Amy Cross - Persona

“She’s pretty,” Della’s voice says suddenly.

Glancing to my left, I see my dead sister watching Asher’s face.

“I hope she wakes up,” she continues. “She probably will. She wouldn’t have stayed alive this long, if she was just going to die in her sleep.”

That’s just the kind of thing Della would have said in real life, if she was here.

Figuring that I’ve already got more than enough to be doing, I turn and nod at Olivia and then I make my way to the door. Outside, the town is so lively and full of noise, full of people calling out to one another, that I feel certain Asher would be proud if she only knew that Steadfall had survived. Maybe somehow they’re keeping each other going. Asher’s staying alive because of the town, and the town…

“There’s something else,” Olivia says suddenly.

I turn to her.

“I think I know why she’s still alive,” she continues cautiously. “I think I finally understand what her body is fighting for. I first became suspicious about a month ago, but it seemed impossible so I didn’t say anything. I’ve been watching, through, and I’ve finally realized that I was right.”

I wait, and then I watch as she makes her way to Asher and pulls the front of her tunic up to reveal the flesh of Asher’s belly.

“I can’t even begin to understand it,” she says after a moment, “but she’s pregnant.”

Staring at Asher’s belly, I feel a sense of shock. There’s no way Asher could possibly be pregnant, I can’t believe she’d have slept with anyone here on the island, but I can’t deny that her belly looks slightly larger than usual. It’s also hard to comprehend that a child could be surviving in there, but I know Olivia too well to doubt her. She’s a calm, thoughtful person who never rushes to judgment. If she says Asher’s pregnant, than I guess she must be pregnant.

“I’ve begun to change how I look after her,” Olivia explains. “Whether I can keep either of them alive is…” She pauses. “Well, at least I can try. As long as Asher’s heart keeps beating, there’s hope.”

I know she’s right, but as I step outside and make my way across the clearing I can’t help feeling that her sense of optimism will be short-lived. Asher can’t possibly carry a child all the way to delivery, not in her current state, so it’s inevitable that at some stage her heart will give out. Then again, I guess this is another reminder that my lack of a tongue can sometimes be a positive thing. If I could talk right now, I’d probably annoy everyone with my negativity. As I head out through the gate and into the forest, to check the snares I set yesterday, I have to fight the urge to speak to Della again. I need to keep my head clear, and that means cutting out the long, meandering conversations with my dead sister. I can no longer indulge myself in those flights of fancy. My sister is dead, and I have to accept that fact.

When I reach the snares, I crouch down to start pulling the dead rabbits free. For a moment I lose myself in this simple task, although I can’t help feeling a little sorry for the poor creature. Still, after everything that has happened, it’s good to focus on work.

And that’s, suddenly, I realize I can hear a beeping sound from somewhere nearby.

Looking over my shoulder, I listen to the steady, repetitive beep as it rings out from beyond the next ridge. Getting to my feet, I cautiously make my way closer, while constantly glancing around to make sure there’s no-one nearby. It takes a couple more minutes of searching, but finally I find that the source of the beeping is some kind of device that has been left wedged near an old tree-root. Again I look over my shoulder, just to be sure that I’m not about to be jumped, and then I get down on my knees and take a closer look at the device.

I instantly recognize it as an old-style long-range communication rig, the same kind that I used to see being sold in the market back home. Ex-military, I think. I fiddle with the control panel for a moment, before pressing the button to play back a message that seems to have been left on the system.

The beeping stops.

I wait, as a faint hissing sound emerges from the machine.

“This is a message from the Board of Island Affairs to anyone capable of picking up this signal,” a voice says calmly, filled with static and distortion. “Please stand by.”

A shiver passes through my chest as I realize that I’m hearing someone from the mainland.

“In accordance with paragraph five, sub-section one of the new draft resolution, and the fifth clause of the constitutional script, it is hereby announced that the program to support and tolerate the island’s existence has been annulled. The island is therefore to be terminated. Members of both the senate and the courts have been made aware of the recent incursion and deception perpetrated by Harold Mars, which was an unsanctioned action carried out without the government’s endorsement. Following a series of meetings at the highest level, it has been decided that the island is no longer a viable project and—”

His voice cuts out for a moment, replaced by swirl of static, but the distortion fades after a few seconds.

“This automated message is the only warning that will be issued. If anyone hears this, be aware that the island is now scheduled for destruction, and that relocation will be offered for all inhabitants. Those who refuse this offer will be destroyed along with the island. These measures have been ratified by the senate, and signed into effect by both the executive and the chair of the Board of Island Affairs, pursuant to the fifth and sixth cardinals of the constitution, overseen by the eminent lords.”

There’s a faint clicking sound, before the message starts to repeat.

“This is a message from the Board of Island Affairs to anyone capable of picking up this—”

More static bursts into the signal for a moment, before the voice returns.

“The island is therefore to be terminated.”

I hit the button on the side of the device, cutting the message. For a moment, all I can do is sit alone on the forest floor, replaying those words over and over in my mind. Finally, trembling with fear, I look up at the vast, empty blue sky. It’s hard not to imagine helicopters already heading this way, preparing to clear the island and then destroy what’s left. They’ll swarm all around us, killing anyone who resists and taking the rest back to the mainland, back to the madness and cruelty of modern civilization. A flash of panic bursts through my chest as I imagine myself back in the old marketplace, surrounded by the chaos of the city.

Stumbling to my feet, I start hurrying through the forest, heading to town. I don’t know what we can do, but I have to warn the others.

Many years earlier

“Hello Asher,” Doctor Phillips says calmly, “why don’t you take a seat?”

“I’d rather stand,” I reply, taking a step back.

I know she’s irritated, but she’s too smart to turn this into another petty confrontation. She always thinks she’s so much smarter than me, that she has me under control, but she’s wrong. I won’t bend to her will.

“You’ve grown up to become a fine young woman,” she continues finally. “How long has it been since we last met? A year? I thought I’d give you some space to think about things. During our previous encounter, it was very noticeable that you seemed…” She pauses, as if she’s trying to find the right words. As if that matters. “Stressed,” she adds after a moment. “On edge.”

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“Sit down.”

“I’d really rather not.”

“Asher, sit down.”

“No.”