Page 17 of Before Their After

“That’s kinda the point,” Amaia offered. “At the end of the day it’s how humanity will survive. Whether it’s for our people or someone else, at least it’ll go toward someone in need.”

Opening the container, I commanded the ants to make their way inside. A few curious stray critters joined them and I wondered if my command had reached them too. I still wasn’t clear on how many I could have under my control at once, but maybe the safety of a home would allow me the space to explore the full extent of my gifts. Amaia had jabbed small air holes over the top. Although she didn’t appear to have the same appreciation toward my small friends, the gesture meant everything.

I reached for my belongings, but Jax beat me there. “We have to start caring less about ourselves and more for the good of the group. Do you ever wonder how far the human race could have gone had we kept that idea as a guiding force?” Tossing one of my bags over his shoulder, another sly grin tugged at his lips followed by a pat on the back as he strolled out the cave. It was harder to read him than it was her. Still there was a welcoming aura in the protectiveness he offered her.

My heart palpitated. The sore, aching place in my heart saddened my sister would not be here for this. Whateverthiswas.

Amaia walked at my side, keeping my hesitant pace. A constant, small smile populated her face. I watched as shefollowed behind Jax who’s head remained on a constant swivel. The sun shined against her sepia skin.Grateful.That was the emotion she wore that radiated from her. Not peace, but grateful for another chance. It was comforting.

We walked in only the white noise of nature for miles, the landscape stretching on in desolate ruins. Somewhere between being lost in my thoughts and Jax’s whistles a dog had appeared at Amaia’s side. She was large with a healthy shine to her coat. The animal sniffed at my ankles as I walked before taking off on ahead of our group. It wasn’t until a gust of wind brushed against my skin that the faint whispers of my surroundings sunk in. The horizon ahead was broken by the sight of looming steel walls and the distant dance of smokestacks.

Despite the obvious signs of construction, an eerie quiet hung in the air. The realization dawned on me. This community had harnessed their powers to rebuild, the wind dispersing the noise of construction in order to spread out any incoming herds.

I spiraled. My thoughts varying from utter amazement to a horrid question of whose bed I was offering to lay in.

Amaia bumped her shoulder into mine with an understanding stare. “You don’t talk?”

“I prefer to listen,” I mumbled, and it was true. There was no need to speak when people’s intentions often became clear if you just sat back to listen. To watch, much to Amaia’s point.

“They say it’s the quiet ones you have to watch,” Jax said, slowing to match his pace to ours.

Glancing at Amaia, I took my chance to make a boundary clear. “I also prefer to do the watching.”

“We’ll work on that then,” she teased. “Because you’re not very good at it.”

“Or maybe I am.”

“Was that a joke?” Amaia grinned, the Doberman ahead of her barking as we approached a gap in the wall.

I didn’t answer her. Didn’t need to. Instead, I stepped through what felt to be a portal to a new home. As long as it was her home, it would be mine. For I would protect this place with everything I had, protect Amaia. Construction had consumed this area of stone homes and cobbled roads but within a few steps I knew it was everything London and I had searched for our entire lives. It was a haven. In this life, it was hard to tell who was who in the world before. But here, it didn’t appear to matter as a village of people worked to put this place together. They greeted Amaia and Jax as I walked through. Each of them nodded toward me in silent hello then turned back to their duties paying me no mind. Laughs erupted between the young and old, but more importantly, there was no sign of distress.

This place was a haven. A place to call home. Amaia’s vision was mine, and thus, she was mine to protect.

And I would not fail.

A Dark Place

RILEY

“You were never crazy, Ril.”

Heavy breaths passed between us as Amaia ran at my side. I picked up my pace, training before lunch had become a routine. It was my favorite time of the day since it was just the two of us. The temperature along the coast of Monterey had finally tempered though we couldn’t be sure if it was the season or Earth starting to heal. With as many scientists and researchers that had arrived lately—Scholarsor whatever people had been calling them—maybe the answers would come soon.

“You don’t know that,” I said after another quarter mile.

She’d been pushing the issue of the bugs and my mental health the last few weeks. With The Compound being so quiet lately, Amaia had grown bored. Her boredom happened to lead to an interest in my personal affairs. It wasn’t like she didn’t have things to do to pass time but deflection of her own problems was her MO. Problems like her relationship with Jax.

“Except I do,” she chided, picking up the pace as we crossed through an old golf course. “And now, you know it too.”

Only the kick up from the recently laid cobblestone of this corner in The Compound responded to her statement. What was there for me to say? She was right. Science had never been one of my strong suits, but I wasn’t an idiot. There were indisputable facts, hard science, and then there was what your mind wanted you to believe as fact. I was struggling with the latter. We waved at one of the newer couples from the San Antonio area as they stepped out the most recent duplex builds.

Monterey Revival Style, Jax had labeled it. The Culture and Customs Committee he was intent on forming had decided to designate a living area filled with inspiration from residents’ hometowns. Of course I’d heard Amaia whisper the concept in his ear over dinner, but her thoughts often rolled into his.

“Why is this the one thing you refuse to accept?” she accused after another lap of silence.

My lips pursed to the side. Though there was a very straightforward answer to that question, if I voiced it aloud, I would have to address it. At times I felt ready for that, times such as now when Amaia was by my side. It was the reason she’d sought out one of the doctors for an opinion at my request. Then there were the moments I was alone with my thoughts. When the realization that the wrong answer to the questions I sought after could end up haunting me forever.

“Because.”

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