Verita

by Tracy Rozzlynn

  We grab our gear and head out into the field. I look up at the sky and pray that the rain holds off long enough. For the first time, this world truly feels alien to me. I have come to think of these fields as our home. We’ve walked them countless times and never once felt threatened. But all that has changed. The tall, sun-dried grass speckled with wildflowers is no longer a thing of beauty, but a place for monsters to hide and wait to pounce. Every sound we hear makes our eyes dart around searching for the source.

  Our approach startles a bird that was hiding in the grass. As it takes flight, we all jump, and Molly lets out a cry of shock. Once we realize what happened, we all laugh nervously.

  “Come on; let’s pick up the pace. The sooner we get these cameras placed the sooner we can all relax,” I encourage everyone. Mentally I note that we’re also running out of time. I notice the clouds in the sky are drifting faster – a telling sign that the storm is quickly approaching.

  We reach the area where the creature had chased the enux. I point Molly and Ryan in the direction of the first camera to be placed. Jake and I head toward the second position. It’s a large pine tree that stands by itself in the field. I grab the gaffs out of my bag, strap them on my legs, wrap the climbing belt around the trunk and climb halfway up the tree. I drop one end of a rope down to Jake. He ties a bag with cameras onto it, and I hoist them towards me. I attach a camera to each side of the tree. The branches are sparse enough at this height that I have most of the field covered from this one vantage point. I program the cameras to activate as soon as any of the motion detectors in the area are triggered. Then I place a small solar panel beside them to keep the batteries charged. Satisfied with my work I climb back down. Ryan walks over, and motions for Jake to join Molly.

  “What’s wrong?” I sigh. Looking at his face, I can see he’s angry for some reason.

  “You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, you know,” he admonishes.

  “What are you talking about?” I re-pack the gaffs and start heading towards the next camera placement.

  “That little stunt you just pulled was reckless and dangerous. You could have killed yourself,” he hisses at me.

  “I knew what I was doing.” I grab the next camera out of the bag and continue my work, determined not to let him rile me and goad me into a fight. I had thought our bickering was a thing of the past, and I’m not anxious to have it return.

  “Knowledge isn’t the same as experience. If you wanted to place the cameras up in the tree, you should have let us know. I’ve climbed trees before, I have experience. I could have done it without anyone getting hurt.” His whispered argument has clearly caught the attention of the guards assigned to each of us. I notice they are both smirking at us.

  “First of all, it was marked on the map; second, no one got hurt. And finally, I have the experience, and not just the knowledge on how to climb. You shouldn’t assume.” I continue to work with my back toward him, refusing to let his tantrum break my stride. “Can you hand me some strapping so I can secure the camera?” I hold out my hand for the strapping, and he slaps it into my grip.

  “You grew up in Rhode Island. It’s not exactly known for its lumberjacks. How would you have gotten any experience climbing with gaffs?” There is no missing the condescension in his voice.

  “Oh, so lumberjacks are the only ones who can use gaffs now?” I glare over my shoulder at the two guards. One had been making kissy-faces behind my back. This isn’t a lovers’ quarrel.

  “No, but most people don’t even know what a gaff is, never mind knowing how to use it,” he argues.

  “Well for your information, a friend of the family was a lineman. He worked for the telephone company, and he used gaffs to climb the utility poles that bucket trucks couldn’t reach. He gave me one of his old pairs and showed me how to use them. I was nine at the time, and I’ve been climbing trees with gaffs ever since. Now if you feel left out, you can certainly climb the next tree, but in the future please get all of the facts before you decide to jump down my throat.”

  I stand up, finished with the camera, turn and walk back to join the rest of the group. It takes every ounce of my energy, but I put on a relaxed face. I’m not going to let anyone see me lose my temper or see just how rattled Ryan made me feel.

  I smile to myself for leaving out the part about my mother. She was livid when she found out about the gaffs and she threw them in the trash. I snuck them back out, hid them in the woods, and used them in secret.

  The rest of the cameras are placed without incident. Ryan doesn’t complain when I climb another tree to place the last camera, but his face contorts in an almost comical way the entire time I’m in it.

  Just as I finish with the camera, a roll of thunder rumbles from above. I quickly, but carefully, make my way back down the tree. It’s the last place I want to be if there’s a lightning strike. We gather our bags and head back to the field lab at a jog. The first fat drops of rain start to fall on us as we enter the lab.

  “Do you need us anymore?” one of the soldiers asks. “If not, we’d like to run back to base before the rain gets too heavy.”

  “No, we’re all set here. Thank you, all of you, for your help today.”

  The soldier nods and quickly leaves with the rest of the group. I motion to Dean and Shane to leave, and they run after them.

  “So did anyone remember to bring an umbrella?” Jake laughs as he looks around at the rest of us shaking our heads.

  “If it gets too bad we can always spend the night here. I still need to win some toothpicks back from Molly,” I chuckle. I’m relieved that the day’s tension is lifting from us.

  I look out the window at the storm. The sky is almost black, and the wind is already whipping grass in every direction. It’s going to be one heck of a storm. “Come on, let’s check the cameras,” I say to whoever is listening.

  To my relief, all the cameras are operating normally, their pictures steady in spite of the strong winds. Now it’s just a matter of waiting.

  I walk over to the window and stare out at the storm. I’ve always loved a good thunderstorm, ever since I was little. I find them invigorating and fascinating. I watch mesmerized as the lightning dances across the sky, changing the black clouds to angry purple. Looking at the sheets of rain hammering against the windows, it’s clear we’ll be spending the night.

  Watching the storm, I contemplate how much I have changed in such a short amount of time (if you don’t count the frozen years). I still miss my parents all the time, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do anything if I could have them back, but before they died, my life was pretty much mapped out for me. I’d go to college, maybe have a career, get married, have kids, and grow old. On this planet, for the first time in my life, I feel like anything is possible, and what I do really does make a difference. I’m not simply taking up space until I die.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I jump and spin, startled by Ryan’s voice. I land against his chest.

  “Sorry, I didn’t hear you walk up.” I push myself off of him.

  “Well, I’m sorry again. But mostly I’m sorry for getting mad at you today. You’re right; I shouldn’t have assumed. You caught me off-guard. I turned around and saw you up that tree. All I could think about is that if you fell, there would be nothing any of us could do, and I was already so worried about the creature hurting one of us.” He glanced away, unable to meet my eyes with his last words.

  “I understand your concern. It just frustrates me that you always seem to assume the worst in me. It would be nice for once to be given the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Next time I’ll try.” He shrugs and pulls a slight smile.

  “How about next time you talk to me first?”

  I punch him on the shoulder and walk over to help Molly prepare dinner, warning, “Whoever doesn’t help with the cooking does the cleaning.”

  After dinner, we spend the rest of the night playing cards. For some reason, we can’t seem to settle on on
e game, and end up playing hearts, rummy, and even bridge at one point – one very brief point. We seem to get goofier and sillier throughout the night, and it’s a refreshing contrast to the stress of the day we had. As usual, Molly ends up with all the toothpicks.

  The next day you can’t tell that there had ever been a storm. The sun is out, and by early morning it’s already hot. Even though we’re all still tired from yesterday, we’re excited to get the grass planted today.

  I quickly check over all of the cameras. They are all still in position and functioning normally. Ryan has all the supplies in the field lab ready to go. We collect the equipment and head back to the base. We wait impatiently while security verifies that we have clearance to bring the seed and equipment onto the base. Then we make our way over to Dr. Brant’s office. She’s already there, waiting to greet us.

  “One of the perks of being in charge is that I’ll have the best looking lawn on the base.” She smiles at us. “I take it everything went well yesterday?”

  “Yes, Dr. Brant, we placed all the cameras before the storm hit,” I advise her.

  “Excellent. Wonderful timing on the storm; we might have the footage we need sooner than I hoped.” She looks toward Ryan. “I’ll let you get on with your work.” She turns and heads back inside her cool office. I’m already feeling sweat beading on my lip and I feel a bit envious of her.

  “It’s your project, so you tell us what you need us to do.” I smile and add, “Boss.”

  He hands me a hoe. “Loosen up the top soil; it will make it easier for the grass seed to take root. There’s enough seed to cover a ten foot radius around her office. I figure if we’re going to make an impression, the bigger the better.” He smiles – we all groan.

  “That a lot of soil to loosen.”

  I look up at the sun beating down on us, put on some gloves and get to work.

  The four of us spent the morning breaking up soil. We have plenty of people stop by to see what we are doing, but they quickly leave when we ask for volunteers. I’m thankful that the automatic sprinkler system has already been installed by the construction workers in anticipation of the eventual landscaping. It will save us some work, at least. But still, it’s too hot. I find myself wishing that the sprinklers would just go off by themselves. By the time we’re ready to spread the seed, we’re all drenched in sweat.

  We praise Andi when she stops by with drinks for us all.

  Andi walks over and hands me a drink. “I figured you’d need this by now, but I have to admit I do have an ulterior motive.”

  “If it requires even the use of a pinky muscle you’re out of luck,” I warn, gulping down the drink.

  “Actually, no movement is needed – just approval.” She hands out the rest of the drinks. I raise my eyebrow at her. “Jeremy and I are working on a tracking device you can implant on the creature.” My interest must be visible: she grins at me.

  “We already have tracking devices. What would be different about this one?” Ryan questions as he hands back his empty glass.

  “Once we’re done, it will set off anyone’s watch alarm when it comes within a mile radius. We figure even if the animal isn’t territorial, it will give everyone ample notice to get away safely when he’s in the area.”

  “Have I told you recently that you’re brilliant?” I smile and hand my glass back to Andi.

  “Yes, but I never tire of hearing it.” She bounces over to Jake and Molly and collects their glasses. “I take it that’s a yes to the tracking device.” We all nod our agreement. “Good,” she smugly says. “Oh, Brett, don’t forget dinner tonight.”

  I nod. She turns and skips away from us. I know she must be bursting at the seams to tell me all about her first date with Jackson.

  Ryan hands us all some seed and a strainer-type device. He shows us how he wants the seed applied, and we all get to work, eager to finish and take a shower. At least it’s the easiest and quickest part of the job.

  Toward the end, when the majority of the seed has been spread, Ryan and Jake start a seed fight. Molly quickly joins in, dumping a handful down Jake’s shirt. I laugh knowing, despite our occasional bumps, I have a heck of a team.

  As I watch the three of them rough-housing, that’s when it really sinks it: they really are my team. I feel possessive, protective, and proud of them. I suppose it mimics the way a mother feels toward her children. Without me being aware of it, they had become my family.

  My thoughts are interrupted as Ryan rubs seed into my hair. So, of course, I have to chase him down until I get seed in his.

  While Ryan programs the sprinklers, we collect the tools, and then we all head back to the field lab. Ryan and I put the tools away, while Jake and Molly both shower. Unfortunately, the field lab only has two showers, one for the girls and one for the boys. I try to busy myself while I wait for a shower, but I’m just too uncomfortable. I quickly give up, and just lean against the wall to wallow in misery. Ryan is just as uncomfortable as me. The sweat and dirt were bad enough, but the added grass seed is just making us itchy. I watch him pace back and forth as he waits for Jake to finish.

  “Pacing just makes you sweatier,” I remind him.

  “Tell me about it.” He groans and walks over to the bunk area. “Jake, can you hurry it up in there?” He growls.

  “Hey, after what you put everyone through today, I may spend the rest of the afternoon in here!” Jake yells back.

  “You should know better than to challenge Jake. You’ll have to walk back to the dorms now. He’ll be in there the rest of the day now, just to prove his point,” I laugh.

  “Fine,” Ryan grumbles. I watch him stomp over to the kitchen sink and rip his shirt off. A small gasp escapes me. It’s not that he took his shirt off – heck, I feel like doing that myself. What surprises me is what is under the shirt. I knew Ryan was in decent shape. I knew he worked out at the gym, but he just never appeared remarkably muscular to me.

  I was very mistaken.

  Under his shirt is a perfectly chiseled chest, complete with a six pack. He turns his back toward me and begins to wash himself with a cloth. His back is just as defined as his front. I’m fascinated that he could be so well-defined, but not show any of it through his shirt. I have the sudden impulse to run my hands over his chest.

  “Brett, it’s your turn,” Molly yells from our bunk area.

  I quickly break my stare before Ryan notices my open-jawed expression, and walk to the shower, feeling flushed.

  “Not a bad view, huh?” Molly teases.

  I cringe. She had caught me staring. “I’m just surprised. I wouldn’t have guessed he was in such good shape,” I feebly explain.

  “Don’t fret about it; he took me by surprise too when I first saw him without a shirt,” she admits.

  “When did you—” I trip over my words, surprised by her admission.

  “He was in the bio-dome doing a scratch test to see which ones triggered his allergy. Anyway, I guess it was easier to take his shirt off than to roll up his sleeves. I was bringing him some lunch, but he heard me before I could recover, and caught me staring at him. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t look him in the eyes for a week.”

  “Thanks. In a way that makes me feel better,” I admit. “But… he never told me he had a grass allergy. I wonder why he didn’t mention it? It’s a valid reason to get out of the research, especially when he originally didn’t want to do it,” I wonder out loud.

  “It’s only a mild allergy. He only knows about it because of all the tests they performed on us before we came over. Besides, I don’t think the original argument was really about the grass – that’s probably why he never told you,” Molly offers.

  Molly’s insight is probably correct, but I choose to ignore it and focus on the allergy. “So the grass we just planted won’t trigger anyone else’s allergies either. That’s a nice plus, but I’m not sure how I feel about him using himself as a guinea pig. Especially with no one else around. Something could have gone wrong.�
�� But seeing the look of horror on Molly’s face, I add, “Don’t worry; I’ll figure out some way to bring up the topic of testing on ourselves without mentioning what you told me.” I pat her arm and then grab a towel.

  “Thanks,” Molly whispers, and lets out a sigh of relief.

  Before Molly leaves the room, I call back to her. “Hey, do me a favor and let Ryan and Jake know that it’s okay if they check out early today. We’ve earned an extra bit of rest after the last two days.”

  I close the bathroom door and strip off my sweaty clothes. The water feels magic against my skin as I step into the shower.

  “Okay, Jake, long enough,” Ryan says from what sounds like miles away. “Either you get out of that shower or I’m gonna wrestle you out of that shower while Molly watches.”

  “Hey, leave me out of this. Why should I get punished because he can’t take a normal shower?” Molly protests.

  I laugh and plunge my head into the shower, drowning out the sound. I’m glad no one is waiting for me to hurry up.

  I linger in the lab, double-checking the new cameras, even though I know there won’t be anything caught yet. It’s only when Ryan finishes his shower that I realize how long I’ve been. Together we return to the base. I can’t help but notice that there’s a change in the atmosphere, something is up. When we pass people, I notice an excess of excited whispering, but the looks on their faces are somber, grim even. It gives me an ominous feeling. I look at Ryan and see my feeling mirrored in his expressions.

  “Hey, you,” I call to a short blonde kid as he passes us. He points at his chest questioningly. “Yeah, you. We just got back to the base. What’s going on with everyone?”

  “A girl died.” His voice is mournful, but I see creepy excitement flash in his eyes.

  I swallow my disgust. Some things haven’t changed since high school. In high school, a girl died in a car accident with a drunk driver. Suddenly everyone knew her, everyone was her best friend, and everyone had a story to tell. They all acted like they were in mourning, but they really were no better than rubberneckers gawking at an accident with the sole purpose of gossiping about it afterward. It was downright sickening and disrespectful to everyone who had actually been her friend.