Land Of The Free

It was a day that I'll never forget.

Glancing upwards, I noticed gray light beginning to filter through the hazy air. I slowly made my way to the top of the tunnel, breathing shallowly near the entrance. The smoke and dust were nearly stifling if you weren't prepared - I knew this from the last time I came up.

Ten more stairs.

I could never adjust to the long, dark hike up through the underground tunnel. You would think they could have at least installed air conditioning in this day and age... I'd never utter a complaint, though. At least we still had access to the surface.

Five more stairs.

At this point, my footsteps were merely a low shuffle. My legs burned from climbing for the past hour, and my eyes stung as they came into contact with the polluted surface air. Of the few people who cared enough to visit the surface, I was the only one who defiantly refused to wear one of those uncomfortable filter masks - despite the obvious repercussions.

I coughed painfully as the hot air met my lungs. Thankfully, I knew I would be out of these hostile conditions shortly.

The last step.

As I emerged out onto the surface, I anxiously surveyed my surroundings. Twenty years ago, the landscape would have been painted with lush palm trees, a bustling city, and a marvellous view of the Pacific Ocean; a stark contrast to the scene my eyes drank in today. Now, most of the view was obscured by thick, swirling clouds of smoke and debris. After twenty years, some of the fires that destroyed our old world still continued to slowly burn out.

I hastily began the trek towards the beach. Thankfully, I knew the way well without needing clear vision; this had become an annual trip for me. Coming to the surface gave my life purpose - though the visit was usually brief, it meant I could see the love of my life again.

* * *

I clambered down the final rocks onto the soft sand, and removed my shoes. Apart from the ashen skies, this particular beach was the only refuge that seemed untouched by the fires, thanks to the wind and waves.

"Adam!" I began shouting his name. I knew that if he was alive, he would surely be nearby.

Please, let me find him, I prayed to the skies. The vast beach stretched endlessly in front of me. This could take a while.

For about thirty minutes, I trudged through the sand on high alert. Occassionally, tremors would shake the ground, vibrating up through my bare feet. I had no idea where the shaking was coming from.

Attemping to suppress my fear, I continued calling out. Suddenly, a tiny movement caught my eye in the distance.

A person!

I immediately began racing towards the figure. As we drew nearer, his face lit up with recognition; I'm sure mine did, too.

"Sam!" he greeted me with his low, rugged voice. Although he always tried to hide it, I could sense his pure excitement.

I sobbed with relief as I ran into Adam's strong embrace. It felt so good to be home.

"I've missed you so, so much. I just wish I could stay with you!" The words came out muffled, but I knew he understood.

"I know, my dear; we're doing everything we can," he replied. "Let's go to my shelter, and we'll see if we can set you free this time."

* * *

Adam's shelter blended seamlessly amongst the rocky cliffs on the beach. Very few humans inhabited the surface anymore. The only people left scattered themselves every five miles along the west coast beaches; these were the last areas that could still support the simplest of human life.

We made our way into a narrow cave reinforced with mud, palm leaves, and rocks. Inside, the living space was small, but surprisingly cozy; over the years, Adam had salvaged and restored lost furniture he had found amongst the debris. Next to his comfy blue couch, he kept a collection of simple technological devices that I had previously smuggled up from the underground. Being outdated, these devices were essentially untraceable, but still functional - allowing Adam and I to communicate when we were apart. Unfortunately, there was no way to recharge them once they died.

Another tremor rattled the walls. I snuggled up next to Adam on the couch.

The next five hours flew by; we talked about everything - my life in the underground society, our memories from the old world, and his recent discovery of a sealed bottle of wine from the year 2023. Whenever we laughed, it was terribly bittersweet.

"Time passes way too fast when I'm with you," I whispered.

He stared me in the eyes, then softly kissed my forehead.

* * *

As dusk drew near, I reluctantly gathered my shoes and bag in preparation for the hike back home. Deep sadness engulfed me as I glanced at the red barcode imprinted onto my wrist; it was how the leaders of the underground world tracked us. Since there were only about 150,000,000 people left in society, everyone was digitally accounted for; and everyone had to follow the rules in order for our world to continue. Attempting to stay out overnight would land me in a lonely prison. I had no choice but to return.

That was exactly why Adam chose to fend for himself since day one; though the conditions above land were hostile, he had always preached free will over everything. To this day, I regret not listening to him.

Sighing, I reached into my bag and pulled out a new communication device. "Here. This should last us another few months," I handed it to him.

"It should. Thank you Sam," he murmured. "But actually, I have something for you this time."

Confused, I waited as he dug around in a box beside the couch; never had he given me anything to sneak back. I flinched as another strong tremor shook the shelter.

Adam turned back to me, holding a gently folded palm leaf. Without a word, he placed it in my hands, and I carefully unwrapped it. Seeing what was inside, I couldn't help the tears that welled up behind my eyes. I looked at him in awe.

Inside the palm was a dainty, gold heart-shaped locket. I could tell the gold was real; it gave a lustrous shine even in the shadows of the shelter. Adam was beaming at me.

"I can't believe I found it. It's perfect for you, Sam," he whispered. "Open it."

With wonder, I carefully plucked the locket open. I almost couldn't believe what I saw - it was like the locket had been made for us, let alone having survived the apocolypse of the old world.

On one side of the locket, there was a tiny pristine photo of the ocean; on the other, two initials engraved flawlessly into the gold:

A + S

"Oh my.. it's perfect, Adam!" I couldn't hold back my tears of joy.

"Keep it safe. I'll always be with you," he reassured me. "And we'll talk soon; I'm determined to save you from down there, Sam."

The sky was beginning to grow dark. With one final warm embrace, Adam walked my to the entrance of his shelter, and I hurriedly began the journey back into the underground.

* * *

By this point, the sky was dark.

Panting, I stumbled as I neared the tunnel's entrance. The tremors had grown so strong by now that I could hardly keep my footing. My lungs tightened as I rushed through the thickening air. I coughed painfully, trying not to hyperventilate.

I need to get back, I need to get back, I panicked.

As soon as I entered the tunnel, the tremors shook me off my feet. I stumbled and fell forward, skimming at least eight stairs. Laying in the darkness, I looked frantically left and right. My whole body pulsed in pain. There was no one there to help me. I sobbed; putting my hand in my pocket, I clutched the heart-shaped locket.

I hope Adam is alright.

A loud crack suddenly echoed through the tunnel.

I looked back at the entrance in despair, only to see massive pieces of rocky debris crumble down from the entrance, tumbling towards me.

It was the last thing I saw before the world went black.

* * *

I woke up slowly, feeling disoriented. My head was throbbing.

...What happened?

Carefully, I blinked my eyes open to a bright white, empty room.

Where am I?

I was laying on my back. Slowly looking side to side, I realized that I was the only one here. A low, continuous humming buzzed in my ears.

I tried to speak.

...Silence.

I painfully tried to move my legs - but they felt like giant magnets, stuck to the floor beneath me.

My heart pounded fast in my chest, and sweat began to form on my palms. I slowly adjusted one sore arm to try and feel for the locket in the pocket of my jacket.

My breath caught in my chest.

It was gone.