“The sunrise sure is magnificent isn’t it?” Heather said as Andor and Lilli came down the stairs. The young couple stopped in front of the window and gazed at the trees sprinkled with sparkling water droplets. Thin wispy clouds bathed in gold and pink from the rising sun painted the otherwise clear morning sky with stupendous color. The window in the living room was open and the fresh cool mountain air filled the cozy cabin with the fragrant aroma of a wet pine forest. “It’s absolutely intoxicating!” Lilli exclaimed in wonder.  “The river has gone down a little overnight; the roar was not nearly as loud now.” Ed said as he handed both Lilli and Andor a steaming cup of coffee. “Is the electricity still out?” Lilli asked hopefully. “I’d really love to take a shower….” “I’m afraid it’s still out and brown water is still gushing from all the faucets.” Dejected Lilli sat down at the dining room table. After taking a sip of the coffee though her sour mood quickly dissipated. “This is some GREAT coffee.” She said as she held it close to her nose and inhaled the invigorating aroma. “I am glad you’re enjoying it.” Ed said with a grin. “You know in normal conditions, it would probably be weeks before the basic infrastructure could be restored and probably months before the bridge and roads could be rebuilt.” Andor said as he took a seat next to Lilli. “However, with everything going on now in the world, this tiny village will likely have to be abandoned. There is just no way to expect any infrastructure could be rebuilt in this remote area of the country. At least any time soon…” “I am afraid you’re right.” Ed said as he looked down at the floor. “Not sure what we’re going to do though. The bridge that destroyed your cabin was the only way out of here. It’s a long walk down the canyon to get out of here.” Heather was making pancakes using a large cast iron pan to cook on the griddle of the wood-burning stove. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had to cook over the wood stove. I am a bit out of practice…“ she said as a flapjack nearly fell on the floor. “Well it smells great.” Andor said, leaning back from the table to take a stack of plates Heather was handing him. “Is there anything I can do to help?” “No, you just sit right there sweetie.” She said with a smile as she wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m almost done. The omelets are done, just gotta finish this pancake. We should be ready to eat in a sec...” “I heard Canada is assisting with evacuations. At least until the UN task force arrives.” Ed said changing the subject back to matters at hand. “Taskforce?” Andor asked with a raised eyebrow. “The UN has scrambled aircraft carriers from several nations.” Ed replied as he sat down at the table across from Andor and Lilli. “The Panama Canal is destroyed so they are having to sail through the Suez Canal. It’s a long trip but hopefully they get here soon.” “Breakfast is served.” Heather said as she set a heaping pile of pancakes on the table in front of her guest. “Dig in.” Ed said, his eyes bulging at the feast his wife had prepared. “Oh my gosh this looks amazing!” Lilli said as she took a plate that Andor was handing her. “Thank you so much!” “Try some of the homemade jam. I harvested the blackberries from a nice patch across the river. These mountains are just chocked full of food… If you know where to look.” Ed said as slathered a huge spoonful of the jelly onto his plate and handed the jar to Lilli. “That they are.” Heather replied as she took a sip of her coffee watching the smiles of everyone as they enjoyed the feast she had prepared. “When I was a kid growing up here I must have checked out every book in the library on survival, plant identification, and American Indian folklore. My mom and I used to scour these mountains for mushrooms. She was an amazing mycologist….” Andor said as he drizzled hot sauce over his omelette. “I always wanted to grow and harvest mushrooms…” Lilli replied as she lifted a sautéed mushroom from her omelette? “Are these local?” “No…” Heather chuckled. “Unless you consider the grocery store local…”  Ed set his fork down and was about to say something when the handheld radio in the den squawked. “120 Robert, this is Amber 1, come in over.” “This is 120 Robert; send it, Amber 1,” “120 Robert is the local deputy. He lives down the road from here.” Ed whispered "Not sure who Amber 1" “What is your status?” “We need supplies, Amber 1. Electricity is out... So is the water. Over” “Copy, 120 Robert. We don't have any supplies to bring you. Our resources are strung out thin.... We’re coordinating with the Red Cross and the National Guard to evacuate the village. We have to get everyone out by noon… Before the weather window closes again.” “Roger, copy that. I’ll get everyone assembled at the school. It’s the largest open area in the canyon.” the deputy replied. “Solid copy. See you soon, 120 Robert, Amber 1 out.” ![[springFlowers-ii10.jpg]] “Well, if they’re coming to get us soon we should be getting back to our cabin then... To collect our things,” Lilli said, standing up. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. You have been very kind.” “Oh, of course sweetheart. It was so nice to have you both stay with us.” Heather said as she gave Lilli a great big hug. Lilli and Andor went upstairs to get their jackets, which were still hanging in front of the fire. The manilla envelope was on top of the box where Andor had set it.*I sure would like to finish the book…* Andor thought as he began gathering their belongings. Heather came in a few moments later carrying a reusable shopping bag. “I gathered up your things downstairs. They're dry now... I put them in here for you…” “Oh, thank you so much” Andor said as he pulled on his jacket and took the bag. “I hope it’s alright but I was reading this last night…” Andor said nervously as he picked up the manilla envelope. “Would it be alright if I borrowed it? It is fascinating. Do you know if I could meet the author?” “Dustin, my son wrote that decades ago. He had just signed with an agent to publish the book when he was killed in a traffic accident…” Heather’s voice trailed off. When she spoke again her voice sounded sad. “You remind me of him…” *Now I feel terrible!* Andor thought to himself as he stared at the floor. *Why did I have to read it?* *I shouldn’t have started reading it.* Before he could reply, Heather smiled and took his hand and said, “I want you to have it. For some reason, I think you’ll enjoy it more than I ever could. For goodness' sake, I never even could bring myself to read the darn thing.” “Are you sure? I mean… ” Andor began but Heather cut him off. “Of course I’m sure, I was just going to leave it here anyways. Not enough room in those helicopters for my son’s unread book anyways…. Speaking of which, you better get going. They’ll be here soon. You don’t want to get left behind.” Andor clutched the manilla envelope to his chest and gave Heather a warm hug. “Thank you so much.” “You’re quite welcome. It makes me happy that someone is enjoying my Dustin’s writing. He was quite talented…” then Heather turned and walked down the stairs. “Why do you want the book so bad?” Lilli asked a puzzled look etched across her face. “I’ll explain when we get back to our place…” Andor replied as he gently tucked the manila envelope into the shopping bag Heather had given them. Lilli took Andor’s hand as they made their way down the stairs. Ed and Heather were waiting for them by the door. “You have been absolutely wonderful.” Lilli said she hugged Ed and then Heather good-bye. “Thank you so much for your hospitality and for welcoming us into your home.” Andor said, extending his hand to Ed. Ed looked at his hand and then stepped forward and threw his arms around him giving him a warm embrace. “You’re welcome anytime… wherever we end up.” Ed said as he gave Lilli a hug. “What a sweet couple.” Lilli said wistfully once they were out of ear shot. They turned and waved at Heather and Ed who waved back at them from their doorway. As Andor and Lilli walked briskly back to their cabin the deputy pulled up alongside them in her squad car. “The National Guard is coming to evacuate all the villagers. Meet at the school yard.” The deputy said through the vehicle's open window. “Thanks officer. What time do we need to be there?” “They’re trying to get us out in this window of decent weather, which is only supposed to be for a few more hours.” “Okay, we’ll hurry.” Lilli replied. The deputy nodded and then took off in her vehicle down the road. A few moments later they could hear her on the vehicle's loudspeaker loudly broadcasting to the rest of the small village about the impending evacuation. “So, tell me about this book.” Lilli said as she and Andor walked into their destroyed cabin. “It’s about us.” “What do you mean ‘about us’?” “Literally the book is about you and me… but Dustin wrote this decades ago, before we were even born. My parents weren’t even married when he wrote this.” “Wait so you’re saying Dustin wrote a book about you and me?” Lilli asked incredulously as she reached over and took the book from Andor and flipped it open to a random page. “See for yourself…” Andor said as he rested his elbows on the counter and watched Lilli’s face closely go from confused, to intrigued, to shocked all in a matter of moments. “Holy shit!” Lilli exclaimed as she put the book down. “What part did you read?” “Our wedding night…” Lilli replied, her face bright red. “Oh yea. That was a good chapter. He even got your outfit right…” Andor said with a wink. Lilli seductively chewed on her lower lip as she recalled that special night. Then she picked up the book and flipped to another chapter. “This one’s about the crazy lady breaking into our house… It says she was a ‘Dimensional herald’… What the fuck does that mean?” “I don’t know, I hadn’t gotten to that part…” Andor said, leaning over to look at the page where Lilli was pointing. After reading for a bit he responded “I guess it’s some sort of messenger from another dimension.” “Okay that’s creepy as fuck.” Lilli said, setting the book down again. “How does it end?”  “Like I said I didn’t get a chance to read it all… plus I’m kind of scared to read how our life story ends… Aren’t you?” “Yes you’re right…” her voice trailed off. Andor walked over to the back window and gazed down at the muddy river then blurted out. “Oh to hell with it!”. In two large steps he was back in front of the book, which lay on the counter. He picked it up and eagerly flipped to the last page. Lilli watched his face for any hint of an expression as his eyes darted quickly over the page. “WHAT DOES IT SAY!?” she pleaded as Andor set the book down. Without a word he darted into what was left of their room as the sound of helicopter rotors booming up the canyon drowned out the pleasant sounds of bustling songbirds and the tumultuous brook. “What are you doing!?” Lilli asked timidly. “Why did you have to read it?” Andor set the pack down on their bed and began stuffing it with everything he could find. “Get your bag and start packing your things!” Andor replied curtly.  “Where are we going?” “To the only place I know we will be safe.” “Andor you’re freaking me out. What did it say on the last page?” Lilli said forcefully before taking Andor’s hand, compelling him to pause. Andor looked into Lilli’s eyes. She could see he was scared, which only deepened her dread. _I have to tell her, I don’t want to tell her though._ Andor fumed to himself as he busied himself with packing. _I shouldn’t have read it, now we have to stay…_ After a few moments of tense inner dialogue Andor’s shoulders softened and he gave Lilli a weak smile. He knew he had to tell her... Slowly, like he was making his way towards his execution, he walked into the living room, picked up the book, and flipped to the last page. Taking a deep breath he began to read aloud: <ul>As the helicopter armada pierced the azure blue mountain sky, a collective breath of relief passed through the villagers who were assembled in the schoolyard. The questions of survival, of how they would endure in this isolated place—cut off from a world now fractured into chaos and ruin—faded into the background. They were to be taken from this desolation. To start anew. Somewhere far from here. Somewhere that might still hold a sliver of hope.</ul> <ul>Their gratitude was mingled with sorrow though. It was one thing to be rescued; it was another to leave behind their homes. The canyon had always been a harsh place to live, as such they were resilient people. It took a lot of sweat and even blood to live here. Maybe, just maybe, they'd find they're way back someday and rebuild. Or perhaps not.</ul> <ul>There was no way they could have known that the asteroid—the harbinger of worldwide calamity—was far more than a mere fragment of stone from the depths of space. No, it was a Zenith Shard, carrying within it a malevolent force, a darkness beyond reckoning, bent on the annihilation of all life. If only they had known. If only they'd stayed. For the one thing that could save them—the last glimmer of salvation—was there in that very canyon.</ul> ### Next Chapter: [[19 - Escape 🏕️]] ### Previous Chapter: [[17 - The Manila Envelope 📔]]