Escape from Harrizel

by C. G. Coppola

  “To?”

  “Fight back.”

  Reid and Sampson exchange looks. They’ve talked about this before.

  “Come on, we can’t do nothing,” I glance to Reid. “Especially now. Every day I have to talk myself into staying here. If there’s a way we could leave, we could actually fight back, we need to do it.”

  “As I’ve said,” Sampson agrees, “there aren’t as many Dofinikes here as they’d have you believe. Your numbers more than triple ours and not all of us are against you.”

  “But we can’t just tell everyone,” Reid shakes his head. “If you leak the information too quickly, they’ll panic. Just like with the pills.”

  “Tell the Rogues, then. When there’s a plan in place, we can tell the rest, but we at least need them on board.”

  “We can set up another meeting at Camp,” Reid looks to Sampson, “you can disclose everything.”

  “I think that’d be ideal.”

  “When?” I ask.

  “Soon,” Sampson nods. “The sooner the better.”

  Chapter Sixteen: Ellae

  I’ve been working outside for hours and I still can’t wrap my mind around it. Not everything, at least. What’s bothering me most is that Sampson, a Dofinike, doesn’t even know what’s happening and he’s our best hope. The fact that Sampson is a Dofinike is also pretty huge.

  And then there are the ruins. Why are they so—

  Something flashes past.

  It has wings and maybe even legs, tiny and black and thin, like charred toothpicks. I’d call it a bug, but it was bigger than that, about the size of my hand—did no one else see it? But everyone’s facing their walls, scooping out gobs of gibb in silence, undisturbed.

  I must be seeing things. I get back to work, thrusting my Senz into the gibbed wall when it—whatever it is—flies past again, right in front of my nose. It’s taunting me. Willing me to see it and not, to question my faith in its existence. I keep still as a tiny introverted voice speaks for me.

  I see you.

  After a second, it flashes by once more—but there are two this time. They flutter past with racing speed, still unwilling to offer a solid look. What do they want? And why does no one else see them?

  “Hey,” Reid whispers, distracting me.

  “Hey.”

  He throws his Senz into the blue wall. “Tonight you’ll come with us. To gather food.”

  “Good.”

  “Meet me at my room after Leisure Time—only a handful know so it’s not public knowledge,” he inches closer, keeping his voice low as he speaks into my ear. “Twelfth floor, sixteen from the Northeast stairwell.”

  “I thought Pratt was picking me up?”

  “Not tonight,” he shakes his head. “It’s important you know how to find me. This time, I’ll take you.”

  He leaves as quickly as he arrived. I watch him go, watch his body move through the others, everyone adjusting to him. No one wants to challenge Rox. Even the ones not involved in either Clan know he’s someone of importance. It’s obvious the way everyone acts around him. The way they see him coming before he arrives, the way they stiffen at his approach.

  Reid sails through the trench and Ansley attaches herself to his hip. My blood boils but Able’s here, taking Reid’s spot. He grins, aware of my discomfort just over his shoulder.

  “Don’t even worry about it,” he starts digging.

  “What’s her deal?” I glare at the scene behind him.

  “Can’t accept she blew it, I guess. Keeps thinking he’ll take her back. He won’t,” Able assures me, “no way. Plus, all the Rogues hate her so if he’s serious about resuming his post...”

  “She was the reason he left, right?”

  “Yup,” Able tosses his scoopful of gibb into the bucket between us. “What she did to him… and she still thinks she’s got a shot.”

  “And she doesn’t?”

  “I mean….” he hesitates, “the two of them...they just have a lot of history. I think she’s banking on that.”

  I glance over his shoulder to Reid and Ansley arguing. Reid’s digging, tossing heated scoops of gibb into the bucket at his feet, while Ansley is doing her best to explain something with her hands. Able turns to see, looks back and rolls his eyes.

  “Seriously, don’t worry. I could understand if she tried again before you showed up. I think she was hoping he’d crawl back to her,” he laughs at the impossibility. “Yeah right.”

  “BACK OFF!” Reid barks, everyone turning at the sudden disruption. Ansley stands frozen as Reid storms off.

  Able and I exchange looks before Ansley casts a loathing glare my way, heading for the ladder.

  “Eek,” Able grumbles under his breath, “she’s pissed. Might be good to steer clear.”

  I dig for a moment longer. “She’s a Kiss, isn’t she?”

  “Well, you didn’t hear it from me.”

  “Come on… what happened?”

  “I can’t tell you that. Not until Reid does,” he looks at me like I’m dumb. “He’d literally kill me if he found out I told you.”

  “That bad?”

  “Let’s put it this way…” Able clears his throat, “I think you’re cool and all, but I’m taking a big risk talking to you. If I was smart, I’d ignore you like everyone else, pretending I don’t see you—that your female body has miraculously escaped my notice…”

  “Oh…” I toss some gibb into the bucket, suddenly heartbroken for Reid. And for everyone to know about it.

  “Yeah, oh,” Able narrows his brows. “You noticed he only sent Pratt…”

  I did notice it was always Pratt, but for different reasons. It never dawned on me he’d had a whole network at his disposal and could’ve used anyone of them—Scout, Clansmen or Client—to bring me the food.

  “This is an emergency Lecture,” a voice breaks over us. It’s not Ergiloff like usual. The voice is stern, cautious, looming. It’s belongs to Beshib. “Please report to the Auditorium at once.”

  “Crap,” Able searches the trench’s nearby occupants. He ushers us along, his sights on someone in the distance behind me. “This can’t be good. Come on.”

  “What do you think it is?” I spot Pratt over his shoulder. Wide-eyed, she stands rigid in a sea of movement. I gesture her toward us and she springs forward, weaving through bodies.

  “Who knows? But if Tucker doesn’t know, it means Reid doesn’t… basically this is new, straight from Beshib.”

  “Great,” I cement my feet to the ground, “because he always has something good to say.”

  Able glances back at my hesitation, just as Pratt joins my side, her confused eyes shifting between us, looking for an explanation. But Able only shrugs and leads us toward the closest ladder. There’s already a huge hive of people waiting to climb out. Able surveys the crowd on both sides, locking eyes with someone on each.

  Finally it’s Pratt’s turn. She climbs out and I follow, Able right behind me. Hoards of people sweep past, heading for the Castle and we join in, seamlessly, rolling with the wave.

  It’s quieter than normal.

  Everyone moves in eerie silence, not with the usual whispering and innocuous interactions that usually accompany the beginning and ending of Rebuilding. It’s different now. No one wants to speak, to draw attention to themselves. Apprehension soaks the air like fog and it’s hard not to breathe it in. I glance back at Able. He’s a few paces behind me, and his focus keeps shifting between the Castle ahead and me. A bit away, Chief moves to his left and Jace glances around to his right. They’re all scoping, scanning the grazing herd.

  A million crazy thoughts race as I pass through the open portcullis. Is this a trap? Has Beshib finally decided to kill us all in one swift action? Or will he be taking half of us away, right here and now?

  We spill into the four openings and into the darkened Auditorium below. Tetlak motions us in faster, gesturing with his three pronged staff. Keeping Pratt close, I grasp her hand, roping my fingers with hers.
Someone shoves past, knocking into a few girls. They cause a small panic which quickly dissolves itself at Tetlak’s inspection.

  We’re in near darkness.

  The Auditorium is lit by less babeebs than usual, with only a handful in each ceiling corner. The majority hang below the main Gizella roots in the center over the trunk, illuminating it like a spotlight.

  We’re swept ahead but Able cuts across in front of me, motioning to the West Wall. I put Pratt between us, following her through the packed mass as more bodies filter in. We arrive near the Maze’s entrance and have a back, right view of Beshib who assumes the trunk, still gesturing in the last of the lot. It’s not this crowded during Leisure Time because half hide in the Maze while the other half dance away their fantasy of the Rebirth. Even during Lecture, it’s never been this chokingly tight.

  Irie runs through the crowd, dodging frozen bodies. He’s gone again in seconds, disappearing in the thicket of people.

  “Was that a message from Reid?” I ask.

  Able shrugs. “Most likely.”

  I think of the way people parted when he strolled through the trench. “Are people afraid of him?”

  “It’s not that they’re afraid,” Pratt dismisses the statement, claiming the explanation for herself. “They respect him. Plus,” she adds with a shrug, keeping her voice low, “they know what he’s capable of.”

  “What?”

  She glances at Able for his opinion and he simply nods.

  Leaning in, she speaks in a rushed whisper. “When he left the Kings, they didn’t just let him go. No one just leaves. Grisham wanted him dead. And because no one had ever left the Kings before, he wanted to make an example…” she pauses, wincing at some horror playing behind her eyes. “Grisham wanted everyone to know what happened if you suddenly became ‘unhappy.’ Even the Scouts had to go…” she lowers her head, shaking it at the thought. “He had Reid placed in the middle of us. Then announced that anyone who wished to leave would have to survive the clan—each member. But, to make sure no one cheated, Grisham offered the winner the honor of being his second. After that,” she gulps, “they started lining up.”

  I cover my mouth at the horror of her words.

  “Reid is an amazing fighter, you know, so the first couple, he knocked out pretty quick. Of course the guys with the real chance let the others go first—you know, to tire him out—but each one that came at him, he knocked them down. He won,” she says, excitement flaring in her face before it turns down. “But he took a few nasty hits and… it wasn’t looking good. Some of the guys started yelling for it to stop, to just let him out but Grisham wouldn’t have it. He said it wasn’t fair to ‘abandon their Clan.’ But then Reid started back, said he wouldn’t do it. Said he wouldn’t snatch anyone,” she thinks about it. “The way he talked to Grisham, spitting blood like the last sixteen fights hadn’t fazed him,” she shakes her head in awe. “What a sight. He formed the Rogues right there if you ask me.”

  “What happened?”

  “Mantis went for the kill and started an all-out fight. It’s like the Clan split right down the middle. Reid ended it. Said there was no point in so much bloodshed,” Pratt shrugs. “Anyway, after that, every Clansman and Scout knew what Reid did. What he’s capable of. That’s why they call him Rox. It means unbreakable.”

  I look to Able who nods along. “Pretty much.”

  “But you guys call him Reid.”

  “I never do and Pratt’s his personal Scout. Besides Tucker and whoever else you guys seem to know, it’s Rox to the rest of them.”

  “So again,” Pratt sums up, “not afraid. Just respectful.”

  Able shrugs, mumbling, “…A little afraid.”

  “You’re such a baby.” Pratt rolls her eyes.

  “That’s what I said!”

  “Neither of you ladies would ever have to take on Rox,” Able shakes his head, “so you don’t get it.”

  “I apologize for pulling you away from your dedicated work,” Beshib’s velvety voice snaps me back to the present. “But there is news to share. With all the survivors Clarence has been finding, I’ve ordered an in depth, investigatory search of your planet... and I’m please to say we’ve found more! Many, many more!

  “Plenty doubted this would result in anything more than outrage for what your kind did to itself. However,” Beshib tosses a piercing stare around, “it seems as though you persevered. You survived. For all the damage you’ve done to yourself, you haven’t lost the will to continue and that,” he grins, “that’s the very thing we need here. Clarence will be making multiple drops throughout the day and they’ll be arriving in large groups. Space will be limited, but with our near completion on the upper levels, I believe we can make it work.”

  Lie after lie after lie. I glance around, scanning the naïve faces that look to Beshib, some with hope, to solve all their problems and bring them the salvation they’ve waited so long for. Some look with uncertainty, as if they want to believe him but know they shouldn’t. The rest already know he’s lying, so they listen with their own agendas. What can they gain from this sudden change of events?

  Beshib surveys the room, “This is a wonderful day for humanity. And of course,” his encouraging words turn somber, “a day to remind you of the selflessness of the Dofinikes. The Dofinikes, who have rescued you, clothed you, sheltered and fed you. You,” he’s talking to each one of us now, accusingly as normal, “a suicidal species. Ready to die for nothing. Ready to destroy your planet. But,” he extends a finger, his voice growing lighter at the change of topic, “perhaps a second chance at survival, yes? It’s your responsibility to get the new Arrivals settled, to keep to Rebuilding as normal. With all that the Dofinikes are doing for you, working day in and day out for cures, antidotes, it is expected that all new humans be attended to and cared for by their own kind. Remember, a quick acclimation is best for everyone involved…” and with that, he glances at Jeb quickly, offering the slightest of nods. Beshib turns back to us, raising his arms in victory. “It truly is a great day for humanity!”

  Beshib withdraws from the trunk, landing near the South Wall and behind the massive hoard of bodies with one momentary leap. Jeb is in his place in seconds, assuming the spotlight on the glowing trunk. He’s speaking but I tune him out.

  Instead, I replay the facts.

  The Dofinikes want us here for a reason, for some purpose and even Sampson doesn’t know what it is. So far, they’re only taking us in small groups or if need be, one by one. But they won’t bother with us if we’re busy Rebirthing our race…

  “You may return to the Rebuilding now, thank you,” Jeb’s smiling brightly, motioning gently toward the exits. “Your cooperation is highly appreciated in this time for rejoicing.”

  “Multiple drops?” I hear over my shoulder.

  Pratt and Able turn to find Reid, hoping for something, some sort of answer to all this. But Reid keeps his face impassive, still trying to figure it out himself.

  “And in large groups,” I add.

  “Sound familiar?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Listen,” he pulls me back, whispering into my ear and letting the others move ahead. “I have to talk to Tucker and Jace about Recruitments so I’ll be busy for the rest of the day. But I’ll see you after Leisure Time, right?”

  I nod.

  He offers me a quick wink before moving through the crowd with ease, disappearing in seconds. I’m shuffled along by the current, which shifts me toward the closest stairwell. Almost there, I feel something—that familiar sensation of being watched. Scanning, I find Mantis standing as the herd moves around him. He’s glued to the marble floor, his stiffened arms hanging determinedly at his side, his large, dark eyes centered wholly on me.

  My stomach drops.

  Weaving through the bodies around me, I ascend the stairwell and force myself to keep composure. I’m in the middle of everyone—what’s he going to do? But once in the Courtyard, I toss a glance over my shoulder a
nd see him still moving behind me. His dark eyes are set on me, sending my pulse racing. I gulp, forcing myself forward when I notice Jace a ways up, walking slower than someone with his long-legged stride should. But I take comfort in his presence. If Mantis tries anything, at least he’ll be nearby.

  Passing through the portcullis, I head for the trench. Casting one final glance behind me, I sigh in relief to find Mantis is no longer there, but instead, Chief is surveying the area, his long, feathered earring swinging as he turns his head, scanning. I head back to my spot in the trench line and lose myself in my thoughts.

  ***

  I’m at his room.

  Exactly sixteen doors from the Northeast corner on the twelfth floor. I have no idea if I’m early or late, but I’m here, so I knock twice on Reid’s crimson arch and it instantly flies open. He grins, excited to see me and I melt inside.

  “Come in,” he gestures, “we’ll head out in a second.”

  I follow him in and he closes the door behind me, glimpsing at me with another sheepish grin.

  “What?” I laugh, feeling almost giddy myself.

  “Nothing. Just been looking forward to this.”

  “To what?”

  He shrugs but doesn’t answer, moving through his room which is nearly identical to mine. Two babeebs hang beneath the silvery Gizella branches that snake across the ceiling. A bed with heaps of worn navy rags sits in the corner and a window, a little mirror and a chair decorate the rest of the space.

  “What?” I glance around. “No fancy crib for Rox?”

  He scoffs, “Please. The only special treatment I get is the Dofinikes turning their heads when I conduct business.”

  “And why do you think that is?”

  “Because without me, there’d be no Rogues. Without the Rogues, there’d be no division and that’s what they want,” he moves around his room again, looking for something.“Dofinikes want to keep us a divided front. As long as the Kings and Rogues remain at war with one another, the humans will never be a united force.”

  “Have you thought of joining forces? Reestablishing—”