Capsule

Chapter 19

They continue their journey through the forest in the car. They drive upriver to the calm spot in the river Synth found and cross it. The water reaches the car's bumper, but the weight of the tank helps them keep traction on the riverbed. Realizing that they must pass through the mountains, Epsilon does their best to guide him to an area that used to be a road. Synth is very nervous driving through the old mountain pass.

"So, are these the mountains that Yonge was talking about?" Synth asks.

"No, these are the Banff Mountains," Epsilon says. "Although beautiful, since they are not near a coastline, they do not have the same climate effects as the North Shore Mountains do."

"Oh."

Synth tenses up. He thought the journey ended here; he wanted to tell Epsilon that they should settle here. Nothing is stopping him. But he made a promise to himself. Despite his stinging urge to break it, he chooses to stay silent.

They continue through the mountains across eroding roads with ancient guardrails. There are a few moments where the car gets too close to the edge, and a rotting guard rail post falls off the side of the road down the side of the mountain. After another three hours of driving, Synth stops the car near a small lake at the foot of a mountain. He pedals the generator for ten minutes, unplugs Epsilon and puts them on the car's hood. He steps out, looks at the mountain, and takes a moment to savour its beauty.

"They were here before your species reigned, and they will be here long after you are gone." Epsilon comments.

"They are magnificent." Synth says, taken aback.

"They are yours for the taking."

"You've said that several times, and the more I hear it, the more I disagree with it."

"What do you mean?"

"The world is not 'mine' or anyone else's. As you said about the mountain, it was here before us, and it will be here after us. Yes, I'm the last of my species, and I am free to do what I want, but you say it like I have dominion over this world, which is not true. I am merely one of the many animals bound to this planet that lives off its resources."

"I see the flaw in my sentence structure."

"But it is strange to think that I am alone in this world. I... I'm alone... again."

Saying the words causes Synth's perception to warp. The world suddenly feels more vast and empty. In his mind, it is no longer restricted to just the cities he's seen or the roads he's taken. He feels smaller than the ants crawling around his feet and begins to feel lightheaded. He has mentioned it before, but he has never stopped completely to think about it.

"Synth, Listen to me," Epsilon says, seeing Synth begin to wobble. "You may be the last of the species, but you are not alone. You have me. I may not be human, but I care about you."

Synth breaks out of the trance he was in.

"No, you're right." Synth says. "Thanks, Epsilon. I think I'm going to call it for the day. This place seems as good as any."

"I agree." Epsilon concours.

Synth takes the rest of the day to pour water from the lake into the tank and gathers firewood. He cooks some more deer that night. It does not take long for him to fall asleep.

Synth is climbing a mountain. He is close to the summit, but the mountain grows whenever he tries to climb higher. He hears the barking of wolves all around him. He feels the heat of a flame on his left cheek, and his right leg feels as though it is being pulled apart. He screams at the top of his lungs, but only a faint high-pitched squeak comes out. It is snowing heavily, and his arms are turning black with frostbite. He looks at the top of the Mountain and sees Yonge with the rifle pointed at him. He tries to climb down, but his hands and feet are stuck to the mountain.