Chapter 3

ReBirth

Yesterday, he was Snowman, an unshaved man living his life as a hermit, prophet to a group of humanoid Crakers, a scavenger, survivor to the Apocalypse. Today, he is Jimmy once again, best friend to Crake, well-dressed, well-pressed, on his way to join a survivor community, no longer a Craker caretaker. Just plain-old Jimmy. Or not; he was changed in more ways than one ever since he left the Paradice Dome.

It began yesterday. The white man did not shoot, which was good; but he stared long and hard at Snowman. There was something that he wanted to say, and Snowman knew that it wouldn't be another invite to a rakunk meal. It was probably worse. Snowman awkwardly approached the white man, who he remembered as someone named Tim, or Timothy. Something like that.

"We are right. You were the one Crake has chosen to guide the Paradice Project specimen." The white man eyed Snowman critically. Maybe he thinks I'm a nut, Snowman thought, but how'd he know about Crake? Snowman remained silent as the man spoke.

"It'd be necessary for you to join us. Crake's orders."

Is Crake still working from beyond the grave? Was this his death wish? Snowman thought. What the fuck is going on?

"We have chartered a helicopter to bring you to the new Paradice Dome, with your help, we could finish what we have started. Once we arrive, you will be directed to your room to freshen yourself up. We would call you when we want to talk to you." said Tim. He wrinkled his nose at Snowman and pulled a remote of some sort from his pants pocket. There were several buttons on it that Snowman did not recognize, and Tim pressed one of them. Suddenly, a whirring sound was heard, becoming louder and louder. It was the sound of a helicopter, which soon landed a few meters away from the place where Snowman was standing. Tim motioned for him to enter. And that was what he did, each step of his a step towards a new man.

"We're nearing. See that large dome there?" that was what Snowman's companion said. It was the only thing he mentioned in the entire ride. Aside from the new Paradice Dome, the only thing Snowman saw was desolation. Overgrown vegatation was climbing over buildings and landmarks. Everything else looked like a junkyard.

A few minutes later, they landed. Snowman was escorted to the NPD (new Paradice Dome, as Tim now called it), which was built with the same airlock system as the previous one. They entered a side entrance, which led to the "West Lobby", which in turn led to the "Western Quarters", where Snowman's room was in. Tim flicked him a card key which could be used to access the room anytime.

Snowman felt as if he was pulled back in time. The place was set precisely the same way his old room in the Paradice Dome. He checked the drawers, everything was in the exact same place it was before, the clothes he left were there, except they looked cleaner now. He took a set and entered the comfort room where he was told to shave and take a bath. Snowman assessed himself in the mirror. His beard grew dense and thick, he thought that he'd look like Noah after the flood. He got hand of a razor, and carefully scraped away the beard. The feathers were a gift from Oryx, somehow, he felt as if he was throwing his past away, not all of it, but only of Oryx and the Crakers. When he looked once again, he saw Jimmy, not Snowman. Jimmy.

The call came exactly half an hour after his preparations. It was time for him to receive the answers. He was told to go back to the Western Lobby, where he'll meet with someone. Someone who they said knows all the answers.

Jimmy walked back to the western lobby, eagerness, nervousness, and curiosity entwined within him. Just now, he had noticed a couple of white coated men and women. More survivors. It was surprising to him how someone could have gathered them all in one place. Each footstep of his was like an earthquake, something strange and revolutionary.

The first he saw was Tim, now dressed in one of those uniform white coats. He just saw now upon closer inspection that they have a red bird sewn on their breast pockets. There was another man besides Tim, the one who knew everything. The one with green eyes, the one with a familiar no-name black shirt, the one who smiled as he saw Jimmy, the one who said that one word that confirmed who he was as Jimmy's eyes widened in surprise.

"Cork-nut."