Read Online Silo 49: Going Dark by Ann Christy - Free Book Online
Authors: Ann Christy
Tags: Science-Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, post apocalyptic, Dystopian, action and adventure, wool universe, women science fiction, wool fanction, silo saga, post-apocalyptic science fiction, silo fanfiction, dystopian science fiction, silo 49
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bit too excited.
"Am I? How should I have taken it?" Wallis asked.
"Well, let's just say that I spent 33 days locked under a floor after I was told just a small part of what I told you last night."
Wallis leaned back in this chair and let out a whoosh of air as he gaped at Graham in surprise. His hair, already sticking up in every direction in unruly grey tufts, got another work over as he ran his hands up the sides of his head. Afterward, he looked like a little goat with horns flaring up, save that his horns were made of hair. He looked Graham up and down as if seeing him for the first time.
Graham imagined he was probably visualizing cabinets and cubbies like those they hid in as children during games. In those tight places they'd folded themselves up, chests compressed, and half hoped they would be found first.
"It wasn't like a closet or anything. It was a series of rooms tucked under the floor," Graham explained and saw that his guess had been right by the look on Wallis' face. He clarified, "But I was locked in, very frightened and confused. You're not, though. Why?"
Graham watched Wallis as the man thought about what he would say. He watched just as he had with his own shadow, but without any intention of doing anything about it should his friend run screaming from the room. The time for that kind of absurdity was past now. Anything in the Order had to be treated with reservation now. Perhaps the whole thing was just so much trash and wasted paper.
Finally Wallis spoke. The excitement had diminished and a more serious tone entered his voice. "I think it is because I know there are others and when we die, it won't be the end. Until now, I thought we were the only people that existed."
Graham thought about what Wallis said for a moment, then nodded. This was a sentiment he understood. It was both reasonable and truthful.
Wallis went on, his voice low and a little sad, "You know, until today, I've been waking up every day and wondering if that would be the day cancer got started inside me. Or maybe if that day was the day I wouldn't be able to take it anymore and I would jump over the rails. I can't even remember the last time I woke up without those actual thoughts running through my head."
"And today?" Graham asked, his voice gentle.
"And today I woke up and thought about how we can fix this shit."
Graham smiled at the profanity. It was something he heard rarely from Wallis. As first a teacher and then a politician, it was something he had just given up when they all left childhood behind. After all, it wouldn't have done for a primary school teacher to send the kids home after school with that sort of special vocabulary.
"I like the way you think," he replied, the grin still on his face.
"What about you, Graham? Don't tell me you didn't feel the same. At least at some point, you must have."
He tried to remember if he had ever had that type of thought and didn't think he had, but he knew that Wallis was referring to their mutual losses over the years. The thoughts that went through his head were always tinged with the knowledge he carried of the other silos. "No. Actually, my most awful thoughts were the exact opposite of yours. Even scarier, I think."
Wallis looked skeptical, "Scarier than cancer or jumping? The only thing scarier than that is slow cancer."
"What I woke up and feared was that I wouldn't get sick. I knew I would never jump. My responsibility absolutely prevents that. What I feared was being the last one here."
There was silence between the two men, each pondering the concept.
At last, Wallis spoke, expression flat and voice deadpan. "I have to tell you, that is just so fucked up, my friend."
Graham spluttered as inappropriate laughter bubbled out of him. Wallis joined him after a tick, gales of laughter choking out of him until he bent over and held his stomach, claiming he was going to wet himself if Graham didn't stop snorting. The laughter petered out, a few false stops coming and
"Am I? How should I have taken it?" Wallis asked.
"Well, let's just say that I spent 33 days locked under a floor after I was told just a small part of what I told you last night."
Wallis leaned back in this chair and let out a whoosh of air as he gaped at Graham in surprise. His hair, already sticking up in every direction in unruly grey tufts, got another work over as he ran his hands up the sides of his head. Afterward, he looked like a little goat with horns flaring up, save that his horns were made of hair. He looked Graham up and down as if seeing him for the first time.
Graham imagined he was probably visualizing cabinets and cubbies like those they hid in as children during games. In those tight places they'd folded themselves up, chests compressed, and half hoped they would be found first.
"It wasn't like a closet or anything. It was a series of rooms tucked under the floor," Graham explained and saw that his guess had been right by the look on Wallis' face. He clarified, "But I was locked in, very frightened and confused. You're not, though. Why?"
Graham watched Wallis as the man thought about what he would say. He watched just as he had with his own shadow, but without any intention of doing anything about it should his friend run screaming from the room. The time for that kind of absurdity was past now. Anything in the Order had to be treated with reservation now. Perhaps the whole thing was just so much trash and wasted paper.
Finally Wallis spoke. The excitement had diminished and a more serious tone entered his voice. "I think it is because I know there are others and when we die, it won't be the end. Until now, I thought we were the only people that existed."
Graham thought about what Wallis said for a moment, then nodded. This was a sentiment he understood. It was both reasonable and truthful.
Wallis went on, his voice low and a little sad, "You know, until today, I've been waking up every day and wondering if that would be the day cancer got started inside me. Or maybe if that day was the day I wouldn't be able to take it anymore and I would jump over the rails. I can't even remember the last time I woke up without those actual thoughts running through my head."
"And today?" Graham asked, his voice gentle.
"And today I woke up and thought about how we can fix this shit."
Graham smiled at the profanity. It was something he heard rarely from Wallis. As first a teacher and then a politician, it was something he had just given up when they all left childhood behind. After all, it wouldn't have done for a primary school teacher to send the kids home after school with that sort of special vocabulary.
"I like the way you think," he replied, the grin still on his face.
"What about you, Graham? Don't tell me you didn't feel the same. At least at some point, you must have."
He tried to remember if he had ever had that type of thought and didn't think he had, but he knew that Wallis was referring to their mutual losses over the years. The thoughts that went through his head were always tinged with the knowledge he carried of the other silos. "No. Actually, my most awful thoughts were the exact opposite of yours. Even scarier, I think."
Wallis looked skeptical, "Scarier than cancer or jumping? The only thing scarier than that is slow cancer."
"What I woke up and feared was that I wouldn't get sick. I knew I would never jump. My responsibility absolutely prevents that. What I feared was being the last one here."
There was silence between the two men, each pondering the concept.
At last, Wallis spoke, expression flat and voice deadpan. "I have to tell you, that is just so fucked up, my friend."
Graham spluttered as inappropriate laughter bubbled out of him. Wallis joined him after a tick, gales of laughter choking out of him until he bent over and held his stomach, claiming he was going to wet himself if Graham didn't stop snorting. The laughter petered out, a few false stops coming and
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