Chapter 16 - Marooned
Cameron and I utilized the cover of darkness to make our way into position. We bestowed patience into the landscape, taking a treasure chest of time to find the third stop for the morning train. The night sky greeted our early arrival, painting swirls of glowing dust into the corners of the frame. We both knew we would be waiting for some time for the commotion of the steam engine. Our eyes diverting the attention of our focus for the slight flash of light off in the distance from the corrupt lighthouse that stood prior to our train stop.
CAMERON: I've never been out here this early in the morning, it's quite peaceful. I can't imagine how it was before NightLight.
ATMOS: What were you doing before NightLight? We've kept that conversation out of our years of fireside chats somehow.
CAMERON: Some would say that was on purpose. Certain facts Atmos, they're risky to talk about.
ATMOS: Well, we could double down on this risky business of ours, the pot is already so full.
He smiled, my subtle art of peer pressure had worked.
CAMERON: Well I suppose at this point it is pointless to hold onto any unkept secret regarding my employment. I've been with NightLight for over a decade now, christ it really has been that long. Leading up to my time in their cartography and discovery department, I had seen my share of corporate greed. But NightLight, they’ve defined an entirely new business model to pillage society. I started working for them at a small office a few towns over. Your average, no thrills city, where life remained ordinary. In house there were twelve of us tasked with drawing detailed maps of the areas that were of interest to the company. It did seem odd at times the locations that filling our workload, knowing not how they related to progressing the pharmaceutical industry. They worked us hard, supplemented with good pay, but about three months into my new position I began having bizarre dreams. In a way I hadn’t experienced before. I blamed the long nights working, competing for a good night’s rest on the the phenomena. I dreamt of this forest Atmos, without ever stepping foot here prior. Of me swimming in the dark blue waters that hugged each half submerged tree trunk. The faint flicker of sky over the horizon, swelling and contracting in illumination as I swam closer. Night after night the foreign scene would play in my dreamscape, leaving an ocean of confusion in its wake. More time passed, until one afternoon my coworker and office friend at the time, brought up the very same confusion, claiming he was drawn to a first he had never seen before. I still had trust in NightLight at the time, finding no harm in discussing the matter so openly at work. The next evening Leo was banging on my door, pleading to let him in. We weren’t the type to get together outside of work, but alas an exception appeared to be made that night. Leo cried for me to leave town immediately with him, feared he was in trouble for what he found out. He told me that they had been drugging us, placing some substance in the air, and observing our reactions. He even went on to say that our tasks to map out the surrounding area wasn’t real. He had visited a recent site we had been tasked with priority to map for an immediate access road. Spoke of the untouched scenery he noted. I didn’t believe him Atmos, why would I? His pleas that his life was in danger were ignored without proper merrit. I planned to suggest a few counselors in the town for him the next day, but he was gone. The company said he had to fly back west for a family affair and that he would no longer be working for NightLight. Nothing added up, and with the strength of the dreams increasing, I put in a transfer for Forest City. No other employee would talk about their experiences at night, it felt like my only choice to get closer to the truth. These last few years, I’ve gotten to known only scraps of the secrets that NightLight keeps. But I can tell you with certainty that they are fully capable of drugging their employees and even disposing of them if they become a threat.
ATMOS: That’s pretty damn heavy Cam, i'm sorry to hear that. I can't think of anything good that has come from that damn company. Did you ever learn what happened to your friend, Leo?
CAMERON: The most I could find was a document stating that he had been transferred to a department known as Eidolon Team. I felt guilt in his disappearance, our friendship began to decrease leading up to that night.
ATMOS: Fleeting friendships are an odd thing. You never really get an indication that they'll end, not like a relationship. They sort of just slip away.
CAMERON: Anyone come to mind for you? I'd wager that the woman of the hour is not top of mind for such a sentiment.
ATMOS: Sev's sister Essie just up and left one day. We were closer than just friends, perhaps that made things worse, but one morning she was just simply gone. I had been too distraught from Carmine leaving months prior to chase after her or ask why she chose to leave.
CAMERON: Ah yes all of the love triangles of Atmos. We'll have to make a new shape for you to fit all of these love stories.
ATMOS: Funny. You sure you don't want to be considered in this love rhombus of mine?
CAMERON: I don't think you know what a rhombus is. Rest assure, there are fragments of that four letter word in our friendship.
ATMOS: It's almost like friendships are this maze, if you stay in one long enough you find a way into something new. I'll cheers to whatever is beyond that threshold with you.
CAMERON: I didn't realize you brought something to cheers with?
I pretended to hold a champagne glass in my right hand and motioned as if throwing the fake liquid all over Cameron. The celebration cut short as a steel blue horn beckoned in the distance of the mist, our ride. We approached the train stop, dimly lit with a candle street light and prepared for what was next. The train came into view, quickly stopping in front of us. We boarded quickly, taking note of the full train car of passengers in high spirits. What in the devil were you planning Carmine? Our tailored attire fit in well for the unexpected moment. A hand grabbed the back of Cameron as a blubbering man in a snake skin suit shouted at both of us.
EXECUTIVE: Didn’t think we could do it, but damnit one last late night from the executive staff and we were able to beat last year’s figures.
The man, somehow intoxicated continued.
EXECUTIVE: Doubled last year’s numbers in fact, cheers to all of us at Night Light.
He continued past us in celebration, grabbing each and every idle shoulder in his path.
ATMOS: Cameron, you check the front cars, one by one. I’ll head backwards, if either of us spots the bar, we just might have a shot at this.
CAMERON: Roger that, be safe Atmos.
ATMOS: Likewise.
I shuffled at a morning pace past the soft amber light twirling off of each lantern inside of the train car. Noticing the small celebrations taking place in each, scanning for one out of place person.
I noticed a slew of hands in the air, demanding attention and placed the location of the bar. I had to imagine that Cameron would double back and find me if he came up empty handed. My eyes squinted in the low light to make out the bottles held further from view on shelves. The crowd behind me assumed I was in line, feeling a kind push towards the busy bartender. The seas in front of me parted, with the slight hand gesture of the bartender pointing at me.
BARTENDER: What’ll it be boy?
I panicked, an image of Sev spotted my mind.
ATMOS: I…I’ll have the manager’s special.
BARTENDER: The manager’s special, never heard of it. You got an ingredient list?
My lips felt frozen, maybe I wasn’t cut out for a life of espionage.
BARTENDER: Come on boy, speak up.
UNKNOWN: A manager’s special is a divine choice. What my friend here is asking you to do is pour out a few of your near empty top shelf bottles into a glass. Three or four should do. Garnish with a lemon slice.
The bartender snickered as my eyes turned towards the reply.
She stood reborn, an aberration of the woman I had seen on that stranded dock moments ago. Her hair full, lush, falling gently over her bare shoulders, caressing the faint maroon straps that held up a thin cut, overlapping dress. The fabric waterfall lost composure just past her knees, where long leather black boots led the eye to their heel that stood inches off of the ground. Carmine took notice of my peripheral glance and smirked.
CARMINE: Atmos, be a dear and add a Val’s gin and tonic double to your order.
The bartender placed high marks in hearing, nodding in the comment and preparing a second tumbler for the order.
ATMOS: Carmine what are we doing here? What is your plan?
CARMINE: Subtlety sinks ships Atmos, don’t become an easy tiger on me.
Her remark held a bold cue card in my mind, I needed to notify Cameron. The shift of my body weight to exit must have been easily spotted as the toe of Carmine’s boot suddenly extended in front of my leg.
CARMINE: Aren’t we just out of manners this morning. Atmos you’re headed the wrong way.
Her smirk grew in size. I looked for options in the moment and gave attention to the bartender, hoping for seconds to rebound from Carmine.
ATMOS: What’s the damage?
BARTENDER: No damage boy, end of the quarter, you filthy suits drink for free.
He winked and motioned to the gentleman behind me. Carmine’s hand found her way around my arm as she glared for my attention.
CARMINE: I kept a table towards the back. Grab our refreshments, s’il vous plait.
I let the current of the moment take me and followed the handling of my arm towards the back of the train car.
I noticed a small high top table with a maroon leather jacket splayed over top. A single candle lay in the middle, two to three moths fluttered about the small flame. I turned my head, putting myself inches away from the maw that once consumed me.
ATMOS: At least you have a color theme. Honestly, Carmine why the charm? Were you really so distracted when we had our reunion on the dock?
CARMINE: I remembered you as a dramatic, I suppose I remembered right.
She grabbed the secondly made drink from my hand. Her eyes had never dulled, even in that moment on the dock, her degraded state allowed but one feature in tact, her eyes. As sharp as I remembered they sliced through any thoughts of my plan and ushered in a singular truth.
CARMINE: Atmos, I’m so glad you decided to join me, and dressed so properly, perhaps I have missed you after all.
ATMOS: Carmine. Why the sleight of hand? What has you mimicking my memory of you?
CARMINE: Interested in seeing if my fruits still look ripe?
She winked a dagger in my direction.
ATMOS: This, you wanting me. It all seems outdated as of late.
CARMINE: Christ Atmos. Cut to the boring chase, peel back the curtains of a show dealt in intimacy. Fine darling, ruin your own surprise.
Her eyes peered passed me to a welcome guest.
CAMERON: Atmos, phew buddy I thought I lost you.
Cameron continued looking forward towards the black hole devouring our table.
CAMERON: You must be Carmine.
CARMINE: I’m not in the mood for autographs this morning.
Her delicate hand oscillated a slow movement meant to shoo Cameron off.
CAMERON: Atmos did say you were quite the charmer. I’m afraid I’m not going anywhere. My neck is on the line here joining you in public. We want to help, but we need to act.
CARMINE: A clumsy neck like that could easily be snapped. Perhaps you should be more careful. Now go, Atmos’s pet and fetch us another drink.
Her eyes smoked from the shots taken at Cameron. I could tell he was close to his breaking point, in need of an ally.
ATMOS: Carmine, we’ll all sit and enjoy this theatric train ride, piling the table high with empty cocktail glasses, you have my word. But just help us feel at ease, maybe a scrap or two of comfort would do.
CARMINE: Cold are you Atmos, in need of your lost blanket. I dare not hide such a cumbersome commodity on me, but perhaps something else will do. Something, historic.
Her claws picked through the leather jacket on the table and scratched out a small glass vile, filled with small woven ivory pellets.
CARMINE: This, gentlemen, is worth the risk. Worth far more.
ATMOS: What is it?
I turned to Cameron whose eyes confirmed some untold knowledge. His mouth shot out the rebuttal canon at Carmine.
CAMERON: That is not suppose to exist yet.
ATMOS: Someone tell me what the hell it is?!
CARMINE: In a way Atmos, it is hell awaiting.
An announcement on the train intercom divided the moment.
“Next stop, Glenwood Ridge, approaching. Passengers please prepare to unboard.”
Carmine sat her drink down on the edge of the table and put her hand on my cheek.
CARMINE: Be a dear and boost me up on the table, the show’s about to begin.
Confusion painted my face as Carmine proceeded to use my shoulders to prop herself up on the table, my hands holding just below her ankle to provide stability. I thought of letting go, but the forced touch awakened a sleeping giant. One that towered above me.
An ear piercing whistle broke the air, clearly practiced for this very scene.
CARMINE: Attention boys and girls of NightLight, I would like to cordially invite, No, cordially demand that you all join me in a celebratory drink at the Locust Bar, right outside of this station. I am buying each and every single round of drinks you bastards can dream of.
She captivated the car of strangers and proceeded to get down from the table.
CARMINE: I’ll be but a moment you two, do wait up.
Within seconds Carmine exited the train car with almost every bystander seen celebrating. The fishing hook attached to her hypnotizing dress had caught close to the entire ocean. Commotion could be heard beginning and dying down in various portions of the fleeting crowd. I oriented my gaze at Cameron, finding comfort in his confusion.
ATMOS: Well do we follow her? She did say to stay put. I suppose now is a good time for you to tell me what exactly is in that vile.
CAMERON: Right, what’s in the vile. Atmos, this cannot be happening. I don’t know what Carmine is planning but I bet it smells of danger. I’ll tell you everything I know, I promise.
CAMERON: That vile contains a drug manufactured by Night Light. A secret product that they’ve been working on for quite some time, meant to mimic the feeling that the Deep Pines does to you, using moth eggs as a binder. But last I heard it was highly unstable and potable, word went around that it drove most of the research team mad. The truth is that the moths of the forest, they are the carriers for the substance that causes the effects of the Deep PinesI don’t know why Carmine has that vile, or what she plans on doing with it.
A follow up announcement fell over the tense air.
“Doors will be closing in exactly one minute, all passengers continuing on to Forest City Shoreline, please finish boarding.”
I shot a nervous glance over at Cameron, conveying worry on the whereabouts of Carmine. I noticed his glance deviate past me, acknowledging a new shadow towering over us.
CARMINE: Howdy gentlemen.
Carmine crept into the frame yet again.
CARMINE: I hope you two missed my company.
The two green light houses that torched beacons below from her jet black eyeliner struck the chilled glass Cameron held anew.
CARMINE: Scarce on manners this morning, allow me to grab myself a second refreshment.
I blurted out.
ATMOS: Am I the only one not focused entirely on drinking right now?! Carmine are you doing with that vile and what the hell was that stunt you just pulled?
CARMINE: Oh Atmos, ask your tiger friend here about the vile. And my moment just now, well it was getting a bit too crowded for the main act.
She walked away as if providing an absolute answer in my questioning. Cameron interjected.
CAMERON: I suppose if she knows about Night Light’s secrets, she probably knows their employee codenames as well.
ATMOS: You kept your call sign from Night Light, even after going off with Alastor?
CAMERON: Pretty fond of it, chose it myself. They can’t have it you know.
He smiled briefly, he would follow into a tunnel of seriousness.
CAMERON: We need to find out whatever is going on here and potentially stop it.
ATMOS: Damnit, why did I think this would be easier.
Our eyes each pointed down in slight defeat. A short detour as the guest of honor returned back with full hands.
CARMINE: Atmos, I ordered you the strongest gin they had, you’ve always known how to impress me.
The transfer of ownership for the simple glass of gin allowed our hands to momentarily touch and sink me deeper into the quicksand forming around me. Her chosen lure had hooked me right in the gills.
CARMINE: Cheers love.
A quick clank seized the moment, accompanied by a cordial gulp of elixir. Cameron brought much needed focus to the situation.
CAMERON: What the hell are we doing here Carmine? Why the train and why the vile?
CARMINE: The forest deserves to take back the city. I am simply the mediator, someone who has sat down, listened session after session of the whispers told within. But this train, this vile, one of many, are the small specs right before a moment in history. You, Atmos, and I will have been the necessary catalyst for the world we dream of when we are awake.
An announcement continued where Carmine had ended.
“Attention passengers, unfortunately the train will be returning to Night Light’s main office, stop number one. Anyone without clearance to enter stop one will be asked to depart at the stop prior. We apologize for the inconvenience, and after a quick restocking request will be returning to our scheduled ride back to Forest City Shoreline. Please feel free to stay aboard during the detour, provided you have the sufficient clearance.”
A thick smile consumed Carmine, she knew exactly that the train would turn around. I noticed her lips beginning to blur but brought attention back to our next actions.
ATMOS: They must know that we’re aboard, we have to get off immediately. Cameron I’m afraid we’ve fallen into a trap.
CARMINE: Oh on the contrary Atmos, no one is getting off. Afraid there is no ‘they’ this morning, just me.
I continued to battle a slight deviation in vision.
ATMOS: Carmine, what did you give me?
CARMINE: Oh come on Atmos, guess for me.
I staggered with her response, noticing the firm grasp of Cameron.
CAMERON: You alright buddy?
CARMINE: Let him be you fool, he’s destined for the stars now with me. Just let it in Atmos, I know you’ve had plenty of experience in flying.
Cameron spoke for me, he stepped inches from Carmine unafraid of her bite.
CAMERON: Damnit, get on with some insight on your plan, I’m hauling us off this train if you keep on this seductress act.
CARMINE: Pathetic. Atmos, get better friends. Tigerman, this train is heading back to NightLight, but not before rolling right over a trap, one I must carefully set myself. Just this morning to be exact. It will render the entire brakes most unhelpful, taking two traincars full of our lovely Indigo moth viles, right back to sender. Accept your fate and drink up to NightLight’s finest synthetic with us, or should I say the strongest gin they offer. May I add that they dissolve into any liquid that is introduced to them.
She slithered out a small laugh. Cameron grabbed my collar and dragged me a few feet away from the table.
CAMERON: Atmos we need to leave, this is suicide.
I noticed a slight clarity around the frame but still noticed the battering sea all around me.
ATMOS: Cameron, I don’t disagree with you. I haven’t given up yet on Carmine, and I can’t leave now. I’ll be able to battle this poison from her, but you need to leave. Hopefully this trap of hers is not for another stop. Find Leigh and Alastor, and wait for us to jump off. I can still safe her Cam, where I failed before, I won’t this time.
CAMERON: Look you don’t stand a chance, you need to leave with me before you can’t.
ATMOS: Cameron, I’ll be right behind you, I promise. I can’t just leave her to die.
CAMERON: Damnit Atmos, this is not a great plan, please leave with me now.
I put my blurry hand on Cam’s shoulder.
ATMOS: It’s okay, this is not goodbye.
Cameron hesitated but nodded, staying too long in a gaze that shouted farewell, and ran towards the rear of the train. The train stopped at the next stop, at which time the engines roared in the change of direction, and Cameron exited through the door. I ran back to the high top table, feeling a slight dizziness in addition to vision blur. Little crumbs of our long lost love story could be seen on the floor below us, i dreamed it could be enough for us to feast upon
CARMINE: Finally we’re alone. What a bore that one was.
Her last word danced off of her mouth, twirling around me as I grew aware of the poison I had been dealt. Carmine held her left arm open, looking for my acceptance in her invitation to be closer.
ATMOS: This poison is strong, what exactly am I going to experience?
CARMINE: Oh Atmos, can’t you see you’ve always been poisoned, my fangs dripped of your blood many moons ago.
A large jolt shook the train car, I searched for clarity in this storm and focused on Carmine.
CARMINE: Cruelty can be so necessary sometimes, it shouldn’t be long now my love. Place no worry on the synthetic, I’ve devoured an entire vile before stepping aboard this train.
I needed the wire to be cut, seconds before detonation, I needed her to jump off of this train with me. The speed at which my mind raced to pinpoint a solution gave away footing towards a clear mind.
ATMOS: Carmine, please don’t do this. I’m not going to beg. You weren’t always like this you know. You’re mistaken if you think this life of vengeance suits you. FIne destroy Night Light, run this train right into the ground, but escape with me. It is the least I can do for you, provide you with a way out of this consumption that has been eating you. Redemption knows no lock, its door remains open, even until the very end.
She looked down momentarily, her eyes thinned and sharpened, piercing a hole in the floor she studied. An announcement fell from the ceiling.
“Folks, I don’t know how to tell you this but we’re currently on a collision course with the main station. As your conductor, I’m afraid I don’t know if I can stop this train. Please take whatever precautions necessary and brace for impact.”
CARMINE: It’s too late Atmos, stop pretending in choice.
All at once each door leading to the swift air outside, shot open. I grabbed Carmine’s arm with every ounce of strength inside of me and ran towards the nearest door.
CARMINE: Don’t you remember Atmos, why you left me. Have you truly tucked my memory away under a forgotten pillow? I came back to you, after heading off to the Deep Pines. I came back scared for my life. Those first few weeks out in the Deep Pines, I had seen a ghost. It was Evelyn, my Evelyn with her shimmering red hair and black boots as if she had never left. She’s out here Atmos wanting exactly what I want, to destroy NightLight in one triumphant firework.
ATMOS: Your deceased sister, Evelyn, is hiding somewhere in the Deep Pines, helping you take on an army of corporate corruption? Carmine, can't you see she was just a hallucination?
Her eyes did not curve with the prompt, holding an honesty in what she had just braved.
CARMINE: To be quite honest at first I could not bear to see her. We fought the day she left, that is why I stayed back home and she unknowingly followed my father to her death. I ran to you the night I made contact with her. Her soft words spoke of a life where death was just the beginning, she wanted me to join her. I didn't know what to do, I was being torn apart by two worlds that i wanted to both be in. I asked you to trust me that night, my mind has been made up for one last beautiful moment, we could end our suffering and join the ghosts of the forest for all eternity. We both had the proven lines to sit at such a tortured table. Yet you could not, your loose attempt was not deep enough. As I recall, you fled the scene and left me Atmos, left me to rot away with the fallen leaves. I continued forward towards death’s threshold, thinking of my sister’s image, laying there alone with maroon marked wrists. The forest that night, it chose a new path for me. There was still much to do before I would be able to join Evelyn. This act of mine that now drips with purpose, I have you to thank for. Because of you, I will rewrite history, striking NightLight from their high castle that was plaguing the forest.
Her hand acted as a talon as it grabbed my own, turning my eyes to the skin below my palm, subtle white lined shimmers spoke to the truth she described. Her monologue had opened curtains to a scene outcast from my subconsciousness. I had ran that morning, far away from her. I had gotten so close to death that my body shook with fear. It was selfish but I left her in that moment so close to the end. A hellscape my mind had ejected from my memory long ago.
CARMINE: Atmos Darling I'm still everything you want, a beautiful object demanding devotion. Now can’t you see how death would be a divine sign of such love? Spend forever with us.
I understood the truth circling me for understanding, but I withstood its desire and pushed onwards towards an escape. Without hesitation I fixated on the nearest exit door and grabbed Carmine’s railroad wrist.
ATMOS: We are leaving!
I was able to drag her close to the opening, my body at the threshold, captivated by the water beneath the train tracks flashing by. I turned around to finish the act of brut strength, facing her.
ATMOS: It’s now or never Carmine!
To my surprise she was standing tall, smiling, a showcase of tattered teeth that somehow felt honest, refreshing from the games she had been playing all morning. She lent in towards my face, her eyebrows curled away from her forehead.
Her lips grazed mine, hesitating only for a second before moving slightly forward and making contact. Neither of our lips moved, simply stuck in a moment told by years of star filled maps. I reached my hand towards her torso, hovering above the majestic material of her dress. I understood now all of the agony that had filled the last few chapters of my life. She was the mass I had dreamt of orbiting. My hands crept up slowly to cup her cheeks, pulling our lips apart and locking eyes just as my finger tips touched her tired skin. She looked down again as if shaking a season of regret. My face returned to an emerald glow as her eyes faced me. They held a new rigidity, mimicking the sternness of her moving lips.
CARMINE: It was always never Atmos.
I felt the force from the toe of her heel propel me out of the open train car door and into the murky waters below. Time and space as monitored inside my subconscious appeared delayed by the surprise. My body rippled along the dark blue abyss, shaking various unneeded screws and bolts loose. The momentum of the moment ended with my face submerged in the slight waves of water.