The Wilderness

When Michael looked out the classroom window, he could only see the all-encompassing wall that overshadowed the world. Michael had taken the same vow as every citizen; never cross the barrier. It was common sense, afterall; the only thing to be found outside was a wasteland of rabid beasts where the air was thick with poison. When Michael saw the wall, he thought about Marcy. Marcy had been the only one who really saw Michael. He didn’t know why she left, but when the search droids came back from beyond the wall, they brought her body. Sometimes when Michael thought about it, he wished she’d taken him with her.

The school-bell tolled, interrupting Michael’s thoughts. The only thing to do now was pick up Linus.

Michael found Linus crouched beside the wall. When Michael approached, Linus waved his arms excitedly to greet him and pointed to the wall. “Michael! Look what I found!” he said. Michael nearly fainted when he saw the crack in the wall. “How long has that been there,” He sputtered, “we need to tell someone right away!”

“What? Why?” Linus whined.

“That air is poisonous and that crack is big enough for some rabid beast to slip in!”

Linus held up a little furry critter, “Like this?”. Michael stumbled back in fear. “Put that back where you found it right now!” he demanded.

“But it’s not rabid,” Linus protested, “Just look at it, isn’t it so cute?” He held the small creature to Michael. Michael backed away. “Can we keep him?” Linus pleaded.

“Absolutely not,” Michael said, “everyone at home would freak.”

“But…” Linus hesitated, “He doesn’t pick on me like the kids at school. Please, Michael, he’s my only friend.” Michael frowned. He almost felt bad; he knew what it was like to be alone. Michael sighed, “The droids don’t make exceptions. You know how much trouble you could get in.”

“Like when you tried to cook?” Linus asked. Michael winced. When Michael had tricked his way into trying to cook, which was exclusively a job for the home droid, he was sent to a corrections camp for a whole season. “Exactly like that,” he shivered. Linus gave Michael an innocent look before suggesting, “What if the droid doesn’t find out?”

“Absolutely not.” Michael replied sternly. Linus only looked up at Michael sadly and said, “Please?” He held up the critter again. Michael couldn’t deny that it was, actually, very cute. Michael sighed. “Fine,” he said, “but if that thing causes any problems, it has to go and we’re alerting the authorities immediately.” Linus smiled widely and launched himself into Michael's arms with the creature still in hand.

When the boys got home, Rm-16, their resident droid, greeted them. “Welcome home, how was school?” it asked. Michael shrugged. “Boring.”

“Good,” Linus chirped.

“You seem happy. Did something happen?” asked the droid.

“He was just showing me his schoolwork,” Michael cut in, “he’s very excited about what he’s learning. Right, Linus?”

“Uh. Yeah! Writing my name in cursive is very fun!” Linus lied.

“How wonderful! Why don’t you show me?” Rm-16 chirped.

“I’ll get the paper,” Michael said. “And while I’m at it, why don’t I take your backpack for you?” He added.

While Linus showed Rm-16 his cursive, Michael took to hiding the critter in the empty drawer of Linus’s dresser. Michael could hear it skitter around inside, so he found a small blanket and laid it across the bottom of the drawer. He counted himself lucky that the critter stayed silent.

For days, Linus obsessed over the outside world to Michael. Michael had never felt close to his brother, but he was glad to be distracted from his thoughts. To keep their secret safe, the boys took turns taking the critter– which they named Larry– with them for a day. As much as he was enjoying himself, though, Michael knew that this secret was dangerous. He made a point to warn Linus not to mention the outside to anyone else.

One day, Michael did not find Linus when he went to pick him up. It was common that Linus would run off to be alone, but today Michael couldn’t find him in any of his usual spots. Then, it occurred to Michael to check the crack in the wall. When he found it, it was bigger than he remembered. It was now large enough for a small person to fit through. Michael’s heart sank to his stomach, but before he could react, Linus appeared on the other side. When he saw Michael, Linus went pale. “Please don’t be mad–” He began.

“What were you thinking?” Michael demanded. “You know how dangerous it could be out there! You could’ve been hurt– or worse.” Michael's breath came faster as he spoke. He had been worried when it all started, but this was different. This time it was fear that he might have lost another friend to the world outside. “Michael please,” Linus started again, “It’s not–”

“I knew I should’ve told someone,” Michael ranted on, “I should’ve known you’d do something this reckless.” Linus’s eyes began to fill with tears. “You don’t understand,” he sobbed. “No,” Michael spat, “you don’t understand! Do you know how worried I was? You could’ve died!”

“There are people out there!” Linus spat back.

“No,” Michael refuted, “No one survives outside the wall! You were hallucinating. You know the air out there isn’t safe!”

“I wasn’t hallucinating!” Linus protested. “I’ll prove it!”

“No!” Michael shouted, “You’re not going back! That’s final.”

Michael wasn’t sure he should tell someone. If he did now, Linus would surely be in trouble. He remembered corrections camp, he wouldn’t put Linus through it as well. When the brothers got home, Rm-16 greeted them the same as it had everyday. Linus didn’t respond, instead he stomped off to his room, slamming the door behind him. Michael sighed and trudged back to his own room. Michael heard the droid knock on Linus’s door. “Are you alright?” it asked, “You seem unhappy.”

“Go away.” Michael heard Linus reply.

Michael considered apologizing. He shouldn’t have been so harsh, but he was scared and he hadn’t known what else to do but lash out. Maybe Linus was right, afterall, Larry wasn’t some feral beast like they were taught to believe. Michael wanted to believe Linus, but no one had ever come back inside alive before now. Michael laid pondering for hours until he finally decided to check on Linus.

Michael knocked on Linus’s door. “Linus, I came to apologize, I’m coming inside, okay?” Linus did not reply. Michael stepped inside cautiously. “Look, Linus, I’m sorry about how I acted earlier,” He admitted as he made his way across the room to Linus’s bed. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you the way I did. I was scared, but I shouldn’t have lashed out.” Michael sat down beside the heap on the bed. “Linus?” He reached out to touch Linus only to realize that Linus wasn’t there. He threw the blankets off the heap, revealing a pile of pillows and stuffed animals in his brother’s place. Then, Michael noticed the open window on the other side of the room. Without even throwing on a coat, Michael clambered out the window. He sprinted to every possible place Linus could be until there was nowhere but the wall.

Michael inhaled sharply as he stood trembling before the towering wall. His heart pounded so loudly he was afraid it might alert a nearby droid. Leaving meant breaking the vow and leaving the comfort of the only world he knew, but Linus was more important. Michael would never forgive himself if he let anyone else come home dead. Michael lowered himself to the ground and crawled through the crevice. He had to twist himself back and forth and hold his breath, but he made it to the other side.

The ground around the wall was barren and dry as if plantlife refused to grow. A gradient of richer soil bled into a wooded area not far into the distance. Michael’s eyes landed on a set of footprints that ran into the woods.

As he trudged along, Michael was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the woods. At home, the droids brought back plants and trees to liven the world inside, the trees beyond the wall were nothing like that, they towered over Michael, their branches grew freely, nothing stopping them from stretching to the sky. Michael was so distracted by their greatness that he forgot to watch his step. In a split second the overgrowth caught his foot and sent him sprawling to the ground. Michael yelped in pain. As he pushed himself up, he thought of how he was too far for anyone to hear him cry out. He reminded himself to think positive; he wouldn’t alert the droids while looking for Linus now. Michael called out to his brother. The only response was a long, high-pitched wail like a siren. Michael looked around nervously. Soon, one siren became a wailing chorus. Michael’s heart threatened to leap from his chest, but he needed to find Linus.

Michael trekked through the woods, careful to watch every step as he followed his brother's tracks. As the sirens wailed on, he wondered what could possibly make such a terrifying song, but he prayed not to find out. Michael surveyed his surroundings and froze when his eyes landed on a large beast. The beast’s pointed ears twitched and turned toward Michael. As the creature turned to face him, Michael prayed everything he learned was a lie. The creature snarled menacingly. Its ears shifted back as it let out the same shrill siren Michael had heard before. Michael bolted off, abandoning the tracks, but the beast gave chase. Michael dodged trees, just barely outmaneuvering the beast, but it was much faster than him. Michael used every ounce of his strength to escape the beast. He was no good to Linus dead. Michael looked over his shoulder to find the beast had reinforcements. Tears stung his eyes as he pushed forward, his hope running out as fast as he was. Then, a deafening burst of sound cut through the sirens. The beasts stopped in their tracks. Michael’s legs gave way and he tumbled to the ground once more, covering his head. Underneath his ears ringing, Michael heard a firm click. Another burst sounded. This time, one beast yelped in pain. Before the rest could react, a figure emerged from behind Michael. She let out a fierce holler that Michael didn’t know a human was capable of. The beasts bared their teeth, but retreated.

Michael stumbled away from the woman. No one lives outside of the wall, he told himself. She must be some kind of witch. “Who are you? What were those?” Michael stuttered, “what do you want from me?” The witch scowled, “Well, a ‘thank you’ would be nice,” she mumbled. “But I should be the one asking who you are, and what you’re doing in the woods after dark.”

Michael clambered to his feet. “I’m looking for my brother,” he replied sharply. “He’s about this tall,” he said as he motioned with his hands. “His name is Linus.” The witch squinted, then nodded her head. “You’re Linus’s brother? I suppose I can take you to him.”

The witch led Michael through the woods, navigating around the overgrowth until they found their way to a faded path. Ahead of them was a quaint, weathered cottage. The witch opened the door and motioned Michael inside. Michael’s eyes landed on Linus immediately. All his words escaped him as tears poured out of his eyes. In a second he was across the room, his arms squeezed tightly around his brother.

“I’m sorry Linus,” Michael sobbed. Linus was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, too,” He admitted as tears began to well in his eyes, “I shouldn’t have run off.” The brothers held each other until they both stopped crying. Finally, the witch interrupted. “You boys are too reckless,” She scolded. “What are you going to do now?” She asked, “It’s far too dark to go back safely.” Michael knew the woman was right, he had barely made it to the cottage in one piece. They couldn’t risk going back until morning. “I’m sorry for all the trouble we’ve caused,” Michael apologized, “but would it be alright if we stayed the night?”

“Well,” The witch sighed, “it’d be irresponsible to send you out on your own.”

That night, the woman– Michael learned her name was Wilma– prepared a stew. Michael watched timidly and almost asked if he could help in any way, but, remembering the last time he cooked, he decided to keep quiet. The stew tasted better than anything Michael ever had.

In the morning, Michael and Linus trekked back to the wall. As it came into view Michael noticed something off. Between them and the wall stood a droid. The droid noticed them immediately. “This is no place for children,” The droid warned, “I’m sure you’re aware it is forbidden to leave the wall. You will come with me and be required to attend corrections camp.” Michael had worried this might happen. With the trouble they had gotten themselves into, it was inevitable they would be sent to corrections camp, but before Michael could accept their punishment, a noise came from Linus’s backpack. Larry was in there. Linus wrestled with the droid for his bag, but it ripped open, revealing the small critter inside. “This creature is dangerous,” The bot said, “It must die.”

“No!” Linus protested.

“I see,” Said the droid, “You are beyond reasoning. You will have to die too.”

Michael reacted quicker than he ever thought was capable. In a split second, he swept up Linus and sprinted to the woods. He dodged around trees, not daring to look behind him. “Michael,” Linus cried, “we have to get up one of the trees!”

“What? How would that help?” Michael retorted between breaths.

“He can’t look very high, we have to go up!”

Michael realized that Linus was right. He dodged trees and shrubs until he was sure the droid was far enough behind. Then, he hoisted Linus up onto the branch of a large pine. The boys climbed until they were sure the droid could not see them. They waited for what felt like hours before they climbed down and shakily returned to Wilma’s cottage.

With little resistance, Wilma allowed the boys to stay with her in the cottage. It seemed she needed the company in her old age. Wilma taught the boys to survive. They learned vital skills like building traps, growing food, cooking, and building shelter.

One day, while Wilma was out setting traps, Michael spotted a droid outside. He frantically ran into the cottage and told Linus to stay put. Michael watched the droid as it trailed through the woods. He tried his best to stay out of sight, but his footsteps were far too loud. The droid whipped around to face him. When it spotted him, it did not seem as surprised at the sight of a human as Michael expected. “How many of you are there?” It inquired.

“Just me,” Michael lied.

“I see,” said the droid, “then this will be easy.” Michael watched in horror as the droid's arm retracted. A sharp appendage took its place. Michael bolted to the woods as the droid slashed its deadly tool. He planned to lead it away from the cottage before he made his escape, but his plans went awry when a shot rang out through the woods. Wilma stood firmly between Michael and the droid, but the droid was unaffected by the shot. Wilma refused to budge. “Another survivor,” the droid observed. Wilma raised her rifle to the droid. Before she fired again, she addressed Michael. “Go back to the cottage,” She ordered, “Take Linus and go far away from here.”

“But–”

“No buts,” Wilma scolded, “go now.”

Michael returned to the cottage, his face streaked with tears. “We have to go,” He claimed firmly. Linus’s face was lined with worry. “Why?” He asked, “What’s happening?”

“It isn’t safe here anymore,” Michael replied.

“But what about Wilma?” Linus cried.

“She said to go without her. She’s strong, she’ll be okay,” Michael reassured Linus, though he wasn’t sure he believed it himself.

The boys hurriedly packed only what they thought was necessary. With tear soaked faces, they parted with the old cottage.

Days turned into weeks. The boys’ supplies ran short, but Wilma’s lessons proved more than valuable. They traversed so far that the woods disappeared behind them. They passed through abandoned towns where they would stop for a night or two, but never settle.

One day, Linus said to Michael, “I’m tired of wandering. Haven’t we come far enough?”

“Just a little farther,” Michael replied, “This place is too open.”

“That’s what you said the last time,” Linus whined.

“I know,” said Michael, “I’m sorry.”

The boys traveled on. When the days became colder, they came across a mountain surrounded by dense forest. Michael knew they wouldn’t last the winter. That night, they found a cave to set up camp in. As they sat around the fire, Michael finally asked, “How would you feel about this as our new home?”