Chương 15: Survivors
A door that appeared to still be functional was forced open letting out a small group of people, probably around fifteen or so appeared with a number of minor injuries.
The group began to look around the surrounding area trying to understand what had happened and where they were. However, the news was not encouraging.
- W-What does this mean?!
- W-Where are we?!
- W-We seem to have fallen into ... a canyon?
Another member gave a sighting in the dark.
- Look up! It's the bridge!
- Yes ... but ... it's destroyed ... was that noise a ...?
- Yes, it was most likely a terrorist attack. - answered an older man of slim build who seemed to be a teacher, that man was accompanied by two children who fortunately only had minor injuries.
- Damn it, why is this happening to us?!
- Dad... Where are we? Everything is dark. - asked a little boy.
- Calm down, Javier ... there's nothing to be afraid of ... daddy is here. - answered that man as if he appeared to be safe, but the truth was very different from what was seen.
- But how did all this happen? - the others argued.
- That doesn't matter now... we must ask for help somehow... we can't stay here.
While that group was talking, they could hear noises coming from the train where they observed that little by little some people who could still walk were coming out. However, soon after, they heard moans and groans from that place, it seemed as if the whole area was haunted.
- You are right, but first let's gather all those who resisted the impact ... from there let's divide into two groups. One will help those trapped inside and the other will go to the cockpit to find out the situation.
- Yes ... let's hope they are safe.
Even though they were trying to take heart, the passengers who were gathering together were afraid of what would become of them on this day, as it was night and they did not recognize where they were.
A few minutes later, as they gathered and talked about what they were going to do, one of them was heard to exclaim: "There is no time to lose!
- There is no time to lose! The group that will go to help those who are trapped, try to find first aid equipment and above all flashlights or something to illuminate. Those who need to rest should lie down away from the train. - ordered a young adult about 28 years old who seemed to begin to lead the rest.
Those who could use their phones turned on their flashlights, although it was not high power, but it was the best they had at the moment.
Being so, everyone tried to take action in the hope that this whole thing would be resolved quickly, but the worst had not yet happened.
- I hope it will be soon tomorrow ... otherwise things could get ugly. - commented in a low voice the man who had given the orders while looking at the night sky.
A few hours passed when a group of men found four young men who were next to the train. As they shone their flashlights where they were, they noticed that one of them, the youngest, was lying on the ground being treated by the other three who accompanied him.
- Hey! Are you all right? - exclaimed one of the men as they all approached the group of young men.
- You... are you? - asked Daniel.
- That doesn't matter... you're the only ones who got off the train? Have you found any other passengers?
- No... we just got off... wasn't the accident just a few minutes ago? How do we know if there are more people safe? - Glen said.
The men in the larger group murmured incredulously among themselves.
- What are you talking about, kid? It's been a few hours already.
The man took out his cell phone and used it to show the group of young men the time.
- See, it's already 4:37 a.m. ... the accident must have happened around seven or eight o'clock last night.
The young people were somewhat shocked, as they thought that almost no time had passed since it all happened.
- They were probably unconscious for some hours ... when they woke up they didn't notice anything. - commented one of the men.
- That doesn't matter anymore... we have to try Liam. - Daniel spoke with concern.
They all agreed, because when they only superficially saw the boy's condition they saw that he was suffering and panting a little.
That group of men split in two; a small group of three men led the way taking the group of young men with them, while the rest, about nine people continued walking in search of survivors.
As Liam was being carried by one of the men, Aren glanced sideways at the end of that train where the larger team was going to inspect.
- What are you waiting for, boy?! Hurry up!
Aren continued on his way.
As that other group was making their way along the path, one of them sensed something strange.
"Is this... fog?"
- What's going on! You're falling behind! - exclaimed another of the members.
The man who had sensed this hurried to keep up. "Isn't it early yet for it to be foggy?"
It was already morning, in a room of the train was a young man with a patch over one of his eyes who was lying on a sort of couch.
Rays of light were beginning to illuminate that cabin.
The young man who had a small, slightly damp towel over his head began to wake up.
- Don't force yourself ... stay still lying down. - was the first thing Liam heard.
When he opened his eyes he could notice the presence of a young and somewhat graceful woman with short hair. She was looking after both the boy and another young man in his 20s.
- Where... am I? - asked Liam somewhat convalescently.
- Well ... in the care area ... since you've just woken up since you were brought here, you may not know what's going on.
- What are you talking about? - Liam asked as he looked to the side at that other male who was still sleeping.
- I think it would be better to let your 'friends' explain, but they must be a bit busy..." commented the woman.
- ¡¿?!
- Well ... you know ... unfortunately we are stuck in this canyon until help comes. - stated the young woman somewhat hesitant and worried.
- ...
- But the good thing was that we were able to react immediately and we organized ourselves to face the situation.
- ¿?
- Yes ... Mr. Marcus began to direct us and started to appoint search parties and helpers. There were also some technicians who checked parts of the train that they concluded were safe to use. Fortunately there were four doctors among the passengers; they together with Mr. Marcus were able to effectively give first aid to those who were still ... alive. - finished commenting that woman with a certain sadness.
It was obvious to think that there would be a certain number of deaths from that impact, but that was not what mattered to Liam.
- I see... Do you know... what condition I am in? - Liam asked with concern.
- Oh, don't worry ... you just fainted from exhaustion ... on the other hand, you only have minor injuries, nothing to worry about. Still, don't try to walk, let alone run, you have to rest for at least a couple of days; those were the doctor's orders.
- ... I understand ... now, if it wouldn't be a bother, I would like to know something else.
The woman who began to attend to the other young man listened attentively.
- Were you able to contact the travel agency or civil defense? - Liam asked as he tried to sit on the furniture.
- ... Well... actually..." the woman seemed hesitant to answer, but was interrupted by the sound of angry shouts from people outside the train.
- What's the meaning of this, are they playing with us?!
- Didn't you contact the Rivas station?!
- Tell us once and for all if you are coming to help us or not?!
Among other and more complaints, there was one that was constantly repeated.
- Bring Marcus!
Outside the train was a crowd of more than thirty people in good condition so to speak who surrounded a smaller group of people who were trying to respond to their complaints.
- Listen everyone! The GPS and communication lines are down! Also no one has a phone line in this area! So, we are looking for a way to communicate with Rivas station... we ask you to be patient! - spoke one of those who seemed to be in charge of contingency management.
- Just talk! Where is Marcus?! Let him come out and tell us!
- Yes! On the other hand, how are we going to do with the food rations! We only have enough for a couple more days!
The hustle and bustle didn't stop and the more the seconds ticked by, the more it looked like a fight was about to break out. Food, drink and medical aid was scarce and the implicit order was clear: only those who had not been seriously injured would receive help, the rest would rather be dead already.
From the group in charge of contingency management, a man with blond hair and blue eyes came out; although his appearance seemed young from afar, he wore large earmuffs under his eyes and an old man's smile.
That man, who was wearing a jacket, appeared before everyone, producing a silence in the whole place.
He raised his left arm pointing to the sky and spoke.
- Look what is above us. We are trapped in a canyon whose only bridge is destroyed; besides, we have no phone signal and according to the map we are in an unauthorized region which we should not have passed through according to the maps we have. We are practically all doomed if at most in a couple of days no one comes to rescue us. What I have tried to do and what I ask of you is that if you have no idea how to help then don't talk.
All of the survivors were redargued in their conscience when they heard these words.
- Now ... the idea is to send a qualified team to climb to the surface and travel to Rivas station, which is the closest. The trip on foot is two days, so we need to set aside some food for them.
This idea upset several of them and they began to murmur.
- I know we are short of food, but we must risk it or perish in this place. Decide now! - exclaimed the young man.
Silence was the only thing that could be heard until one of them answered.
- All right, but who are you going to send!
The young blond smiled and left the place leaving the explanation of the details to the others who were with him.
Entering the train, in one of the cabins, the man who was accompanied by a couple of men asked to be left alone and, being so, inside the cabin he was with a small group of men alone in that place.
- So... Where was it that you saw the search team the last time? - asked the young man.
Being able to sit on the furniture, but without forcing himself too much, Liam began to recover little by little. As the boy looked out the window, he seemed to be immersed in thought.
"Well... actually the situation was to be expected. No, actually, it's better than I thought at the moment... However, in the long run, this will become chaos if help doesn't come."
The young man took looked around until he picked up a backpack that appeared to be his.
"Good thing they were able to pick this up...looks like the rest of my luggage they have."
As he took something from his suitcase, that young man saw a photo. It was one where he was standing next to another young man a bit older apparently.
"No... it's still too early to give up... I have a lot of things to do."
The boy was regaining his spirits when he suddenly heard a voice.
- Hey... do you know where the beauty who was attending us is?
Liam turned to look at the piece of furniture in front of him. He could see that other young man with whom he shared the room getting up a little tired.
- And you are? - asked Liam somewhat annoyed.
- Ah, yes ... I am Renato. And you?
- Liam.
Looking at him closely, an annoying memory came to his mind.
"Tch...why does this guy remind me of Glen?"
Standing inside the booth where that male who had confronted the others was standing, he seemed to be giving himself an interrogation.
- So it was around 4 am ... from there you didn't see that group anymore, right?
- Yes ... they said they were going to keep checking. - Glen replied.
- Well, it seems that everything is consistent with the claims of the remaining members of that group. - replied the blue-eyed male - on the other hand, have they seen any kind of animal or anything like that?
- No... nothing that we know of. - answered Daniel.
- Well ... it's lucky, isn't it? ... At least we don't have to worry about that ... As you may have seen, we have no idea when we will get out of this place, if we do; but as you heard, we are forming a group that can get to Rivas station and report what happened to us ... would you like to know if anyone is interested in being part of it? - spoke that young blond tentatively.
- Nope... thanks for the invitation, but we have some business to do... - answered Glen.
- Business?
- Yep ... we have to check on our dear friend ... his parents told us to protect him from anything ... so we can't go away and leave him alone. - Glen added astutely.
- Oh, I see... well if they accepted, we were going to give them some extra food, but I respect their decision... Well that would be all, you may leave.
Leaving that place, the group of young people didn't say anything until they were outside the train.
- Wow ... that guy is really scary. - Glen commented in relief.
- Hahh... I confirm. So that's Marcus, huh? ... Now I see why everyone obeys him. - added Daniel somewhat concerned.
- Slick, negotiating, reckless, provocative ... the description of a real poseur. - said Glen in a disgusted tone.
- Well, it looks like the team he put together will be leaving in a couple of hours ... let's hope they can find the help as soon as possible. - Daniel commented somewhat hopefully.
Leaving aside that topic and the first impression they had of that person called Marcus, the group headed to where Liam was.
When they arrived they heard noises of complaints and mocking voices inside where their traveling companion was staying. It was strange, for Liam must still be sleeping, they thought.
Without waiting to knock, Glen hurried to open the door and see what was going on.
- Not you too!
- Come on... just once!
- Do I speak Chinese?!
- Well... you have your English accent, but you're understood.
- First Glen and now you!
- Who is Glen?
Aren, Daniel and Glen witnessed that childish scene where they were again trying to see what Liam's patch was hiding.
- Is that how I was? - asked Glen indifferently.
- Yes ... and worse. - replied Daniel and Aren.
- Well ... it's never too late to change. - Glen commented cheerfully.
Liam became aware of the presence of those at the entrance.
- Are they waiting for an invitation or what?! Stop him!
After a few more minutes of watching, the group helped him.
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