About a Better World

Esperanza, Veronica, Loki, and Lily look to the city from the roof of the outskirt’s apartment. Two days after their mission, their blueprints delivered and soon to be used to build their city.

“Once the fusion reactor is made, we’ll set them robots off to build the city. I’d say it will be done in a few months. We’ll have drones and robots, infinite energy, I want to live at the very top of one of the buildings!” Lily said.

“We’ll have Issac make a room just for you at the top then.” Veronica said. “It’s coming you all, thank you for supporting me.”

“Everyone.” Esperanza said. “I’m really glad that we have made it this far, but I’m really sorry, this is as far as I can go.”

“What?”

“Esperanza!”

Loki catches Esperanza as she collapses.

“Get Elena!”

Elena shakes her head at Veronica. The large gash on Esperanza’s back worsens exponentially, the radiation killing her body, her strength only enough for two more days with her beloved friends and partner.

“I’m sorry. Even I don’t have anything for radiation, the time it would take to make something…” Elena leaves after a nod from Veronica.

Veronica sits on the chair next to Esperanza bed. Her room a single space unit, one she rarely spent time in. Her focus was always on enjoying time with others, though she does have pictures of everyone on her counter.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Veronica asked.

“I didn’t want to worry you all, there’s no medicine for radiation after all. Julian probably made the same decision in the moment.”

Veronica stands and heads for the door. “I’m sorry, Esperanza.”

“Don’t apologize. What I said was true, I’m beyond happy that I was able to help you make it this far.”

Veronica leaves, allowing Loki and Lily to enter.

“I’ve heard what happened.” Bell approaches Lily outside a large tent near the entrance of the settlement.

It acts as a bar with liquor and food abundant. At the bar sits Veronica, three large bottles in front of her.

“Is this a habit of hers?”

Lily nods. “She’ll never admit it but she’s much more emotional than any of us. Esperanza is her closest friend, the one person who never lost faith in her.”

“Are you worried then?”

“About?”

“Losing a loved one can be catastrophic to one’s mentality, Veronica already seems to have great mental burden.”

“I can’t speak for her. But if you think this enough to make her lose it then you’re even more ignorant than I thought. How many people do you think we’ve lost up this point?”

Before Bell can respond he is cutoff by a commotion by the bar. Veronica smashed a bottle on a man’s head and now holds him by the collar. She holds the shattered bottle in her free hand but drops both before storming off.

“I believe you may be mistaken here. This will have an unprecedented effect on her.”

“… Shut up.”

Veronica walks through the forest north of the settlement.

Instead of graves, the dead are remembered by carving their names on the trees of the settlements. Each remembered for their contribution to the settlement, each carved by Veronica herself. But each new addition becomes more difficult than the last.

After two minutes she reaches the last tree, a sharp blade awaiting its next use. Next to it, a box with a gun known as the saint.

Many times, those from the settlement are in need of relief, this gun given the responsibility of leading them towards it. A fate better than dying by radiation poison, the one pulling the trigger someone they can smile at.

Veronica grabs the gun, cocks it, and places it against her temple.

Over 100. The number too painful to memorize, Veronica understands that each death is under her watch. Yet, she continues as each wished for the same thing. Julian and Isha would have done the same.

“But you think too highly of me.” Veronica mutters, her finger resting against the trigger.

Each and every one gave all they could to contribute to the creation of their city. Their very souls fuel for the settlement’s progression towards their common goal, each believing it possible under the eyes of Veronica.

“I can’t. I just can’t.”

“I’m sorry for keeping this a secret.” Esperanza said. She holds Loki’s hand as he sits next to her.

“I should have suspected something was up when you were being so nice.”

“I’m always nice to you!” Esperanza coughs.

“It’s ok if you want to stay quiet, I rather not increase your pain.”

“Nonsense, I want to talk to you more. I know I haven’t been nice to you, I’m really sorry.”

“Can you tell me why?”

“I… can’t. You’ll hate me. Veronica will tell you I’m sure, she always called me an idiot for it. She always wanted me to just leave her and stay with you. To start a family.”

“I should’ve been there to help you.”

“Stop. Can we just think of our happy times?”

“Like when we stole the hoverboards and rode them down the side of the building?”

“Or like when we beat the northern gang leader by setting a pack of wolves on him.”

“Or our first date.”

“To the flower garden. Loki, I’m really sorry. I did dream of us having a family together.”

“I did as well. I wanted three. One son at least, I could teach him everything I know and protect you all and the city together.”

“You would have been unstoppable. you can still have that. I may be gone, but I want you to continue on. Veronica and the city will need you, promise you will forget me.”

“Never. Until my very last breath, I will think of the warmth of your hands and the sweetness of your voice I’ll… I’ll think about the world I wanted with you.”

“But I don’t want that for you. I’m already breaking your heart. How could I forgive myself for ruining your life?” Esperanza cries.

“You haven’t. Even with the hole in heart, I’ll never want to forget your eyes and smile. I never want to forget how you made me feel during our time together. You made me the happiest man alive, even now I-I want nothing more than to be by your side. So please, ask me.”

Veronica arrives. Gun in hand, her tears dried and expression somber. Walking to the couple, she only waits for them to spend some final moments together.

“Esperanza, ask me.” Loki repeats.

Esperanza shakes her head. “If I will ask anything, it’s that you think of me in your lowest and highest points. Just as I always thought of you for courage and happiness. I should have shown you more, but you made me the happiest woman alive, thank you so much.” Esperanza kisses Loki. “But it can’t be you.”

“Why? Veronica… Veronica shouldn’t do it.”

“Because I’m selfish. I don’t want that to be your last memory of me, I want you to remember me smiling.” Esperanza shares a tearful smile with Loki.

“Then I won’t leave your side.”

“Loki… fine. So long as you close your eyes. Veronica.”

“I’m sorry.” Veronica mutters.

“I already told you don’t say that. Veronica, the day you found me, out in the middle of this wasteland we call home, you changed my life for the better again. You brought me color. I found purpose, I found a dream, I found love. So please, never think this is your fault. I would have died long before this, hopeless and with nothing. But now I can go with such bliss, I know both of you will bring our dreams forth. So, thank you, you’ve made this little girl from nowhere so happy. I love you both so much.”

“I’ll do it all, Esperanza. You have my word, for you and everyone else. I won’t stop until I succeed.”

“Can I ask for one last favor?”

“Anything.”

“Once we see each other again, well you tell me about a better world?”

“Everything and more. Because you’re one of the reasons it can come forth.”

“Thank you.”

Loki embraces Esperanza, she chooses not to resist. Fear rising in her heart, the man she loves most once again comforts her as her moment is to come.

Veronica raises her shaking arm, her role returned.

Outside the room, Lily whimpers in silence as the gun is set off. Loki’s ear wrenching cry follows. The settlement loses an angel.