FIRST, I CAN HEAR the cracking of twigs and the knocking of rocks, and then we could see them emerge from a secret passage in the Gabion walls. (Rocks in blocks formed by metal wire cages.)
The clean faces of the men and women are striking. They're healthy, human, and have a hue that told us so. Each person is dressed for the fall weather.
They seem untouched by radiation. I heard rumours about people who built up incredible mutations that give them immunity to the poisoned air. The sight of them is proof of that.
They are a band of different generations. It is nice to see.
Near the end, before the nukes fell, the generations went to war against each other. It was something that would shake me awake at night. (When I still slept.)
Last, I can hear her voice:
“Hello, Cowboy.”
She has gleaming muscles, long, shining, dark hair, and soul-piercing eyes. They cut into you; they see your truth. She is magnificent.
“Hello back, Warrior.” The Cowboy retorts.
She walks closer, and the two share a laughing hug. It is great to see. I like seeing people enjoy each other’s presence like this. It all reminds me of complicated, terrible times. Somehow, we managed to find some joy with each other. (Some of us, anyway.)
In life, when you are unhappy, and you don’t like people, sometimes the answer to the problem belongs to you. You need to watch them, find one thing you like about them, and build on that.
It can be hard, but if you try, people can surprise you in good ways and bad.
The orangey sky is becoming a poop brown. It will be night soon. We need to get these people inside.
You think it is cold during the day? Night has no feelings for you; you know when it’s night because it feels like the icy hand of death. (I assume I don’t get hot or cold anymore.)
They’re enjoying the sight of each other. It’s like watching a couple of little dogs at the park who like to meet up because they are friends. I hope they sniff each other’s butts. (He he he.)
I make eye contact with a few; they don’t look away. I nod, and they nod back. These people are lovely, and I am truly blessed to witness them.
I get it now; they are what’s left of humanity who are worthy to live out their days without being food for the ghouls.
The Cowboy is sharing with me. This is his way of letting me in. This is a man who can tell you he L-l-loves you, but he can’t talk about himself. So if I’m just here, if I am present, if I am near, it’s enough.
Behind those rock walls are secrets. There, beyond the dusk, is the future of all humankind. I’m about to see it.
Wait… Where is the Demon?
My eyes take to the sky; I see her; she’s floating there in the distance, too far for their lil’ peepers to see her, but I see her. I see her loneliness; I see her darkness; I see her guilty conscience.
She hides from them, but not from us. She will wait for us; her deal with the Cowboy is not over; this is not over; there will be more blood…
“Stay…” I see her mouth the words.
The Cowboy smiles and shakes his head no.
“What’s behind those walls is not for the likes of me. That is your town, your place. My place is here with the creatures and the radiation. My work’s not done. I gots ta get em all ta giv ya’ll a chance out here.”
The Cowboy spreads his arms out, meaning the world beyond their protected walls.
“You protect them; I protect them.” He points right at me. “When there is time, I will be back, bring ya more.”
She smiles and nods her head. She understands, but she’s not happy. That is a forced smile. She loves the Cowboy, not like a woman loves a man, but like a person can love a person.
“Okay, Cowboy, don’t worry; I got lots of work for them all. You wanna eat? You gotta work!” She says.
They share a look. It is a deal. They have this bond that transcends words. This is a spiritual bond, old souls reunited. They will see each other again, in this life or the next.
He turns his back on an easier life and starts to walk towards me. He juts his chin to the left, commanding me to look in that direction. My balding friend stands there, nervous and fearful.
I understand what he wants.
“Hey buddy,” I say, walking towards him.
“Hello,” he says.
“Hello, you gotta stay here, my friend. There is food here. There is shelter, safety.” I say.
I reached out to put my hand on his shoulder, but he walks past me.
“Goodbye, I guess.”
“Hello.” He calls back.
I’m starting to think he was not all there. I have seen people get like that. Whatever that gentleman saw, it broke him a long time ago. I hope he finds happiness.
I hear the rock gate close and look back to see we are alone.
There is no love story, no touching moment, no happily ever after. There is only the cold, hard truth. If the Cowboy doesn’t do something, who will? His place is to find them and bring them to her. Her job is to teach them how to survive and save them from themselves.
THE DEMON
The Demon comes down from the sky and lands softly and effortlessly before me. Her expression is a little different from usual. I wonder how many times she has brought people here with the Cowboy before she lost herself.
The Cowboy steps up and smiles right at me.
“She wants you to quit smilin.” He says.
“I can’t.” I reply.
“I know,” he says.
He looks at her and then me and lets out a chuckle.
“You gotta learn ta fly, kid.”
My neck makes a crack sound when I whip my head towards him.
“Am I going to learn to fly right now?” I ask.
(My neck is fine, by the way; it felt pretty good, like I got a knot out of it or something.)
The Cowboy lets out a breath and looks out over the rubble and wasteland.
“We’re not taking a bus?” I ask.
He looks at me like I am deranged.
“No, that crap is for them, not for us. We are GODS and GODS fly.” He states.
“Okay, how do I fly?” I ask.
He rubs his chin and looks me up and down.
“Well, ya see, there’s no wrong way ta do it; everybody does it different. How do you think you fly?”
“I don’t know, I jump in the air?” I more ask than tell.
The Demon nods at me and rises up, floating in the air a good six feet off the ground.
“Try it.” The Cowboy suggests, floating up into the air.
I jump like a short white kid trying to dunk a basketball but come back down to my feet. They laugh at me. I feel green light warm my face with embarrassment.
“If you’re not going to help me, that’s fine; I’ll walk.” I state.
The Demon looks at The Cowboy.
“FLY!” She demands, with a roar.
“Now wait a minute. Answer the question: How do you think you fly?” The Cowboy asks.
I stand there and close my eyes. I see a light green colour instead of black. That’s weird. I just noticed that. Is this the first time I closed my eyes in years? My eyes should have dried out; they didn’t.
I shift my weight from foot to foot.
“I don’t fly. I push the world down.”
I felt the air rise up in me, and I push the world down. I could feel my body rise; I am flying.
I CAN FLY