He eyed me skeptically. “Any chance I'd see this vehicle
again?”
“It's okay,” I said. “I'll walk it.” It'd be a long walk and
there was nothing I could do to quicken it.
“I can lend you a horse, if you know how to ride?”
“Seriously?” I'd never seen a living horse let alone ridden
on one! I'd seen a picture of one in a children's book while we were learning
the alphabet. I hadn't been within miles of a horse. Was he kidding?
“Come on.” He led me off the main road and further through
the town. Torv had changed. The city was bright and filled with excitement. The
buildings were erected high and the paved roads glistened but the people,
something about them was different. This world was filled with hope and
promise. I hated to tell them what was coming. “Just promise me you'll take
good care of her.” He led me through town and to the farthest outskirts to a
barn. Inside he took me through the stables and past several large animals. I'd
never seen a horse up close and doubted anyone else had either. Had they
eventually become extinct? I wasn't sure.
“I promise,” I assured him. “How do I ride her?”
“She's pretty good with newcomers. The tamest horse there
is, Auburn.” He petted her gently. “Remember to share your water with her and
some vegetables.” He handed me a canteen and pouch filled with food for the
horse.
“Thank you for being so generous.”
“I never did catch your name,” he remarked, helping me onto
the horse, securing my feet in the stirrups and showing me how to control her.
“Olivia,” I introduced myself. “I can't ever thank you
enough,” I breathed realizing then who he reminded me of. “You look just like
someone I used to know,” I remarked. “Landon.”
He laughed patting Auburn's side. “Can't say I know him.
Hope it's good memories,” he answered. “I'll show you out of Torv but the
stretch north is solely yours.” The way he said it worried me.
“Afraid of traveling north?” I asked wondering what was
wrong with it. The Gravelands didn't get their name for another hundred years
at least.
“Rebels up that way haven't been vaccinated yet. They insist
the drug causes some sort of mutation. I don't know, it's a bunch of hogwash if
you ask me.” He confessed, “But just be careful, Olivia. I'd hate to see
anything happen to you or Auburn.”
“I promise I'll take real good care of her for you.” I
patted Auburn's side. “Can you show me the way out of here?” I asked. I'd never
been this far west in Torv. I'm not sure it even existed in present day but it
didn't matter. I needed to go home. I glanced down thankful the bracelet was
still secure on my wrist.
“Just follow it north.” He pointed towards the fence used to
keep the cattle and horses grazing within their land.
“Thank you again,” I called back, riding Auburn fast and
hard north, keeping the canteen secured around my chest and the pack of
vegetables secured shut to the saddle.
I traveled for hours as the sun began to set on the horizon.
I slowed Auburn down and jumped off. I sat with her, offering the horse water
and food. She took all I offered then stretched her legs and hung her head. I
could tell she was hot and tired, so I walked her a bit to cool her down. I
patted her head as we slowed to a stop on flat ground that looked good enough
to rest on. I found a few branches and started a small fire beside us. All I
could hope was it wouldn't attract any rebels or wild animals. Auburn feeling
comfortable and safe, laid down to rest. Her eyes shut and I patted her happy
for the companionship as I headed off on foot to find water and food for me.
I didn't have to walk far and kept my ears open for any
sound at all. The slight trickle of water from the east alerted me to a chance
of food and I sprinted towards it. My feet pounded the ground and leaves
crunched beneath my feet. The ground was damp as I walked closer and saw the
smallest stream peeking out from the ground hidden between two rocks. “Food,” I
breathed hoping there were fish. Though Joshua had been the one who learned how
to catch them, I'd been around enough that I'd learned my fair share. I spent
the next several hours forming a net from branches and vines managing to catch
two small fish. Proudly, I carried them back to the campfire. Auburn hadn't
budged the slightest since I'd left.
Relieved the fire hadn't died out completely I stoked it,
added some wood and then cooked my meal over the open flame. I was starving and
two small fish barely seemed enough food but it would do. I curled up against
Auburn, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as I shut my eyes and let sleep
take over.
I woke abruptly as Auburn jumped up. I stood, seeing us
surrounded by a half-dozen men, knives raised, watching us hungrily.
“I say we cut her and then eat the horse!” one man shouted.
His clothes were torn, his face smeared in filth. He was thin, his bones
protruded from his neck as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. His eyes bulged and he
inched closer.
“No way,” another man taller and fatter shouted laughing
hysterically. “She's all mine! I laid eyes on her first,” he boasted proudly,
stepping closer towards the circle.
I eyed the fire wondering if the coals were hot enough to
burn the six men. I doubted I'd be able to stop them on my own and protect
Auburn. I patted Auburn gently, glancing down, glad the bracelet hadn't been stolen.
“You will leave me and the horse alone,” I demanded eyes tight and lips curled.
“I'll warn you once.”
A third man smiled deviously. I noticed he was missing a
front tooth and the rest were yellow and decaying as he stepped closer. “Warn
us of what? We have weapons. You can't tell me you have any chance against six
men.” His voice sent a shudder through my body.
“I could easily give you the plague,” I spit out. “Are you
sure you're willing to take that chance?” I glanced from one man to the other,
turning around to see two more behind me. I jumped onto Auburn's back, kicking
her side, “Go!” I shouted. She jumped past the men, but it didn't stop them as
they followed us on foot. “Faster!” I rode her swift and hard. Glancing back
every so often, they disappeared behind us. I glanced down at the bracelet on
my arm once again. We were far from Torv but still in Cabal. I couldn't risk
using it, not yet.
I wouldn't let Auburn stop. We rode hard from dark until
well past dusk. I could feel her slowing but she hadn't stopped. Not yet. I
eyed west of us, seeing nothing but plains that went on for miles. For the
faintest moment I wished I had any idea how much further we had to travel.
There was no map, only my memory of the journey when I'd been trying to find Joshua.
The moon crept into the sky and we stopped for the night, repeating our ritual.
I gave Auburn the last of the water, chiding myself for not getting more
yesterday when I'd had the chance. We found a tree and together we slept
beneath it. I hoped we wouldn't have any unexpected visitors again.
Morning came far too quickly and I roused Auburn from sleep,
climbing atop her as she galloped north. I felt as if we'd barely made headway.
I covered more ground on the horse than on foot, but not as much space as I had
in the vehicle Joshua and I had stolen from Haven. At this rate it would be
weeks if not months until I found my way home. I couldn't contact Joshua. I'd
have to wait until we reached Haven where it was safe and hopefully he'd be
able to hear me. It was a long shot but he'd be looking for me, wouldn't he? I
patted Auburn's back, riding her through the night, moving farther north. After
several days food for Auburn had run scarce but we’d had plenty of water.
On the fifth day from Torv, Auburn and I trotted through a
small farm. The white paint on the shutters had turned a dull gray and was
peeling. I led Auburn towards the front yard, slipping off her back. “Stay
here,” I commanded though I doubt she understood a word I uttered. I maneuvered
to the front of the home and peered through the dirty windows. I walked up the
porch steps, gave one swift knock to make sure it was uninhabited before trying
the door. It was unlocked. “Hello?” I called into the home before I stepped
inside. I pushed away cobwebs and the dust made me cough. I covered my mouth
with my arm, moving further into the house, searching for the kitchen. I'm not
sure what I expected to find in an old abandoned home. The food in the fridge
was disgusting: The electricity had been off for a while.
I searched the cabinets and pantry, finding a few canned
goods and grabbed the can opener. Rummaging through the rest of the house, I
grabbed a duffel bag and packed food inside. Carrying it out my eyes searched
the front. “Auburn?” The horse wasn't where I'd left her.
“Auburn?” I called out again, tossing the bag over my
shoulder as I glanced from left to right hearing a sound. “Auburn?” I hoped she
was okay and no one else was after us. Though it had been days and we'd barely
stopped there were others out there, sicker and probably crazier. I grabbed a
can from the bag, prepared to use it as a weapon as I rounded the corner of the
house, finding Auburn eating from the trees. Hundreds of fruit trees lined the
house for acres. It was an orchard.
Breathing a sigh of relief I patted her back and let her eat
while I grabbed a peach from the tree for myself. I saved the canned food for
later when the fruit perished. I grabbed the vegetable bag that was now empty
and put fresh fruit inside it, stocking it with everything I could reach. I
closed it off and secured it once again to Auburn along with the canned goods. “We
should go soon.” I patted her back watching as she trotted further along the
orchard and I jogged to keep up with her. “Auburn!” I followed, hoping I
wouldn't have to jump onto her while she was moving. She slowed to a stop when
she found the watering hole she'd been after. I filled the canteen for Auburn.
She happily drank every bit she could before I climbed atop and together we
continued our journey north.
We traveled for weeks. I lost count how long I'd been gone.
After the third week the days blurred together. I missed my warm bed, a shower
and real food. The fruit had perished without refrigeration and the canned food
had almost all been eaten. Auburn had stayed healthy and strong through the
ordeal. From a distance I could see civilization at the farthest edge south of
the bluffs. Haven had to be there or some construct of it. Haven itself hadn't
been established yet but another city had been. The one that had erected the
buildings long before Haven was born.
I wasn't enthralled with the idea of entering the unknown
city. I knew nothing about it. I wasn't even sure where I was and the only
history I remembered from 2225 was the Red Plague. I wished I'd paid more
attention to the texts in Haven they've given me to read.
Auburn slowed as we descended down the bluff. I gripped her
tight, the edge of the embankment too close for my liking. We maneuvered down
the bluff until we reached the only thing stopping us from crossing into town,
the river. Auburn bent her head, drinking hastily as I climbed down off her
frame. “Come on.” I led her along the north side of town knowing we would no
longer be in The Republic of Cabal if they kept their word. Keeping her with
me, we reached the utmost northern spot of Haven and I held one hand over the
bracelet and my other hand touched Auburn, bringing her with me.
The slightest ripple shifted through us and I blinked my
eyes seeing armed guards just south of us. I'd done right.
Joshua?
I
hoped he could hear me and that he was nearby.
Olivia? Is that you?
I heard his voice.
Where are
you?
Haven
. I answered.
Joshua, I need you to come
quick. There are guards here from The Republic of Cabal and they've got guns
pointed at me
. I didn't have much time. I heard the shot and the moment it
did I shifted back with Auburn to 2225.
She kicked erratically, terrified from the gunshot. I
couldn't blame her. “Maybe I should leave you here,” I breathed, patting her
back. “You've been a lifesaver, Auburn.” I smiled. “There are people just over
the water,” I gestured towards the town. “Find yourself a home.” I didn't know
how it worked, if someone would take her in or if she'd be free to roam the
land forever. I'd gotten as far as I could with Auburn and the only way I could
truly protect her was to leave her here. I patted her once more before running
on foot around where Haven had once been. I tried to imagine the desecrated and
abandoned buildings. The broken walls and destroyed city. I had just been there
and on the westernmost side I could hide. If the soldiers from The Republic of
Cabal didn't cross into Haven then I would be safe. I squatted down on the
ground hoping I'd be okay as I shifted once more, staring down at the bracelet
as I moved back to present day.
Olivia! Olivia! Olivia!
He chanted. The sound of fear
and horror etched in his words as he searched for me.
I'm okay
, I assured him, realizing for a moment that
I was all right. I was exactly where I had hoped to be, hidden out of sight and
quiet as I heard footsteps crunching debris as the soldiers searched the
southern side of Haven for me.
They're looking for me, Josh and they're
armed
.
Where are you?
He asked.
I'm just past what used to be the library
. I told
him.
I'm hiding. Where are you?
I don't know why I expected him to be
here. It was stupid, nonsensical.
On my way
. He assured me. I held my breath as I heard
glass breaking under foot. The soldiers weren't far and I was confident they'd
already trespassed onto Haven territory. I closed my eyes and blanketed myself
in a glamour. I pretended I wasn't there. I hid myself from the men and from
anyone capable of seeing me. I could go back to 2225, but I didn't want to.
Even if it was safe, how much longer would it be that way? There would be
questions of where I came from and who I was. I couldn't deal with that. Worst
of all I couldn't deal with not being around those I loved. I kept the glamour
up several minutes. I could see the guards now as they searched for me, guns
drawn but shaking their heads wondering where I'd gone. I held my breath and
glanced upwards as I heard the slight rumble of distant thunder on a day with
blue sky overhead. It had to be Joshua. I let out a breath, careful to keep the
glamour up a little longer, sheltering me from being seen.