In the Aftermath

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: In the Aftermath

zzz...beep....beep...Initiating Resurrection Process...beep...beep...zzz

The noise that the Eden machines made echoed through the hollow cave. Throughout the years, the cave that was the Ark had drastically changed. The lights that used to illuminate the underground haven had long lost their brilliance and left the whole cave darker than it ever was.

The only semblance of illumination could be found on the small pulsating lights that riddled the dozens of still occupied Eden machines. Inside, the people were frozen and unmoving. 

zzz...beep...beep...Performing Vitals Check...beep...beep...zzz

A small strip of red light started going up and down the pods; scanning and searching for problems and anomalies. Small creatures, which resembled common rats but have very distinct differences, started to panic and ran in different directions. 

The creatures had six legs which they used to run away but the most distinctive feature that could be seen was their bright green glowing eyes. Amidst the darkness of the cave, they looked like pairs of dimly lit fireflies flying low towards the ground.

zzz...beep...beep...Two subjects failed to survive...beep...beep...zzz

zzz...Remaining subjects in perfect condition...beep...beep...zzz

zzz...Starting Thawing Process...beep...beep...zzz

Whoosh. A stream of hot steam escaped from the Eden machines and the resulting sound made the rat creatures run faster. The cold atmosphere of the cave allowed the heat being given off by the pods to actually be seen; the fuzzy lines distorted the space around the machines.

A few minutes passed and water droplets started forming around the icy cold pods. Slowly but surely the frozen sculptures started to melt.

zzz...beep...beep...Thawing Process 25% completed...beep...beep...zzz

A sharp gasp escaped Ethan's lips the moment the ice covering them melted away. Inside his mind, there were no thoughts that were processed and no ideas pondered. All the actions and movements were made completely out of instinct, like how a sleepwalker might act.

Similar reactions were made by the other survivors. Everyone was alive yet no one was awake.

zzz...beep...beep...Thawing Process 75% completed...beep...beep...zzz

zzz...beep...Injecting the True Love's Kiss...zzz

Ethan felt a small poke on the back of his head.

Then, in a few seconds, his eyes shot open. His breathing came out irregularly and fast. The first thought that occured to him was the fact that he couldn't see. The darkness of the cave was just like looking at the insides of his eyelids; it didn't matter whether he willed his eyes closed or not, he couldn't see anything.

zzz...beep...Thawing Process successful...Ressurection Process Completed...beep...zzz

From all the Eden machines escaped a groaning sound which Ethan was sure signaled that they had stopped whatever they were doing. With an explosive sound that was deafening to Ethan's currently sensitive ears, each pod turned on safety lights that illuminated the whole of the Ark.

Though the sight was painfully familiar, Ethan felt no comfort seeing the dark, rocky cave walls once again. For a moment, he was blinded by the sudden bright lights.

When his vision returned to normal, he was surprised at how good and energetic he felt. Because of all the robotic talking, Ethan was sure that he had been sleeping inside one of those pods for about twenty years. It was surprising that he did not even remotely felt exhausted or tired.

What happened? Was the only question inside Ethan's mind.

Slowly he stood up and dusted himself off. Looking around, he saw the other survivors looking as lost and as confused as he was.

Has it really been years that he had stayed inside one of those pods? 

Then, Ethan started feeling dizzy and sick. He felt overwhelmed by all the questions and the seriousness of his current situation. Ethan felt like he needed help and he needed it fast.

He looked for the one person who knew what was happening.

Ethan searched the cave for the familiar gray lab coat. Though he hated the idea of having to talk to the man once again, knowing what to do gave Ethan a small ray of hope that somehow he would manage despite everything.

It didn't took him long and he found Mark standing still right in front of his machine, examining his fellow survivors. After tapping his back, Ethan saw a small smile spread across the doctor's face.

"Mr. Blunt!" Mark exclaimed. "It worked! We survived through the apocalypse! We did it!"

Though it seemed impossible, Mark's great mood had no effect on Ethan. "What did that thing do to me?" Ethan asked.

"Oh, you mean the shot?" Mark answered. "We called it the True Love's Kiss, you know, like how in fairytales a true love's kiss would wake the princess from her deep slumber. It's basically a mixture of caffeine and a little adrenaline. The effects don't last long so you should enjoy it now while it last."

Mark hopped in place to prove his point. Ethan was impressed at how well the people seemed to have thought this whole plan out.

"So what happens now?" Ethan asked. 

The doctor lost his dreamy expression and his face turned more serious. "Well, no one really knows actually," he said. "Our best bet would be to head back to the surface and then plan it out over there."

Ethan nodded in acknowledgement. He didn't know why but he was still confused. After his conversation with Mark, he now knew what exactly just happened and what they were going to do. Still, there was something gnawing on the back of his mind, something that he knew he should know.

Mark seemed to read Ethan's expression. "Are you alright?" he asked. "Is there anything else you wish to know?"

Then, the question hit him.

"What happened to my parents?" Ethan asked.