by L. S. O'Dea
“Aranea,” said Bob. “They’re giant spider-like creatures.”
“Spiders. Giant.” Lee’s gaze searched every corner and dark hideaway in the tunnel.
“He hates spiders,” said Prin.
“Then he’d really hate Araneas because they’re bigger than me,” said Fuzz.
“Holy Araldo.” Lee began walking faster.
“They were once House Servants,” said Bob.
“What do you mean were?” He didn’t like the picture Bob was drawing.
“I mean, they started as House Servants, like you and I started as Guards. Then, they were given shots—similar to ours—and they became Araneas.”
“That’s not possible.” He jumped at a nearby splash. This place and those stories were getting to him.
“It shouldn’t be, but it is. Look at me.” Bob waved his hand in front of his body. “I’m still part Guard with arms and legs but I’m turning into something else.”
“Are we going to turn into that?” The horror and disgust were clear in Prin’s tone.
“A Slugmug? No, you’re going to be something different.” Bob studied them again. “Like I said, I’ve never seen your kind. You must be something new.”
“New? They’re making new things?” Now Fuzz’s voice was both horrified and disgusted.
“Oh, they’re always making new and refining the old.” Bob glided forward, his gait more a slide than a walk.
“And those things are in this sewer?” Lee’s eyes were wide with fright.
“Some perhaps.” Bob increased his pace. “Many feign death by going into a deep sleep—like hibernation.”
“Hibernation?” He had no idea what that meant.
“We slow our bodies down until we are barely breathing. Bumblebees do this in the winter.”
“You’re part bumblebee?” asked Prin.
“I wish. I’d love to be able to fly.” Bob almost sounded wistful.
“So, these things sleep and the Guards dump them in the sewer?” Lee continued to glance around, his head jerking from side to side.
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” He didn’t know much about this stuff but from what he’d learned in the lab, scientists analyzed everything. “Why wouldn’t they study them. The bodies. They’re scientist. They—”
“I’m sure they did the first few who died. They probably would your kind because you’re new. Others like me...We’ve been around for a while and they’ve already studied us. No reason to waste time.”
“Then why do they keep making....Slugmugs?” asked Prin.
“I’d like to know that myself. If they’ve learned everything they can about...this thing I’m becoming, I should’ve been spared.” The venom in Bob’s voice made the hair on Rufus’ back tingle.
He glanced at his brother and they both started walking faster. They couldn’t get away from Bob fast enough.
As they continued moving through the sewer the tunnel tipped downward. Trudging through water up to their thighs wasn’t easy and carrying an adult Servant didn’t make it better.
Lee kept glancing at him, motioning for him to leave Fuzz and Bob, but he couldn’t. Bob might make it if they left, but Fuzz wouldn’t. They stopped at a fork.
“Which way?” asked Fuzz.
The tentacles on Bob’s head wiggled as if searching for scent. Rufus glanced at his siblings and the three of them tipped their heads, sniffing the stagnant air.
“To the right,” said Lee. “Air’s fresher.”
A splash sounded behind them.
“Agreed?” Bob looked at all of them. “We may only get one chance.”
“Yes.” He and Lee started down the path. The air in this direction was also dank but there was less rot to it, more movement.
“Do you actually think there are creatures down here?” Lee glanced over his shoulder.
“I don’t know.” He looked at Bob, who glided alongside them. “I think there’s no reason for him to lie.”
“Great. Just great.” Lee’s arms trembled.
The toll of the dark and the stress of the last few weeks was getting to his brother. He had to calm him down before Lee bolted. “I also think that if something wanted to escape Level Five, it wouldn’t hang around in the sewer. It’d flee to real freedom. Real safety.”
“I hope you’re right,” said Bob. “It’s possible that some of the others found comfort in the dark tunnels, but I wouldn't stay unless I had no other choice. I want to see the trees and feel the grass and wind before I die.”
“Die? You’re sick?” asked Prin.
“We’ll all die eventually but perhaps I should’ve said before I fully transform.” Bob inhaled deeply. “Even this dirty air is better than the antiseptic breath of the lab. I want to remember my life as a Guard before my memory is gone and I become something else entirely.”
“You’re going to forget everything when you change?” Prin clutched Lee’s arm.
“I don’t know. I really don’t, but I hope not,” said Bob.
CHAPTER 20: SCOTTSMOOR
“What do you mean they escaped?” Conguise stood at his desk, his face mottled with red.
Scottsmoor hovered by the door, wanting to flee. “Th-th-they’re gone, sir.”
“And how did this happen?” Conguise’s voice lowered and Scottsmoor struggled not to shiver.
“Ah...I believe—”
“Believe? I don’t want guesses. I want facts. Didn’t you watch the video?”
“Of course, I did, sir.” There was no way he was going to mention that his specimens escaped by picking a lock. He had no idea how they’d gotten the metal and without answers all guilt would fall on him.
“And what did the footage show you?” Conguise’s tone was snide.
“Th-that the Servant who’s been evading capture set them free.” It wasn’t a good lie, but it was the best one he had.
“The Servant? Why would the Servant set them free? They are...were Guards.”
“I don’t know, sir. The Servant had no reason to free the Gastropoda either but according to the Guards, those two are working together.” It was the excuse the Guards had given for not capturing the Servant already. “They told me today that the scent of the Rattus hosts were mingled with that of the other two escapees.”
“None of that makes sense.” Conguise frowned.
“I know, sir.” Scottsmoor held his breath, praying the professor wouldn’t ask to see the tapes.
“Why are you still standing here? Scour the lab and find them!”
“Yes, sir.” He hesitated at the door. This was going to be even worse.
“What?” The word was drawn out and filled with venom.
He couldn’t keep his knees from trembling. He could disappear so easily. His parents were dead. He never spoke with his siblings. “Ah...”
“I don’t have all day and neither do you.”
“Of course, th-th-the Guards believe that they escaped through the sewer.”
“What?” The red in the professor’s cheeks ramped up until his skin was almost purple. “You’re telling me that there are three Rattus specimens running loose in the forest or the city.”
“Ah...yes, sir. And...” He hesitated. This could give the professor somewhere else to direct his anger or it could backfire on the messenger.
“And what?” Conguise sat down, all his rage gone, replaced by serenity.
Scottsmoor’s blood froze in his veins. “Parson’s Gastropoda escaped too.” He wanted to put his hand on the door handle, just to be a little closer to safety, but Conguise could get him anytime and anyplace. “I guess, he wasn’t ready to handle three projects.” The younger scientist had made too much headway with the River-Men. It was time to put a bump in Parson’s road to success.
“And why is Parson not delivering this news?”
“He’s examining the dead Guard.”
“Dead by the Gastropoda or one of your Rattus Norvegicus?”
“The Gast
ropoda, sir.” Thank Araldo for that.
“Very well. Take teams of Guards and search the city and woods.”
“Yes, sir.” This could take some time. “Do you want me to take care of the Phasmatodeas first?”
“I want you to find your escaped specimens.”
“Of course, sir.” He bobbed his head. He should’ve run when he’d had the chance.
“Your and Parson’s projects will be reassigned until your return.”
“Ah...okay, sir.” He had no time to hide his notes. Thank Araldo, he’d already modified the data about the Rattus hosts being siblings. He turned to flee.
“Scottsmoor, you do not want to fail in finding them.”
“Of course not, sir.”
“If the Rattus specimens and the Gastropoda are not brought back, you will answer to me. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” He hesitated.
“Yes.” Conguise’s eyes were hard and brittle.
“Uhm, they may not be together. I don’t want to waste time searching for the Gastropoda when—”
“You will search for your mistake and Parson will search for his.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” He fled the room. Parson was a fool. He’d have the first pick of the Guards and he was sending all but one team after his specimens. He needed to get back to work before someone stole all his secrets.
CHAPTER 21: RUFUS
“We have to put you down for a minute,” Rufus shifted as he and his brother lowered Fuzz to the ground.
Prin handed the crutches to the Servant.
“Thanks.” Fuzz rolled his shoulders and waved his arms. “Lost feeling there.”
“I wish I had.” Lee cracked his neck from side to side.
Initially, the Servant hadn’t been heavy but it’d taken them hours to reach the sewer grate. They could’ve moved faster, even carrying Fuzz, but Bob slowed them down, his gliding stride much slower than walking.
Rufus moved to the grate and pushed on it. It was heavy and tight. “Lee, come help me.”
“What’s wrong? It’s not locked is it?” Lee’s voice almost squeaked.
“I don’t think so. Just rusted shut.” He leaned his shoulder against it and shoved.
Lee bent, adding his weight to the task. “Gruntshit, this thing is stuck.”
They pushed harder and harder, his legs quivering from his effort.
“Anything?” Prin stood nearby, her hand trailing over her abdomen.
“A little give.” They had to get out of there. She needed to rest and they still had to find somewhere safe to hide. He slammed his shoulder into the metal, his feet slipping from the impact. The door creaked a protest as it opened, causing him and Lee to tumble forward. They fell on the ground, half-in and half-out of the sewer.
“We’re outside.” Lee flopped onto his back and stared up at the sky. “We made it.”
Prin scrambled over them, her feet hitting Rufus’ gut and Lee’s shoulder.
“Ouch. Watch it.” Lee slapped her leg.
“Then move.” She pushed down, digging her toes into his body.
“Hurry up. Move,” yelled Fuzz.
“We’re moving.” Rufus couldn’t help but laugh. They’d made it. They were free—from the lab, from the sewer and from death. He crawled forward, relishing the feel of the dirt under his hands. He’d always wanted a safe home—somewhere that had a bed and food—but now, he could live the rest of his life in the forest, sleeping on the ground as long as he had his brother and sister.
A crutch landed inches from his head.
“Watch where you’re throw...” The other one hit his leg. “Ouch.”
“Sorry.” Fuzz scrambled through the opening, dragging his body out of the way of the door.
“Move a little more,” said Bob. “I don’t want to fall on anyone.”
He glanced at his brother and they both scurried to their feet before stumbling to the side by their sister. They hadn’t come all this way to die from an accident.
Fuzz rolled out of the way, dragging his crutches with him as Bob half-crawled, half-slid out of the tunnel. Prin gasped. Bob looked a lot worse in the light. His skin was a pale pink and it appeared wet, as if oozing something. His hair was almost gone, just a few small patches of brown near his ears and the base of his neck. His eyes were cloudy and his limbs were being absorbed into his torso.
“Ah, the sun.” Bob raised his face to the sky. “I never thought I’d feel it again.”
“Yeah, it’s great, but we should go,” said Lee.
“But...” Fuzz stared up at them. “I thought maybe—”
“They’re right,” said Bob. “Take care, all three of you.” His eyes fell to Prin’s stomach. “They will come after you. Be careful. They’ve never failed to capture one of their experiments.”
“You said some escaped,” said Lee.
“As did we,” said Bob. “But not forever.”
“You said some of those things might still be in the tunnels. Was that a lie to get us to help you?” He didn’t mind helping them, but he didn’t like being lied to.
“No.” Bob shook his head, his flesh wiggling. “That’s true, but the Almightys never looked for them because they believe them to be dead. Of the few who escaped like we did, none remained free for long. The Almightys will move the earth to find us. Enjoy your freedom while you have it.”
“We need to go.” Lee wasn’t happy with this new information.
“Shouldn’t we all stay together?” asked Fuzz.
“No. Parting ways will make it harder for them to capture all of us.” Bob turned toward them, arm stretched out. “Thank you for your help.”
Rufus stared at the mushy, wet hand.
Bob grinned. “I promise, I won’t poison you.”
“But you said—”
“I did lie about that.” Bob’s smile widened, showing his toothless mouth. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to attack me.”
“So, you’re not dangerous...poisonous?” asked Prin.
“Oh, I am or can be. I can control the”—Bob looked at his palms—“secretions that come from my hands and feet.”
“Your feet?” Lee’s eyes dropped down Bob’s legs.
“Yes. They can leave a trail of slime that can kill or paralyze.”
“Oh.” Lee’s lips wrinkled in disgust.
“The rest of you...isn’t toxic?” Prin waved her hand toward his torso. “That wet stuff isn’t...poisonous or anything?”
“Unfortunately, no. If I were entirely toxic, I wouldn’t have to worry about being attacked, would I?” Bob winked at her and it was a grotesque quiver of flesh.
“That’s true.” Prin tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace.
“I’ll pass on the handshake anyway.” He wasn’t taking any chances. Bob had lied about a lot of things.
“Understood.” Bob smiled but his eyes lost some of their brightness. “Thank you again for helping Fuzz and for waiting for me. Not many would’ve.”
“You’re welcome,” said Rufus.
“We really need to go,” said Lee.
“Stay safe,” said Fuzz.
“You too,” he said before he and his siblings disappeared into the forest.
CHAPTER 22: RUFUS
Rufus leaned against a tree, watching as the sun disappeared. “The Guards should settle in for the night and we can get some rest.”
He, Lee and Prin had been hiding in the woods for days. Guards were everywhere but they tended to stop searching at night as if afraid of what they’d find in the dark. Honestly, he couldn’t blame them. He’d seen tracks and smelled things that he couldn’t explain.
“We should move deeper into the forest,” said Lee.
“We can’t. Not right now.” He glanced at Prin who was finally sleeping.
She’d been exhausted after they’d escaped. They’d pushed her as much as they could but she needed to rest. Every day, they’d slipped through the bush, traveling for hours to avoid the
Guards. No food, little water and constant stress had taken its toll on all of them, especially her.
“It’s not safe to stay here too long,” said Lee.
“It’ll be fine. We’ll move if we have to but right now, we can’t. She can barely sit up.”
“We need food.”
“We need a lot of things.” His brother was getting on his nerves stating the obvious.
“I’ll go into the city and find us something to eat.”
“You’ll never get past the Guards.” They’d seen three teams of Guards, scouring the forest between them and the city.
“Yes, I will.” Lee grinned. “You know me. I’m practically invisible.”
“We should stay together.”
“And starve? Prin needs food.”
He didn’t like this, not at all, but there was no other choice. “Okay, but don’t let anyone see you. Get some food from the trash and then get back here.”
“Got it.” Lee jumped to his feet.
Rufus grabbed his arm. “Be careful and make sure we’re not surrounded when you return. If we are, run.”
“I won’t leave you. Either of you.”
“This time, you may have to because if we get captured, we’ll never escape the laboratory again and you know it.”
“I’ll help you—”
“No. If you leave, only come back if it’s safe. It’s time to grow up, Lee. We may not get to stay together forever.”
“I can’t agree to that.” Lee jerked free from Rufus’ hold. “I can’t.”
“Then sit down.”
“No. You’re my brother not my master. I’ll go and get food and come back.”
“Lee, listen to me.”
“I’ll be back in a few days. Stay safe.” Lee darted into the brush.
Rufus wanted to shout at him. No, he wanted to go with him. Anything was better than watching his little sister get sicker and sicker, but they couldn’t both leave. He ran his hand over her forehead. She was burning up. He prayed food, water and rest would help, but he was pretty sure she needed more than that.
CHAPTER 23: RUFUS
Rufus stared into the dark, listening to Prin’s uneven breathing and the sound of someone approaching. Lee was returning. He could tell it was his brother by the furtive starts and stops and his scent.
