Elysian Fields by Anne Gabriels

some vicious creatures that would start nibbling at my flesh at any moment. Then I started itching and it was like there were a thousand ants all over me. My heart was racing and I felt like it was going to burst. What did you feel?” Serge asked.
    “More or less the same thing,” Tom answered. “But we both know it’s always been like that. It’s been bothering me ever since we tried it the first time. We always carry the instruments with us, but there’s nothing there. No ants in our pants, so to speak. So why are we so scared? Why the panic?”
    “I don’t know, but I beg you, no more tonight. My nerves are shot.” He started to pull at his short hair, his head between his knees. Tom could see his hands were shaking.
    “There must be something beyond the fog. And why doesn’t it lift, ever?”
    The whole city was surrounded by it. Tom had tried in other places. Other people had tried as well. Nobody could conquer the panic attack that followed. Serge turned to Tom, “Have you ever tried it through the old downtown? I’ve never been there. It’s too scary with all the freaky Scrappies wandering around.”
    “Don’t talk like that about them. You know very well I’m one of them now. But, yes, to answer your question. It’s pretty much the same. On the other side of the skyscrapers there’s the lake. Once I took out an old boat and when I reached the fog, I looked back. I got a better view of the whole area. This beastly fog surrounds the whole city in a large circle.”
    “What if the whole world is in the fog? What if we’re the only ones alive?”
    “Come on now. That’s the kind of garbage they teach in school s, in history class.” He imitated a booming voice, “ Lost forever is the Earth we knew before the time of the quakes. We’re on our own, saved from the cataclysm, fortunate survivors in our beautiful little world.” Do you really believe that?”
    “Can you prove that it’s a lie? We haven’t seen anything else, no matter how hard we tried. How long have we been doing this and how far have we gone? A hundred yards here, two hundred there, and what? Nothing!”
    “Then we have to start thinking outside of the box. For example, if the limit to our expedition is largely imposed by our fear factor, let’s eliminate that from the experiment.”
    “How will we do that?”
    “We’ll use the auto-platform. I lay down on it, you tie me to it and knock me out with the brainwave modulator. Then, you remotely drive the platform into the fog for as long as the remote works, while watching on the camera. You wake me up remotely. If I see nothing but fog and I can’t bear the panic, I’ll knock myself out, but not before I communicate with you to start driving me back. If I feel no panic, I’ll venture to walk farther on foot. That might just do it.” Tom felt pretty excited as he was talking.
    “Look here,” Serge countered. “Why not send the auto-platform on its own? Equipped with a camera and all the sensors, it could penetrate anything you would. It will record everything, without the need to jeopardize your life.”
    “Tried it already. I sent the platform by itself. It reached the distance limit for the capabilities of the remote control unit and it recorded nothing but fog. I hope to get farther on foot.”
    “All right, you’ve convinced me. Let me know when you want to meet and do it. I have to get all the stuff ready. How many platforms, how many modulators?”
    “Two or three of each would be best. Maybe we convince a couple of our trusted comrades to come as well. It makes sense to send more than just one man. I’ll let you know of anything else I might need.” Tom was ready to leave, but Serge seemed to have something on his mind. “Is there anything else you’d like to say?”
    “Tom, how long have you been in hiding? Almost four months. Isn’t it time for you to come back?” Serge’s voice showed how troubled his old friend was.
    “Come back to what, Serge?