Posted on January 28, 2008
Part 57
The creature in front turned to follow. It reared back, however, just yards away from colliding the top half of its tubular body with the concrete and steel only eleven fee above the pavement. As Elliot sped away, he saw the second creature slam into the first, both falling, and then the truck was onto the curve of the on ramp and heading back onto the highway towards the east. As they drove across the overpass, he could see the two creatures pacing randomly, twisting their front quarters, looking for the truck. They really *are that stupid,* he thought.
Evajean cheered and clapped and Elliot grinned at this small burst of luck. “Smart,” he said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Then they both just sat quietly, breathing and enjoying the sense of relief.
“What do you think those things were?” Evajean asked after some time. She’d pulled Hope out from under the seat and now had the dog on her lap, scratching its ears.
“I don’t know.”
“It’s just that they were like animals, but ones I’ve never heard of. I guess– I mean, where could they have come from?”
Elliot thought about this, but didn’t have an answer. They were imaginary monsters, not zoo creatures, not something escaped from a nature preserve. You can’t explain stuff like that, he told himself, just like you can’t explain most everything that’s happened since pulling in to that Wal-Mart parking lot.
“It’s genetics,” Evajean said, sounding surprised. “Like GMOs.”
“What?”
“Like those frankenfoods. Genetically modified organisms. You know Jurassic Park?”
“Yeah.”
“With the dinosaurs they brought back with genes from amber? I bet that’s what happened with the plague and the crazies and those things. I bet someone engineered something, maybe was trying to build a new kind of animal, and they made the plague by mistake.”
“Maybe,” Elliot said.
“No, that’s it,” Evajean continued, excited now. “When the plague showed up, it was because someone let it out of a lab. Maybe they did it on purpose, you know, but I think it was more of a mistake. And the elderly and kids got sick first, because that’s the way it always is–they’re weaker. And then because it was, well, it was a science experiment, it mutated. It was unstable. Adults could get sick, too. And it mutated again and we go the crazies.”
Elliot thought maybe she was on to something, so he let her keep going, wanting to hear what else she had.
“And here’s the thing, Elliot. Those creatures back there, I bet they were the science experiment. The plague is just something they have, like trichinosis and pork.”
When she said this last, Elliot gave up on the idea. Genes could build a new animal, sure, and create the plague–even drive people insane. But the things they’d seen in Nahom, what Evajean had done, those just couldn’t be explained by a screw up in a lab.
“And we’re immune,” Evajean was saying when Elliot finally responded to her theory.
“No,” he said. “I don’t think so. It makes sense, but I just don’t think that’s how it is.”
Evajean stopped talking and stared at him. She didn’t look hurt–just disappointed. “But it is,” she said. “It has to be.”
“I just don’t think so,” Elliot said.
“Then what–”
“It’s Nahom. That’s what I keep coming back to. What happened there after we were attacked.”
“But I–”
“Don’t remember it, I know. But you were there in that cave when they killed the girl. You saw–”
“I don’t know what I saw.”
“Yes, you do. So do I. We saw spirits, or something like spirits–ghosts, I guess. We saw them come out of those people. And no matter how advanced the virus that came off those creatures is, it couldn’t make spirits rise from living human beings.”
Evajean was silent. She turned, looking out the window and pet Hope. Then she said, her voice small, “What do you think it is, then?”
Elliot shrugged. “The end times,” he said. “Maybe this is the end of the world.”
She turned to face him now, the excitement gone, her features slack. “No,” she said.
“That’s what I think.”
“But you don’t even– You don’t believe that stuff, do you, Elliot?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “Before, no, none of it. It’s all just old books and people on TV who are clearly delusional. Like in Nahom. Those books in the house they gave us? It’s all crap, I’m sure of that. None of it’s true.” He stopped and sucked in a large breath. “But there’s something going on and I’m starting to think the only way to describe it is something like what’s in those books. Something otherworldly.”
Evajean was quiet. And then she laughed. “I just want to get to Colorado,” she said. “Or Montana or wherever. That’s when we’ll know. When we find the Hole, that’s when we’ll know.”
“What if it’s jut a body dump? A big pile of corpses.”
“It won’t be, she said. “It’ll be something more than that. Something that’ll explain all this.” She laughed again and punched him lightly on the arm. “Supernatural? Elliot, that’s silly. Those spirits in the cave? Probably just us being really tired and then all those bright torches in such a small place. When we got out, when the crazies came, I don’t know what could’ve came over me, but if I had to guess, I’d say exhaustion–a waking dream, right? Or maybe you were the one dreaming. And who knows about the crazies. Maybe they all died because they were sick. Maybe the heat from all the fires killed them. It could be anything.”
She stopped, looking at him for approval of this new explanation. But he couldn’t give it because, as much as he wanted to believe everything she’d just said, he knew none of it was true.
“Perhaps,” he said finally. “Yeah, perhaps.”
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January 29, 2008
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I believe there is something very supernatural going on……. What I can’t put my finger on, is that there seems to be no pattern to any of it. What are those creatures? Were they some kind of mass hysterical type illusion that the two of them are sharing? That can’t be right because the dog was running after them as well………hmmmmmmm. this ride is definately going to get more interesting.
Good job once again Aaron!
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January 29, 2008
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I believe there is something very supernatural going on……. What I can’t put my finger on, is that there seems to be no pattern to any of it. What are those creatures? Were they some kind of mass hysterical type illusion that the two of them are sharing? That can’t be right because the dog was running after them as well………hmmmmmmm. this ride is definately going to get more interesting.
Good job once again Aaron!
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January 31, 2008
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yeah, so I’m LDS or “mormon” like your people in VA, and though this is a good premise story, I have to ask, do you hate mormons or were you one and you not now? it looks like you are going to blame them for the end of the world. while I realize this is a fictional work and certainly believe that your entitled to your creative expression, I can’t help but think theres a hidden animosity or resentment toward the twelve-something million mormons in the US? I’m not offended if you do… but you sure have allot of faulty anti-mormon type literature in your book that you seem to be drawing from heavily. that’s fine as long as everyone can separate the fiction of it from the truth. anyway, I do enjoy the story line, but every once in a while I kinda wince and ask myself “where did he hear that?” because some part of the story will be based on a mischaricterization often made by thos who just hate mormons and publish their thoughts online. for example the hat and stone thing… loosely based on joseph smit. the cult thing… very common anti mormon thing because they don’t know what goes on in temples so they assume its bad. that kinda stuff. but its all good! creativity never hurt anyone!
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January 31, 2008
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yeah, so I’m LDS or “mormon” like your people in VA, and though this is a good premise story, I have to ask, do you hate mormons or were you one and you not now? it looks like you are going to blame them for the end of the world. while I realize this is a fictional work and certainly believe that your entitled to your creative expression, I can’t help but think theres a hidden animosity or resentment toward the twelve-something million mormons in the US? I’m not offended if you do… but you sure have allot of faulty anti-mormon type literature in your book that you seem to be drawing from heavily. that’s fine as long as everyone can separate the fiction of it from the truth. anyway, I do enjoy the story line, but every once in a while I kinda wince and ask myself “where did he hear that?” because some part of the story will be based on a mischaricterization often made by thos who just hate mormons and publish their thoughts online. for example the hat and stone thing… loosely based on joseph smit. the cult thing… very common anti mormon thing because they don’t know what goes on in temples so they assume its bad. that kinda stuff. but its all good! creativity never hurt anyone!
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February 1, 2008
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Clint….I don’t get the feel that there is anything personally aimed at the Mormon faith here. I mean he could have used Scientologists, Catholics, Pentecostals (who really do believe in a demon spirited world as well as angels), or anybody. How about the Jehovah’s Witnesses who worry about that 1,000 mark that will get them to heaven?
Religion in EVERY aspect carries with it some mysticism because we look to a “physically” unseen power in all of them. As mortals we want so much to know that what we believe is right, and that all good is of God our father and that he wants the best for us spiritually and physically and financially etc……and to ultimately join him in heaven eternally.
This is just a story. If YOU can keep the truth and fiction separate and not take it personally, you will enjoy it so much more. Yous seem to be a very kind and sensitive person regardless of what faith you follow…. Live well and be blessed.
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February 1, 2008
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Clint….I don’t get the feel that there is anything personally aimed at the Mormon faith here. I mean he could have used Scientologists, Catholics, Pentecostals (who really do believe in a demon spirited world as well as angels), or anybody. How about the Jehovah’s Witnesses who worry about that 1,000 mark that will get them to heaven?
Religion in EVERY aspect carries with it some mysticism because we look to a “physically” unseen power in all of them. As mortals we want so much to know that what we believe is right, and that all good is of God our father and that he wants the best for us spiritually and physically and financially etc……and to ultimately join him in heaven eternally.
This is just a story. If YOU can keep the truth and fiction separate and not take it personally, you will enjoy it so much more. Yous seem to be a very kind and sensitive person regardless of what faith you follow…. Live well and be blessed.
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February 3, 2008
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Clint-
Before I launch in to an explanation of my views on Mormonism and what I’m basing the book on, let me just say “thank you” for reading it and for making the valuable point that it is just fiction. Yours is the second comment I’ve received from a practicing LDS member and the second that’s recognized the important fiction/fact distinction. This only serves to boost my generally good opinion of Mormons.
Okay, so about the anti-Mormon aspects of the book. I don’t think they’re there, but that’s because I see this very much as a work of fiction not at all related to actual LDS members. I’ve been interested in Mormon beliefs for some time and got into studying them a year or so ago. I’m a non-believer (in fact, I’m an atheist, so I don’t have any particular issues with Mormonism), which means I approach Smith’s writing and all the subsequent revelations as mythology–just like I’m sure you view the stories of the Greek gods. But it’s facinating mythology and, while I was reading about it (both in secondary source materials as well as primary texts like The Book of Mormon), I had an idea for a horror/apocalypse drawing from it. Now, while I don’t at all believe that Mormons are bad people (in fact, in my experience, they’re consistently and extraordinarily thoughtful and kind), a horror story doesn’t work without bad stuff. So I’m making that up. I’m not basing any of it exactly upon anti-Mormon texts (I’ve actually avoided reading those so as not to taint my own ideas) but when you have a book about bad and horrible things that’s based on a certain set of religious beliefs, it’s bound to cast those beliefs in a negative light.
I hope that no one reading The Hole comes away thinking Mormons practice human sacrifice. While the fundamentalist offshoot of your religion does engage in abhorrent behavior, that’s not one of them. And stuff like Smith’s early divining are well established historical facts, but not necessarily derogatory to the Mormon faith.
I guess what I’m getting at is exactly what you said in your comment: this is a story (hopefully a good one) that happens to draw inspiration from a set of beliefs held by a large and growing portion of the population. I don’t believe Mormon teachings are fact, but I also don’t have a thing against Mormons. I’m telling a story. If people take it as more, that’s probably unavoidable, but I’m sure their number will be in the ignorant minority.
I hope this addresses your concerns. I’m truly glad you like the story and I hope you’ll continue reading. And, as always, please pass along any other comments you may have while you do so. I love hearing from readers.
Thanks,
Aaron
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February 3, 2008
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Clint-
Before I launch in to an explanation of my views on Mormonism and what I’m basing the book on, let me just say “thank you” for reading it and for making the valuable point that it is just fiction. Yours is the second comment I’ve received from a practicing LDS member and the second that’s recognized the important fiction/fact distinction. This only serves to boost my generally good opinion of Mormons.
Okay, so about the anti-Mormon aspects of the book. I don’t think they’re there, but that’s because I see this very much as a work of fiction not at all related to actual LDS members. I’ve been interested in Mormon beliefs for some time and got into studying them a year or so ago. I’m a non-believer (in fact, I’m an atheist, so I don’t have any particular issues with Mormonism), which means I approach Smith’s writing and all the subsequent revelations as mythology–just like I’m sure you view the stories of the Greek gods. But it’s facinating mythology and, while I was reading about it (both in secondary source materials as well as primary texts like The Book of Mormon), I had an idea for a horror/apocalypse drawing from it. Now, while I don’t at all believe that Mormons are bad people (in fact, in my experience, they’re consistently and extraordinarily thoughtful and kind), a horror story doesn’t work without bad stuff. So I’m making that up. I’m not basing any of it exactly upon anti-Mormon texts (I’ve actually avoided reading those so as not to taint my own ideas) but when you have a book about bad and horrible things that’s based on a certain set of religious beliefs, it’s bound to cast those beliefs in a negative light.
I hope that no one reading The Hole comes away thinking Mormons practice human sacrifice. While the fundamentalist offshoot of your religion does engage in abhorrent behavior, that’s not one of them. And stuff like Smith’s early divining are well established historical facts, but not necessarily derogatory to the Mormon faith.
I guess what I’m getting at is exactly what you said in your comment: this is a story (hopefully a good one) that happens to draw inspiration from a set of beliefs held by a large and growing portion of the population. I don’t believe Mormon teachings are fact, but I also don’t have a thing against Mormons. I’m telling a story. If people take it as more, that’s probably unavoidable, but I’m sure their number will be in the ignorant minority.
I hope this addresses your concerns. I’m truly glad you like the story and I hope you’ll continue reading. And, as always, please pass along any other comments you may have while you do so. I love hearing from readers.
Thanks, Aaron
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February 5, 2008
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Make the characters wake up please,it’s so painful.
Why do they always leave the guns in the back of the truck? Anybody but them can retrieve.
Why are they still calling them crazies and that was disproved many times?
Was it a genetic experiment when the Mormon prophet did his channeling thing?
These two people don’t learn and refuse to see the obvious.
Keep going =) [url=http://world7.monstersgame.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=113128459] BigKab [/url]
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February 5, 2008
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Make the characters wake up please,it’s so painful. Why do they always leave the guns in the back of the truck? Anybody but them can retrieve. Why are they still calling them crazies and that was disproved many times? Was it a genetic experiment when the Mormon prophet did his channeling thing? These two people don’t learn and refuse to see the obvious.
Keep going =) [url=http://world7.monstersgame.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=113128459] BigKab [/url]
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February 5, 2008
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BigKab-
The reason they forget the guns is, honestly, because I keep forgetting about the guns. My characters are only as dense as their author. I’ll definitely try to clean that up in the second graph.
They’re still calling them crazies because that’s what they still think of them as. I’m not sure what else to refer to them as at this point.
I can’t speak to the genetic experiment question without giving away stuff I’m not ready to reveal yet. But I can say with a fair degree of certainty that all those mysteries will start to be answered a little quicker now, since I’m into the latter half of the novel.
In fact, I’m working today on taking my rather vague outline of the book’s end and fleshing it out into something I can write from. And I’m being extra careful to build in solutions to all the questions raised thus far.
Thanks for reading.
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February 5, 2008
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BigKab-
The reason they forget the guns is, honestly, because I keep forgetting about the guns. My characters are only as dense as their author. I’ll definitely try to clean that up in the second graph.
They’re still calling them crazies because that’s what they still think of them as. I’m not sure what else to refer to them as at this point.
I can’t speak to the genetic experiment question without giving away stuff I’m not ready to reveal yet. But I can say with a fair degree of certainty that all those mysteries will start to be answered a little quicker now, since I’m into the latter half of the novel.
In fact, I’m working today on taking my rather vague outline of the book’s end and fleshing it out into something I can write from. And I’m being extra careful to build in solutions to all the questions raised thus far.
Thanks for reading.