by Steve Stred
“What gives us the privilege of your presence this morning?”
“Your mother is trying to help me with an... issue. Being the smartest person on the ship, only she can solve this riddle.”
“I see. Morning, Mom.”
“Morning, love.”
Lizzie sits and eavesdrops on the adults, hearing some of their hushed back and forth.
It doesn’t take long for Lizzie to understand what’s happening.
“Will my mom get sick too?”
Both adults stop speaking. Neither turn to look at Lizzie, both trying to formulate their reply.
It was Lizzie’s mom who answered.
“We believe so. Unless I can find a formula to stop how it affects us on a cellular level.”
“How long do you have, Mr. Eldridge?”
“We don’t know. Weeks? Days?”
“I hope you can help him, Mom.”
Lizzie leaves them to talk.
Returning to their room, Lizzie crawls back under the sheets and closes both eyes, wishing they’d never entered the kitchen.
“He is an amazing man,” Dr. Light said.
“I’m sure he was.”
Dr. Light didn’t take the bait thrown her way with the use of ‘was’. Instead she flipped through her notepad, took another drink and then looked back at Lizzie.
“Tell me more about Savannah.”
Savannah
Chapter Nine
“I’m sorry my mom is taking me out of school.”
Lizzie and Savannah are sitting together on an Observation Level, watching the Earth rotate before them. The edge of the sphere was always something Lizzie loved examining. Seeing the light illuminate the clouds and the land below filled them with a surreal scope of enormity. As though something this massive shouldn’t exist so close to them, out in the vast open space.
Turning, Lizzie finds Savannah’s teary eyes. Leaning in, they share a tentative kiss, a secret kept from all others. Lizzie wipes the water from Savannah’s cheeks before moving closer. Feeling Savannah’s body heat was always reassuring. The thought that it wouldn’t be happening much longer was driving a spear between Lizzie’s lungs.
“She’s just trying to protect you. Decision day is coming soon. Salvation or Eradication. Either way... our lives as we know it will end.”
“But I don’t want to live without you.”
“I do love you.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry I’m staying in school.”
“I know.”
“Look at how stunning the water on Earth looks today,” Lizzie says.
“You’ve never been a ghost to me, Lizzie,” Savannah replies. “I knew how special you were the very first day we met.”
“I know.”
They sit and watch the Earth spin for the next few hours, until the ship’s timed power reduction dims the lights, and a soft voice suggests all inhabitants return to their Sleeping Levels.
“Would you like to come spend the night at my home?” Lizzie asks, knowing the answer as soon as the question was asked.
“Maybe some other time. My mom is expecting me. I’ll see you soon,” said Savannah, the two sharing one last kiss.
Lizzie watches her walk away, towards the elevator heading lower.
Another lonely night would be spent in the silent house. Lizzie had decided to remain there after Mom passed away, even if it meant an existence eerily similar to living on the Ward Level.
“When was the last time you spoke with Savannah?” Dr. Light asked.
“I haven’t.”
“Since she told you she was leaving school?”
“Yeah.”
“Why haven’t you?”
“Not sure. I feel like maybe it’s better that we parted on such sweet terms than for her to know I’ve been chosen for Salvation and that we only have so much time together before I jump.”
“Do you think you’re ready for Salvation?”
“Salvation or Eradication, either way I’d be leaving the ship. What’s left here for me? Mom’s gone.”
“Savannah is still here. So is Eric.”
“I can’t love others if I’ll never love myself.”
“Why do you believe that?”
“Look at me. I’m just me. Mom may have said I’m special, but being special didn’t save her. Being special isn’t going to keep me here with Savannah or Eric. I’m going to be jumping. When I miss my orb, then what?”
“Lizzie, you have two people who care deeply about you. If I could put in a request to have your Salvation revoked and have you live your life on the Labor Level, would you want that?”
“You can do that?”
“I can.”
“Would you?”
“If you asked.”
“If I stayed, would someone else be selected?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll jump.”
“Why?”
“If I stayed and someone else wouldn’t be selected, that would mean by default, someone else would be jettisoned, correct?”
Dr. Light’s lips pursed; her shoulders shifted. Her eyes darted back and forth.
“Correct.”
“I’d rather sacrifice myself than someone else. That would be awfully selfish of me to stay and willingly kill someone else.”
“That is a very responsible way to approach it.”
“More responsible than Empyrean’s approach.”
Dr. Light remained silent; her gaze was telling Lizzie that she was on the edge of an outburst herself.
“Let’s get back on track. Tell me about Eric.”
“Why?”
“I want to know more.”
“I thought you were going to tell me about the orbs and absorption?”
“I will. First, tell me about Eric. He’s going to be your jump partner. He’s been very efficient in his simulation tests. When did you first meet?”
“In class. He sat on the far side of the room. We never spoke until Savannah left.”
“Why was that?”
“He said I intimidated him.”
The first day that Lizzie arrived at class without Savannah was strange.
She wasn’t waiting for Lizzie. She wasn’t sitting beside Lizzie’s desk. They didn’t eat lunch or whisper to each other while the day went on.
It wasn’t until Lizzie was leaving at the end of the day that someone spoke to them.
“It’s Lizzie, right?”
Lizzie turned and saw one of the older students standing there, smiling.
“Uh... yeah. Eric, right?”
“Wow didn’t think you knew my name. Where’s your friend?”
“She’s been pulled. She’s on the Labor Level now.”
“Oh, wow. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“That’s OK.”
“You mind if I walk with you to the elevators?”
“Why?”
Eric laughed, embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“I don’t have many friends, and I’ve been meaning to introduce myself to you two.”
“I see. Scared?”
“Yes.”
Lizzie was surprised by his admission.
“Decision is coming soon.”
“Yeah,” he said and sighed. “I don’t know how it’ll go, but I don’t want to die.”
Lizzie nodded.
“Sometimes we can only accept that what’s inside is a filled-up void.”
“My heart feels colder. My parents don’t seem to care either way. For them, one less mouth to feed, one less person under foot.”
“My mom’s dead.”
Eric looked at Lizzie, having never met someone quite like them.
“You intrigue me, Lizzie.”
“Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Sure, let’s walk.”
The two walked towards the elevators, Lizzie wondering how Eric would respond when he got onto his elevator and Lizzie took the Royal one.
He
was a good half-foot taller than Lizzie, but height didn’t mean anything when you were eradicated.
“Which level do you live on?” he asked, pushing the button for his level.
“I have to take that elevator,” Lizzie replied, pointing to the further one.
“Oh? Wow. I didn’t realize.”
“All good, no need to make a big deal out of it. I was a Ward who was adopted by a Royal.”
“Ah. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“You will.”
The rest of the night, Lizzie was perplexed. Was it purely the attention shown from Eric that created excitement? Or was there an honest-to-goodness physical reaction?
The house had always felt hollow and forgotten when Lizzie returned home, but tonight it felt completely void of living energy. The abrupt leaving of Savannah and the introduction of Eric had created an internal chaos Lizzie would need to take some time to contemplate. Lizzie just wished the house was more inviting.
“Does it make you feel happy or sad that you’re jumping with Eric?”
“Neither.”
“How do you think it makes Eric feel?”
“Happy.”
“How does it make you feel that Eric is happy about this?”
“Nothing. I feel nothing. I just want to jump, get it over with and find out what happens whether I catch my orb or I don’t.”
“Ahhh, so now you think you may catch it?”
“Seriously?”
“Lizzie, I need to try and mentally prepare you for that monumental moment.”
“Have you ever been a Ward, Dr. Light?”
“No.”
“Nothing can even come close to the sensation of someone accepting you and adopting you. Mom gave me that moment already. Now, I’m supposed to believe that leaping off the ship and catching my orb will be the greatest moment of my life? Doubt it.”
“What if the future in the orb is with your mom?”
“You already suggested that, Dr. Light.”
“And what did you answer?”
“What does it matter?”
“Do you think when Eric pictures his future in his orb that you’re there beside him?”
“I’ve never considered that.”
“Tell me more about Eric.”
Lizzie knew that Eric had more than ‘let’s be friends’ feelings from the start. He didn’t make unwanted advances or anything like that, but Lizzie understood his intentions. Not that Lizzie was going to reciprocate those emotions, especially with longing for Savannah.
When Lizzie thought back on any definitive moments in their relationship, one stuck out more than anything. The day after the class had been selected, Eric had looked everywhere for Lizzie.
Lizzie had taken the elevator down to the Labor Level, but when the doors opened, the confidence to walk out and find Savannah had left immediately.
Lizzie returned to the dark house, most of the windows closed, the light restricted from illuminating the rooms beyond.
Sitting on a couch in the living space, Lizzie felt hopelessly lost. The desire to head to the Incinerator Level and burn up before being jettisoned appeared to be the best option.
A soft knock on the door surprised Lizzie, causing a hurried rush to the door and wide eyes once it was opened.
“Eric?”
“Hey.”
“What’re you doing up here?”
“I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you?”
“Nope.”
He didn’t ask for permission, just acted as a best friend should. Eric wrapped Lizzie into a hug, his huge frame engulfing the smaller one.
They sat and talked for some time. Lizzie shared more with Eric than even Savannah. Something had switched that allowed for unquestioned, implicit trust in him. On the cusp of adulthood, it was sorrowful to stop and think that neither of them had much time left on the revolving ship.
“Are you excited to jump?” Eric asked.
“Not at all. You?”
“Absolutely.”
Silence visited them for some time, the ethereal stillness of two souls longing.
Eventually Eric stood, suggesting he would head home.
“You can spend the night here if you’d like,” Lizzie replied, immediately regretting any connotation of sexual suggestion. “You’ve never seen what the night sky looks like from the Royal Level, have you?”
“No. I’ve never been to the High Levels before. I really shouldn’t stay. I wouldn’t want anyone to think anything impure about our friendship.”
“OK. Thank you for coming, it does mean a lot.”
Lizzie took his hand and squeezed it, feeling guilt immediately. A longing for Savannah reared up, but the warmth Eric caused within suppressed that.
Eric let himself out, plunging Lizzie back into the fragile emptiness the house now hosted.
“Lizzie, would you like to pause todays debrief here and meet again tomorrow?”
Lizzie hadn’t believed that was an option.
“I thought we were here until we finished?”
“Nope. Debriefing is a key part of jump preparation. I think I’ve pushed you far enough today.”
“OK. Do I just come here whenever?”
“Yes, you’re my only client. We take on one member of the selected group for Salvation each time. When you scan in, I’ll be summoned.”
“So, is this your way of not sharing about the orbs?”
Dr. Light chuckled, waving her hand.
“We’ll see how tomorrow goes.”
They said their goodbyes, the VR set detaching and resetting. Lizzie stumbled off the hard seat, legs unsure and asleep. The numbness and tingling was an awkward sensation.
Outside of the debrief room, Lizzie had expected to find Eric, but instead discovered an empty space, the only sound the buzzing of the VR sets.
Home
Chapter Ten
Lizzie found Eric sitting on the front step of the shadow house.
“Hey,” he said, standing when Lizzie approached.
Before another word was spoken, Lizzie stepped into Eric and kissed him. He drew back at the unexpected act, but then reciprocated once he saw that Lizzie wasn’t playing a joke.
“Wow, Lizzie,” Eric said, once he’d regained his composure.
“Sorry,” came the reply.
“Don’t be sorry. That was... amazing. But, seriously, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I know it’s something you’ve wished for. We don’t have many days left together or even on the ship. I didn’t want to not let you experience what you truly wanted but couldn’t ask for.”
“Lizzie, you are the strangest person I’ve ever met,” Eric said, laughing.
“Thank you. Would you like to come inside? I can make us some dinner.”
“No, thank you. I was stopping by to see if you were OK. I have to visit the nurses tonight to do blood work one more time before jump day. When do you need to do blood work?”
“I’m not sure, Dr. Light hasn’t mentioned it. I’m seeing her tomorrow again.”
“Ah, that explains it. You’ll need to do it tomorrow after debriefing then. You ready for the big day?”
“No. You?”
“Absolutely.”
Eric left, leaving Lizzie sitting on the steps of the house that no longer felt like a home, on a level of a ship that was expelling them in a few days. The Earth shared some of its beauty with Lizzie while sitting there, before getting up and entering.
An aching for Eric returned once in bed, but Lizzie shut both eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter Eleven
Lizzie felt strange returning to the Debriefing Level alone.
Checking in was straightforward, and shortly Lizzie was sitting in the chair looking at the smiling face of Dr. Light.
“Only one more day. Nervous?”
“Nope.”
“Excited?”
“Nope.”
&nbs
p; “Anything?”
“Annoyed,” Lizzie replied, which garnered a chuckle from the doctor.
“Did you have time to examine your thoughts on how you really feel about Eric?”
“I did. I told him and showed him last night that I love him.”
Dr. Light’s eyebrows raised, hearing Lizzie’s description.
“Showed him? Dare I ask?”
“We kissed,” Lizzie replied.
“I have to say, you’ve surprised me Lizzie. I didn’t think you’d allow Eric the knowledge of your feelings. That’s a very mature step.”
“Can I go now?”
“No, no. I have a few more questions to ask you.”
“Like what?”
“Well, tell me, when you jumped in the simulator and you successfully caught the orb, what did you sense in the simulated absorption?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“As soon as I caught it, the simulator sounded and everyone around me began screaming and cheering. Was I supposed to feel something?”
Dr. Light stared at Lizzie, face emotionless for an uncomfortably long time before speaking.
“Are you ever going to tell me the truth of the orbs? Absorption?”
“Do you really want to know what we think happens?”
“Wait? You don’t actually know? Were you just leading me on then?”
“We know a little, Lizzie. No one’s ever come back. What we do believe is…”
Lizzie made a pained noise. Frustration boiling over.
“Oh, hell. OK, I’m done for today. Am I to come back tomorrow? I’m assuming I need to simulate again and Eric mentioned blood work?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow. No blood work yet.”
Chapter Twelve
The elevator return trip to the Home Level was accompanied by an ominous feeling that had been sitting like a dense rock in Lizzie’s stomach.
Something was off.
When the doors slid open, the level beyond was in full deterioration mode.
Lizzie knew that Empyrean would remodel the space once no one lived in it, but Lizzie was shocked to see that it had already begun. Maybe they’d believed Lizzie would’ve relocated by now in preparation for the big jump?
