Our Hope

46 - Cole

They remained huddled against the wall for the rest of the night.

He did not feel hot or cold. He was not tired. He saw nothing. He was deep inside himself. If he stayed there, then he did not have to deal with everything else.

At some time during the night his uncle returned.

How did he get here? When did he get here? He said something about a memorial. Then he disappeared.

Nothing made sense.

Hope ran her fingers through his hair. That should have comforted him. He noticed Hope speaking. How long had she been talking?

She said, "There was a small moment after we broke the Earth's atmosphere, and your dad was waiting for us. Everything was perfect."

He disagreed since he felt like that every day because they were together. He did not need to come here to realize that.

That was no longer the case.

Hope stared at him, "Cole, please wake up for me." She paused again for him to squeeze her hand.

Maria, Maria's mom, Jacob Hunter, Dr. Bettencourt, and his uncle strolled around the corner and halted in front him. This was by far the most perplexing dream he had ever had.

He had to help Hope, but he could not wait to wake up from this nightmare.

Everybody that was huddled against the wall rose. Hope helped him up. She continued to hold his hand, and they hobbled down a hallway to the crash site.

Somebody had repaired part of it by rigging large pieces of metal into the gaps where windows once were. Dr. Bettencourt stood on a raised platform against a wall. News cameras surrounded him.

He spoke loudly, "We have experienced a horrible accident in mankind's struggle to reach for the stars. We are not the first, and we will not be the last. We realized this would be dangerous when we started. Although nobody ever predicted such a horrific tragedy. We have lost over two hundred souls today. Many of you lost family and friends. I have lost many friends," he glanced at the crowd, including Hope's family. "I am so sorry. I never wanted this to happen." He sobbed and rushed off the stage into an employee's arms that stood closest to him.

There was an uneasy silence for a minute. No one knew what to do.

Maria ran up onto the stage. "I will finish. He has notes." She held them in the air.
She said reading. "Although it is toughest on you now, understand that we are a part of something greater. And history will remember the people that died yesterday because they remained steadfast in the face of fear," she finished reading and added, "I am sorry for your losses. I wish that I could ease your pain. My family prays from each and every one of you. God Bless."

Maria went and consoled Skye's dad.

A few moments later, he heard a hiss and the door to the docked Martian transport opened mechanically. The people that were closest entered rolling suitcases and the remaining people formed a waiting line.

"No! This is too soon." Hope said and moved to face Cole.

People continued to board the ship.

"Cole, wake up." She kissed his forehead and gazed into his eyes. "I love you. I have always loved you."

She kissed him on the lips, no reply.

"Please come back before it's too late."

He gripped her hand.

Where was she going?

Oh Yeah. This is by far the worst nightmare ever.

Hope. Help me wake up.

The rest of the people finished boarding. They were the only people remaining.

"Goodbye Cole," Hope's dad said and embraced him, "You'll feel better with time."

"Dad, stop!" She cried, grabbing her father as he stepped on to the transport. "You have to do something!"

Hope's mom embraced him too, crying. "Goodbye Cole. We will message you on the way. We love you," she cried and said, "Hope. We have to go." Her mom momentarily paced her hand on her shoulder, then headed onto the transport next to her husband.

Hope hugged Cole again, and whispered, "Wake up Cole. I love you." She squeezed him harder, he never wanted to let her go. They remained there for minutes. It may have been seconds or hours for all he knew. He had lost the whole concept of time.

Dr. Bettencourt arrived and tried to break them apart. He said, "I'm sorry. They have to go."

"No. I won't leave him." She fell to floor, pleading, "We have to stay with him. I change my mind mom. Please! I don't want to go anymore. Please, mom!"

Her mom and dad dragged Hope onto the transport, pulling Cole along, still holding her hand. She clung to him, until the door closed, separating them.

Windows that spanned from the ceiling to the floor divided them, and he could see her after she got on. He was next to the window too. Hope put her forehead against it. She lifted her hand to wave goodbye but paused halfway. She pressed her fingertips against the glass.

He must help Hope.

He also put his forehead against the glass like she did, raised his head, and gazed into her eyes. He lifted his hand up and touched where her fingertips were.

She cried and shouted something. He could not hear her on this side. She smiled at him and he smiled back. She said something again.

A hydraulic hiss and a metallic clang sounded when the docking grips released. Her ship backed away from him. They remained pressed against the glass until they no longer went backwards. They flew up. He slumped to the ground when he could no longer see her. His thump echoed in the empty hallway.

His parents were gone.

Everyone was gone, except...

"It looks like it's just you and me kid," his uncle said and rested on the floor next to him.

Rot in hell, Uncle Timmy.