the like. The din of children's voices can be heard in the background. Jonah
says,
.. planning to have an art fair, a craft fair, on the
concourse soon, right?
The hybrid child in the center responds to something other than what Jonah has
been saying, responding to his thoughts, not his words.
They'll adjust quickly because they've been living
like us already. You'll see, there won't be any
adjustment at all.
Colonel Cage leans forward to ask a question.
How do you know?
The child looks calmly at him.
You're right to be worried, they need you. They don't
know how to find you, don't know where you are.
There is a silence, but finally Colonel Cage responds, an obvious knot in his
throat.
They're in trouble? The Army had facilities! They
said . . they told us that . . that ..
_______________________________
Outside the dome city entrance, Colonel Cage is taking his leave, saying good-
by to Jonah. They stand in front of the dome entry, at the end of the long
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igloo style tunnel that acts as a weather shield before the sliding doors at
the edge of the dome itself.
I've got to try, even if I die trying. I have no idea
if these maps are any good anymore, it's 200 miles
away as the crow flies, and God knows if I'll make it
or what I'll find.
Colonel Cage is traveling light, holding a black cloth satchel that he slings
over his shoulder as he turns and walks into the woods.
A tall gray Zeta comes forward into view, moving up to be shoulder to shoulder
with Jonah. Jonah is still watching the Colonel disappear into the woods.
He's going to need help.
The Zeta puts his hand momentarily on Jonah's shoulder, then heads off after
Colonel Cage.
_______________________________
Colonel Cage is walking along the outskirts of what used to be a mid-sized
city. He is traveling at night, for safety, his body standing out briefly in
profile against a flaming pile of trash that someone has pulled together and
lit. Broken boards stick up now and then, hazards, and tumbled down cement
blocks litter the streets as he picks his way though the rubble. There are
shouts in the distance, and what sound like hysterical laughter now and then.
_______________________________
Past the city now, and traveling by day, Colonel Cage is standing at the edge
of a rip in the earth. Foot hills leading down into a river valley have been
torn apart, bare earth exposed in stark contrast to the trees or fields on
either side. He stands gazing over the scene, a slight frown on this face,
and then reaches into his back pocket for a map, which he flips through,
looking increasingly puzzled. He finally shakes his head and mutters under
his breath.
If that's the river, then I made 150 miles in one day!
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He returns the map to his back pocket, leans down for his satchel, and strides
off down along the edge of the rip toward the river.
_______________________________
It is night time, the rain pouring steadily, drenching everything. It is so
dark, with only an occasional dim edge outlined in the dark, that it takes a
minute for us to see Colonel Cage's features as he stands in the rain. Peering
through the dark, Colonel Cage must squint for several minutes to see an
occasional outline in the dark. Progress has been slow, along the last leg of
his journey, but he is recognizing landmarks, so very near home at last. He
is still, staring into the broken windows of what used to be his house.
Nothing moves, and there are no lights or sounds. He hears a young boy's voice
behind him.
Dad?
Colonel Cage turns so rapidly he is almost a blur, as he sweeps the boy into
his arms. After a long silent bear hug, during which the two of them seem
unable to let go of each other, the Colonel sets the boy down, his voice
husky.
Where's your mother and John?
The boy says,
They're all right, come on.
Excitement and eagerness are in his voice as he takes his dad by the hand.
They stumble off into the dark, Colonel Cage stumbling after his young son,
both walking too fast for the circumstances, but too eager to get where
they're going to care.
_______________________________
Next day the four-some are walking cautiously along a tree bank. All are
dressed in dull clothing that blends in with the soggy dark green and mustard
yellow of the vegetation, and when out in the open crouch down and scuttle
across the open space, so as not to attract attention from anyone who might be
looking. Colonel Cage is visibly nervous, but is not sharing with his family
the reasons for his fear. They hear voices, and he signals all to drop to the
ground and not make a sound. The Colonel's face is pale and he is trembling,
showing his extreme fear that his family will be tortured and killed, as he
has seen done to others. He has his youngest, John, beside him, and has his
hand over his mouth, is signaling his wife and oldest son with his eyes as to
the seriousness of the situation.
A group of men is passing, talking and arguing among themselves. A voice
rings out almost on top of where the family is crouched, joining in the
conversation without missing a beat. The terrified family hears a zipper
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unzip, then someone pissing, then hear the sound of a fly being re-zipped. The
one who just relieved himself walks right past the youngest boy as though not
seeing him, rejoining the others. The other looks his way also, and seems not
to see the family, plastered against the ground right between them, holding
their breath.
As they walk on they are watched by a tall Zeta standing next to a tree, his
arms folded across his chest. The family remains still until no voices can be
heard. Colonel Cage lifts his head slightly and casts his eyes all around, and
seeing nothing, warns in a whisper.
Follow me, but as quiet as you can.
He moves slowly so as not to snap a twig, picking up speed only when they get
to a grassy area along a creek where the sound of running water covers the
swishing of their legs against the grass.
When Colonel Cage can look in all directions and see the coast is clear, he
breaths a sigh of relieve.
I don't know why they didn't see us. They were right
on top of us, the oddest thing.
He's shaking his head, a slight frown on his head, but a realization dawns on