The Heart of Yellowstone

Short Story

James offered his hand to his friend Melanie as they descended down the side of Obsidian Cliff. After assisting her in finding her footing he wiped his brow and looked forward on their path. Together they’d logged new evidence that Yellowstone was due to erupt, and sooner than anyone had thought.

“Careful, James,” called out Melanie. James fell backward and landed on the ground. “Remember on our way up?” James turned his head to see Melanie, with her red bandanna keeping her chestnut hair from falling into her eyes, kneeling beside him. “Hope I didn’t startle you too much, I grabbed your backpack where I could and just yanked you back. The footing can’t be trusted here and we’ll have to jump.”

“Thanks for the quick thinking,” replied James. “I was so excited that I forgot. Or scared.” He paused for a moment and braced himself against the cliff wall. “Is anyone going to believe us? Everything back at the lab says there’s still time. We’ve always known we were overdue, but things have been going well for centuries, it’s hard to believe we’re only a few years away.”

“Let’s concentrate on getting down first,” said Melanie. “Maybe after some insight from Matt and Sandy we’ll find a mistake in our numbers.”

James couldn’t help but tap his foot and pull at his unkempt blond hair as he watched his colleagues squirm. Matt, a scientist who’d been working on Yellowstone research for almost eight years, six more than James and Melanie, was pacing back and forth as he mumbled nonsense. Their other colleague, Sandy, was spinning in circles on her right heel as she scanned the papers in her hands, she’d been working in the lab just as long as Matt. James and Melanie had both agreed to cover the field research while Matt and Sandy got to spend their days in the air-conditioned office, which suited them fine having been tied to an office space all through their graduate program together.

“This isn’t good,” said Matt, strutting from one end of the office to the other in his knee high cowboy boots. “We’ve been in the green ever since I’ve been here. You got these numbers while on Obsidian Cliff?”

“Yes.” replied Melanie. “James and I spent all morning there and — ”

“This isn’t good at all,” interrupted Sandy. “Matt, did you see this? This part right here, come here,” she waved some of the papers in the air, “do you see it?”

“Stop shaking it,” said Matt. James watched Matt’s head dart around as he presumably tried to read the papers floating through the air as Sandy continued to wave them around. “If these numbers are correct, no wait, those are letters,” he took off his glasses and wiped them on his shirt, “Sandy, can I please have another look at the documents?” He took the papers to the table, where James pushed a chair out for him using his shaking foot. “We need to this information to Dr. Periculum. She’ll know what to do.”

James and the others waited outside Dr. Periculum’s office as if troublesome children awaiting judgement from the principal. When they first arrived to deliver the information they were all crammed into the office, each one trying to speak over the other as various claims as to what the numbers meant clashed. Their cries must’ve infuriated the doctor as she sent them out of her office in a fit of rage.

After nearly an hour the office door opened and Dr. Periculum emerged. She dropped the papers into James’ lap and gestured for everyone to follow her. James tailed the others while in a single file line, unsure of where they were headed.

The doctor lead them down a long hallway and to a steal door. She tapped on the side of the door, which appeared to be nothing more than a blank wall. After a few moments a small section of the wall parted and the doctor lowered her head to allow her eyes to be scanned. James looked around to the others, their eyes all as wide with disbelief as his.

“Follow close,” said Dr. Periculum. “Whatever you see here today, you never saw. Got it?” James and the others all nodded their heads.

“Understood, Dr. Periculum,” said Matt, nodding his head over and over.

“Uh, right. At ease?” replied Dr. Periculum. “Keep it at a first name basis with me as we continue. I assume all of you are aware? Brevity is everything, as I fear our time is running out.”

The doctor pulled a card from her pocket and swiped it alongside another door, which granted them access. James walked in last and saw an array of silver suits lining the wall. He thought the suits looked like what King Arthur’s Knights would wear in space. The doctor removed a suit and began unzipping the back of it. “Find your size and put one on.”

“What are these made of?” asked James.

“Looks like a mix of fiberglass and silicone,” said Matt. “Should be able to withstand some pretty intense heat. You don’t think Gretchen wants us to…” he stopped talking when he locked eyes with James.

“She wouldn’t,” said James, his words grunting out as he struggled to get into the suit. “I’m sure she’s merely being cautious. Perhaps there’s some underground viewing chamber of the magma.”

“Is everyone all set?” asked the doctor. “We’ll be going into the volcano.”

The four of them crammed into a small submarine-like capsule, with James again trailing the team. He shut the door behind them and fastened the latch, according to the doctor’s instructions.

“Your data was quite alarming,” said Gretchen. “I fear the worst.”

“Where are we going?” asked Matt.

“Somewhere that doesn’t exist,” she replied, with a wink.

“I hope we still exist by the time we get there,” said Matt while tapping the interior walls of the vessel with his bulky gloved hands. “To think families are up top enjoying the beauty of the park while we’re down here hoping that beauty stays dormant for another millennia.”

“Longer than that,” said Sandy. “I don’t want my distant relatives worrying about this volcano. I don’t need this place consuming their lives as it has mine.”

“And you’ll need them to read your fantasy novels,” said Matt. “They’re probably the only ones who will…”

“They’re fantasy-romance and I’ll find a publisher! Eventually…”

“Can I read them?” asked Melanie.

“Don’t bother,” remarked Matt, “they’ve been a work in progress for years.”

“We’re here,” said Gretchen. “Remember,” she looked around until it appeared she had everyone’s attention, “everything you see here doesn’t exist.”

“Hope I don’t see a mirror,” said Matt. “I can’t deal with an existential crisis on top of everything else that’s happening.”

James exited the vessel and looked around at what appeared to be an underground bunker. Through a quick tour given by the doctor he learned the ceiling, which was see-through, was composed of a reinforced plexiglass so the scientists working in the top-secret lab could be as close as possible to their subject without taking a swim. The doctor lead the way through an intricate labyrinth of secret walls and swipe-only access doors until they entered into a large white room.

“You can remove your suits,” said Gretchen. “This area is temperature controlled.”

James and the others removed their suits and hung them in a similar fashion to how they’d found them. Gretchen then introduced them to a number of scientists, the most notable being an idol of James’ ever since he was a boy.

“Doctor Salutem,” said James, offering his hand before realizing the doctor had no intention of shaking it. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve been following your studies of the park since I was a child. Your memoir, ‘Living Inside A Volcano’ helped shape who I am. I never thought you meant it literally, however.”

Dr. Salutem smirked and let out a slight chuckle. “Back then I didn’t,” he said, “but life is full of surprises, something you should be quite familiar with according to the results of your study.” He held up a copy of James’ findings.

“Ah, yes,” said James, he wiped the nervous sweat on his palms onto his pant legs before gesturing towards Melanie, “my colleague and I discovered some troubling news.”

“Troubling indeed,” said Dr. Salutem, “and please, call me Tom. We’re all scientists here, after all.”

“You don’t happen to have a mirror in here, do you?” asked Matt.

“There’s one in the restroom,” said Tom, pointing to a grey door at the far end of the room.

“Great,” replied Matt, “I knew I shouldn’t have had that third coffee.”

“We think Yellowstone will erupt in only a few short years,” said Melanie.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve faced this issue,” said Tom, taking a seat in a leather office chair. He spun around to face a rather small metal desk with an assortment of graphs spread out over its surface. “Gretchen, do you remember our last voyage? Has it been ten years already?”

“Eleven,” replied Gretchen. “We were lucky to make it out alive.” Her tone of voice sounded more annoyed than relieved.

“I only wish the rest of our team had been so lucky as you and I,” replied Tom. He reached for a framed photograph at the edge of his desk. “My dear Abigail,” he said, dragging a finger across the glass, “our efforts may have been kept secret, but the world will forever mourn your loss.”

“Why do I have a feeling you’re about to tell us something we’re not going to like?” asked Matt.

“The six of us will be headed into the heart of the volcano,” said Tom.

“The six of us?” asked Matt. “Is that really necessary? Should we draw straws or something? When is this field trip taking place?”

“James and Melanie,” said Tom. “I do have some grave concerns with your findings however. Your decimals are off by a couple here,” he raised the stats sheet so James could read it. “We don’t have three years, we have less than three days. We’ll have to leave immediately. We can’t risk something going wrong and using up any more of our time.”

A scientist they’d been introduced to upon entering ran up to Tom with a laptop tucked under his arm.

“I’m a bit busy here,” said Tom to the scientist. “What seems to be the matter?”

“I think we should talk in private,” said the scientist. “It’s about the orb.”

“We already know,” said Tom. “This team is going to help me.”

“Do we have to sign a waver?” asked Matt, raising his hand. “Because I’d love to talk with my lawyer first. Also, does anyone know a good lawyer? Also, also, why doesn’t my phone work down here?”

“You’ll be a hero!” shouted Tom. “Isn’t that enough for you, boy?”

Matt held his hands out in front of him and rolled his eyes back and forth. “Hero, or alive, hero, or alive.”

“I’m in,” said Sandy, stepping forward. “Under one condition.”

“Yes,” said Tom, “and what’s that?”

“Matt and I get to work in this lab when we return,” said Sandy.

“If we return,” remarked Matt.

“Excellent!” said Tom. “Will the two of you be joining us as well?” He waved his finger from James to Melanie. “The world is counting on you.”

“Brief us on the mission first,” said Melanie.

James felt a trickle of sweat drip from his forehead and travel down his face until it left his chin. He looked around and noticed the others all had the same nervous expression he felt was on his face. Nobody talked as Tom sat in the drivers seat of their new vessel, a much more expensive-looking version of the capsule they’d arrived to the underground lab on. They were headed towards what Tom referred to as Yellowstone’s “heart”. There new mission was to extinguish the heart, something that had to be done whenever the volcano grew too close to eruption. It’s a ritual that’d been taking place for hundreds of years, with only the previous voyage being the first to not be a one-way-trip for the entire crew. Tom assured everyone they’d made great strides in the technology of their gear, and that everyone would be safe.

They were all wearing a heavier version of the suits they’d worn on the way to the underground lab, which made mobility difficult, but assured their safety. Each of their suits were a different bright neon, with James adorned in green and Melanie in orange, as means to to keep track of one another.

“I think this pink really brings out my eyes,” said Matt. “Does anyone else think so?”

James smirked. Matt’s humor was welcomed on the anxious vessel. He was so trapped in his own thoughts he couldn’t speak up for himself, neither did any of the others. He noticed Gretchen kept her stare locked on the screen at the front of the vessel. Since they were going into the heart of the volcano there was no glass, or really any need for it since their view would be so muddled, so their only visual of the area around the ship was from a screen at the front for the driver to use during navigation, which James was assured was set to auto-pilot and that Tom was there as a precaution more than anything.

“Nervous, Doc?” asked Matt as he looked towards Gretchen. “This should be a walk in the park for you. Heh, we’re actually below a park. That’s kind of funny.”

“There’s nothing funny about what we’re doing,” she replied. “There’s no guarantee all of us will make it out alive.”

“That’s what I say at every family reunion,” quipped Matt. “My aunt has this cheesy brisket casserole that must contain at least four sticks of butter. I’ve checked online and I’m pretty sure she made the recipe up herself. I’ve never made a casserole but I don’t think any usually call for that much butt — ”

“Enough!” Gretchen got up from her seat and moved closer to the screen.

“Your hearts in the right place, Matt,” said Sandy. “None of us know how to feel right now, so maybe take it easy on the stories?”

Matt shrugged and turned his gaze towards the floor.

James closed his eyes and recited their tasks over in his head. Once at the heart they’d each be equipped with an extinguisher, which had a more scientific name, but ‘caldera stabilization and heat modifier’ didn’t roll off the tongue as easily as extinguisher — when your operation is top secret there’s no need for a PR team to think up catchy names. Five of them would need to stay concentrated on the heart, a ‘white orb a hundred times the size of a basketball that emits enough radiation to cook a turkey dinner in a nanosecond’, according to Tom, while one stayed behind in the ship. Tom, claiming the position of remaining in the ship as the ‘most risky’, would be the one staying behind. James wondered if he’d been the one to stay in the ship during the last voyage, but neither doctor seemed eager to express any details of the last trip aside from not everyone having made it back.

“It’s time to put on your packs,” said Gretchen.

“This is what we’ve been training for,” said Matt, standing up. “We got this!”

“None of us have had any training even remotely related to this,” said Melanie.

“You’ve had squirt gun battles before, right?” said Matt, pulling the large pack labeled ‘CSHM’ onto his back. “It’ll be just like that.” He pulled the gun from the back of his pack as if it were a sword and held it in his hands. “I feel like my squirt guns looked a little nicer, though.”

“They’re for saving lives,” snapped Gretchen, “not fashion accessories.”

“Get ready!” shouted Tom. “Gretchen will lead the way.”

James followed the others out as they stepped onto a platform that looked as if it were made from the same materials as the ship. The platform went around the entirety of the heart, which resembled the sun without all the wisps of flames snatching into space. He pulled the blaster from his back along with the others and aimed it at the heart.

“Keep your blasters focused until it turns orange!” shouted Gretchen.

“What’d she say?” shouted Matt.

“Orange!” shouted James.

James pulled the trigger and a beam of white energy crackling with blue electricity spiraling around it shot towards the heart. He had to brace himself and push forward as the force sent him staggering back. He bared his teeth as he raised each foot, which felt as if were encased in cement blocks, and stomped forward.

The heart seemed to turn restless as it emitted wave after wave of a nauseating aura. Was it sentient? Were they hurting it? The questions were fleeting as James tried to hold his ground.

“It’s turning!” shouted Sandy.

“It’s happening again!” James heard Tom’s voice call out from behind him. “It’s unstable!”

“We can do it!” cried out Gretchen. “We can destroy it!”

“It’s not worth our lives!” pleaded Tom. “Come back to the ship!”

“We owe it to the others!” shouted Gretchen. “We owe it to Abigail! Help us!”

“We only need to calm it!” shouted Tom. “Not destroy it!”

James watched as the others followed Tom’s orders, but he stayed. Gretchen, right beside him, was still fighting with the push-back from her blaster, so he did the same. He wasn’t sure who to listen to. Was there really a chance to put an end to this ever happening again?

“Stay with me James!” called out Gretchen. “We can do this!”

“James, Gretchen!” shouted Tom. “I’m begging you! We’ve done enough! You need to get into the ship where it’s safe!”

“We’re not giving up!” shouted Gretchen.

“There isn’t enough time to drag you back to the ship, Gretchen! Please, we need to leave now!”

“Then leave!” shouted Gretchen.

James braced himself and turned his head to see the others filing into the ship. Struggling to stay in place, he turned his attention back to the orb and was overcome by a breathtaking white light.

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