The Last One

Everyone goes through.  Hurry up, let's go, Matt said quickly collecting his pack and bike.

Scott rode through first, next went Michele, with some hesitation then Susan and last, Matt.  The light washed over him.  It felt cool and refreshing and gave him goosebumps.  It felt like stepping from a bright warm beach into an air-conditioned dark room with the temperature turned too low.  Although Matt wasn't standing in a room, he was outdoors.  It took a few moments for his pupils to adjust to the dimness. 

The landscape had changed like a sullen mood.  Instead of a warm, midsummer afternoon in a lush, mountainous region, Matt surveyed a cool, dusky, undetermined season in a decaying valley.  The others were nearby.  Chubs dusted his clothes off after crashing into a tree.  They were dismayed.  Scott shook his head at Chubs.  Michele curiously walked a short distance away.  Susan stared wide-eyed at Matt.  And, Chubs just grinned.

What's so funny?

Something tells me we're not in Kansas any more.

The valley floor extended in front of them bordered unevenly by rocky hills on all sides.  A species of small conifer trees that looked like a hybrid between a pine and an oak dominated the area.  The gray leaves were shaped like an oak but elongated with pinecones hanging underneath.  The trunks were at least four feet across at their base and were no more than eight feet tall.  Other types of hardwood trees, birch, maple and elm, made up the remaining tree line.  One thing stood out about it, the entire valley looked sick, alive yet not lively.  There was also a smell of decay in the air too.  Whatever caused the illness of the valley didn't happen overnight.  Nature had struggled for some time.

The sky was equally dreary, gray and overcast.  Rather than the texture of clouds, the sky was a gray, smooth sheet.   Matt guessed the sun hadn't shined on this land in a long time. Someone shouted!  It came from behind a thicket crop.  Matt spun around taking a quick headcount.  Michele was missing.

Michele, where are you!

Matt darted through the dense underbrush finding her in a small clearing bent over a figure lying in the shadows.  Michele helped the person to a seated position.  Dressed in layers of ripped clothing, dirt covered and a pungent odor, the person looked like a homeless old man but his bright blue eyes told more.  Matt had already assumed they were far from home.  He wasn't even sure if they were still on Earth.  Homelessness was probably a way of life for all he knew.  Regardless, how they got here and how to get back came immediately to his mind.  Hopefully, the man would have some answers.  Chubs, Susan and Scott followed behind him.

Who is he?  Susan asked.

I was about to find out, Michele said giving the man a drink of water from her waterbottle.

Holy shit, this guy stinks, Chubs waved his hand in front of his nose.  Take a bath lately?

Shut up, Steve, Matt glared.  He turned back to the old man, What's your name?

Water spilled over his thin lips and down his chin.  Gulping too much at once, the man coughed then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.  He pushed the water away.  In a raspy voice, We don't have time for that now.  He'll be here shortly.

Who will be here, Matt asked.  Where are we?

The frail man coughed uncontrollably for a moment.  A long strand of spittle dripped from his bottom lip into his lap.  He shook his head trying to catch his breath.  Air rattled deep inside his lungs.  The man was very sick.  No, no.  You must listen.