The Dawn Read online

  “Look!” one of the Stabilizers yelled while pointing at the monitors that showed images via the cameras in the hallway. Seth ran over, and several Stabilizers crowded around the screen next to him. “She’s going to jump,” one of them said.

  “No way,” said Seth. “That’s a seven-story drop.”

  Dawn put her hand on the banister and leaped over. She landed on the debris on the ground floor of the building. She could see clearly in the dark and passed by what was left of an old information desk and followed the moan and grunts that were coming from the back of the building.

  “Do we have cameras back there?” asked Seth.

  “Not that far back. Let me try to angle one in that direction.”

  An IMO soldier lies in an area near a demolished elevator shaft. With the natural eye, his black uniform and helmet would have caused him to blend into the darkness, but Dawn’s eyes weren’t natural. She walked up to him as he removed his helmet. He couldn’t see her in the dark. He grimaced as he tried to move his leg.

  “The more you move it, the more pain you will experience,” said Dawn.

  He shined a light out into the dark area and jumped back, startled. Dawn was squatting next to him.

  “There. See that light over there. Try to zoom in. It’s a soldier,” said one of the Stabilizers. “What is he doing in our building?”

  “Get away from him, Dawn,” Seth whispered.

  Dawn reached out and grabbed the soldier’s hand before he could reach for his gun. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I heard you yell out.”

  “From where?”

  “Not far.”

  He tried to adjust the way he was laying and yelled out again.

  Dawn had compassion for him and looked down his leg to his ankle. “You have a closed fracture,” she said. She couldn’t stand to see anyone in pain. It didn’t matter if they were good or evil and this one was evil. She reached for his leg.

  “Don’t touch me,” he yelled as he aimed his pistol at her.

  The soldier’s future flashed before Dawn’s eyes. If I don’t help you, you won’t be found for thirty-six hours. A blood clot will form that will break off and travel to your brain. It will kill you. Are you willing to take that chance?”

  Dawn waited for a response from the soldier.

  He lowered his gun.

  “You should be more careful while making your way through abandoned buildings.” She looked up and pointed. “The ceiling collapsed. That’s all the debris you see down here.”

  He shined his flashlight above him and saw that the ceiling was gone. He could faintly see that the floors above it were pocked with large holes as if they had been hit with a wrecking ball.

  “That’s insulation all around you. You really shouldn’t be breathing this in.”

  Dawn placed her right hand on his ankle and her left hand just below his knee. The soldier watched as sparks seemed to come from her hand. Then, she gave a quick jerk of his leg, and he screamed out.

  A moment later, he relaxed. All of the pain subsided. She looked up at him, and he pulled the trigger of the pistol.

  Hannah’s eyes moved rapidly under her lids and her feet suddenly kicked forward as if she was having a spasm. “Dawn,” she whispered.

  “Did you see that? He shot her,” said one of the Stabilizers. They were able to see the flash from the gun.

  Dawn wasn’t moving.

  Seth held his breath.

  5

  Dawn looked down. I believe in humanity but every time I give humanity a chance, it disappoints me, she thought.

  The soldier looked at his pistol wondering why she was still squatting there looking at him and not dead.

  “Here,” she said and tossed him the bullet, saddened by his choice. She realized that this was one of the rare times that she could feel.

  She stood. “I chose to save you, and you chose to kill me. Is this the world we live in now?”

  “The world is the same as it has always been,” he said. “Killing you would not have been of any benefit to me. I was trying to wound you.”

  “That’s unfortunate,” she responded. She was glad that her people were a constant reminder of why the world was worth saving.

  He shook with fear as he pointed his pistol at Dawn. She had caught a moving bullet without him even seeing her move. He needed to report all of this to the command center.

  He slowly stood as Dawn took a step toward him.

  “Don’t come near me,” he said. He assumed she was going to kill him.

  Through the broken-out front windows, she could see a military truck coming up the street to retrieve its soldiers.

  “They sent you to look for me, didn’t they?” Dawn asked.

  She quickly stepped forward and touched his forehead.

  “Sleep,” she said.

  The soldier awoke in his barracks the next day. It would be three days before he could speak or move his limbs. That would give Dawn seventy-two hours to prepare for what was coming.

  Sleep has a way of holding you captive. I tried to awaken when I heard voices, but it wouldn’t release me. It wouldn’t allow me to open my eyes. After a few attempts, I stopped trying to resist the spellbinding slumber and drifted off again.

  When I awoke Dawn was gone and someone had set clothes on the end of the bed. They were a little too large but I didn’t mind; at least they were clean. I dressed and walked over to the bookcase across from the bed and ran my hand over the shelf of large leather-bound books.

  “Shh in there,” I said to my stomach as it growled. That was something my mother made up to take my mind off the hunger that we sometimes experienced. She said that we had pets in our bellies that growled every now and then if they felt neglected. “What are they called?” I had asked.

  “Uh… Munchies. Yes, your munchie is growling but she will settle down soon. Rub your belly to pet her.”

  “Like this?” I asked as I circled my hand over my stomach.

  “That’s perfect,” she said.

  Her munchie had been much bigger than mine because it was really loud sometimes and once sounded like a cow.

  I rubbed my belly and walked around the room not wanting to leave it. Those men with guns from last night could be out there, I thought. I cautiously opened the door and peeked out at the beige walls of the hallway. I didn’t see anyone but I could hear footsteps on the squeaking floorboards above. I tiptoed out of the room and crept down the hall, hugging the wall on the right as I climbed a flight of stairs.

  I’m not sure how long I slept, but it seemed that everyone else was already awake. The place had come to life. There was music playing and everyone seemed to have some job to do. I saw men in a room with computers as people walked past me with crates. A woman was working in a large room that was full of plants and had a glass ceiling. Around the corner people were kneeling in a room.

  I found Dawn instructing a man, Nguyen, in a room that resembled a gym. I hid so she wouldn’t see me. My eyes widened when I saw the children. I had never seen any other child before. There were about fifteen of them, all around my age.

  “Blindfold them,” Dawn instructed.

  “What is this lesson?” Nguyen asked.

  Dawn responded in a language that I later learned was Vietnamese.

  “They need to be able to learn their surroundings quickly and use their senses to get around in the dark.”

  Nguyen nodded.

  “Once you are sure that they are aware, add objects and blindfold them again.”

  Crystal walked up behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder. I jumped.

  “There you are.”

  All the kids turned around. One little boy waived. I, shyly, waved back.

  “You slept half the day. Let’s get you fed. We have a lot to do today.”

  Dawn turned back towards Crystal and mouthed to her, “De-program.”

  Crystal nodded. k'12

  That afternoon there was a celebration in the cafeteria.
It was Ziedah’s birthday. Crystal explained to Hannah that Ziedah and every other person in the world has a divine purpose. “We are celebrating the day of Ziedah’s birth to show her that we are glad that she was born to fulfill that purpose.”

  If the ingredients were available, meaning sugar, there would be cake or cookies. The adults attended the celebration also and took turns carrying the guest of honor on their shoulders. It was a way of showing high regard.

  Crystal found Dawn outside of the solarium. “Hey, you’re not at the party.”

  “I wasn’t planning on attending,” Dawn responded.

  “Why?”

  “I make people feel weird when I come around. They’re uncomfortable. I want them to enjoy the party.”

  “Is it them or you that you are concerned about?”

  “Sometimes, I’m not quite at home around people.”

  “How about this,” said Crystal. “How about you stop isolating yourself and try to fit in a little bit.”

  Crystal walked behind her. “Let’s take off this sword and coat,” she said as she carefully removed the sword and began pulling down the coat.

  “I don’t—“ said Dawn as she tried to pull it back on.

  “Just give it a chance. You look like you are going to battle. This will make everyone more comfortable.”

  Dawn lowered her arms.

  “Don’t worry; I will be holding your gear nearby. Now, let’s see here,” Crystal said as she fluffed Dawn’s cascade of curls. “Your hair is really soft. What do you use on it?”

  “Water.”

  “Water and what else?” asked Crystal.

  “Water.”

  “Dawn, I’m just trying to help you make conversation. You have to loosen up. Maybe respond with something like.. coconut oil,” said Crystal as she licked her thumb and reached out to smooth down Dawn’s eyebrows.

  Dawn dodged her. “No spit,” she said while looking like she might laugh.

  “Come on,” Crystal said as she took her by the hand.

  No one seemed to notice Dawn when she walked in. She waved at Hannah who was off to the side binging on birthday cake.

  Dawn smiled as one of the Tenders, members of the medical team, pranced past her with Ziedah on his shoulders. Ziedah giggled and waved her hands over her head while trying to reach the decorative crepe paper that hung from the ceiling.

  Dawn turned and watched as Juan approached Gina. He stood just close enough to her for his hand to lightly brush against hers. He hung on her every word and studied her lips as she spoke. Dawn observed the way Gina tilted her head when she looked at Juan and gazed with a longing desire into his eyes. Their union was imminent.

  “It’s beautiful isn’t?” Crystal asked, seeing where she was looking. “They’re getting married soon,” Crystal added.

  Dawn continued watching them. She was sure to journal about it later. “Yes,” she responded. “But, there are things equally beautiful.” She pointed at Ziedah. “Her laughter and joy and the love she feels from all of us.” She pointed at the solarium, the corner of which they could see out of the window. “The work that the Habitant team does with our hydroponic crops.” She faced Crystal. “Your eyes when you look at your son.”

  Members of the cooking team are called Sous. One of them walked past Dawn and she stopped him and asked if they could have a slice of cake taken to each of the Stabilizers since they were never allowed to leave their post. The Sous nodded.

  Always thinking of others, Crystal thought.

  Seth noticed Dawn. He was surprised to see her and walked over to her with his cake. “Would you like to try some cake? It’s delicious.”

  “I don’t eat sweets,” she replied.

  “Me either,” he said while sitting the cake down behind him.

  Dawn looked at the frosting on his lip and smiled.

  “I’m glad you came,” Seth added.

  Dawn was surprised that no one whispered and no one stared at her. She nodded toward Crystal who was happy to hold Dawn’s coat and sword if it meant her having a moment like this.

  Ziedah ran to Seth. “It’s your turn,” she exclaimed with delight.

  “Let me help,” said Dawn.

  With no effort at all, she lifted Ziedah up and put her on Seth’s shoulders. He danced back and forth in front of Dawn before taking off around the room. Dawn laughed.

  Crystal’s eyes widened. That was an actual laugh. She hugged Dawn’s coat as her eyes watered. Doggone perimenopause has me all emotional, she thought.

  One of the Stabilizers walked in and whispered in Dawn’s ear. Crystal quickly approached with Dawn’s coat and sword. Dawn grabbed it and just before exiting the room, turned back and mouthed to Crystal, Thank you. Crystal smiled and like a proud mom and sat down next to Hannah.

  “I didn’t get to talk to Dawn,” said Hannah.

  “You will have plenty of opportunities for that,” Crystal replied.

  Hannah was only sad for a moment. Something else held her focus. “More cake?” she asked.

  “I think you’ve had enough cake for one day. Your body isn’t used to that much sugar. Ziedah, come and meet Hannah,” Crystal said as she motioned for Seth to bring her over.

  “Hi,” said Ziedah.

  Hannah opened her mouth to say hello and threw up on Seth’s feet.

  6

  For the children, each day began with lessons found in any elementary school curriculum. Our classroom had been a training center. There were twenty desks and two students occupied each desk. A white board covered most of the wall in front of the desks. Pictures and articles on various topics, places and animals filled the walls of the room, including a wall of drawings created by the students.

  Crystal taught reading, math and writing. She had been a teacher for many years before becoming the principal of Public School one-oh-four in a place called Queens. She was very patient and spent time with each of us to make sure that we understood the lessons.

  I had to play catch up. These kids were reading and doing math on a fifth-grade level, while I was just beginning to write. Crystal said that my mom had done a good job of teaching me the basics.

  Everyone was required to learn other languages. Any adult that was fluent in a language other than English, taught a class on that language. The students in those classes were children as well as adults. We often laughed at the adults because it was so much harder for them to catch on. Gina taught Spanish. I was told I had to start there. Some kids were learning their third language.

  I often looked behind me at the back of the classroom and found Dawn leaning against the wall, watching. On one occasion, Crystal approached her.

  “There’s something you’re not telling me about this one.”

  Dawn didn’t take her eyes off me. “She’s… special.”

  Crystal didn’t say anything. She watched with Dawn as I recited the alphabet in Spanish.

  “She is a fast learner,” Crystal responded, almost to herself.

  Seated close enough to overhear their conversation, I smiled to myself. Dawn thought I was special. Her comment made me feel she cared. For some reason, I needed her to care. Maybe because she was so amazing to me. I wanted to be just like her: tall, athletic, fearless, strong, beautiful, wise, and with super powers. That’s who she was through the eyes of a six-year-old little girl, and to be honest, the fact that she had boobage-and that I would too one day, was just icing on the cake.

  I noticed that she hadn’t smiled when she said that I was special. Now that I think about it, she hardly ever smiled. When she did, it was almost robotic as though she was only doing it to make you feel comfortable.

  Afternoon lessons consisted of music or art, self-defense and tactical training, science, and survival skills. This was the schedule, six days a week.

  The children all ate together at meal time. There were adults in the room also, but they ate by shift. There were round tables in the room and a long wall of cabinets that also had appliances and a sink. O
ld vending machines were along another wall that used to contain sodas and snacks.

  I played with the buttons of the vending machine, pushing them in different sequences. I wonder where Dawn is, I thought. My mind seemed to always drift to her.

  Dawn, Seth and a few members of the Freegans, the scavenger unit, traveled uptown to look for items that may be of value to them. It would have been an easier task had they been in a rural area, but in the city the pickings were slim as many of the abandoned homes had already been searched for goods. They were lucky if they came across items such as shoes, socks, coats, child-sized clothing, borax, and toilet paper.

  They had a better chance of finding items if the apartment door were locked and not kicked in. That would mean that no one had gotten there before them. The only problem was they were likely to come across rotting corpses.

  They were searching new building in Harlem. Seth grimaced at the sight of rats as the team walked into the lobby. On the second level, he kicked an apartment door open. They donned their masks; there was definitely a body in there. It would take days to get the smell out of their nostrils.

  Dawn kept walking past the apartment they had entered. Someone was in the unit next door. She could hear them. She placed her hand on the door on top of the locks, and they released. She turned the knob and opened the door. A man was trying to lead a woman to the fire escape. The woman, draped in old clothes, collapsed on the floor in fear.

  Seth had come back out into the hall to see where Dawn was. He walked up behind her into the adjoining apartment. Dawn held up her hands.

  “It’s okay. We won’t hurt you. You can come with us. We have food and shelter. Here.” Dawn tossed him a pouch of water. He caught it and continued to back away toward the window.

  “It’s okay,” she said again. They looked terrified.

  “They’re not going to come,” Seth whispered. “Leave them. It will be dark soon.”

  “No.”