Episode 15 - The Haven Underground

Summary

Hymns for the Road – Episode 15: The Haven Underground

Release Date: December 14, 2024

Overview

In Episode 15 of Hymns for the Road, titled "The Haven Underground," the four survivors navigating the magical apocalypse—Copper, Silver, Amber, and Glass—encounter what appears to be a safe sanctuary amidst the perilous fantasy wasteland of post-apocalyptic America. However, as they delve deeper into this refuge, underlying tensions and sinister motives emerge, challenging their trust and questioning the true nature of safety in this transformed world.

Arrival at The Haven

The episode begins with the group's discovery of unusual orange lights resembling street lamps, prompting suspicion about their authenticity.

• Copper (03:29): "Those aren't normal lights."
• Silver (04:04): "They're human. Can't you see? It's got dark walls and it's bright on the inside. That's two of the signs."

Deciding to proceed cautiously, they approach a massive metal door embedded into the mountain's side, glowing with warm orange light, indicative of a potential safe haven.

Interaction with Leadership

Upon arriving, they are greeted by Twelve and 78—members of the compound's leadership—who assert control over the newcomers' entry.

• Twelve (06:23): "You can come on out... You can call me Twelve. I'm with the leadership crew here. We're here to help you."

The survivors are subjected to a decontamination process, raising Amber’s suspicions about the true intentions behind the seemingly hospitable welcome.

• Amber (06:38): "Decontamination? Hold on. I need to know what this is before we agree to any decontamination."

Establishing Control

78 attempts to ease tensions by offering assistance, but his underlying motives become apparent as he enforces strict rules against the use of magic and possession of magical items.

• 78 (08:23): "Leadership doesn't let residents use magic. It's just one of those rules."

The group’s magical items, including a ceremonial dagger and a deck of cards, become points of contention as leadership demands their inspection and confiscation.

• Amber (10:28): "I don't think I want you taking that Knife."

Life Inside The Haven

As the survivors settle into The Haven, the facade of safety starts to crumble. They observe the regimented lifestyle and the dependency the residents have on leadership for survival.

• 78 (12:16): "We're happy to have you. We don't work with the folks, so all our stuff is fresh and homegrown."

Despite the provision of real food and organized living spaces, doubts linger among the newcomers about the sustainability and freedom within the compound.

• Amber (13:20): "You grow your own food, and we purify our own water. We're safe in here."

Rising Tensions and Suspicion

The atmosphere grows tense when Copper witnesses an altercation involving a leadership member, sparking fear and distrust within the group.

• Copper (23:04): "I saw somebody get hit downstairs."

These incidents lead to heated debates about the true nature of The Haven, with Glass expressing a desire to leave despite Amber's initial reluctance.

• Glass (23:39): "I agree with 78. I think we should get out of here."

Attempted Escape and Confrontation

Determined to reclaim their autonomy, the group plans an escape. Their efforts culminate in a confrontation with a leadership member who rigidly enforces The Haven’s rules, leading to a failed escape attempt.

• Leadership Member (30:37): "No single singing, please."
• Amber (31:09): "If it weren't for our charity, you would still be out in the snow. You're being extremely ungrateful."

In the chaos that follows, the survivors realize the extent of their entrapment as leadership tightens control, preventing their departure and ensuring compliance through threats and coercion.

Climactic Departure

The final moments of the episode showcase the group's desperation to escape as leadership members block their exit, emphasizing the futility of their situation.

• Copper (32:42): "I feel stupid."
• Amber (32:44): "No harder than we'd regret staying."

Conclusion and Foreshadowing

The episode concludes with the survivors left in disarray, their attempt to leave thwarted, and their possessions—including magical items—either confiscated or lost. The introduction of Esther, a significant but mysterious character, hints at deeper lore and future conflicts.

• Glass (26:59): "Maybe there's a possibility I'll get hurt. But what if I don't, huh?"

This episode deepens the narrative tension, exploring themes of trust, autonomy, and the illusion of safety in a world where magic and survival intertwine. The Haven Underground serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges the survivors face, setting the stage for future episodes where the true cost of sanctuary is unveiled.

Notable Quotes

• Silver (05:25): "If this is our only opportunity to find safety and you blow it because you're paranoid, I will literally never forgive you." [05:25]
• 78 (08:48): "They didn't so much as ask." [31:24]
• Glass (26:07): "It's not like your magic. Copper." [25:59]

Themes and Insights

• Trust and Deception: The episode scrutinizes the fine line between genuine assistance and manipulative control, highlighting how trust is both essential and precarious in survival.

• Autonomy vs. Safety: The survivors grapple with sacrificing personal freedoms for the semblance of safety, a recurring dilemma in post-apocalyptic narratives.

• Magic as Power: The regulation and confiscation of magical items underscore the symbolic and practical power dynamics within The Haven.

Character Development

• Amber: Continues to exhibit skepticism and leadership, challenging authority figures to protect her group's interests.

• Glass: Reveals the depth of her magical dependencies and the internal conflict between her desires and external restrictions.

• Copper: Acts as the moral compass, confronting injustices and pushing for transparency within The Haven.

• Silver: Struggles between compliance and rebellion, embodying the tension of wanting safety without losing personal agency.

Conclusion

"The Haven Underground" masterfully blends tension, character dynamics, and thematic depth to advance the overarching narrative of Hymns for the Road. As the survivors confront the harsh realities of The Haven, they are forced to question what true sanctuary means in a world where beauty and danger coexist seamlessly.

Transcript

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Greetings, listeners. I have wonderful news. Hymns for the Road and Find Us Alive are both nominated for the Audioverse Awards. Awards and even nominations give a huge boost to our visibility and help a lot of new people find us. And that's really beyond value for a show as small as ours. And with your help, we actually have a shot at winning. Go to audioverseawards.netvote to cast your ballot. That's audioverseawards.net vote and voting is open until December 21st. This is actually one of only two years that hymns for the Road will be eligible for the Audioverse Awards because it's so short. So let's seize this opportunity and get out and vote. Thank you so much in advance and enjoy the episode. Hymns for the Road is a fiction podcast that often takes place inside a moving vehicle. Listener discretion is advised while driving. General content warnings are listed in the show notes.

[Copper]

Coming.

[Silver]

You out to ransom captive Israel that morning tell you until the Son of God appears. Rejoice, rejoice. Emmanuel shall come to the awakening free.

[Amber]

From depths of hell.

[Silver]

Thy people save and give them victory. Rejoice, rejoice. Amen. You will shall come to the O Israel.

[Amber]

Look what might be somewhere to camp.

[Copper]

Those aren't normal lights.

[Amber]

They're orange like street lamps.

[Copper]

I think they are street lamps.

[Amber]

Glass. Check the cards.

[Glass]

Huh? I think the storm's going to get worse. I see it snowing sideways. And there's ice all over the trees. We should stop.

[Copper]

Look, there's a person.

[Silver]

Are they waving at us?

[Amber]

I know a trap when I see one. This is a trap.

[Glass]

Bover. Silver. Just for a second.

[Copper]

They look human.

[Amber]

They often look human. Copper.

[Copper]

But they look ordinary.

[Twelve]

Sanctuary. What are you? Survivor seeking sanctuary?

[Copper]

Yes. Yes, we are.

[78]

Copper.

[Copper]

They're human. Silver. Can't you see? It's got dark walls and it's bright on the inside. That's two of the signs.

[Twelve]

Follow me, please.

[Silver]

How about that? I think that counts as a present. Guardian 3.

[Glass]

Oh, hell.

[Copper]

I think it's real.

[Amber]

Don't get your hopes up.

[Copper]

In front of us, dug into the side of the mountain, is a door. More like a slab of metal on tracks, more than wide enough to fit our car inside. Light, bright, warm, orange light.

[Glass]

Whoa.

[Silver]

It's so bright in there.

[Amber]

This isn't a good idea.

[Glass]

Look at that. Silver. Machinery. Electricity. Doesn't it look normal?

[Silver]

And Copper's right. It's got a bunch of the signs we're looking for.

[Amber]

That's what I'm afraid of, Silver.

[Silver]

If this is our only opportunity to find safety and you blow it because you're paranoid, I will literally never forgive you.

[Amber]

I'm not going to keep us out here. Not in a storm like this.

[Glass]

We need to camp somewhere anyway.

[Amber]

All right, here we go.

[Copper]

We rolled into a huge antechamber closed off by a floor to ceiling chain fence. Metal scraps had been nailed into the walls and ceiling. And people, real people in thick jumpsuits and heavy coats, milled around our car.

[Silver]

What do we do now?

[Twelve]

You all can come on out.

[Amber]

It's all right.

[Twelve]

You can call me Twelve. I'm with the leadership crew here. We're here to help you.

[Glass]

Hi, 12. You can call me Glass. And this is Silver, Amber and Copper.

[Twelve]

Pleased to make your acquaintance. If you'll follow me this way, we can get your decontamination process started.

[Amber]

Decontamination? Hold on. I need to know what this is before we agree to any decontamination.

[Twelve]

I'm not telling you anything until we've guaranteed you're not them. You'll need your vehicle cleared before you enter the compound.

[Silver]

I'm not leaving my car. All my stuff is in there.

[Twelve]

We need to process your vehicle before we.

[Silver]

No, I don't think you heard me. I'm not leaving my car.

[Twelve]

Look, I know you're scared. Everybody is when they first get here. But those things out there, those metaphysical parasites that ruin the world, they can't get in. Not past these doors, even if they.

[78]

Hey. What do you say to letting me lend a hand?

[Twelve]

Processing vehicles isn't an operation. Clear.

[78]

I'm not talking about touching all their stuff. I'm talking about the tour. You know, all the explaining about what's going on. I've done it before. You know, I'm great with people. And I've been trying to get into leadership for a real long time now. And I like to think I deserve it after how good I've been recently. And look, you're scaring the hell out of them. You really never were good with the newcomers. 12, you know, I'm honestly surprised more of them don't just leave at the door. Right away, please.

[Twelve]

Fine. 78. You can talk to them.

[78]

Really fantastic. 12 up top. Okay. Absolutely amazing. I remember every step of the process. Don't worry. And don't forget to put in a good word with nine.

[Twelve]

Just try not to get in the way.

[78]

Don't get in the way. Got it. Come with me. You five. I'll talk you all the way through it.

[Copper]

What are they gonna do with our stuff?

[78]

They're just gonna take a look through your nice car to make sure that nothing's hiding inside. Happens lots of times. Happens with people, too. Sometimes one of them is hiding under your own skin and you don't even notice until they decide to come back out. I've seen it myself before. Pretty scary. But people are easier to clear than stuff. You just have to wave some magic items around them and see if anything weird happens.

[Glass]

Uh, what?

[Copper]

I have magic things in there. We're not gonna get in trouble for that, are we?

[78]

Nah, you're fine. Leadership doesn't let residents use magic. It's just one of those rules. But you're not gonna get in trouble for having it.

[Glass]

Wait, earlier you said something about people who have a folk attached to them. What happens if you do find someone like that glass?

[78]

Like if we found out one of your friends is being worn like a skin suit?

[Glass]

Well, I mean, aren't there other ways they can attach to people? You can. You can't hurt them, can you?

[Silver]

What are you talking about, hurt them?

[78]

No, of course we can't hurt them. I don't think anything can hurt them but each other. Nah. If one year turned out to be one of them, you'll just get tossed by counted snow. Tough luck. But that's the way it has to be, you know? Yeah. Nothing can hurt them. Leadership's working on it, though.

[Glass]

Good to know.

[Twelve]

What's this?

[Copper]

12 and three other people were elbow deep in our stuff. Unceremoniously, one of them held a tied bundle of leaves and sticks and dried flowers smoking from one end. 12 thick black gloves on their hands, pulled out a bleach stained towel wrapped in rubber bands from under the back seat.

[Silver]

That's none of your business.

[Amber]

It's a ceremonial dagger. We use it for the solstice.

[Twelve]

This is a potent magical object.

[Copper]

We know. That's why we keep it wrapped up.

[Twelve]

Residents aren't permitted access to objects like this. Sorry. We'll keep it safe. I can promise you.

[Amber]

I don't think I want you taking that Knife.

[Twelve]

All right, then. Open the gate.

[Silver]

No, no, no.

[Copper]

Wait, wait, wait.

[Amber]

You went through a lot to get that copper.

[Copper]

We went through a lot to get a lot of things, Silver. If they have a system through the solstice already, we won't need it.

[Amber]

I don't know if we're going to be staying until the solstice.

[Copper]

One night. Let's stay one night, and then we can talk about it.

[Amber]

All right?

[Copper]

You can take the knife. We're not leaving.

[Twelve]

Good to hear.

[Amber]

You keep that somewhere safe now.

[78]

Can I take him past the gate yet? Dinner's gonna get cold if we don't hurry.

[Twelve]

You got something in your pocket.

[Glass]

It's just a deck of cards.

[Twelve]

I can tell it's a magical object.

[Glass]

It's mine. It's just a personal item. I promise it's not a big deal.

[Twelve]

We'll need to take that along with the other components in your vehicle.

[Glass]

Okay, listen, I know that you have to do your jobs and everything, but it's really just the cards. No.

[Copper]

Put it with my stuff. It'll be fine. All in the same place. At the time, I didn't know why Glass was so hesitant to give 12 the deck. But it took longer than I expected. And when Glass put it into twelve's hand, twelve had to pull it from their grip like it was attached to them.

[Twelve]

All clear. 78, take them up. We'll park the vehicle.

[Silver]

I'll stay here until you give me my keys back.

[Twelve]

Uh, we don't need your keys.

[Copper]

One of them fiddled with some wires underneath the steering wheel and.

[Twelve]

Back it up.

[Silver]

That stunt better not have broken anything.

[Twelve]

Don't worry about your vehicle. We'll take care of it.

[78]

I'm really serious about the food getting cold. Y'all. Come on. Welcome to the Haven underground, Humanity's last stronghold in our magic hellscape wasteland.

[Glass]

You all right?

[78]

Looking a little pale.

[Glass]

They don't have any memories from before.

[Copper]

I've never seen this many people in one place.

[78]

Well, you probably have. You just lost all that somewhere along the way. That's all right. You can make new memories now that you're here. We're happy to have you.

[Silver]

Yeah, 12 back there seemed real enthusiastic.

[78]

Oh, don't let 12 bother you. They're always like that. They help run a tight ship. It's a hell of a job. We're on our way to the mess hall. Over there, you'll see our sanitation room that wake up storage. We have around 300 people living here, and we've gotten so good at sustaining ourselves that nobody ever needs to leave the compound.

[Amber]

You grow your own food, and we.

[78]

Purify our own water. We're safe in here. You're safe in here so long as you don't go back out.

[Amber]

You got real fruits and vegetables, not just. Not just vending machines.

[78]

Sure do. We don't work with the folks, so all our stuff is fresh and homegrown. We even got chickens and rabbits. Hmm.

[Silver]

You said we can't go outside, but 12 and the other people were out there earlier.

[78]

Leadership keeps watch on the outside. Everything out there changes so much and so fast. Somebody's got to keep tabs on it and make sure we're keeping up with what the land's doing.

[Silver]

It's not so bad when you're driving. It makes the transitions feel smoother.

[78]

I've seen it change a couple of times. Super weird. For sure. And over here, this is the work board. Everybody gets a number. And every week you'll be assigned chores to do for the Haven and for the leadership. Nobody lives here without contributing. That's how the whole thing works every week.

[Silver]

Does time work normally here too?

[78]

It mostly does, but sometimes leadership has it aside just to keep things running smoothly.

[Copper]

What else did leadership do?

[78]

Mostly take care of the managerial and administrative work. The top down stuff. Not as hard as what the rest of us have to do, but it's because they care about us. We have nowhere else to go after all. Unless you want to go back to the outside and look at that. We made it. And I think we're out of earshot. So there's something else I have to.

[Amber]

What you doing out there?

[78]

I'm giving a tour. Kind of important. I need help with cleanup in the back. Hope that thought. I'll be back in two shakes. Plenty of food. Help yourselves.

[Amber]

Oh, thank you.

[78]

Don't thank me yet. Day's not over.

[Silver]

This is awesome.

[Copper]

They have a garden in here. They have chickens.

[Silver]

They're gonna give us food for free.

[Glass]

Nothing is free, Amber.

[Silver]

Silver Glasses. Gunning for your job is the paranoid one.

[Glass]

I just don't know if I'm crazy about this place, that's all.

[Amber]

They got beds, Glass. Real food.

[Glass]

You guys don't think it looks bleak in here? Look at the other people. Don't they look, I don't know, depressed?

[Silver]

Glass, look me in the eyes and tell me you think 78 looks depressed.

[Glass]

I don't know how I feel about being stuck in here forever. I. I kind of like being outside.

[Copper]

Outside with them, Glass.

[Glass]

We've met plenty of them that aren't bad. We've even met people who are okay with them.

[Silver]

What about the ones that are bad? Wouldn't it be nice to not worry anymore? Wouldn't it be nice to relax and not have to look over our shoulders.

[Amber]

All the time so it don't look the way we were expecting? Was it ever going to? We all had different ideas, and it ain't like any of them.

[Glass]

Different ideas about what?

[Amber]

Soup.

[Copper]

Son, that smells amazing.

[78]

Thanks. I didn't make it.

[Glass]

What's in this?

[78]

Lots of fresh veggies, a little bit of bone broth. Not a lot of spices, but we do what we can. Gotta make do with what you got, you know? And it's not terrible. I feel like we do a good job. Anyway, about the thing I needed to tell you. Yeah. Be right there. I gotta go. I'll talk to you when you're all done. Bon appetit.

[Silver]

I think we found it.

[Copper]

We may have vegetable soup and homemade bread. They must have made it out of some kind of other grain. It was chewier than what we had been getting at the gas stations. But it was delicious. Filling in a way no plastic packaged food ever could be. It made my whole body feel warm and slow. This was food. Real food. It awoke a memory buried in the back of my mind. Remnants of before that I could almost reach. We ate in silence, mostly because everyone's focus turned to the food the moment we tasted it. Even Glass seemed less anxious after that.

[Amber]

So how's it feel now?

[Glass]

I don't even remember the last time I was full.

[Amber]

You all need to finish up. Mess hall closes in two minutes.

[Glass]

Two minutes?

[78]

You arrived toward the tail end.

[Glass]

We need time to clean up.

[Copper]

I guess that makes sense.

[78]

78 went to go take care of a few chores. They'll be back to show you around the common areas.

[Copper]

Excuse me.

[Amber]

Yep?

[Copper]

I'm sorry. Where are the restrooms?

[Amber]

Oh.

[78]

See that tunnel over there?

[Copper]

Huh?

[Amber]

Straight that way, down the stairs and take a left. The right goes to more storage.

[Twelve]

Thank you.

[Copper]

Okay. I took a left. So back the other way would be and to the. Oh.

[78]

No.

[Leadership Member]

You don't get to use that tone with me.

[Amber]

What tone?

[Leadership Member]

Don't play dumb.

[Copper]

I wasn't trying to use a tone.

[Leadership Member]

You're being disrespectful. Do I need to remind you that we're doing you a service? We don't have to let people like you stay here. We could close the haven down and leave you all out in the cold. Do you want that?

[78]

No. No.

[Leadership Member]

That's right. You don't do you want to go back to having nothing? No, of course you don't. You have 15 minutes to get these reorganized, or I'm going to have a discussion with the rest of the leadership about whether you deserve to be here.

[Copper]

15 minutes doesn't mean anything.

[Leadership Member]

Talk back to me again. Go ahead.

[78]

All here. Great. Follow me, and I'll show you where you can bunk down for the night. Share the room. I hope that won't be too much of a problem.

[Amber]

You came back awfully fast, copper.

[Glass]

You all right?

[Copper]

I.

[Silver]

Everything okay?

[Copper]

Yeah, everything's all right, I think.

[Amber]

Let's see that. Room 78.

[78]

Right this way. It's down the hall from my room, which is also a lot of other people's rooms, but you know what I mean. I'm on the floor tonight, but it doesn't bother me. Good for my back. I think I remember somebody saying something like that once. Or maybe they were saying, it's bad for your fact. I don't know. Anyway, we're here.

[Amber]

Whoa. Two real beds.

[Copper]

Dibs.

[Silver]

I want one first.

[Amber]

I'm taking the other one. Seniority.

[Glass]

Oh, come on. You're not old.

[Amber]

You want to fight me for it?

[Glass]

Nope. I'm okay on the floor.

[Copper]

There's. There's no door in here.

[78]

Yeah, Leadership says it's a trust thing. Helps keep everybody accountable for themselves and each other, too. Lots of people living here, you know.

[Amber]

78. You've been a sweetheart to us all evening. Been a long time since we were treated decent.

[78]

Oh, shucks.

[Amber]

Thank you.

[Silver]

I think this is the place we've been looking for.

[Amber]

A long time ago, somebody told us. Signs of a safe place. The haven fits all of them. And sure, maybe it's a little gray, but I'm sure we can liven it up over time.

[78]

So, about that.

[Silver]

That 78. What's your favorite kind of music? I've got a whole library memorized.

[78]

We're actually not allowed to sing.

[Silver]

What?

[78]

Or do any kind of art at all, really.

[Amber]

You're. You're not allowed. What do you mean? Why not?

[78]

It technically counts as magic, and residents aren't allowed to do magic. Only leadership. In fact, I think you all should start thinking about how you're gonna get out of here as soon as you can.

[Amber]

I don't understand.

[78]

I've been trying to warn you all night, but sound really carries in this place. And you never know who's got ears on you. You all seem like you were set up pretty good in that car. I don't think you wanted to.

[Copper]

Okay.

[Silver]

What no, it's safe in here. We just got fed a whole meal for free. With actual vegetables.

[78]

You can keep your voice down. I'm right in front of you. Thing is, it's not always that good. The farther it gets. Into winter especially. This was sort of a special occasion. Really?

[Glass]

I knew something was up.

[Silver]

What's wrong with you, Glass?

[Amber]

All right, all right. Everybody calm down. I'm sure we could talk to somebody about.

[Silver]

It's not like they can stop me from singing just to myself.

[78]

They can.

[Silver]

Actually, you guys, it hits all the signs. Dark walls on the outside. Light on the inside. Present Guardian, safe from the outside. This is what we've been looking for.

[Glass]

But what if we're interpreting it wrong?

[Silver]

How would we be interpreting it wrong?

[Glass]

The walls in here aren't dark at all. They're pretty light, in fact. And I don't know if there's a Guardian as much as Guardians. Like plural.

[78]

I have no idea what any of you are talking about.

[Silver]

You can't argue that. It's not safe from the outside.

[Glass]

I guess. But so is our car, in a way.

[Amber]

Copper, you've been real quiet.

[Copper]

I saw somebody get hit downstairs.

[Amber]

What?

[78]

Yeah, Some of the leadership people can get violent. Not so loud.

[Amber]

What happened, sweetheart?

[Copper]

One of the leadership people was yelling at them about something. I. I didn't catch most of it.

[Silver]

Then you probably got it out of context. Maybe they deserved it.

[78]

I'm trying real hard to rise up in the ranks and maybe fix things. Things around here. But it's been years and I haven't really made much progress. I can't guarantee to any of you that it's gonna get better.

[Glass]

I agree with 78. I think we should get out of here.

[Amber]

There are better ways we can go about this and just run away. They have a good system here.

[Glass]

They're never gonna let us see the sky again.

[Silver]

Shut up, Glass. You're just mad because they took your dumb cards.

[Glass]

I wouldn't expect you to understand what I just meant. Those cards, they're more than just seeing a little into future. All right.

[78]

I feel like maybe I shouldn't be here for what's happening right now.

[Amber]

Everybody calm down. Calm down. It's late. Everybody's tired. We should sleep on and make a decision tomorrow. 78, what do you think? Anything bad going to happen to our stuff?

[78]

Not tonight. It's already late, but you don't want to wait too long. They'll be going through it tomorrow. And I couldn't hide much, but just in case, I brought this back. Oh, shoot. Where'd it go?

[Copper]

Our dagger.

[78]

I couldn't carry much else. And I'll be honest, I completely forgot about your cards. But I figured this was the most important, so I grabbed it in case you need to make a quick exit before that.

[Twelve]

78.

[78]

Hide it. Hide it.

[Twelve]

78.

[78]

Hello.

[Twelve]

I'd like to speak with you for a moment.

[78]

I'm all ears downstairs. Oh.

[Twelve]

Lights out soon, everyone. 78 with me.

[78]

Good talk, everyone. I'll see you all Tomorrow morning.

[Glass]

Thanks, 78.

[Copper]

See you.

[Amber]

So we talk about it tomorrow morning?

[Silver]

Sure.

[Copper]

Okay.

[Amber]

Glass.

[Glass]

Yeah, it's fine.

[Amber]

You all right?

[Glass]

I'll be good tomorrow morning.

[Silver]

Great. I'm taking my shoes off.

[Copper]

Glass.

[Glass]

What? Copper.

[Copper]

Why are your cards so important?

[Glass]

It's not like your magic. Copper.

[Silver]

Thanks. That did not clarify anything.

[Glass]

I. I buy my abilities. They don't come naturally like they do for you and Silver.

[Silver]

So if you stop buying, it'll go away?

[Glass]

I don't know.

[Silver]

But then this is great. We don't need magic in here. We can just be regular people. And whatever you're buying your magic from can't retaliate because they can't get in.

[Glass]

Amber. I don't want it to go away.

[Copper]

Glass.

[Silver]

Buying magic is dangerous. Even I know that. If you've got a free pass to nix the danger, you should take advantage of it.

[Glass]

Sure. Maybe there's a possibility I'll get hurt. But what if I don't, huh? What if it works and I actually get really good at it, and I'm happier for it if I'm stuck in here? I'm gonna miss the opportunity, and I might never even have the chance to try again.

[Silver]

It's not worth the risk.

[Glass]

Maybe they are. I don't know.

[Silver]

That spring that showed up when we got attacked by that mud thing, the one who saved you for no reason.

[Glass]

Their name is Esther.

[Silver]

You told me you didn't know who it was. You lied.

[Glass]

You wouldn't have understood.

[Silver]

Understood what?

[Glass]

Maybe it's more than just a magic. Amber.

[Silver]

Glass. What does that mean?

[Amber]

I'm calling it, y'all. We can't do this right now.

[Copper]

I thought Amber was gonna fight. They stared at Glass in stunned silence for a moment. And then.

[78]

Lights out.

[Copper]

The overhead lights shut off, and the whole Haven was plunged into near total darkness. Only a handful of small, dim lanterns lit the corridors past our open door. I heard Amber sigh. I felt and heard them lay down on the ground beside me, their back facing the rest of us. The last thing anyone said that night.

[Silver]

Was, glass can have the other bed.

[Copper]

What What's. Oh, what time is it?

[Amber]

Time to get up. That's what time it is.

[Copper]

I smell food.

[Glass]

My mouth tastes terrible.

[Amber]

Time to get up, Amber.

[Silver]

Five more minutes.

[Copper]

We have to go meet 78. They were gonna tell us something.

[Silver]

I'm up.

[Amber]

You got somewhere to hide that knife, Copper?

[Copper]

Yeah, I can fit it in my sweater.

[Amber]

It's secure.

[Copper]

It's secure.

[Amber]

All right, y'all, let's go.

[Copper]

Glass described the people in the Haven as looking bleak. I didn't see it then, but that morning I did. The hollow looks on their faces. I think Amber saw it, too.

[Silver]

Where's 78?

[Copper]

Should we ask 12?

[Glass]

I don't see 12 either.

[Amber]

78 will be here. Let's just find a place to sit and we can wait.

[Copper]

Sit where? There are so many people in here already.

[Silver]

A lot of them are just standing.

[Glass]

Oh, I thought it would be louder in here with all the metal on the walls.

[Amber]

Nobody's talking.

[Silver]

Why are so many of them looking at us?

[Copper]

Guys.

[Amber]

What, darling?

[Copper]

Remember last night? 78 was trying to tell us something specific. Yeah. How did all these people get here? Did they walk?

[Amber]

What do you mean?

[Glass]

All that made on the walls.

[Silver]

Oh, our car.

[Copper]

That's why they got us the knife. So we could get out of here before they disassemble our car.

[Glass]

I'm not getting trapped in here. I'm going to get our stuff.

[Silver]

I still have the keys.

[Glass]

Let's go.

[Copper]

But what about 78?

[Amber]

I don't think 78 is coming back, sweetheart.

[Glass]

I remember. Brady took your crate. Copper, let's go.

[Silver]

Meet you at the car.

[Amber]

Go on, Copper. I'll keep them occupied.

[Copper]

What? How?

[Glass]

Come on, Copper.

[Amber]

Hurry. Oh, come thy day, Spring come and cheer.

[Leadership Member]

No single singing, please.

[Amber]

Our spirits be thy advent here.

[Silver]

No singing, please.

[Copper]

There's my crate.

[Twelve]

Come on, let's go.

[Glass]

Oh, shit. Where are they?

[Copper]

Where's what?

[Glass]

My cards.

[Silver]

Rejoice, Rejoice. Amen. You shall come to the.

[Leadership Member]

Excuse me. We don't do that here.

[Amber]

I can't possibly see why not.

[Leadership Member]

That's not your place to question.

[Amber]

Not my place. We're all in the end of the world together, aren't we?

[Leadership Member]

If it weren't for our charity, you would still be out in the snow. You're being extremely ungrateful.

[Amber]

Y'all gonna tear our car apart, aren't you? You didn't so much as asking.

[Leadership Member]

We consider it as repayment for the safety we've built here. You've already eaten our food and slept in our space. You can't expect to get all that for nothing.

[Amber]

Yeah, I suppose it's my fault for expecting too much from other people, ain't it?

[Leadership Member]

Sit down or we'll be forced to escalate this.

[78]

Where is it? Where is it?

[Copper]

Where is it?

[78]

Where is it?

[Copper]

Lex, we have to go. We'll get you a new one.

[Silver]

Come on. Time to go. Open the door. The red lever.

[Glass]

Got it.

[Silver]

Get in, Silver.

[Glass]

Hurry.

[Amber]

Keep that door open.

[Copper]

Wait. Silver jumped in after us. The huge metal door opened to the blizzard beyond.

[Twelve]

Stop. We're trying to help you.

[Silver]

You're not helping anyone. You're trapping people here.

[Twelve]

It's for your own good. People have always needed guidance. Most of these people wouldn't survive without our help.

[Amber]

Better to die out there than wither away in here.

[Twelve]

We're only trying to help.

[Amber]

Then where? 78. Move aside. 12.

[Twelve]

You'll regret leaving.

[Amber]

No harder than we'd regret staying. Amber.

[Copper]

I feel stupid.

[Amber]

Don't put this on yourself.

[Silver]

I really thought we found it.

[Copper]

I hope 78 is okay.

[Amber]

Yeah.

[Copper]

I lost a bunch of my components from that crate.

[Glass]

They took my carts.

[Amber]

Don't worry, y'all. We'll find you new ones. Maybe we'll get something new out of the solstice.

[Copper]

Promise.

[Amber]

No.

[Podcast Announcer]

Hymns for the Road is a podcast written and Produced by Ana McGuire. Starring Maurice Thomas as Silver, Paopanga Nibon as Glass, Grizz Siebenek as Amber, Tabitha Bardol as Copper, and featuring Autumn Toller as 12, Tariq Esau as 78, Tom Schulk as 13, Emily Folger as 9, and Tosh Ritter as 125. Original music by Joshua David Mitchell. This episode's hymn is Occam, An Advent Hymn. Sign up for our [e-mail] or support our work on Patreon.com Hodgepodgeaudio thank you for listening.

[Regents Blue Cross Blue Shield]

We all need a moment to really breathe. So here's your chance to take a deep breath in. Now give a nice long exhale and repeat another 10 or so times. This healthy suggestion is brought to you by Regents Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon. Together we health. Been sitting a while. Maybe it's time to go for a quick walk around the block. Walk, skip, sprint, sachet. Whatever gets you up and moving. A little exercise can make a big difference. This healthy suggestion is brought to you by Regents Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon. Together we help.