The Winding Road Ahead

There was no such thing as a straight road. That was an obvious and intuitive fact. In the Zone it took on a whole different meaning. I don’t remember ever hearing about invisible walls cropping up in the Zone but they might as well. Magnetised storms raining razor-sharp and jagged pieces of metal made barriers that were convincing enough for me. With the detour that we had to take it would have actually made sense to stop by Ferroviaire but we had no reason to any more. I was certain that had we taken the junk with us, we would have been forced to take the detour in the exact opposite direction.

“All I’m saying is that these things could be toxic in other ways than just radioactive,” Nicodeme said.

“You’re free to not eat it, but you aren’t getting any bars unless we are also eating them,” I said.

“I was just saying,” Nicodeme grumbled.

The fire was crackling and the smell of meat was making my mouth water. I was just about to announce that the meal was ready when I heard a branch snapping. I immediately reached for my gun and my words of warning were transformed into a scream. A beast the size of a large lynx pounced straight for Estelle. Two shots rang out as I shot the beast down.

“Behind you,” Estelle shouted in the same moment. I looked back but saw nothing. This time she shot and saved Nicodeme from an attack. The beasts just kept coming. Two more charged towards Estelle and we took them on together. As they fell to the ground a whir and thump sounded behind me. Another beast with a large hole in its mid section slid along the ground and stopped a step away from me. I looked up and saw Nicodeme with a gun in his hands.

“You bastard,” I said. “I should’ve known.” I began raising my gun towards him.

“Gaetan stop,” Estelle said.

“He was tricking us, we made a deal that he would not carry guns. He broke it. We cannot trust him.”

“Take it down a notch Gaetan. He helped us. He saved you,” Estelle said. Nicodeme’s expression was cold and still and his gun was still raised though not pointing at us. “Can you really blame him for trying to protect himself?”

“I sure can,” I muttered to myself. Still, I lowered my gun and Nicodeme did the same.

“Let’s get back on track,” Estelle said. “We did well right now. We didn’t take any damage from these beasts and perhaps we even have an improved lunch for today.”

“You have to be kidding,” Nicodeme said.

“I know right,” I said without thinking. Then we both scowled at each other, which made Estelle sigh. “Is there anything else you want to show us now?” I could see him preparing a venomous answer before changing his mind.

“I know about this artefact that you two are looking for.” Estelle and I exchanged glances.

“Go on,” I said. He took a deep breath and sighed.

“It was just a theory that people were working with. That a device somehow came into existence which could in some way connect our world to another, far away or perhaps in a different reality altogether. There is no consensus on whether it was made by design, accident or brought here by those from afar, but it is certain that research that CERN was doing as the new collider was completed was directly related. Perhaps a small portal was opened at that time, which was then exploited by forces from beyond to sneak something inside. That is the most likely explanation for this artefact. That it was brought here and is used to disrupt the reality in our world and bring contact with an alien world.”

Estelle and I just gaped at each other. Words didn’t come to me at all. We just started eating in silence while we processed the information.

“How do you know all this?” Estelle asked.

“Better yet, does everyone outside know this?” I added. “I don’t remember ever hearing about this and even if we’ve been here for a while, that would be too much change.”

“You’re right,” Nicodeme said. “No many know about this. Most people don’t really understand what CERN was doing in the first place. Even if we’re just talking about the legitimate regular scientific experiments.”

“That makes sense but what about you?” I asked. “You haven’t told us how you know.”

“I did,” Nicodeme said.

“Don’t say education,” I interrupted. Nicodeme considered his words for a while before responding.

“I was going to say, that there are people out there investigating the CERN incident. I am also part of it.”

“You?” I asked. “You barely look older than either of us.”

“What can I say, I had an early start. Also I am 34 years old.”

That came as a surprise to me. I didn’t think he would be so much older. On the other hand I supposed it made some sense that a pampered child that hadn’t had a hard day of work behind him in his entire life. What an annoying little shit.

“You should also know, that there were factions in CERN. Different experiments had different cultures, which became disagreements then progressed into disputes and in the end that culminated in outright hostilities.

“Internal fighting?” I asked.

“Exactly. The final quarrel was specifically related to this artefact or rather it lead directly into what is now referred to as the CERN incident. The exact details are unknown, but it seems the hubris of some may have been directly responsible for the entire catastrophe. However, that doesn’t matter right now. I am here because this is important. Not just for the Zone, but for everyone. Everyone will understand after they witness that incredible artefact.”

“I hope you’re not forgetting, that the artefact will be ours. It’s our ticket out of this place,” I said. “Important or not, it will serve us first.”

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about that,” Nicodeme said. “As long as it gets into the hands of our people, that is fine by me.”

“I see. And who would those be?” I asked.

“Excuse me?” Nicodeme replied.

“Gaetan, relax,” Estelle tried to calm me down. It took genuine effort on my part to ignore her and continue probing into Nicodeme.

“Your people. Who are they?”

“Concorde Occidentalis,” Nicodeme said and held my gaze with a serious expression. I relented.

“That’s fine then. As long as we’re clear about it. Isn’t that right Estelle?”

“Whatever you say Tan,” Estelle said and shook her head. “Can we please just finish the meal in peace.” We all looked around at the multiple carcases littering our little campsite. The scent of blood was overpowering the smell of our food. “Anyone up for seconds?” Estelle’s bright smile reflected the sunlight. I wanted to grumble in my usual manner but her cheerful mood somehow painted a slight smile on my face as well. Even Nicodeme seemed to be trying to enjoy the afternoon warmth and the sounds of the forest. If only he were a friend of ours.