Notes:
Just letting everyone that I will be changing the rating of this to mature. Don't think I can get away with a teen rating when my story includes swearing and other nasty stuff lol.
Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, suddenly had things to do again since lockdown is winding down.
Also, not sure if this counts as a super long chapter or not but please let me know if the length is okay or a bit too much.
2016
They can't live in denial any more. They've been lying to themselves for days. The cupboards are bare, the freezer empty. The food on their plates is getting less and less by the day and soon Mom isn't eating at all, giving every last scrap of it to them. They flinch every time Mom's stomach rumbles though they all pretend not to hear it.
They were doing okay for the past month – Mom's delivery and stockpiling of food worked well for them and they didn't have to go out to fight over whatever food was left like everyone else. But it couldn't last forever. Soon, stores stop delivering to homes and the government orders food deliveries to be prioritised for the infected isolated in their homes.
The Flu has officially gone global and there is no good news anymore. Even if the Flu hadn't reached Canada by now, the fear already had. As soon as its public knowledge that the Flu escaped from a lab testing on apes, the slaughter begins. People swarm zoos, killing any vaguely ape-like creature they can find. One day, Danny and Evie find a video taken in the zoo Mama and Big Poppa were in. They don't see Mama, Poppa or their baby (thank God) but what they do see is the ape zookeeper being beaten to death by a hysterical mob for trying to protect the apes. Evie knows him – he was the nice keeper that told them all about Mama. She doesn't want to watch him die but she feels like she owes it to him not look away. To remember how brave he was.
They don't tell Amber about this.
Maybe it's a good thing that Mama's dead, Evie thinks. They would have killed her anyway.
The weeks melt into each other. All they do is sleep and eat, the food dwindling away. Listen to Mom crying herself to sleep at night. They have water, they have power. But it's not enough. They need food.
That morning, Mom calls them all over and lays down the ultimatum. Tomorrow they will have no food. So, she will go out to the gas station and get more supplies. They will lock themselves in the basement. Danny will be armed with Dad's gun and they are not to answer to anyone but her. If she is not back in a day, they are to call the police for help. If they don't get through, they will walk to Aunt Kate's house, cutting through the woods so they are not seen.
The whole idea of it terrifies Evie. She doesn't want Mom to go and she doesn't want to think about what they'll do if Mom doesn't come back. "No," she says as Mom is going over the map, drawing out the directions to Aunt Kate's. "Mom, we have to come with you. We can't be left alone here."
Mom's face hardens with frustration but softens when she sees the fear in Evie's eyes. "I know it's hard sweetheart," she says tenderly, "but we need food. And I can't risk you going out there. You might catch the virus and there will be dangerous people out there."
"There might be dangerous people here!" Danny blurts out. "There's been lots of people robbing houses, taking all their stuff. And there's these terrorists out there, the Alpha..."
"Alpha Omega," Mom corrects. "As sad as it is, they only target the infected honey."
"That doesn't mean anything! Whoever they are, there's people that might try to get in and hurt us if they think we have food or whatever. Besides, you need us to back you up."
"It's true Mom," Evie says. "People might try and break in while you're gone. If we come with you, we can look out for you."
"And we can get more food," Danny adds.
Mom sighs, rubbing her knuckles against her temples. She looks at Amber. And what about you sweetie? She signs.
Amber's eyes are red and she shakes with fear. I want to stay with you Mommy, she says, her hands shaking. I don't want to be left alone here either.
Thirty minutes later, Evie is sitting at the back of Mom's truck with Amber, Danny and Mom in the front. Evie runs through everything Mom drummed into them: stick together. Wear face masks at all times. Keep away from anyone else. Run if you have to. Don't touch anything you don't have to – if you do, sanitise your hands as soon as possible. Do NOT touch your face.
Dad's handgun rests on Danny's lap. Apparently, Dad never used to like guns just like Mom and thought they had no place in a family home. But after coming back from Iraq, Dad changed his mind. Evie doesn't remember this but Danny does. Danny said that Dad got weird after the war, super paranoid. He insisted that they get a gun for their safety and ragged at Mom about it until she finally caved. She was definite on one point though - that they only got a small handgun and that it be kept in a locked safe where Evie, Danny and Amber couldn't get at it. Evie guesses that Dad's paranoia for all these years has now finally paid off. She wonders if he would have been smug about it or whether he'd secretly hoped it would never be right. She misses him then, really misses him. Whatever she's thought of him before, she always felt safe with him. She doesn't feel safe now.
Mom pulls into the gas station. There are a few cars dotted around the lot but she doesn't see anyone in or around them. Evie was expecting a crush of people, shoving and jostling each other as they ran out with armfuls of groceries. Something feels wrong, really wrong and it makes Evie nervous. Amber reaches for Evie's hand and she takes it, cold and clammy.
"Mom," Evie whispers but Mom shushes her.
As Danny looks out for strangers, Mom checks the gas pumps for fuel. She gets a fair spatter of fuel from several of the pumps, way more than any of them expected. Evie looks out towards the gas station window, wondering if the nice gas station guy is in there as usual. The lights are still on so Evie can see inside. The store looks empty – even the register Gas Station Guy sits at is empty. As she rubs her eyes, a dark shadow flickers past one of the windows. Her throat closes up with fear and she can't speak. She tells herself she's just scaring herself, that it was nothing.
Mom parks the truck at the front of the station, right by the windows so she can see it from inside. Pausing to check if anyone is around, Mom takes the gun from Danny and nods at them and they all get out of the car, closing the doors as quietly as they can. Evie and Amber lock hands and hurry after Mom and Danny, keeping as close as they can. They make sure to close the door behind them.
The store is quiet, a bland, basic soundtrack twinkling softly in the background. Gas Station Guy is still not there. From what she can see, the shelves in the aisles are still fairly full, not as empty as the ones she's seen on the news. There's a strong smell of chemicals and the floor is sticky on Eve's boots. She guesses Gas Station Guy must clean the store more now that the Flu is around. Or so she tells herself.
She supposes she should be happy that they will not starve but all this strikes her as wrong. Wrong, wrong, WRONG.
Mom's too excited by the food to care though. She snatches up a shopping basket, telling Danny to stay by the doors and keep an eye on the truck. She swipes her arms over the shelves, spilling cans of food into the baskets. She packs the basket until it is overflowing with pasta, rice, cans, any food that doesn't go bad quick.
Evie stands by Mom, fidgeting nervously. Amber's hand slips from Evie's but she's too distracted by a faint whistling sound and doesn't register Amber moving away from her, deeper into the store. The sound is just audible enough to be heard and it annoys Evie. Cocking her head, she traces the sound to the store doors where Danny is standing. Danny frowns at her - he can hear it too. Evie steps closer and the noise is louder, almost like a hiss. As she gets up to the doors, she feels a trickle of cold air brushing her face. Then she finds the source. Right in front of her. A perfectly formed bullet hole punched into the glass of the door, the wind wheezing through it.
Evie whips round. Mom is still packing and she can see Amber browsing the shelves further in the store. The man stands with his back to Evie, right behind Amber. His clothes are splattered with wet patches. He creeps towards her and Evie screams. Mom might be able to hear her but she knows Amber won't so she slams her fists on to the metal shelf, hoping Amber will feel the vibrations. Amber's head shoots up in alarm and she finally sees the man. She opens her mouth in a silent scream and scurries over to Mom. The man turns his head, following her, and Evie can see his face. It's Gas Station Guy.
Gas Station Guy staggers towards them, casually swinging a long metal baseball in his hand. He's wearing a face mask, like them, except it is a bright red colour and tightly plastered onto to his face. He mumbles something, his words slurring through the mask. Dad used to sound and act like that when he got drunk. Mom would try and hide away Dad when he got like that but Evie and Danny found it hilarious. Evie remembers that rime when Dad, drunk as a skunk (as he liked to say) fell asleep in the front room and they snuck in and painted his face with Mom's makeup. Amber even helped with the lipstick, though she usually wasn't mean enough for pranks. Mom and Dad both thought it was funny, though he soon changed his mind when he sobered up. Evie hopes Gas Station Guy is just drunk as well.
But then she looks at his eyes. His eyes are canine and bloodshot, almost like an animal's. He doesn't look so nice anymore. It's then she realises his mask is not red - it's wet, with blood. And he's not holding a baseball bat - he's holding a sawn-off shotgun.
Gas Station Guy's shoes squeak against the floor and he laughs as Mom and Amber jump back from him.
Mom takes a shaky breath. "Rick…" she says, voice quivering.
"Gillian," he says, mimicking her overly polite tone.
"I didn't realise you were here. Look, I'm sorry, I'll pay for everything and leave you be."
Gas Station Guy tries to laugh again but it sounds like a grunt. "Lying bitch," he spits. "This is my store, I … I told those sons of bitches that this … is my store. MINE! Fucking … tryna ... trying to steal from me!"
"I'm not!" Mom pleads. "I'll pay you, I will, I'll put money on the counter, just please stay away from us! You're not well Rick!"
"Liar. Teaching your kids … to steal. I'll kill you too … just like … the rest of them! You don't think I will you … you thieving bitch! I'll kill you all!"
He lunges at Amber, hands curled up into snatching claws. Mom, not having time to pull out the gun, rushes at him and they slam into each other, the shotgun pinned between them. Gas Station Guy is screaming, almost howling, and Mom is shouting back at him, begging him to get away. His nails scrape across Mom's face, dragging her mask down to her neck. Gas Station Guy coughs, spewing a fine mist of blood onto Mom's face.
Evie goes cold. She looks desperately towards Danny for help, but he's rooted to the spot, crying. Gathering up all her fear and anger, she takes a deep breath and makes her herself move forward. "Get off her!" she shrieks.
Gas Station Guy head snaps towards Evie and she stops dead. He growls at her. "Come on, little girl," he grunts thickly. "I'll show you…"
"NO!" Mom screeches and she shunts Gas Station Guy back, hard. He yelps and falls, his legs folding underneath him. His head connects with the shelf with a crunch and slumps onto his chest at an unnatural angle. His body slides down onto the floor with a squeal. He's not howling anymore.
Evie's ears are ringing. She wants to be sick, but she hears Amber crying and she stumbles towards her, wrapping her arms tightly around her. Amber buries her head into Evie's shoulder, sobbing. Danny, still standing by the door, takes a few shaky steps towards Mom. He's pissed himself.
Mom falls to her knees, panting. She stares blankly as blood streams out of Gas Station Guy's head. Her back starts heaving, and Evie realises she is crying.
Slowly, all three of them encircle Mom. Up close, they can see Gas Station Guy's blood flecked all over Mom's face, tears gushing bloody streaks down her cheeks. She tries to wave them away, babbling about infection risk, telling them to leave her and go to their Aunt's house.
They don't listen. Instead, they all kneel down and hug her. It's all they could do.
Eve didn't know whether she was dead or alive – all she knew was that she was on fire. Every cell inside her was burning. Her blood was hot and acidic, roiling in her veins as if it was desperate to burst out of her. Her head was the worst; it felt like every synapse in her brain was being gnawed away by the fire. Her mind was foggy, any thought slipping away from her every time she tried to pin it down. The burning was the only constant. Sometimes she could hear things around her – gruff voices yelling at each other, the whinny of horses. Other times, she was dragged back into the hot, silent dark. The pain would always keep her company though.
Memories throbbed sluggishly through the dark. Some she remembered but most floated past, fading into the black. She remembered Gas Station Guy. It had been a long time since she'd thought about him. She tended to avoid memories like that. She could never decide whether he had been driven mad by the Flu in its final stages like some of the rumours claimed or whether he was another psycho hoarding his food. Eve would have liked to think that Gas Station Guy was not himself when he tried to kill them but she knew better now. You could excuse people acting crazy due to the circumstances (the apocalypse) but the truth was that people probably acted more like their true selves than they ever had before. To summarise: when push comes to shove most people are just plain assholes.
More darkness and pain. Then something changed. She felt hard, painful pokes into her ribs and it registered as a different pain, more defined, pushing her up from the dark. Something told her it was Danny – it had to be Danny waking her up, who else was it, of course, this was all just some weird nightmare – and she sat up so she had better vantage to push Danny off her bed.
But it wasn't Danny. It looked like him, it was him, but it couldn't be him… This time Eve didn't drift into the dark – she was falling, plunging into oblivion. But Eve wasn't scared. It was about damn time.
When she woke up, the fire had faded, taking the dark with it. Her body was heavy and stiff, holding her down to the ground. Slowly, she became aware of her limbs again, sprawled out on the ground. Experimentally, Eve tried moving her arm, which eventually and painfully responded. As she stretched out her limbs, Eve noticed a light, warm weight on her chest. Reaching out to touch the warmth, Eve felt a soft head of hair run along her palm. She smiled and relaxed – Amber. She probably came in during the night, scared by a thunderstorm. It was all okay. It had been a nightmare.
Eve wrapped her arms tighter around Amber and Amber settled into her embrace. Stroking Amber's head, Eve started as she felt the coarseness of the hair curled in her fingers.
Amber? No. Amber, no…
Struggling to open her eyes through sleep, Eve lifted herself up, her arms barely managing to keep her upright. Steadying herself, Eve rubbed her eyes, her arms trembling with the effort to lift them up. Blinking a few times to clear her eyes, Eve squinted into the gloom, the only light being the thin rays blazing out of gaps of the wooden walls. Wincing, Eve looked around, trying to place her surroundings. She guessed that she was in a hut owning to the twined walls of branches and bark. A bowl had been placed by her side and a plumped up pile of furs had acted as her makeshift pillow. There was no one else with her as far as she could tell. The blanket that had now pooled down at her hips twitched and a snowy white head poked out from beneath.
"Baby…" Eve croaked, cringing at the dry, scorched ache in her throat. The baby cooed happily in response, climbing up into Eve's neck, snuggling her face into it. "Couldn't … get rid … of me … huh?"
Tears welled up in Eve's throat. The baby was here. She was alive. Eve was alive. Which only meant one thing… "We made it. We actually… made it!" In spite of the pain, Eve grinned with joy. The baby squeaked happily at her, her beautiful blue eyes staring at Eve adoringly.
Yet Eve stopped short. If they had all made it and they are all here, where are the others? Where was Travis, Sugriva or Bad Ape? Where was Luna? Luna being missing was understandable (she could be out hunting some poor furry creature) but Bad Ape never her left alone. He was as clingy as they came.
"Let's go … find everyone … shall we?" Eve whispered hoarsely. Hugging the girl to her chest, Eve stood up. Rather, Eve attempted to stand up and immediately fell back on her ass, her legs wobbling and collapsing underneath her. Eve's head spun and she was panting just from the effort of getting up. The baby let out a questioning squeak and Eve forced a smile for her. "It's … okay. We'll do that … in a minute."
Careful not to jog the baby, Eve fell onto her back, closing her eyes and letting the dizziness wash over her. Her legs fizzed with pins and needles. As the baby chattered away to her, Eve tried to work the stiffness out of her limbs, stretching her arms and legs. It was a different ache to the one Eve had become accustomed to but it hurt nonetheless. Bit by bit, her frail and numb muscles started prickling to life and Eve moaned. She had never felt so weak.
Suddenly, there was a quiet flapping sound and a brief gust of air into the hut. Someone had come in. Eve stiffened, arms sliding protectively around the baby. She closed her eyes and tried to keep her breathing at a steady rhythm, feigning sleep.
Quietly, the person padded towards them, stopping just in front of them. Even through closed eyelids, Eve could feel the figure looking down at them. Cracking her eyes open a fraction, Eve saw that it was a female chimpanzee, not someone she knew. The woman was wearing a kind of covering over her nose and mouth, something that looked like rows of bone knotted with rope. A nurse maybe?
The woman hooted quietly and reached down for the bowl. Deciding it was the time to reveal her newfound consciousness, Eve opened her eyes. "Excuse me –"
The woman screeched and stumbled back as if she had been burnt. Eve jumped herself, emitting an embarrassing yelp. The bowl clattered down onto the floor and the two stared at each other.
"I –" Eve tried but the woman scrambled away, calling out for help outside.
Well, that wasn't the introduction Eve was hoping for.
In a matter of seconds, Eve and the baby were surrounded by a crowd of masked apes. The apes (all females and mostly chimpanzees) were frantically calling out and signing to each other. It was hard to tell what they were saying exactly but Eve got the gist. All of them were completely amazed that she was alive. That makes both of us, Eve thought wryly. Whether they were happy or annoyed by this Eve couldn't really tell. In the meantime, Eve played dumb, acting as if she couldn't understand what they were saying.
Two of unmasked chimpanzee women, in particular, stood out to Eve. One of the women wore a simple tiara twined with rope and flowers with a necklace decorated with hoops of bone around her neck. She had her back turned to Eve and was signing to the other woman, occasionally peering at Eve over her shoulder. The other woman was wearing a flower crown too. This woman stared at Eve as if she couldn't believe she was actually there. She had a regal beauty to her that made Eve think that she must be the queen or at least a leader of these apes. She had very kindly, maternal eyes and Eve instantly felt comfortable with her.
The woman with the necklace eventually approached, holding out a steaming bowl of broth. Eve eagerly grabbed ahold it, managing a rusty "thank you". The woman pulled back and gawped at Eve in shock at that before hurrying back to the other woman. Eve supposed that the woman was not used to a human speaking to her like that way, let alone thanking her. Then the smell of the broth hit her and the gnawing in her stomach finally hit her. Ravenous, Eve slurped and gulped the bowl, licking up every last drop without shame.
When she'd finished, the woman with the kind eyes came over, taking the bowl from Eve and setting it aside. "How … do … you … feel?" she asked. Each word sounded like a struggle and Eve was touched that the woman was making such an effort.
I am okay, Eve signed. Just feel a little weak. That was an understatement but Eve wasn't one to admit when she was weak. Even if it was obvious.
The woman's eyes widened. You can sign? she questioned.
Eve nodded listlessly. My sister was deaf.
The woman flinched at the use of past tense. I'm sure you have been through much. But I promise you that you and your friends are safe now.
Where are they? Eve demanded, the movements more aggressive than intended. I want to see them. Where is Kali? The baby's hungry, she needs feeding.
The woman hesitated. There is no need to worry. We have given them all places to stay. But we found some … things in your possession that might have been a danger to us. So we have kept them in their houses for now. I hope you understand.
Things? Eve sighed. He brought the guns here, didn't he?
He?
Travis. I knew the idiot wouldn't get rid of them. Eve paused. I told him to get rid of the guns before we got here. I thought it would give the wrong idea about us and I didn't want us to be seen as a threat. I guess he must have kept them anyway. I'm sorry.
Why did you have those guns? Where did you get them?
Eve was silent for a moment. Our guards had them in the lab. We had to use them … on our way out. Eve avoided the woman's gaze. I'm guessing you already know about that.
Yes, the woman said, and I am sorry. I can't imagine what you and your friends experienced. Eve ducked her head in thanks and the woman paused, thinking. My husband has a lot of questions about you and where you all came from. Perhaps if you talked to him, all this misunderstanding would be resolved and you could see your friends? But only if you feel strong enough.
Eve nodded and pushed herself up, crossing her legs with difficulty. Yes. I would like that. They don't deserve to be in trouble because of me. She paused. Who is your husband?
My husband is Caesar. He is our leader. The woman stood up. I could take the baby to Kali now if you would like? Seeing Eve's reluctance, the woman smiled reassuringly at Eve. Your child is safe with me. I promise.
Hesitating for a few seconds, Eve passed the baby to the woman and she cradled the little girl in her arms. As the woman went to go, Eve called out to her. "What's your name? I never asked."
The woman looked back at Eve. "Cornelia," she said.
"Thank you, Cornelia."
Cornelia smiled and bowed her head in thanks. "I will … get Caesar now."
Caesar, as it turned out, was more like the King of the apes here though they didn't really call him that. As soon as he entered the hut, she knew exactly who he was. Everything about him reeked of dominance from his posture to his unwavering stare. He was the one she had to impress. Though Eve couldn't help but feel intimidated by him, she could see compassion and empathy in his eyes. So, while he did have his suspicions about her, he didn't hate and despise her as most apes would. That was a good start. He was quite courteous all things considered – he spoke to her gently, asking her if she was well enough to answer some questions they had. Eve said she was happy to answer any and all questions they had for her and that she understood why he might be suspicious of her intentions. Which was true – she wouldn't have trusted a ragtag troop of apes (with a human to boot) armed to the teeth either. Besides, they had clearly nursed her back to health as opposed to just killing her. That in itself was a lot better than anything she could have hoped for.
When Caesar said 'we' had some questions, what he really meant his entire council. Soon, all kinds of apes were filing into the hut. Caesar introduced them all to her: Rocket, Maurice, Luca, Grey, Stone, Percy and Cornelia, who had come back after taking the baby to Kali. Most of the council members either looked shocked, horrified, annoyed, or all of them, that she was still alive. The only one that seemed pleasantly surprised to see her was the orangutan Maurice who even went to the trouble of introducing himself to her. At least somebody's happy I'm alive, she thought sardonically. She liked him.
The last council member was the one that actually scared Eve. Bursting into the hut came an extremely irritated-looking, disfigured bonobo. Eve knew a lab ape when she saw one – scars were littered all about his body, the most distinctive a thick slash wound slicing through his left eye. Eve couldn't help but shudder; the scarring on him was worse than a lot of apes that she'd seen at the lab. Not as bad as him though – nothing got as bad as that. Then she realised – she recognised this ape. She'd seen this one before, in the dark.
As soon as he met her gaze, the bonobo physically recoiled, growling deep in his throat. "Koba – knew it!" he snarled, his face curled up in rage and triumph. "Human – lied! Not – dying –"
"Koba enough!" Caesar bellowed. Caesar's shout was powerful and Koba appeared to shrink in his skin. Eve bowed her head too, feeling compelled to submit even though she wasn't the one being yelled at. Yep, she thought, that's definitely a leader.
Sit, Caesar said cooly. We will ask our questions and allow the human – a polite cough from Cornelia – Eve to explain herself. She can tell us more about what is happening in the outside world.
Looking like he'd rather sink his fangs into her face, Koba sat sulkily with the other council members in a equally distributed semicircle around Eve.
Eve straightened up her spine. She'd lived with apes long enough to know that you could not show weakness. If you wanted to be respected (or at least left alone) you had to be strong. Maintain eye contact. Don't hunch. Open body language. She was ready.
The other apes you came with said that you helped them, led them here to us. Caesar started. Why were you with them?
Eve frowned in confusion. Did they not tell you? she asked. Some of the apes gasped; Cornelia and Caesar obviously hadn't told them she could sign.
They did. But I would prefer if you said why.
That's fair, Eve agreed. I know it must be hard to trust me. But I just want my family to be safe.
"Family?" Koba spat in disgust. You are human. Apes are no family to you.
Eve met his glare with one of her own. We are family, she said. More than you could know.
Maurice grumbled in warning to Koba and leaned in, blocking Koba's piercing eye from Eve. You consider them your family? he asked hesitantly.
Of course! How couldn't I after everything that has happened to us?
I think you need to explain, Caesar said. Why aren't you with your human family? Where are they?
Eve's face fell. She'd been expecting this. It's long story but if you want to hear it I'll tell you everything. At Caesar's approval, she took a breath.
Before any of this started, my sister, Amber, and I met a gorilla at the zoo called Mama. She knew sign language and she and my sister would talk whenever we visited. Eve cracked a small smile. Mama was everything to my sister. She was her best friend.
Years later, Mama had a baby with another gorilla, Big Poppa. He was called Sugriva. Knowing grunts echoed in the hut and the council members looked at each other deliberately. So they knew Sugriva.
Then something bad happened and we couldn't see them anymore. Soon after that, the pandemic started. My mother kept me, Amber and my brother inside our house to keep us safe. But it didn't last long. We had to get food … Eve broke off and blinked back the sting in her eyes. She got sick with the Flu ... Eve didn't go on but she could tell the apes understood what must have happened next.
Maurice rumbled quietly to get her attention. This 'Flu' you speak of, Maurice said delicately, is this the same sickness that has been affecting other humans? That affected you?
Yes. We call it the Simian Flu. Eve laughed bitterly. Despite the fact that humans made it themselves in a lab. But I guess it was easier just to blame you guys.
Caesar seemed interested in this. Why do they blame apes? We knew that humans associate us with this sickness but we never found out why.
Eve stared at Caesar, puzzled. You … don't know?
Caesar frowned at her and Eve rushed to explain. The Flu … it's the same virus that made apes smart. That made all of you smart.
The revelation startled a lot of the apes. Maurice was looking thoughtful whereas Koba looked like he was grinning. Caesar was hard to read but Eve thought he was disturbed by what she had said. Reports said that the virus was already circulating by the time you all escaped, Eve added quickly. But people blamed apes anyway, which is stupid since it only spreads in humans. Apes can get it but they can't spread it.
Is that how Sugriva and the others were Changed? Maurice signed keenly. They weren't Changed in a lab like Koba?
Ah. Evidently Koba had been experimented on in the Gen-Sys lab. That made sense. And it explained why he hated her guts already.
No, Eve explained. Most of them were 'Changed' before they came to the lab. Sugriva and Travis the same.
So you found Sugriva again? Caesar said abruptly. For whatever reason, he clearly wanted to change the subject and Eve was all too happy to oblige.
After my mother died, we went to my aunt's for help. She took care of us for a while but we had to leave her house to scavenge for food. After … a year, maybe, we were ambushed by a gang of men with guns. My aunt fought them and they shot her. Eve shut her eyes and she could hear the shot echo in her head as clear as day. We didn't know what they wanted with us at the time but I think they were going to sell us onto the CDC – the people that ran the lab, Eve amended, seeing the apes questioning looks. Turns out they had captured Mama, Jambo and Sugriva too. Amber managed to hide and freed them from their cage while the men weren't looking. They saved us.
Mama and Big Poppa took us in. They treated us like family. We had to keep moving all the time – to find food, to avoid other humans. We found Travis along the way and he joined us as well. We went on for three years like that. We found Luna during that time as well, as a puppy. She was alone so we took her with us too. We were doing well. Eve's lips twitched – it was a bittersweet memory. But then they found us.
They said that they were the US Army and that they were 'rescuing' us. Eve snorted. Never asked if we wanted to be rescued though. They took us to this village called The Ark where they were relocating other survivors. They took Mama and the others away. They told us that they were going to put them in an ape sanctuary or something but I knew they were lying. I tried to find out what really happened to them but they refused to tell me.
My brother and I were getting trained for the army. They saw potential in us and we were already pretty good with guns. We were still technically children but then and again they didn't have a lot of candidates to choose from anymore. Amber helped out with chores in The Ark. I thought it was fair – work for your dinner and all that. But that is what they want you to think. So when you start noticing all this weird shit happening you don't question them - because you owe them. So when the old and disabled started going missing no one suspected anything. Just accepted it, like they expected it to happen. The people at The Ark used to say that they died of natural causes but soon they realised people would believe anything they said – that they got kidnapped by raiders, eaten by a bear, whatever.
I was suspicious of what they were doing so one day I went out and snuck on a convoy going for 'supplies'. It was only a couple miles when we were going into this massive building: big walls, barbed wire, armed guards, the whole bit. I saw them taking people in. Somehow I thought I could help them … but I was wrong. They knew I was there the whole time. So as soon as I got in in they took me.
Koba snorted. "Humans - don't experiment on – other humans!"
"I can assure you they do," Eve said, struggling to sound indifferent. "Have done for quite some time. But in this case, apes were becoming much harder to find for experiments. So they figured why not do it to other humans. Easier to catch and bigger in numbers. They took the old and disabled because they saw them as 'burdens'. I'm sure they told themselves that it was for the greater good of humanity or some crap like that."
Some of the apes groaned and Eve thought that they sounded disgusted on her behalf. Caesar, Cornelia and Maurice looked particularly sympathetic.
Eve stopped. Her whole body was shaking and tears of rage and sadness burned in her eyes. In an attempt to comfort her, Cornelia shuffled over to Eve and slid an arm across her shoulders. Eve's muscles reflexively recoiled from the touch and Eve had to fight the urge to buck Cornelia's arm off. Sensing Eve's discomfort, Cornelia took her arm off Eve, giving her an apologetic look. Eve smiled gratefully, letting her know how deeply she appreciated the gesture.
I was experimented on with the other humans, Eve went on. They told my brother and Amber that I had gone crazy and murdered another soldier. They had originally planned to take my sister instead because of her disability and the genetic immunity to the Flu all three of us had but since I had seen what they were doing they took me instead so I could not tell everyone what was really going on. Danny – my brother – moved on with the army. They rotated the battalions guarding The Ark and the lab so that did not stay too long to think about what was really going on there.
Your brother left you? the chimp, Rocket, said, appalled.
Yes, Eve said matter of factly. I never saw him again. I had no idea where my sister was.
I spent three years in that lab. I fought them as hard as I could. Nothing mattered anymore. I didn't want to make it easy for them. They locked me in the ape section as punishment after that. That's where I met Bad Ape and the others. It took a long time but we learned to communicate between our cells. I taught them to sign when I could. We used the fact that they rotated the staff to our advantage as the next rotation would know nothing about us and the previous ones weren't allowed to tell them anything. Not that they could anyway. That's how Amber got in. They were running out of people to help out at the lab so she volunteered. They didn't know who she was – they couldn't really track anybody anymore and nobody still carried ID. Any electronics were reserved for the lab so they weren't monitoring the village that way either. She had been hiding in The Ark, keeping to herself. Amber hid Luna in the woods and Luna would hunt for food for the both of them.
Why did she have to hide the dog? Percy inquired.
So the other villagers didn't eat her, Eve said bluntly. So, we made a plan to escape. We waited a long time, perfecting everything. I and the other apes pretended to be more docile, like we'd given up. They underestimated us. We took out their power first. Then we took their weapons. Eve looked straight at Caesar. You have to understand, we had no choice. They weren't going to let us go without a fight. They thought they could get a cure out of us. A lot of people died … My … sister ... Tears flowed freely out of Eve's eyes. She was shot in the crossfire trying to save the baby and her mother. A sob escaped Eve's mouth and she held her face in her hands, trying to compose herself. The hut was completely silent except for Eve's sobs. Cornelia reached her hand out to Eve, mindful not to touch her. Eve felt a keen burst of appreciation and she allowed Cornelia to quickly take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
Roughly wiping away her tears from her face, Eve peeped back up at the apes. Many of looked as if they felt for her. Even Luca, the gorilla with the impassive face, looked at her with pity. The chimps Grey and Stone, however, just looked uncomfortable. Koba was mildly amused as if he was watching a child trying to act out a cringeworthy performance.
"I … am sorry," Caesar said sincerely. Some of the others nodded in agreement.
"Thank you," Eve whispered.
Koba rolled his eye contemptuously. "Why would human – save ape? Give life – for ape? Ape lives – mean nothing to humans!"
"Because she was good!" Eve, finally snapping. She took a calming breath. "She's – she was – a good person. She just wanted to do the right thing."
How long ago did this happen? Maurice asked softly.
Two weeks, she signed. Give or take.
How did you get here? Luca questioned, suddenly roused into talking.
I drove a school bus here. The army was using them for transport. It broke down on the way so we went on foot for the rest of the way.
How did you know we were here? Koba accused.
I saw you on TV when you escaped, Eve signed, much too quickly. I knew that Gen-Sys and the state tried to kill you and that Muir Woods had been bombed but I still hoped that some of you had survived. Even if you hadn't, it still would have been a good place for us to settle.
Caesar nodded, seeming satisfied with her explanation. Koba didn't look at all convinced but then she didn't need to convince him. He would argue with anything she said regardless. Sure, it wasn't the complete truth but it was true all the same.
What if you were followed? Koba insisted, clutching at straws.
No one followed us, Eve said darkly. We made sure. Besides, that's what we brought the guns for. Eve turned to Caesar pleadingly. I told Travis to get rid of them once we were here but he must have ignored me. He means no harm, he's just protective.
I do understand, Caesar allowed, but we will have to destroy them.
Eve felt a rush of relief. Of course, of course, anything you want.
So you got sick during the journey? Percy queried.
I felt ill a week into our journey. I didn't think it was the Flu after all this time but then my nose started bleeding and all the other symptoms showed up. My guess is that the lab infected me with a different version of the virus, one that could actually make me sick.
Have others survived this sickness?
Eve shook her head slowly. No. No one lives. Anyone who gets it dies. She gave a shaky laugh. Except me apparently. The thought of it chilled Eve to her core. After all the people she had seen die from the Flu, it couldn't take her with them?
A different version of the virus then, Maurice suggested. Not as fatal?
Maybe. Maybe. Eve nodded her head limply, trying to ignore what that could mean for her.
You took apes all the way here from the lab, even when you were sick, Caesar said. Why would you do this? Why not go and find other humans?
Though Eve knew Caesar meant well, she couldn't help but get angry. "I'm sorry but isn't it obvious? My family are dead! My father, mother, sister are all gone and my brother might as well be dead! I have no one else! Nobody!"
Eve's face was flushed with and her chest heaved. She saw then that she had gone way too far. Some of the council members were watching her intently, preparing to get up and intervene. Koba had hunched into a half-crouch, ready to leap at her. Caesar stared at her, a warning in his expression. Only Cornelia was calm.
Calm down would you, Cornelia sighed at the apes. She wasn't going to do anything.
"She - disrespect - Caesar!" Koba protested.
Yes, and I am sure she is sorry for that. She is obviously very stressed and has been through a great deal. It would not hurt to have some compassion! With a sour huff, Koba sat back down, the others following suit. Caesar kept his stare fixed on Eve.
I am sorry, Eve said earnestly to Caesar, but please, please understand. Sugriva, Travis, Bad Ape, the baby … they are all I have now. Even if I was going to die, I wanted to know that they would be safe. So why not get them home while I was still breathing? I'm sorry if me coming here has caused trouble for you but I promise you all I wanted to do is make sure they would be somewhere where they would be safe from humans. Somewhere where the children could grow up without fear. I never intended for this. I didn't even think I would make it this far …
Eve paused and took the plunge. If you want me to leave, I will go. Just please take care of the family I have left.
There was a long beat of silence. Caesar's stare bored into her eyes, looking for any sign of deceit. Eve's gaze didn't falter – she maintained his stare, keeping absolutely still. Please, she thought. Please believe me. For my family's sake.
Caesar rose suddenly, his face unreadable. He held his arm out to her.
"Come with me," he said.
Notes:
So that's finally done! Took a long time with this one as I wasn't really sure how to structure it but I hope it's okay. As always, I'd love feedback and stay safe everyone :)