I try and suck back the tears that I want to let loose as I shake my head.
“I don’t know. He can be a real hard-ass sometimes but I can’t believe that he would just leave them up there to die. This must just be a precaution or a drill of some kind.”
I look around again but I don’t see anybody who looks anything other than afraid and don’t believe my own words.
We’re jolted in our seats as the train lurches and then starts accelerating down the tunnel. Joss looks down at her tablet and sighs. “Well, there goes the Wi-Fi. We are now officially cut off from everyone we ever knew.”
We sit in silence holding hands in the dark as the train picks up speed and heads to somewhere that is supposed to protect us but all I can think is if this is the real thing then who’s going to protect us from my dad?
Joslin
I take a deep breath and suck back the sob that wants to climb up my throat. I’m tougher than this. I’ve spent my whole life being bounced from one foster home to another, never knowing where I’m going next. This is just one more time that I have no control over my fate.
The problem is, I finally landed in what I thought would be my forever home two years ago. After years of being shuffled from one house to another, I was finally handed over to the Dubois’. It was the first time I didn’t feel like I was only in a house so that my foster parents could collect an extra check every month. They actually seem to want to get to know me - my thoughts and my feelings and my opinions on things. I’ve never experienced anything like it before in my whole life. They are warm and caring people who work from home as computer programmers and one of the first things they did was teach me how to use electronics, something no one had ever given me before.
When they started teaching me the basics of coding, it seemed like my brain just came alive for the first time. It was a rush and I loved every minute of it. They gave me the gifts of acceptance and unconditional love.
It took me a while to trust them but once I finally let my guard down, we became a family and with the adoption papers filed a few months ago I started calling them Mom and Dad. Now I was going to lose them. Back to being alone again with only this boy beside me.
Because of the conditions I had lived with, in multiple foster homes, I’d had to learn how to deal with all types of bullies from adults to other children. When I started at the school where Jackson attended, he was one of the first people to single me out and not in a good way. He would make fun of my curly black hair and the way I would use it to screen my face whenever I was nervous.
I knew that he would just keep at me if I didn’t do something so one day at lunch when he bumped into me on purpose I took the bowl of spaghetti he had on his lunch tray and dumped it on his head causing the entire room to laugh at him. For some reason instead of hating me for it, he ended up liking me and took the time to get to know me. It feels like he hasn’t left my side since that day.
My hand’s gone numb from how tight Jackson’s been holding it. It’s like he’s using it as a lifeline but that’s okay because I’m holding on just as tightly to his. I use my other hand to wake up the tablet laying on my lap and see that we’ve been traveling for just over 45 minutes. I don’t know how far we’ve come but this train is moving faster than any train I’ve ever been on before so we could be anywhere from 100 to 300 kilometers away from the base by now. As I’m trying to calculate possible distances to figure out where we’re going I feel the train start to slow. Wherever it is we’re going, apparently, we’ve arrived.
I lean forward and look down towards the compartments ahead of us and see lights starting to blink on. It looks like they are making their way down to us. I think I can hear a computerized voice coming from one of the other compartments but the rest of the soldiers are making noise as they moved to stand so it drowns out whatever is being said.
The General’s aide waves us to our feet and clamps a strong hand on both of our shoulders. It looks like he plans to hold on to us to wherever we’re going. As much as I don’t like being pushed around there’s something comforting about having an adult taking us where we need to be. We step off the train onto a concrete and rock platform that is a mirror image of the one where we started our journey. There are lines of soldiers forming up to enter stairwells and two sets of elevators. Our guardian steers us to the lines to enter the elevators. The strangest thing is the lack of voices.
There have to be at least two hundred or more men and women around us but no one is talking. I look around at the faces and see plenty of fear but not one person is voicing it. The silence keeps me from asking all the questions rolling around in my head. I learned a long time ago that you could learn more with quiet observing than rambling questions. People tend to overlook kids if they’re really quiet and sometimes will say things without thinking about the small ears nearby.
I’m nudged from behind as Jackson tugs on my hand so I look forward and step into the huge freight style elevators. He keeps giving me uncertain looks but all I can do is shrug. I’m along for the ride just like he is. It only takes a few minutes before the doors open again and we step out. My mouth drops open in shock at what I see ahead of us.
The space in front of us is massive. I look up to the high roof and see that it’s a rock cavern and follow it with my eyes for at least the length of a football field or more. It’s filled with double-stacked bunks from one end to the other.
My eyes well up with tears at the thought of living here surrounded on all sides by soldiers day and night. I suck the tears back. Not that long ago, I could fit all my belongings into a black garbage bag and privacy was a foreign concept I had only dreamed about. Living with the Dubois’ has made me soft and I have a feeling that I won’t make it here for long if I don’t get my armor on.
“Donnelly, front and center!” Is barked from our left and we all turn towards Jackson’s dad standing nearby with a clipboard waiting for us. When the aide pushes us in his direction, I finally get to know our babysitter’s name.
As we move in his direction, I take another look at the men and women setting up the bedding on all the bunks that fill the room. I just can’t believe that this is going to be my new home.
Jackson
I have a thousand questions I want to pile on my dad but he’s busy ordering his men all over the place and I know better than to interrupt him. As soon as the last soldier moves away from him I open my mouth to let loose, but his aide, Donnelly, beats me to it.
“Sir! Where would you like me to take the children?”
Dad’s face goes blank for a moment like he had forgotten about us and then turns dismissive with a small shake of his head.
“Take them to the officer’s quarters. I don’t have time to deal with them right now. I’m needed in the command center.”
As he turns away from us, I reach out and grab his arm.
“Dad! You can’t just stick us in a corner out of your way! We need to know what’s happening. Please, Dad, I’m scared.”
He looks down at my hand on his arm with a scowl before looking at me and then Joss who has tears streaming down her cheeks. His face softens briefly before firming back up.
“Listen, I know you’re both confused and scared but things are happening fast and I need to be in the command center. This whole place is run by an artificial intelligence named AIRIA. I’m going to voice imprint both of you and give you a yellow clearance level. That means when you get to your quarters, you can ask AIRIA some questions and she will answer you.” He scrubs at his face and glances over his shoulder in the direction he wants to go before sighing. “That will have to do for now. I promise once things settle down, we will have the conversation you want about your futures.” He gives a curt nod to Donnelly and strides away without a backward glance.
I watch him walk away with sadness and anger. I’m furious at him for once again not caring about me or my feelings and saddened because he’s all the family I have left now. I’m jolted out of my thoughts when
a computer voice rings out above our small group.
“Jackson Mallor, voice print recognition complete. Access level yellow. Unidentified adolescent female, please state your name and birthdate for voice print recognition.”
Joss’s eyes lift to the high ceiling for the source of the computer voice before looking at me in confusion. I just shrug so she hesitantly speaks her name and birth date.
“Joslin Frost, voice print recognition complete. Access level yellow.”
I have no idea what any of that means but don’t have time to ask because Donnelly steers us deeper into the cavern, past the rows of bunks and through a set of double doors that lead to a hallway with offices off of it. He finally finds the door he wants that has yet another hallway with open doors. I look into the rooms and see living areas in each one before we reach the end of the hall and he motions us into a much bigger room. It has a small kitchen and living room with two open doors that lead into bedrooms.
I turn to ask him a question but he just holds up his hand and mutters, “Don’t leave here.” And shuts the door in my face.
I fume in anger and give the closed door a hard kick before turning away from it. Joss is standing in the middle of the living room with her tablet clutched to her chest as her eyes dart from each area of the room before settling uncertain eyes on me.
“What do we do now?” she whispers.
I shrug because I’m just as lost as she is. I throw myself down on the plain couch and look around the room that is going to be my home for the foreseeable future. It has none of the touches of home and it makes my heart ache for my mom. I wonder what she’s doing right now. Does she know what’s happening? Is she scared? I feel tears well up and shake my head. This can’t be right. I can’t accept that I’ll never see her again, that she’s going to die out there all alone without me. This is all my Dad’s fault! All he had to do was call her and she could have driven this way to join us. I spring to my feet in a rage.
“ARGGGGG! I HATE HIM!”
Joss flinches at my scream and takes a step back, her grey eyes wide and scared. She turns away and drops down on the couch with her tablet still clutched like a shield to her skinny chest. Seeing my tough, no-nonsense friend like this drains the rage from me and I plop down beside her.
“Joss, are you ok?”
When she doesn’t answer me, I sigh and study her face. She looks like a small, scared trapped animal with haunted eyes that keep darting from place to place. She shouldn’t be here. I did this to her.
“Joss, I’m so sorry! I should never have forced you to come with me!”
Her eyes finally land on me in confusion. Her voice is a croak when she speaks.
“What? What are you talking about?”
I look down with shame. “I grabbed you and told my dad that you had to come with us. If I hadn’t of done that then you might have made it back to your family. I’m sorry.”
Her grip on her tablet finally loosens and she reaches for my hand.
“So I could die too? Jacks, if what your dad said was true, then everyone out there is going to die. You saved my life by bringing me with you!”
I look up at her and give a half smile before asking, “Do you think he’s telling the truth? Do you believe that the world is really ending?”
She gives a tiny shake of her head. “I don’t know but I think we need to find out.”
Joslin
I look up at the ceiling for any speakers and when I see one in the corner I ask, “Uh, computer, uh, AIRIA?”
“Joslin Frost, how may I be of service?”
I send a quick look to Jackson and when he nods encouragingly I continue.
“Umm, what’s happening outside?”
“Joslin Frost, the current temperature is twenty-four degrees Celsius with scattered cloud cover.”
I make an annoyed face at the answer and shake my head. “No. I meant, are there really bombs dropping?”
“Joslin Frost, current satellite imaging shows one thousand eight hundred and forty-four ground strikes have occurred worldwide.”
I can’t help the gasp that leaves my lips and I feel tears swell in my eyes again. I swallow hard and ask the question I fear the most.
“Have any bombs dropped close to us? Like, Ottawa?”
“Joslin Frost, no strikes have been detected in that area.”
A breath of relief flows out of me. They’re ok, so far.
“Um, if Ottawa is hit by a bomb, how far would the effects go? Our parents live in Stittsville. Would they be hurt?”
“Joslin Frost, Stittsville is approximately thirty-six kilometers southwest of Ottawa and would not be impacted by an initial blast. Prevailing winds blow from the west which would push the majority of the fallout away from that area. However, should there be strikes on Toronto, Kingston, Montreal and Quebec City, there would be an overlapping effect that would blanket the entire southern section of the province. Secondary harm from the resulting EMP would also cause massive damage to infrastructure with the loss of electricity. Would you like a more detailed analysis?”
I shake my head but another thought jumps into my head with the news that my family might still be ok.
“No thanks. Umm, do you have an internet connection?”
“Internal network connection is available but an external connection requires a higher authorization level than your current standing.”
I grit my teeth in frustration and grind out, “I just want to check my email!”
“Joslin Frost, higher authorization level is required for that function.”
I want to throw my tablet at the speaker but clutch it close to my chest instead. It’s the last connection I have with my parents and I think I might need it in the future. Instead, I ask, “Will you let us know if or when a bomb hits in our area?”
“Joslin Frost, I will provide updates as they occur.”
My shoulders slump and I turn to Jackson, surprised to see a smile on his face.
“What? Why are you smiling?”
He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “You heard it. They’re still alive! They can make it!”
I squint my eyes at him. “Make what?”
“Your email! You told them what’s happening and when we were going. As long as they get a hold of my Mom, she can probably bring them here!”
I bite my lip as I consider this.
“But you said you didn’t know if she even knew about this place? How will they find us if she doesn’t know where we are?”
He snorts out a laugh. “You don’t know my dad! There’s no way he wouldn’t have bragged about this kind of place to her. At least, before when they were happy together. You wait and see! They’ll show up here. I’m sure of it!”
I turn away and stare at the speaker for a minute before addressing the computer.
“AIRIA, can you notify us if our parents show up outside?”
“Joslin Frost, request for notification of perimeter breach noted.”
I nod, satisfied for now. When things shake out as they will in the next few days, I’m going to see just how deep into this computer system I can get.
Jackson is dumping out his book bag and muttering about not having some of his possessions for the apocalypse until he comes up with his lunch bag. He sees me watching him and nods towards my own bag.
“We might as well enjoy our last real world lunch while we wait for my dad. It’s got to be better than any of the food we’ll get in here!” At my confused look, he smirks. “Trust me. I’ve eaten army rations before on our father, son, bonding camping trips. Cardboard and sawdust are the main two flavors and I can’t even describe what powdered eggs taste like!” He gives a mock shudder and opens his lunch kit.
I have zero appetite right now so I mindlessly watch him eat while my fingers randomly tap the edges of my tablet. My mind is going in a million different directions about our situation and what it will all mean for me and my family. I play the game of what ifs until I’m ready to scream. Finally,
I can’t take sitting here one more minute so I jump to my feet and start pacing. I’ve only managed to do two circuits of the room when the ground under my feet heaves. It’s not enough to throw me off my feet but it causes me to stagger and all the dishes in the kitchen clink together. I throw my hand out towards the wall and feel the trembling coming from it. My eyes snap to Jackson’s and I see the same fear I feel mirrored in them.
“AIRIA! What’s happening?” he yells out.
“Jackson Mallor, the cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal have taken direct strikes. Yield unknown at this time.”
I give up on standing and let myself fall to my knees. I can feel the tremors through my legs and just lower my head with my eyes closed. After the lonely life I’ve led, I don’t believe in God, but I can’t help but pray to him for all the people who just died.
Jackson
My mind is so overwhelmed at what’s just happened that it goes blank. I can’t process the idea of those three cities and all the people that lived in them just wiped off the map like they never existed. I’m staring at the carpet between my feet with the forgotten sandwich I had been eating dangling limply from my fingers when the door flies open. For a split second I think it will be my dad, coming to comfort me but of course, that’s just a childish fantasy. He’s never given me comfort before so why would the end of the world be any different.
Donnelly stands in the doorway out of breath as his eyes track from me to Joss on the floor. When he sees that we’re both without injury, he gives a curt nod to us.
“Stay down for now. We are perfectly safe in here but we might have a few more jolts.”
I can see he’s about to turn and leave so I push to my feet.
Endless Winter Box Set: Books 1 - 4 Page 36
