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October 30, 2024 • 30 mins

In the final chapter of part two of Terminus, Tilda and Madison's past catches up with them, and the future comes knocking.

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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hey, this is Anny and Samantha and welcome to stuff
I'll Never told you, a production buy Heart Radio, and
welcome once again to Sminty Fiction, which is something we
do once a month. It is something that has a

(00:25):
bit more sound effects. If that's not your thing, I
totally get it, but Christina makes it amazing. Is something
that I wrote for National Novel Writing Month, and I
believe twenty eleven slightly edited on my part, but I
kind of wanted it to stay as it was and
think about, like what was going through my head at
the time. This is the final chapter of Part two

(00:48):
of Terminus. It is a trilogy. Part two is called
Big Things Start Small, but I thought it was gonna
be too confusing, so I just called it Terminus Part two.
We'll go into part three after this. That one is
much shorter, but yeah, I'm really really excited for this one.
A quick content warning disease descriptions of violence, gun violence, death,

(01:11):
and harm to animals. Yeah, it's an intense chapter, so
for a quick for a quick breakdown before we get
into it. This last chapter, there is this disease that
is called HSB five and it's really taken out the
human population to the point like people are thinking they're

(01:33):
going to be extinct, and it's made having children incredibly difficult.
In all of the chaos of this, the government in
the US rose up alongside this religious organization called ARM,
and they took control of every aspect of reproduction. Unto
our protagonist, Tilda has escaped with her child, Madison, who

(01:57):
she conceived illegally. She is on the run with Madison
from the enforcers of the government. She has been for
seven years. She's dealing with all of these feelings of
inadequacy and if she did the right thing, and just
trying to fight for them to survive. She does eventually

(02:17):
encounter someone who leads her to a resistance who is
trying to find a vaccine that they claim exist. But
the resistance ends up and not being what she thinks
they are and they betray her. But through this they
do Tilda does learn that there was a vaccine, but ARM,
who created the virus that caused all of this as

(02:38):
some sort of punishment, destroyed all of the vaccine except
for two. Tilda decides it's worth the risk to go
to Washington, d C. And confront ARM to get her
son the vaccine. He does get it because it turns
out the leaders of ARM are his grandparents did not

(03:00):
know that, and there's a violent confrontation. Both of the
leaders of ARM are injured. Tilda broadcast over the system
what they did and then escapes, and then they've been
on the run ever since. It's been a brutal winter.
There's been people chasing them. They had a very violent
encounter with I guess a roving what would that be called?

(03:24):
A group of people trying to survive, but they're very
violent in their methods. And now she's found they found
another group who seems to be a bit more green.
Behind the ears, as they'll say, they're still kind of
like upbeat that maybe something could happen. The message there
was a broadcast message from Tilda's mom that implies that

(03:48):
there are new vaccines being made. Madison wants to go
back to DC and meet his Tilda's parents and help
with this vaccine. Tilda does not trust them, so that's
where they are. What are they going to do next?
Let us see, let's get into the fiction. Shock leaked

(04:22):
onto Tilda's face and the barrel of the gun lowered
in her surprise, but she jerked it back up. When
the man took the tiniest of steps closer. You are
Tilda and Madison, no one, the man marveled. I can't
believe it. There was murmuring from upstairs. Tilda stared at him, confused,
not knowing what to do. How do you know who

(04:44):
we are? She forced out, almost not recognizing her gravelly voice.
He snorted once again, glancing upstairs and then back to Madison,
and then back to Tilda's face. Everyone knows who you are.
You're the broadcast where you told everyone about the vaccine,
the one today. He shook his head. You have no idea,

(05:08):
do you? Tilda waited for him to explain. No, how
could you? The man answered himself. Look, we have no
intention of hurting you. We're a group of four, my
wife and her sister and her husband, on our way
to DC. We're just stopping here for the night. You

(05:31):
have my word, we mean you or your son no harm.
I've heard that before, Tilda told him, unmoved. The man nodded,
I'm sure you have, he agreed sympathetically. You have the gun.
We have some provisions, stuff to build a fire. He

(05:53):
gestured toward the stone fireplace. Let's sit and talk. I
don't know how else to me. You trust us, He
looked once again upstairs, as if for help. Tilda stood
paralyzed with indecision. Something in her did trust this man,
or about as much as she could of a stranger.
She didn't get the sense he was trying to cost

(06:15):
her or her son harm. Keep your distance, she commanded,
all of you. She half lowered her gud. He nodded,
waving down the people upstairs. Tilda heard their cautious footsteps
A moment later. I'll just get started giking the fire,
all right, Tilda realized he was asking her permission. She nodded,

(06:40):
and he knelt in front of the fireplace, doing his best.
Tilda could tell not to look back at her. He
pulled some wood from a metal crate on the side
that Tilda hat noticed earlier, or perhaps they'd put their
own wood there. Two women and another man appeared, all
similarly dressed, with hiking backpacks that had sleeping bags and
pots and pans strapped to the front. They glanced back

(07:02):
at Tilda, nervously crowding around their friend and helping him
with the fire. The candles and the cellar burnt out
just as the orange yellow light of a fire flared
to life, and the crackling burning of wood filled the room.
Scout had settled in the far corner. The group of
four settled wearily around the fire, eyeing Tilda, who shouldered
her rifle in favor of her smaller handgun. Any wine

(07:25):
down there, the second man asked, in a would be
jovial voice. Tilda nodded. Hundreds of bottles, she answered. Sitting
cross legged on a rug a small distance away. Madison
took a seat slightly behind her. The heat from the
fire washed over them, and Tilda almost sighed with the
warmth of it. The group took in the handgun clasped

(07:48):
loosely in her hands. The first man cleared his throat
and clapped his hands together. Tilda tightened her grip on
the gun at the sound, and he tensed so Introductions,
he said, his voice high, I'm Fred. This is my
wife Tarah. He pointed to a kind eyed woman with
crows feet and graying hair. Her sister, Hannah, a slim,

(08:11):
red headed woman, waved awkwardly, and her husband, Jason, a
broad shildered man with a square jaw. He gave her
a nod and a smile. We were thinking of cooking
up some baked beans and some canned salmon, a regular feast,
he laughed, humorously, but still jovial, and we'd be happy

(08:32):
to share with you. We can also boil some water
for coffee, and we have some chocolate squares bor dessert.
Tilda's mouth watered. Then we can talk. Sound good. Tilda nodded, belatedly,
realizing she'd never introduce themselves, but it appeared that the
group knew who they were anyway. Tilda watched awkwardly as

(08:56):
they set to work making dinner, talking quietly amongst themselves,
pulling out canned goods, hot plates, and silverware, the benefits
of having a group all equipped with hiking backpacks. Tilda
felt like she should offer to help, but also felt
it would have been too awkward. Several cans of beans
went into a pot, Fred held it over the fire

(09:17):
with a gloved hand. The contents of a bottle of
water went into another pot, and a few tins of
salmon were dumped into a saucepan, the smell filling the air,
both in the fire as well. In a few minutes,
the meal was done and divided equally on tin plates,
you're lucky, Tara smiled, passing a plate first to Madison
and then to her tilta tensing painfully. We happened to

(09:40):
have two extra plates and two extra sets of silverware.
Madison smiled, Thank you. You're welcome, young man, Tara said warmly.
Two monks of coffee were also passed their way. Tilda
balanced the gun on her thigh the plate on the other,
her eyes, darting around from person to person. For a
couple of moments, they ate silently, savoring the warm, salty

(10:03):
food and the coffee, which warmed Tilda's aggravated throat. Jason
was the first to breach the silence, addressing Tilda. I
couldn't help, but notice your face is quite swollen, he
pointed with his fork, and your throat is bruised. Are
you injured elsewhere? For some reason, Tilda flushed at the attention.

(10:26):
Struggling with a mouthful of beans, she shook her head.
What happened? Anna asked her, wide eyes, surveying the damage.
Tilda shrugged, but then scolded herself, telling herself that these
people were sharing limited rations with her in her son
when they absolutely did not have to, and a world
of rapidly dwindling rations. Her eyes slid to Fred. I

(10:51):
told you I've heard before that someone meant us no harm.
He was a liar, and now he's dead, and unbidden
voice added in the back of her mind. She hunched
her shoulders, imagining that they could see her for the
killer that she was. She felt mass in tents beside
her as well. Fred whistled, you weren't kidding. Tilda could

(11:15):
tell that they wanted to probe, but refrained. She appreciated it.
Thank you for the food, she offered, gruffly, her throat
twinging that sounds painful. Tara sympathized, You're welcome. Fred picked up,
shooting his wife an exasperated but fond look. He switched gears.

(11:37):
We're on our way to d C to see about
this vaccine and the provisional government. There's just not much
left out here. Tilda could tell he wanted her to
elaborate on her plans, but she didn't. You were there,
Jason asked in DC. Tilda relented, nodding, figuring that they

(11:58):
knew the answer to that already. Why. Tilda turned to
look at Madison against her will. He stared back at her,
his eyes opened books in the dancing orange light of
the fire. I was looking for a vaccine. How do
you know that ARM had one? Tilda looked back at Hannah.

(12:21):
It felt so far away, all of it. It's a
long story, she admitted ruefully. I didn't know they had one,
and they didn't originally, but the Resistance discovered there was
a secret supply, and ARM destroyed them all but two

(12:42):
of them. Tilda took a bite of salmon self consciously.
How'd you know though I was there? Tilda said quietly,
then shook her head as if to clear cobwebs. How'd
you know who I was? She directed at Fred. Your
picture has been posted everywhere for years for starters priority

(13:04):
number one, he informed her. Tilda had suspected this, but
hadn't known for sure. Her picture was posted. You were
younger in the photo, obviously, but still recognizable, he allowed.
Tilda averted her gaze, embarrassed. And the broadcast you sent
he paused, his eyes drifting to Madison. I don't thank

(13:29):
you realize everyone knows who you are. His eyes landed
back on Tilda. You're sort of a hero, he said
this without any guile. Tilda blinked. Jason chuckled at the
look on her face, and she shook her head, not
believing you are. Fred reiterated that broadcast it gave us hope.

(13:53):
You stood up to arm, You gave the human race
a second chance. No, I didn't, Tilda disagreed, taking a
sip of coffee. I was just I was just doing
what I thought was best for my son. Fred granted
her this with a bow of his head, and in

(14:16):
doing so, you gave us hope. Seriously, you're like worshiped
in some circles, Jason added a smile in his voice.
Tilda shook her head. Sure they were playing with her.
What happened that led up to the broadcast? If you
don't mind me asking, Tilda scraped up the last of

(14:39):
her beans, giving them the abridged version, leaving out the
truth of Madison's parentage. They all listened, attentively, sipping out
their coffee, all the plates cleaned. Madison sipped at his coffee, too,
making a face after every swallow at the bitter taste.
Jason cleared the plates, wiping them down with paper towels
and tossing them into the fire. Fred passed out squares

(15:01):
of chocolate. That's amazing terror, murmured, I can't believe you've
been on their run since such a young age, managing
to avoid the enforcers and to break into arm headquarters
and escape. Her hands went to her heart. It's rough
out there, Jason added, I can't believe you have managed

(15:22):
to make it all these years, and with a kid.
No less, We've only been on the road a week
or so and we've well, it's been an eye opener.
We thought we were prepared, but we've struggled. That explained
why they were so willing to share their rations. A
couple more weeks on the road and they would not
be so willing, till the thought. As she guiltily nibbled

(15:43):
at the corner of her chocolate square, she thought about
offering them tips, but besided against it. There was nothing
she could offer them that wasn't common sense. Like with
most things, it's just came with experience. So she shrugged,
you do what you have to. The gun felt heavy
in her lap. Fred laced his fingers together, leaning forward.

(16:07):
If you don't mind me asking, where are you heading?
Tilda did mind him asking, She answered the question he
was really asking or not going to DC? You're not
Hannah repeated, surprised, but after the broadcast from your mother today,
she trailed off, looking at Tara. Tilda just shook her
head once again, looking at medicine. It's not safe there.

(16:32):
It's not safe out here, Fred responded, waving a hand
at her face. For some reason, Tilda suddenly felt like
bursting into tears and exclaiming it's not safe anywhere in
an overly dramatic fashion. But she didn't. We've run in
with the resistance before that. You didn't give me much
in the way of trusting them. If something convinces me

(16:52):
that's changed, then maybe I'll change my mind. She justified
her decision quietly, not as satisfying as her melodramatic breakdown
would have been. I'm sure you're aware, Fred began, slowly.
People are looking for you, other sects of people. Tilda

(17:13):
almost laughed. One more people not looking for them. Terra
seemed to share her thoughts. Honey, they've managed to not
get caught for eight years. There are more people looking
for them now, Fred argued, Now that can be true,
could it? At Her broadcast had a bigger impact than
the old Priority number one messages. I just the man

(17:37):
broke off, rubbing a hand over his beanied head. I
just don't want anything to happen to you. Are your son.
You could travel with us, You'd be safer in a group.
He stopped at Tilda's immediate shake of her head. Fred,
she knows living in this new wild world better than
we do, Tara reminded him gently. There was an uncomfortable silence.

(18:02):
Tara turned her gaze to Madison. Did you enjoy the chocolate?
Madison nodded shyly. Been a long time since I've seen
someone so small, Jason said, good naturedly. I wish I
was taller to reach things better, Madison said, adorably, untiled
his opinion, don't worry, little man. Big things start small.

(18:28):
They all turned to stare into the fire, each lost
in their own loud thoughts. We should get some sleep,
Fred said, defeated, til to clutch at the gun again reflexively.
The look he gave her was one brimming with pity
until it felt an answering swell of annoyance. Pots, pans, plates,
silverware replaced sleeping bags rolled out around the fire, keeping

(18:51):
an eye on everyone till they fished out their own
sleeping bags. Bright neon colored things and unbold them. I
hope at the very least we've won your trust, at
least that we mean you no harm. Tilda held Fred's
gaze for a moment, confessing, it's just hard for me,

(19:13):
for us, We've not met too many people we can trust.
I've kind of forgotten how I think. Fred curtly nodded
at her omission, appreciating her honesty. I understand, but she
can sleep soundly. He turned over his back facing her,
as if to prove he trusted her. Tilda slipped off

(19:35):
her rifle and laid it behind her, and then placed
her handgun next to it. She laid awake as the
fire died down, holding Madison close, sure everyone was lying
awake as well. All that talk of trust was easy,
but falling asleep in a room with strangers, letting yourself
be your most vulnerable did not come easy, especially not
in this new world of limited almost everything. One by one,

(20:00):
their breathing even out. Exhausted with the long days of
walking with packs and little food and water, Tilda was
the last to drift off, her frayed mind, holding on
as long as it could before she slipped into an
uneasy sleep. She jolted awake, gasping her eyes immediately seeking
out Madison. He was curled up in a ball next
to her, his hands folded underneath his cheek, his breathing soft,

(20:23):
and even Tilda's heart hammered in her chest. She placed
a hand over it, willing it to slow. She surveyed
the others, all apparently still asleep. Even Scout's eyes were
still closed in the corner. Her throat was painfully dry.
She retrieved a bottle of water and took a few
careful swigs, wincing, allowing her guard down. Now that no

(20:45):
one was watching, it was twilight before sunrise. Tilda laid back, gingerly,
feverish and hot and cold at the same time. Her
skin prickled with cold sweat. Madison turned in to her,
drawing his knees further up his chest. Tilda was unable
to fall back asleep. She watched the line of light

(21:07):
rise slowly on the far wall. The sounds of people
waking came sigimultaneously with the light. Tilda sat up, running
a hand through her hair as the others rose, stretching
and sipping at water. Madison's eyelids fluttered into waking his
eyes locked with Tilda's. The others set about preparing a
cold breakfast of canned fruit and beef, jerky and water.

(21:29):
The smoke from a fire would be too obvious. During
the day, Tilda and Madison rolled up their sleeping bags
and placed them in Tilda's pack, and then joined them,
enjoying mushy bits of pineapple and mingoes salted dried meats.
I guess we'll part ways today, Fred said, clearly, not
happy about it, unless you changed your mind about heading

(21:50):
to d C. Tilda shook her head. Figured, but I
had to try, he told her ruefully. Anything we should
look out for. A wraith like image of Jake and
ellis formed in her mind's eye. Yeah, she ventured, carefully,
knowing they'd pieced together what happened to her face when

(22:10):
she told them so, she opted for honesty. The guys
who gave me this, she pointed at her face, were
part of a group looking for members. We weren't inclined
to join. They didn't like that. Their campus somewhere near
Lafayette on six point thirty six. I'd steer clear of
that area if I was you, Fred nodded. Thanks for

(22:33):
the tip. Anything else till the thought, but came up
with nothing, not that I can think of, except avoid
the woods, all snow and no shelter food another nod.
The atmosphere was oddly solemn. As they packed up. They
sheltered their packs, avoiding each other's gazes. Ready, they stood

(22:56):
near the door awkwardly. Terror broke the silence. Madison, it
was an honor to meet you, such a polite young man,
and Tilda. She turned to Tilda, giving her a warm smile.
Such a strong young woman. You should be proud of
what you've done for him. Tilda nodded gratefully, unsure of

(23:16):
what to say. Jason added, look us up, you know
if you're ever in DC. Fred nodded in agreement, and
Hannah echoed Tilda's mother's words. Be safe out there, you too,
Tilda said tightly. A round of stilted nods, and the
group of four left, Madison and Tilda watching. Tilda waited

(23:38):
until they were out of sight before checking on Scout,
letting her drink some water from her cupped hands, and
then feeding her a few pellets. Within minutes, they were
back on the road, checking down the steep hill and
taking a ride at the end. Of it, Tilda could
just make out the silhouettes of their recent camping partners
in the other direction. She hoisted her rifle further up
her shoulder, subconsciously they were nice. Tilda almost laughed aloud

(24:04):
at the domesticity and venality of the comment. For several
hours they continued with little affair down six zero three,
the river sneaking along next to them, much quiet, they
whispering over sand and rocks. Tilda found herself wondering about
the group they'd encountered, hoping that they'd make it safely
to Dce, that maybe they would meet again someday. The

(24:26):
sun was directly overhead when Tilda heard it, a dull
rumbling that she at first mistook for thunder, but it
was too continuous. She'd heard something like it before, she
just couldn't place it. There was a loud crack, a
whizzing scout screened, dropping heavily to her knees, trying feebly
to right herself. Dark red blood was cascading down the

(24:49):
horse's flank. She'd been shot. Madison shouted in horror. Tilda
extracted herself with some effort from the horse's back, just
barely managing to avoid the horse's flailing legs. She grabbed Madison,
pulling him to his feet. On the road, barreling towards
them was a tank. Tilda looked back at Scout, her

(25:09):
heart swelling with guilt, and then jerked her eyes away,
running toward the tree line. Out of the corner of
her eye, she saw something fast approaching the butt of
a gun, presumably the one that had killed Scout. Something
heavy rammed into her side, winding her and knocking her
from her feet. She lost her grip on Madison's hand.
She blinked away red spots, reaching for her gun, but

(25:31):
a black boot stumped on her wrist. She screamed and
then instinctively kicked up. The man gasped in pain. Tilda
cradled her hand to her chest or reaching again for
her gun. The tank growing larger and larger as it
closed in. Strong hands clamped around her arms and yanked
her to her feet. She looked into eyes filled with rage,
the color of steel. A man in army fatigues, bulky

(25:55):
with muscle. Another man appeared from behind him, grabbing Madison,
who fought wildly. Panicked, Tilda kicked out again, but got
little reaction other than frustration. A fist collided with her face.
Tilda heard something crack, a spray of blood dispewing past
her lips. She almost blacked out, but her worry for
Madison kept her tethered to the here and now. As

(26:17):
awful as the heron now may be. Madison was crying.
The tank rolled to a stop befound them. Tilda was
able to make out through the haze of pain. Tilda's
rifle had been picked up by the man holding Madison,
but her handgun was still in the waistband of her jeans.
With what little mobility she had, she slowly reached behind her,

(26:40):
unable to make sense of the conversation going on around her.
She closed her hand around the grip, slid it free.
She felt as though time had slowed. She swung it around,
aimed the barrel at the man's guts, and pulled the trigger.
She was released violently. Loud shouting pounded against her ear drums.
Ear drums that were still ringing from the gunshot another

(27:02):
fist in her stomach, smashing into her side, into her face.
She stumbled back with each hit, scratching, hitting, kicking at
her assailant until she was shoved tipping backwards over the edge, falling.
A swirl of colors smeared as she rolled down the
steep hill on the side of the road, each impact
knocking the breath from her. Further and further away from Madison.

(27:22):
She fell until she smashed her face first into a
pile of mildewde leaves at the bottom, the smell filling
her nose. She fought to hang onto consciousness, the world
blinking in and out. The sound of the tank grew
further and further away. Madison was gone. That was her
last thought before unconsciousness finally claimed her. She'd lost Madison.

(27:48):
She lay still, unable to move as her world crumbled
into darkness. Who would she be when she woke up?
If she ever did, What would she be with out Madison?

(28:26):
And that brings us to the end of part two
of Terminus. Yeah, it's a cliffhanger, And I had a
This was something that if you've ever done something similar
to national novel writing a month, A lot of times
you're just writing whatever comes to mind, and like, if

(28:48):
I can get the words in page this, I was
not the ending I was planning, but I thought it
was interesting when I wrote it. In terms of now
she Tilda has lost Madison and what does she do?
What does she do now? Who is she now? And
that question of identity when you are so used to

(29:11):
defining it in one way, what does that look like?
And what is she going to do now? And especially
like looking back at their sort of probably over the
top but prophetic dreams that they were both having. Well
we'll see because yes, Part three will come soon and

(29:36):
that one is a much quicker like punching the gut
in a best in the best way. Okay, I hope,
I hope. Well tune in to find out in the meantime.
As always, I love hearing from people about this, thanks
to Christina who continually makes these happen. If you have

(29:57):
any suggestions for anything we can do in this realm,
we would love to hear from you. You can email
ust Stephani your mom Stuff at iHeartMedia dot com. You
can find us on Twitter at mom Stuff podcast, or
on Instagram and TikTok at stuff. We never told you.
We're also on YouTube. We have a tea public store
and we have a book you can get wherever get
your books. Thanks as always too, Yes, our super producer,

(30:17):
Christina Executive producing my and our contributor Joey. Thank you
and thanks to you for listening. Stuff I Never Told
You is production of iHeart Radio. For more podcasts from
My Heart Radio, you can check out the heart Radio app,
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