After The Fall Chapter 15

A Child is Born

Back on the farm, the man heard the horns for the second time. He got in his old white F150 and drove to the back of his farm. He pulled up at the bottom of a hill and got out. He stood there, staring at it for a few moments, before ascending it. He stopped halfway up and sat down, cross-legged. The man had a vision, or a dream, that after the second horn to come here, to a hill he sled down as a kid and meditate.

So he did, closing his eyes, and humming, the ground began to vibrate at the same frequency. Soon, a spire rose from the hill, pure white. There was a loud thud when it was done. When the horns blew, it sounded different, not as ominous. Then the doors opened. The man walked forward, and a small boy walked out.

“You? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Pa?”

They both silently walked back to the truck and drove back to the farm.

“Cale, how did you get in there?”

“I don’t know, all I remember is jumping out of a ship. It feels like a dream.”

“How do you feel? I mean, it must be weird to be, what? Five again?”

“Makes sense, since that was the age I learned I was different. About the time you saw me do what I was doing. The age I found out you were like me.”

“I’m lost here,” Pa said, rubbing his forehead. “What does this mean?”

“I have no idea. All I know is that I feel this urge to get to the farm.”

“We are on the farm Cale.”

“No, Dani’s farm. To the Spire.”

“You sure? It’s not safe. Reptoids everywhere.”

“I’m five, what do I know.”

“There’s something you should know Cale.” Pa paused for some time, trying to figure out how to say it next. “You’re daughter was here.”

“She lived? Last I remember, I shoved her out of a crashing ship.”

“Yes, I sent her away with one known as Pupil. The poor twisted thing claims to have known you.”

“Well, Pa. Not sure that was a great idea or not, all I know is I must get to the Spire.”

“I taught you everything I

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know. And you did more after that than I could have imagined. You then taught me, If your gut tells you we must go, then we will go.”

The truck came to a stop and they got out. They walked up to the house, side by side, and went in. Pa picked up a pack of Moore cigarettes and Caleb went to the guest room. They both met back outside, with supplies. Pa had grabbed food, water, and his smokes. Caleb had the Superman doll his grandmother made him.

Pa smiled, opened the door to the truck, and helped his grandson in. He went around to the other side and climbed in. The two exchanged glances, and Pa started the truck.

As they pulled onto the main road Pa had a smile on his face. “Damn”, he thought. “It’s good to have him back.”

The old white F150 hit I-70 and came to a crawl. Vehicles, trees, and bodies were all over the place. Caleb was shocked.

“Pa, what happened here?”

“You don’t remember Cale?”

“No. It’s horrible Pa.” he said, with a tear running down his cheek.

“These aliens attacked us, Cale, a lot of people died.”

Pa had to stop the truck, the road was blocked.

“I’ll be right back.” Pa got out of the truck and walked up to the pile of debris and human wreckage. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He raised his hands and slowly opened his eyes. Trees began to lift into the air and float towards the side of the road. They crashed to the ground as his concentration was broken. Caleb stood next to him, moving the cars and putting them in lanes like they were toys. He peered into each shattered window, tears running down his face. Then he did something that only the older Caleb was able to do. He reached in, touched the rotting flesh of a driver. The rot grew healthy, muscle began to grow where there was only rot and bone. Organs reformed and skin began to cover the tissues. The man, now reborn, took a breath and opened his eyes. Caleb said something to him, and the fear left his features. He then touched the car. The tires filled with air, the pitted metal smoothed out and recovered itself in the paint. The engine fired up and the man leaned out and waved at Caleb and drove away.

Pa looked at his grandson, jaw agape. Caleb walked up to him, put his little five-year-old hand on his chin, and closed his mouth. “How did you do that?”

“I can teach you,” Caleb said

The two traveled down 70, slowly, bringing those they could back to life.