The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter 40: Spotlight

The group spent an uncertain, but prolonged time staring past the cliff's edge, into the deep valley. Cayden healed their wounds while Sarah pulled Rebecca close as much for emotional as physical support. Devastated lovers and cliffs have an unfortunate, one-sided history. Cayden himself felt catatonic and for some reason was unable to focus on anything except running his trembling fingers in his torn-to-pieces beard. After what must have been hours, Sergei spoke.

"Everyone goes to the security first. If we fail to mix with others from Cody, they know we did not transport with them. I was not allowed to go help you."

Cayden nodded and Sarah carried Rebecca, nearly lifeless, arms weakly binding around Sarah's neck. Above them, the road rose and the asphalt exposed itself as dozens and then hundreds of footprints converged into a sole path. Pools of clear water, atop a thin layer of ice, slipped to the margins of the pavement. In several balding areas of snow, pink and purple flowers cracked through the white blanket. Three bushes shook the snow from themselves from what Cayden assumed was the wind though, in this world, he couldn't really be sure of anything.

Nobody spoke as they ambled up the street while trickling streams to the sides of the asphalt eroded the silence. Then, as they ascended the Beartooth Pass, countless voices murmured over the hilltop. Sergei reached the summit first, placed his hands on his hips, and puffed out his chest. Sarah and Rebecca climbed the mountaintop second. Sarah stopped in her tracks and even Rebecca gasped, bringing an open hand to her mouth. Cayden and Martha came to the view last.

As far as the eye could see, skyscrapers, monuments, parks, waterfalls in every color imaginable faded into the distance. Concrete and steel rectangular complexes with small and bizarrely placed windows lay neatly arranged along asphalt lanes. Marble buildings mixed with glass and steel, all seating themselves in a road-less neighborhood. Massive highways extended up tall skyscrapers and weaved between towers. The streets all converged at an enormous needle with a rotating disk glaring at the city below. From a grinning canyon, mist billowed into the air amongst tall columns that plummeted into the fog below, while above, colorful lights burst into floral patterns. An expanse of green trees and fields stretched away with impossibly large boulders and rock faces jutting from the tree tops. Amongst a giant cross of streets sprouted a magnificent, cylindrical building rising over the modern homes in its own region. In the middle of everything sat a city on its own, arranged in a pyramid climbing as high as any of the surrounding structures. And in the farthest corner, smog rose from a district in shambles. Cayden's heart dove at the realization of what that must be.

"It's incredible..." Sarah's hushed words incised the silence.

"Yes. It's very pretty isn't it?" Martha said.

Rebecca remained speechless, renewed tears welling at the corners of her puffy eyelids.

"Welcome to the Pirene," Sergei grunted as he stretched his spine.

Underneath them, switchbacks twisted on themselves as the road zigzagged down the mountain. Hundreds of people followed the path, all waiting behind a four-story gate. In every direction, enveloping Pirene, a concrete wall climbed countless feet skyward.

On either end of the iron bars of the main gate, eight statues stood resolute. To the far right, there was a skinny fellow with well-trimmed, parted hair, lengthy, billowing robe, and a book in hand. Next, a woman leaned against the barrier, her long, flowing hair draped over her shoulders and as it did so, transformed to water pouring into a stone basin by her feet. To her flank, a hulking, broad shouldered man wore what seemed to be a business suit. Across the sports coat, corrugations, like leather armor, interrupted the outline. Next, a fit lady with form fitting clothes, buzz cut and a razor sharp jawline perched with one leg against the barricade as if she would lunge from it at a moment's notice. On the opposite side of the gate, four more posed. Another woman with braids, baggy pants and a tee shirt rested with right hand holding a potted flower and the other planted on a massive stone that protruded from the wall itself. To her left, another broad shouldered warrior with a crew cut and a one-piece, metallic suit stood erect with a faceless figure peering atop each shoulder. In the adjacent spot, another man slouched with a scraggly comb-over and wrinkles stretching across every part of his visage. Over his torso and legs hung a full length doctor's coat. Finally, on the left of everyone, waited a warmly smiling boy with thin glasses and messy, tangled hair. In his palm, a flame spewed smoke into the air.