Asunder Chapter 33

Chapter 7.2 (33)

Earlier Life

Unexpected Expectations

“And it shall come to pass, the mountains will shake, the light of the sun will be torn asunder, and the sea will speak anew. She sits idle in her peace. Unraveled by the cold of blood and hardened of skin. Enlightened by the rock of life. United in all.” - Sorrows 2:23, Book of Onirion

- Two years earlier -

- The Year 2294 -

Jane sighed as she made her way through the winding hallways back to her dormitory. She couldn’t wait to see her husband. They had only been married a short time, yet Jane felt they had been together for an eternity. She longed to fall asleep to his heavy breathing, even if it did irritate Nivi, who considered it snoring. Jane was not bothered by the sound, as she felt Abe’s nightmares usually woke the others in the room more so, as he elected to stay with them and sleep on the floor rather than move into his dormitory. After their marriage, Jane was allowed to move into Elijah’s dormitory. Still, with Ishmael’s and Nivi’s health, she elected to remain in her larger family living quarters and instead have Elijah join them.

As Jane continued leisurely walking back to the dormitory, she took in the sights and sounds of the mining facility. The shuffling of footsteps echoed through the halls as others returned home from their duties. Hushed conversations added to the din, filling her ears. Laughter and giggling of flirting youth danced about the corridor like a delicate sonata. She paused as she passed Elder Sevoth’s dormitory, reminded of the gift the older man gave them for their wedding: a portable miniature stove allowing Elijah to heat his coffee in the mines. The imagery stirred thoughts of their wedding day.

The ceremony was short and sweet. All of Jane and Elijah’s friends, family, and neighbors crammed into their small dormitory. Nivi and Anja helped prepare Jane’s wedding dress out of some linen while Abe found a clean shirt and trousers for Elijah. Summoning enough energy within himself to officiate the ceremony, Ishmael read from his scriptures and spoke as though he were five times his age. After reciting a few prepared words, Abe and Nivi gave the couple away by placing the crowns of roots on their heads.

A few days after the ceremony, Jane and Elijah underwent the process of acquiring the mandatory marriage tattoos inked across the back of their necks—two serial numbers—theirs and their spouse's. Jane’s rations modestly increased as she was now married to a Seer. The Seers took priority in the community, obtaining more rations than others for their service to the machines. Though Abe was a Seer as well and received similarly increased rations, he chose to give his surplus to Ishmael in hopes the increased nourishment would improve Ishmael’s health.

The daily presence of Abe had bolstered Ishmael’s disposition significantly, and the boy appeared to be making a turn for the better. The teenager gained weight from the extra rations, and his spirits perked up. Still having no energy to work a full day in the mines, Ishmael helped Nivi with the chores in the dormitory. Abe and Elijah still secretly logged Ishmael into work each day, but Jane worried the facade would not last much longer.

However, in reality, Jane was grateful Ishmael wasn’t in the mines daily, for she feared the mines. Now that Elijah and Jane had married, Jane felt this fear consuming her thoughts more than before. She feared for Elijah’s safety. Though Seers were a necessity for the machines in the mines, this did not preclude them from injuries and death from collapsing mine shafts. She monitored the clock daily and held on to Elijah tighter each night. She wished the machines would just transfer him to some other duty that was not so dangerous.

A series of shouts echoing down the hall suddenly interrupted Jane’s thoughts. The din of her neighbors chatting quickly silenced as everyone turned their attention to the source of the yelling. Jane quickened her pace as she realized the shouts were coming from near her dormitory. By the time she reached the front door of her home, the source of the confrontation became evident—Nivi was yelling at someone from within the dormitory. Jane quickly threw open the door of the living quarters, only to find Nivi screaming at two Isobian Guards. One of the machines gripped Ishmael by the collar, holding him off the ground. The other pushed Nivi away as she attempted to grab ahold of Ishmael.

“He’s my boy! You can’t take him. He’s sick!” Nivi breathlessly screamed as she struggled unsuccessfully to reach him.

A flood of terror flowed through Jane’s body, and she became weak in the knees. The moment had finally arrived—the moment she dreaded. Nearly collapsing, she caught herself on the frame of the entry. Barely finding enough strength to speak, the words escaped her mouth weakly.

“Please, please don’t take him. Please don’t hurt him,” Jane begged.

“Enough!” the machine roared in its digital female voice. “He is being reprimanded for falsifying his duty attendance. No appeals will be allotted for this internment.”

“No!” Nivi screamed, “He’s too weak.” She sobbed, collapsing into the machine’s arm, which held her back.

Ishmael hung by the Guard’s hand, too weak to fight back. Jane recomposed herself, hoping to try another avenue of pleading.

“Please. He is sick and will not last in internment.” Jane was calm and collected now.

“Please let us get him back to health, and I promise he will begin work again soon. I will give him all of my rations. You can completely stop his rations and pretend he’s not even here. Please, I beg you.”

She couldn’t imagine what would happen to him in prison.

“There will be no discussion here.” The machine holding Ishmael walked toward Jane to pass through the door.

Jane stood before the machine, attempting to block the exit.

“This is futile. If you do not remove yourself, I will be forced to remove you.” The machine announced coldly.

Its free hand began to make a whirring sound, and a red glow warmed within the palm. Jane immediately understood its intent and quickly moved aside. The machine was clearly not going to debate any further and stood willing to kill if need be.

“No!” Nivi screamed, “I’m not losing another one!”

She ran toward the machine carrying Ishmael. Holding a pot, she prepared to hit the machine with the dull metal. The other Isobian Guard reached for her to prevent her from getting to its counterpart. With a flash, the machine holding Ishmael suddenly raised its palm and ignited a rush of red plasma. The energy struck Nivi directly in the chest, tossing her with extreme force against the far wall, reverberating a sickening crunch throughout the room.

Jane gasped and fell to her knees. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she felt the urge to vomit. “No, no, no, no,” was all she could muster.

The machine forcefully stepped past her, knocking her backward, and exited with Ishmael in hand. The other machine also went to leave but stopped and stood over her. Its voice echoed cold and exact. “It’s better this way. She was but another mouth to feed.”

Then, the machine marched off, leaving Jane alone in the quarters. Jane reeled within herself. Within a moment, her entire world flipped upside down. What more could these machines take from her? She slowly crawled over to Nivi’s body. When she reached it, she could hear small gasps of breath. The older woman was still alive. Jane grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

“Nivi, I’m here! It’s okay.”

The motherly figure weakly opened her eyelids and stared into the distance. Her eyes appeared hazy and bloodshot.

“Tulu, is that you?” She sputtered.

“It’s me, Janey,” Jane spoke through her sobs. “It’s okay, Nivi. I’m here.”

“Ikayullannga…” Nivi breathed out words of her native tongue weakly.

“I’m here. I can help momma. Janey is here.”

“Imannaq Tulu… Irniqaqpunga... Malruuk.“ Nivi coughed.

“Yes, your sons are here. Ishmael is safe. Tuq is safe. Don’t you worry, Nivi. Everyone is safe.”

“Paniqaqpunga...”

The words stung Jane’s ears as tears flowed freely from her eyes.

“Yes, momma, you have a daughter. I’m here. Your daughter is here.”

She rolled her head, looking past Jane.

“Namiitunga?”

“You’re here, with me, at home...” Jane reassured her.

“Imannaq... Angilrauniaqpunga.”

“No, Nivi, you ARE home, you’re not going home, you’re here with me, stay with me.” Jane’s sobbing became uncontrollable now.

“No, Janey,” Nivi lifted her hand weakly, touching Jane’s face, “Angilrauniaqpunga... I’m going home now. Tulu is waiting.”

With this, her hand fell lifeless into Jane’s lap.

“No, no, no, no,” Jane repeated through her tears. She collapsed against the same wall Nivi sat slumped against. Still holding the older woman’s hand, Jane buried her face into the concrete and sobbed.

§

Hours later, Abe and Elijah walked through the door to see the lifeless body of Nivi slumped in the arms of a sleeping Jane. At first, it appeared as though Jane was a victim of whatever atrocity occurred in the quarters as well, but she was startled awake by the terrified voices of the men. The two men wrapped up the body of Nivi in her sheets and contacted the doctor.

They planned for the funeral services the next day. Jane sat on the side of her bed. Silent, still in shock from the events that had just taken place. Abraham paced the dormitory, cussing under his breath at the machines. Elijah sat by Jane and consoled her.

“Something has to be done!” Abe retorted.

“This can’t keep happening. They have to be stopped. We have to get Ishmael out! If we don’t, he’s going to die in there. He’s sick and won’t last but a few days in there!”

Jane and Elijah continued staring at the floor, giving little attention to Abe’s rant.

Abe stopped pacing and looked out the entry. “That’s it. I’m gonna break him out of there.”

With this comment, Abe marched out of the quarters. This reaction caught the attention of Jane and Elijah, who sat lost in their thoughts.

Elijah looked up at Abe’s sudden departure. “What did he say? Did he say he’s breaking Ishmael out?”

Jane looked at Elijah, confused. Fear whelmed up inside her. She couldn’t lose another brother, especially not on the same day. She jumped up and ran for the door. Elijah grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“What are you doing, Janey?!”

“I have to stop Abe from whatever he intends to do. I can’t lose him too!”

Elijah relented and followed Jane down the hall, hand in hand. They eventually found Abe in the common area, speaking to a group of his fellow miners. The miner’s voices remained hushed, and they all carried stern looks on their faces. Jane approached, grabbing Abe by the arm. In hushed tones, she scolded him.

“What do you think you are doing? Do you think I want to lose you as well?!” She hissed between her teeth.

His features softened at the sight of his sister. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he spoke softly.

“Janey, do you think Ishmael is going last in that prison? I have to do something. I will never forgive myself if I don’t do something. He’s our brother. He can’t fend for himself in his state. Please, please, let me do this for him.”

Jane softened as well. “What are you planning on doing?”

“Abrash here has a welding kit he lifted from the mines. I’m giving a week's rations to borrow it.” Abe whispered.

Jane looked over Abe’s shoulder at Abrash, a harsh and grimy man. The man nodded.

“If you get caught, den you ain’t sayin’ where you got it from.” The man spoke gruffly.

Abe looked back and nodded.

Jane piped up again, “This is insane, Abe. There has to be another way. Maybe I can talk to them. Convince them he’s... he’s… well, I don’t know exactly, but we can think up something else. What you’re planning is too dangerous! And what are you gonna do once you get him out? There’s nowhere to hide him!”

“We’re all gettin' out after. I’ve been talking to some of the guys and figuring out how to get us out of here. Just pack your things—only the essentials. We’re getting out of this place and going back home. Back to the valley.”

She stared at him in disbelief. She had not processed escaping. The very same thoughts had entered her mind before, but she never so much as had a hint of a plan. There was no way it would work.

“Abe, this is crazy. None of us were planning on this. If we get caught, then we’ll all be killed.”

Abe gazed into her eyes. She knew there was no changing his mind.

“I just got you back...” she lamented. Her shoulders sank.

“I know, but this is our only chance to get Ishmael back, and once we have him, we have to make a run for it. It’s the only way.” He raised his brows, revealing his soft and loving eyes.

There was no other way. She knew it now.

“Just... please... please, please, please be careful, Abe.”

“I will,” he grinned slightly and hugged her tight. “I’m getting that kid out of there. And then getting us all out of here.”

Elijah gently grabbed Abe by the arm. “I’ll go too. I’ll help you get Ishmael.”

“No, no, no, you won’t.” Abe resisted. “You have too much at stake here. I need you to be able to take care of my sister here. If this goes south before we have a chance to escape, I don’t want either of you involved,” Abe continued.

Elijah initially bowed in defense but then ceded and nodded in agreement.

“Oh, really?” Jane interrupted with a hand on her hip. “I need taking care of? Boy, I ought to... let me tell you something, Abraham McConnell Wilder.” Her voice fired up, and she gritted between her teeth. The day's events unfolded within her rebuttal, coursing through her and out the finger she sharply pointed at her brother.

“Janey, Janey, calm down. I’m sorry, I’m sorry I forgot you don’t like that kind of stuff. I’m sorry, forgive me.”

She squinted her eyes, “Just this once, Mr. Wilder! Now get Ishmael out of there.”

Not many things got her fired up, but being told she required a man to protect her or fend for her boiled her blood. She supposed it came from her mother, who had been fiercely independent. The three left the common area, and Jane and Elijah returned to the dormitory to gather their things and prepare for the escape.

After gathering their things, they sat nervously on the side of the bed, clinging to their packs. The hours slipped into late night, and there was still no word or sign of Abe or Ishmael. They finally fell asleep after hours of waiting. The day's adrenaline had worn off, and they could no longer keep their eyes open. Elijah slept sitting upright, and Jane stooped in his lap.

Suddenly, the sound of the alarms and heavy metal footsteps running through the corridors outside their dormitory startled the couple, arousing them from their slumber. They quickly jumped up and ran to the doorway to assess the situation. Others in the neighborhood also stepped out of their entryways to investigate the noise.

Without thinking, Jane began sprinting down the hallway after the machines. Elijah yelled after her and then proceeded to follow. Her pursuit led her around multiple corners, at which point, before rounding her last corner, she heard wild yells echoing nearby. Jane stopped and hugged the wall. The alarms had died down, and she could hear noises resounding from the next corridor. Scooting to the edge, she peeked around the corner. A group of machines surrounded one of their own, wrestling with someone. The man projected a dismal howl—a bellowing intermixed with his exasperated sobs.

“You liars!... You killed him!... Why!?...”

Elijah finally reached her side and grabbed her hand. Her eyes were filled with tears now. She turned to him and shook her head. His brow furrowed, and he silently mouthed, “What, what is it?”.

She just continued to shake her head. The screams erupted again. She looked back to see her brother, Abe, repeatedly slammed against the ground.

“No, no! Where are you taking me? You murderers! Lying scum, let me go!”

Then a thud, and he was silent. Jane peaked around the corner again and saw the machines walking toward the hall where they stood. They carried Abe limp, arm in arm, between two machines. He still appeared to be alive. His unconscious body took deep, gasping breaths. She quickly turned, took Elijah’s hand, and hurried back to their quarters.

“Why did I let him do it? I should’ve stopped him!” Jane beat herself up after returning to the dormitory.

“Jane, there was nothing we could do. Abe would’ve done it with or without your permission. And it’s true. It was the only way to try to save Ishmael. We just didn’t know the machines would kill Ishmael...” he trailed off.

“We didn’t!?” Jane erupted, “We all knew that was where it was headed. Now they are both gone... I had them both, and now they're gone. Nivi is gone, too. So is Tulu, the Judge, Papa, Momma, Eliza, Sarah... they are all gone.”

Her demeanor softened as the weight of all her losses bore down on her soul. She stopped pacing and sat beside Elijah, resting her head on his shoulder. They both sat in silence. She had lost everyone she ever loved to the machines. They had taken everything and everyone besides Elijah—her last remaining hope. And even then, she knew deep down inside they would take him one day. It was the natural course of her life—destined to live a life of desolation, devoid of the ones she held dear.

Elijah eventually spoke, breaking the silence.

“Janey... can I tell you something?”

Jane was nearly falling asleep. She had cried every last tear from her body.

“Sure...” she mumbled.

“What if I said you can see them all again?”

“That would be nice,” she said sleepily, not taking his words seriously.

“Janey, I can help you see them again...” he spoke more confidently.

“Mm-hmm,” she was nearly fully asleep.

“Here, my love lay down next to me. I’ll take you to them.”

Before she dozed off, the last awake sensations she experienced were the embrace of Elijah’s arm next to her as they lay together and the warm pulsations seeming to emanate from the Caerulum she grasped as it hung from her neck. It acted as a lullaby to their slumber—beating to the same rhythm as their hearts.

§

She studied the cabin her ancestors built. A dim light cascaded upon its logs. Each beam of wood appeared spattered by black knots, branch remnants evidencing the forgotten tree each piece of timber once was. The steeped, rusted, reddish aluminum roof reflected the sun's rays as it penetrated the dark clouds. She loved this place. Nearly every good dream she had involved its floors and walls in one way or another. She missed good dreams. She felt they were few and far between lately with all the...

Her mind transitioned from the serene scene before her to the active memories playing their part in the real world outside her cognition.

...with all the chaos about her at the facility. The death of Ishmael and Nivi. The capture of Abraham. But she was no longer at the facility. She was home. How did she get home?

Was this a dream?

She looked about and felt the wind blow her hair across her face. The scent of freshly wet earth from the recent rain reached her nose, and she could hear the sounds of birds overhead.

It clearly was not a dream.

Her heart began to race. Where was she? How did she get here?

Suddenly, she felt something fill the space beside her, followed by rough fingers slipping between hers. Startled, she jumped and looked to her side. It was Elijah laughing. Except no sound came out of his mouth. He grabbed her hand and continued laughing. She could see him mouthing the words, “I’m sorry.” She stood there confused.

What was going on? 

Why was she able to hear everything but the sound of Elijah’s voice?

She continued staring at Elijah, obviously not amused by him startling her.

She spoke and squeezed his hand, “Elijah! You tell me what is going on here!”

He wiped tears from his eyes and stood upright. He pointed to Jane’s ears and mouthed, “You can’t hear me.”

He said another word, but she could not determine what he was saying... ”I better fear you?”... “Best be near you?”

She stopped guessing and furrowed her brow.

Elijah bent down in the dirt and, with his finger, and spelled roughly: “but I can hear you.” Then, below this, he spelled. “DREAM.”

Again, she looked at him with a disconcerted expression. Shrugging, he took her by the hand and pointed to the field beyond the cabin. Jane and her siblings explored the same field as kids, looking for snakes and frogs along the creek. She then noticed a figure appear as though growing from the underlying grass. It was an older man. A familiar older man with a toppled woven cap and intricately woven clothes. His white hair spuriously jutted out from his cap, and his white facial hair masked his bright smile and deep golden eyes.

Tulu. It was her Tulu. She let go of Elijah’s hand and sprinted across the field. Barreling into him, she grabbed him tightly, soaking his shirt in tears. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her head, soaking her hair with his tears. Inherently, she pushed him away and moved her hands into contorted positions—handspeak. Tulu’s eyes lit up, and he signed back.

“I missed you too, my little girl. Look at you. My, how you have grown!”

She signed again, “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Tulu responded, “Oh child, we will always see each other again, in this life or the next.”

She smiled. Tulu was always full of optimism.

“Tulu.... Nivi.... I couldn’t save her,” tears welled in her eyes.

“Oh, child, you did everything you could. Don’t worry. She is here with me.”

Suddenly, as though the grass began growing at an accelerated rate, it twisted around itself, forming another figure, which materialized into Nivi. Not the sickly Nivi she had left in the mine, but a vibrant, smiling Nivi—one who had finally found peace again.

Jane gasped and wrapped her arms around the little woman. She could smell the same deep spices and earthy aroma of her scarf.

“I’m so sorry, Nivi, I tried to save you...” Jane said aloud to the woman. “I tried to save Ishmael...” she continued.

Nivi shook her head and signed in the same handspeak, “Oh Janey, when will you learn? You cannot save everyone. Take the world's weight off your shoulders and breathe, my baby.”

Jane took a deep breath and responded, “What is this place?”

The elderly couple looked at each other and smiled. Tulu signed, “You should ask your husband. He is the one who brought us here.”

Jane stood wide-eyed. “Tulu! You heard me!”

He smiled and signed back, “All ailments are fixed in the afterlife, my love.”

She grinned and then looked back to Elijah, who stood smiling and nodding in acknowledgment. It was all so surreal. Too surreal. Her mind suddenly doubted everything taking place. She glanced back at Nivi and Tulu. People forming from the grass? People who have passed away speaking with her here now? She looked over at the cabin. The machines destroyed this cabin in her childhood, and there was no way it was standing again—rebuilt perfectly. All of this had to be a dream. Her mind just created created it all. This interaction was all her brain’s way of coping with earlier events. Though it was all just a dream, she still felt comfort and reassurance seeing her loved ones again.

She turned back to them, “I know this is not real, but seeing your faces again has been more than reassuring. I love you both very much.”

Nivi interrupted in handspeak, “Wait, Jane, another person is here to see you.”

The elderly couple looked over and behind themselves. A young boy, about thirteen years old, stepped from the hollow of trees bordering the small clearing. His blonde hair glistened in the sunlight like a golden halo. His cheeks were full and healthy, unlike the hollow features he left behind in the mines. He stood tall and regal.

“Hi Janey,” Ishmael signed to her. “Long time no see.” He grinned sweetly.

Jane jumped at the young man, squeezing him tightly. He was taller than her, and she could smell the clean skin on his neck. She could feel the warmth emanating from him. It was all so real and yet so confusing. She didn’t care if it was a dream or if her mind was making it all up. She needed to see these people. Not only this, but she also needed closure. The hugs. The love of her family.

“Oh, Ishmael, I’m so sorry I...” she suddenly stopped speaking as Nivi snapped her finger and shook the same finger in her direction.

Then Nivi signed, “What did I tell you?”

Ishmael butted in with his handspeak. “Janey, it’s okay. I didn’t have much longer anyway. Here I am, whole. All of our family is here. Momma, Sarah...”

Jane trembled at the name he spelled before her in handspeak. Her sister... her sweet little Sarah. Flashbacks of Sarah and Eliza plucked up by the Taker rushed through her mind.

“Sarah?” Jane questioned. Ishmael nodded. At this, a young woman suddenly emerged from the willows. A lump swelled in Jane’s throat. Jane’s eyes followed the girl’s every step. High cheekbones replaced her chubby cheeks. Her round face had aged into a long and slender, heavenly visage. Her red, wiry hair flowed down her shoulders, long and full. Jane’s heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled toward the girl. Grabbing the young woman’s hands, Jane felt her velvet-soft fingertips. The girl smiled and wiped the tears from Jane’s eyes.

“I miss you,” Jane whispered to her.

“I know,” she mouthed back without voice.

Jane longed to hear her angelic voice. She longed to listen to another sweet melody sung in tune with her father’s violin.

She motioned for Elijah to come to her side. “This is my husband.”

Sarah stretched forth her hand, took Elijah’s, shook it momentarily, and pulled him in for a hug instead. As she hugged the man, she looked over his shoulder at Jane and mouthed, “handsome!”

This comment caused Jane to burst out laughing. Sarah was still the same wisecracker as Jane had remembered from childhood. Elijah stepped back, and Jane joined him. She took in all who stood before her, her family. The love was overwhelming. She wished she could live in this moment forever—reunited with her loved ones.

As soon as she began absorbing the moment, a deafening sound suddenly erupted all around them. The muffled yet loud ringing was painful to her ears, and it rang as though a siren wailed in the distance. The others hadn’t seemed to notice and remained standing and smiling. Confused by the sound, Jane looked at Elijah, who suddenly vanished. Looking back at the others, they, too, began disappearing like dust in the wind. As they faded, they all waved, blew kisses, and lipped their love through silent voices.

She stood isolated in the rumbling scenery of her childhood home. The feeling of being alone again consumed her heart, and tears began running down her cheeks. The isolation felt overwhelming, and she longed to escape this lonely world. Then, as though an imaginary hand plucked her from the ground, she soared into the air, the earth below her shrinking into oblivion and darkness.

Her eyes suddenly shot open. As her vision came into focus, she felt and visualized Elijah shaking her shoulders. The siren blared overhead, and the room flashed from red to darkness again.

“What is going on?” She groaned, still overcome by slumber.

An electronic voice echoed overhead. “All personnel remain in your quarters until further notice.”

The warning meant only one thing, as the message only appeared in this setting. Someone was attempting to escape. Ace was at it again.

“He’s going to get himself killed,” Jane said groggily but also worriedly.

Elijah smiled, “No, he won’t. He’s too valuable.”

The comment laid the foundation of a sense of solace for her. Even with this reassurance, the thought of her brother being tattooed across the face again and shipped to another facility saddened her. She needed him more than ever. A mixture of emotions welled within her. Frustration at Abe for attempting what he had and getting caught. Extreme sadness at the thought of the machines killing Ishmael and Nivi. Anger at the machines for taking everyone she loved and destroying her life. Remorse for not attempting to do more to help Abe. Peace in knowing she had just dreamed of all of her dead loved ones. Peace? Dead loved ones? A dream? Suddenly, Jane remembered her dream. Seeing her family in her dream seemed so real. Were they real?

The sirens stopped, and a quiet ushered over the room. Jane turned to Elijah.

“I had the strangest dream,” she uttered into the darkness.

Elijah sat silent momentarily and then responded, “I know, I was there.”