The Long Walk Home

by Ison, S. A.

  He’d been so surprised by their affection. As though he really was their brother. And, he found that he’d cared about them, their hugs and the kisses from the women had moved him deeply. It had broken his heart and now he must wait, two days to see if they made it through. He thought they had time. He’d been warned that the time was short to get them here.

  He’d done his best and had pushed them hard, but there was no telling if the between had closed. He’d heard that it had on several groups and they’d all been slaughtered. That was why he had to wait two days. He wasn’t sure what was beyond those flowers. He didn’t want to go. He didn’t want to know. He just wanted to get back to his wife, Ayita, First to Dance.

  Ayita hadn’t wept when he was chosen, but he knew she’d not been happy at all. He sat on the rock, and watched the waterfall. It was a small one and it sent cool air his way. The sun was high overhead and he could feel the heat on him. He wondered at all the amazing things he’d seen. He shook his head. No one would believe him. He even now missed their company. They all chattered like the blue jays. He smiled. He liked their chatter.

  He felt sorrow for the man Wyyat, but the man was older. He was glad the small woman lived. He would tell his wife about her and the food she prepared. He knew his wife would not be jealous of it and would want to hear all the details.

  Most of all, he would miss Beckett. He’d become a true friend and a brother. He might be a between ghost, but he was also one of the People. He was glad. He let the wind move over his body and the sun bake him. He would sleep here tonight as well. He hoped he would dream of them, but he hoped desperately that he would not see them.

  XX

  Beckett was breathing hard. He almost felt suffocated in the thick and dense bush. The colors were brilliant and beautiful, but he cared nothing for it. He wanted out of this damned thing. He wanted to see his own time on the other side. He was pulled through the last bit of blinding bush by Carter.

  When he stepped out, he was devastated. They were in the forest. His face must have said it all.

  “We aren’t back in our own time.” He said in a dead voice.

  “How do you know?” Zoe asked, her eyes tearing up.

  “We’re still in the woods.” He said dully.

  “Of course, we are. Let’s walk and see where it leads us, we are supposed to be in the woods, after all.” Carter said cautiously.

  The group began walking, everything looked the same. Trees and rocks, and dirt and bushes. More trees. Beckett had to readjust his thinking. They could not go back. He wasn’t sure when he’d tell the group about all his thoughts about what Dustu would do to them if they did go back and he sure as hell didn’t want to go back through the Rhododendron. He’d have them push forward and maybe head south. If they could find a piece of land with perhaps plenty of game, they could maybe build a structure to live in.

  The group was quiet as they walked. He could hear Astrid and thought she was weeping softly. He couldn’t blame her. He wanted to cry as well. He’d hoped so much that they would find their way home. Perhaps the Cherokee only told the time travelers this to get them away from their own people? Maybe sending them far away would keep their own people safe? It did make sense.

  “Holy shit!” Lucas crowed.

  “What?” Everyone asked at once. Beckett looked at what Lucas was pointing at, it was a marker. It was a sign. Zoe turned, her eyes filled with tears and a huge smile on her face and she walked into Beckett’s arms. He hugged her hard and bit back tears.

  “Everyone, turn on your cell phones, see if they work.” JP said and everyone dropped their packs. They began to dig.

  “Mine got wet, I didn’t even think about putting it in plastic.” Zoe said, looking down at a ruined phone.

  “Mine works!” Lucas cried excitedly.

  “Mine too and Jesus Christ, look at the date and time!” JP yelled, holding out his phone and showing everyone. It was the very same day that Beckett’s car had stopped.

  “Call information, see if it is the real date and time.” Beckett urged.

  JP thumbed a number and put it on speaker.

  “USS George Washington Quarter Deck, this is Petty Officer Mayhew, how may I help you?”

  “Hi, this is Lieutenant Vincent, and I’ve been incommunicado. I’m out on the Appalachian Trail and my phone has been malfunctioning. Can you please give me the date and time, Petty Officer Mayhew?”

  “Yes sir, it is June 13th and it is 1440 local time sir.” Mayhew said.

  “Great, thank you Petty Officer Mayhew, have a fine navy day.”

  “Yes sir, you as well.” Mayhew said and hung up.

  Everyone stood looking at each other. Not one day had passed. Only an hour or two, but no days.

  “Jesus, so where the heck are we?” Beckett asked, looking around.

  “I think we’re near where we met, let’s walk a little farther.” Carter suggested cautiously.

  The group followed Carter and Beckett felt like weeping. Could it be? Could time here have stood still? They’d been gone well over a week, nine days. Yet, here, now, no time had passed. The group was quiet, as though they held their breaths. Then it hit Beckett, he heard cars.

  “I hear cars!” He said excitedly. The group picked up their pace and as they came around the bend in the trail, they saw the road. Beckett saw his car and his legs nearly buckled.

  “My car!” He cried and ran to it. He saw the pieces of his phone scattered around. He dug in his pocket for the keys. Zoe, Evie and Carter stood by the open car door as he sat down. He looked up at them, and saw they were holding their breaths. So was he. He stuck his key in the ignition and turned. The car turned on and he laughed and then began to cry. He laid his head on the steering wheel.

  He felt hands patting him. And he looked up. The whole group was gathered around him. He shook his head. Turning off the car, he got out.

  “What do we do now?” He asked them.

  “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m done with this hike.” Zoe said, looking at Evie, who nodded emphatically.

  “Hell yeah, I am too. Can you give us a lift to our car? We’re about fifteen miles from here, maybe more.” Evie said.

  “Same here, my car is near theirs.” Carter said.

  “Yeah, I can do that. How about you guys?” Beckett asked Lucas, JP, Astrid and Noland.

  “We’ll take Christy to her folks or at least a station. They’ll get the word out, I’m sure they are worried sick about her. We’ll stay until her folks come.” Noland said, his eyes saying, if they come. Beckett nodded. If her parents were trapped on the other side, they’d never make it out of there. If they were even alive. He hoped they were on this side of time.

  “Give me a big hug Christy. Astrid and Noland are going to see if they can find your mom and dad.” Beckett said and drew the girl into his arms. He hugged her tightly.

  “Thank you, Mr. Beck. It was scary, but you’re brave and you made me brave too. I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too honey.” He smiled down at her.

  Zoe and Evie hugged Christy, crying softly and kissing her. Carter picked Christy up and gave her a big hug.

  Beckett reached out a hand to Noland and drew him in for a hug. He also pulled Astrid in. She was crying, but a happy cry.

  “Anyone have paper and a pen? I’ll give you all my number, when I get a new phone that is.” He grinned. Zoe pulled out paper and she tore it into numerous pieces. She wrote her number down and then passed it to Evie, and then Carter. It took a bit of time, but all numbers were exchanged.

  Lucas and JP gave the smaller group their hugs and numbers as well.

  “What are you two going to do?” Beckett asked of Lucas and JP.

  “Need to get Lucas to a doctor and see if he has a fracture. Then, we’re going to find us a bed and breakfast and sleep and eat and watch tv for a week. I’m never going out on this goddamned trail again.” JP laughed, then wiped at his eyes.

  “Hell, yeah br
other. It might take me time to even drive this way again.” Beckett laughed. He hugged JP and then Lucas.

  “I’m glad we were together. I’m glad you were able to communicate with Dustu. I’m not sure how it would have turned out if you’d not been there.” Lucas said solemnly.

  “Yeah, I’m just sorry we lost Rhena, Wyatt and Milo. Christ. We can’t even tell anyone.” Beckett said.

  “True, but we won’t forget them and I’ll say a little prayer for them every day.” Lucas said, wiping the tears away. Beckett hugged the man tightly and then Zoe, Evie and Carter stepped in.

  “Is your car near?” Beckett asked. He was sure he could maybe squeeze them in.

  “Yeah, we’d just started, maybe two miles back. We’ll be okay. Though, if the markers start disappearing, I’m running the opposite way.” JP joked.

  “Dude, that isn’t even funny.” Carter laughed.

  “Yeah, not even.” Lucas said and pulled his husband with him.

  Beckett stood by the car, watching them walk away. He felt a lump in his throat. They’d gone through hell. Physically, but mostly mentally. He turned and looked at Zoe and smiled. He popped open the trunk.

  “Let’s see how much we can cram into the trunk and then we’ll get the hell out of here.” He grinned. They were able to get two of the large packs into the trunk. Evie and Carter sat in back, the remaining two packs between them. Zoe got into the front passenger’s seat and Beckett got back in and started the car. He breathed out a sigh.

  “I was half afraid it wouldn’t start.” He said, looking over at Zoe.

  “Me too. Just go down this road, and I think you take a left, there is another parking area, maybe fifteen to twenty miles in.”

  Beckett looked around him and did a U-turn. He didn’t see much traffic. It felt weird to be driving, when they’d walked so damned much. His brain had to reacclimate to the mechanical world. The others were quiet, he thought maybe they too had to get used to their own time again. Thirty minutes later, he found their parking area.

  Zoe pointed to a car, a little red one. He grinned, it suited her. He pulled up beside it and killed the engine. Zoe got out and Evie and Carter followed, pulling their packs out as well. Zoe walked over to her car and unlocked it. She threw her backpack into the back seat. Evie did the same. Both women turned. They both smiled and walked into his arms.

  Beckett once more felt overwhelmed with emotion. He hated saying goodbye to them. He hugged them hard and it took a long moment to let them go. He took Zoe’s face in his hands and he kissed her. He smiled into her face.

  “I will call you Zoe, make no mistake.”

  “You damned well better.” She grinned up at him. She turned and hugged Carter and then Carter came to Beckett and hugged the man.

  “Keep in touch.” He said.

  “I sure will, be safe Carter.” Beckett said.

  He watched as Carter walked over to Evie and kissed her. They spoke a few words, then he got into his car and pulled away. He lifted a hand in farewell. He turned once more to Zoe. She hugged him again.

  “You guys take care and for the love of god, stay off that trail.” Beckett said with all seriousness.

  “Don’t worry Beckett, if Zoe even mentions going for a walk, I’ll bitch slap her.” Evie grinned and kissed his cheek.

  Beckett laughed out hard and hugged her to him hard.

  “Be safe and as soon as I get a new phone, I’ll call you Zoe.”

  She nodded, tears in her eyes. He watched as the little red car pulled out and he watched them leave the parking area. He stood there for a long time. His heart hurt so badly. He was grieving the loss of Rhena, Wyatt and Milo. He was grieving the loss of Dustu, who had now been dead maybe five hundred years. He hoped the man made it back. He was alone, but he’d been a hell of a lot better suited for that time than any of them.

  Beckett promised himself that when he moved to Alaska, he’d be ready for anything. He’d honor his Cherokee ancestors and he’d honor Dustu and keep him in his memory. He sighed heavily, wiping the tears away. He’d reschedule his test for his pilot’s license. He was just not up to it. He was just too damned tired and he wanted a hot bath. It had been a long walk home.

  EPILOGUE

  THREE MONTHS LATER

  Beckett looked at the clock. He’d been on the road for over twelve hours. It was his turn to drive to Boston. He and Zoe had talked every day since and had skyped and messaged and went back and forth to see each other. He’d started her prepping. In the trunk, he had Rhena’s backpack and it was filled with food and several LifeStraws. He’d not be caught with his pants down ever again.

  He’d finally built up the nerve to drive the route to the airport. He’d gotten his pilot’s license and he and Zoe planned to fly to Alaska next spring. It was too late in the year to do it now. He was also working extra shifts to earn money before he retired from the force. Which, would be next year. They’d not solidified it yet, but he was sure that Zoe would come and live in Alaska with him.

  The whole group had agreed to come and visit in Alaska. He talked to nearly all of them every day at some point. Noland and Astrid had found Christy’s parents, who’d been frantic. Noland had warned Christy that maybe her parents might not understand if she told them she’d been gone for a long time.

  “Strangely, Christy seemed to understand. When she found her parents once more, she said she simply got lost and that he and Astrid found her.” Noland had told him.

  “That’s good. I sure hope she doesn’t have any bad nightmares.” Beckett worried once more.

  “Only time will tell. Astrid has asked Christy’s mother if she’d permit them to stay in contact. Christy’s mother agreed. That way, Christy still has a connection with her.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

  Beckett still woke at night sometimes and turned on his phone and his lights. He had dreams of falling off the cliff with Zoe, waking up in a sweat. Zoe had the same dreams as well.

  “They’re getting better.” She’d assured him.

  “Mine too. I just hate them, though.”

  Both were saving their money for the move to Alaska. Zoe assured him she could work via a satellite phone and make trips to Anchorage if he’d fly her there. Beckett figured they’d work it out somehow. The sun was dipping lower into the sky and the trees were losing their color in the dimming light. Sometimes Beckett felt a sense of loss, back in this world. Zoe and the others had said the same. Something was missing, their hearts hurting and bruised.

  Was it the solidarity they’d all felt on that trail, in those woods? Was it knowing that they each depended on the other? Beckett didn’t know. But if the time ever came that he’d have to live like that again, he’d be better prepared and he’d live the very best he could and he’d appreciate his friends and he’d love Zoe.

  XX

  Dustu sat in his home. He was exhausted. He’d sat with the council for six hours, telling them of his amazing journey and of the amazing between ghost people he’d met. He’d described his friend Beckett to them, and even now, felt a pang of sorrow, he missed the man. Taladu, Cricket, grabbed his nose and he grinned at his son. The boy had grown while he’d been away and he felt a small pang of grief over that. He’d never get that back. He saw a new tooth coming in and smiled up at Ayita.

  “He’s grown so much since I’ve been gone. It’s hard to believe.”

  “Yes, he’s missed his father.” She smiled gently at him and their son. The thirteen-month-old stood on solid chubby legs. Dustu caught his son’s questing hand and kissed it.

  “Were these people very strange?” Ayita asked. She’d not heard what had gone on in the council.

  “They were so different and yet, they were very much like us. They had amazing and unbelievable things. Here, try this on the meat, before you cook it.” He said, grinning and handed her the container of spices. She took the bottle and looked at it, turning the glass container this way and that.

  “I see it, b
ut how does it stay? I can not feel what is there.”

  “They call it a boo-tle. It holds things inside. I will show you how to open, then you smell.” He grinned.

  “Should you have this?” She asked nervously, looking to make sure the door was closed.

  “No, but I will not tell if you do not.” He grinned, opening the bottle. He held it over for her to sniff. Her eyes widened and a slow smile spread across her face.

  “Their women put a small amount on the meat before they cooked it. Perhaps you can use for special occasions. I think once it is gone, we’ll not find it again.” He shrugged. Ayita giggled and clutched the bottle of spices to her chest. Dustu brought out the knife and she looked at it.

  “What kind of stone is that?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. They had many shiny things. Be careful, it’s very sharp. I will need you to make me a sheath for it.”

  She nodded and held the knife delicately, admiring the look and feel of it. She smiled at her husband and put the knife away, so Taladu would not touch it.

  “Their people are brown and black, and an amber color and pale white. Their hair, at least the child and two others were like a pale-yellow snow. And the colors of their clothing. It was as bright and brilliant as flowers. I wish you could have seen it.” He said, shaking his head.

  “I see in your eyes that you miss them.”

  “I do, they were good people. They reminded me of our own people. They laughed easily and cried when they lost their friends. I hated being away from you and our son, but I’m glad that I met them, I’m glad that I met Beckett. It is good to know our people live on, even if it is mixed with others.” He smiled.

  “What else did they have.”

  He grinned. “They had a small box that makes light, as bright as the sun. And they had a little stone that made music, beautiful music.”

  “What? You’re crazy.” She laughed.

  Dustu grinned broadly and waggled his dark eyebrows and held up the mp3 player and the solar lantern.