The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter Eleven: The Four

Dew drops rubbed into Cayden's pant legs as he trudged onward. Vine covered, building-shaped structures rose above the field amongst branches draping from tall trees. The sun oppressively bore down on them and despite only a few hours passing, Cayden dreaded the hike to Pirene. For the first mile, he would find himself observing the outlined airport disappearing into the distance, and every time without fail, someone would drag him onward. They were right to do so; a month had passed and only Cayden possessed the emotional delusion to hope for Sarah's arrival. Besides, they had a long journey ahead.

According to Martha, they needed to circumnavigate the whole Teton region then cut through the town of Cody. From there, they would march north to the Beartooth Highway on the northeastern aspect of Pirene. This represented the only area that could be "secured" by the Pirene enforcements. Every other entrance funneled travelers into passages surrounded by "people like Gregory."

While pleasant at the start, the field already burdened them, forcing extra effort into each step. Gregory, Martha, Rebecca, and Charlie chattered up front while Randall fell back to watch over Cayden. Despite never showing a shred of malice, Cayden had the distinct impression that whatever Gregory wanted, Randall could make happen. So they remained silent together.

Charlie and Rebecca became their own distraction for each other. Rebecca created a bracelet of a fibrous twine and ink from crushed up flowers, scrawling "From Greybull to Pirene, Forever My Love" carefully along its surface.

On introspection, Cayden didn't feel envy for Charlie and Rebecca. Rather, a sort of nostalgia took hold, even if it was for one day in another reality. Cayden doubted that he and Sarah had anything as diabetes-inducingly sweet as what Charlie and Rebecca shared, nonetheless it still reminded Cayden of her. It showed him that there was still love in the strangest and scariest places. To Charlie and Rebecca, this trip was loving bliss and their afterlife, a heaven after all.

"How you two lovebirds doing?" Charlie called to Randall and Cayden. Randall scoffed while Martha ambled towards them.

"Why don't you join Gregory, big guy?"

Randall nodded at Martha and jogged ahead.

After waiting for Randall's long legs to carry him out of earshot, Martha smiled at Cayden. "So how are you holding up? You're a glacier for someone who can run the way you did."

Cayden first considered telling her off, then considered the fact that she likely already knew his thoughts, and had already heard a dozen various versions of his life story over the campfires. "I feel funny here and I don't fit in. Everything I cared about is gone." Cayden hunched and tucked his hands into his pockets.

"It's okay, kiddo. And perhaps not. That lovely wife of yours may show up yet. A month has passed here, but time moves differently in this universe relative to the last; it has not been so long there. As for not fitting in, you've only given it a month and your abilities remain untapped. I can promise you that you'll do very well here." She rested a hand on his shoulder and winked. "I would know better than you, wouldn't I?"

"Good to know on both accounts." Cayden flashed a dissolving grin. "So... why are you out here... with them?"

Lips pursed, Martha cocked her head to the side to consider. "A passive ability makes me vulnerable. I cannot defend myself so I keep safe company with unsafe people."

"If you're not useful, why do they keep you around? Also, can't you see your own death? You could avoid it as long as you wanted."

Any hint of a warm expression disappeared from her face. "No, Cayden. I can only see what I wish, and dodging demise has a huge flaw: you witness your own slaughter over and over as you change the future to avoid it each time. Can you imagine what that would do to your mind? I don't wish to live that way. I'm 70, I lived here for quite a few years, and I do not long to lose my sanity before dementia does all the work for me."