“Fuck, fuck, shit!” Summer yelled out loudly as she felt lumps of dirt fall on her head and shoulders as the bullets ricocheted close by. Isla swung her gun over the banking, shooting frantically up into the air, her eyes closing from the loud sound of the gunfire. She looked over the banking as she saw the shadow of the carriage and canopy cross the river bed. It was directly overhead. Summer ran bravely underneath it, towards the buggy, shielded from the fire by its carriage. Isla grabbed onto Dagger; it would only be a matter of seconds before she was fully exposed. She fearfully held her gun up towards the carriage, waiting for the men to peek over and finding her laying right below them like a sitting duck. Summer dived under the buggy, leaving a trail from her bloody knees in the dirt. She grabbed an RPG from under the passenger seat and rolled back from under the buggy, pressing the firing button as she aimed above at the carriage, the recoil driving the launcher deep into her chest. Isla saw the rocket blast into the air, exploding on impact with the carriage, sending a fiery blaze upwards into the canopy, it to exploding before collapsing down on itself. Then there was just the roar of flames as the ship fell gracefully in its defeat to the riverbed below.
They both watched as the ship burned. There were no signs of survivors, Dagger barking frantically at the flames as they consumed the ship mercilessly. They both walked slowly to the inferno, the sickly smell of burning fabric saturating the air.
“Good shot, Summer! That really was a good shot!” Isla yelled, still stunned by the sudden turn of events.
“Who are they?” Isla asked.
“Were they, you mean,” Summer replied, double checking the wreckage to make sure there were no signs of life.
“At least we know now, that the plains aren’t as dead as we think they were.”
“Do you think more will come?” Isla nodded as she watched the dark clouds, high above the horizon towards the South. “Many more. They are fleeing from the storms. Dad may have been right. Keep an eye on the South,” he had said, “and let me know what you see there.” But Isla could read his eyes. There was sadness there hiding behind his smile, and she felt that he already knew. What, she did not know.
The Ship
The V8s thundered through the darkness; the night sky was as black as coal as Cain had predicted. Only the sprinkling of stars could be seen through the clear, cold air, the moon and supernova still below the horizon. Cain looked over his shoulder as he slowed onto the verge, waving the others to pull over. He waited for them all to stop before disembarking his bike, his heavy boots easily audible as they crunched through the gravel on the roadside verge.
“Remember, when we get to the top of the cove, no lights, and no engines. No chatting girls about the boys you would like to have, and their children also. We just silently freewheel, down the hill, through the darkness, and onto the beach. Take it slowly; feel your way. I assure you it will be safer that way, just in case we awaken any mad dogs. They all started their engines again as Cain pulled off and followed him onwards to the top of the cove, Kyla and Jeff riding side-by-side, looking at each other with excited smiles.
Not Jeff, that's for sure, Kyla chuckled to herself as she pondered Cain’s comments about boys and kids. I prefer the loner, who will come home to me because he wants to, not because he feels he should; only when he's tired of his freedom and needs a shoulder to rest his weary head upon. The cove came into view and they all, one by one, switched off their lights, then their engines, and began freewheeling down the meandering road to the cove below.
How fucking dark? Cain mused, enjoying the thrill of finding his way down the hill through the darkness. Fuck me, hope we all get down in one piece, hearing the waves crash onto the rocks below. He looked across and down toward the sea, barely able to see the ship as it writhed in the waves like a wounded animal, the salty sea washing its wounds. Fucking perfect, he thought, Kyla's a little missy genius. The cover of darkness, indeed. You need bat vision to find your way around here. Shame I can't hear the V8s purring with acknowledgment! Kyla looked across, also to the brooding sea, surprised how big the ship looked in the shadows.
I wonder what Cain and Bayliss are expecting. The ship could have come from anywhere, containing anything? Maybe people are still aboard, too scared to leave, living off its cargo like in some strange, cut-off village that's slowly consuming itself. The bikes and vans slowly but surely continued their painful descent through the darkness until they reached the bottom of the road adjacent to the beach. It was half covered with windswept, gritty sand.
Kyla breathed in deeply and slowly, Wow, it feels so fresh down here, feeling the salty air revitalising her body. A girl could get used to the beach life, for sure! Cain gave a short, sharp whistle and waited for everyone's attention.
“Don’t let the quietness fool you, distract you from your instincts,” Cain spoke, standing between everyone and the beach. “There could be anyone here; behind you amongst the trees, above you on the cliffs, on the ship, or in the water.” He waited for a moment or two, “Let's go as planned; the night is young, and there's much to do. Good luck everyone.”
Carla and Kyla boarded the dinghy while Cain and Bayliss pushed them outwards from behind, running and splashing through the cold sea. The rest assumed their lookout posts as instructed; watching, listening for any activity other than from their own. Jeff sat up against a dead tree trunk behind the road, watching as Bayliss and Cain jumped into the boat and began rowing towards the ship. He watched as it bobbed up and down, out through the incoming waves as they broke, then splashed over the craft and crew.
Poor Kyla, she's getting a good and proper soaking tonight, he chuckled.
“What a pleasant evening this is turning out to be, don’t you think, Kyla?” Carla remarked as she brushed back her soaking wet hair with her shivering hands.
Kyla shrugged, “I guess so. It could be the evening of our lives. Let's wait and see.”
“That's the girl,” Cain said as he and Bayliss continued to row out towards the ship.
“We should have swum across, and then we wouldn’t have got so wet,” Carla continued, looking at Kyla, searching for a sign of weakness, a place where she could dig her teeth into.
What's with this girl, sitting there looking amused at this whole charade. She should be complaining, perhaps even crying, at least a little bit, Carla thought uneasily.
“Ship ahoy!” Bayliss shouted as he grabbed onto the large, red hull. Cain threw up some rope and secured the boat. Bayliss then swung up a rope ladder, pulling on it hard, making sure it had found a secure mooring.
Carla looked up, “Charming, which one of you strong lads would like to carry me up?” Bayliss and Cain burst out laughing,
“Wish I could, wish I could,” Cain replied, out of breath, “but my arms are a bit knackered from all the rowing, you see.” Bayliss nodded in agreement, still laughing at her.
“Only asking, boys. I thought you’d like to whisk a babe up onto the ship's deck.” Kyla tried not to snigger, but the urge was too strong to hold back. Carla stared intently at her.
“After you,” Cain broke in to avoid an argument, ushering Bayliss up the ladder.
“Thank you, kind Sir,” Bayliss replied, “but I believe the honour is all yours.” Cain steadied himself, hand on Carla's shoulder as she looked up annoyed, and levered himself up onto the ladder.
“Thank you!” Carla shouted up.
One by one, they climbed up onto the ship's deck with their lanterns hanging around their necks. They all looked around, not sure what to see or expect. Everything was quiet except for the lashing of the waves against the ship’s hull. “Doesn’t seem like anybody's home,” Carla said. “I was hoping for a nice cosy, welcoming party, but I guess not.” Cain ignored the comment, ushering them towards the containers.
“Let's see what these fucking babies have inside of them,” he said as the light from the lantern flickered in his wide, excited eyes. The door of the first container they walked to was already ajar. Cai
n pulled it open and looked inside; nothing.
“Fucking, bastard, empty,” he shouted, slamming the door shut.
“Oh dear,” Carla said, “my hopes were a little higher. Never mind, there’s still another hundred or so to check. They can't all be empty, can they?” she teased as she looked at the mass of towering containers above them.
“Next one, please! Do we have a volunteer?” Cain exclaimed as he too looked at the mass of containers before them?
“How about this one, over yonder,” he continued as he motioned the others towards another, it's red paint flaking, revealing rust underneath. “For you my dear Carla, and all that lies within,” Cain said as he gently pushed Carla to the end of the container. She gently opened the door and peered inside. No sooner had she looked, she slammed the door shut.
“You spotted a big, fat spider,” Cain asked, looking surprised, watching Carla catch her breath.
“Maybe she saw herself in a mirror,” Kyla half-joked, sensing Carla's fear.
“There's someone in there alright, and it's sure not my reflection, or a big, fat spider,” Carla said in a nervous whisper.
“Now, now, no need for little games,” Cain said, not looking amused.
Bayliss interrupted, pulling Carla from the door, “I think for once she may be talking straight. She looks shit scared. Look how pale she's gone, for fuck's sake.” Cain stared at the door, saying nothing as Bayliss slowly opened it and peered inside. He slammed it shut again.
“Looks like we’ve interrupted a fucking little party,” he said, staring straight into Cain’s eyes. Kyla began to tremble, her lips and face quivering with uncontrollable ticks.
Carla looked at Kyla with a satisfied smile, “Looks like you and your friends in that little brain of yours are trying to run in all directions at once, but they can't can they, they're too scared.” Kyla let out a nervous breath, looking at Carla with despise.
“Fuck it!” Cain exclaimed, kicking the door. “Fuck them all,” he continued as he kicked the door again and again. “Bastard fucks!”
Bayliss waved his hands downwards, “Everyone calm down, let's approach this sensibly.”
“Maybe we can ask them for a drink or two,” Carla said, “mingle, inject some life into the party, make a friend or two.” Cain opened the door and peered inside, slamming the door shut immediately as he glanced straight down the barrels of several guns.
“So, is there champagne to welcome us aboard?” Carla asked, looking distraught.
“There's going to be a party alright,” Cain said with baited breath as metallic shots rang out against the inside of the door. “Let's keep the door fucking shut for now.”
Kyla caught Carla’s eyes, then looked at her crotch before bluntly saying, “Either she's pissed herself from fear or her pussy’s wet from the thrill of it all!” Carla's face went blood red, and just as she was about to open her mouth, further shots could be heard ricocheting off the inside of the door. They all instinctively stepped back a yard, Kyla looking down at her body to check if she was still in one piece.
“Looks like the Colgate invisible shield has saved you,” Carla said with a curl of the lips. “Everyone knows you’ve been hiding that tube of toothpaste in that pit of yours.” Kyla snarled her lips, not afraid to show her teeth. Carla continued baiting, “You know if you want to sort out those fucked up yellow teeth of yours, you should visit a dentist if you can find one, but they look beyond help, so maybe don't bother, don't bother at all, you'd be wasting everyone's time.”
Kyla was about to take a swing at Carla's grinning face, but Cain grabbed her hand, “Look, ladies, there's a situation ongoing that needs our attention, so save your bitching for later!”
“Burn them,” Kyla whispered.
“Burn them?” Bayliss asked hushed.
“What the fuck with?” Carla added, rolling her eyes. “You hiding a flamethrower under that cheap blouse of yours?”
“With the paraffin. We collect the paraffin from all the lamps, add a rag,” Kyla said, looking at Carla's blouse, “light, throw in, and…” looking at Cain and shrugging her shoulders.” Everyone went quiet, appearing deep in contemplation as they stared at Kyla. Cain rubbed his chin, the rasping sound of his rough skin breaking the silence.
“Might just work,” Cain nodded with an unsure grin. “Let's try. Here, pour all your paraffin into my lamp, guys,” Cain continued as he licked his fingers and extinguished the flame of his lamp with a pinch, dense grey smoke rising into the air as he did so. He screwed off the top of his lamp, making an irritating screech as he slowly opened it up. Kyla shuddered. They all did the same, before pouring their paraffin into his, it's pungent and sickly smell overwhelming the salty freshness of the gentle breeze.
“Right then my beauties, where's the fireworks?” Cain said with a twisted smile.
“Fireworks?” Carla remarked.
“For Guy Fawkes and his friends, my sweetie,” Cain replied as he ripped off the arm from his shirt. “Remember, remember, the fifth of November,” he continued in rhyme as he plugged his torn shirt into his lamp.
“It’s May,” Carla remarked as she felt the stare of the others, “but I get your point.”
“Bayliss, if you may,” Cain remarked. Bayliss took a cigarette lighter from his pocket and with a slow rasp there was a little light again as an orange flame flickered in the breeze. Everyone stared hypnotised at the flame as Bayliss slowly moved it to the torn cotton sleeve. They watched as it flared up into a bright orange, roaring blaze, feeling it's heat as it hungrily fed off the paraffin. Cain quickly positioned it between the gap in the door as Bayliss slowly opened it. Then there was darkness again as Cain threw the lamp inside, Bayliss quick to slam the door shut. All were quiet as they moved against the door to listen for a reaction. Then there was the sound of screams, thumping on the door and more gunfire as the door tried to rattle open, all four of them with all their strength trying to contain the desperation from within. Then there was silence as thick and black, rancid smoke seeped out from below the door. They all coughed from the pungent smell of burnt flesh as their chests filled with soot until they could hold the door no more, each running to the side of the ship, hanging over the rails to take lungfuls of fresh, salty air. Kyla gasped, glad it was all over, taking another deep breath as she turned to look at the container. She screamed as it screamed, the tarred smoking torso walking haphazardly towards her. The others turned to look as it fell to the ground with a lifeless thud, watching the smoke rise from its scorched clothes melted into its skin.
“Not scared of the dead, now, are we, Kyla?” Carla remarked with a psychotic grin. The others laughed nervously as they watched the smoke from the dead man rise into the moonless night. Cain looked inside the smoky container with trepidation, looking for the others, but there were only flames and thick, black, billowing smoke.
“Doesn’t smell too good, in there,” he remarked, gagging for breath. “I can only conclude, job well done!” he said, looking delighted at the charred remains of the bodies before him, their skin bubbling under the heat of the flames.
He looked down the passageways of the ship, paranoid that others were lurking somewhere. “Time to leave guys. I think that was enough fun for an evening. We will come again, though; definitely, for sure!”
The First Snow
“How long do you think that will shine for?” Demelza asked, staring up at the supernova, its brilliance sparkling through the midday haze.
“Nobody knows, I guess. A stellar mystery,” Hayley replied, also looking up, shielding her eyes from the blowing dust.
“Really?”
“For millions of years, perhaps.”
“Imagine what it was like when it exploded.”
“Fuck yeah, like a thousand Suns blazing all at once.”
“They say it blinded people and torched the grass and hills.”
“Hell!”
“It looks so strange through the haze, like the negative of a photograph.”
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“Like an X-ray.”
Demelza continued to look upwards through the grimy mist, a bright white halo reflecting in her dark green eyes. She twisted the ring on her finger. It was the silver ring her dad had given her when she was a child. She remembered him saying that when the supernova exploded, the World became an X-ray film. It shone so brightly for a few seconds that you could see the bones of people through their flesh. See saw them in her dreams; hundreds of people, thousands perhaps, all burning brightly with the ferocity of the Sun. They appeared to scream silently, the white of their bones trembling with fear as they held their hands in the air for help, but none came. Instead, the ensuing chaos mocked their pain while they begged for mercy, their ashes falling to the ground as the flash receded, leaving only darkness and despair, the last two hopes remaining. She felt a knucklebone tapping the top of her skull.
“Is there anybody in there?” Hayley asked jokingly, her chipped teeth shining through her scorched, dry lips.
“Maybe,” Demelza smiled back, releasing the ring from her grip.
“Anything out there, Captain?” Hayley asked.
Demelza picked up her scope and looked ahead and all around.
“Just blowing sand; dry, blowing sand,” she eventually said with a sigh. She looked until she could look no more, the dust accumulating on the lens getting too thick to see through. She put the scope down and looked at the map. “There should be some hills soon. Hopefully, they will have fresh, flowing water. Otherwise, we are fucked little chickens.
“How far?”
“A few days, maybe.” Hayley said nothing, but Demelza could see the anxiety in her sister’s eyes.
The Sands of Borrowed Time Page 10
