by Rachael Wade
We’d stumbled across this abandoned Cajun-style restaurant about an hour west of Baton Rouge. It was once a cozy mom-and-pop joint, complete with French Creole art and menus that still hung on walls near the entryway. The potent smell of mold permeated the air, and I dared not open the refrigerator for fear of what I’d find inside. But that didn’t keep me from sifting through the cabinets, pantry and drawers.
My tired body dragged my just-as-tired mind back and forth in front of the window, my eyes trained on the golden sunlight as it flickered and danced across the windowpane. Sauntering, no matter how monotonous it was, kept me moving. I needed to keep moving. And staring directly at the sunlight, as much as it hurt my eyes, kept me focused on the light. I needed that, too.
Anything to keep the monsters at bay.
Pushing my thoughts away from my desperate need to find more water so I could wash up, I stopped pacing and decided to rummage some more for food and supplies. My weapon had been reloaded after the train ambush, thanks to one last ammo supply we’d tucked away in the backpack, but we were still running dangerously low. It would be only a matter of time before we were unarmed. I doubted I’d stumble across any here, but it was worth a look.
I pushed my way into a small utility closet around the corner from where Jet slept. It was jammed shut by something heavy behind the door. I bent my knees and shoved my shoulder into it, giving the door all my weight. “Damn it.” No luck.
“Looking for something?”
I swung around to aim, but my gun was knocked from my grip and I was thrust backward before I could blink. An arm shoved me tight against the closet door.
“What do you want?” The guy pinning me to the door looked about thirty, his dirty blond hair untamed and wet. His brown eyes were on the defense, burning into mine.
“Nothing, I—”
“I said, what do you want?” he asked.
I clawed at his hand, trying to force his fingers from my throat, but it was no use. “What does it look like?” I spat out, my nostrils flaring. “I’m looking for supplies.”
“Well you better run along and look elsewhere, because this is my turf.”
I continued to squirm, wondering why Jet hadn’t awakened and rushed to my rescue yet. “Your turf? You are aware the world is coming to an end, right? Property is relative nowadays.”
“Well that’s bullshit if I’ve ever heard it. Now get out, and don’t think about coming back.” Before he released me, he leveled his gun at me, stepping back to give me room.
“Did you own this restaurant?” I remained still against the wall.
“That’s none of your business, is it?”
“I’d say it is. If you weren’t the owner, you can’t claim this place as your own any more than I can.”
He rolled his eyes and ran a hand over his stubble, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. I leave for one night and come back to this.” He waved at me, eyeing me up and down. His lean build was firm and strong, his biceps flexing with his movements.
“I’m not here to steal your shit, okay?” I moved away from the wall, tucking my gun into my holster. Jet would be giving me the third degree right now. Where was he, anyway? Whatever. I didn’t get a bad vibe from this guy. There was an easy way about him, despite the fact that he’d just thrown me against a wall and held me at gunpoint. He was the guy-next-door type, with a youthful, carefree, albeit cautious look about him. And if there was anyone who’d recognize bad men on an instinctual level now, it was me.
The faces of the men from the train and my attackers from the prison flashed hot in my mind, and I pushed them out, far from this room and my altercation with Mr. Guy Next Door.
“You don’t have anything anyway,” I continued. “Even if you did, I’d only take it if this place were abandoned … which clearly, it’s not.”
“Now that’s definitely bullshit.” He lowered his gun, studying me.
A grin teased my lips. “Yeah, maybe a little.” I walked past him to start looking for Jet. “Guess I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait a minute.” He blocked my path. “Where’d you come from? Let me see your hip.”
“I just needed a place to get some sleep. I found this place with a friend.”
“Oh, yeah? Where is this friend of yours?”
“Right here.” Jet’s tall build loomed from behind. “Hand over the gun, or there’s a bullet with your name on it.”
“Took you long enough,” I quipped.
“Sorry, I stepped out back.” Jet returned his attention to the guy standing before us. “Come on, hand it over. Now.”
“Without telling me?” I said.
“I said sorry, okay?”
My eyes narrowed, wondering where his attitude was coming from.
The guy held at Jet’s will gritted his teeth, letting out a sigh. He raised his hands above his head, and Jet reached over and snatched his weapon, tapping his shoulder to spin him around. Jet shoved him, his gaze bouncing fiercely to mine. “You okay, Skylla? Did he hurt you?”
“No, he didn’t. I’m fine.”
“Look, we’re gonna walk out that door, and you’re gonna leave us the hell alone, we clear?”
“What kind of supplies were you guys hoping to find?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Maybe I can help.”
I laughed dryly. “Why would you do that? You almost took my head off for finding me in your closet.”
“I don’t want any trouble, all right? That’s just a natural reaction when someone finds someone else rifling through their stuff when the world’s gone to shit. Can you blame me? My name’s Kale.” He stretched out a hand to shake. “Really, I don’t want trouble here.”
“Answer her question,” Jet kept his aim trained on Kale’s forehead. “Why would you help us?”
Something vulnerable flickered in Kale’s eyes. “You two look heavily armed. I don’t have much ammo left and I could use some allies. Could use the protection.”
Jet scoffed in disbelief. “Allies? You think we’re offering bodyguard services, here?”
“Maybe. If I gave you something you needed in exchange.”
I was about to respond with the fact that we too were low on ammo, and probably wouldn’t be much help to him, but Jet’s gaze jumped to mine, and there was a warning there. “So you don’t just want weapons?” I asked instead.
“No. This place was a temporary stop for me. I need to move on, and I’d prefer not to do it alone.”
“What do you have to offer?”
“Water, some aspirin … Black Hole locations.”
Jet and I exchanged glances. We definitely needed water. Aspirin could no doubt be helpful after throwing ourselves from the train and having Jet’s hip stitched up. My legs and knees were sore, and I knew Jet was still tender from the infection. But the third offer was the one to catch our attention. The map had already given us locations, but it didn’t hurt to crosscheck that reference before we went out of our way to get to one of them, especially if the Invaders were cracking down on raiding them.
“But you have to show me your hips first,” Kale clarified.
Jet didn’t hesitate to lift his shirt. “Dug out my chip and had someone stitch up the wound. I was in service, but I’m clean now.”
There was no trace of judgment on Kale’s face. He turned to me next. “And you?”
I lifted my shirt without a word to expose my skin.
Kale lingered on my hip. Jet cleared his throat. “Satisfied?”
“Very,” Kale mumbled.
Jet bristled. “If you know Black Hole locations, why aren’t you huddled up in one of them? And you show us your hip, too.”
Kale didn’t hesitate to lift his shirt for us. “I have my reasons. So, where are you guys headed?”
“Out west. But we can’t take you with us. We’ll trade for some information and some water, but that’s it.”
“No deal, then. I’m not looking for ammo. I could find that myself. I’m loo
king for allies.”
“Well then, our time is up. Skylla? Come on.” Jet started for the door.
“Hey, wait a second. What do you have against one more person on the move with you? It’s beneficial for everyone.”
“No, it’s beneficial for you. You’re a liability to us. We’re already a team.”
“But I have valuable information.… I have water and medicine. You’re really going to pass that up? When there’s nothing here for miles but Invaders and patrol brigades? You won’t make it ten minutes.”
Jet stopped and glared at Kale. “We’ve made it more than ten hours. You have no idea what we’re capable of. We’re done here.”
“Wait, fine.” Kale sighed. “I’ll trade for weapons. What’ve you got?” A defeated look washed over his face, his shoulders sagging a bit. My stomach twisted. I didn’t know this guy, but I knew what it was like to be desperate. And I was beginning to think he was most definitely bordering on desperate.
“Jet, maybe we can bring him with us.”
“Not happening.”
The twist in my gut turned to anger. “Why, because you’re the only one who gets a say here?”
His blue eyes flared. “Because he’ll get us killed.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe he’s looking for something, just like you are. We’re no better than those things out there if we won’t help our fellow human beings.”
“Are you seriously going to get all philosophical on me right now?” He stepped toward me. “This is not about helping out our race, it’s about staying alive long enough to find out how the hell to defeat those things. And to get to those camps on the coast so I can save my sister, and hopefully more children while I’m at it. That’s what I’m after, and every second I waste standing here, arguing about this, I’m wasting time I could be doing just that.”
“You want to defeat them?” Kale interrupted, sounding astounded. Jet didn’t look at him, just held my stare. I waited, wanting the answer myself. I knew he wanted to find Hera, but this was news to me, too.
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
Kale laughed. “Well, then. I definitely suggest you rethink taking me along with you.”
“Thanks, but if I wanted your opinion, I would’ve asked for it. My plans are none of your business. You’re not going anywhere with us. We’re either trading or we’re not. Make up your mind.”
Okay, now I was starting to get pissed off. I understood Jet being cautious and hell-bent on finding his sister, but his temper was unnecessary. This guy Kale was being reasonable. And I had to admit, I liked the idea of having someone else with us. Having another pair of eyes could be useful.
Safer.
Kale’s earlier vulnerability seemed to slip away as a knowing look passed over his face, turning his shoulders into a shrug. “Fine, have it your way. But if your goal is to defeat the Invaders, I can give you access to a front-row seat.”
Jet tensed beside me, his fists tightening. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I’m a rebel, and I attend local rebel meetings. I know where and when they’re held … and I know the plans they have to attack the Invaders.”
“Is that so?”
Kale’s expression was cocky now, his wet, wild blond hair glistening in the dusty sunlight. “That’s where I’ve been all night. Meeting with other rebels. We have a plan to take them down, and if you want in, you’re going to need the magic word.”
Jet raised a brow. “The magic word?”
“You don’t get into these meetings without a magic word.”
“What makes you so sure you and your rebel friends know how to defeat them? I’ve been in service, worked right under their roof. We raided plenty of rebel meetings, and not one of them knew a damn thing about how to take the bastards down. It was a bunch of useless theories and deluded people on power trips.”
“Sounds like you stumbled across the wrong rebels. The fact that you were an insider would only aid our efforts. You could be useful.”
I dropped my arms to my sides. “Jet, maybe you should listen to him. How can it hurt to check it out?”
Jet was silent for a moment. “I’ll go to one meeting,” he finally said, “but that’s it. I don’t have time to dick around. I need to get to California.”
“Fair enough,” Kale said, turning to grab a duffle bag.
“And you owe us supplies.”
“How do you figure that?”
“We’re not taking you with us for free, man. This is still a trade.”
“I am trading. I’m about to give you something you want more than anything.”
“Oh, what? A little tour to one of your loony-bin rebel meetings?”
“No. Revenge. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
Jet looked to me and I nodded silently.
“Yeah, that’s what I want,” he said. “Show me where to sign up.”
SIX
“She all right?” Kale asked as he walked next to Jet, referring to me. They were only a few feet in front of me, but for some reason, he thought I was deaf or something.
“Yeah, why?”
Kale stole what he thought was a sly glance over his shoulder. “I don’t know, she seems out of it or something. On edge.”
“She’s had a rough couple of days. Just let her be.”
“She spoken for?”
“Huh?”
“By you, I mean. Are you two…?”
“Why? No.”
“No she isn’t spoken for, or no you two aren’t together?”
Jet’s irritation flared; his broad shoulders rose as he shook his head. “Both. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, man, just leave her be, all right?”
Kale’s gaze briefly slid to mine again. “She’s hot. Just tryin’ my luck, man.”
“Don’t bother. Leave her alone, I mean it.”
Kale raised his hands innocently, and went quiet.
It was around noon when we reached the Black Hole Kale had directed us to. He’d been coming to this location for the past six weeks, deeming it the go-to spot for locals who wanted to meet up with other rebels.
Jet stepped aside when Kale stomped three times on the ground, before bending down to dig his fingers into the dirt for the Hole’s entry latch. “So if you needed protection and ammo so bad, why not ask your little rebel buddies to help you out?” Jet asked, preparing to fire.
“Dude,” Kale eyed the gun and placed his hand over the barrel, “come on. Lower that thing, will you? That’s not exactly the way to greet these people.”
“You can forget this bullshit right now if you think you’re going to tell me how and when to fire.”
Kale shook his head in frustration. “Whatever. No, I don’t ask for their help because that’s not what they’re there for. We all belong to the same organization, but we don’t run the streets together. That’s not how these movements work. If we all stuck together all the time like that, the enemy would start to identify and associate us with one another. Would make us easier targets. I still need my own protection.” He turned to face me, his lips curling into a charming grin. “Ladies first.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking the lead down the stone stairwell. I made a show of placing my finger on the trigger, just for Jet’s benefit.
Jet stepped in after me. “So you all meet up in this Black Hole but you don’t back each other up on the streets? You don’t stick together? Sounds counterproductive to me.”
“Like I said, it’s not about that. It’s about maintaining secrecy. We spread out, make sure we’re never in the same place together for too long. It’s just a part of our strategy. Besides, most Black Holes have rigid policies against rebel groups living inside their walls. They don’t want any trouble. We’re lucky to stay in a Hole for a few days at the most. It keeps us on the move.”
Jet stopped his bickering with Kale long enough to saddle up to my side when we entered the Hole. As we approached the main walkway, Kale maneuve
red his way in front of us. “This way,” he said, gesturing to a metal door on the far side of the space, near the central trading counter. We reached the door and he pounded his fist three times, then shuffled back, waiting.
“What’s that sound?” Jet asked. A low hum vibrated from behind the door, the echo reverberating beneath the doorway and toward the soles of our feet. “Is that …?”
“Music. This Black Hole is one of the only known Holes in this region with an Abyss.”
“An Abyss?”
“Yeah, like a club.”
“And you call it an Abyss … why?” I asked, feeling the thump of the music strengthening.
“You’ll see.”
The metal door creaked open and a short, heavy-set guy with a long dark beard appeared. The bass-driven beats spilled out to meet us, filling me with an exciting energy. I’d almost forgotten what music sounded like. “Well?” the guy said.
Kale stepped forward and leaned into the man, cupping his hand over his ear to whisper something to him. The man listened intently.
Jet and I exchanged glances.
“What is this, a super-secret Boy Scout meeting?” Jet muttered. “Will you let us into your fort, sir?”
I elbowed him in the side, biting back a smile.
Kale finished whispering into the man’s ear and the man stepped back, waving us in. We followed after Kale.
“Oh, you’re inviting us into the tree house?” Jet asked the man who’d granted us entry. “I feel so special. Where’s my complimentary juice box? All members get juice boxes, right?”
The man looked at him blandly, closing the door behind us.
I pulled on Jet’s arm, raising my voice to speak over the noise. “What’s gotten into you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re so grumpy. Lay off Kale, will you? Maybe we can all help each other out.”
“Yeah, right. Whatever you say.”
I rolled my eyes and Kale continued to lead us through the crowd, weaving around the throngs of people. The sight was unbelievable. People jumped up and down, dancing and shouting at the tops of their lungs. Techno music delivered a steady pulse of hypnotic beats throughout the cool cave walls, their echoes even more pronounced now that we were in the thick of the action. Strobe lights and smoke rolled overhead, while drinks were offered on all kinds of colorful serving trays. It was hard to believe something like this existed underground, when aboveground was a war zone.
