James Scotson - Planets Falling

The dream continues to surprise me. Usually, I find myself standing with my father and aunts at the base of the peach tree where my mother is being buried. This time, I am at the tree, alone. The wolf stands next to me, nudging me forward. Someone lanky and black is sitting in the shade of the tree — Fromer the god.

“Hello Amy. Sit with me.”

“What are you doing here? Is this still a dream?”

“Yes, it is. I’m sorry to say I was there the day your mother died.”

I’d like to feel angry, but this is some strange manifestation of mindfulness that apparently prohibits my ability to murder a god. I try to speak but only a weak squeak spills out.

“Your mother loved you very much and didn’t want to leave. However, she was killed by the very same beings that want to do harm to you father, husband, and daughter.”

“Dogs want to kill us? I suppose you mean something controlling the dogs? If you were there, why didn’t you stop the animals or their masters? Are you communicating with me in my sleep? Like the little ones in the forest? If so, why’d you choose such a horrific place to visit? This is not real.”

Fromer picked a peach and took a bite, juice running down his glossy chin. “The dogs weren’t what they seemed. They were indeed possessed by something you will encounter again in the future. As for saving your mother, I can’t interfere in events. I’d have saved her if I could. This dream’s real for you. Yes, I am sending you a message. This is not a horrific place. This tree is where the body of your mother is resting and it underscores the importance of the events that are unfurling. Your mother is part of this, although I can’t explain how.” He savors another bite.

“Mister Fromer. I couldn’t think life could get worse. Then you appeared. You have brought nothing but wickedness to my life. Look at what is happening to my home. Wenn and father are gone. And now Eliza. Why?”

Fromer finishes his peach and throws the pit into a patch of daisies. “Whether I had appeared to you and your father or not, the same events would have happened. I’m here to reinforce rather than coerce. Listen to and trust Theo. He knows what to do, even though the answer is unclear to him right now. Eliza, Wenn, and your father are still alive and well. Follow Theo and be strong.” The wolf appears next to Fromer’s greyish arm. Fromer scratches it behind its right ear and the scene fades.

I awake wrapped in a scratchy blanket next to a small campfire. The smell of horses permeates everything. I’m wiping crud from my eyes when I hear Theo. “How’re you feeling Amy? You passed out on the horse and were out while we’ve been riding all day. I’m glad to see you.”

“Where are we?” I groan. My throat is constricted and searing with pain.

“We are about 50 miles east, up in the mountains. I have some horrible news. The town’s gone.”

“I know. Bets told me that part of the town was destroyed. But it sounded like most folks survived the onslaught.”

“No Amy. This happened after you talked with her. These things — animals I’d never seen before, with thick brown skin, horns and huge mouths — came in. They were relentless. They used their humongous jaws to rip everything apart. They-they ate anyone they found. The outsiders came back after that and burned the entire village to the ground.” His eyes are hollow.

I’m still dreaming. There’s no such thing as giant monsters that eat towns. Of course, I’ve accepted the little ones in the forest my entire life without question. I realize that Fromer indeed visited me in my sleep and that there’s still hope for my family. Unfortunately, for the remainder of the town, my extended family and friends, and any semblance of my life, there’s no hope. I imagine poor Felicia searching the rubble for Eliza and me and then being consumed by a demon. “Theo, who’s with us? What are we going to do?”

“Samuel, English, and Bets made it back. We rode to Millsboro to warn the townsfolk there of the second attack. Word had spread that you were to blame, so they turned us away.”

“Do you believe them?”

Theo pauses to think about his response. “Sort of. Amy, the bastards were definitely looking for something in the armory. They weren’t happy to just get Liza. They came back for something, and that something, I think, was you. Not that you’re bad, mind you. They want you because you’re special and we’re here to protect you.”

I’m dubious about my companions. Samuel is my father’s cousin. He’s kin and also the best hunter I know. I guess he might stay with me through concern. However, we’ve never been close. I wonder why he didn’t stay with his remaining family in Millsboro. Bets barely tolerates my existence. English is a gifted tracker and outdoorsman but a stranger to me. He’s a few years older and enigmatic. I’ve never seen him smile.

“Theo, what makes me so special?”

His bruised and filthy face blushes. “Are you kidding? You’re the garden tender, the chosen one in the community. Your family fed and sheltered our families during the dark times after the ancient people left. You’ve a special gift. And your father. He’s got a gift as well… he forges amazing things from ancient trash for gods’ sake. You’ve got both inside of you. The future’s inside of you. I know it.” The look on his face is one of adoration, which unsettles me.

“Ok, Theo. I sort of get it from you. But what about the — others?” I whisper, “What about Bets? She hates me.”

“They owe me Amy. That’s all you need to know. They’ll follow me to the ends of the earth.” He seems pretty confident. “Can I get you some food or drink?”

“I’ll take what you can give me.”

The morning light peeks tepidly through the pines. The fire smolders. English saunters up with a few branches and a couple of logs. The fire jumps and its heat penetrates my bones. English mutters, “Hmm. Anyone in the mood for coffee? We ain’t got much left but we all deserve it after yesterday.”

Bets groans. “I’ll take a double.”

Theo scratches his butt and sneezes. “Where’s Samuel?”

“Catching us some breakfast,” Samuel replies, appearing from the brush with two rabbits dangling in his thick hands, already skinned and gutted.

We eat silently. The rabbits are delicious and the coffee is dreadful. English has spiked the brew with a dollop of shine. We’re waiting for guidance about our next steps. If Theo has a plan, the details don’t seem to be in any hurry to jump out.

Bets blows the steam from her cup. She’s read our collective thoughts. “Theo. What are our plans now? We’ve all lost people we care about. Instead of protecting the survivors, we’re here in the eastern mountains with shitty provisions and no plan. I realize that Marksman here’s supposedly the chosen one. But what’s that supposed to mean?”

Theo rises. “Bets, you need to respect what we’re doing here. I was told by the elders that Amy and her child were to be protected at any cost. You’ll heed my words on this. Once we’re finished eating, we saddle the horses and continue moving up the pass. There’s a road left by the ancient ones that’s still manageable. We’ll take that to a safe haven.”

Samuel clears his throat and lights his pipe. “What exactly do you mean by safe, Theo my boy? These people seem pretty set on finding my young cousin-niece here. We’ve not done a good job covering our tracks. They’ll be following us.”

“Trust me. The place we’re headed toward is very old and fortified. The elders told me that the answer lies within.”

“Excuse me.” I’m not going to be ordered around by Theo and I’m sure the others have their doubts as well. “Theo, what did the elders tell you? I appreciate what you’ve all done for me. But I need to be finding my family. And I’m sure these folks want to get back to their families. Why should we trust what the town leaders told you?”