Chapter 47: Two new recruits

Not long after hearing the sounds, the two people came back out. They cleaned up as best they could, but the blush creeping up Sarah’s neck was still visible. They were still slightly disheveled.

Ember walked towards the two. She didn’t mention anything they’d heard.

She looked at Sarah, her expression soft. “It’s terrifying, isn’t it?”

Sarah’s shoulders slumped. She nodded. Her eyes spoke for her when words couldn’t. The fear and longing for the normal world were there. It has only been one day, but people are already despairing.

“I get it,” Ember said. “We all do.”

Aiden stepped forward, “We have a place in the mountains. Our personal base. It’s safe. It has power, supplies…We might stay there for the foreseeable future.”

“We’re giving you a chance at survival,” Ember stated. “No one knows how long this will last. It’s only been a day, and people are already claiming territory. This earthquake is bound to make things worse.”

“Survival?” Marcus scoffed. “You’re selling timeshares in hell.”

“Hell or not, it’s a place to live,” Aiden said, his voice devoid of emotion. “We have a fully stocked, self-sustaining base in the mountains. It has its own power, water purification, hydroponics, and defensive systems. But it’s empty. It needs people with skills.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. Marcus was unmoved.

He asked, “So what’s the catch? You don’t get something like that for free.”

Ember placed a hand on Aiden’s arm. “The catch,” she said softly, “is that the base’s power source is…unconventional. In the new world, old rules won’t apply. Consider it a new form of energy.”

She paused, letting the words sink in. “The base runs on intimacy and connection. On emotion and…sex.”

The silence hung in the air, louder than the earthquake. Marcus stared at Ember. His expression shifted from wary to hostile.

“You’re insane,” Marcus managed, his voice coming out in a growl. “You’re a bunch of sex-crazed lunatics.”

“Are we?” Ivan chimed in, getting up from where he was sitting. “Marcus, you seem like a practical guy. It’s a power source. It’s 100% renewable and a hell of a lot more fun than solar panels. The lights stay on, the water’s hot, and we all have a good time while the world falls apart. Where’s the downside?”

“It’s barbaric,” Sarah whispered.

“Is it?” Ember countered. “We heard you two earlier. We know what you were doing. Was it barbaric? Or were you two terrified out of your minds and decided to cling to the one thing you thought was real?”

Sarah lowered her head, stepping back slightly.

“It’s not just about the act,” Ember continued. “It’s about connection. The energy it creates. I know it sounds crazy. Let me show you.”

She turned to Aiden. She saw his eyes full of trust. She smiled.

She looked back at Marcus and Sarah. “Remember to keep an open mind.”

She cupped Aiden’s face in her hands. She looked into his eyes, and for a moment, there was only the two of them. It was a look of profound love, absolute trust.

She leaned in and kissed him. A kiss that wasn’t about lust, but love. It was slow, deep, and tender.

As they kissed, Ember focused on their bond. She projected a simple image. Proof of the energy they were talking about. A soft orb of deep blue light. It pulsed, growing brighter with each passing second.

Marcus and Sarah stood transfixed. They saw the kiss and the impossible light. Sarah, a believer in science, tried to wrap her mind around the biological impossibility.

When Ember and Aiden parted, the light faded.

Marcus was silent for a long time. His gaze flickered from Ember to Aiden, then the space between them.

A tremor rocked the building, reminding them of the doom that was happening outside.

The possibility that something like that was possible was a wonder to him. He felt his heart racing. He wanted to experience this base himself.

He wanted to see if this place really exists.

“I’m in,” Marcus said.

The group turned to Sarah, wanting to know what her opinion on the matter was.

She didn’t say anything for a moment. Her head was down, and she played with her fingers.

She sighed before she spoke. “If I join, do I only have sex with Marcus or do I have to have sex with other people?”

“That’s completely up to you,” Ember said, smiling. She pointed at Aiden. “Anyone except him. He’s mine.”

She studied Sarah. Her body was nice. She had a petite figure and curves in all the right places. Ember decided that if Aiden liked her, she might allow it.

She peered up at Aiden, who looked at her. He shook his head as if answering the question she was thinking.

“We are currently in need of people. If you find someone you want to take with you, you can discuss it with us. Or if you have friends who might be interested, you can give us their address. We can go.” Aiden knew Sarah didn’t agree yet, but she was almost there. If he could convince them to add a few more friends, that’s fine.

“Let me make one thing clear, however. The base work without us.” He pointed between himself and Ember. “So, a hostile takeover is basically the same as killing yourselves. If you have friends that enjoying sowing discord, it’s best to forget about them.”

Ember smiled and leaned against Aiden. “Well? What do you think?”

Sarah nodded calmly. “I’m in.”

“Great!” Ember clapped her hands, then opened her palm.

The covenant of fellowship appeared.

“All you need to do is place your hand on this scroll, and you’ll be good to go.”

Ember saw the trepidation on their faces. “You can read it first if you want. I don’t mind. But without signing this, you have no voice. Just like in life. If you want to be in the inner circle, there are benefits and demerits.”

The scroll floated, waiting for them to accept or decline.

They both accepted.

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