Stubborn Mule, page 5
"Woofer, you're so silly." I heard what felt like a hug, or maybe merely sensed it, and suddenly I was brimming with love. For them, for everything.
Unable to resist joining in, I cracked an eyelid, grinned at them both, then roared as I grabbed them in a tight hug. Both of them shrieked with mirth as we rolled about on the scratchy grass, delighted to be together.
Fun time didn't last long though, as I was far from being myself. The eye had taken much, but also given plenty in return, leaving me exhausted after mere seconds, unable to move without deep spasms cramping my muscles. I rolled flat on my back and gasped, sucking in air like I was deprived. The sun hammered down relentlessly, and it was a joy to experience. Rough ground irritated my bare arms; I welcomed it because it meant I was still here, still alive.
"I think Soph's had enough for now, Woofer. Maybe he'll play later?" suggested Phage.
"Woofer should lick him?"
"Hmm, maybe you should," Phage tittered. "He does look very dry."
"I'm meant to be dry," I mumbled. "It's my default setting."
"No licking?" asked Woofer.
"Maybe another time," I suggested.
With a wag of the tail, our dear dog bounded off, happy all was well in the world once more.
"You scared me," said Phage, lying next to me and taking my hand in hers.
"I scared myself."
"The eye showed you more, didn't it? I saw it close just as we came out, then you stood there, like you were a statue. Just like Wonjin and Jinwon."
"For how long?"
"An hour. Maybe more. At first it was funny, then not so much. Then you started shaking. I think you had a seizure. We laid you down. Well, I did. Woofer mostly kept dropping his ball on you, and then you were breathing again and seemed fine. We could sense you were, which is why we were being silly. It was the relief."
"I stopped breathing?"
"For ages. People can't hold their breath that long, but I guess you didn't get the message."
"Must have missed it," I said, turning my head and smiling at my beautiful wife. "Sorry to scare you."
"Comes with the territory. But you're back, that's what counts. What happened?"
"Phage, it was the craziest thing. I saw the notes, then the creatures writing them, then I saw amazing trees, and them being cut down to make notes. It was an alien world, and so beautiful. I think it might have been the land of the fae, or possibly the elves. That's where the paper comes from. We need to find that out. But none of that matters. It's what I saw next that will blow your mind. I know it did mine."
"Tell me." Phage's eyes gleamed as she stared eagerly into mine.
"You sure? Once you know, there's no unknowing."
"Is that a word?" she asked, smiling softly, poking fun at me to lighten the suddenly serious mood.
"Yes, and you can't prove otherwise."
"I could get a dictionary."
"It'll be old, so the word might not be in it."
"Just tell me," she said, sitting up. She reached out and helped me to sit too, then we shuffled about so we faced each other.
"I'm not sure I should."
"Soph!" Phage punched me playfully on the arm.
"It never ends. It can't. It's too big, too large scale."
"That's not such great news. In fact, that's awful."
"No, but you don't get it. It doesn't matter. Okay, it does, but it doesn't. They don't beat us. They don't eradicate us all. We survive. In fact, we thrive."
"Who?"
"Us. Necros. We thrive. I saw it. I saw the future. At least, I assume it was. That strange world? I saw Necros there. And other ones too. Hundreds, or thousands, or more. There were people everywhere, but it wasn't like here. It was more how I imagine the land of the fae to be. How Jen described it. Living with nature, not fighting it. With space, and freedom, and they were happy."
"But they were Necro?"
"Yes, they were."
"So there would be notes, and killing, and death, and horror."
"No, that's what I'm telling you. I saw it. Saw all these futures, all these people. And you know what? They looked like us. You, me, and Jen. Like Mawr and Peth and her mother. Our line. It was us and people like us, but our lineage was there. Billions of faces, thousands of planets, all Necro. Every single person. And there were no notes."
"Soph, I don't understand what you're telling me."
"That we survive, that we flourish, and we escape this world. Some time in the distant future when we go out there into the unknown, when we can travel between realms and survive there, we escape it all. The Necronotes don't follow. They can't. Someday we'll be free. And it's wonderful. There's magic, and all kinds of spectacular things. Morphing long distances, I mean really long, so many gifts, and a lot of knowledge. And no mindless killing. Peace, beauty, happiness. Freedom."
"How? Can you be sure?"
"I am. The eye showed me. It wanted me to know. I'm not saying I understand this thing we've endured for so long, but somewhere, somehow, there's a mind, or minds, behind it that know it must be done. That this is necessary. Yes, it's barbaric, and I hate it more than anything, but it works out. Maybe despite these sick games, maybe because of them, I honestly don't know. But either way, it ends."
"For those that escape. What about those left behind on earth? What about those people?"
"I don't know," I admitted, deflated. "It didn't show me. Maybe we all leave. Maybe we had to, along with everyone else. Or maybe we wanted to. A way to escape. Or maybe it's because of the notes that we left. Ventured out there, explored and found new homes. To rid ourselves of this sick, twisted game. But don't you see? The notes forced our hand. This is what it leads to. A true future that can never be eradicated. It blew my mind. I can't quite fathom it. But I know it's true. Puts things into perspective, right?"
"You could say that," she chuckled, frowning as she tried to take it all in. "So we really make it? And it's our lineage? You saw us in the features of these future people?"
"Yes, and I knew it was because of us. We help, Phage. We sowed the seeds, literally, for this to happen. Not just us, obviously, but maybe this is where it starts. With us, then Jen, then on and on until one day we break free and live astonishing lives. Long, healthy, glorious. But yes, for now we're still stuck down here in the shit, wallowing and suffering, but not for ever. There is no eternity of desperation. There is a chance of something else. A true future where Necros become something wondrous."
"That's incredible. But how can the eye show you the future? How does it know? What's behind it? Who's doing this to us?"
"I don't think we'll ever know. We aren't meant to. Maybe we wouldn't understand even if we were shown. Or maybe it's simply beyond comprehension. Maybe it's God, or a god, and this truly is part of the plan. That this entity knew from the beginning this was what it took to guide us to what we become. It's sick, and twisted, and beyond cruel, but at least it leads somewhere. Um, what's for dinner? I'm starving."
"So, let me get this straight," said Phage, shaking her head. "You had an almost spiritual awakening where you see the future of mankind, know that we reach new realms and thrive, live these incredible lives, and you want to know what's for dinner?"
"Yes please," I said, serious.
"Men!" Phage tutted, got to her feet, and wandered off, muttering.
"Phage, c'mon! I'm hungry, that's all."
Phage turned, a wicked grin on her face, and shouted, "Ha, I got you." She came running back, arms wide, and leaped at me. "Oh, Soph, that's wonderful. I know it won't change our lives, but it gives me hope. Hope for Jen, hope for everyone. That at least there's a future. We won't be destroyed. The notes don't make us kill each other until none of us are left. We beat the bastards," she yelled, fist pumping the air. "You hear that? We beat you."
"We do," I laughed. "Now, about dinner?"
FUN TIMES
Unable to resist, because it was my birthday after all, and exhausted from the revelations, I needed to sleep. To shut my racing thoughts off for a while and let what I'd seen percolate into my mind without me forcing the issue. It was a lot to take in, and utterly overwhelming. I mean, fucking spacemen! It was the last thing I had ever thought about. A future so far away it might as well be pure fiction. But I felt the connection to it all now I'd seen what waited, and knew I had to do whatever I could to secure that life for my distant descendants.
What that entailed, I had no idea, but I knew it meant following the path I felt was right. And if not, then what the hell else was I supposed to do? Best thing for it? Just go about my business as I normally would. If I'd witnessed such a mind-boggling existence, did it mean it was destined to come to pass? Or was it merely one possibility amongst millions? This was exactly why I needed sleep. So I didn't have to think about such things.
I'm an instinctive man, good at dealing with a crisis, quick to react, and fearless. Considering how my actions will reverberate down the ages is not something I dwell on, and the sheer scale of it was enough to send me to sleep in an instant the moment I kicked back in my tatty recliner. Woofer splayed out on the murder rug and Mr. Wonderful joined him, purring away happily as he curled up close to Woofer's tummy. The poor, deluded guy always thought it meant the cat loved him, when the truth was Mr. Wonderful was acting out of pure selfishness. But who could blame him? It's the way cats are, and there's zero point trying to instill empathy in creatures simply not wired that way.
I closed my eyes to the rumbling of the cat and the sighing of the dog, and was soon lost to a deep, dreamless sleep.
There is nothing like waking to a cat pawing at your jeans, rumbling away happily, to snap you awake in a panic. "If you shit on my legs, I'll send you over to Job's in a sack. He'll chop you up, incinerate the bits, then sprinkle the ashes on the garden."
"I'm just kneading you to make it more comfortable," purred Mr. Wonderful dreamily.
"Legs can't be kneaded. They won't change shape."
"They might." Mr. Wonderful continued his bed-making.
"Has it ever worked before?"
"No, but this is what cats do and I can't help it," he sighed happily.
"So you aren't going to do anything gross?"
"No. Just getting comfortable. And you wouldn't dare let Job chop me up," he warned, pausing to glare at me.
I gulped as I stared into the pale blue eyes of the most evil creature ever to grace the earth, and admitted, "No, I wouldn't."
"Good, because if you did, you know I'd come back. I'm immortal. And when I returned, I'd do unspeakable things to your breakfast. And when you fall asleep and your mouth's open, I'd tiptoe up to your head, lift my tail and—"
"I get it! I promise I'd never do that. But you'll have to move. I need a pee."
I lifted Mr. Wonderful up, so he did that weird thing cats do and spread his four legs out with claws extended, like he was about to sky dive. Once standing, I placed him back on the chair and he resumed his kneading. I ignored the scars he was adding to the already battered refuge for weary Necros, as the one thing I'd accepted over the years was you don't get precious about soft furnishings if you live with a cat. They did it on purpose, just to prove a point. What that point was, I had yet to fathom, but it's hard-wired into their DNA regardless.
After freshening up, I sauntered into the kitchen, drawn by the lovely smell of something cooking.
"Whoa! What's all this?"
Phage spun from the sink and beamed, bursting with pleasure. "Do you like it?"
"It looks amazing. You look amazing. And what is that smell?"
"It's T-bone. And it's huge. Do you like the lights and the table?"
"Are we expecting royalty?" I laughed. "Napkins and the posh cutlery and even crystal glasses. Flowers and lights strung everywhere. It looks magical." I hurried over and swept Phage up in my arms, then swung her around.
"Stop it, you silly thing," she gasped, cheeks flushed with happiness. "I wanted to do something nice. It is your birthday."
"But we never normally celebrate birthdays. Not ours, anyway. What gives?"
"It's like you said. We can't let the bastards get us down."
"Did I say that?"
"You say it at least once a day, every day," she insisted, smiling as we stared deeply into each other's eyes.
"Really? It's true though, right?"
"Absolutely. So, I figured we'd have a fancy birthday dinner. A grown-up meal. With matching cutlery, crockery without chips, and do things properly. I'm amazed you stayed asleep. But I suppose what happened earlier was exhausting."
"It was," I admitted. "It utterly wiped me out. But it was a good thing, right? Knowing that. Puts things into perspective, doesn't it?"
"I think so. It's hard to picture, but it means we contribute, do something truly worthwhile. Imagine, maybe those spacemen will even remember our names. Wouldn't that be amazing?"
"It sure would," I laughed. "Maybe they'll even build space statues. The three of us standing tall, holding hands."
"You think?" she asked, eyes wide.
"Maybe. But let's not think about that. Let's enjoy the evening. Um, why are there so many place settings? Are we expecting company?"
"Of course we are. It wouldn't be a dinner party without guests."
"Dinner party?" I asked, frowning. "It isn't those twats who keep pestering us about going over, is it? The parents of that annoying girl Jen hangs out with?"
"No chance! It's our real friends, Soph. Our neighbors, and someone special too. An honored guest."
"Who? You know I don't like surprises."
"You'll just have to wait and see." Phage kissed me on the cheek, then hummed as she turned her attention back to the sink and finished washing some dishes.
"You're making me nervous," I groaned, glancing at the fancy layout on the table, crossing my fingers it wasn't because people I disliked were coming. We never made this much of an effort; it wasn't the kind of people we were.
"What are you doing still standing there? Go and get changed," Phage ordered, pointing at the door sternly.
"Changed? What for?"
"So you don't look like you just woke up after spending the day in the garden. You're grubby, your clothes are wrinkled, and you smell like earth. And your shirt has burn holes in it, in case you've somehow forgotten"
"That's natural. Nothing wrong with earth."
"And the holes?"
I poked a finger through my shirt and suggested, "Maybe it's a new fashion?"
"No, it isn't. But look at me. I'm already dressed properly."
Phage undid the tie for the large apron and whipped it over her head, revealing a tight-fitting black dress with a low neckline, short hem, and exposing her bare arms. I gasped. "Wow, you look absolutely stunning! The pendant looks nice with the other jewelry. Very glamorous. Come here."
I raced over and grabbed her again then buried my face in her neck and breathed in deep. "You smell gorgeous. Is it new perfume?"
"No, it's very old, and very rare. I've been saving it for years. You like?"
"I sure do. Um, you think we have time to nip upstairs?" I asked, winking.
"We don't. Later. Get changed into something smart," she insisted.
"Your wish is my command," I nodded, then went to ransack my wardrobe. What constituted smart? Being strictly a jeans and shirt guy, I didn't think I had anything else to wear, but decided to at least have a look.
Five minutes later, I stood in the doorway to the kitchen and coughed to get Phage's attention. "How's this?" I asked, spreading my arms.
"You're wearing jeans and a shirt," she noted, shaking her head in despair.
"Yes, but they're clean, and my best ones. Look, no rips."
"Oh, my hero," sighed Phage. "Actually, you do look smart. Casual, but smart." There was a knock at the kitchen door, and suddenly Phage was flustered. "They're early, or no, on time, but I'm not ready. How do I look? Is the table nice? Think everyone will want a glass of wine? Can you pour? How's my hair?"
"You look beautiful. Everything does," I chuckled, hugging my flustered wife. "Who is it? Why are you so wound up?"
"Just get the door, will you?"
With a frown of confusion, I cautiously opened the door, relieved to find Job and Shae waiting.
"Thank fuck for that," I sighed. "The way Phage is carrying on, I thought it was going to be the bloody mayor or something."
"Sorry to disappoint," grumbled Job, then slapped me on the back as he barged past.
"Hi Shae. You look lovely."
"Thank you. And I, er, like the shirt. Is it new?"
"No. But it's clean," I offered, winking.
She laughed, then I swept my hand low, indicating for her to enter.
Woofer came racing into the kitchen, fresh from his nap, and began barking excitedly until he got a hello from everyone. Mr. Wonderful sauntered in, cast a steely gaze at everyone, claimed the furniture as his own, then turned and left again, clearly not in the mood for a dinner party.
"This looks amazing," said Shae, admiring the table.
"Thank you," said Phage, beaming.
"And you scrub up pretty well," said Job, a compliment indeed when coming from him.
"You too. I like the check shirt, and your jeans are very…"
"Gross, ripped, and not what you wear to a dinner party," scolded Shae with a glower at her husband.
"It's just these two," shrugged Job.
"Exactly!" I slapped him on the back, but when we turned to face the two women they were both glaring at us.
"What?" we both asked.
"We made the effort. Shae's clearly done her hair, which looks amazing, and has a nice summer dress. I still can't believe you're centuries old," gushed Phage. "How do you stay looking so young?"
"I made sure to marry a wrinkly, grumpy old man so I look better compared to him," she chuckled, her wise green eyes sparkling with mirth, her long pale hair tumbling around her slim shoulders.
"She's a looker alright," said Job merrily. "Flawless complexion, no wrinkles. You'd never know she was so old and dangerous."
I glanced down at the table, realizing there were five place settings, and asked, "Who else is coming? Have you heard from Jen?"
