Monsters Among Us (Deception Series Book 1)

by Margaret Afseth

  It was a fact, neither he nor his mate had done away with Galar, but Loni knew, Gem felt responsible. She had shocked Galar, sending him over the ledge. And even though she had tried to save him, Gem had released Galar at the end.

  The guard peered closely into Gem's terrified eyes. She was trembling visibly. Loni felt her irrational fright of the colossal male; a dread he meant her to feel, yet there was nothing Loni could do to comfort, or reassure.

  "I don't think they know anything about it," declared the man that held Gem.

  The Director nodded. "Scar is either mistaken, or..."

  At a movement of the director's head, the guard abruptly let Gem go. Both men turned to look toward Scar, who cringed, and seemed almost to shrink into himself under their scrutiny.

  "Scar's probably the one guilty. He and his brother were no doubt fighting. Scar maybe got the upper hand, and now, he feels remorse. Had to blame someone, and Flaw was handy."

  "Galar may simply have fallen down some drain hole, and couldn't get out. They are always fooling around by the ditches. Fact remains, Scar is alone...until Galar turns up, he needs supervision..."

  The Director turned again to Loni.

  "You!" he said. "You are good at handling misfits. Scar will join your group. He'll be issued new bedding, and necessities. He seems to have lost those he had. Take him with you!"

  And with that, they were all dismissed.

  Chapter 31

  When he had Scar situated on a mat of his own, under a tree far enough away, he would not be a problem, Loni took time to sit down, and evaluate the situation.

  There were two pressing emergencies looming: One, the women.

  They were no longer safe by the waterfall. It was only a matter of time before those over them found where they spent their free time, and nights.

  Loni needed to get Gem away from the Physicians, before the baby put in an appearance. They would definitely remove the child, after it was born. His own mother had hid him, but that likely wouldn't work a second time.

  Now that Loni knew a way out, he had a place to go. However...it would take time to prepare for the escape, and he had too little time.

  Secondly: Now that he was with them, how far could Scar be trusted? If Loni showed him the escape route, would Scar tell the overseers?

  ****

  Scar didn't know how to act, so he stayed silent, watching. He knew Flaw from previously, and...the woman, but not her name. Galar had never called her by name.

  Scar knew the other pair only as Flaw's work mates.

  The four never spoke aloud, or rarely, anyway. Scar missed Galar's constant chatter.

  It was days before he picked up their real names, and that only happened by accident, when one of the women caught the hand of a man to get his attention, and called him by name.

  The dark, younger man was Da, not No Name, as the guards called him. Nor was Flaw known by the derisive moniker the overseers had given him. He was called Loni. Neither of these men ever spoke; Da made noises, and used gestures, but Loni seemed to have a way of communicating direct to the minds of the others.

  The women called to each other, and that was how Scar learned their names, Lydia was the younger, despondent one; Gem or Gemma was the pregnant, frail one Galar had captured. She too, seemed able to make the others understand without any spoken word.

  Loni and the two women were white skinned; actually Gem and Loni were more blue tint than anything, and Da was brown skinned, and dark haired, like Scar, himself.

  Scar had been taught from birth, anyone of the light race was inferior, but he couldn't help but see...these blue people, Loni and Gem, were smarter even than Galar had been. And so, Scar chose to watch...and learned from them.

  Loni was the undisputed leader, but unlike Galar, he led with a gentle hand. And apparently, he didn't demand total obedience; you could choose to do what you wished. Not like Galar: obey or else. Loni never punished...as far as Scar could tell.

  Yet, the others most always did his bidding without questioning. They came and went by some silent orders, and...always returned. Da and Lydia brought food; more blankets, even pots from the storage area. It seemed, the four had the access key to supply.

  After leaving the court room, where Scar had been thrown in with them; where it appeared only the accuser, Scar, had been given punishment, the group did not return to their work station, as Scar had expected. They detoured, first to the showers.

  Scar felt he was clean; he'd not been working. The overseers had detained him in the court area all day.

  In the shower, the other two men blocked Scar's view, until the women were dressed again, then first Da, and when he was finished, Loni, showered alone, while the other remained with the women.

  When Loni went back into the steaming area, he dragged Scar with him. The new man had no choice, but to join in, and disrobe. It was like Scar had been compelled.

  With their toilet finally finished, they went to the supply depot. After he had picked out his new property, Loni carried the new mat for Scar. This shocked him. Galar would never assist his twin with anything, even though he was the one with the two hands.

  As they topped the ladder, Scar found they were at the top of the great waterfall, and was shocked a second time. A neat camp was spread out beneath the trees; each couple had their own bedding space apart from the other, and in the very center, was a communal feeding area with a small tri-pod over a circle of rocks. It was obvious, this was used to heat or cook, but at the moment, the wood was dry and unlit.

  While Loni prepared a space for Scar, away from either of the others, the dark man, Da, and his mate, Lydia, disappeared down the ladder again. They took their back packs, and the plates and cups of the other couple, as well as their own. By the time they returned with food and beverages, Loni had Scar comfortable, and was sitting beside a sleeping Gem, obviously deep in thought.

  Da and Lydia brought a considerable amount of food: plenty of fruit, breads, fruit juices, milk...but no meat. Scar missed meat, but...he loved fruit, so for now, it didn't much matter. He rushed forward, as was the usual practice, if he ate with Galar, to steal what he could, while he had the chance. However, he immediately rammed up against an invisible barrier, enclosing the area, where the spread was laid out on a cloth blanket.

  That also, was the first time, he heard Loni in his head.

  "Bring your plate and cup. And, you needn't fight...there is plenty for all."

  Shocked, Scar stared at Loni.

  Did I really hear him speak?

  It was the first time he had ever heard Loni's voice.

  Scar obeyed. And when he came back, he was allowed within the circle. Yet, there were conditions: every time he grew impatient, tried to rush or fight for what he thought should be his share, the barrier was raised against him...until he surrendered, and gentled.

  Somehow, Loni did it...and wisely, Scar learned to respect this method. There was sufficient, so...Scar was content. Especially, when he finally got it in his head, they did not intend to deny him.

  ****

  Loni had decided to trust Scar. He needed his help, and it was safer to take him with, than to leave him behind with Da and the women.

  He chose after work to begin his project. The girls needed the rest, so Loni left Da guarding them, and the first evening, after the meal was over, he caught Scar by his arm, and led him away toward the drain bar-gate.

  This first night was simply to orientate.

  As his head topped the hole leading onto the ledge, and Scar's eyes went wide with the vision of the world above, Loni filled the man's mind with the images of what had happened to his brother. He didn't have to warn him farther.

  Scar crawled gingerly, carefully to the edge of the ledge, and hesitantly peered over. Loni knew from mere sense, Scar fully expected to be grabbed by the Hydra.

  He read also, in the mind of the man, the expectation that he, Loni, meant to do away with him, but at least, Scar no longer believed Loni or
Gem had killed his twin.

  Loni crept forward, to pull Scar back, but true to his training, Scar immediately cringed in fear. Loni waited until the man calmed, and was more confident to trust him, then Loni led Scar to the bridge. He placed a finger to his lips, and sent him a mental command.

  "No sound," he cautioned, and Scar nodded.

  The path was of boards held together with rivets, over metal tubes, with rails on the sides about waist high; it did not sway in the wind; was exceedingly firm, but always, there was the worry, the danger, of the predators: the Hydra, and far in the distance, what appeared to be dinosaurs. Their bellows resounded distinctly from afar, all the while the men inched forward.

  Many fright-ridden steps later, the two arrived at the miniature dome-shaped structure atop the first tree. When they peered inside, they found it merely a shell, but it held piles of boards, rolls of transparent, paper-thin canvas, that appeared to be rain proof, and rails, as were used to construct the bridge, with the rivets, and tools to build all. There were also schematics, drawings of more domes and walkways. If you could not read the words, the diagrams were descriptive enough in themselves.

  Loni was pleased. Apparently, someone had already planned the getaway he meant to set up. But, what had become of them? Had the Hydra done away with them?

  ****

  The days that followed were busy; exhausting; and draining; filled with apprehension, and excitement. On one hand, what they were about, must not be discovered; on the other, it must appear, they were not lax at their duties. At first, their days were filled simply with gardening; the long nights, into the wee hours of morning, they built new structures out in the upper world.

  After that, Scar and Loni hauled in the supplies, stealing them carefully, so that the fact they were missing would go unnoticed.

  The first shed was still for storage. Here they put backpacks of seed packets, trays of seedlings, small grafting of fruit trees; bedding, blankets, various sizes of coveralls; soap, metal cooking containers...anything Loni felt they might need in the future.

  All depended upon, whether they could get away unnoticed.

  Scar understood to speak carefully, as they went about their secret duties, and never mention the project if others could hear. The one armed twin learned to obey Loni without question. His life, and that of his companion, depended upon it...the Hydra was a constant threat hovering in the background.

  And so hesitantly, Loni and Scar, both, learned to trust each other.

  At last, sometimes, Loni left Scar behind for a much needed rest, and took Da instead. The first night he did that, Loni was exceedingly nervous; he and Da returned much earlier than usual, but upon finding all sleeping, Loni was most relieved. After that, trust came easier.

  Chapter 32

  One night, when Loni and Scar returned, they found Da pacing, wringing his hands, beside himself in panic. Lydia sat beside Loni's mate, sobbing piteously. Gem was in labor!

  It was not that either of the other two had never seen such a thing; but that they were caught in ugly memories, fearful, and uncertain what to do.

  Loni didn't even bother washing up in the pool they had built for that purpose, at the side of the waterfall; he went direct to his tormented mate.

  ****

  It wasn't easy for Loni to do two things at once; on the one hand, he needed to be at Gem's feet to catch the new born; on the other Gem needed his strength, but holding her hand to give it to her, kept him from helping the little one.

  And then there was Lydia. She had completely lost it, sobbing as if Gem and the baby were going to die. But when Loni entered her thoughts, he realized the problem. She was thinking more of the babies she'd lost.

  Perhaps, I can involve her somehow?

  "Lydia," he shouted into her mind. "I need your help. Go to Gem's feet. Catch the baby."

  Lydia stared at him, at first not comprehending; her sobs quieting, as the order sunk in; her body still shaking with the resulting hiccupping tremors. After more than one try, Loni finally got through to her. The younger woman wiped at her tears, and obediently, moved into place.

  Loni looked about; saw Scar apparently asleep on his mat.

  Good! He'll be no problem. But...where did Da go?

  He sighed. Of all times for the boy to disappear.

  Another contraction was assaulting his woman. Loni willed Gem his energy, so she could fight through it. Loni felt the weakness flood over him, as he traded vigor for limitation.

  And then, Gem was pushing. Lydia was yelling excitedly:

  "It's coming! I see its head!"

  Suddenly, the feeble wail of a new born, from a distance; Loni realized he'd near passed out; giving too much of his life force. The man let go of Gem's hand, and went to cut the cord; and after that...deal with the afterbirth.

  ****

  Scar recognized what was happening. He had often watched as cows and pigs gave birth, but...he had never seen a human do it. As Loni took control of the situation, Scar decided simply to observe, retiring to his own mat, where he lay down, feigning sleep, but covertly watching, one eye open, hidden by his folded arm.

  The one armed twin noted when Da left. It seemed to Scar, the simple one was in such a state, he couldn't stay and watch. Also, Scar was quite certain Loni hadn't told Da to go; that man was too busy with the ministrations to his pregnant partner.

  The tears Lydia was shedding told Scar another story. He had gathered enough, previously, to know the Physicians had taken her baby, and Lydia was mourning the loss of that young one; paralyzed into uselessness. More than likely, this new birthing was bringing back unpleasant memories.

  While the twins were together Galar had often instigated torment of the animals. Because of that conditioning, such a scene as this, merely amused Scar. He lay there, enjoying the madness of the scene.

  When the baby dropped from its mother, Lydia caught it; and Scar realized, he'd been wool gathering.

  How was Lydia commandeered into helping?

  He had missed something.

  After the baby was freed of the cord, and swaddle wrapped, Loni gave the infant into Lydia's care. As he turned to clean up his mate, the younger woman cuddled the baby girl to her breast.

  ****

  For so long, Lydia had ached, her nipples leaking hourly; her milk was full and ready, and the sound of the infant's cries made it flow. She opened the flap of her coveralls, and pressed the child against her swollen breast. The seeking, tiny-one nuzzled, and quickly latched on. Her hungry drawing soon eased Lydia's prolonged discomfort.

  Lydia sighed, as if she had been given a reprieve.

  Loni turned, and saw. Chuckled. To her mind alone, he commented:

  "You haven't dried up! That's good. Between the two of you, my wee one will be well fed."

  Tears sprang to Lydia's eyes.

  He didn't scold; he approves.

  Because of that, when Gem held out her arms for the baby, Lydia didn't mind giving it up. Gem too, seemed happy, smiling widely at her.

  ****

  As she nursed her new born, hours later, Gem noticed how Scar sat across the camp, on his mat, scrutinizing her every move.

  Lydia had gone back to her mat, asleep now, that she was at last more comfortable; Da, as yet, had not returned. Loni was asleep, also, lying just behind Gem's back.

  She raised the infant to her shoulder, to burp the little one, and between the gentle pats, beckoned with her hand, for Scar to come near. The one armed twin inched like a dog across the dust of the center court, timidly, hesitantly. With each encouraging wave, he moved closer, until he sat beside her on the bed.

  Loni did not stir; he appeared more exhausted than the mother of the new one.

  The baby was asleep now, content. Gem carefully eased her into the crook of Scar's arm, directing him on holding her safely, as she did so.

  If I let him hold her, he should feel more included...

  But Gem chose not to invade his thoughts. Perhaps if she had, w
hat came after, might have been prevented.

  ****

  Scar hadn't wanted to return the soft, cuddly bundle, but after much persuasion, he had given in. She, once more, slept next to her mother. He'd obeyed the woman dutifully, returning to his pad, but his mind objected. Also, he feared reprisal from Loni, if he showed disrespect to his woman.

  Sometimes, Scar still felt, she was supposed to be his, but Loni had her now, so they must be sharing.

  But, she gave me the baby! It is mine now! That's why she did it; to show me. It's up to me to see that it keeps safe...I think...up-side would be best. That's why Loni prepared the new houses.

  It wasn't often Scar had to think for himself. It is no wonder, his decisions were flawed.

  Quietly, he crept to the sleeping mat of the new family. As Gem had shown him, he eased the cocooned bundle into the crook of his arm. It squirmed, stretched, and grunted. He nearly dropped it, but then it settled down again. He stood, slowly inched away, then headed toward the down ladder.

  But when he got there, he realized, having only one arm, he couldn't descend, couldn't take his burden with him. He needed something to help him carry his package. Scar decided, a fruit sack would be perfect. It hung over the neck, down his front, and left his hand free.

  But they are kept in the storage shed, out in the orchards...have to put her down somewhere.

  He wandered away from the campsite, seeking a safe place for his small package; where she would be comfortable, yet unseen. And his supposed delegated charge, slept on, oblivious, unaware, she was being stolen from her scrumptious meal provider.

  Off, away, far back in the trees, he found what he sought; a pile of rocks, discarded while planting, and clearing a field. Scar stooped; lay the baby in the dirt. Then, one by one, he placed the rocks in a circle around the swaddled infant.

  A finally touch; he placed the last large rock, like a roof, balanced on the others. It hid his self-appointed charge expertly from view. And, she...slept on.

  Turning from the cairn, Scar fled.