ALBA

by HL TRUSLOVE

  I stay with them throughout the whole thing. They don’t get any better. I was hoping for some sort of spark when they realised we were moving on, but they remained catatonic; sitting quietly, staring at something nobody else could see. I did the best I could for them. I kept them clean, brushed their hair, talked to them. I don’t know if they heard me but I did it anyway.

  It was strange. Suddenly having to be in charge of this person. They’d done so much for me. They’d saved my life. If it hadn't been for them I’d still be locked in a raider cell – or worse. They gave up so much for me. And this is the thanks they got.

  The two of us ride on one of the wagons made to carry the collapsible walls of the shower block. The rocky journey doesn’t seem to bother them. In fact it’s almost relaxing; they fall asleep easily for the first time in a couple of nights. I don’t wake them up. They deserve the rest.

  It takes a couple of days to get to the coast, and another week on top of that for a boat to come. I stay by their side for the entire time. When I hold their hand they let me. I see Mari look at us from across the camp. Every time our eyes meet she looks away. I know she feels guilty. I can’t bring myself to care; she deserves to.

  The ship comes, it’s unloaded, and we’re put on board. I’m going to go home too. I don’t want to spend a moment more in this awful place. I want to go back to where I feel safe. And I want to make sure my friend can be… comfortable.

  Neither of us stand on the deck and wave goodbye when the ship leaves port. I don’t care about any of the people left behind. I’m angry at them for what they did to my friend. Nobody deserves that, especially someone who’s been through so much.

  In the cabin I take their hand.

  “We’re going home,” I tell them.

  They don’t respond. But I think they squeeze my fingers.

  THE END.

  33.B

  The screaming takes over the entire camp. Viktor furrows his brow. It seems familiar, but he can’t place it. Shaking his head, he goes to return to his work. Stock duty. It isn’t exciting, but someone has to make sure the camp has enough to eat.

  “Viktor!”

  He looks up at the sound of his name. Jan is coming towards him, a look of worry on his face. He drops what he’s doing to meet Jan halfway.

  “What’s the matter?” Viktor asks. Jan takes a moment to catch his breath, but when he explains the situation Viktor can’t hide the look of surprise on his face. Of all the people to be making such horrid shrieks, he didn’t expect it to be someone he’d sailed over here with.

  He’d heard the news that you were back – was even considering going to see you, say hello, and check how you were doing. Let you know he had settled into this place quite well and planned to stay here. Looks like that plan’s going to go on hold.

  “They’ve not, erm, calmed down for the last half an hour.”

  “Yes,” he said, wincing as the screams get louder and quieter again, “I noticed.”

  “Fanon wanted me to come and find you. He thought maybe they’d have a better reaction to you.”

  Viktor sighs but lets Jan take him to the strategy tent. Fanon must really be desperate. On the voyage over, the two of you didn’t have the best relationship – you didn’t dislike each other, you just didn’t talk much. Gaia was the glue that held your little crew together.

  His heart hurts a little at that thought. Gaia. Although he hopes she’s safe, wherever she is, if he was being realistic, she’s probably not.

  He stops thinking about it as he walks into the tent.

  You’re on the floor, knees up to your chest, hands so tightly in your hair he thought you were going to rip chunks out. Fanon is by your side, trying to talk to you, but Mari is stood back with a look of horror on her face.

  Viktor catches her eye and she looks truly terrified.

  He crosses over to you and gently says your name. Your screams subside for a moment, and he takes advantage of the calm to untangle your hands from your hair.

  “Do you remember me?” he asks, but you don’t reply. The screams are replaced by horrible, catatonic silence. You stare off into the distance. Whatever you’re looking at, he doesn’t think it’s something anyone else can see. Viktor sighs.

  “What happened?” he asks, genuinely curious. Fanon has a grave look on his face as he explains. It’s a melancholy story. A couple of times, he looks over to Mari, who avoids his gaze.

  “So now what?” Viktor asks.

  You’ve started to rock back and forth. It’s unsettling.

  “We take them back to the vault, I think. They aren’t in any state to stay here. They need to be somewhere they can be looked after,” Fanon states. He’s sadder than Viktor had ever seen him; it looks like this was quite a blow.

  “I had such high hopes. But, I suppose they’re just another person lost to the Old World.”

  Viktor doesn’t have time to press Fanon on what he means. They have more important things to do.

  “So,” Viktor says, “how do we get them back?”

  Slowly and with a lot of effort is the answer. We have to pack up the entire camp and head to the coast. It’s irritating that we have to do this for the benefit of just one person, but then I think I’m probably being too harsh. They went through a lot. Besides, we’d have had to move closer to the sea eventually – we’re beginning to run out of supplies. Fanon tells us there’s a ship on its way over. We’ll meet it where it docks, and then we’ll put anyone who wants to go back on it.

  We have to put them on one of the carts we use for moving the collapsible buildings. I can tell everyone isn’t happy we have to lug a person along with us but at the same time they won’t say anything. They’d come off as heartless.

  It takes a few days to get to the coast. At least they’ve stopped screaming. They spend the entire journey in silence. It’s a relief to see the ship on the horizon as we crest the final hill. We unload the ship even before we unpack the camp. Normally, the crew would stay a night, but Fanon has a hushed conversation with them and they’re getting ready to leave immediately. I think there’s quiet agreement we all want to get our patient back to the vault as soon as possible.

  I watch my companion being put onto the ship. It strikes me what a complete change this is from when we arrived. Them being confident and excited. Now they need help to walk.

  They don’t look back at me. I’m not entirely sure if I want them to but I still feel sad, nonetheless. When the boat casts off I don’t stand and wave it goodbye. I go back to work.

  I don’t hear from them again. But I hope they’re comfortable.

  THE END.

  Chapter 34

  Ending Five

  34.0

  You take a moment to digest Mari’s words. She watches you coolly, but also with concern, as if she’s not quite sure what’s going to happen. Not sure how you’ll take the decision that’s just been dumped in your lap. Not sure if you might react badly.

  But you feel oddly… calm. No wave of terror. No panic gripping your chest, because, honestly, you know what you want to do. What you need to do, even.

  Yeah, this whole thing has been… well, it’s had some of the worst moments of your life. A lot of it was also incredibly insightful, and you met people out there, good people. People who weren’t so different from everyone you grew up knowing in the vault. Your answer was always going to be that you need to help them.

  In fact, maybe you need to go even further.

  “Honestly? I think we need to be helping out the people here however we can. When I was sent on this mission, it was to gather information. But that seems a bit… I don’t know. It’s like we’re acting as if these people aren’t actually people. That they’re animals we need to observe and keep away from. But that’s awful! They’re just like us. We should be united with them, not holding them at arms’ length.”

  Mari has a look of puzzlement on her face, but Fanon is grinning and nodding his head along, excited about every word you’r
e saying.

  “So what do you propose we do now?” he prompts. It’s the most enthusiastic you’ve ever seen him. Maybe it’s just nice that he finally has someone who agrees with his view on the old world.

  “I think… I think we should try and integrate with them. We unite with the people who are already living here and work towards… I don’t know. A new civilisation, I guess. People from the Old World and the New World, living together, helping each other.”

  Mari looks shocked. She turns to her father only to find him with a huge smile on his face.

  “You really think that’s a good idea?”

  “Yes,” you say firmly, “I do. I don’t see what other option we have, really. If we keep doing things the way we are, I think it’s only going to cause a divide. People are sceptical of us coming over from the vaults. But if we can prove to them we aren’t so different, I think it could really change things here. And if we don’t, what are our options then? We stay in our own little bases, building resentment in everyone else here? Waiting for them to drive us out or, the best outcome, ignore us forever?”

  “What about raiders?” she asks.

  “Yes, I know they’re a problem. Trust me, I know. But they’re still going to be a problem for us if we stay in a camp on our own. At least, if we’re with another group, we have more power to fight them off. And who knows? Maybe if they see what’s happening, some of them will change their minds and come live with us, too.”

  She looks sceptical, but you step towards Mari and take her hands. She looks slightly horrified, but she doesn’t pull away.

  “Don’t you see, Mari, this is the only way forward. This isn’t just the best thing we can do for the vault. It’s the best thing we can do full stop. We need to try and make things… like how they were before the first bomb was ever dropped.”

  “Yes!” Fanon exclaims, jumping to his feet. Mari looks between the two of you and sighs, giving up. You think there’s also a bit of a smile on her face.

  “All right. I’ll go call the vault then,” she says, making her way out of the tent. Even when she leaves, there’s an energy in the tent, a buzzing excitement between you and Fanon. He turns to you, still beaming. It’s a look that hasn’t left his face for the last five minutes.

  “I’m so glad,” he says, and for a moment you think his voice cracks as he speaks. “I’m so glad I’ve found someone who agrees with me. I’ve been trying to talk about this with Mari for ages, but she acts like I’m just some foolish old optimist.”

  “Maybe you are some foolish old optimist. But is that such a bad thing?” you ask. He chuckles and pats you on the shoulder.

  “Maybe you’re right,” he admits. “Honestly, I thought I might be dead before I ever saw this day come. I’m so glad the vault sent you over.”

  You consider everything that’s happened since you got here. The good things and the bad. And then you decide: “Me too.”

  You chatter excitedly with Fanon for a moment longer, talking about the things you’ve seen on your adventure, before Mari comes back into the tent.

  “Well,” she says, “it took some convincing but it seems the vault’s backing your idea. They said if we can integrate successfully with a group out here, they’ll start sending over more supplies and more people.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “They said… it might be what we need to finally leave the vault.”

  It’s an incredible prospect. Children getting to be outside, not needing to grow up surrounded by cold, clinical steel walls any more. Giving everyone in the vault the possibility of a better life. It’s the best possible outcome for this project.

  “So,” says Mari, breaking you out of your daydream, “do you have any idea where we’re going to start with this?”

  You cast your mind back through everything that’s happened while you’ve been out there. Every person you’ve met, every interaction you’ve had. And you nod.

  “Yes,” you tell Mari, “I think I have an idea.”

  Turn to 34.A, Needs Morag.

  * * *

  Turn to 34.C, Needs Balloon Blueprints (O.28).

  * * *

  Otherwise, Turn to 34.B.

  34.A

  “There was a group I met. The village on the ship you sent me to stake out when I first got here. I got to know them. I think they’d be our best chance at joining forces.”

  Fanon nods; Mari looks sceptical.

  “Morag’s group?” she asks, narrowing her eyes.

  “Yes! And you already know them, so it’s not like they’re strangers. Everyone there was friendly. The only problem is they’ve moved, so we’ll have to try and find where they got to.”

  “All right,” Mari relents. “Let’s go and tell everyone then.”

  It’s a tense time. Mari gathers the camp together and makes the announcement. You see the looks of concern flash over faces as they take in the news. Of course, it’s going to be a big change for them. They don’t know what you know. They haven’t seen the old world. It’s a lot to ask them to trust you so blindly, but you won’t let them down.

  The camp is packed up over the course of the day, putting down tents and disassembling buildings, then you start on your journey.

  It takes a few days to get to the site of the burned, hollowed-out ship. You have to cross the bridge again. A ball of anxiety knits itself together in your stomach as you approach, but apparently it’s a lot easier to cross as a group than an individual. The guards see your badges and wave you onwards. You feel a little peeved it was such an effort to get over there on your own, but are thankful you can keep the journey going.

  You then have to try to track down which way they went. You remember the general direction the village headed, and luckily there are still some faint tracks the heavier carts left in the dirt. A lot of it is guesswork. All the people in the convoy don’t take too kindly to being led on what they consider to be a wild goose chase, but they keep their complaints to a minimum. In fact, on the tenth day, when you spy a settlement in the distance, there’s actually a murmuring of excitement throughout the group.

  Dozens of tents have been set up in the wreck of an old building, a huge one-storey thing that looks like it hasn’t seen this much life for years. You can see people inside the structure itself, some spilling out their homes and onto the tarmac. Children run and scream as they play their little games, people talk and laugh. You smile.

  The group makes its way to the village slowly. With the amount of people following you, soon you’ve attracted attention. A murmur goes around the camp and you can see someone coming towards you. Someone with red hair.

  Morag’s face lights up when she sees you and she pulls you into a rough hug.

  “I didn’t expect to see you again, chicken!” she laughs. You return her embrace.

  “I didn’t expect to be back, Morag,” you confess. She holds you at arms’ length to take a good look at you and seems to be happy with how you’re doing. Then she looks to the dozens of people you have in tow.

  “Morag, I’ve come to talk to you. As a spokesperson for the New World.”

  She raises her eyebrows.

  “Aye?”

  You tell her your plan. You tell her you want to integrate. Have your people come and live with hers. A small crowd gathers behind her, and you can tell the two groups of people are scoping each other out. Morag listens patiently, nodding along.

  When you’re done she takes another long, sweeping look over your party.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “I think we could really help each other, Morag,” you confess.

  “I like your moxie, kid.” She holds out a hand. With a grin, you take it and shake.

  “I welcome you and yours to the group. Let’s see how this goes,” she says.

  You grin. Around you, tents are unpacked and buildings are erected. New neighbours shyly introduce themselves.

  Fanon catches your eye. He nods his head with a smile before he goes to talk to Morag with open arms
.

  You feel like you’ve taken a step into a real new world.

  THE END.

  34.B

  When the rest of the camp is told they’re moving to the city, there's a grumbling that’s difficult to ignore. You don’t blame them, though. If you were in their place, being told you were going to uproot your lives to try to move to a (potentially dangerous) new home, you wouldn’t be incredibly pleased either. But the city seemed to have the highest concentration of people, which means it’s the best place for you to make connections. Plus, given all the old buildings, maybe you could start renovating some of the actual architecture. Make permanent homes for yourselves.

  You get to the city streets fairly quickly once everyone has packed up the camp and started to move. It’s only a couple of days’ travel before you see the dilapidated building of the outer city, the spire of the church looming over everything. Everyone seems nervous but excited as you head into the city proper.

  You get some looks, a huge group moving all as one with all the equipment you have, but soon find a good, open place to settle into. It used to be some sort of plaza, but it’s all but emptied out now. You spend the rest of the day clearing rubble from the space and setting your home back up.

  It’s not a bad spot. Protected from all sides by buildings means the wind is going to be a lot less bothersome. Near plenty of places you can start work on renovating. Maybe, in a year’s time, these tents will be gone, replaced with actual solid houses.