The Greek Gods and the Apocalypse

Chapter 7 (Edited)

We have reached the edge of the forest and it's time to go to work. Russel and I walk just inside the cover of the forest. From here we are hidden from the colony, yet the colony is easy to see. Russell and I walk the entire forested perimeter of Community. My eyes scanned everything from the treetops to the soil. Russell watching our backs. As night falls and Russell and I return home we conclude that no one has gotten close enough to our home via the forest to pose a threat. There were no signs that anyone, but our hunters had entered or exited this part of the forest.

Upon returning home we report our findings to Shimmer. She is clearly relieved. Shimmer informs us that Nikki and Peter found tracks. The same tracks we believe the large birds make. The tracks weren't everywhere like the bird was walking around or pacing. They looked more like the bird landed, looked around, took flight again, landed again, looked around, and then took flight again. However, no signs of humans were found. Shimmer was concerned the birds had been so close and had remained undetected until now.

"Aurora, first thing tomorrow all of the hunters are to return to the mountain where the dome was stored and retrieve another roomful of parts. We will need these items once the dome is in place. With this new information I do not like sending you away from home and into the territory where the birds have most recently been, but these parts are essential."

My only response was 'okay'. Our conversation was interrupted by the dinner bell ringing in the distance. We were excused to the pavilion.

At the pavilion, Shimmer stood and made a brief announcement, "All hunters will retrieve new items from the mountain tomorrow morning and all creators will complete the construction of the dome themselves. Also, I feel everyone should be aware that more bird prints were discovered today. These were much closer to home than the last ones so everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Enjoy your meal." Then she was seated.

We all ate our dinner and retired for the evening.

The next morning our walk to the mountain felt dangerous because we knew the birds were probably close. To them, we must look like a meal.

Once we arrived, we quickly slipped inside the crack. It felt much safer here. I proceeded to open the entry to the first room. The room we had already emptied. At the back left corner, I removed a hidden panel cover and entered a new code. As anticipated a door opened in the mountain. We all entered the new room.

Inside the contents were very different to what had been in the first hidden room. There were mainly crates and boxes. Like before we carried the items to the carts that were right outside the crack in the mountain. Unfortunately, the carts didn't fit through the crack. It took several trips back and forth from the mountain to Community to empty the new room.

On the last trip back from the mountain we entered Community through a free-standing arch that was about ten feet wide and eight feet tall. Made of the same material as the towers. I remembered seeing the parts for the arch in a pile by the lake yesterday. If the arch was complete as it appeared to be then the lake tower was probably complete as well. It was getting very close to time to activate the dome. That realization evoked anticipation, excitement, and a touch of fear. You know like stage fright. You anticipate the start of your performance, and you're excited to be performing, but you fear just a little about what could happen during your performance.

Each trip we unloaded the carts of the crates and boxes into the storage room inside the arena and locked the door. Time moved quickly and before we knew it lunchtime was here.

When I arrived at the pavilion for lunch, I gave Shimmer the key to the room. I sat with Peter today.

Partway through lunch Shimmer made an announcement. "After lunch, each individual except the cooks is to walk the perimeter of Community. You are to make sure that everything we have is inside the dome perimeters. While you walk imagine a line from tower to tower. Everything must be inside that line. Otherwise, we will have no access to it once the dome is activated. When you have done your part to ensure everything is inside those boundaries report to the lake for the activation of the dome. See your leaders for details on what area you are responsible for." Then Shimmer left the pavilion.