match slip while in a watermill, of course, but Cosmo didn't like to think too much about that.
No, life was easier with as few people as possible. He'd made a decision a long time ago to care about one person and one person only. Himself. There was nobody else who he had to answer to. Nobody else he had to justify himself to. The only reason he was looking out for Nick is because he had a debt to repay. Cosmo always paid his debts. But when that was paid, he would be on his way again and he wouldn't have to worry about who was going to stab him in the back.
