Alexandre was almost too late to board when he finally arrived at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, but thankfully he was able to check in and get on the plane. When he presented himself to the customs officer before boarding, Alexandre handed over the forged passport which he'd just acquired from the Underground.
Despite his confidence, Alexandre couldn't help but feel nervous. The forger in the Underground had an excellent reputation, but you could never be 100% sure that a mistake hadn't been made.
However, his fears were misplaced. The customs officer slid the passport back over and, all things considered, seemed to be very bored. The phony passport had been worth every penny.
As Alexandre settled down in his seat, he recognized some other faces around him—he wasn't the only former candidate on his way back to Hunter Island. But Alexandre couldn't bring himself to care about anything but sleep. His injuries still needed time to heal and the alcohol the previous night had slowed that process. The three hours it would take to reach Hunter Island would be most welcome.
But just as Alexandre's eyes closed, a strange and horrifying smile came over his face.
***
September 2024 (12 Years Ago)
Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada.
It was a rainy day, but my father and I didn't care. We partook in our usual father-and-son Sunday outing, riding our 4x4 through the wilds of Canadian Saskatchewan as usual.
As we splashed through the freezing mud down the wilderness trail, something unexpected happened. My father made a strange face and pulled off to the side of the trail. He killed the engine and turned up the trail radio that was zip-tied to the frame.
The radio announcer's voice came cracking to us, suppressed by the wild trees. "The Russian Chief of General Staff has refused to comment on the Russian Armed Forces' status in Sevastopol for the time being. This city has been under strict quarantine since last Monday, and Russian journalists have reported sounds of gunfire from within the quarantined area.
"Anonymous sources say a dangerous pathogen has infected the town. Despite conjecture, there is no evidence that this pathogen was the result of a terrorist attack or that it is a new strain of COVID-19…"
Suddenly, my father's ringtone sounded out. He snatched it from its holder on his belt as though he'd been expecting the call. "Hello!? Yes, General, I heard. Yes, I know, but I warned you about this! I told you that the Russians would go too far! …No, sir, we're still in Canada with my wife and son. Evacuation to Grand Forks!? You really think that's necessary now!? Wouldn't it be better to give the Russians a chance to manage the situation!?" He gave a deep sigh. "Right, sir, we'll be on our way by morning."
"What is it?" I asked as my father hung up. "What's going on?"
"Please be quiet," he said, but there was no anger or irritation in his voice. "I must think for a while." So we turned around and drove back to the house in complete silence. I'd only seen my father like this once before, on the day of my grandfather's funeral. When we'd begun our Sunday trek, the rain and the wilds had given the atmosphere of adventure and excitement, but on the way back, it felt as though we were isolated survivors fleeing a terrible tragedy.
I was only thirteen at the time. I had no idea what was going on. I simply turned on my PS5 and began an online match. When I heard raised voices from the other room, a sign that my parents were arguing, I thought nothing of it.
Then my other burst from my parents' bedroom and locked herself in the bathroom, crying bitterly. My father slowly left the bedroom and came to me. His eyes were vacant, like his mind was fully occupied with other thoughts. "I have something to tell you, son. We're going away from home for a while. My work requires me to go back to the States, so we'll be headed to North Dakota tomorrow. I need you to just pack the essentials, like we're going on vacation."
At that moment, it finally hit me that something very serious had happened. "We can't go tomorrow!" I protested. "Exams start this week!"
My father replied, "Don't worry, son, it's only a week! You'll catch up when we get back. This is important work, so they'll have to make accommodations for you. Now hurry up!"
In a daze, I followed my father's orders. I charged my phone and packed some clothes and my Switch. It was all that I could think I'd need for a week away from home.
Little did I know that, when we left for the United States the next day, I would never sleep in my family's house in Canada again.