by Steve Stred
A needle was inserted, vial after vial of dark red fluid pumping forth. After what seemed like ages, the nurse took a small device from her pocket, placed it to the insertion hole where the blood had been drawn and squeezed. Lizzie smelled the distinct smell of burning flesh, the spot cauterized.
“You may return to your level,” the nurse said, walking briskly away.
“I don’t have a level,” Lizzie called out after them, but received no response.
“Well, fuck.”
Lizzie retraced the steps necessary to exit the level, breathing easier once in the elevator.
Unsure where to go, Lizzie pressed the button for the Dormitory Level, hoping to bump into Eric.
Travelling down the levels, a million thoughts flooded through Lizzie’s head, but the dream that continued to visit each night was front and center. The kids, the serene beauty of the world, the trails of smoke travelling behind the bombs that went up and up and up.
Before they exploded, the elevator stopped and the door opened. Stepping out, a shudder rolled across Lizzie’s body.
The nano-bots were hard at work here, hard at work dismantling the level for repurposing.
Chapter Nineteen
Lizzie wasn’t sure why it had never occurred to them on the way to the Dormitory Level. The same thing had happened with the High Level and the house. The class had been selected, the area would need to be cleansed and returned to a pristine, untouched living space.
One not tainted by the recently departed.
Lizzie was lost as to what to do now. There had been no instructions on pre-jump protocols or expectations. Were they all supposed to return to the simulator? Was there a special level for them to sleep peacefully one last time before leaping from the ship?
An idea struck, one that seemed foolish but also possible.
Returning to the elevator, Lizzie popped the panel down that was hidden beside the buttons. Royals and High Level citizens knew of this access panel, but it wasn’t something that was shared.
Lizzie pushed the call button, a chime sounded and a woman spoke.
“How may I be of assistance?”
“I’ve been selected for Salvation and I jump tomorrow. My home has been dismantled and the Dormitory Level is currently being repurposed. Where am I supposed to go?”
A chime sounded again, the woman replied.
“Students chosen for Salvation will receive instructions at the Jump Level. I will transport you there now. Be warned, it is the lowest level of the ship, the descent can be unsettling.”
“Thank you.”
“Please, pop the access panel back into place and hang on.”
Lizzie did as instructed. Once it clicked into the spot, Lizzie grasped the rail and braced.
The elevator plunged down, feeling as though it had failed and that it would crash through the bottom of the shaft and eject both occupant and car into space.
After an agonizingly long drop, the car gradually slowed until Lizzie no longer worried about an imminent death. Soon, it came to a halt. The door opened and Lizzie stepped out into a mixture of nervous banter, excited movement, and faces flooded with emotion.
“Ah, Lizzie, there you are. Now we can go over the last bit of preparation and you can all go eat and have a relaxing night before the big day tomorrow.”
The man clapped his hands and motioned for the students to follow. Lizzie recognized them all with varying degrees. Some had shaved their heads for a better fit in their helmets, others hadn’t shaved their faces since selection day, scruffy beards aging them. All in all, the group of students were about to go through the same experience. They’d all step to the edge, receive one last instruction, and then leap through the stratosphere, looking for their orb.
They entered a smaller room, old wooden benches lining the walls. It was clear that this space wasn’t used often, and with it being a place only utilized before a group of students was about to jump, it didn’t need to be fancy or comfortable.
“Everyone, settle. Thank you. My name is Jack Eldridge. You may recognize the last name. I am a Royal, a descendant of Mr. Eldridge himself, the creator of Empyrean. I have the privilege of going through the final preparations with you for your big day, and I will be there tomorrow to help you jump.”
A palpable energy emitted from the group, the celebrity worship of a living and breathing Eldridge before them making the rounds.
“Tomorrow will be the single greatest moment of each of your lives. In the morning, you will wake up, finding breakfast will be waiting. Eat. Shower. Take a moment to reflect individually about what being selected for Salvation means to you. A chime will sound, similar to this one,” he pushed a small black device in his hand, a chime emanating, “at which point you will make your way here. Once you arrive, each of you will have a team to help you suit up, check your helmet and then direct you into the jumping order. It has been randomly chosen. I know you are excited, scared, unsure, nervous, so many things. But, I want to assure you, the hardest part will be the leap tomorrow.”
“What if we can’t jump?”
For a second Lizzie believed they’d asked the question, as it was on the tip of their tongue, but then realized it was from a sheepish boy huddled in the far corner. The color of his face and the sweat on his forehead suggested he was moments from puking.
“Salvation is mandatory. You have been specifically selected by Mr. Eldridge himself so that each of you will achieve your futures. I don’t want to alarm you or upset you, but once at the edge, you can jump. Or if not, we have steps in place to ensure you leave the platform.”
“You’ll push us?” the boy asked.
“No, no. I assure you not. Much like the simulations, a countdown will sound, a jump alarm will alert you that it is time to jump. If you do not jump within five seconds, the section of platform you are standing on will unhinge and you will find yourself in free fall. We only have so much time available for you all to jump. Due to the Earth’s rotation, the ship's revolutions, and the area that the orbs ascend, we need to stay on schedule.”
That revelation dropped the excitement by a few notches in the room, as they all grasped the reality of what was to happen tomorrow. It was no longer a thing, an event, it was something that had to happen and would, by any means necessary.
“Alright, if there’s no more questions,” he pointed at the first six students sitting to his left, “you six can come with me. I’ll lead you through the walk up ramp, the platform, and then you are free to head to the cafeteria. Eat, head to your assigned room for the evening, and try to get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day. For you and for the ship.”
The first six shuffled off after the man, leaving the rest to sit in stunned silence.
Lizzie had expected hushed conversations to begin, but instead everyone had their heads bowed, eyes at the floor. It was only then that Lizzie realized Eric was not in the room.
Chapter Twenty
A thousand questions rapidly flooded Lizzie’s brain as the search for Eric began.
Taking their time, Lizzie looked at each and every student sitting in the room, not expecting to find him but hoping he would be sitting there. Why he wouldn’t be sitting beside Lizzie was unknown, but when his face wasn’t spotted, a more alarming question fired off inside; where exactly was he?
They were a tandem, selected to jump together. Now, on the night before the big day, Eric wasn’t here? Lizzie was surprised to feel a sting of hurt, a burning pain that forced itself beside the rising anger.
“Excuse me?”
Nobody noticed, nor pretended to care.
“Excuse me?” Lizzie said louder, getting the attention of the lady who’d been standing near Jack Eldridge.
“Yes?”
“My jump partner, Eric. He’s not here.”
“He should be. You were the last student we were waiting on. One moment, let me check.”
The lady left the room. Once gone the hushed conversations now started, some of the stud
ents glancing over at Lizzie and away again when they saw a returned glare.
The lady returned with Eric walking behind her. He didn’t look well. His face was a match for the boy in the corner.
“Are you OK?” Lizzie asked.
“I’m not doing so well. Think nerves. Sorry, I had to rush off. I didn’t want to vomit on anyone.”
Lizzie started laughing. At first it was a low giggle before it transformed into full on howling.
“What’s so funny?” Eric asked, appearing angry.
“I just can’t believe you, of all people, were nervous and threw up.”
Eric chuckled a bit now, the queasiness preventing a full laugh.
“Sure, laugh it up.”
They bumped shoulders, Lizzie feeling a sense of security that he was in fact here. They kept giggling about Eric’s state until they were summoned.
Lizzie took Eric’s hand as they waited for the pair before them to finish.
Once Jack Eldridge waved them up, Lizzie found an unexpected anxiety rushing forth. Eric was breathing heavy, confirming he felt the same.
“Greetings. Lizzie, Eric,” Jack said, nodding as the two stepped onto the platform.
“OK. Tomorrow, big day, big day, big day,” he said, excitedly rubbing his hands together. Lizzie noticed his nails were uncut, long. Dirt was crusted around them, which caused a repulsed response. “Now, let me look at you two. This’ll never do.” He sized up Lizzie, examined Eric.
“Hmm, I think we need you on this side, Eric,” Jack pushed Eric from Lizzie’s right to Lizzie’s left. “Perfect!” He clapped his hands and smiled, a level of derangement becoming exposed.
“Before we begin, do you have any questions?”
Eric looked at Lizzie expecting something. Lizzie remained quiet, so Eric took the initiative.
“What happens if we miss our orb?”
Jack smiled, an unhinged flash of energy darting across his eyes.
“Excellent question. Do you know what happens when you catch your orb?”
“We absorb our future.”
“COOOORRECT!” Jack’s reply caused Lizzie’s knees to almost buckle. This was a madman made up to resemble a leader. He rapidly licked his lips.
“And if we miss?” Eric was trying not to sound frustrated, but Jack was deflecting and Lizzie could see Eric’s temper being tested.
“Did you know that I’ve jumped?”
Lizzie and Eric both snapped to attention at what Jack said.
“You… jumped? But how are you here?”
“It’s true. When I was your age, I was selected. SALVATION. I jumped. The future I absorbed was for me to be onboard the revolving ship. VOILA!”
Lizzie wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic, but it was becoming incredibly hard to take him seriously.
“Are you a Returner?” Lizzie asked.
Jack’s smile immediately disappeared.
“Who told you about that?”
“Dr. Light. In debriefing.”
Jack’s smile returned, his eyes boring holes into Lizzie.
“Back on task then? Yeah? We have a batch of nervous jumpers behind you.”
“Sure,” they both said, wanting to get it over and done with.
“So, tomorrow, the countdown starts,” he pointed at the square LCD screen on the wall. Much to Lizzie and Eric’s surprise, the number twenty became visible and began to count down. “Don’t worry, this is just a visual representation so you know where to look.”
Lizzie didn’t feel comforted.
“You two will stand right here. See the markings here and here,” he pointed, Lizzie noted again how long his nails were. Something about that was unexpectedly disturbing. Royals were privileged. Clean. “When the jump signal sounds, it is just like the simulator all over again. Take a breath, bend at the knees and then leap out as far as you can. From there, I wish you the greatest joy and most amazing future your orb can ever deliver.”
Lizzie looked at the timer, finding it had stopped at five seconds.
“OK, you two. I’ll see you tomorrow. NEXT!”
Jack had already motioned for the next two to step to the platform, forcing Lizzie and Eric to leave and make their way through the side door, down a short hallway which brought them to the entrance of the cafeteria.
“Are you even hungry?” Lizzie asked.
“Not really, but after throwing up everything I’ve ever ingested, I probably should eat,” Eric replied, offering up a laugh to try and convince Lizzie he was joking.
“Fine, let’s grab something and get this over with. I want to try to get some sleep.”
Eric followed Lizzie to the line of people holding trays, waiting for food.
They walked along as the line moved, having various items spooned onto their plate. A last supper for those making their last walk.
They dined in silence, the clanging of silverware the only sound.
Once done, the scrape of chair legs on the floor signalled the herd leaving for their rooms.
For some the night would last forever, their brains excitedly keeping them awake.
For others, they’d be asleep before they were fully under the covers, one last glimpse of the stars winking at them far off in the universe.
Eric wished Lizzie a good night, before stepping into his room and closing the door.
Lizzie found their assigned room right beside Eric’s. The interior was stark and plain, nothing fancy needed for someone who wouldn’t even reside on the ship in twenty four hours’ time.
Lizzie pulled a stool over before the window and sat, watching the Earth share the last of its beauty.
When the eyes grew heavy, the body followed, making it to the bed and pulling the covers.
Lizzie wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, what the jump would be like, but one thing that was for sure; Lizzie would be having a familiar dream.
Chapter Twenty-One
The girl woke first, spotting the boy still sleeping in his bed.
“Wake up,” she said, tossing some stuffed animals towards him.
“What time is it?”
“Morning!”
They scrambled forth, two balls of energy in pajamas.
Running around the room, they pushed, pulled and tackled each other. Finally spent, they kneeled on the boy’s bed, looking outside, wondering what type of weather they’d been given that day.
Seeing the sun shining down on the lush green grass, they squealed in delight and leapt from the bed.
Barely a sole touched the floor as they sprinted out into the wide open space. They pushed, pulled and tackled each other, rolling in the sand and the grass. Laughing and yelling, they found the swings, the slides and monkey bars.
It was the boy who spotted the trails in the sky first.
“What’s that?”
“Dunno.”
The boy noticed the odd screen hanging from a tree, the numbers displayed counting down.
“What’s that?”
“Dunno.”
Above them, more trails filled the sky, more moments stolen from a future that would never be.
They returned to the swings, propelling themselves higher and higher.
The clock in the tree counted lower and lower.
As the boy and girl ascended to the apex of their flight path, the clock struck zero, the sky flashed bright orange and the sound of a million souls screamed as everything evaporated in the blink of an eye.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lizzie awoke covered in sweat and breathing hard.
Looking around the darkened room, a sense of calm descended, finding a room instead of the remains of a scorched earth.
Locating the side table clock, Lizzie let out a sigh. As always, the alarm was going to sound in two minutes.
No extra sleep this time. No extra sleep ever again.
It was jump day.
Lizzie stood, stretched and tried to suffocate the giant ball of dread that sat on the space normally reserved for a
heart.
What was to come?
Nobody knew for sure.
The only certainty was Lizzie would no longer be calling the revolving ship home, and in only a few hours an orb would be the only thing that mattered.
Jump
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lizzie walked into the cafeteria for the last breakfast.
It all felt surreal, as though the students were walking in a cloud, the edges fuzzy and blurry, the painting unfinished.
“Lizzie,” Eric called out, waving. “I already grabbed you some food.”
Lizzie found Eric had loaded up two plates with a selection of everything on offer.
“I didn’t know what you’d want, so take what you’d like.”
He was shovelling forkful after forkful of food in his mouth. Lizzie was surprised he didn’t choke.
“How are you?”
“I don’t know. You?”
“Beyond excited. I think yesterday’s anxiety has left and I’m just pumped to jump,” Eric said, taking another massive bite of food.
“That’s great.”
“Have you thought about what it’s going to feel like? We’ve obviously experienced the rush of grabbing the orbs in the simulator, but this… this is for real.”
Lizzie chuckled at Eric’s enthusiasm. It was refreshing that he felt this way, lowering the uncertainty and unease that Lizzie was experiencing.
“Thirty minutes,” a woman called out from the side of the room. Lizzie looked over, not having noticed her before. She was dressed in a standard Empyrean uniform, but she wasn’t one of the women who’d assisted Jack Eldridge the previous day.
With the announcement, the peripheral noise increased as students ate faster, and conversations picked up.
Lizzie took time eating a muffin. It wasn’t particularly good, but it was the only thing that enticed the hungry jumper.
“You wanna go to the pre-jump area and just have some quiet?”
