Wolf Read - The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring

Kwazar snorted. “After that flood? No way. If it’s not torn apart, the cart is certainly buried by debris and silt.”

“Then what do we do?”

“Well, thanks to Miranda, I’ve an idea.” Kwazar ran his hands through his hair, brushing out a cascade of water.

Miranda looked at him in surprise. “Me?”

“Yeah. Last evening, you reminded me that this planet has a high heat flow. If that’s the case, all we need to do is go down into the ground a little ways. We dig.”

Wildwind, always on the lookout for a spoiler, said “But dig with what?” Kwazar thought for a moment. “OK, then we find a cave, or something. Volcanics—fumaroles, geysers—remember, what’s that place, Yellowstone? There's got to be stuff like that around here. This planet should be seething with volcanism. Though the quartzite in our location is not very encouraging.”

Wildwind, doubtful, said, “Lead the way, rock fiend.”

Annwn sat under a lean-to made of large branches and broad circuleafs, feeling miserable from a wet night, but warmly crammed between Kwazar to her right and Miranda to her left. Out of necessity, Wildwind sat to the left of Miranda, away from Annwn. Xavier rested in Annwn's lap, breathing peacefully, the only one who did not seem to mind the cold all the time.

Rain continued falling as the light of morning trickled through small gaps in the walls.

“Caves,” snickered Wildwind, mimicking Kwazar, “geysers. Oh, we’ll find one. The planet should be one giant volcano.”

“Give it a rest, Wildwind,” replied Annwn. “Did you come up with anything better?”

“Glad you thought of this lean-to, Annwn,” interjected Kwazar, stemming off an argument. “We never encountered anything like this during the Elara sims.”

Wildwind shrugged. “That’s because Elara had no wood.”

“Elara’s sim was missing many things that this world has,” commented Annwn, attempting to change the subject, but accidentally bringing up an even more disturbing concept.

She had told the three about the poisonous bloom as soon as they were on their useless hike for volcanic terrain. Everyone had taken the information in silence.

“We have to get to the colony by spring,” added Kwazar. He pondered his statement. “I never imagined myself trying to outrun a season before. They’re so slow on Earth.”

“Well,” said Wildwind in harsh tones, “we’d have an easier time if we still had our food and tents.”

“Shut up!” said Annwn coldly, feeling a renewed surge of guilt about the cart’s loss. “The food is simply gone. Deal with it!”

“Because of you, the food’s gone! Because of you we all have to suffer. Even that runt of yours is suffering.” He gave her a dark look. “And I nearly died!”

Appalled. Annwn said, “Me? My fault? Who grabbed whose arm?! Y-You—You bastard!” She balled her hand, preparing to hit him.

“Will you two stop?!” screamed Miranda, holding her arms between Annwn and Wildwind. “Your constant fighting is really scaring me! How can we accomplish anything with you two disagreeing and fighting at every moment? Stop it!” She sobbed, covering her face with her hands, tears splashing onto her stained bandage.

Annwn angrily grabbed Xavier and crawled out of the shelter.

She paused her stomping at a nearby clump of circuleaf trees and placed Xavier on the ground, somewhat jerkily due to her anger. He didn’t mind the treatment, and pranced happily into some denuded shrubs.

She stared at sagging clouds being twisted and torn apart by an invisible wind, letting the rain’s cool caress soothe her hot face. Was losing the food really her fault? Was keeping a puppy alive such a crime? Did she have to like everybody?

Kwazar walked up from behind.

Not feeling in a talkative mood, she didn't say anything.

“Look,” he said, “You remember that one time you walked out of the ATV, saying, ‘Oh, it’s just a sleeping herbivore’?”

Annwn, too tired to become embarrassed at the Elara recollection, couldn't help a small chuckle. “Yeah. What a way to learn about monopouncers.” The encounter had been quite a shock.

He made a jaw shape with his two hands and clapped his fingers together, imitating a mouth. “Snap!”

“Elara’s no place to hike!”

“And,” he seriously replied, “Bode really isn't all that different.”

She reluctantly nodded, knowing where the conversation was going. “My pigheaded attitude just doesn’t seem to be very good for survival situations.” Depressed, she sat down, the wet ground litter not improving her cold rear any.

She saw the point of Elara now. Teamwork. Everyone had to work together to make things happen. Funny how it took a real situation to make her realize the importance of Elara’s lesson.

“If it makes any difference, Wildwind is more pigheaded than you. Nothing’s been easy about him.”

“I know.” She paused, feeling a little guilty. “But I can’t be right all the time either.” She sighed.

Winter’s cool breath blew through the trees. The clacking twigs were already budding. Spring in only a few more days!

Springtime thoughts brought a chill down her spine. Not many hours remained before the world would explode with new life’s spoor. Maybe they should have stayed back at the crash site, like Wildwind had wanted. There were fewer plants on that barren plain of rock. But the sparse vegetation might even produce enough pollen to bring death.

Deciding to leave her to her thoughts, Kwazar walked off, saying, “I’m going to talk with Wildwind.”

“Wait,” she said.

Kwazar stopped and looked at her.

She hesitated before saying, “What keeps you from getting angry at Wildwind’s behavior?”

“I guess I don’t take his stuff personally.”

“Ah. I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Do it for Miranda then. She’s really bothered by your fights.” Kwazar turned around and slowly walked toward the lean-to.

More guilt surged within as Kwazar’s words made her realize how little she had considered her friend’s feelings during her battles with Wildwind. Annwn remembered the short conversation while she was bandaging her injured friend. That’s what Miranda was asking, she realized. Miranda had been afraid of angering her, so she kept quiet. Annwn shed.a tear, one that became lost in the rainfall trickling down her face.

Xavier walked up and licked her cold hand. Seeking comfort, she stroked his soggy fur, but felt all too clearly his ribs underneath. Reminded of food, she found her stomach growling painfully. What race were they running? Against hunger, or against the pollen? Against her past mistakes, or against Nature’s complex ways? More depressing thoughts adding to a sad morning.

“Hurry!” yelled Kwazar from the top of the saddle, cupping his hands to help his voice carry over the steady wind whipping through the gap. “See the view before it’s blocked!”

“I’m there in a minute!” Miranda looked at Annwn. “Come on—let’s walk faster.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be there shortly.” She winked.

Miranda smiled in understanding. Turning away, she rushed at her best speed up the small grade, a trot slowed from the lack of oxygen and food. Xavier scampered behind her.

Annwn and Wildwind were left alone, trudging through the small accumulation of snow that fell during the afternoon eclipse. Annwn shivered under her damp cloak, hoping dearly that the ridge was the highest one they’d have to traverse.

Now seems like a good time, she thought.

Turning to Wildwind, she said stiffly, “I’m sorry for my actions. I shouldn’t have endangered you, and the others.”

He smiled. “It wasn’t all your fault. I’m to blame as well… so I’m sorry, too.” He held out his hand.