Four FourThe morning sun shone through the slits in Dana’s eyes, forcing her to open them. Groaning, she sat up. Her throat ached for a drop of water, and her stomach refused to be silent. Feeling lightheaded, she stared out at the vacant expanse. The tower loomed ahead of her, taunting her. Dana rose to her feet and continued on.
Like before, the hours passed faster than she could walk. Her movements were sloppy as she staggered about, trying to keep the tower ahead of her. Weaving to the left, Dana steered herself back. After a few more moments, she veered to the right as her sense of balance faded. Stopping, Dana looked for the tower, found it, and continued on. She knew eventually that she would reach it, though she began to think that she would die beforehand.
Live for the both of us.
“George?”
Dana whirled around, convinced that she had heard George’s voice. Only empty space greeted her. Disheartened, Dana realized that she was beginning to hallucinate. She licked her dry, cracked lips to moisten them. It only made them burn all the more.
Her skin itched. Dana scratched it. Instantly, a burning sensation covered her arm from her irritating the sunburn she had received from her hours of wandering in its harsh rays. Scolding herself, Dana resisted the urge to scratch it even more.
Her breaths came in ragged gasps. Exhausted, she flopped to the sandy ground. She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since the morning of the break-in to the media center. She wished she were back there. George would still be alive.
Guilt panged Dana. His death is my fault. She shook her head, dismissing such thoughts from her mind. It won’t help me now.
The chirping of a bird caught her attention. In the two days she had roamed the desert, Dana had not seen any signs of life, except for the coyotes that had tried to make supper out of her. She looked up at the bird. It chirped again. Dana suddenly realized where it had perched itself. The tower, she thought. She had finally reached it.
With renewed strength, Dana ran down the sandy hill to the tower. Her rubbery legs barely carried her. Tripping, Dana rolled down the hill, getting dirt in crevices she didn’t want to think about. She righted herself and ran to her destination.
Dana stopped. Glancing around, her heart sank as she realized that no signs of people were to be found. The humming of the tower mocked her. Frustrated, she kicked its metal base. Sinking into the sand once again, Dana screamed and yelled at the cruelty that the desert had dealt her.
Plunk!
Dana looked up. She thought she had heard something.
Plunk!
She did hear something. Excitement coursed through her as she jumped to her feet and searched for the source of the sound. Rummaging through the sand, Dana found a faucet.
Plunk!
Small drops of water escaped it as they fell into a small hole in the sand. Thinking of only quenching her thirst, Dana rushed to the faucet and pumped the handle. Only gurgling air came through. She pumped the handle again. Nothing. Though water dripped from the faucet head, she couldn’t get it to come out in a stream.
Desperate, Dana cupped her hands underneath the faucet, allowing the drops to fill them. She guzzled it when enough had pooled. She shoved her hands under the faucet again.
Once she had soothed her throat, Dana stood up and looked around. The humming of the tower and wires told her that it worked. That meant people had to come there to maintain it. Dana inspected the lines that ran down the length of the desert.
“These go somewhere,” she said to herself.
Knowing she could not remain where she was, Dana followed the power line, hoping that it would lead her to some sort of settlement.
~ ~ ~
Everyone gathered in the dimly lit room, their sullen faces trying not to glance at one another. Simon took note of who had made it and who hadn’t. The absence of George and Dana filled his heart with sorrow. Somehow, he always knew they wouldn’t make it.
“Anyone else?” asked Charles.
“No,” said Amy. “The ones here are the only ones who survived.”
“We can recruit new members,” said Simon.
“George isn’t here,” said Charles.
“I’m aware of that,” replied Simon.
“That Ginary girl probably got him killed,” grumbled Charles. He closed his mouth when he received a scolding look from Simon. “I’m just saying—”
“I know what you are saying,” said Simon, “but it’s not necessary. George knew the risks. He made his choice.”
“But he’s dead,” said Amy.
“I know,” replied Simon, “and we mourn his loss. I wonder if she survived.”
Charles began to open his mouth, but stopped. Simon was in no mood for his complaints.
“What do we do now?” asked another in the room.
Simon looked at the television in the corner of the room. President Klens’ face filled the screen as she rambled on about the dangers of independent people. Halloway’s face appeared suddenly, along with a picture of Dana. Simon turned up the volume.
“Dana Ginary is believed to be a dangerous person associated with the resistance, a group of terrorists bent on disrupting our ordered life. Last evening, she gave a speech filled with hate and lies at a ceremony meant to honor her. Apparently, she used the trusting members of the Detention Center to free known extremists. If you have any information, you are urged to call this number.”
Simon clicked off the television, thoughts percolating through his mind. He got an idea. If the government insisted on branding Dana as a traitor, they should brand her as a hero. Her face was known, and her words did spark a few riots across the country.
“I think we can make good use of this,” said Simon.
“Pardon?” asked the others in the room.
“President Klens has decided to smear Dana’s name, but we can tell the truth.”
“What are you proposing?” asked Amy.
“Dana’s speech did cause waves in certain sectors,” said Simon. “What if we use her face as the face of the resistance? People will recognize her. We can tell the truth of how she was used by our government. We can use her to promote our cause.”
“Wouldn’t that in effect make us just as bad as those who coerced her in the first place?” asked Amy.
Simon’s face fell. Unfortunately, Amy’s statement had an element of truth. “What do you suggest?”
“We just tell the truth about how the government used her and then dumped her,” said Amy. “We can use elements of her speech the other night to highlight what she believes in. As for spreading our message, I think we should find other means.”
“Very well,” said Simon.
“I also think we should be on the lookout for her. She might still be alive. We are her only friends now,” said Amy.
“Charles?” asked Simon, noting the look on his friend’s face.
“You know how I feel about her,” mumbled Charles, “but I guess we can’t let them get their hands on her.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Simon. “Get a video made telling Dana’s story to counteract the state propaganda. Tell everyone to be on the lookout for Dana. If they find her, they are to bring her here.”
The meeting ended and the room bustled to life as people left to carry out their tasks. Simon hoped Dana still lived. He hoped that Colonel Fernau had not captured her.