Survivors, p.29
Survivors, page 29
“Okay. Only three more days to go, though.”
“Oh.”
“Dying should be a lot less painful, anyway.”
“For you.” Miya sighed. “I’m not looking forward to that. I still have hope. Any hints? Are we getting closer to being friends?”
Katriana shook her head. “Not a clue. We won’t know until the day.”
“You’d think they’d stop this stupid game if we actually were, though.”
“It’s not a game. I’ll probably be dead in three days.”
“Poor choice of words. Sorry. But it still makes me mad, Oversight playing with your life like that. And me finding out I could end it early, just by giving up. Which I will never, ever, do, by the way.”
“Thanks. That means a lot. But I’m already happier, Miya. Thomas has forgiven me. My pain is a lot less, and at least one person will miss me when I’m gone.”
“Two. I’ll miss you. Two people. I can’t speak for Hank and Sam. But maybe them, too.”
Katriana smiled shyly. “Thanks.”
Miya wiped away a tear. “Not that you’re actually going to die in three days. I’ll be really pissed with Oversight if that happens.”
“They hear you loud and clear, Miya. Now, I see the others are making their way down to breakfast. Poor Thomas has worn himself out, I think.”
Miya’s eyes widened. “How long was your massage?”
“A couple of hours. I asked him to keep going while he talked. His poor hands.”
“Now, that’s just being selfish.”
“I know.” Katriana’s eyes twinkled. “But he’s that good. You’re a lucky woman. He loves you, well and truly.”
“Are you sure about this?” Rachel whispered as she stood outside of Sam’s room, later that evening.
Sam shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I’ve never been in someone else’s room.”
“Most of them are the same, I think.”
“But this is your room.”
“True.” Sam passed his wrist over the sensor. The light flashed green, and the door opened with a click.
“Can I touch it?” Rachel breathed in Sam’s ear, her hand on his shoulder.
“If you want to.”
“I really do.”
Rachel lowered herself to her knees.
“That feels so good,” she sighed.
“Open it, if you like.”
Rachel reached out her hands and sighed. “I think I will.”
“Well?”
“I’ve never felt anything so good.”
“It’s even better on the ground.”
“Can you show me sometime?”
Sam stared down at Rachel, sprawled across the open Ur-bear furs, kneading the long hairs between her fingers. A hand slid up to her throat, and she unzipped her jumpsuit down past her navel.
Sam stared. “What are you doing?”
Rachel smiled and sat up, her shoulders now bare. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Sam blushed. “You’re part naked.”
“Not for long.” Rachel grinned as she freed her arms and slipped her jumpsuit down around her waist.
“You’re … you’re half naked now.”
“You’re quite observant.” Rachel flopped back onto the furs and peeled the jumpsuit down to her ankles.
Sam shook his head. “Why are you naked in my room, Rachel?”
Rachel tugged her feet free, then lay back on top of the furs, tracing her fingers through the soft, white hairs. “I would think it’s more than obvious.”
Sam averted his gaze. “You said you wanted to see the furs.”
Rachel nudged his leg with her toe. “That was just an excuse, a code word. But Oversight only opens doors to personal rooms in this facility for two people for one purpose, Sam. And it let me into your room.”
Sam blushed. “You mean for having sex?”
Rachel caught the fabric around his ankles between her toes. “That’s right, it’s practically a Selection, like up on the Ark. Oversight approves. The fact your door opened with me there must mean they want us to be together.”
“To have sex.”
Rachel teased the pant leg of his jumpsuit with her toes. “Yes, Sam. And you’re overdressed for the occasion.”
Sam stepped back. “I don’t know. Maybe that’s not always true. Miya was in my room a few days ago, but we didn’t have sex.”
“She was?” Rachel’s face clouded, then she smiled. “But you didn’t. That tells me something, Sam.”
Sam’s eyes flicked up along her body and rested on her face. “What does that tell you?”
“That you should join me in these furs, right now.”
Sam glanced over his shoulder. “I think that’s what the other door is for, maybe. Between two rooms. More private-like. Thomas and Miya have a door like that between their rooms. The main door seems kind of public, a friendly door.”
Rachel waved a hand. “A door is a door, Sam, and we’re alone. Come over here.”
Sam took another step back.
“Where are you going, Sam? I can tell you’re interested. Your body says so, right there. Primary male feature, ready for action.”
Sam glanced at the door leading to the hallway. “This isn’t right.”
Rachel’s face darkened. “What’s not right about it?”
Sam kept his gaze averted. “We shouldn’t rush things. We’re not running from Ur-bears or trying to save anybody from cannibals. We have time to see if this is supposed to happen.”
Rachel got up to her feet and walked over to him. She turned his head with her fingers, forcing him to look down at her body. “It seems pretty right to me, Sam.”
Sam pulled her hand away and took another step backwards. He bumped into the wall. “If it is right, I don’t want to mess it up. We’re not in a hurry.”
Rachel took a step forward and put her hand on his chest. “Well, maybe I am in a hurry, Sam.”
“Why?”
She tugged his jumpsuit zipper down to his waist. “I don’t want to lose you to the next pretty dropper that falls from the sky or gets flown in here.”
Sam caught her hand and pulled the zip back up. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Rachel shook her head. “You don’t know that. I’m surprised you weren’t already snapped up, where you come from.”
Sam squeezed out from between her and the wall. He walked over to the sofa, then sat down heavily. Rachel followed, and he gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite.
Rachel raised both eyebrows, but she sat down where he pointed. She sprawled back in her seat, staring at Sam expectantly.
Sam took three long breaths.
“Well?” Rachel tapped her fingernails on the arm of the chair.
Sam nodded slowly. “Where I’m from, where I was born, up north, lots of people drop, and lots of people die. Life is short. Maybe not so short, down here. But up there, the droppers are mostly old, like our parents. And the younger ones … well, let’s just say my job — that’s walking between Mars Bases — made it hard to find anyone my age. Girls, I mean.”
Rachel smiled. “You see? You and I are meant to be, Sam.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?”
“Will you put your clothes back on, please?”
Rachel traced a finger along her lips as she smiled. “No.”
Sam studied her closely for several long seconds, then shook his head. “Something’s not right. You like me, I like you. But you’re acting like you might die tomorrow. You’re in a hurry.”
Rachel settled back into her chair. “So what if I’m in a hurry? We might actually die tomorrow. You never know.”
Sam sighed. “That’s true, but very unlikely here. Up north, that’s literally true, maybe dying tomorrow. Not here. I’ve been through that, I’ve lost friends. Miya and Hank, they know, too. They’ve experienced it, the uncertainty of living to the next day. Living in the wilds, depending on each other to survive.”
Rachel waved a hand. “Oh, well. I could do that.”
“No.” Sam shook his head. “You can’t. I don’t think we can go back, for one. And second, you don’t choose to go some place you might die the next day. Not unprepared, not as a newbie.”
“But you took Miya and Hank.”
“To rescue Thomas.”
Rachel shrugged. “So, we go rescue someone else.”
“Your … husband, maybe?”
Rachel’s expression darkened, and she slowly shook her head.
“Is he still up there?”
She shook her head again. “He’s dead. He dropped two weeks before me.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know that he’s dead.”
Rachel sighed. “Oh, but I do know. They told me, flat out, almost clinical, the heartless bastards. ‘Your husband is down here on Earth, but he’s dead’, on my second day here. Apparently, he died a few hours after dropping, eaten by one of Wilhelm’s monsters. An Ur-something.”
“Ur-bear,” said Sam. “I’m so sorry.”
Rachel held out her hands, then let them fall into her lap. “I’m alone, Sam. I’ve got nobody.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Lots of people here.”
“Not like you.”
“We shouldn’t rush things.”
“I don’t want to wait. Can’t you see we’re perfect for each other? Oversight’s practically selected us already, letting me into your room. Why don’t you just take your clothes off? I’m getting cold over here. I’ve got goose bumps and everything. You could fix that. In the furs, nice and warm, naked, together, like we’re supposed to be. Natural. Your ribs are fully healed now, no barriers to fully exploring each other’s bodies.”
Sam stared out the window for several seconds, then turned to face her. “Why did you kiss me in front of Miya?”
Rachel leaned back in her seat, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Because I felt like it.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?”
“That wasn’t very nice.”
“She doesn’t need you, Sam. I do. She’s got a husband, for fuck’s sakes!”
Sam nodded. “True. But he’s a Devian, and he had Hank first. Although now it seems like Katriana might fit in there somewhere, too. I don’t know.”
She shook her head. “That’s more than complicated enough. Miya doesn’t need you, too.”
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Rachel frowned. “I mean, that’s just selfish. Two men for one girl, while I’m all alone? Well, more like three, because who knows what happens behind closed doors, right?”
Sam looked around. “I guess. I don’t know.”
Rachel shook her head. “You don’t want to get mixed up in that, Sam. You need one woman, just one. Me. And I’m available.”
“They’re my friends.”
Rachel threw up her hands. “I never said you’ll have to stop being friends with them.”
“You’re talking like we’re already together.”
“Well, we should be.”
“Maybe.” Sam bit his lower lip.
Rachel clenched her fists. “What the fuck? What do I have to do to get you, Sam? I mean, how complicated does it need to be? Boy meets girl. Lots of sex, a kid or two. Happily ever after. A story as old as time.”
Sam turned his head and stared out the window into the darkness. “You’re just a little lonely, Rachel.”
Rachel leaned forward in her chair. “So what if I’m lonely? And it’s not a little. I got dropped here to find my husband was actually fucking dead and not on his way to fucking Mars, like he was supposed to be. I’ve got nobody, I’ve got nothing. I've cried every night since I got here, as lonely and miserable as can be. And then I found you. I don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Sam sighed. “You’re not alone. You’re surrounded by hundreds of people.”
“And yet I’m very, very lonely.”
“I’ve been alone much of my life, walking the trails, with nobody around but me. But I wasn’t lonely. Not really, not until I met Miya and Hank. Then I realised when they’d rescued Thomas and I moved on, I’d be lonely. Real lonely. But that’s not what happened.”
“Ah.” Rachel’s eyes narrowed. “So this is about Miya.”
Sam shrugged.
She leaned forward in her chair. “I promise you, Sam, I can fuck as well as her, or better. I can show you right now.”
Sam shook his head. “No.”
Rachel slumped back into her chair. “I’m messing this up, aren’t I?”
Sam took a breath, then let it out. “I like you, Rachel.”
Rachel hung her head. “I’ve made a fool of myself.”
“You’re in a hurry.”
“You said that already.”
“Then hurry it slow. If it’s important, you hurry it slow. Like rescuing Thomas, like the spiral stairs here. Don’t rush. You rush, you make mistakes, you … well, not necessarily die in here, but mess things up pretty badly.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Hurry it slow?”
“Yes, if it’s important.”
“You love her.”
“I think so. I like her a lot.”
“Do you love me?”
“I just met you a few days ago.”
“We’re spending a lot of time together, Sam. Most lunches and dinners.”
“And the occasional breakfast.” Sam smiled. “Nice conversations. I like you, Rachel.”
“You see? We’re meant for each other.”
“Hurry it slow, then we’ll see.”
“I don’t want to wait that long.”
“You should.”
“You’re being stupid, Sam. I’m right here, right now. Nobody else single of our age to choose from. I’m ready and willing to be yours, no complications or baggage, no husband to drop like Hank and surprise a young family. It’s clean and simple. Boy, girl, that’s it. So it should be a simple decision. There’s you and me, that’s it. Nobody else. Like literally the last single young people on Earth, at least here. I don’t mind that you’re a few years older than me.”
“Hmmm.”
Rachel studied Sam for several long seconds. “Do we have something here, Sam?”
Sam took his time in responding. “I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.”
Rachel threw her hands in the air. “Now what the fuck does that mean?”
Sam shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“Hurry it slow?”
“I strongly recommend it.”
“Well, fuck that!” Rachel shook her head and stood up, her face livid. She stormed over to the furs and tugged her jumpsuit back on, not bothering to zip it shut. She bent down and picked up her shoes, and pointed them at Sam. “Maybe you haven’t decided, Sam, but I have. I wish you luck. You’re in love with her, I can tell, even though it doesn’t make any sense, none of it. You could have all of this.” She passed her left hand slowly up and down her body. “Any time of the day or night, at your beck-and-fucking-call. I want you, Sam, like nothing else I’ve ever wanted in my life. My own Man of the Earth, born here, wild and free. And you wouldn’t have to share. Especially not in some twisted Devian quadrangle.”
Sam rose to his feet. “It’s called a friendly square. Thank you, Rachel, I appreciate the offer, but if you’re trying to rush this instead of hurrying it slow, I must respectfully decline for now. You don’t rush important things like this. And you won’t be lonely. Lots of people dropping all the time. Some of them might be Searchers, young like you.”
“Probably married, like Susan and Hank. You’re single. And Searchers don’t drop here very often at all.”
Sam sighed. “Well then, maybe … maybe don’t be fussy on age. People are people.”
“I’m not fussy. You’re a few years older than me. But you…” Rachel screwed up her face. “…you actually mean someone as old as my father? Eww!”
Sam shrugged. “People are people.”
“You’re nuts, you know that?”
“You shouldn’t rush this, Rachel. Not if it’s important.”
Rachel’s face flushed. “This is important, Sam, and it’s simple. You, me, together. It just makes sense. No discussion required.”
“We can talk about this later.”
“No!” Rachel shouted, spittle flying from her lips.
Sam shook his head. “Well, if you won’t hurry it slow, then that’s it. I’ve decided.”
Rachel laughed incredulously. “That’s it? You’ve decided?”
Sam nodded. “Yep.”
“You. Are. Fucking. Insane!” Rachel stomped off towards the door, then spun around, shoes in hand. “You listen here, Samuel-fucking-Walker! You are passing up a golden opportunity here. Unlimited sex in whatever positions there are. Anything you like. It’s still not too late. Just say you’ll have me right here, right now. No more waiting. But if I walk out of this room before sunrise, that’s it.”
Sam walked over and gently kissed Rachel on the cheek. He reached around behind her and opened the door, then held it open for her. “Thank you for the walks, and the nice conversation over meals. I’ve enjoyed our time together. But I won’t be rushed, even though I like you a lot.”
“You’re making a big mistake, Sam!” Rachel snarled.
Sam gave her a sad smile. “Good night, Rachel. Think about it, hurry it slow. We can talk about this later.”
“No,” she snapped. “This is goodbye, Sam.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” Sam raised an eyebrow. “We’re all in the same building.”
“Not for long. I’m signing up for a field trip as soon as I get back to my room,” she huffed and stormed out into the hallway.
Sam stared after Rachel as she stomped off down the hallway.
Miya’s door opened with a click. She stared at Rachel walking barefoot down the hallway, shoes in hand, swearing and cursing loudly. Miya turned and looked at Sam wide-eyed. “First fight?”
“It’s over.” Sam shook his head. “She wouldn’t hurry it slow.”
“Hmmm,” said Miya as she watched Rachel disappear around the corner. “You shouldn’t rush that kind of decision, either. Fights happen, you make up. Good night, Sam.”
Sam hung his head and stepped back into his room. “Good night, Miya.”
