The Message

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 10:13pm by Cassandra Lennox & Juliet Parrish

2,024 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbour
Location: Cassandra's Cottage
Timeline: 04.12.2012 8pm

Juliet was heading to her little apartment just above the clinic after dropping René off at Lola's. She had given thought to spending the night with Travis, but she had never done that before and felt it might be awkward in the morning with his children. She also had a pretty busy day tomorrow and she would not get the sleep she would need. She noticed a light showing through a window at Cassandra's and decided to stop by on impulse. She trudged up the snow covered walk and steps to knock on the door.

Cassandra had cleaned up after reassuring her mother for the 100th time that she was okay, but now, as she stared at the package, she was not sure if she was. She had not dared to open it before, but she knew that she needed to open it. "It's open." She called out and smiled as she saw it was Juliet. "Hello." She greeted.

Juliet had stomped most of the snow off her boots on the porch welcome mat before stepping in. She scraped the remaining snow off the bottom of her boots and stepped over to the couch where Cassandra was sitting. She took a look at the envelope and bundle as she sat down next to her friend. "I took René over to Lola's. I'll swing by there in the morning to see how he is settling in."

“Lola was okay with us forcing her to give up some of her space?” Cassandra had hated to do it but the woman had more space than Cassandra and she had hated to put her mum out more than necessary.

Juliet gave a shoulder shrug. "Lola seemed okay with it and I told René to be on his best behavior or else. I really don't think there's anything to worry about. He doesn't seem to be the type of guy who would hurt Lola." She gestured at the envelope and bundle. "What's all tis?"

“He is not the type and I have never been wrong.” Cassandra commented turning her attention to the bundle and envelope. “Well it is why Rene first came to the village. He was contracted to bring me something from… my… well he would have been my husband if the apocalypse had never happened.” She sighed a little.

Juliet shook her head. "That’s...just kind of trippy. A postman delivering after the world ends. It's just like in that Kevin Costner movie."

“I have no idea what film but I do not know if I want to open it. What if the hope I have been holding on to has ended in this,” she indicated the package and letter. The hope had been sustaining her for so long that she was not sure what to do if it broke.

Juliet shrugged with a soft sigh. "Well, you could always take a trip to Oxford and find the love of your life or...you could open the letter and find out if making the trip would actually be worth it."

"I would ... there was a reason why he went to Oxford and I went here." She sighed softly and looked at the parcel, and opened it slowly. Her confusion was only heightened when she pulled out an old video camera from the padding with a note that said Play me.

Juliet looked at the video camera and the two word sticky note attached to the device. She turned her eyes to Cassandra, but remained silent for a moment. When she finally spoke, it was with a quiet voice. "I will leave if you prefer to watch the video alone."

“No. I need someone here to assure me it’s all read.” Cassandra said picking up the camera amazed to see some technology working after the last 2 years of how they have been without it most of the time. She took a deep breath and pressed play.

The video screen lit up to reveal Thomas Bristow sitting on a couch. There was a wall behind him with numerous photos of Cassandra and him from before the Lazarus Pandemic claimed the world. Thomas looked into the camera and smiled affectionately. “Hello Cass. I hope this video finds you alive and well. I hope it does. I've missed you so much these last couple of years. Not a day goes by where a part of me doesn't wish I had gone with you. Like you, I had to find out if my parents were alive.”

Juliet glanced from the video to her friend. A part of her felt like she was intruding on what she could only describe as a deeply personal moment for Cassandra.

Cassandra shivered as she looked at the man for the first time in two years. She could not believe that she had this little device working and it had been delivered to he. “Oh Thomas…” she whispered clutching the camera hard for a moment before she set it down in the table so that it would be safe.

"I was lucky. I found my parents alive here in Oxford. They were just beginning the process of getting the faculty and students here working towards building a safe community. It wasn't easy. The first year was difficult, but we were able to scavenge and forage for supplies. We drew in half a dozen other enclaves around the city to pool resources, and most especially knowledge. Now, Oxford University Village a thriving community of nearly 600 people again. We have power, agriculture, even industry."

Cassandra smiled proudly. He had achieved so much as had herself. “600 people.” That was amazing. They are 100 or so there but 600 was something they would never achieved due to location nor being that close to York. It would bring that issue on them that they did not need. Europa gave them protection but as of yet they had not been discovered.

"We have made mistakes along the way, but we learned from those mistakes. Everything we have been able to accomplish has been recorded and we are finally able to be in a position to share this knowledge. You would be surprised at how far we've come by taking a step back and utilizing 19th and 20th century technologies. Reverse engineering old museum pieces, expanding our knowledge and being able to share this has given Oxford an edge.”

Cassandra had no doubt that her history loving fiancée would be in his element reverse engineering stuff. “He lived and breathed history.” Cassandra chuckled despite the tears that were threatening to fall.

Juliet’s attention switched back and forth between Cassandra and the image of Thomas on the screen. Cassandra's expression was nearly identical to the one she wore in her own bathroom mirror when she was getting ready for a date with Travis. The image on the tiny video screen was a reflection of the one she had seen recently on Travis's face. "You're both still in love with one another." It was a statement, not a question, not even an opinion. It was as real as the two of them sitting there with one another.

“Of course I am. When have you ever seen me with anyone other than Nathan.” Cassandra laughed a little thinking on the Executive Officer of the Europa. He was a good man, but he would never settle just for her.

Juliet laughed. She had wondered about Cassandra and Nathan during the last few port calls the Europa had made over the few months. "What exactly is your relationship with Nathan?"

“We keep each other company.” Cassandra said gently. “Nathan did not want to be bothered and neither did I. It’s an easy arrangement for us both.” She added. It was hard being a woman in this new world.

Juliet gave an understanding nod before turning her attention to the paused image of Thomas on the screen. She wondered if Cassandra was going to restart the video or wait for her departure.

Cassandra slowly took in several deep breaths as she looked at the cam corset and pressed play again. She did not know how much battery she had and she wanted to listen to the whole thing before the battery died.

The video resumed, the image of Thomas picked up a framed photograph which he stared at for the space of a dozen heartbeats or more. It was a series of tiny photos taken in a photo booth. The photos showed Thomas and Cassandra making silly faces at the camera, tickling one another and finally one of them locked in a embrace and kissing. "I want so much to hold you again, to kiss you."

Cassandra closed her eyes as she felt very much the same way about the man and wished she had a way to contact him back. “Right back at you history boy.” She whispered realising this was exactly what she needed after today.

There was a long pause as he set the photograph back on the table. His hand extracted a small felt box that when opened revealed a diamond ring. "To give you this. We have a shortwave wireless that we operate on 10.96 Megahertz. If you have the capability, transmit on that frequency and someone will come get me. I hope...beyond hope...that this message finds you alive and well. I love you my darling. I hope to hear from you soon." Thomas reached up and a moment later the screen went dark.

Cassandra quickly stood and grabbed a random scrap of paper and wrote down the megahertz she would be able to speak to him. She would need to be careful but about location but if this was true and she could really speak to Thomas again “It reached me.” Cassandra said quietly holding the scrap of paper in her hand.

Juliet looked at her friend. Then nodded to the scrap of paper in Cassandra's hand. "When do you plan on calling Thomas?"

Cassandra slumped into the chair and shrugged. “Soon.”’she said turning the camcorder off to save its power to watch again. She knew that Nathan and the Europa would be able to charge it but she was still unsure when they would be back as there had been no communication as of yet. “Do not mention this to my mother.” Cassandra requested softly as she took in a deep breath. “Or anyone else please.”

Juliet took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was horrible at keeping secrets sometimes. "As long as you're not planning something crazy, like a run to Oxford. Okay?"

“Fuck no.” Casandra assured and leaned out to touch the other woman’s hand. “No. I would not do that to you, my mother or this community. I chose my path coming here but maybe in the spring I can go and work out if we can become a thing.” She said gently not wanting anyone to worry about her being gone or anything.

Juliet held onto Cassandra's hand. Her gaze sympathetic. "I know what it's like to be away from the people you love. It's hard, Tomorrow, after the council meeting, we'll see if Lola can raise Oxford on the shortwave." She leaned and gave Cassandra a brief hug before rising to her feet. "Well, I'm going to get going. The kids are staying with friends tonight and Travis promised me pancakes in the morning."

Cassandra just smiled. She knew what Juliet had been through and the fact she was rebuilding a life with them. She loved the woman dearly and was forever thankful that she chose to join them. “I am sure he is.” She laughed softly.

Juliet gave Cassandra a wicked grin and wink as she donned her coat for the walk to where Travis lived. "Well, try and stay warm tonight. I'm out. Just send a runner to Travis's house if someone needs medical attention." She stepped out and closed the door quickly.

“I’ll make sure the runners are aware.” Cassandra called after the woman’s retreating back as she looked at the camcorder and hugged it to her chest. Spring was a long way away.

 

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