On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

The Promised Land: (Part 20) Broken Sorrow

Caden’s eyes squinted into the darkness as he struggled to stay conscious. The pulsing in his head did not abate for very long and it was stronger when it returned. With his ribs as bruised as they were, it was getting increasingly difficult to breathe. Even with the van’s brights on, he couldn’t see very far, aside from the fact that his vision was going in and out on its own. Finally deciding the safest thing to do was to pull over, Caden parked the van behind an overturned and battered tank. After crawling to the bench seat in the back, he rested on his uninjured side and passed out.

~*~

“I wanted to thank you for saving me,” Eden said before she ate another spoonful of warm stew.

Shiloh smiled, but shrugged.

“Don’t you dare act like it was nothing, mister,” Eden demanded as she set her empty bowl on the table. “You almost died saving my life. Caden was ready to finish me off himself if you had.”

Shiloh gave a look like he was admittedly agreeing with her.

“Anyway, thank you.” Eden drank the rest of her water and pointed to the origami crane still sitting on the table. “He left that for you.”

Setting his empty bowl beside Eden’s, Shiloh took the bird and unfolded it, reading the note inside. Eden wondered what it said, but didn’t feel like prying at the moment. Partly because it was rude, but mostly because she was too full and tired to do so. After reading the note, he folded it back into its former shape and sat back with an expression Eden couldn’t place. It looked something like sorrow mixed with worry and anger. It lingered for only a moment, but Eden noticed it all the same. With a sigh, the expression melted away and Shiloh started looking around for something.

“What do you need?”

Shiloh pointed under his bed. Getting up from her chair and crouching to look under the frame, Eden found the dark oblong case Shiloh normally had with him. Perhaps Caden had shoved it under the bed at some point. Pulling it out and holding it up, Eden asked, “This?”

Shy nodded eagerly with a wide grin and held out his hands to take it. Handing it over, Eden watched him unzip the mysterious case. Lifting the lid, Eden gasped when she was what was inside.

Shiloh pulled out a smooth, worn violin from the case and set it in his lap. Taking out a thin bow and a block of oft-used rosin, he ran the block along the bowstrings. As he did so, Eden noticed the bottom of the case was lined with different colored paper cranes.

“Does he leave one behind every time he takes off?” Eden asked, staring at the case. Looking from his bow to Eden then to the cranes, Shiloh nodded and resumed his work.

Remembering what Grace had said about the many times Caden left, Eden felt bad for Shiloh. “Sorry about that.”

The silver haired youth shrugged and returned the rosin to its place. Taking the violin, he began plucking the strings, stopping every now and then to twist pegs at the top. Placing the tuned violin on his shoulder and raising the bow, Eden jumped with excitement. “You can actually play that?!”

Bow halted midair, Shiloh blinked twice before giving a little nod.

“Pfft, of course he can play,” Eden thought to herself. “He wouldn’t get it out for no reason or even have it if he couldn’t play. He must think you’re a total dork.”

“That’s awesome,” Eden smiled.

Shiloh beamed back. Taking the violin off his shoulder, he offered her the instrument and bow.

“Oh, no, no. I can’t play,” Eden waved her hands back and forth to reinforce her point. “I can’t really play anything. I took a semester of piano back in high school, but that’s about it. Go on, you play something.”

With raised eyebrows in an expression that told Eden she was missing out, he returned the violin to its resting place on his shoulder, closed his eyes, and started playing. As the bow bobbed back and forth along the strings, one clear note followed another until a melody emerged. Eden didn’t recognize it, but she couldn’t help feeling as if she had heard it somewhere before. Shiloh played with the skill of one who had studied an entire lifetime. He also played as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Emotion rippled off the strings, physically voicing what he could not: sorrow, contention, compassion, longing. Eden looked on in spellbound fascination at the display of skill, dedication, and care. The sweet voice of the violin sang out through the dimly lit room, filling every cranny with beauty. At one point, Eden was afraid the song would end, but it picked up again, lingering like morning dew. When it did end, as many good things do, Eden was again reminded of the heavy silence.

“That was…” Eden had difficulty finding the right word to express what she just witnessed. “Magnificent. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard!”

Shiloh didn’t make eye contact, but she could see a smile sneak its way across his face.

“You play very well,” Eden continued as the awe started to wear off. “I guess you like music, huh?”

As Shy nodded, some of his silver bangs fell into his eyes. “That kid really needs a haircut,” Eden thought.

A knock on the open door indicated another presence. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Hope stated as she peered into the room. “But I heard Shy playing so I thought it was a good time to come check up on him. Are you feeling better?”

He nodded again and Eden wondered if he ever felt like a bobble head some days. “Good. I have something for you.” Hope entered, carrying something in her hands. Crossing the room, she hung a red cloth on the end of the bed. “That’s for Cay,” she explained as she held out a rectangular parcel. “And this is for you.”

Shiloh took the offering and unwrapped the paper holding it together. Eyes widening in a look of surprise and joy, Shiloh turned to Hope. His flattened left hand touched his smiling lips before extending to her.

“You’re welcome,” she replied with a grin. Bending down to give him a hug, Hope said, “Happy Birthday!”

Looking over to see what was in the parcel, Eden almost didn’t catch that last part. “Wait, what? It’s his birthday?”

“It was a few weeks ago, actually,” Hope clarified.

“Oh. Happy belated Birthday,” Eden said, feeling awkwardly out of place for not knowing about said birthday or having a gift. Not that either one of those conditions could have been remedied until this point anyway. Eden leaned over to see what Hope’s gift was. It appeared to be a stack of papers that Eden realized were filled with musical staffs and notes. In the back of her mind, Eden wondered how often Shiloh turned to the violin when he needed an escape from his solitary world, when he needed someone to listen. She absently watched Hope take the bowls and leave the room.

“Hey, Shiloh… can you teach me sign language?”

Never Let Go - Bryan Adams

(Strength and Honor)

The Promised Land: (Part 19) Never Let Go

Shiloh looked up when he heard a knock. The wooden door creaked open and a head with dark brown hair and hazel eyes poked inside. “Can I come in?”

Shiloh nodded and a man in his late thirties, wearing a dark blue uniform, entered.

“Hey, Sheriff,” the man said as he crossed the room. “Mom says you quit practicing. What’s up?”

Shiloh sighed, fidgeting with the pencil in his hand. Absentmindedly staring at his most recent superhero drawing, Shiloh didn’t notice the man sit on the end of his bed.

“It’s ok, you can tell me,” the man continued. “Is that kid at school causing you problems again?”

Shiloh couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not since Cay punched him in the face.”

“Yeah, I really need to talk to him about retaliating like that.” The man’s dark eyebrows scrunched together in a look of tired exasperation. “So what’s the story? I thought you loved playing.”

“I do. It’s just… It’s hard to see the point when… the only person listening can’t hear you any more.” Shiloh dared not look into his father’s eyes. He knew what he would see. Disappointment. Sorrow. Pain. A heavy sigh confirmed the expected response.

“Listen, Shy. I know it’s not easy to stay and help your mom while Cay and I are gone all the time.” As the man spoke, the lamplight glinted off the metal badge on his uniform. “It’ll get easier. Things are going to change, starting tonight. Just hang in there, all right?”

Shiloh nodded.

“As for practice… If you’re doing it for the wrong reason, why do it at all, right? Maybe it’s time you start playing for yourself.” Shiloh glanced up with a curious look as the older man shrugged. “Think about it this way, at least Mom can’t get upset when you play the wrong notes. … Don’t tell her I said that.” Shiloh smiled at his father. With a grin, the man ruffled Shiloh’s brown hair.

“Hah, come on, Sheriff. Let’s go watch Cay bring home that soccer trophy.” As he got up to leave, the man’s phone rang. “Jack Conrad …What? Now? … I’m on my way.” As soon as he hung up, sirens started up in the distance and grew louder.

“Not again,” he muttered. Turning to Shiloh, he said, “Take your mom to the shelter. I’m going to get Caden.”

“Dad, I-”

“Go with her and don’t leave.”

“Dad, please don’t-”

“I’ll be back, I promise.”

“Dad! NO!” 

Shiloh sat straight up, the vivid memory of the last conversation with his father still fresh. Breathing heavily, matted silver bangs dripping with sweat. He saw Hope and Ezra standing near the open door, hands clamped over their ears. Eden was there too, standing next to him. He could vaguely make out her voice telling him to calm down.

~*~

Eden was helping Grace make dinner while Ezra and Hope called all the children in from the playground behind the building. They were just about finished when a painfully loud scream erupted in their eardrums. Eden took off running toward the source. As she ran, the yell got louder and Eden noticed that the windows were shaking. She finally reached Shiloh’s room, where the noise was nearly deafening. Bursting into the room with Hope right behind her, Eden went straight to Shiloh’s side. Realizing he was still asleep, Eden grabbed his shoulders and tried to shake him awake.

“Wake up! Shiloh! Wake up!” It must have worked because the kid stopped screaming and sprang straight up with eyes as wide as saucers. Pure terror shone through his eyes as he gasped for breath.

“Shiloh, it’s all right. Calm down. It’s just a nightmare. You’re ok.”

With tears streaming down his cheeks, Shiloh wrapped his arms around Eden and buried his head in her shoulder. Eden realized the boy was shuddering in her arms as she tried to soothe him.

“Shhhh, it’s ok. You’re just fine. It’s going to be all right.” She felt him shake his head, as though nothing she could say would ever heal whatever wound was just ripped open. Softly humming, Eden stroked his head and slowly rocked back and forth as she started to sing. “Lost in darkest blue, endless labyrinths weaving through. Will you stagger on, with no star to light your way? Share with me your tears, all your troubles and deepest fears. I remember when you chased all my shadows away.”

Shiloh’s breathing calmed significantly and the shaking subsided. To be honest, Eden’s ears were ringing so badly she couldn’t tell if she was even on key, but she kept singing just the same. “Won't you take my hand? Come away with me from this land. Let me give to you all that you have given to me. Fly horizon bound. Find the moon behind darkening clouds. Even far apart, know our souls together will be.”

For once, Eden felt like she was actually doing something right. Ezra watched them with what Eden thought was a smile before she and Hope retreated down the hall to resume care of dinner.

“When the storm draws nigh, dreams will shatter before your eyes. Know that you're not alone. When the battle starts, I will comfort your restless heart. You'll know that you are home. When your stars stop shining, endless vines around you winding, know that you're not alone. I will give my all so your tears will no longer fall down, down on sorrow's stone. Know that you're not alone.” Eden ended the song there.

With a sniff, Shiloh pulled away. His cheeks were red and his hair was disheveled, but he looked like he was going to be ok now.

“Better?” Eden asked as she handed him a tissue from the nearby table. Nodding, Shy took the tissue and blew his nose.

“Good. Me too.” Eden smiled.

“That’s two kids I’ve helped so far,” she thought to herself. “I think I’m making progress.”  

Eden sank into the chair beside Shiloh’s bed. “You scared me, kid. You were out for so long, I thought you’d never wake up.”

Shiloh offered a sheepish smile as he wiped his eyes. Eden thought about going to help the others with dinner, but decided against it. She didn’t want to admit it, but she liked feeling needed in this future. It gave her something to hold on to.

When Can I See You Again - Owl City

I've been saving this song for a while now. Had to wait till just the right time to use it.

Well, about 2 1/2 weeks into the new school year. The summer was wonderful. This Labor Day weekend, I saw my family off at the Atlanta airport before driving back to TN. Like I've said before, they came to the states and we hung out all summer, traveling to different places. Alas, it was time for them to leave me behind at school again. Ah well, at least I'll see them again over Christmas break.

Oh! I almost forgot. Those questions you guys sent in for my characters? Yeah. I got done with the interview a while ago, so I forgot about it. But no more, here goes.

Savvy: Welcome! Welcome! I’m Savvy and I’ll be your host today on the Q&A Show!

For today’s episode, I have a series of questions for the characters of The Promised Land.

Welcome Caden, Eden and Shiloh! Just have a seat right here. Very well, first question goes to the twins: Caden, how did you and Shiloh get infected?

Caden: Same way anyone does, came in contact with the virus.

Savvy: Could you be more specific?

Caden: If I have to... The town we lived in was hit with a bioshell carrying the virus. Everyone was infected. We lived. Most didn’t. That’s the only difference.

Eden: …and the fact that you have superpowers doesn’t play into that at all, does it? >_>

Caden: *shrugs* Details.

Savvy: Now that you bring it up, Eden, what do you think of their powers?

Eden: Caden’s creepy.

Savvy: …Is that comment about his ability specifically or just about him in general?

Eden: Just in general.

Caden: …I get that a lot.

Eden: *turns to Shiloh* Can you explain your power to me? I still don’t really know what you do.

Shiloh: … *shakes head*

Savvy: Next question is to Shiloh. Oh hey, you want a notebook or something?

Shiloh: …

Savvy: *hands Shiloh a whiteboard* Now then, have you ever used your power to a greater extent before?

Shiloh: *shakes head*

Savvy: Fair enough. Eden, what kind of impact do you think seeing this future and knowing the fate of mankind will have on you if you ever make it back to the past?

Eden: If? Does that mean I’m not going back?

Savvy: Answer the question, please.

Eden: I don’t know. I guess I’d do something to make the world a better place?

Savvy, Caden, and Shiloh: …

Eden: What? You expect me to know how to stop a world war? I’m just here until I find a way to get home.

Savvy: Let’s try not to start WWIII prematurely. Next question is for all three of you. Who is your favorite superhero?

Caden: Batman.

Savvy: Good choice.

Shiloh: *draws Captain America’s shield on whiteboard*

Savvy: Very nice.

Eden: David Tennant.  

Savvy: Um, I’m not entirely sure that counts.

Eden: Viggo Mortensen.

Savvy: Eh, still doesn’t count.

Eden: Chris Hemsworth.

Caden: *whispers to Savvy* Does that count?

Savvy: Not really, but it’s close enough and I’m tired of arguing with her. Next question. Cay, why is the Atari so heavily based in the area you’re in?

Caden: Ironically, they’re not. While there are Atari forts lining the empire perimeter, most are based in star cities. Especially Polaris, the capital. That’s where Z lives, you know. The Atari we ran across at the beginning were lookin-

Savvy: Ok, ok. Enough storytelling, that’s my job. Eden, if you got infected with the virus, what would you want your power be?

Caden: That’s assuming she outlives the virus.

Eden: *smacks Caden* If I could choose? I would say time travel. That would be pretty cool.

Caden: *folds arms* And what would you do with such a power? Stop the war?

Eden: I would go back to my own time and start a new clothing trend. Seriously, fashion is severely lacking here.

Savvy: … You’re joking, right?

Eden: Pfft, of course I’m joking! …but seriously. Can I trade outfits or authors or something?

Savvy: No. Next question. What are your favorite colors?

Caden: Red.

Shiloh: *Writes on whiteboard* Green.

Eden: Blue.

Savvy: Caden, what’s Hope’s color?

Caden: Why don’t you bring her in and ask her yourself?

Savvy: That was the only question they sent in for her.

Shiloh: *Writes on whiteboard* She likes pink.

Savvy: Thank you, Shy. Caden, what happened to your parents?

Caden: Why are these questions so depressing? We’re in the middle of a disease infected, war-torn nation. What do you think happened to them?

Savvy: Sorry, touchy topic. Let’s go with something happy. What are your hobbies?

Caden: I used to play soccer a lot. I enjoyed that.

Shiloh: *mimics playing a violin*

Eden: Watching movies or shopping.

Savvy: Obviously. Well, that wraps up the questions for today’s interview. If the readers have any more that come to mind, I’m sure they’ll send them my way. In the mean time, I think we will continue with our story, The Promised Land. Thanks for reading!

The Promised Land: (Part 18) The Pretender

Lifting his gun, Caden said in a loud voice, “Who are you working for?”

Hunter raised his hands in innocence. “Calm down, Blitz. Put the gun awa-“

Caden shot the ground next to Hunter’s foot. “Let’s try this again. Five teams walked into that facility, four walked out. I know you killed them so tell me who you’re working for!”

Hunter smirked. “Looks like you got me, kid. I’m actually surprised you didn’t catch on sooner.”

Blitz shot again, this time in Hunter’s chest. “WHO?!”

The man didn’t flinch. Caden watched the blood stop pouring from the open wound and crawl back to its source. The wound closed as the metal bullet fell out and hit the floor. Caden grimaced. He wasn’t expecting that.

“I had really hoped you could be reasoned with.” Hunter said as he drew a sword from the sheath on his back. Taking a step back, Caden unleashed five more bullets into the adversary, two of them headshots. Just like the first one, the five wounds closed and five bullets clinked harmlessly on the ground. 

“Then let’s start talking.” Caden took a few more steps back, his red glare ever present. “You killed our squad. I want to know why.”

“Simple. They weren’t supposed to outlive the mission. Neither were you.” Hunter calmly swung his sword up and let the flat of the blade rest against his shoulder. “I’ll give you a break, kid. If you hand over the package, I’ll let you walk.”

“What do you want with it?” Caden spat before he stopped to think about it. He was really getting tired of the conversation, but he had to give himself time to find a weakness.

“It cuts out the middleman, if you will.” Hunter took the blade off his shoulder and started walking toward Caden. “So you do have it.”

Cay’s stomach flipped, but he stood his ground.

“What’s it gonna take to get you to tell me where it is?”

“Sorry.” Caden smirked. “I don’t negotiate with grays.” He shot the four solitary light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and flooded the room with darkness.

Caden dove for cover behind a shelf and thought, “If I can’t see, neither should you.”

Heavy footfalls indicated Hunter was getting closer. “I’m too old to play hide and seek, kid.”

“Who’s hiding?” Cay jumped out from his cover and shot Hunter again. Neon blue light streaked across Caden’s vision and he ducked as the sword sliced through the air near his head. Shooting again, he rolled out of the way, but rammed into a crate. In an instant, the blue light came crashing down on the crate, just inches away from his face. Diving between the giant’s legs and twisting around to shoot him in the back, Caden got up and ran. He turned a few corners and hid behind another crate, trying to catch his breath as silently as possible. He listened intently for a sound, any sound, as he silently pulled a clip out of his pocket.

He didn’t hear any footsteps, but Hunter’s voice came in loud and clear. “You can’t kill me, Blitz. I know. I’ve tried for over thirty years.” Hunter’s voice got closer. “On the plus side, I age well.”

“He’s really getting on my nerves,” Caden thought. With one fluid motion, Caden dropped the empty cartridge, reloaded, and shot Hunter again. Blue lightning shot out and Cay flipped over the sword that nearly took out his legs. Another bolt nearly impaled the teen, but he deftly avoided that attack as well. He took off running again, this time with Hunter right behind him. The massive man’s longer legs made it easy for him to catch up and nearly overtake Caden. In the darkness, Cay just barely had time to turn before running into the wall. He kept running until he found himself trapped in a corner with Hunter blocking his exit, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Caden pointed his pistol at the attacker.

“Try all you want, Blitz. I’ve killed grown men twice your size.” Hunter’s stride slowed as he approached his prey.

“So have I.”

Cay could hear the victory in Hunter’s voice. “You haven’t got a chance.”

“Who are you working for? The Emperor?!” Caden shouted as he unleashed another volley of bullets.

A deep laugh echoed off the wall. “Not exactly. Life isn’t as straightforward as you want it to be, kid.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Caden saw the blue light swipe toward him from his left. Acting fast, he turned and flipped backwards over the blade. Attempting to execute a backward handspring in the dark, Caden landed on his free hand wrong and crashed on the ground. As pain laced up his left arm from his throbbing wrist, Cay tried to get up quickly enough to avoid the next attack. Before he could do so, Hunter clamped one large hand around Cay’s throat and slammed his head into the wall. Grunting in pain through gritted teeth, Caden fought for breath and clawed at the muscular arm with both hands, his fallen gun out of reach.

“You know,” Hunter said casually. “It’s a miracle you made it out with the package at all. Now tell me where it is.”

“Never,” Cay barely managed to choke out. Hunter let go, but delivered a heavy fist to Caden’s ribs and another to his face before letting him crumple to the floor, gasping for air.

“Do it for your brother, kid. If you don’t have it, I’m going after Boomer.”

“Fine… I’ll tell you…” a broken Caden whispered between wheezes.

Hunter leaned in close to hear him. “I’m listening.”

Caden took another breath and spat out the blood leaking from his cut and bruised lips. Watching Hunter turn from grey to light blue, Cay’s mouth twisted into a grim smile before he whispered, “Finally, some light.”

“What?”

Grabbing Hunter’s head and bashing it against the floor, Caden ripped the pins out of four mini-grenades, shoved them into the stunned man’s open mouth, grabbed his gun, and ran for the door. Pulling the pins out of as many grenades as possible while still running, Caden threw them behind him as he exited the building. The explosions that followed shook the ground and ignited the facility.

Caden collapsed next to Ezra’s minivan, out of breath and out of energy. Pulling himself into a sitting position with his back against a front tire, he rested for a bit to catch his breath. With a shaky hand, he rubbed the back of his pounding head. His wrist throbbed, his side ached, his lip bled, and his throat burned, but he was still alive.

“I need to get to Jericho…” he thought. Grunting with a wince, Caden pulled himself to his feet and went to the medkit in the van’s trunk. He downed a few painkillers with half the bottle of water and wrapped his wrist with an ACE bandage. Going to the front of the vehicle, Caden noticed a jeep sitting behind some debris. Not willing to take any chances, Caden shot holes in all four tires before starting up the van and leaving.