by Seth Rain
‘Go, go!’ Noah shouted, jumping into the back seat.
The car lurched into life and Freya weaved in and out of the traffic. One drone was behind them.
Scott watched the drone sway from side to side then tip forward, picking up speed. ‘It’s following us.’
Noah also peered through the back window.
‘We won’t outrun it,’ Freya said.
Noah made a loud huffing sound then shifted his weight so he was leaning out of the window, his revolver aimed at the drone. He fired several times, but the drone swayed one way then the other, closing in on them all the time.
Noah fell back inside. ‘No way I’ll hit that thing.’
‘It’ll follow us the whole way,’ Freya said.
Scott watched the drone slow down then come to a complete halt. ‘What’s it doing?’ he asked.
Noah and Juliet watched the drone, confused.
‘What the hell?’ Noah said.
‘Why did it stop?’ Juliet asked.
Scott placed the revolver in the footwell. He closed his eyes and leaned back into the seat.
Freya eased off the accelerator. For a moment they were all silent, listening to the hum of their tyres on tarmac, speeding them away from London.
After a minute, Juliet placed a hand on Scott’s shoulder. ‘Thank you.’
Twelve
When Scott woke, he saw that Dawn had prepared breakfast. A mug of hot tea sat on the floor next to his settee.
‘Morning,’ Dawn said.
‘What time is it?’
‘Just after six.’
‘We need to keep moving,’ he said.
‘Ten minutes. Here.’ She handed him a dish of tinned fruit and a plate of bread and jam. ‘The car’s packed and ready.’
Scott sat up and bit into the bread, then took a long swig of tea.
‘I’ve found this,’ she said, holding up a folded map and pen. ‘It’s better than the one Mick had. I’ve plotted a route. To Loch Tay. Where you said Juliet is.’
Scott followed the route she’d drawn.
‘How long do you think it’ll take?’ she asked.
‘We should be there by nightfall.’
They loaded the 4x4 with all the useful clothes, tins of food and tools they could find, and then set off.
The motorway was clear, except for a mile or two near Carlisle, where they were forced to leave the motorway and use A roads. It was around two in the afternoon when they entered Scotland at Gretna. The motorway was clear and Scott was able to drive fast for close to thirty minutes.
‘Can we stop?’ Dawn asked.
‘What for?’ Scott said, not taking his eyes off the road.
‘Please?’ Dawn said, biting her lip.
Scott checked the fuel gauge. ‘Ok. We could do with filling up anyway.’
Dawn pointed at a café up ahead.
‘You reckon they’re serving lunch?’ Scott said.
Dawn offered something close to a smile, but he was reminded of Mick and what had happened the day before. Neither of them were ready to laugh.
Scott slowed down and pulled into the café. Parked outside were rows of lorries.
‘We can see if there are any tins of food, or water,’ he said.
Dawn got out of the 4x4 and started to make her way into the building.
‘Wait,’ Scott said.
A metal sign hanging outside the café creaked back and forth in the breeze. In one lorry was a man, his head flopped back, his mouth open. No doubt there would be many more dead bodies inside.
Scott walked in front of Dawn and opened the door. The café was empty. Dawn closed the door behind them gently and waited for Scott to signal that it was okay.
The café was frozen in time: placemats and condiments on the table, all waiting for opening time. Scott motioned for Dawn to follow him, and led her to the toilets.
‘All clear,’ he said. ‘I’ll look for food and water.’
Scott opened the kitchen door. It was clean, the surfaces cleared, the pans and plates laid out ready for a day’s work ahead. He stayed away from the fridge, having learned the hard way several times how bad they could smell when opened. He found tins of food still in date, and water that was not in date, but that he knew would be fine. He collected the tins and bottles of water in bags.
‘Scott,’ a voice said.
He froze; he knew who it was.
The door to the bathroom opened. Dawn stopped and looked from Scott to Mathew and the Watchers with him.
‘What are you doing here?’ Scott asked.
Mathew held out his arms and smiled. ‘Scott. Please. I’m here to see you.’ His dark eyes blinked slowly. He was taller and thinner than Scott remembered, his shoulders more angular, his chin and cheeks more pointed.
‘How did you know we’d be here?’
‘The AI can still predict certain things. Did you get my letter?’ Mathew asked.
‘I got it.’
‘Didn’t you read it?’
‘We’re leaving.’ Scott walked to Dawn and placed a hand on the small of her back, ushering her to the door of the building, but the Watchers blocked their way.
‘I have nothing to say to you,’ Scott said.
‘Scott?’ Dawn’s voice trembled.
‘It’s okay,’ he whispered.
Mathew’s expression was serious, concerned.
‘I didn’t read it,’ Scott said.
‘I know.’
Dawn gripped Scott’s arm.
Scott sighed. ‘Nothing’s changed. I have nothing to say to you.’
‘Does she know?’ Mathew asked, his eyes on Dawn.
‘What?’ Scott asked, knowing what he meant.
‘Does she know her date?’
Dawn stepped from behind Scott. ‘Dawn. My name’s Dawn.’
Scott went to pull her back but recognised in her face a determination he didn’t want to challenge.
Mathew nodded. ‘Dawn,’ he said.
‘What is my date?’ she asked. ‘Tell me.’
Mathew’s face altered again, a wry smile aimed at Scott. ‘That’s a no then.’
‘Don’t,’ Scott said. ‘I’ll tell her.’
‘I’m sure you will,’ Mathew said.
Scott tried to locate another way out.
‘You’re going to Scotland?’ Mathew asked.
Scott waited.
‘Juliet can’t help you.’
‘Has the AI told you that?’
‘Not in so many words.’
Scott scratched his head. ‘You see, what I don’t understand is, if you know I’m going to Scotland to see Juliet, why you would try to stop me?’
‘We know you’re going to Scotland. We know you’re planning to find Juliet. But I can tell you now, it is a wasted journey.’
‘And again, as you’re here telling me this, I can’t help think you know the opposite is true.’
Mathew swallowed, his eyes on Scott, a flash of deviousness colouring his expression. ‘Freya has found her way to Him. You must be relieved.’
‘We’re leaving,’ Scott said.
The Watchers didn’t move from the door.
‘Leave now and I’ll tell you both your dates.’
Scott paused then walked towards the door.
‘It’s not this year,’ Mathew said.
Scott stopped.
‘Your date,’ Mathew continued. ‘It’s not this year.’
Scott stared at Mathew, speechless, his fists clenched. The Watchers had always had this over the Chosen. But the way Mathew flaunted it made Scott angrier than he’d ever felt before.
Mathew’s face was serious. ‘If you go now, I’ll tell Dawn her date.’
‘Why are you doing this?’ Scott asked.
‘He will come for you too,’ Mathew said. ‘I want you to know this. He loves you.’
‘You did this,’ Scott said. ‘All of it.’
‘No,’ Mathew said. ‘I released the dates. Those dates were already true. The
AI saw it all. He is coming for every one of us.’
‘Stop,’ Scott said. ‘I’ve seen the bodies. I’ve burned them. The bodies are here, on Earth. There is no one but us. No God. Just us. And you did this. You.’
‘You’re wrong,’ Mathew said. ‘He has no need of the flesh. Those people who have left us are by His side. In time their bodies will return to dust, but their spirits – their souls – they are home.’
Scott stared at the ground. It was hopeless talking to Mathew.
‘One question, Scott,’ Mathew said. ‘Answer one question truthfully and you can go to her, to Juliet.’
‘We’re going anyway,’ Scott said, walking to the door.
‘And I’ll keep the girl’s date to myself,’ Mathew said.
Scott stopped again.
‘One question,’ Mathew said. ‘That’s all I ask.’
‘Do I not have a say in this?’ Dawn asked.
Scott leaned into her and whispered, ‘I will tell you. I promise. But not like this. Please.’
Dawn stared back at him and finally nodded.
‘What?’ Scott asked Mathew.
‘Freya,’ he said. ‘Where were you when He took her?’
‘What?’ Scott asked, glaring at Mathew. ‘Why are you asking me that?’
‘Tell me, and you can leave,’ Mathew said.
Scott unfurled his fists and stretched out his fingers.
‘I was with Juliet and … Noah.’
‘You left her?’ Mathew asked. ‘You left Freya?’
‘She stayed to help those young women. What did you do to them?’
‘Please,’ Dawn said, tugging Scott’s arm. ‘Let’s go.’
‘I’m here to help you,’ Mathew said. ‘Why can’t you see that? I’m not your enemy. I want to help you. I want you to spend the time you have remaining here on Earth earning your place by His side.’
‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Scott said.
‘One more year,’ Mathew said.
Scott couldn’t breathe. Now he knew his date. He didn’t want Mathew to know he’d beaten him and so he refused to acknowledge it.
‘One year,’ Mathew said. ‘To put things right. You did all you could to stop the Rapture. But, Scott, it’s time to see the truth and help me, help us, help humanity.’
‘I don’t believe any of it,’ Scott said. ‘It was your doing. Or all of ours. Humanity’s. We did it to ourselves, believing there is a better place. But this is all there is, and it’s our home, and we should do everything we can to remain here as long as we can.’
‘No,’ Mathew said. ‘You’re wrong. But I can leave this place knowing I have done all I can to help you and everyone else find their place by His side.’
Scott led Dawn to the door.
‘Don’t sacrifice her soul too,’ Mathew said. ‘Please, Scott. Don’t.’
Scott led the way into the car park. He glanced behind but the Watchers didn’t follow him.
‘Keep walking,’ he said to Dawn.
They reached the 4x4 and he opened the door for her. They sat beside one another, staring out of the windscreen.
Dawn put a hand on his. ‘It’s wrong,’ she said. ‘I know it is. Yours and mine. They’re wrong.’
Scott took a deep breath. ‘This month,’ he said. ‘Twenty-fourth of February.’
Dawn gasped, her eyes already filling with tears. She glanced down at her stomach and held it with two hands. ‘No,’ she said. ‘It can’t be. Eighteen days away? What about the baby?’
He squeezed her hand. ‘I’m sorry.’
Dawn took her hand from beneath Scott’s and held her head. She was crying. Scott waited for her to lash out, to scream or shout. But it took around a minute for her to compose herself. She wiped her eyes, stared out of the windscreen, and then nodded gently.
‘You said your date was wrong,’ Scott said.
She held her hands out in front, held them together tightly, then rested them on her lap.
‘I will take you to see Juliet,’ he said. ‘There’s a chance—’
‘It’s okay,’ Dawn said.
Scott frowned and waited.
‘It’s okay,’ Dawn said again. ‘The dates are wrong. We’re still here after the Rapture. There must be a reason we’re still alive.’
Scott glanced at her stomach. ‘How far along are you?’
Dawn looked out of her window, towards the dead man in the lorry. ‘I don’t know for sure. Maybe eight months? I’m hoping more.’
Scott let go of her hand.
‘Let’s go,’ she said. ‘Please.’
Scott started the engine and pulled away. In the 4x4’s wake, dirt and dust lifted from the car park and swirled in the air.
Thirteen
Taymouth Castle loomed massive and dark in the failing light. The car headlights swept past a sign for Loch Tay and Acharn to the west, where Scott hoped they’d find Juliet.
Moonlight stretched out across the loch, now and then blocked by huge trees. In the centre of a small village, Scott drove around a small island, in the middle of which a man lay on the ground, dead, his legs crossed, facing the stars.
Scott recalled what Juliet had told him. To drive through the Kenmore village, over a bridge and then find the first house on the loch itself.
Dawn checked the map, then folded it up.
Scott slowed down, waiting for a break in the trees. They passed a barn on the left and Scott leaned forward in his seat to search for any sign of a house nearby.
‘Slow down,’ Dawn said. ‘There.’ She pointed to smoke rising behind the trees.
Scott saw a small opening and drove through it, the gravel beneath his tyres crunching. They pulled up in front of a big house, relatively new. Even in the moonlight he could see someone had been tending the garden beside it.
Stepping out of the 4x4, Scott could hear and smell water.
Dawn waited, her door half-open.
They walked around the side of the house until they could see the loch between a row of trees.
Candlelight flickered inside the house. Scott knocked on the glass doors.
‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Juliet?’
He knocked again and looked behind at the loch and the moon.
The door opened. It was Juliet, dressed in a thick woollen jumper, scarf and fingerless gloves.
‘Scott,’ she said, surprised, smiling. ‘It’s you.’
‘This is Dawn,’ Scott said.
‘Come inside, child,’ Juliet said to her. ‘You must be freezing.’
Dawn waited for Scott to move before edging past Juliet into the house.
Scott stood in the living room and pointed to a chair for Dawn.
‘How are you?’ Juliet asked Scott, tilting her head.
‘I’d have given you warning I was coming, but …’
‘It’s not like you can pick up a phone.’ She smiled and turned her attention to Dawn. ‘Or email.’
Dawn smiled back and shrugged.
‘You must be hungry,’ Juliet said. ‘Let me get you something to eat.’
‘No, please,’ Scott said. ‘We’re fine.’
‘So tell me,’ Juliet said, sitting on a chair opposite Dawn. ‘How can I help you? Have you come a long way? It must be important.’
Dawn spoke before Scott had the chance. ‘I need to know if my date is correct,’ she said.
Juliet stared at Dawn then at Scott. ‘Your date?’
‘Twenty-fourth of February,’ Dawn said.
Juliet’s eyes softened with sympathy. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.
Dawn’s expression didn’t alter. ‘It’s wrong,’ she said. ‘I know it is.’
Juliet’s eyes gave away what she was thinking. She smiled weakly.
Scott stroked his chin. ‘Dawn has been told that some dates the AI predicted are wrong.’
‘And where did you hear this?’ Juliet asked.
Dawn bit the inside of her mouth. ‘My mother.’
‘Your mother
?’ Juliet asked.
Scott shifted uncomfortably. ‘Are you in contact with the AI?’
‘You brought her here thinking there’s a chance her date is wrong?’ Juliet asked, her expression cold.
‘No … it wasn’t like that,’ Scott said. Now Juliet had asked him, he recognised how foolish he’d been. But there was no way he could be honest with Dawn. He couldn’t take away her hope – not when she was pregnant too. ‘We had to leave,’ he said. ‘And I figured, coming to see you, a long way away from trouble, would be for the best.’
‘And what about you?’ Juliet asked Scott, pointing to his hand.
He nodded. ‘My date is next year.’
‘How do you know?’
Scott folded his arms. ‘Mathew told me.’
‘You’ve seen him?’
‘Near the border. He followed us.’
‘Is he still following you?’
‘I don’t know. He already knows where you are,’ Scott said.
Juliet closed her eyes and stroked her brow with a finger and thumb.
‘And you?’ Scott asked Juliet.
Without opening her eyes, she said, ‘The first of May. This year.’
The fire in the hearth burned well, the smoke billowing up the chimney. The thought struck Scott that he would be alone again. First Dawn would die, then Juliet, then him.
‘Your date,’ Juliet said to Dawn. ‘I’m sorry, but the date you have, if it’s the one your mother was given, is correct.’
Dawn shook her head. ‘I know it’s not.’
Juliet leaned over to Dawn and took her hand.
Dawn frowned, unsure.
‘I know what happens when people are given false hope,’ Juliet said. ‘They waste the time they have left fighting the inevitable.’
‘No,’ Dawn said, taking her hand from Juliet’s.
‘Can you speak with the AI?’ Scott asked.
‘I can’t get a fix on it for long. There are fewer functioning satellites all the time.’
Scott walked over to the window to look out over the lake.
‘You spoke of a paradox,’ he said. ‘When we were last together.’
Juliet nodded. ‘The fact the AI exists at all has meant that humanity can see its own destiny. But that destiny would not exist if the AI did not exist. A paradox…’
Scott continued to stare out of the window.
