Machine God: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Final Draft)

No one here?

I replied fast.

"Yes. We're going to die."

The answer shocked everyone in the circle.

"But not today. And not down here."

"So what's the plan, leader," one of the diggers said, half-mockingly.

It had been a few hours since we set up camp. The muffled whistle from above had stopped, the vibrations waned.

"I'm going to check the surface."

"When?"

"Right now."

No more words required. My eyes focused on the ladder in the shaft. With my body rested, I climbed up the steps with force and soon reached the hatch on the top. I pushed my ears against the hull and listened.

No vibrations.

No muffled whistle.

The sign of surface silence?

I unlocked the mechanism and pushed open the hatch with all my might. Rays of sun greeted me, as well as a fresh breeze of sandy wind.

For the first time ever, I embraced the scorching heat.

The burning light was better than a dark underground.

As long as the sun remained in the sky, I had hope.

With quick steps, I rushed down to the tunnel and spread the good news.

Everyone moved up and cheered.

Everyone but Ann-Lyze.

"What about my father? He's not going to make it up."

"Then we'll leave him," the soldier said.

Ann-Lyze protested.

"Over my corpse. If he stays, so do I."

The soldier shrugged, saying 'so what' with his body gesture.

"No one's staying. We all go up."

I looked at Nathan and thought of a way to lift the geezer. He was too weak to even hold onto me.

"Let's chain you up to my back and I carry you."

A smile brushed Ann-Lyze's face.

The soldier protested.

"Are you insane? His weight is going to drag you down."

He pointed at the shaft.

"It's at least a few hundred steps up the ladder. That's suicide."

"That's my problem, isn't it?"

He stopped arguing with me. The diggers actually looked concerned.

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

"We're about to find out."

Despite everything that had happened, the strength still resided in my body.

Maybe it was the generous ration in the morning, or my survival will.

Didn't matter, as long as it stayed with me.

I told the diggers to bind Nathan to my back.

Five minutes later, everyone was good to go, so I explained the climbing order.

Ann-Lyze went first.

Then the diggers, followed by the soldier.

I was last.