The Locket

It had been 2 years 3 months and 15 days since Nessa had seen her son. She peered into the wilderness squinting against the bright sunlight, hoping against hope that today would be the day he found his way home. Seeing nothing new, she turned to grab her pack from Tim.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “If you can wait another month, I can go with you.”

“I’ve already waited over 2 years. I have to know if he’s still out there. I want to believe that I would feel it,” she touched her chest, “if something had happened to him but I can’t stand not knowing.”

He nodded in understanding and gently cupped his hand under her chin. “Please be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

She smiled at him and went in for a quick kiss. “I’ve finally got a love life after 28 years. I’m not giving that up anytime soon.”

As several people began exiting the bunker, Nessa’s eyes widened when she realized her friends were giving her an impromptu going away party. Before she realized it, there were more than 30 people standing there hugging her and wishing her luck. Tears sprang to her eyes though she blinked them back.

Miles, their interim leader spoke up, “I promise to keep everyone safe and not let anything get out of hand while you’re gone. We’re going to miss you but we all understand how important it is for you to find your son. We wish you all the best in your quest.”

Fighting tears, Nessa hugged him and nodded incapable of choking out words without succumbing to sobs. Her son had left within months of the event leaving billions of people dead due to a virulent virus that killed indiscriminately. Realizing that the medication they had on hand wasn’t enough to last much longer, he departed on his search for more leaving her alone in the bunker with their 13 year old dog Ginger. The bunker had been a godsend for them. Built in the fifties by Nessa’s grandfather, it had only ever served as an elaborate camp for the family until the virus hit.

During the time Chris had been gone, Nessa kept herself busy. She and Ginger had found new friends though sadly Ginger had passed away peacefully the month before.

Unfortunately, no matter how busy she kept herself, it wasn’t enough. She missed her baby so much it was a physical ache. Even when she found Tim and they ended up falling in love, she couldn’t be completely happy. She was hesitant about leaving these people she now considered her family but she needed to find her son.

Smiling tremulously, she shouldered her pack, gave Tim one last scorching kiss, then turned in the direction her son had followed years before.

As she walked, she replayed the last conversation she’d had with her son.

“Mom, I only have enough T for another month. There was a medical facility not far to the East of us. If I’m lucky, they may still have supplies,” Chris shook his head. “I promise I’ll be fine. I’ll get everything I need and grab whatever extra medication might come in handy then head straight home.”

“Baby, I understand you need your testosterone but would it really be a big deal if you went a little bit without it?”

He looked at her like she was crazy. “Oh sure Mom. Why don’t I just not worry about it till I start having periods again? Is that a good plan?”

She shook her head acknowledging how ridiculous she was being. “I just want you safe. Safe and preferably close to me.”

Chris smiled and hugged her rubbing his sandpaper chin against her cheek. “I know and I love you but I need to do this.”

“I wish I could go with you but Ginger would never make the trip.” She gestured to where Ginger was carefully circling on her cushion before settling in to lay down. The 50+ pound mixed breed they’d adopted as a pup had already begun having hip issues so long walks were a thing of the past.

“You’re right. Besides, I won’t be gone long. I’ll be back before you know it.” Chris hugged Nessa tight and she marveled at how tall her handsome son had become as her head barely reached his neck.

Removing a chain from around her neck she handed it to her son. “I want you to take this with you.” Seeing he was about to protest she quickly added, “I may not be able to go with you but at least a small part of me can. Now, go before the waterworks start because I can’t stave them off forever.” And with one last hug, he left.

She should’ve realized when he didn’t return after a couple of weeks that something must’ve gone wrong but she didn’t want to believe that he was dead. If not for Ginger, she would’ve gone looking for him sooner but the elderly pup had been incapable of traveling far from the bunker and she had been too big to carry long distance.

The first day after leaving the bunker, Nessa judged that she had walked about twelve miles. When it was too dark to see, she found a large tree to lean up against, wrapped herself in a blanket and slept until the sun started creeping over the horizon. She repeated the procedure each day thereafter only stopping for quick bathroom and rest breaks. The forest was dense in some places and not others so there were days she made more progress and days she made less. It was on the fourth day that she found the dog.

It was hard to miss the little mongrel because he or she was yipping and crying nonstop. Nessa increased her pace drawn by the urgency of the cries. As she rounded a giant tree in her path she saw something that made her heart break. The poor pup had it’s leg clamped in a rusted leg trap.

Nessa pulled her pack off her shoulders and rummaged through until she found her blanket. Speaking soothingly she slowly approached the dog and grabbed it with her blanket. As soon as it’s head was covered, it stopped yelping and immediately calmed down. Still murmuring soothingly, Nessa proceeded to open the trap to release the leg. Instantly, the dog became frantic and Nessa had to snatch at it desperately before it escaped.

Nessa continued talking to the dog, petting it through the blanket and trying to calm it. Finally, the little dog stopped thrashing and trembled violently under the blanket. Not trusting that it might not try to get away again, she firmly grasped the dog around the abdomen with one arm and moved the blanket out of the way so she could judge the damage to the leg. It looked bad. She reached for her pack and pulled out her first aid kit not sure if there was much she could do to help. Once she’d managed to clean the wound however, she realized it wasn’t as bad as she’d originally thought. Antibiotics would help ward off infection but not having any at hand, she’d done everything she could for now. Before releasing the dog she did a quick check and realized it was a boy.

“Alright sweetheart, I’m going to let you go now but you don’t have to run away. I’m a nice person I promise.” Nessa removed the blanket and for a second the dog stayed in her lap. Then he jumped up and began limping away. “Wait!” Nessa called, “I have food. Are you hungry? Do you want food?”

At the word food, his ears pricked and he looked at her considering. She pulled out her last sandwich and tore off a piece. He didn’t move. She tossed it in his direction and he moved closer to sniff it before it disappeared into his mouth. Nessa smiled and did it again, tossing it so that each piece brought him closer and closer. Finally, he got close enough to take the last piece from her hand. And that’s when she saw it. Attached to a leather collar around his neck was her locket. Hesitantly, so she didn’t scare him off again, she reached out and rubbed him gently with one hand while she grabbed the collar with the other. She opened the heart-shaped locket to be sure and there they were. The pictures of herself and her son, one on either side were still in their place.

Nessa felt a surge of joy because she knew her son wouldn’t have put this on just any dog. This must be HIS dog. And that also meant that he must be close by.

Energized, she dug into her pack for a rope and tied it to the dog’s collar. “You ready to go home boy?” she asked. His ears pricked and he performed a slightly awkward happy dance as he wobbled on his bad leg. “Let’s go.”

She’d been following the little dog for less than an hour when she started hearing noises ahead. As she drew closer, she recognized the unmistakable sound of construction. Before she knew it, she was facing a giant wall that spread as far as the eye could see on both sides. She allowed the dog to guide her and followed the wall to the left realizing that it actually curved and was probably circling something. She figured there must be a way in but after following the wall for several minutes, started wondering if there actually was. Just as she started wondering if she’d started on her second time around, she was surrounded by a group of people that did not look happy to see her.

“Who are you and why are you here?” The question came from what she assumed to be the leader of the group so she addressed him when responding.

“My name is Nessa and I’m looking for my son Christopher. This dog has a locket I gave Chris attached to his collar so I’m hoping my son is somewhere nearby. Do you recognize this dog?”

No one said a word for a moment though the looks exchanged spoke volumes.

“Is he here? Please! I need to know if he’s here!”

The man she assumed to be the leader gestured to another man that hurried off. Then he turned back to her. “Follow us.”

They quickly came to a gate that was already opened and she followed them inside. Once inside, they traveled through what she could only describe as a maze until they were outside a room. The leader knocked on the door before opening it and motioning her inside.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to the tall man standing in front of the window. Though she couldn’t see his face, she knew it was her son and rushed to embrace him. The familiar smell of her boy overcame her senses and almost made her miss something that was very different. She pulled back, looked into his precious face and asked hesitantly, “Chris?”

Chris looked at her sheepishly as he rubbed his extended belly. “Mom, a lot has happened since we last saw each other.”

“Well,” momentarily at a loss for words she sputtered, “I can see that.”

Chris smiled and said, “You know that I would never have chosen to do this,” he pointed at his belly, “but since it’s happening, I’m incredibly relieved that you’re here for it. I can’t think of anyone better to deliver this baby.”

Nessa was overcome with joy at the prospect of becoming a grandmother but so sad that her son was having to go through something she knew he’d never wanted.

“It’s okay Mom,” he reassured her then winced and grabbed his belly. “It’s almost over now. Ready to meet your grandchild?”

Nessa swallowed hard then rubbed her hands together. “Let’s do this.”