by David Holley
The campsite buzzes with activity, and the addition of new blood seems to have brought fresh life to the group. Even though tensions were high last night, the morning has apparently wiped the slate as they prepare for the day ahead and what they believe will be the last leg of their journey. Maaka walks through the woods, fresh from a morning piss, and stumbles across Jacob standing at the edge of a long row of willows. He looks on curiously as the young man casually picks from a nest of caterpillars, popping and chomping on them as if snacking from a bag of popcorn.
“You there, what are you doing?” hollers Maaka.
Startled, Jacob freezes as if his hand had been caught in the cookie jar. “I found an entire tent of caterpillars,” he explains. “Step right up, there’s literally hundreds of them.”
“You’re a strange bird aren’t you, boy?” the fisherman replies, clearly baffled.
Jacob chomps down on a lime green caterpillar, whose tail wriggles out from the corner of his mouth, and gazes coldly at Maaka. “I’m no boy. I’m twenty-six years old.” The statement is half snarl.
“I meant no harm in the remark, mate, it’s just my manner of speaking.”
“That might be so, but call me Jacob, moving forward. If you don’t mind.” His tone has resumed a flat neutrality.
“I can do that, I suspect,” he says, indifferently.
Jacob smiles and hands him a long rascally worm. “Here, try this. You’ll be surprised how good they are.”
Maaka takes the caterpillar and holds it up for closer inspection. It rolls up and down in his pinched fingers as he contemplates the challenge.
“Ahhh, why the hell not.” He pops the larva into his mouth, biting down hard on its fuzzy head. His pained expression slowly turns to joy. “You weren’t shitting me!” His eyes light up and he turns his head back and forth in shock. “They taste sweet... like honey! The texture’s a little queer, eh.”
“Right?” Jacob answers. “I know, it’s wild. If you would have told me I would be eating half the things I’ve eaten since being here, I would have said you were off your rocker.” He laughs.
Maaka steps closer and grabs a few of the larvae for himself. “So… Jacob, right? Did King Brit teach you how to eat these buggers?”
“Noah? Yeah. That guy is incredible. A real survivalist. The Lockhearts have taught us how to stay alive out here. I trust that guy with my life.”
“He seems a little too bossy from my gather,” Maaka huffs. “I’m not too big on bossy.”
Jacob looks at the man with an expression bordering on pity. “You have a strange way of saying things, but you should know something about Noah.” He steps away from the caterpillars, swiping his hands together. “We would all be lost, and most likely dead, if it wasn’t for him. He’s a hero, truly. I’ve personally seen him do things that, if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes, I would never believe. He’s also cool, and he won’t mess with you, but don’t get in his way. He’s not one to be taken lightly, believe me.”
“It sounds like you’re speaking from experience. Did he give you that black eye?”
Jacob laughs. “He did actually. But it’s not what you think. He saved my life, even if it was unintentional. Seriously though, don’t provoke him. You will regret it.”
Maaka shakes his head disapprovingly, completely unaware of the caterpillar dangling from his beard. “I’m not big on threats none neither.”
When breakfast is ready, everyone gathers in a tight circle around the fire eagerly awaiting the stewed rabbit and wild mushrooms, served over a fricassee of cornmeal, Eve’s collection of huhu grubs, and a sleeve of cashews that Noah had kept hidden for a moment such as this. Hardly a word is passed during the meal, though moans of pure ecstasy indicate how overcome they are by the hypnotic concoction. They will need all of this nourishment — and more — for the day’s journey.
As they eat, Noah explains that they will be traveling together in one large group led by Atua. After hearing the medical report last night, Noah knows that the pace will be slow, but he will try to push them as much as Evelyn will allow. Several people are suffering from varying knee, foot, and ankle injuries, and everyone is sagging under the weight of exhaustion and malnutrition. Given the circumstances, they have been surprisingly well fed, thanks to the Lockhearts’ field rations and everyone’s foraging efforts. But they are nowhere near the proper caloric intake necessary for the amount of energy required for the journey. Though they are in remarkable health considering, many have come to appear gaunt.
Before they break camp, Noah sees Maaka and Pango set off before everyone else — which suits him just fine. In fewer than twelve hours, they have ruffled numerous feathers, and distance will do nothing but alleviate the tension. Atua, stationed nearby, follows Noah’s gaze and gives a small chuckle that hints at frustration.
“I guess my brother and Pango are getting a head start.” He frowns. “Maaka has always blazed his own trail, and the big guy has always followed him.”
“That’s a good thing. That way they can warn us if they encounter any roadblocks ahead,” says Noah, finding the silver lining.
“Oh yeah, yeah... definitely,” Atua agrees, although his tone belies his skepticism.
They embark for what promises to be a long, grueling hike. A majority of the day will be spent navigating leagues of rough terrain and dense wilderness. With any luck, by light’s end they will be out of the forest and, by tomorrow, walking through the low, rolling plains, which will be a great relief to their aching joints. With the hikers traveling all together, conversations are plentiful, and under the din of chatter, Mia seeks Evelyn’s forgiveness.
“Evelyn, may I have a word?”
“Of course. Is everything alright?”
“No. Everything is awful. But that’s nothing new and not why I wanted to speak with you. I feel terrible about the past few days, and I am sorry I have misled you.”
Realizing the seriousness of the moment, Evelyn lowers her voice from the range of wandering ears. “It’s okay, Mia. I finally had some time alone with my husband last night, and he filled me in on everything.” For the first time since they crashed on the beach, Evelyn and Noah had finally shared an evening together away from the others. Last night, the group had insisted that they have the tent to themselves and refused to hear otherwise.
It did not go to waste. After a lengthy conversation on a wide range of topics, they quietly made love in total darkness before falling into a deep sleep. They would have slept longer, if not for the maddening hunger that drove them both from their cozy barracks.
“He told you everything?” Mia whispers.
Evelyn’s eyes dart upward as she ponders momentarily before answering. “Yes. I believe he did.”
“So... I haven’t exactly told Noah everything.” Mia confesses.
Evelyn does a mental dance of joy; she was hoping there was more to this nonsense than what Noah had told her. Time to pry. “Well, Mia, anything you tell me will be kept in the strictest confidence, unless you tell me otherwise.”
“I appreciate that, thanks.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m still getting used to talking about all of this. Besides Noah, Max is the only person I have ever told. And I’m not sure if he was really listening… or if he even believes me.”
Evelyn nods. Neither do I. But not because she thinks Mia is lying; on the contrary, she suspects there is some truth behind this madness. But as a scientist, she believes there’s a rational explanation, even if it is beyond her current understanding.
“It’s okay,” she says aloud, in her most encouraging tone. “Just speak freely, and I will listen. I will only ask questions if I need to help myself better understand what you are telling me.”
Mia smiles warmly. Overcome by Evelyn’s kindness, her eyes begin to well. “Thank you.” She takes a few steps and carefully chooses her words.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there has been some discussion as to why I dragged my family here to New Zealand. It
has been a tremendous burden since the crash. And while it’s true that it was my idea to come here, I had no clue that I would lose my parents or that any of these other terrible things would happen in the process. So when I consider my reason for our coming here, I can’t forgive myself; it’s too hard for me to accept.” She stops, choking back tears.
Poor girl, Evelyn thinks.
Mia continues, “A few months ago, I started having this recurring dream. Well, it wasn’t a dream so much as a vision. I was falling, from what I’m not sure, but I know I was falling. The next thing I saw was a man. He was dark, handsome, and really strong. I could literally feel the strength in his arms as they wrapped around my waist. Anyway, in my vision, I fell on top of him. And that’s when I saw a patch on his jacket.”
“Did you say a patch?” Evelyn interrupts.
“Yes. A patch. It was the New Zealand flag and around that, a semicircle with the words New Zealand Fishing Company. Under the insignia there was a name —”
“Atua,” Evelyn finishes, having heard the story of the newcomer’s heroism last night while in the arms of her husband.
“Yes. Atua. And it was because of that vision I brought my family here.” Two giant tears drop from her angelic face.
“Oh Mia, I am so sorry, love. No one should have to carry that weight. As I listen to you, I see that you are no better prepared for what’s ahead than any of us. And while your insights may serve others, you are an unwilling voyeur to future events. You have my deepest sympathies for your losses — yours and Max’s. And I am in your debt for saving my husband’s life and quite possibly my own. Please know that the both of you will always have a home with Noah and me, whether or not you have family to go to after we get home.” Her husband had suggested this during last night’s pillow talk, and Evelyn had wholeheartedly agreed.
“That’s very kind and generous. And I thank you for that, truly.” Mia is moved by Evelyn’s compassion. “I’m not entirely sure if Max has accepted that truth, but I know a part of him has admitted as much. I will talk to him about it when the time is right.”
“Of course, dear, it is something you must decide together.” Evelyn is also touched that Mia chose to confide such a personal and tragic secret. She understands now why Mia wouldn’t have told either Noah or Max the details of this particular vision. Evelyn’s heart aches for the girl. She recalls a conversation from a few days ago, in which her husband had hypothesized Mia’s motives for guiding her family to New Zealand. His theories couldn’t have been more off-base.
He believes that Mia came here to save us, thinks Evelyn. Oh Noah, you put too much faith in people. She admires this about her husband, but she knows above all else that none of them can be saved.
Mia hesitates before adding, “So... there is one other matter I need to talk to you about.”
Evelyn pauses for a moment before replying. Her own curiosity satisfied, she hadn’t expected anything else. “What else is there, dear?”
Mia winces and looks around to make sure that no one is listening. “Well, yesterday when I was with my brother and Noah — just after Atua had saved my life — I quite unexpectedly, and for the first time ever, I swear, kind of… jumped inside Max’s head.”
“You did what?”
“I said —”
“I heard what you said.” Evelyn’s voice is abrupt as she tries to make sense of her admission. “Just one minute.... Are you suggesting you could read Max’s mind?” Her voice is barely above a whisper.
Mia shakes her head. “No. It wasn’t that. I mean… I couldn’t hear his thoughts or control his body or anything like that. And I’m certain Max was completely unaware that I was in there, because if he knew I was inside his head, he would freak the fuck out. It was so weird. It was like I was having a vision through his eyes as it was happening in real time. I could hear him speak and it sounded like I was in an echo chamber. And his laugh gave me a piercing headache. It totally freaked me out.” Her voice trails off, her face fraught with uncertainty.
Evelyn walks in silence for a few moments, pondering the girl’s admission. Mia isn’t the only one who’s freaked out. She now understands why her husband has been so tight-lipped regarding Mia. Not only are these little heart-to-hearts terrifying, she realizes, they fill her with uncertainty. The prospect of this girl’s power scares the hell out of her, and Evelyn can’t help but sense something more threatening looming ahead. Her intuition has been set off, and her mind races with thoughts of gloom and doom. She can’t dwell on that right now, because she sees Mia staring at her, waiting for a response.
“Okay, Mia, let’s go back before this vision or out-of-body experience happened,” Evelyn says, thinking fast. “What were you doing and what was happening around you?”
“Well, I was standing by the fire, next to Noah and Atua. And I saw my brother who was a fair distance away from me. Your husband was making the torches for everybody, and he and Atua were chatting. I saw Maaka going up to my brother, I don’t know about you, but that guy gives me the creeps. Anyway I remember thinking to myself, what is that guy gonna say to Max, and then BAM! I was in his head.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“How do you think you were able to do that?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
“Okay, so if I understand correctly, you were able to listen and see what your brother experienced but you couldn’t alter or change anything that was happening?”
“That’s correct.”
“Was there anything of importance said?”
“Not really. Just that Maaka guy asking questions about Noah, and Max telling him how badass he thinks your husband is and basically trying to provoke him, I think. It was just a bunch of dumb macho bullshit.”
“What did he ask about Noah?” asks Evelyn, suddenly alarmed.
“It was nothing. It was just like, who does that guy think he is kinda thing.” Mia demonstrates by puffing out her chest and swinging her arms mockingly.
“Hmmm, I see. But how were you able to get out of Max’s head?”
“I’m not sure about that, either. When Maaka was walking away, I could see that Noah was trying to get my attention, and then the next thing I knew I was back to me again.”
“Have you tried to do it again?”
“I have actually, but I couldn’t and I don’t know why. It’s probably for the best though.”
“For the best? How do you mean?”
“Would you want to be in my brother’s head?”
“Good point.”
“I don’t know, maybe it was an anomaly and it will never happen again.”
Evelyn thinks otherwise but keeps it to herself. She’s battling her own demons. She struggles to accept what she has heard — a story that goes against everything she thinks she knows about reality. How would Noah take this news? He has always been open to outlandish possibilities, more so than she has, and while he prefers to know why things happen, he is also okay with life’s mysteries. But that has never sat well with her.
“Mia, would it be okay if I share this with Noah?”
“Yes, of course. I want you to.” She sighs. “I don’t want to have to explain this again, anyway. Although could you keep what I told you before a secret?”
“You mean about Atua?”
Mia nods and in an instant, Evelyn sees her as a young girl. She’s just a child. “Of course; that will be our little secret,” she says, flashing her the Lockheart wink and a smile.
“Thank you.” Mia sighs deeply as if a tremendous weight has been lifted. “This whole thing has been a nightmare. Max actually thinks I tried to kill myself before Atua saved me.”
“He does? Why on earth would he think that?”
“I’m not entirely sure. He is often confused.” Mia pauses, contemplating. “That’s not fair. He has every right to be confused. I’ve made a mess of everything.”
“You can’t beat yourself up about that now. All
that matters is getting out of here alive. You will find the time to make things right with your brother then.”
“I hope so,” Mia says in a whisper.
Evelyn has another question, but hesitates to ask. In full scientist mode, she forces it. “Mia, have you ever tried going into anyone else’s subconscious?” Evelyn can scarcely believe the words leaving her lips, and she dreads the answer.
“I was afraid you were going to ask me that. I haven’t tried yet and, honestly, I’m not sure if I would want to.”
“I understand,” says Evelyn, relieved. “Quite frankly, I would have the same outlook.” Then, for the sake of both of their sanities, she changes the subject. “You shouldn’t worry yourself about Maaka. He wants the same the thing we all do, civilization and safety, nothing more, whatever misgivings you have about him. I kind of like the fellow myself.”
Mia’s face freezes in disgust. “Maaka? You actually like that guy? How is that even possible? You saw what he did to Hank, right?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think he’s a wee gruff, no doubt. But I do think there’s something interesting about him. There’s something to be said about someone who is so self-serving and uncompromising. I fear Noah has none of those qualities, and for that he has suffered.”
“Oh,” Mia blurts. “I think I understand.” But Evelyn knows that she doesn’t.
After hours of hiking, the group hunkers down on a grassy slope near a meandering stream to rest and drink their fill. It is a beautiful, warm day, and several people lie in the plush grass, surrounded by spring wildflowers, trying to squeeze in a mid-day nap. Then, seemingly from out of nowhere, Maaka and Pango enter the scene, loud and disorderly, irritating those who pine for a few moments of peace.
The troublemakers stroll up to a prone Max, grab the canteen from his hand and proceed to guzzle its contents. In between gulps, the two splash one another soaking Max in the process. His face grows dark. “What the actual fuck?” he snaps, jumping to his feet and shoving Maaka into Pango. The provocation incenses the giant fisherman, who lunges toward Max, but Maaka stiff-arms his charge and settles Pango before snarking, “Easy mate, looks like we woke the sleeping Ashlander.”
