Higher Ground

by Becky Black

  “Please,” he moaned again, arching upwards, straining against Zach.

  Zach bent his head again and slipped his lips over Adam’s cock. Adam gave a sharp cry, and his knees came up, enclosing Zach as if fearing he’d escape. No chance. He certainly didn’t want to escape. This might be the only time they had together. He used his hand and mouth together in perfect time. He’d always had a good sense of rhythm. He could play the piano.

  Right now Adam was responding like a musical instrument, making all kinds of enjoyable sounds as Zach used his fingers and tongue to tease him into a frenzy. Zach’s erection rubbed against the bedsheet, and his desire reached the point of being more than he could stand. He pulled away from Adam, who yelled in outrage. But Zach made a quick scramble to the nightstand and came back with lube and a condom.

  “Zach, I’m dying here,” Adam moaned.

  Dying of pleasure or frustration he didn’t say. But Zach didn’t make him wait long.

  “Can I…?” Zach asked, showing him the lube.

  “If you don’t, I’ll explode.”

  “Do you want me to use this?” He held up the condom.

  “Not unless you’ve got a reason to personally. I’m bug free. Just hurry up.”

  “Thank you for trusting me.” Zach tossed the condom away, then prepared Adam, trying to keep his lubed fingers away from Adam’s prostate, fearing he’d go off like a firework right there and then.

  “Now, Zach, now,” Adam pleaded, then groaned as Zach filled him. His legs immediately circled Zach’s waist, ankles locked over his back.

  “Do it. Fuck me.”

  The sound of that word from Adam, the first time Zach had heard him say it, sent unspeakably erotic thrills up Zach’s spine. He thrust deep into Adam, fearing he’d hurt him but quite beyond control. Thankfully, Adam’s cries weren’t of pain but of intense pleasure. He pulled his legs higher, increasing the angle of penetration, and his cries changed in tone to sharper, became louder. His cock rubbed against Zach’s chest and belly as he writhed and pushed against him.

  Zach groaned. He wanted to touch Adam, but he needed both hands to hold himself up, had to be content with the feeling of Adam’s cock against his skin. So hot, seeping with precum, the scent of it sharp and enticing, a scent he’d loved since his first time with another man. A time he couldn’t even remember right now. He supposed there must be other men in the universe, some of whom he’d had sex with, but here, in this moment, only Adam existed.

  Adam moaning, writhing. Adam coming. Adam thrashing on the bed as Zach thrust into him again and again, his climax sweeping across him only a moment later. Adam holding him as he collapsed, their sweating, panting bodies wrapped together.

  Adam. Only Adam.

  * * * *

  “Adam.”

  “Mmm?”

  “Adam, wake up.”

  Adam didn’t want to wake up. He wanted to sleep in Zach’s warm bed, beside Zach’s warm body. The island wasn’t sinking yet. They had time.

  “We need to get moving,” Zach said. “It’s almost seven.”

  Adam didn’t open his eyes. “We’ll get up at seven. Deal?”

  Zach sighed impatiently but didn’t object. He shuffled into a more comfortable position, pulling Adam closer. “Okay. A few minutes. But we have to get to the rendezvous for eight.”

  “Why?” Adam looked up at him. “Do you think that’s when we’ll actually leave?”

  Zach frowned. “Well, yes.”

  “Have you ever, you know, met people before?” He rubbed his hand over Zach’s chest. “I’m putting my money on getting away for about ten.”

  “Oh. I see. Even so, I’m the one who’s called for this; I need to be there.”

  They still had five minutes, though. He closed his eyes and snuggled closer to Zach. After practicing since childhood, Adam considered himself a master of the proper appreciation of five more minutes in bed. Did they have time for anything else in five minutes? No, probably not. Which was a shame, because wow. He’d been left close to stunned by the sex earlier. He’d never expected so much passion and confidence from Zach and wanted more time with him. If things were normal, he’d be rehearsing his “call in sick” speech so he could spend the day in bed with Zach.

  “I’m sorry I was rather pushy earlier,” Zach said. “I hope I wasn’t too demanding.”

  “God, no, that’s fine. Great, in fact.”

  “It’s just…with things the way they are…” He shrugged, Adam feeling the movement rather than seeing it. “Though I am sort of always like that, I’m afraid. I feel like life is too short to waste time.”

  “Really? Personally, I rather like taking the time. There’s plenty of time to let things grow—usually, anyway.”

  “But there isn’t. We have so little time, such short lives. We’re no more than mayflies. We’re the blink of a mayfly’s eye.”

  “Can mayflies blink?”

  “I don’t know! Perhaps you know an entomologist who can tell us.”

  “A couple of them, actually.”

  Zach clicked his tongue and threw the covers aside. “We have to get up. I’ll start breakfast while you shower.”

  Adam sighed and followed him out of bed. They hurried around, showering, dressing, cooking, and in twenty minutes were demolishing a substantial breakfast and a pot of coffee. As they finished, Adam piled the dishes by the sink and turned on the hot water.

  “Leave them,” Zach said.

  “It will only take me five minutes while you pack your stuff.”

  “Adam. Leave them.”

  The serious tone in his voice made Adam pause, suddenly realizing why he was saying it. One way or another, Zach didn’t expect to return. Adam turned off the faucet and dried his hands, leaving the dishes piled up unwashed.

  “Adam, do you believe me about the island?” Zach asked.

  Adam froze, then put aside the towel he was using. He looked back at Zach. How important was it to him Adam believed the prediction? Or was it only important he went with Zach, whatever he believed?

  “Frankly, I don’t know. I’ve looked at your data, and it looks sound. Your methods are meticulous. But it’s not my field, so I can’t decide for myself from that. But you seem very sure, and Korrie backs you up, so I’ll assume you’re right.”

  “And if I’m not? If you follow me into the mountains and I’m wrong?”

  “I figure I have more to lose if I stay here. If I go with you and you turn out to be wrong, then the worst I’ll get is a reprimand for missing work.” And possibly charged with stealing the department’s truck, but never mind. “But if I stay here and you turn out to be right, I’ll die. Playing the odds tells me I should go with you.”

  “I see. Thank you for your honesty about it. What matters to me is you do come with me. Not only you, of course, everyone, but especially you.” He flushed, as if fearing he’d said too much. But Adam stepped forward and put his arms around him.

  “I’m coming. I just found you, Zach Benesh. I’m not letting you get away yet. I’ll follow you up any mountain you want to climb.”

  Zach kissed him. Not as hungry a kiss as the ones they’d shared so far. Quite soft, over quickly. No beard rasp on this one, as they were both freshly shaven and smooth skinned. As they broke, Adam was the one who said it this time, with a grin.

  “Thank you.”

  “I, er, you’re welcome. Right, I’d better pack my gear. Will you help me? You’re an experienced hiker, aren’t you?”

  “I am,” Adam said as he followed Zach into the bedroom. He hiked in the hills for fun with small groups, all experienced walkers and climbers like him. He suspected the hiking they’d do in this case would be very different.

  Zach stripped the sheets off the bed and tossed them in the corner. He grabbed a backpack from a closet and stood it on the bed, awaiting Adam’s advice. Adam had his Link in his hand with Zach’s list of items and his personal packing checklist, but he barely needed to refer to them.


  “Item one,” he said. “Tent.”

  “Ah. I don’t have one.”

  “You can share mine.” Adam could have bitten his tongue as the words slipped out. They felt somehow more—hah—portentous than an invitation to share a tent for a couple of nights ought to.

  If Zach found the words as portentous as Adam did, he didn’t show it, just nodded. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Adam glanced at his watch. Nearly 07:30. They’d better move this along. He went through the rest quickly. Some of the more specialized gear Zach didn’t have. But he had all the essentials. He must have done some field trips on his mineral surveys, even if he didn’t go walking for fun.

  “Oh and last of all.” Adam grinned and picked up the lube they’d left on the nightstand. He put it in his pocket.

  “I don’t know how much chance we’ll have of using that out on the trail,” Zach said, looking doubtful.

  “A good hiker is always prepared.”

  Chapter Ten

  Adam had been right about the pets. Dogs ran around among the crowd. Some people carried cats in bulky, awkward boxes. Zach supposed there were even rabbits, guinea pigs, canaries, and who knew what else? But he didn’t care, simply happy there was a crowd. Despite Adam’s reassurance, he’d feared arriving to find only Professor Korrie and the Franes.

  “Some people are carrying way too much,” Adam said as they got out of the truck. “We’re going to leave a trail of abandoned stuff behind us. Those kitty carriers, for one.”

  “How many people do you think?” Zach asked.

  “Perhaps three hundred.”

  Three hundred, out of twelve hundred. Zach looked at his watch. It was 07:56. “There’s still time for more to come.” He heard raised voices from an edge of the crowd and smiled wryly at Adam. “And I expect you’re right about how long it will take to get away.” He got no reply and turned to see Adam scanning the crowd. “Adam?”

  “Hm, what?” Adam shook himself, a moment of pain showing on his face before he turned it back into a smile. “Yeah. Let’s go see who’s being shouted at.”

  It was the Franes. They stood at bay, with Sheriff Statham, Colleen Johnson, and other council members berating them and demanding they turn off the distress signal. Simon and Visha wore defiant glares, Simon holding his daughter, who looked frightened. But they didn’t back down, and Zach hoped that meant there might be some chance yet for the people who didn’t come with them today, if only rescue came in time.

  “I could arrest you both and lock you up right now,” Statham said to the Franes as Zach and Adam arrived.

  “You’d be signing their death warrants if you did,” Zach said. This brought everyone’s attention to him. The ringleader. The cause of all this trouble.

  “I thought you arrested him.” Morrison glared at Statham.

  “His friend posted bail.” Statham nodded at Adam, who got another of Morrison’s blistering glares.

  “Him! He should be arrested for stealing Institute property. Give me the keys for the truck, Mr. Gray.”

  Adam put a hand in his pocket, and for a second, Zach thought he was about to hand them over, but he left the hand there and shook his head. “No. Sorry, sir.”

  “You’re fired.”

  Adam grimaced and flashed Zach a look full of torn feelings, probably wondering if he’d thrown away his job on a fool’s errand. What could Zach say to comfort him? Zach could hardly hope he was right, but he was still sure of his findings. In only a few days, Adam’s job and everyone else’s would be gone anyway. He’d have to live with the torn feelings until then.

  “Do you really think you can lead all these people out of Arius and climb the mountains, Benesh?” Johnson said. “There are elders here. Children and infants. What about if anyone is hurt or falls ill?”

  “Then that’s where I come in.”

  They all turned at the voice. It came from Dr. Howie, the senior medical doctor of the colony, a man around Korrie’s age. He carried a large and bulging backpack—filled with medical supplies, Zach hoped—and a hiking pole. Despite his age, he looked fit and lean. Zach sighed with relief. A doctor.

  “He’s a founder,” Adam said, close to Zach’s ear. “And a council member. If he’s prepared to leave…”

  “Gene, you can’t be serious,” Johnson shouted. “You’ve fallen for this nonsense?”

  “You’ve lived here for forty years, man,” Morrison said. “You can’t just leave.”

  “Watch me,” Howie said. “Anyway, whether Dr. Benesh here is right or wrong, they are going to need a doctor. I could use a few days in the country.” He smiled and donned a pair of sunglasses.

  “Good to have you aboard, sir,” Zach said, offering him a handshake.

  “I’ll tell you what else you can’t go without,” Statham said. “A cop.”

  Did he mean himself? Though Zach wanted everyone to come, he didn’t much relish the company of the sheriff. But then he spotted the deputy he’d talked at for hours the night before, Barbara Torres, dressed for hiking. She sat on her backpack, leaning against a police car, apparently half asleep. Resting while others argued—a smart move.

  “Barbara!” Adam exclaimed, sounding delighted. She smiled at him.

  “Hi, Adam.”

  “I’m sending her with you,” Statham said. “To keep order.”

  Zach couldn’t argue, didn’t want to. “Good,” he said, which seemed to annoy the sheriff. Did the man expect him to argue? Zach wanted everyone to come. Deputy Torres might be assigned to go with them, but the assignment would save her life. He glanced at Adam, who seemed to know her well. He’d have to ask him about her later. He wouldn’t like to think she’d be doing anything to sabotage their efforts.

  He glanced at his watch. Well after eight. Right. These arguments could go on all day, but they had to move. He spotted a flatbed truck similar to Adam’s nearby and turned away from the still-arguing group to climb up into the bed.

  “Can I get everyone’s attention, please,” he called. His voice didn’t carry the way it had in the dome. The morning breeze whipped it away. He raised it to a shout. “Can I get your attention?”

  The crowd faltered into silence and looked up at him expectantly. Zach’s mouth went dry as hundreds of people stared at him, some of them hostile. He took off the broad-brimmed hat he’d brought to keep the sun off and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

  “Um, good morning, everyone.”

  “Louder.” Adam’s voice from below. Not a shout. He was standing right by the truck, and only people close by would have heard him. Zack coughed and spoke louder.

  “Thank you for coming here. Thank you for believing me. I know this is difficult and frightening, but you have made the right choice. We’re leaving now. Not everyone has vehicles, so please, make all the room you can for your neighbors.”

  He hoped there were enough vehicles. If not, he’d find some more. Or they’d take some people to the foothills, start them climbing, and come back to town for the rest. They could do this.

  “You’ll be pleased to know we have Dr. Howie and Deputy Torres traveling with us. I know they’ll help to keep us all safe.”

  “Is there any word about evacuation?” someone called. “Rescue ships?”

  “Not yet. But the distress signal is still transmitting.”

  “Illegally!” Johnson shouted. Zach ignored her. Such technicalities no longer mattered.

  A ripple went through the crowd of people, who perhaps hoped they weren’t going to have to climb right to the top of the mountains. That they were only buying the time to stay ahead of any floodwater before rescue showed up. Zach scanned the crowd, assessing them. Most of the people in the colony were under the age of fifty, something reflected in the crowd. But there were older people too, those from the early years who’d stayed here even after they retired. Most looked pretty fit, but they might still struggle when the climb got steep.

  “There’s been no new seismic activit
y,” Morrison called out in an authoritative, carrying voice, more used to public speaking than Zach. “Benesh is wrong. You’re putting yourself in more danger in the mountains than you are staying here. Don’t be fools. Don’t take your children into danger.”

  “You’re the fool, Roy.” That was Korrie. She had her cat, as predicted, but not in a carrier. Instead, it sat in her backpack with its head poking out, looking massively unimpressed by the whole situation. “And you’re going to die if you stay here and the sea comes through those vents before rescue arrives.”

  “We are leaving,” Zach called, loud, over their argument. “Get organized. Get into the vehicles. We’re heading for Shusara.”

  It was one of the least difficult climbs, according to Adam, and it also had plenty of water available from streams. At the top lay a long ridge. If they made it that far, they’d have enough flat ground to await rescue. The situation could be pretty desperate by then, but it was the best plan they had.

  “If there are no more questions…”

  About fifty questions came Zach’s way in a babble of voices.

  * * * *

  “I guess I lost my bet,” Adam said as they prepared to leave shortly after nine.

  “Good,” Zach said, earning a grin and a playful punch on the arm.

  There’d been more arguments, more questions, and plenty of chaos as they distributed people into the vehicles. But it was done. The vehicles were all loaded. A half dozen people sat in the bed of Adam’s truck, and Professor Korrie got into the cab. Zach did some last-minute rushing about, having final words with people. Johnson, Morrison, and Statham were arguing with each other. Johnson had demanded that Statham stop the people leaving, and he’d politely asked her to suggest how. When she had no answer, he’d turned away to talk to Barbara Torres. Some last-minute instructions, no doubt.

  Zach hoped she’d be useful. Adam had said he’d been on hikes and potholing expeditions with her in the group, and, while not the most lighthearted of companions, she was always calm and reliable. At last Zach ran to Adam’s truck and jumped in.