by Benson, Tom
“It is,” Norman agreed, “but we don’t know how many of those animals might still be around.”
Bill had remained quiet but alert and looking around while Norman delivered the news. “As we were walking back along the road, we were discussing the options.”
“Which options?” Victoria said and looked from Bill to Norman.
“We could head back through the forest, go up the hill and back inside to the safety of the mountain, or we could go a little bit farther.”
Flint said. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
Bill nodded. “We could go ahead to check out the condition of the reserve.”
“I’ll be happy for us to investigate, but it would take us hours,” Flint said. “The place will be massive. It would be a few miles square, not to mention that we don’t know what’s in there?”
Norman said, “I suggested to Bill that it would be better if we knew for sure. We’ve heard wolves howling in recent days when we’ve stepped out of the portal to get acclimatised to the taste of fresh air, but a wolf howl carries for miles.”
Victoria said, “Have you guys got a plan?”
Bill said, “We were aiming to go straight to the reserve entrance, which is the most logical thing to do. From that, we’d get some idea of the condition of the place. As Flint said, the place will be massive, but if we can see the reception area, it will tell us something at least.”
Victoria said, “While we have this section of roadway, how about taking a few minutes to snack and have a drink?”
“Good plan,” Norman said and pulled off his backpack before sitting on the road.
All four of them enjoyed water and the fruit and nut protein bars that Ramona had made for them. They sat together, having their surreal lunch-break in the middle of the overgrown road.
Bill said, “Now that we’ve come so far today, I wish I’d checked the atmosphere earlier. It means we’re behind in everything we do.”
“Hey,” Victoria said, “don’t start sounding like Craig. It’s taken us a couple of years to get him seeing the positive in situations.”
Norman said, “As I recall, Bill, back in our early days, it was you who volunteered to leave the old tunnel alone to test the air in the glass corridor. None of us knew if it would be safe.”
“It seems like a long time ago now.”
Flint brightened up the tone. “Wasn’t it a rabbit which caused the excitement?”
“Yes,” Norman said. “When we first arrived in the hydro installation, Harry worked with Victoria and me to estimate how long it would be before the atmosphere would be safe. Our best guess was a minimum of five years before anyone should go outside.”
Victoria said, “It was five years later when I was in the glass corridor with some children, and one of them saw a rabbit on the mountainside. ‘What’s that, Victoria?’ the child said, and I cried tears of joy.” She smiled. “I gathered all the children to show them what a rabbit looked like.”
Flint said, “I’ve never understood why we waited another full year before anybody came outside.”
Bill said, “I was ready to get out and check the air was okay, but it was Harry and our two scientific friends here who said it would be better to watch the seasons pass for a year. The vegetation had always looked okay, as you know, but it was the knowledge that rabbits and foxes were still thriving which told us it was time for one of us to do the walk of hope.”
Norman said, “I still think you were brave to be the first one to test the air again.”
Flint said, “I was more impressed when Bill went down to the loch within a week and caught fish.” He sipped his water and looked thoughtful. “Before we go on, I think you all ought to know something,”
The others turned to him.
“A long way back through the forest I thought I saw something—”
“I remember,” Victoria said, “and I joked about the noise level of nature.”
“Yeah, well I thought I saw a … monkey.”
Nobody laughed, which was what he might have expected.
“Go on, mate,” Bill said. “Can you remember any details?”
“It was mainly light brown and had a bright pink face … like a human who was blushing.”
“Was it large or small?” Norman said.
“Small, I suppose … does it make any difference?”
“It sounds like a capuchin or a macaque, but we must keep something in mind. If there are any primates in the forest, they’re likely to attract the attention of predators, and I don’t mean foxes.”
“Well, boys,” Victoria said as she stood, “if we’re going to put our lives at risk to move on and check out this wildlife reserve I think we ought to do it while it’s daylight.”
Flint said, “At least I’ll know what I’m shooting at if it’s necessary.”
Bill slapped him on the shoulder. “If we have to, mate, let’s try to frighten wildlife instead of killing any.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Flint laughed.
The minor road they’d arrived at outside the forest had been in bad condition, but the road which led to the reserve was almost entirely green. Patches of tarmac could be seen where it was cracked and warped, standing up in small lumps as if it had been raked over with a giant claw. Most of the surface was green, but in many places, young trees were striving to gain more height.
“The gates are open,” Norman said.
Bill said, “In that case, I think we need a strategy before we go inside.”
“What do you propose?”
“I’ll take point with the handheld laser and Flint should continue to cover our backs, so you other two guys stay close together and between us.”
“I’m happy with that,” Victoria said, turning to look around as they approached the broken and dangling high wire-mesh gates.
“Me too,” Norman said.
“Whatever we come across now,” Bill said, “we mustn’t run away.” He looked at all three of their faces in turn. “There aren’t many wild animals that we could outrun, and if we stay still, it will allow Flint and me to frighten off anything with big ideas.”
He got three nods, and they set off through the gate. As a wildlife reserve, the main grounds were laid out to give the impression of freedom, but the entry road for visitors was bordered with trees and bushes. Now, six years after being abandoned, the road was no more than a narrow trail. It wound its way through substantial batches of foliage where hedgerows and undergrowth had assumed control.
The noise of wildlife in the local area increased, which was a subtle warning. Certain animals and birds had not only survived but had opted to stay in the vicinity. It was a half-mile trek along the natural green carpet before they arrived at the car parking and reception areas.
In keeping with the theme of a nature reserve, the few buildings were timber rather than steel or concrete. What had been the reception and souvenir shop now resembled an African safari camp which had been overrun by elephants. Before reaching the first building, the team stopped to decipher a large sign which had fortunately fallen forward at an angle so that the information higher up on the sign was still intact and legible.
Being a big, muscular man, Norman opted to lift the sign so that they could all read.
“It looks like you remembered it well,” Bill said and turned to Norman. “Alpacas, bison, wild horses, wildcats, primates, bears, wolves and lynx.”
Victoria leant forward and pulled off a sizeable clinging plant. “Not to mention birds of prey, elk, camels, arctic foxes, polar bears, snow leopards, tigers and … whatever would have been named on the two badly damaged pieces at the base of the sign.”
Bill laughed. “I suppose we’ll find out soon enough if it’s something particularly dangerous.”
“Particularly dangerous?” Flint said. “I think we’re doing okay with polar bears, snow leopards and tigers?” He looked around as his alert level rose again. “Jeezuss.”
A loud screech came from the reception building not far away, which had no glass remaining in the windows or doors. All four of the team crouched back among nearby bushes as a small group of primates raced from the building to disappear among the nearby trees.
“And baboons.” Victoria nodded toward the creatures disappearing among the foliage and smiled.
2 - Questions and Answers
When the expedition left the shelter of the forest and arrived back on the grassy area halfway up the mountain, they paused and looked skyward. It was early evening, and they were later than they’d intended, but it had been a worthwhile trip for many reasons.
Victoria pointed towards the gaps in the mainly dark sky. “We’ve presently got two large holes in the dirty cloud base, but when they reach out, connect, and make one massive gap, we’ll know that Harry’s theory is accurate.”
Flint said, “How long could it take?”
“Now that we know such a thing is occurring, it could be weeks rather than months or years. Much of the progress clearing the air will be the result of winds high in the atmosphere combined with the intensity of the sun. The nuclear fallout only affected Earth—not that big ball of fire so far away. As I said earlier, the gaps will be maintained and improved from below by the increase in natural gases from the healthy parts of our planet.”
Norman nodded. “I suppose the best way to imagine it right now is to think of the main areas of mountain and forestry. We’re fortunate that our regeneration plans were put into practice back at the turn of the Millenium.”
“Are you kidding?” Flint raised his eyebrows.
“No, mate. Back in the year 2000, it was recognised that the planet was losing woodland and forestry quicker than we could replenish it. Hence, a few countries increased their efforts. For example, back then, the mountain that we’re living in would have been about ten miles from the nearest extensive forest, but look at us now. When the trees at this end were planted, it meant the boundary of the Trossachs extended out to Auchcarn ... our mountain.”
“Right, so the newer forestry was protected?”
“Exactly, and for us, it has paid dividends. That’s why we have green slopes and so much greenery within maybe a couple of days walking distance.”
Bill looked around. “It’s a couple of miles from the forest to our entry back into Auchcarn but it’s nice to see such healthy woodland and grasses.”
“Yes, it is,” Norman said. “If people didn’t have the foresight years ago to take action, I’m sure that our mountain wouldn’t be sitting under that nice big hole in the nuclear overcoat. If we didn’t have the forest nearby, we’d have left the mountain and come out to dead ground.”
Flint said, “Norman if that gap above our mountain and the local forest is being caused and increased by the Trossachs National Park … what is creating or maintaining that much bigger gap to the north?”
“Unless I’m mistaken, it’s sitting over the Cairngorms National Park which in terms of area dwarfs this local region.”
Victoria placed a hand on Flint’s shoulder. “We may have our two big bright gaps in the black sky, but that’s only giving us a theory to work on. The only way we’ll see what the Cairngorms area looks like will be to go around to the other side of Auchcarn and head northeast.”
“If there is any exploration I’d be happy to be involved.”
“Come on, guys,” Bill said. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could do with a hot drink and a decent meal.”
They continued across the vast open space. Ahead and to the right was the might and majesty of Auchcarn, their mountain; their saviour; their home. To the left or south was Loch Awe and then farther south, within a few miles, the land colouring changed from green to brown to grey and finally white in the distance. No definite boundary existed between healthy and dead. The graduation demonstrated how the radiation had taken firm hold in the lowlands or where there was a lack of dense woodland. The sky told the tale of what might lie below. To the south of Scotland, and west towards the Atlantic, there were no gaps in the massive dust jacket above. This meant no signs of life below.
Two hours after leaving the forest to strive for their underground home, the group arrived at a small memorial site on the mountainside. The location would always be a reminder of why the community must fight on and conquer whatever adversity might develop. At the three rectangular piles of stones, each of the team paused, nodded reverently and then set off again in their single file to begin the next part of their journey. The two-hour climb would take them to the entrance portal.
The three piles of rocks on the low grassland had a common feature. At their upper or northernmost edge, each was adorned with a flat stone, deeply engraved with the details of the person buried a few feet beneath the rock pile.
Chloe Radnor - 2032 - 2067
A friend and fellow apocalypse survivor
Loving partner to Peter ‘Sandy’ Beech
and mother to Peter Jnr.
The other large grave was more recent and created only a few paces away.
Linda Farringdon - 2025 - 2070
A friend and fellow apocalypse survivor
Died from a heart attack
The smallest mound of stones was heartbreaking.
Hannah - 1st Sept 2067
An angel who lived for five minutes
Beloved daughter of
Bill Kane and Fiona Keegan
Bordering the three graves was a rectangular line of loose rocks laid out to create an area which could be expanded as required. Chloe’s death had been tragic in that she had died while giving life to another. The mixed emotions it left with the Aucharn survivors had been a sobering reminder that no matter how hard they fought, they were all mortals.
Chloe, like Norman, had been a forestry worker. She had been a stalwart in helping others to understand the importance of what lay ahead when they would eventually venture from inside the mountain environment. Following the escape from the nuclear holocaust, she never again saw life outside Auchcarn.
In the early days after arrival from the depths of the railway tunnel to the comparative luxury of the power station Chloe had captured the heart of Sandy Beech, one of the two soldiers who’d been there as security. Sandy and his colleague, Flint, had been the sole survivors of three heli-pods of soldiers sent to the location at the commencement of the nuclear war. Being together, had given both Sandy and Chloe new purpose, and their baby was to complete the family.
Linda Farringdon was a career prison officer, having been a Prison Governor for the four years before the apocalypse. Although she never paired off with another survivor, she remained positive and proved her dependability. Her willingness to work and her warm personality had ensured she was well-liked by all.
Hannah had been in distress when she was born, and her tiny heart raced until it stopped. No level of human intervention could have prevented her passing which left her parents devastated.
Noreen, the skilled midwife, was inconsolable in the belief that she had failed the family. Even when Fiona explained that her own mother and her younger sister had died from heart problems, it dented the nurse’s confidence. Noreen gradually recovered faith in herself with the support of Flint, her loving partner and, of course, people like Bill and Fiona. She also delivered more babies successfully.
Of the four people passing the memorial site, it was only Flint, the young soldier who had taken part in the burials. Being military, only he and Sandy had respirators and protective suits. Their ‘gas masks’ as the devices were sometimes called filtered the air but made physical effort even harder. The suits protected against residual radiation, should there have been any.
In the case of each burial they’d spent many hours, descending the mountain digging a shallow grave and making it look presentable before adding the simple headstone which had been prepared inside the mountain.
Bill pulled out the short-range walkie-talkie. “Hello Auchcarn, it’s the expeditionary force.”
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“Hi, Bill,” came Tracey’s voice. She was the firefighter on site, having been one of the three original personnel to remain behind when the world’s destruction began.
“We’ve got about four hundred metres to climb up the path if you’d like to arrange entry for us.”
“Des is on the way, Bill. We’ve just swapped over as duty engineer in the Control Room.”
“We’ll see you shortly, thanks.”
Fifteen minutes later, the small group arrived at what looked like a large cave. Three steps inside the natural entrance a sturdy metal door slowly opened outward, and a grinning red-haired engineer stood on the inside.
“Welcome home.” Des moved back to allow his friends inside. When they were all safely through the doorway, he pulled the door back, slipped a long metal bar across to lock it from the inside and then threw a switch which electrified the outer skin of the door.
“It’s good to be back,” Norman said.
Des nodded. “Was it a good trip?”
“Yes, but we’re a bit peckish now.”
“You’re always peckish,” Flint said. “Next time we’ll take double rations just for you.”
The small group, including Des all, laughed at Norman and his appetite. He was a big man.
As they walked from the end of the old tunnel into and through the glass corridor, they stayed in single file along the narrow path between the cultivated crops. At the other end, they entered the main complex where a meaningful conversation could be resumed.
“Des,” Bill said. “We’ll get cleaned up now if you could ask the duty chef to throw a simple meal together for us. We’re later than we expected so this evening we’ll work on our notes and tomorrow morning we’ll provide a full briefing straight after breakfast.”
“That’s not a problem, mate; I’ll go and speak to Ramona and Alan in the kitchen. It’s good to see you all back safe.”
