Eve of Man (The Harvest Book 2) (17 page)

“Tell him about the Svan mother,” Caleb suggested
without looking up, continuing to play despite her displeasure and reluctance
to discuss the subject. He didn’t know why it had to be secret. He wanted to
know more about them as well, but his mother wouldn’t discuss these things with
him until he was an adult.

“What about the Svan?” Austin asked.

“They’re a very old and an important part of the
Adita’s culture. There isn’t much more to tell.”

“Are they part robot or computer? Zack dissected one
that had died. Inside he found wires and something like a computer chip.”

“Some of the Svan have been mechanized, but I don’t
know much about that process,” she finished abruptly, having said more than she
wanted to about the Svan. Caleb did not fool her pretending he wasn’t hanging
on her every word.

Austin sensed her unwillingness to discuss the Svan, and
rather than press for information, he asked to hear more about Roxanne. 

“When I arrived at the hospital where they’d brought Roxanne,
I was too late. She’d been in an accident and her internal organs were badly
damaged. Although they tried, your doctors couldn’t save her.”

“You could have saved her,” Austin said.

Eve shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that. If I had
saved her you two never would have met, for she would not have been human any
longer. An outcome that would not have served Agra’s purpose and is against
Adita laws.”

“Of course. Always Agra’s purpose,” Austin replied, knowing
his sarcasm was wasted on Eve. The memories of Roxanne were so real to him.
Roxi was so real to him. “Why?”

“My natural form did not make me desirable for
procreation. Agra instructed me to become human by absorbing Roxanne’s thoughts
and memories. I used her physical features to appeal to your human desires.”

“When you came to Deadbear, I never knew if you were
real or not,” Austin said, feeling guilty, and not sure why. “You never spoke
to me. And when you came back, you showed me death and destruction and nothing
else. But you never explained any of it.”

 “I was preparing you for the future. For the end of mankind
as you know it.”

“As I know it? What does that mean?”

“Evolution. Nothing lasts in continuum. Species evolve
and change. The strongest of these will survive. The Adita are the fittest, but
we have not always been such and if we do not take measures we will not remain
as such. I know you are not so naive to think your species will survive the
test of time without trials, without the possibility of extinction. If not us,
another would have eradicated you or you would have destroyed yourselves.”

“Mr. Luke is on his way to see you father,” Caleb interrupted.

Austin heard footsteps approach and stop outside his
door. He heard Luke talking to himself.

“Why don’t you let him in?” Eve instructed, to which
Caleb ran to the door.

Eve turned back to Austin. “I must resume my guise as
your wife.” She transformed into Roxanne.

“My wife? What...”

“You’re awake!” Luke exclaimed.

“That I am.” Austin spun around, hiding his shock
behind happiness at seeing his friend. They hugged. Austin stared over Luke’s
shoulder at Eve or Roxanne, he wasn’t sure anymore who he was seeing. When Luke
stepped back, Austin continued to glance in her direction, expecting the image
of his wife to vanish.

“Hello Mrs. Reynolds.” Luke nodded his head her way.

“Please call me Roxi,” she said, giving him a sweet
smile. “How was your trip to Wyoming?”

Austin looked away from her. “Wyoming. When did you go
to Wyoming?”

“It’s ok dear.” Roxanne placed her hand on Austin’s
arm. “Luke can take care of himself.”

Austin looked into her eyes, now green and lively. It
was more than he could take and he looked away. Her hand tightened on his arm
and a familiar rush of energy passed through his body, washing away his sadness,
replacing it with tranquility. Luke watched them, guilt rising up over his
awful thoughts and accusations. Seeing the two of them together, and Austin
being awake and healthy, made him question his instincts. How could he have
doubted she was Roxanne? He absently scratched his head wishing the ants would
go away. 

“When did you wake up?” Luke asked.

“Um, I guess about thirty minutes ago,” Austin
replied, sounding dazed as Luke would expect, but not for the reasons Luke
assumed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come for you right away Luke,”
Roxanne apologized. “It happened so sudden and we had so much to catch up on.”
She smiled, charming and warm.

“Oh no ma’am that’s perfectly ok with me. He’s your
husband, not mine. I mean he’s not my husband, obviously right. He’s my friend,
you know. Anyway, I’ll leave you two alone,” Luke stammered.

“Don’t go man. I want to hear about Wyoming and
everything else I’ve missed in the past month.”

“You sure?” Luke glanced at Roxanne.

“Don’t worry about me. Caleb and I are going to get
something to eat. You two catch up. And be sure to tell him about Jenny’s
return.”

Austin was stunned. She sounded so much like Roxanne
in the way she talked and moved and her expressions. Knowing that it was Eve
didn’t change the impact it had on him. He watched her gather Caleb and head
for the door. Before leaving she turned back.

“Can I bring you anything dear?”

Unable to form a coherent sentence, Austin shook his
head.

“Luke?”

“No ma’am. I’m good.”

“We’ll be back in a little while.” They disappeared
out the door, leaving behind a bewildered Austin.

Roxanne walked slowly down the corridor while Caleb
ran ahead. She was fully aware of the cameras and the many eyes watching her on
the video screens. One set of eyes watched her movements with great interest.
Roxanne’s brow creased and the hair rose on the back of her neck. Although not
a worthy adversary, Madison was a prime specimen of her race, thus eradicating
her would be wasteful, but if necessary she would not hesitate.

Zack walked the corridors of the bunker enjoying the
quiet. With Christmas only a couple of days away, the bunker was a constant
buzz of excitement. Not the usual holiday glitz and glam, but as close to festive
as the residents could manage. Colin and Ed had scavenged decorations from
stores in Pueblo and most everyone pitched in to put them up. They could have
found more in Colorado Springs, but Austin had been adamant they stay close to
the bunker and Zack had seconded that motion.

Adding to the holiday spirit was the early arrival of
Anne’s twin girls. The delivery had proceeded without a hitch or a hiccup, but
Zack for one was relieved the ordeal was over. The idea of birth control was
even more prevalent now that the actuality of having to care for babies was smacking
him in the face. He made a note to discuss contraceptives once more with Colin,
who had laughed at him the first time he’d broached the subject. Maybe he would
fill everyone’s stockings with condoms.

Although the newborns were welcomed with open arms,
Zack felt a certain amount of unease. Zoe was the youngest member of their
group and if need be could defend herself.  How long would they have to wait
for the babies to do the same? Five years? Six maybe? Zack didn’t have the
answer. A child wielding a weapon might seem insane to most, but ole Bobby had
taught him to handle a revolver when he was seven and a shotgun not long after.
Unconventional as that might have been at the time, Zack didn’t think the same
standards existed in the world they lived in now. As far as he could tell or
was concerned, convention had flown out the window after the Sundogs arrived.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

Zack turned to see Madison catching up to him. She
looked beautiful in the green dress she was wearing, but he stopped short of saying
so. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable and cause her to run off.

“No. You?”

Madison shook her head. “Mind if I walk with you?”

Zack stuck out his arm and Madison looped hers through
his. “So what do you think of Austin’s sudden recovery?” Zack asked.

“I don’t know what to think. I mean he seemed so normal
at dinner. Like he’d never been in a coma or whatever it was.”

“I’ve been debating whether to ask him for another
blood sample.”

“Maybe he’ll offer and you won’t have to.”

“Maybe so.”

They walked through the bunker completing the entire
loop talking about nothing in particular, wanting to say something specific but
neither knowing where to begin. Upon reaching Madison’s door, Zack released her
arm and bowed. “Goodnight Madame. It was a pleasure.”

Madison swallowed hard. “Did you want to come inside?”

Zack stood up slow. He looked her in the eyes. She
stared back unwavering and he knew without having to ask that she was sure.
Zack stepped closer to her, still no signs of hesitation. He reached around her
and opened the door, being careful to not make any sudden movement. He held his
breath expecting at any moment for Madison to bolt inside, slamming the door in
his face, but she didn’t.  She stepped aside allowing him to enter and gently
closed the door behind him.

***

Later that night, Zack lay awake listening to Madison
sleep. He looked over at her again, confirming and reconfirming her presence,
unable to believe this magnificent woman wanted to be with him. He wanted to
ask why the change in heart, but once her lips touched his, talking had been
put on hold. A sudden fear gripped his heart, a fear of this not being real, and
a onetime deal, of her waking up hating herself for the things she whispered in
the heat of the moment. Zack couldn’t live with that, not after being this
close to her.

“Do you ever sleep?”

Madison’s voice startled him and he was relieved to
hear nothing in her tone resembling regret. He turned over to look at her.

“Not if I can help it.”

“You must be super human, cuz you never seem tired,”
she mumbled through the blankets. It had been eons since she’d woken up with a
man in her bed and she’d forgotten how to act. However, Zack, who had plenty of
practice, was perfectly at ease. The fact many had come before her didn’t make
her feel any less awkward.

“Not super human. Just don’t like wasting too much
time sleeping. I did plenty of that before things went haywire.” And he’d
missed out on too many opportunities, spending time with his mom being the main
one. This round was most likely his last and he didn’t want to screw it up as
well.

“Do you want some coffee?” Madison asked.

“I do, but let me get it. You stretch out and enjoy
the quiet while it lasts.”

Madison grimaced. “Ahg, today is shopping day.”

“Yep.” Zack patted her on the leg before sliding out
from under the covers as naked as the day he was born. He crossed the room and
retrieved his jeans from the chair where he’d tossed them. 

Madison watched him move about the room, looking very
much at home. She admired his lean figure, which, despite his claims of being
allergic to anything healthy and all forms of exercise, was surprisingly
muscular. Not the same as Austin’s, but... Shit! She swore in her head. Why’d
you have to ruin a good thing by bringing him up? She placed her hands over her
face blocking out the light coming from the other room.

Last night had been wonderful. She’d bit the bullet by
telling Zack she loved him and wanted to be with him. She’d assured him that
although she cared deeply for Austin, she wasn’t in love with him. And that
much was true. She hadn’t gone so far to share that she was still very much
attracted to Austin, because it was on a weird unexplainable level she couldn’t
talk about. The attraction was almost animalistic in nature and she’d finally concluded
that what she felt wasn’t love. She knew not what to call it, but discussing
this with Zack served no purpose. His confidence in her love was all that
mattered.

Madison removed her hands and smiled. Having someone
to care about, to love that loved you back was an elated feeling, like being a
teenager again. Her smile quickly faded when reminded of her duties for the
day. She was taking the girls shopping for Christmas presents. The guys were
going as well, but the plan was to split up once they reached the mall in Pueblo.
As a side thought, Madison hoped Jenny would feel up to going out. She hadn’t
come out of their suite much and Madison knew it wore on Ed.

“Why the frown.” Zack returned with steaming cups of
coffee, handing one to her.

Madison sat up and took the cup. “I was thinking about
today’s duties.”

Zack sat on the bed, legs stretched out in front of
him. “Seems kinda weird. The whole Christmas thing.”

“I know, but the kids are happy and occupied.”

“What happens afterwards?”

“As in the future? You want to get into that now?”
Madison looked over at the clock. “At four am?”

“Not really, but Luke was right. We can’t go on like
this is permanent. It’s not.”

“No it’s not permanent,” Madison agreed. “The Adita
are coming back. And soon.”

“So true. And how will they top the first show?
Sequels never measure up to the first, especially in horror flicks. They’re
usually pretty fucking bad. Pardon my French. But in this case, knowing who’s
directing the picture and the main actors, I would say we can be certain the
follow up will be a hell of a show for us captive movie goers.”

They sipped their coffee in silence, neither of them
wanting to attempt to answer the questions hovering over them like a
thunderstorm brewing on the horizon in the middle of August. A thunderstorm
packing an EF5 tornado. All hope of surviving had not yet been abandoned, but
holding on was a delicate balance and easier to manage while the winds were
calm. After seeing the camp in Wyoming and receiving Eve’s warning, Zack knew
this better than Madison.

“I always wondered what it would be like to shop like
a rich person.” She glanced at him. “I guess you already know what that’s like
huh?”

Zack laughed, happy to talk about money, a much safer
topic. “I can’t lie to you, having a shit load of money was nice. Living that
life style. I had no complaints. I mean how many guys my age get invited to the
White House to play chess with the president?” Zack laughed at the absurdity. “I’m
not even going to tell you it got old. It was the best time of my life.” He
sighed heavy and sad. “But none of it matters now right? It’s a level playing
field. No rich. No poor.”

“A silver lining?”

“Nah. Breaking it down to the nuts and bolts is all.
Faced with the condition of death, it’s the one thing that trumps everything
else. Puts it all into perspective.”

“You played chess with the president?”

“Yeah. I even let him win.”

He took Madison’s empty cup and set both on the side
table. “If you aren’t in a hurry, I thought we could do something more
constructive with our remaining moments of peace.”

“I like your way of thinking Mr. Londergan.”

***

At breakfast later, Madison tried to act normal, but
felt her feelings must be written all over her face. She was an adult for
goodness sakes, she thought, why was she acting like a teenager? The door to
the dining room opened and worries over her behavior vanished when Roxanne
walked in followed by Austin and Caleb. The moment of truth had arrived.
Madison waited for her heart to betray her. Under the table Zack squeezed her
hand and she squeezed back, letting her breath out at the same time. Right then
she knew her world would never turn upside down again because of Austin.

Roxanne took the chair opposite from Madison, while
Caleb sat next to her and Austin on the other side of his son.

Austin looked over at them. “Morning.”

“Mornin. You’re looking good,” Zack replied.

“I feel good.”

“What can I get you for breakfast?” Zack shoved his
chair back.

Austin held up his hand. “Sit man. You don’t have to
wait on us.”

“Can I have some chocolate chip pancakes?” Caleb
asked, jumping up from his chair. “With whipped cream?”

“You most certainly can young man,” Madison answered,
surprising Caleb.

“Caleb, sit in your chair.” Roxanne touched his arm.

“Yes ma’am.” Caleb slid back onto his chair and turned
to Roxanne. “Can I have pancakes mother?”

“Yes you may.” Roxanne smiled at her son, and turned
to look across the table at Madison. “If you don’t mind.”

Madison met her gaze. “Not at all.” She pushed away
from the table.

“You don’t have to Maddie. I can make pancakes,”
Austin said.

“Why don’t you help her dear? That way Zack and I can
get to know each other,” Roxanne suggested.

Austin paused, looking to Zack for approval. The two
men stared at each other and in that moment Zack knew Austin knew his secret.
Zack nodded, but he wasn’t thinking about Madison or pancakes. His mind was
moving fast in another direction. Austin looked normal, but Zack suspected if
he drew a blood sample those cells would be far from normal.

“Maybe we can talk later if you’re not busy,” Austin
offered. 

“Ten work for you?” Zack asked.

Austin nodded and turned to Madison. “Now, how about
we whip up some pancakes?”

“I want to help.” Caleb sprung from his chair before
Roxanne could get a hand on him.

“It’s ok. He’ll be fine,” Madison said, laying her
hand on Caleb’s head when he came to join them. She snatched her hand back.
“Ow.”

“You ok?” Zack asked.

“Yeah.” Madison rubbed her hand. “Static electricity I
guess.” But the sting felt more like she’d been zapped on an electric fence than
static electricity. Sensing everyone watching her, Madison put on a smile. “I’m
fine. It was nothing.”

“Come on. I’m starving.” Caleb reached to grab
Madison’s hand making her flinch, but this time no shock flowed from the boy.

Roxanne watched the exchange with a straight face that
didn’t belie the storm brewing behind her eyes. Killing had always been a matter
of her life over another’s, nothing more. She didn’t want to kill Madison, but
something about her brought out feelings Eve had little knowledge or experience
in dealing with.   

Zack glanced at Roxanne and paused. Her eyes appeared
to have changed from light to dark green, almost black.

“Zack?” Madison repeated his name.

Zack looked over at her. “Huh?”

“Did you want pancakes?”

“Sure.”

Madison gave him a puzzled look before allowing Caleb
to lead her into the kitchen. Zack watched them go, all the while wanting to
look back at Roxanne.

“Tell me about the bunker,” Roxanne said.

This gave Zack permission to look at her. Light green
eyes stared back at him and he felt stupid. “I’m sorry. What was that?”

“The bunker. Tell me about the design. Austin said
you’re the mastermind behind it all,” she said, using flattery and charm to
distract him.