But when this foundation takes root in my mind, I can see that they are firmly opposed to it. "We must rush to the mainland," said another member of the organization.
I sighed helplessly, and Abby's hand clasped my arm. There is no reason or argument between them. They have made up their minds. I looked at Aiden, but he didn't want to argue, I could tell from his face. He thinks the mainland is also the best choice. My back trembled, and those people would die. They would take me, my friends and family away.
When we were in sync, I didn't argue. Although it is about five miles, we reached the Berne Bridge much faster than I thought. I stared at this impressive metal building, which arched gracefully over the canal; in many ways it was the twin brother to the Sagamore River. I have been waiting for the Yin Yang Devil Realm music to start playing, and I have been waiting for something to happen. I can't get rid of this feeling: we are the only human beings on earth, we are sucked into a certain time cycle, and may even be tricked. I've been waiting for someone to jump out and shout, I caught you
Neither of these two things happened.
The road to that bridge is very clear to me. These lights are almost like enticing us to board a tall building, like a mouse crawling on a nǎi cheese. I am sure that the shadow of Yin will be caught as soon as we walk out of the forest.
Abby stood on tiptoe and pulled me close to her. "I don't want to cross the line."
I pressed my finger to my lips to keep her quiet. Other people gather together and talk to each other. Abby and I stayed. I am opposed to separation. This is the last thing I want to do, but I will not cross the bridge, and I will not let them let Abby cross the bridge. I don't know what we will do if we are left behind, but I am willing to seize the opportunity here instead of stepping into the death trap.
I can't hear what they are talking about, but Cade crossed his arms across his chest and shook his head firmly. There was a slight tremor in Abby's petite body. Jenna was behind Cade, shaking her head and nodding. As Brett listened intently to every argument, Aiden hesitated, looking uncertain about both options, trying to decipher which approach he thought was the best.
"You must stay here, Abby."
I tried to free myself from her hand, but she just held it tighter. "No."
But this is not important, because the group is beginning to split. Aiden walked towards us. I can tell from his shoulders and the look in his eyes that I would not like what he said.
He told me: "We will do it in groups."
"I won't go there," I told him.
"No, Aiden, I don't know how to bridge. This is tantamount to suicide."
"Stay here is tantamount to suicide," he said.
"Crossing that bridge is an instant suicide, you know. We still have a chance here. If we think about it wisely, we can come up with a different plan."
"Aliens may not have considered these bridges."
His words were so stupid that I looked at him dumbfounded and speechless. They somehow have the technology to easily navigate the galaxy and freeze a large cluster of stars, but didn't they foresee the only two ways to leave Cape Cod? I don't know what anyone is thinking, but they didn't use their brains. This is very clear. "Ayden..."
"We can't stay here, Bethany."
"There must be another way," I insisted.
"In what way?"
I don't know how to answer him. This canal is known for its unpredictable currents, swimming across this canal is almost as obvious as running across the bridge, but even so, it seems to me a better choice. Then I got it. I know exactly how we can get to the other side. "What if I have a better plan, Aiden?" I asked.
He stared at me without blinking. "What's wrong?"
"If we find some diving equipment, we can swim with it. We can stay underwater and hide out of sight. This might work."
Aiden became silent; Abby stared at me, and Cade seemed to be thinking about it. "We don't know how to use diving equipment, where can we get it?" Aiden asked at last.
I don't care if we can scuba dive. I am more willing to take this risk than that bridge. "Someone here may know how to do it, and there is a rental house a few miles away. There are all kinds of beach supplies there, and they may have what we need."
Another group of people got closer to us, but when I mentioned diving, none of them spoke out. "We will figure out a way," I whispered.
"This can't be guessed casually."
I glared at him fiercely. "I would rather take the risk than fly over a hundred feet above the damn Aiden!" I said sharply, wondering why he insisted on this crazy idea stubbornly. He is one of the smartest people I know, but he is extremely stupid now. My idea is not without risk, maybe even death, but it is better than this kind of absolute madness.
"She makes sense," Cade said. "We can swim around the canal, avoid the current, and then go to a place where there is more shelter on the other side."
"We don't know how to use diving equipment," one of them said firmly. "We can never do this."
"I know how to dive." My attention was drawn to a young woman in her teens or early twenties. Her long reddish hair was almost brown, and her thick curly hair fell to the middle of her back. When she looked around, her cat-like green eyes were piercing. "My father and I used to go lobster diving. I am not an expert, but I am good enough in this area. I can help."
I looked at Aiden anxiously, but his jaw was clenched, and I could see that he still objected. "We are not sure if this store will provide rental equipment."
"It's worth a try," Abby said.
"It might not even be enough for all of us, then?" asked another woman in the group.
My patience has reached its limit. "Then we will come here again tomorrow night, but at least we have tried," I said sharply.
"You can stand here and debate as you want. I won't wait any longer. The closer the sky is to dawn, the smaller our chances of the past," a man insisted. "We may never be able to live anymore. This may be our only chance to escape, and I won't mess it up."
"But this is not an opportunity, this is death!" I insisted. "Please don't do this. This is stupid."
I don't understand why they insist on doing this. Is it because this is the only plan they believe in? Is it because they believe that the other side of the bridge will be magically better? Or just because they finally have something to do, something to attach to instead of fear and uncertainty
Whatever it is, I know I can't stop them, and I'm afraid I can't reason with Aiden. Will he leave Abby and me for this? Just to prove a point
"You will see Beth, when we reach the other side, you can join us."
My heart is pounding. When Abby's fingers grabbed my arm, she shook harder. "Don't be like Aiden," she pleaded.
He looked at her as if he didn't know who she was; obviously he thought she wanted to go there too. "Why don't we think about what Bethany said?" Cade suggested.
"What is there to consider?" The burly man squeezed towards us through the crowd. When he carried the backpack on his back, he raised the spear higher. "This is our plan."
My heart was pounding, and my mouth was completely dry. There seems to be no way to stop this. "At least stay with us," I urged Aiden. "If they get to the other side, then we might consider going."
Aiden looked a little embarrassed, he looked back at the four people who had started to gather on the side of the road. "We are in the third group, we will go when that happens."
I have been separated without my knowledge or approval. "Why should we separate?" Abby asked.
"The smaller groups are less noticeable," Aiden explained.
"Yes, that would help," I retorted.
"You know I love you, Beth, but optimism has never been your strong suit," Aiden said.
I glared at him, trying to control my rising temper, punching and kicking with my hands on both sides of my body. He may be my brother and one of my best friends, but sometimes our personalities completely conflict. Unfortunately, this is one of those times, and his stubborn persistence is likely to cost us our lives. No matter how much I oppose crossing the bridge, I know I won't let him go alone. I can not do it. "Realism and pessimism are not the same. You are so stupid, Aiden, you don't even listen to reason."
"This is a good plan."
I bit my lip, and quarreling with him made me no progress. I looked at Cade, but his attention was focused on the people who had left the woods. I closed my eyes, prayed for their safety, and then forced myself to watch. I can't close my eyes on this; I must know what will happen, no matter how scary it may be.
"No, it's not," I whispered.
Brett approached me and put his hand in my hand. "I will guarantee your safety."
I reluctantly gave him a trembling smile, but we all know that it is almost impossible for anyone to stop the murderous intentions we saw before. His hands are warm and strong in mine. I know that every ruthless and every little scar marks it. However, when I held his hand, I didn't feel that powerful force. When Cade approached, that powerful force would tear me apart.
The second group stepped forward, and when the first group reached the far end of the rotating machine, they entered the street. They were only five feet from the beginning of the bridge and had just passed the entrance of IHOP. They walked onto the bridge and began to climb up cautiously. They have not completely crossed the water, but are still on the concrete sidewalk and jagged rocks marking the side of the canal. I shudder at the thought of what is happening on the bridge. It's not like falling into the canal will save them, but it seems more pleasant than concrete and rocks. (To be continued) (End of this chapter)