Fever Dream Red

11

The drivers kept talking about The Base. How it would save all of remaining humanity. How it would be the last community in the world. How Nick, their 'fearless leader' was a genius.

I thought Nick was on some sort of power trip.

After around twenty minutes of frameless driving, we arrived. We approached a great elegant bridge, encompassing a river metres below, a waterfall to the right of it. We crossed one side of the almost canyon to the other.

I had thought that it was strange I had never been here before, but this place must've been out of the way to say the least. Away from the town where we were all permitted to go as children.

I didn't really know Gloomy Cay at all.

On the other side of the bridge was a sign.

"Welcome to The Base"

I didn't feel welcome in the least, but we drove through all the same.

I wondered what the others were doing right now. Probably gathering supplies, Skye smug at our stupidity. Matt would roll his eyes whilst Lily smacked his arm for it. I wondered what clothes they were taking from racks.

Hopefully there would be some designer items left over.

We drove for another five minutes. The estate was massive, all lush green forest and lively joyous grass, some flowers even embedded in the haze. That summer was a hot one, but even so, there was no symptom of drought on the grass. It was well cared for.

Suddenly a mansion came into view. It looked like a palace. Sandy walls framed pretty windows. There were rows upon rows of them.

I wasn't happy then. I was pretty mad at Doug. Mad that I was going to die here. But even I could admit that The Base seemed pretty cool.
I could gladly die there.

We got out of the car right in front of The Base. Nick, who was in the other car with Alfie, Doug, Sunny and Zack, leapt in front of us all. Practically, anyway.

Doug was looking up at the building with hanging wonder, his eyes as big as stars.

Alfie was biting his lip, scratching the back of his neck. He knew we had really put our foot in it this time.

Zack looked terrified. What we had spoken about the morning lingered in my mind when I saw his face. He, too, was only too fearful of death.

Danny and Inez looked almost bemused. They didn't care anymore, I think. They would either live or die; they knew that.

"This is our headquarters. Nick introduced. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"I'll say." Inez muttered under her breath. If Nick heard her, he didn't say anything.

"Over there," Nick motioned behind us,"are the vegetable patches. And the Italian courtyard. You simply must go sometime. It's lovely."

It was unnerving how Nick made it out like we had moved here. It disturbed me, somehow. This place felt almost claustrophobic. The eyes were everywhere now. Everywhere.

"But first things first," Nick clasped his hands together,"I must give you a tour of The Base."

I tried not to cringe.

We stepped through the revolving doors and entered a hotel lobby situation. Luxury was written into the walls of the base. No expense was spared apperently; Greek statues hung about the place like frozen deaths clothed in gold.

The floor was a shiny squeaky clean glass that made me feel impossibly inadequate. I could see my reflection; all gaunt features and hooded eyes hung in a shady frame. My dark straight hair gave me away.

The walls were rose gold marble that screamed od luxury, not of pure desperation. The black leather sofas at either side of the doors were more stylish than all of us combined.

The counter straight in front of us was a wonderful black wave. The frosted glass behind it made me wonder what happened when you ventured within its facade.

The Base was massive, but it made me feel trapped, like a posh padded prison.

"This is the reception. You won't be seeing this place often, though."

Fear settled in my heart then. I wanted to go, to run away and never come back. Everything was much too shiny and neat. Real life wasn't like that.

Why did this place need a reception?

Nick led us behind the frosted glass and into a gracious hallway. No memories lingered on the walls: everything was plain and unpersonal. Expensive paintings hung in the space like gallows.

Nick then led us into a cafeteria area. Or so I assume that's what it was.

The walls were painted a pretty mint green, with food piled on top of lovely round tables, complete with the fancy lace tablecloths.

My mouth watered, my digested toast at the bottom of my stomach wished for company.

I wouldn't trust any food there though. Something eerie was held there.

Nick told us that this was the canteen with his signature emthusiasm. I felt like telling him I had already figured that. That might wipe of the mirage of a smile on his face.

He led us then into the bedrooms. Each one was plain, with an array of fancy clothes in the wardrobes, hanging like masks waiting to be worn.

He led us into the living room, the games room, the indoor pool. Much of the same, really. Opulent luxury odorned with the strange sense of observation.

He then led us into the gardens. This caught my eye. Levels with every array of flowers. Nooks and crannies adorned with Greek elegance. It made me feel as if I was a film star, or a princess. I could imagine simply just living in the gardens, with the flowers as my pillow and blanket at night.

He then mentioned that we could walk down a path to the private beach. We had a couple of stone flights of stairs to wonder down, and then  we had to wonder down a two mile path. Then we would be there.

I made my excuses to go and dragged Sunny there with me. We had much to talk about.

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Thanks to dojacant for doing so. It is appreciated :)