Leaving Level Five

by L. S. O'Dea

  “What’s that sound?” asked Louis.

  “Glassick? Is that you?” Charlie knelt, sticking his arm through the cage and placing his hand on the floor.

  Glick ran across Charlie’s fingers and settled in the center of his friend’s palm.

  “What are you doing here?” The Guard pulled his arm into the cage and raised his hand until the two were eye level. “Better yet, how did you get out of the lab?”

  “McBrid. They have him. They’re going to kill him.” Glick chirped even though Charlie couldn’t understand him.

  “Wasn’t he locked in the Brush-Men lab?” asked Louis.

  “Yeah. I have no idea how he got out.”

  “McBrid. He told me where to find you. Told me to help you,” he said.

  “This doesn’t make sense,” said Charlie.

  “You know what? It doesn’t matter how he got here. Tell him to get the key,” said Louis.

  “What?” Charlie looked at his brother.

  “You said he understands you. Tell him to get the key and give it to us.”

  Charlie looked back at Glick. “Can you do that?”

  “Yes.” Glick nodded, raising his right hand.

  Charlie bent, lowering him to the floor. “It’s over there.”

  Glick crawled off Charlie’s hand and hurried across the room, trying to ignore the bright eyes that stared hungrily at him. They were in a cage. If they could get out, they’d be gone. He stopped at the key. It was pretty big. He grabbed it and lifted, but it barely budged.

  “It’s too heavy for him.” Charlie’s voice was defeated.

  “Push it,” said Louis.

  That might work. He walked behind the key and shoved but the only thing that moved were his feet on the slippery tile. He bent, propping it against his shoulder and tried again. Nothing. He turned around, using his back, but the key still didn’t move. He turned around again and shoved, until his legs gave out. He wasn’t strong enough. He’d failed again.

  The two female rat creatures chattered quietly to each other as they moved about their cage. The two males squeaked in heated conversation.

  The largest one walked to the back of his cell and then came to the front. He held up what looked like a pile of partially shredded cloth. He dropped the mess and grabbed a large, piece of material. He opened his mouth, displaying long protruding front teeth surrounded by sharp canines that filled his mouth. He bit into the cloth and tore a strand free. He did it again and then tied the two pieces together. The other male began doing the same thing.

  “What are they doing?” asked Charlie.

  “I have no idea,” said Louis.

  Glick didn’t either, but those teeth made him even more eager to get out of that room. He shoved on the key again, but unfortunately, it hadn’t gotten any lighter.

  After a few moments, the larger rat-monster squeaked. Glick glanced at him. The creature’s arm was through the bars of the cage, holding the cloth as if it were an offering.

  “Do you think your little friend is strong enough to move that?” Louis pointed at the make-shift rope.

  “Probably,” said Charlie.

  Both Guards stared at the rat-creature with wary eagerness.

  “I’m not going over by that thing.” Glick looked at Charlie, shaking his head.

  “I don’t think he wants to get that close,” said Charlie.

  “Toss it to him,” said Louis.

  The rat-thing shook his head and tapped the lock on his cage.

  “We’ll let you go as soon as we’re free,” said Charlie.

  “Charlie,” Louis’ whisper was harsh. “Not all of these things are your friends.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Charlie looked around the cell. “They didn’t give us any blankets or sheets.”

  “We could use our shirts.”

  One end of the cloth flew across the room. Glick scurried to the side to avoid getting hit. The rat-thing pointed to the door and then to his lock.

  “Do you promise to set us free when you get out?” asked Charlie.

  “Charlie, no.” Glick didn’t trust these things.

  The rat-man’s eyes dropped to Glick.

  “Your name is Rufus, right?” asked Charlie.

  The rat-man’s head snapped toward the Guards. The smaller male squeaked, moving closer to the front of the cage.

  “And you’re Lee,” said Charlie.

  The smaller rat-creature nodded.

  “What are you doing?” asked Louis. “How do you know this?”

  “I met them before...when they were still mostly Guards.”

  Rufus’ tail twitched, his nose bobbing furiously as he sniffed.

  “I’m sorry about Prin. She was really nice.”

  Lee quieted, his eyes now on the other male. Rufus snapped his teeth, his shaking hand caused the cloth to twitch on the floor like a dying snake.

  “Will you let us out?” repeated Charlie. “We can all escape, be free.”

  The rat-man stared at him, his shaking subsiding.

  “We don’t have much time,” said Louis.

  “I’m sure you’re mad because I didn’t help you before but I couldn’t do anything. None of us could. If they’d found out I even talked to you, they would’ve killed us both.” Charlie glanced at his brother. “He’s my brother. I couldn’t put him in danger. Please understand.”

  Lee squeaked and Rufus faced him. They chittered in conversation for several moments before Rufus turned back toward the Guards. He nodded and shook the cloth.

  “Okay. Good.” A fleeting smile danced across Charlie’s face. “It’s settled. We give you the key and you set us free.”

  Rufus hesitated before nodding.

  “That is not a good idea.” Glick didn’t like those things. He bent, pushing on the key again, but having no more luck moving it than earlier.

  “You have to promise not to hurt him too.” Charlie pointed at Glick.

  This time the rat-man nodded quickly.

  “Tie it to the key,” said Charlie.

  Glick shook his head. Big monsters like these things were not friendly.

  “Please, Glassick. It’s the only chance we have,” said Charlie.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing.” He lifted the cloth and carried it the rest of the way to the key. Now, came the hard part. The cloth was light but he had to get it under part of the key in order to tie a knot. He tried lifting the key a little, but it was too heavy. He placed the cloth flat on the floor and stretched out on his stomach. The key was slightly rounded, making tiny sections where it didn’t touch the tile. He shoved, pushed and wiggled the cloth through those sections. It was slow work but soon a small corner of the material was peeking from the other side. He crawled over the key, sitting and propping his feet against the side as he pulled.

  “That’s it. You’re doing great,” said Charlie.

  Glick’s legs shook and his arms throbbed but he was not giving up, not this time. A large section of cloth slipped under the key. He grabbed it, wrapping it around the metal and then tying the two ends together. He tugged on it again to be sure it was tight before stepping away.

  Rufus began to pull the cloth, removing the slack in the make-shift rope. The key slid slowly across the floor. When it was close enough, the rat-man stuck his hand through the narrow bars of the cage, his face and shoulders seeming to squish together as if made of putty. His longer fingers latched onto the key and then he popped back into his cage.

  Glick raced across the room toward Charlie and Louis. That thing...those things were going to be free soon. The safest place for him was with Charlie. The Guard scooped him up, putting him on his shoulder and Glick ducked into his friend’s hair.

  The two male rat-monsters exited the cage. The females moved to the front, squeaking excitedly. Lee ran over to their enclosure. Rufus hesitated until the smaller one snapped his teeth, chittering. Rufus huffed, but hopped to the other cage and unlocked the door.

  “Now, four of
them are free,” whispered Louis. “I don’t like our odds.”

  Rufus squeaked, stopping the others from rushing toward the door. Lee squeaked in answer and hurried to the desk, rummaging through the drawers as the two females searched the cabinets.

  “What are they looking for?” whispered Charlie.

  “I have no idea,” said Louis.

  It seemed to Glick that they weren’t looking for anything in particular because they grabbed almost everything they found that’d fit in their pockets.

  “Ah, are you going to let us out?” asked Louis.

  Rufus squeaked again and they all headed for the door, moving in a fast, hopping gait.

  “Hey, let us out,” said Charlie. “You promised.”

  Rufus grinned at them, displaying his protruding teeth before turning and grabbing the door handle.

  “I don’t think he’s going to keep his word,” said Louis.

  CHAPTER 40: McBrid

  “Wake him up. We need to get this done.” It was Scottsmoor’s voice.

  McBrid had no idea why he was sleeping anywhere near Scottsmoor. He tried to sit up but he was on his stomach with his hands tied behind his back. Someone slapped his face. It wasn’t hard but it stung.

  “He’s coming to.” Topper was bent, hands on knees in front of him.

  Now, McBrid remembered everything. His gaze darted to the door. It was closed, but where was Glassick? Had the Brush-Man gone to help Charlie or was he still cowering under the cabinet?

  “Stand him up.” Scottsmoor was at the desk. Dozens of pieces of the computer were scattered across the floor.

  “That wasn’t all the copies. Conguise will find out you were breeding siblings,” he threatened as the Guards pulled him to his feet.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “I swear. I have copies.” At his home, blown to bits.

  “I’ll take my chances.” Scottsmoor walked over to him. “You see, while you were unconscious Stink went to retrieve your computer from the Aranea lab.” His eyes darted to the mess on the floor.

  Stink shivered.

  “And”—Scottsmoor’s gaze narrowed on Stink—“somehow, he bumped into another Guard.”

  “I told you. Jose was patrolling the hallways.”

  “You went to get help,” muttered Topper.

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Scottsmoor. “Apparently, there was an accident at your place. Everything’s gone. I’m sure you were supposed to be part of that everything.” He strode to the control panel on the wall. “I’ll admit I was a little nervous when Conguise told me to use your Guards as my new hosts. You do know a few things that I’d rather the professor never discover. I should’ve known Conguise had a plan.”

  He had nothing left to barter. Conguise wanted him dead. No one here would go against that. The only thing that might save him was his advancement with Fersia and his information about Glassick, but he couldn’t use them, not again.

  “Get him to the top of the cage.”

  McBrid lunged at the Guards but it was a desperate attempt, with his hands tied behind his back he was impotent.

  Topper punched him in the gut, causing him to buckle and the two Guards each grabbed one of his arms, dragging him toward the ladder.

  “You don’t have to do this.” He jerked and then let all his weight drop, his legs loose beneath him.

  The Guards stumbled but continued to pull him forward.

  The Brush-Men were smashed together at the front of the cage, trying to see when they’d get dinner. As the Guards move toward the ladder, they hurried to the center of the enclosure. Their clicks of excitement causing a buzzing roar as they pushed and shoved to get the best position under the opening.

  “Please, Scottsmoor. Don’t. I wouldn’t do this to you.”

  “What do you think Conguise would do to me if he knew the first set of Rattus hosts were siblings?”

  “I never would’ve told him.” He had to find some way to stop this, but each moment drew him closer and closer to that ladder.

  “Please, McBrid. Go with some dignity.”

  He should, but he couldn’t. He’d seen what these things could do, would do. “I have copies in a safe deposit box.”

  Stink went up the ladder first, pulling him by the arms while Topper held his waist. He wiggled and kicked as they pushed and pulled him onto the first step of the ladder. He tried to lean back but Topper’s bulk kept him in position as his feet slid onto the second rung.

  “I don’t believe you.” Scottsmoor sounded bored.

  “I swear.” They pulled him up another step and then another. “I’ll give them to you. Them and everything I have on everyone else.” He had to clamp his mouth shut from offering the real prize. Dying was better than letting them know about Fersia and Glassick.

  Stink yanked and McBrid was on top of the cage. His legs crumbled and this time it wasn’t a ploy. The chirping and chattering of the Brush-Men below was a cacophony of death and his body understood. The hair on his arms was standing up and he couldn’t pull his eyes from the scene below him.

  He didn’t want to die like this. He didn’t want to die at all. Maybe, he didn’t have to. They’d discover Fersia could understand them whether he said anything or not. They might find Glassick or the poor little thing would die of starvation. Talking about this, telling Scottsmoor everything was the best thing to do. The only thing that might save him.

  Topper pulled him to his feet. Stink grabbed his other arm and they moved toward the hole—the big, gaping hole where terror and pain waited for him.

  “I-I know things. Things that can help you advance.” He wanted to clamp his mouth shut, to retract the words. He couldn’t do it to them or to others like them.

  “Wait,” said Scottsmoor. “What do you know? What secrets do you think are worth your life?”

  The Guards stopped a step away from the opening. McBrid’s brain froze as he stared at the horde of Brush-Men below him, jostling for position. Their blue eyes stared up at him in their skinny faces. Some of them opening and shutting their mouths, showing sharp teeth. Their claws were at the ready, prepared to rip and tear flesh—his flesh.

  CHAPTER 41: Glick

  Glick had failed again, but this time it wasn’t his fault. Charlie had trusted the rat-monsters not him. Of course, if he’d been stronger and able to move the key, Charlie wouldn’t have had to rely on the creatures in the other cage.

  “Please, don’t let them do this to us.” Charlie reached through the bars. “Please help us. McBrid’s counting on us.”

  “McBrid?” asked Louis. “How can we help him? We have no idea where Scottsmoor took him.”

  In a flash Rufus was at the cage, his black eyes hard with rage. He squeaked.

  “Do you understand him?” Charlie looked at Louis.

  “These kinds of things are your friends, not mine.”

  “Glassick, do you know what he’s saying?” Charlie placed his hand near his shoulder and Glick crawled onto his palm.

  Rufus squeaked excitedly, holding up the key. Glick couldn’t understand a word the creature was saying, but he knew what it wanted. He’d recognized the hatred in its eyes at the mention of Scottsmoor.

  “Glassick?” prodded Charlie.

  Glick’s eyes locked with Rufus’ and he nodded, raising his right hand. “Yeah, I know what he wants.” It was the same thing he wanted. Revenge.

  Rufus studied Glick for a long moment before unlocking the cage and stepping to the side.

  Louis cautiously moved past Rufus and out of the cage. Charlie right behind him. Lee opened the door and the two females darted into the hallway. Lee looked to Rufus who nodded. The smaller male left.

  “I think we’re next,” said Charlie.

  “Looks that way,” said Louis as he walked out of the laboratory.

  Rufus followed Charlie and Glick, closing the door behind them.

  “Thank you,” said Charlie. “There’s a stairwell that leads...”

  Rufus s
hook his head.

  The females squeaked in protest. Lee turned to them and said something in hushed and hurried chitters.

  “Ah...why is he staring at us,” whispered Louis.

  “I don’t know,” said Charlie.

  “We could use help freeing McBrid.”

  “You think they’ll help?” asked Charlie.

  “If Scottsmoor’s there, I think they’ll be glad to help.”

  At the mention of the hated Almighty’s name, Rufus bared his teeth.

  “They are one of his projects,” said Louis.

  Glick slapped Charlie’s palm. They needed to move. He’d waited forever for revenge and the time was almost here.

  “What?” Charlie looked at him.

  He pointed down the hallway.

  “Is that where McBrid is?”

  Glick nodded, raising his right hand.

  “Okay.” Charlie glanced at Rufus and Lee.

  The two females scurried away in the other direction. He’d never seen anything move so fast.

  “We’re going to have to be careful.” Louis’ eyes darted between his brother and the rat-men.

  “And fast.” Charlie started walking. “Tell us when to stop.”

  Glick nodded, pointing forward. He glanced behind them. The two male rat-monsters followed, moderating their pace in order to not surpass the Guards.

  “Stop. Stop.” Glick slapped Charlie’s thumb when they neared the Brush-Men lab.

  “You snuck out when they went in there with McBrid,” whispered Charlie. “Smart.”

  “Figures. Had to be the Brush-Men,” muttered Louis. “I hate those things.”

  “No worse than the Araneas before Fersia,” said Charlie.

  “Yeah, but you’re friends with the current one,” said Louis. “You’re not friends with any of the Brush-Men”—his eyes dropped to Glick—“besides this one, are you?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” said Charlie.

  Rufus squeaked, pointing at the door.

  “Yeah. I guess we gotta go in.” Louis held out his hand. “Give me your key. I left mine in the dorm.”