Night Things (10) (The Underground Kingdom)

by Steve Elliott

  "But there's something else," she said, putting an urgent hand on my arm. "I want you to know everything."

  "Go on," I exhorted, slightly uncomfortable with this exposure of her inner feelings.

  "I find myself …… thinking of you more than I should," she confessed, her lips quivering. "I try not to, but it's so hard. You're all I can think about and I know it's wrong because of your commitment to Arugohumna and Traculimna, but I can't help myself. I'm sorry."

  She turned her head away from me but not before I saw a few tears begin to trickle down her face. Oh lord, was she saying that she loved me? I hadn't realised the true depth of her feelings, although Thorn had always suspected this exact confession. What do I do now? What do I say to her? I knew myself to be hopelessly inadequate in these sorts of situations, probably because of a lack of practice. Very few women had ever told me that they loved me. Only the two, really. Three now. And this third one had just created all sorts of problems in my life. It might be flattering, rightly enough, because I'd always had low self-esteem, and to have women professing their love certainly puffed up the ego, but I had enough common sense left to realise that it was an ego thing and not to let it take control.

  I grasped Quina by the shoulders and gently turned her to face me. Putting a hand under her chin, I lifted up her tear-stained face.

  "My dear Quina," I murmured, "you're such a wonderful person and I don't know quite what to tell you to help you through this. I'm honored beyond words that you feel something for me, and I wish with all my heart that I could reciprocate because you deserve only the best from life. You're beautiful, charming, self-assured, giving and a fountain of commonsense. I can't say enough good things about you. I don't want to have to resort to clichés about waiting around for your Prince Charming to appear, but I do believe in Destiny and know that if it's meant to be, then nothing can keep you apart from the one you're foreordained to be with."

  Tenderly, I began to brush away her tears as she looked at me, the pain in her eyes all too real. My heart ached for her. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I really am, but you know as well as I do that we can't be together, and that means that we weren't meant to be. And that means that the someone for you is still out there, just waiting for you to come into his life. Do you see that?"

  "I see it," she said in a broken voice. "Thank you for being so considerate. I realise it's an untenable situation. For all of us. And it's all my fault. I've upset you and made myself miserable, as well as betraying Traculimna and Arugohumna."

  "Don't say that!" I chided, hugging her forgivingly. "I'm not upset. I’m just astonished that someone as wonderful as you could feel the way you do about me. Nobody can help their emotions. It simply proves that you're a loving person. And you haven't betrayed Thorn and Tracey. Quite the reverse. You've been totally honorable throughout this whole thing. Quina, you're a marvellous, marvellous person and I regard you as the best of friends. I know it doesn't mean much to you right now, but I'll always be here for you, regardless."

  She pushed herself out of my arms and riveted her eyes to mine. "I know it can never be," she told me timorously, "but I wanted you to know. Maybe I shouldn't have told you at all, but I do feel better now. To some extent, anyway. You'll always be my first love, Stephen, and I hope you're right about that other person who is destined to be with me. I'll keep looking for him. I trust he won't be too long in turning up." She smiled at me lovingly, put her hand behind my neck, pulled my head down and kissed me. For a fleeting moment I lost myself in that kiss. It was full of passion, tenderness and infinite longing, instantly filling me with the regret that, much as I wanted to, I couldn't satisfy its emotional needs.

  Chapter 11

  With a decisive movement, Quina’s lips parted from mine and she stood there, flushing contritely. "That was so I’d have something to remember," she said. "It won't happen again, I promise, and I won't annoy you by bringing this subject up anymore. Thank you for listening, Stephen, and allowing me to purge myself. I appreciate your kindness and tolerance."

  "Thank you for confiding in me," I told her. "This is an awkward situation for the both of us, but life goes on and we have to make the best of it. Will you be okay?"

  "I think so," she answered solemnly. "The main thing is that it's finally out in the open and not hidden away inside, bubbling away. I hope it won't change anything between us."

  "Well, knowing what I now know, things will never be quite the same as they were," I proclaimed with a slight smile, "But, hopefully, things will work out. I realise it’s not much consolation, Quina, but you have to keep telling yourself that it will work out. It helps if you stay positive."

  "I'll try," she said, smiling back at me, "but it won't be easy, being in the same house as you. I can’t turn off my loving like a tap, you know. This is something I won't get over in a hurry."

  "I won't presume to tell you how to run your life," I said."You'll have to work through it by yourself I'm afraid, but you can ask for my help anytime." I shrugged helplessly. "But I have no idea what help I could be in this situation." Quina smiled and patted my hand.

  "As you say, it's up to me," she agreed. "It's a matter of working through my feelings and recognising the impossibility of it all. It won't be easy but I can do it."

  "I somehow feel responsible for all of this," I told her.

  "Why?" she questioned, frowning. "It's not your fault. You didn't do anything."

  "Yes, but ……" I began. Quina’s finger across my lips silenced me.

  "Hush!" she exclaimed. "The subject is now closed. Now, how do we get out of this present mess?"

  "My original statement still holds," I answered, giving her a lingering glance. "We'll try and make a hole at the top and wriggle through to the other side."

  "Sounds like a plan," Quina agreed, looking upwards at the pile of rocks. "Let's do it."

  However, before we could even start, a scuffling noise heralded the appearance of Liz, squirming out of a narrow gap between two boulders.

  "Will you look at that!" Quina exclaimed. "How did she even fit through there?" I stepped over to Liz and touched her on the back.

  ‘Is everyone safe?’ I asked anxiously.

  We are all healthy. You two caused the most concern.

  ‘We're fine. What are the others doing?’

  They are presently trying to remove some of the blockage.

  ‘We were just starting to do that ourselves. Is there much stone to be removed?’

  Not so much. It should be possible to achieve our mutual goal.

  ‘Thank heavens for that.’

  I shall return and inform the others of your safety. They were extremely worried.

  ‘So were we,’ I replied with a grimace.

  I go, Liz announced, spinning around and heading back into the rock pile.

  "What's happened?" Quina demanded. "Is everyone all right?"

  "Yes," I replied, gratefully. "They’re all okay."

  Quina heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods," she breathed. Then she clapped her hands together. "Let's get started," she announced. "The sooner we begin, the quicker we'll meet up with them." Then she gave me a searching look."What we talked about earlier, Stephen," she told me," is between you and me, okay? Let me do things my own way. Do I have your promise?"

  "You have," I assured her, "but my offer of help is also on the table. If ever you need me ……"

  "Understood," Quina smiled gently. "Now, let's get busy."

  We scrambled over the stones to the top of the heap and began to roll down the smaller of the obstructions. After about five minutes of work, a small gap opened up and I could hear the various noises of our separated companions as they performed a similar function. Soon, I could see straight through to the other side and there, framed by the stones, Thorn’s worried face appeared. There was enough space for our hands to touch.

  "Stephen!" she exclaimed. "Are you all right?"

  "I'm fine," I reassured her, revelling in her presence.
"What about you?"

  "Better now," she told me. "I was worried sick! Just for a moment there, I thought ….." Her face crumpled, and her lovely eyes filled with tears.

  "There, there," I comforted lamely. "Nothing's happened. Everyone’s okay. Let's keep going with this hole. Just be careful. We don't want to start an avalanche."

  With a bit more effort, and some disembodied swearing from Nix, we enlarged the escape route enough so Quina and I could rejoin our friends. Thorn hugged me ferociously in relief and I had to spend some time convincing her that I really was unhurt. After that, she took me to task for giving her a scare and her scolding made me smile. I kissed away her semi-angry words and we set out once again to try to find some trace of the elusive Night Things.

  Chapter 12

  With Liz and Zen leading – I noticed they were substantially more comfortable in each other's presence now – we continued on our way. Thorn walked closely by my side, almost rubbing shoulders, as if to reassure herself of my presence, and I began to appreciate how frightened for me she must have been. I grasped her hand and she gave me a small smile. I smiled back then glanced across at a sombre Quina. I could tell her thoughts were far away. I could hazard a guess as to where they were, and I sighed internally for her emotional turmoil. There's no greater pain than unrequited love but I couldn't live her life for her, much as I yearned to. She’d have to fight her way through that mental morass by herself.

  Some time later – I couldn't say how long because I'd lost track of time in the semi-darkness – Zen and Liz suddenly halted.

  "What is it?" Nix hissed.

  "No idea," I replied. "Our two scouts can’t talk, remember."

  "Mildly hilarious, but not helping the situation," Nix muttered.

  "I'll find out," I volunteered, going over to Liz.

  ‘What have you found?’ I asked.

  Something is ahead. I believe it may be the Night Things. Be very careful from now on. They will attack us without hesitation.

  ‘I'll tell the others,’ I told her.

  "What's the score?" Trix asked as I joined the rest of our group.

  "Liz thinks we may have found what we're looking for just ahead," I announced, "so we’d better be careful from here on in."

  "Exactly what are we hoping to achieve here?" Nix wanted to know. "Is this simply a case of having a quick look, or will we be fighting our way through the hordes?"

  "A quick look would suffice," I proclaimed. "I want to see how many there are, that's all. The last thing we want is to start a war."

  "But somehow, no matter what we do, it always seems to end up as a war," Nix noted sardonically. "You seem to attract that sort of scenario, Stephen. Frankly, I blame Arugohumna. She’s a bad influence on you and a well known troublemaker."

  "Is that the best you can do?" Thorn snorted derisively. "You're losing your touch, Wimp Boy. The passing years must have had more of an impact on you then you realise. I'm not surprised, really. Old age tends to dull intelligence and you’re well passed your ‘use by date’."

  "You cheeky ratbag!" Nix exclaimed. "What does an old fossil like you know about being young? Look at you! You’re sagging everywhere."

  "What did you just say?" Thorn squealed, outraged. "Sagging? How dare you? Once this is over, I'm going to slap you silly."

  "I've heard all this before," Nix announced, yawning ostentatiously. "As if a scrawny thing like you could even begin to carry out your ridiculous threat. How gullible do you think I am? Hah! ‘Slap me silly’, indeed! It'd take an army of fairies do that, and even then it couldn't be done. Give up these unattainable fantasies of yours, Arugohumna, and live in the real world for once. Simply admit that you belong to an inferior, second class species and have done with it. Once you accept that, your life will be much easier and less delusional."

  "Of all the ridiculous …….!" Thorn spluttered, before I cut her off by placing a warning finger across her lips.

  "You're getting a little loud, dear heart," I told her. "Save it for later. We don't want to alert the Night Things." Thorn took a calming breath and glared daggers at Nix who grinned smugly back at her.

  "You're right," she admitted. "Anyway, why should I respond to someone who’s obviously raving and out of his mind? The stupid and imbecilic should be pitied for their lack of understanding, after all. It's not their fault they have no concept of how things work." So saying, she poked out her tongue at Nix, who mockingly bowed to her.

  We set out again, rather more stealthily than before, and it wasn't long before we heard various noises from up ahead. Creeping forward, we carefully peered around a corner and found ourselves situated on a small rocky shelf, looking down on a large open area swarming with Night Things. At least, that's what I presumed they were. To my mind, they displayed a remarkable resemblance to monkeys, although their tails were much shorter – which wasn't surprising, seeing as how there weren't any trees in the tunnels to swing from – and their eyes were nocturnally large. Apart from that, what interested me most was the object standing in the middle of the open area. It seemed to be a machine of some description, and the Night Things appeared to be revering it as a god. They were dancing around it and piles of merchandise had been laid haphazardly at its base.

  "Now, what in the world is this all about?" Nix asked, as he took in the scene. "What is that thing?"

  "It may be something from Trix’s ancestors," I reasoned. "They seem to have had a monopoly on technology and I can't believe the Night Things could have made it, but I suppose that anything is possible."

  "They look like savages," Thorn commented, staring down at the cavorting groups, "and their weapons are primitive, so I think you're right. They couldn't have made it."

  "So, what we do now?" Trix asked. "We've had our look."

  "Let's go down and sort them out once and for all," Balis declared, grasping his axe. "I want to see blood on the ground."

  "Take it easy," I cautioned. "I know you're upset about your kinsman, but there's no need to go crazy."

  "No, Balis is right," Thorn said fiercely. "It's about time these Night Things were taught a lesson they won't forget!"

  "Count me in!" Nix growled. "They deserve everything we can dish out. They’re just animals! I say we should start the slaughter right now!"

  "Why not?" Trix agreed, fingering a throwing knife. "A few less wouldn't make any difference."

  "What are you all saying?" I exclaimed, appalled, looking around at their vengeful faces. "What's wrong with everybody? We're not here to start a killing spree and besides, there are hundreds of them. We wouldn't stand a chance."

  "Who cares?" Quina snarled. I stared at her in astonishment.

  "What the devil is wrong with you, Quina?" I stated. "You're usually the Poster Girl for peace and love, and here you are acting like a crazed warmonger. Have you all lost your minds? You can't just blindly rush around and start a fight with that lot down there!" Everyone stared at me blankly and I had a horrible feeling that they were quite prepared to trample right over the top of me to satisfy their lust for violence.

  "Listen to me!" I commanded. "Take a deep breath and think about what you're doing! You can't go down there. It'd be suicide!" Even as I said it, I realised I was fighting for a hopeless cause. My companions were enveloped in a killing frenzy and I couldn't think of any words that would persuade them otherwise. Well then, since words wouldn't work ……

  Chapter 13

  As they stepped forward to begin their insane battle, I steeled myself and slapped everyone across the face as hard as I could, one by one. I cringed when I assaulted Thorn, but I had no choice, and fortunately, it produced the desired effect.

  "What did you do that for?" she asked, shocked. "You hit me!"

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart," I apologised sincerely, "but I had to. You're just about to get yourself killed." I looked around at my companions. "All of you were."

  "By the gods!" Quina exclaimed in a panic."What happened to me?"

  "You
were going down to fight the Night Things," I explained, watching everyone carefully in case they reverted to their previous mindless ferocity.

  "I remember that," she murmured thoughtfully. "It took total control and I can still feel it in the background. What is it? And why weren’t you affected?"

  "I think we should move away from here first," I advised. "I have a theory about all of this."

  "Now, there’s a surprise," Nix muttered, as I shooed everyone back down the tunnel.

  "Quiet, you disreputable ratbag," Thorn rebuked, immediately jumping to my defence. At least that aspect hadn't changed, so maybe things were normalising themselves once again.

  "Okay, Stephen, explain yourself," Thorn demanded, when we had backtracked sufficiently. "What's your theory about what happened?"

  "I think it's tied up with that machine," I began. "Do you remember when Trix and Janome were together and we went looking for relics? Do you recall that emotional amplifying room we found?"*

  "Of course!" Trix blurted out. "It made everybody tell the truth and exposed our hidden feelings for each other."

  "And it did exaggerate emotions," Nix confirmed. "It was a bit scary, actually. Nobody likes having their inner self manipulated."

  "Are you saying that machine back there is another one of those?" Thorn questioned.

  "A small, portable version," I confirmed. "I mean, you were all bonkers! Even Quina was foaming at the mouth and she wouldn’t normally hurt a fly, so something happened to change you all."

  "Wait a minute!" Balis interjected. "Are you saying that machine back there controlled us?"

  "To some extent," I compromised. "It simply enhanced your aggressive side out of all proportion and made you want to kill. Imagine what it’s been doing to the Night Things. They've probably been exposed to it for generations."

  "I see what you're getting at," Quina said, thoughtfully. "Maybe the Night Things aren't naturally aggressive at all. The machine is doing it all."