The Sands of Borrowed Time (7 page)

She found herself amongst trees, within a beautiful forest.  The trees were beginning to sprout fresh leaves, the spring Sunshine peeking through their branches.  She felt its warm rays touch her skin, the moist grass wetting her bare feet as she wandered through between the bushes.  The wood of the
trees smelt refreshing, but the forest seemed to be hiding something, a secret perhaps that only its spirit knew.  She began to think that maybe she was not alone, a breeze suddenly stirring up the branches as if in agreement.  They seemed invisible at first, only apparent from the corner of her eyes.  She could make out their outlines, up against the trees.  The more they watched her it seemed, the more visible they became.  Small, dark figures, their heads large and black.  There was no neck, the head and body continuous.  They watched her from behind the trees expressionless, their bright blue eyes blinking occasionally.  She could see the whole forest in their eyes as if they were creating it from moment to moment.  They didn’t move, but she knew they were alive.  She felt they knew her, as if they were in her mind, examining her in a cold way.  It was as if they cared, but not for her, but somehow for themselves, like a computer programmer cares that his script is executable.  They were many, or should she say more accurately; it was many.  It was hugged up against each tree, looking in all directions; all directions leading to her.  The blinking of their eyes simultaneous, but not quite, as if hiding the fact that they were one.  The difference was too subtle, like it wanted her to know, but was forbidden from telling her so.  She walked onwards through the forest, savouring the smells of the wildflowers growing up among the grass.  Her curiosity seemed to please the entity, but when she looked to one, its smile would be gone.  Only the expressionless face was left; a face of immense intelligence.  The darkness of their pupils was like that of black holes, absorbing everything in sight.  The wind seemed to pick up, but instead of whispering through the trees, it sounded more mechanical.  The whole forest seemed to be drowned in a kind of drone, like the sound of a horn.  Then, the entities faded away to ghostly mirages, moving away through the grass until the meadow was no more and became a ghost itself, wavering in a pit of darkness, the forest disappearing from view, consumed by the spirit of the entity which was itself. 

Skylar suddenly awoke feeling anxious.  She could hear the sound of motorbikes travelling through the streets below.  She got up and peered carefully through the window.  It was unlikely anybody could see her as there were no lights, but she didn't want to take any chances.  She did not know or want to know who these people were.  Down in the street below she could see a small motorcade.  There were several motorbikes, vans, and cars.  The cars looked armoured.  Not professionally done, but more like they did it themselves, not caring how they looked.  The armoured cars meant they were scared like her.  Maybe they had come across others who were not too hospitable, but maybe they were just prepared.  The small motorcade made its way slowly through the street below.  The front car had only one headlight switched on; the other looked like the lamp and covering had been lost.  She grabbed the binoculars and took a more detailed look.  The whole lamp unit looked like it had succumbed to some sort of impact as if it had been smashed in.  She got more anxious when she noticed holes in the side of one car.  The bottom of the holes were indented towards the interior of the car.  They had to be bullet holes, she thought.  She could not make out the occupants of the cars; it was too dark and the windows too dirty.  The cars were covered in dust, just like everything else.  It was possible the guys on the motorbikes were the same as last night, but she could not be sure.  The motorcade slowly snaked around the corner until it was out of sight, the hum of their engines still audible for some time, gradually decreasing until they were out of range, suggesting they were travelling far.  Skylar lay back down, not falling asleep as easily as before.  She knew there would be danger here.  The full-blown reality of the situation had just kicked in.  Her mind eventually grew weary.  She could see white flashes from the cosmic rays streaming in through her eyes, stars of brilliant white light scintillating in the depths of her mind.

As her breathing deepened, she saw a bright orange light.  It was small but dazzling in magnitude, up in the night sky above.  Then it exploded outwards, consuming the entire sky until the heavens were completely ablaze.  The sky looked like a cosmic inferno, flames billowing across the sky.  She could hear the screams of the dying, terrible contorted shrieks as their bodies burned from the heat.  The infernos assimilated their souls, their ghostly faces looking down to the Earth.  The flames danced around them as if to mock them, their confused expressions asking why?

The next day Skylar decided to go on a scavenging hunt for food.  She exited the building making sure no one was around and walked up the street as close to the buildings as possible, hoping that it would leave her less exposed.  It was early, and the buildings provided some shade from the morning Sun.  The air was still cold, and she could smell the salty air drifting in from the sea.  It was invigorating.  As she turned a corner, she could see the horizon of the sea glistening in the morning Sun.  It looked calm and untouched.  The sight was captivating.  She felt more positive today than she had been for a long time.  Her trip had taken its toll; both on her health and wellbeing.  She thought staying here for a while would get her healthy and strong again.  She strolled up the sidewalk looking at her reflection in the mirrored windows of the building beside her.  Her tall, slender figure moved with ease as her long black hair flowed behind her.  She was very tanned with superficial red lines across her face; whiplash from the hot dust, she thought.  Ahead, across the road was a supermarket.  Let's take a look to see if there's anything left, she thought with hope.  No sooner had she crossed the street a man appeared.  He was tall, with curly black hair, punctuated with grey streaks.  His face was like leather; dark and rough.  He wore a long, black jacket that hung on his thin body; not quite emaciated, but not adequately fed, either.  He looked startled at her presence, his brown eyes wide and searching.  He took off his cap and bowed, waving his cap in the air in a circular fashion. 

"Hi," said Skylar nervously.  She could barely speak, feeling her arms tremble. 

"Good morning, mam," the man replied, continuing the old-fashioned politeness.  "It's a beautiful start to the day, the air cool and fresh.  Are you alone?  This city ain’t a safe place for a young girl to be wandering around, you know." 

"Yea, I'm alone,” Skylar replied, still nervous, but he seemed harmless, she thought.  His accent was southern, like in the old Mississippi movies.  She started to ease a bit.  There appeared to be a glimmer of kindness in his eyes.   "Having a wander, looking for food, I suppose,” she said sheepishly.  I have come a long way.  There is little left back east, just dust and desert; everyone has gone."  He looked at her for a while, to Skylar it seemed an eternity, searching her eyes.  He could tell she was frank and open and by the way her clothes hung on her skinny body, and her burnt skin being covered in scratches, he believed her story.  She looked scared before him, he thought, the nervousness in her voice suggested desperation, and that she was in need of help.  Otherwise, she perhaps would have run in the other direction by now.  Nevertheless, her eyes were bright, intelligent, and full of hope. 

"You hungry, girl?  What's ya name?" he asked in a thoughtful way.  "You do indeed look like you have travelled far." 

"My name is Skylar," she replied.  It's been a few days since I have eaten anything substantial, just tinned fruit,” holding up her arms in annoyance.  “Everything has died, and I’ve been surviving on tinned food and bottled water.  The Earth has been scorched dry; even the animals must be struggling as all I see is their skeletons or their no hope attitude.” 

“You, though,” he interrupted, “has hope in you.  I can see it.  You know, you’re right, the Earth has been badly scorched, as you put it, but there are rumours that way up the North, things aren't so bad.  Everyone is going up that way, so I hope they are right.”

“And here?” she asked quietly. 

“Here is a dangerous place, a very dangerous place,” he replied quickly, squinting his eyes as if reminiscing past events.  Recent events that she dared not ask about.  “Come,” he beckoned her to follow him.  “It’s not safe to hang out in the open like this.”  She followed him, cautiously down a shaded street. 

I think he’s a good guy
, she convinced herself.  There was a sudden burst of the sounds of motorbike engines behind them.  As she looked over her shoulders, she could see a stream of bikes driving down the main highway towards the bridge from where she had come. 

“Come, come,” he beckoned rigorously as he quickened his pace, running towards a door that he opened, looking all around him as if to make sure no one saw him.  “Quick,” he said in a forced whisper, waving frantically with his hand.  “Come on!”  Once inside, he said, “Under no circumstances ever introduce yourself to them!” His voice was authoritative between pants of breath.  “Never alone let them see you,” he continued, waving his hand, looking her straight in the eye. 

“I have seen them,” she said, a little out of breath herself.  “I saw them on my way into the city.  I know they are not friendly, a girl’s instinct,” she continued.  Obvious instinct, he thought to himself, not letting her know his thoughts.  He seemed to be building up her trust anyway, and she looked in a fragile condition he supposed.  No need to argue about nothing.  The last thing he needed was a young girl freaking out on him.  She could see in his body language that probably wasn’t the smartest thing to have said, so she asked about them. 

“Just be sure; they are killers,” he snapped, his eyes watering as if holding back strong emotions.  “If they don’t kill you,” he continued, “they will make a slave out of you, to kick about as they please.” 

“How many are they?” she asked.

“Maybe twenty or thirty, but they have weapons; guns, crossbows, God knows what?  They rule!”  They could hear the sound of the motorbikes recede into the distance, and he motioned her to climb the stairs ahead of her.  After a few flights, he told her to follow him along a corridor and into a room.  It looked like a hotel, she thought.  There were grey carpets and painted walls, with pictures of flowers hanging from them making it almost homely.

“Are you by yourself,” she asked as he opened the door, still not entirely convinced he was a good guy anymore. 

“Yes, by myself,” he answered.  “Don’t worry, I’m not a monster,” he continued, sensing her suspicions.  Once inside she could smell pie.  Maybe not freshly baked, but pie nonetheless.

“Something smells good,” she said eagerly.  It would be good to eat something decent for a change, she thought. 

“Pie,” he said nodding his head.  “I’m Andy by the way; don’t believe I mentioned my name back there.  Would you like to try?” 

“Of course,” Skylar immediately replied.  It tasted so good, she thought, and so warm as she took a few bites. 

“How come?” she asked, looking puzzled, “Where did you get this from?”

“Never you mind, just you enjoy,” he replied smiling.  “Welcome to my home.  You’d be my first visitor,” he continued with a gentle punch of his fist onto her shoulder.  She felt dizzy as the goodness of the pie absorbed into her bloodstream.  It was her first taste of meat in months, in fact, the first taste of anything real and substantial. 

“Thanks,” she replied humbly.  “Glad to be your first visitor.  The pie is awesome by the way.  Thank you so much,” she continued as she looked around the room.  Andy ignored the compliment like it wasn’t needed, like they were friends as he began to heat up a can of water on an old army stove. 

“Now for some good English tea,” he finally said as he dropped a teabag into the water.  “I believe it aids digestion,” he kidded as he looked at Skylar.  “You’re growing on me girl,” he said in a fatherly fashion, his eyes beaming with joy.  He thought it was good to talk to someone decent at last, after all these years alone, hiding from people who would rather do harm than good.  Skylar noticed some pictures on a desk in the corner of the room; him, a woman and some kids, presumably his family, she thought.  It looked like they were in the garden of their home.  “We got separated,” he said, “when that star blew up,” he continued as he watched her looking.  “They’re still out there, though; I can feel them in my soul.” 

“Must be tough for you,” Skylar gently responded, looking into his sorrowful eyes,

“Yes, but you know,” Andy continued, breaking off quietly as if to avoid talking about it.  “Drink some tea,” he whispered loudly, “twill pick you up and soothe all these aches and pains,” he continued, regaining his joyful enthusiasm.  Skylar simply smiled, accepting the tea, and drank gladly, feeling its warmth fill her body. 

It was good to talk to another person today
she thought later as she wrote about Andy in her diary. 
There is still hope alive in some people; humanity is not lost, yet.                                           

Missing on the Highway

Rhoswen looked at the horizon.  Tonight the moon and supernova were rising together, looking large and bright.  Rhoswen caught Riana coming towards her out of the corner of her eye. 

“Where's that stupid bitch," Riana demanded, breaking Rhoswen’s gaze. 

"We should go and look for her," Rhoswen replied, looking Riana straight in the eye.  "She should have been here hours ago."  They were both concerned about their sister’s welfare, since she failed to have visited on time, and decided to take a trip down the road to look for her.  They had seen the flares rising across the sky, looking like trails of blood.  It was an ominous sign they had both agreed.  The air was clear, but the temperature was dropping fast, so they put on their leather jackets and wrapped scarves around their mouths looking like bandits.  They mounted their V- Rods and slowly rode out of the camp until they reached the road.  Rhoswen turned to look at her sister before opening the throttle, the V8 responding instantly in a burst of thunder.  Riana quickly followed until they were two abreast, cruising south down the road, their wide wheels leaving a snaking trail on the dusty road.  They could see the supernova and the moon up above their left shoulders, looking down on them in a dazzling display against a dark blue sky.  There were still some dust clouds on the horizon, heavy and falling to the ground; pearlescent, downward plumes, tinged with reds and greens.  Soon it would be clear and freezing cold.  The air was already cool as it streamed into their faces.  Riana noticed some tracks to the left on the prairie and beckoned Rhoswen to stop.  They pulled off the road to investigate.  Riana saw that the tread marks were deep and chunky. 

"Buggies," she stated, concern growing on her face.  “There have been desert buggies here, today." 

"Looks like someone was having some fun," Rhoswen added.  "There are tracks all over the place."  Riana surveyed the surrounding area, looking at the chaotic mess of patterns that the treads had left in the sand.   Rhoswen thought she caught a glint of light on the surrounding hill. 

"Look!" she exclaimed, pointing towards a hill further south. 

"What?” Riana replied. There's fuck all up there."  Rhoswen merely shrugged her shoulders. 

"Come on, there's fuck all else to see here,” Riana continued, jumping back onto her V-Rod.  They cruised further south, the air now chilling their faces and legs.  There was a flash of light that appeared to swivel, casting a beam across the dark blue sky and through to the valley below.  Then, there it was again. 

"There, look!" Rhoswen shouted across to Riana, the scarf and wind muffling her tone. 

"I fucking see it," Riana shouted back, pulling her scarf down to make herself sound clearer.  They stopped without pulling to the side of the road, both staring in the same direction at a point on the horizon. 

Rhoswen broke the silence, "Don’t you think it's like a mirror reflecting the light of the moon and supernova?" 

"Someone is sending signals,” Riana replied in exasperation. 

"It's fucking true,” Rhoswen replied.  "Look over there, someone is sending messages back,” she continued, turning and pointing at flashes of light on the other side of the desert.  Riana looked out to the west at the flickering glints of light.  There seemed to be a transmission of information across the valley, from hill to hill. 

"You think they are talking about us?” Rhoswen asked in a soft, inquisitive whisper.  Riana didn't answer the question, instead beginning to giggle.

“Why you fucking whispering?” she asked, “There's nobody fuck here?"

"There's someone on the hills, though," Rhoswen insisted. 

"Of fucking course, but they aren't fucking listening to us unless they have bastard radar.”

"You think they have seen us, then?" Rhoswen asked, looking at Riana.  Her worried eyes gave her the answer. 

Riana simply looked up at the beams of lights flitting across the valley, eventually responding, "We have to assume they have.  To be honest, I’ve had a strange feeling over the last few weeks that all of us have been watched from afar.  Like a gut feeling.  I have had dreams of people travelling from down south.  I saw many, many people; organised and sophisticated. 

"Me too,” Rhoswen exclaimed, whispering again.  "I didn't want to believe it.  They looked so powerful, and we so feeble." 

They both got back on their bikes and again drove further south along the highway. 

"Bastards!"  Riana suddenly cried, her bike screeching to a stop, leaving a trail of molten rubber welded to the freeway.  She turned the bike before it almost stopped, the wheels still locked until she was riding back north again.  She could see Rhoswen in her mirrors far behind also turning to follow. 

"Fucking, bastard, cunts!" she exclaimed as she pulled over to where the mangled wreck lay on the verge of the highway.  A V-Rod, and her sisters.  The braided leather laces that hung from the twisted handlebars were made by herself and given to Aveline as a gift.  Rhoswen soon pulled up beside her, her face turning red, her stomach turning over. 

"Aveline's bike? she questioned nervously, already knowing the answer. 

"Aveline’s bike,” Riana replied despondently.  The bike looked like it had come to a violent end.  The frame was twisted and burnt; the tyres deflated.  One tyre was missing entirely, leaving only the skeletal remains of the wheel frame.  However, one thing was undoubtedly missing, and that was Aveline. 

"You know what, let's be fucking positive about this," Riana spoke almost crying.  "If this was an accident or deliberate, she would be lying around here somewhere, and she's not. 

"You mean, dead?” Rhoswen asked. 

"Of course, fucking dead, no-one would survive out here alone!  She’s not here, so she is somewhere else." 

“Alive, kicking and breathing," Rhoswen added softly as if to make amends.  Riana bent down, unwrapped the laces from the bike, and lay them in her palm, gazing at them. 

"Isn’t it fucking weird,” she whispered, looking at Rhoswen.  Here lies the mangled wreck of Aveline’s bike, burnt to the core, and yet Aveline’s laces, the laces I made are completely untouched; not even a scrape or a burn mark.  She had to be alive, they both agreed as Riana tied one lace on Rhoswen’s bike, and one lace on her own, symbols of their hope.