As they’d already agreed, Seb, SA, and Sparks all stood up too, doing their best to copy the lethargy of those around them. They joined the hive mind in stumbling towards the exit. They’d also agreed they wouldn’t talk to one another, even via SA. If their eyes showed any form of cognition, they’d stand out in the mindless mass.
The walk to the exit went slowly because of the sheer number of bodies in the large cage. They seemed unable to comprehend anything outside themselves, a bottleneck backing up as they all tried to move through the narrow gate at once.
Now they were in amongst the crowd, shoulder to shoulder with them, Seb allowed himself the slightest glance to his left and right. They all wore the same glazed look, broken by whatever process they’d been put through. It made sense why they didn’t have many guards; these lot didn’t look capable of revolution. Another reason why they had to gather intelligence and nothing else. What would they do with a crowd of zombies on a freezing mountain with nowhere to take them? They’d die quicker than if they left them behind.
Just two guards dressed in crimson robes stood by the exit. Where Seb’s heart rate had lifted through his fear of being discovered, it settled to see just how little attention they paid their prisoners.
Even with most of the fires and torches far away, the flickering flames animated the shadows, and it took all of Seb’s resolve to ignore them. They were shadows, nothing more; he didn’t need to watch them for fear of attack.
Packed in so tightly increased the temperature of the already stuffy cave. It didn’t help to still be dressed in clothes better suited for the snowy mountains above them. Sweat ran into Seb’s eyes as he walked, and he had to fight against his desire to wipe it away. He needed to act like those around him.
They’d believed the cell to be the final stage in the process. When they passed through the gate and headed with the others in the direction of a tunnel, Seb now felt certain of it.
Despite the guards waiting in the tunnel a good thirty metres away, there were none in between them and the cage’s exit. Seb looked up and down the line before he spoke to the other two. I think we should slowly melt into the shadows. No one’s watching.
After SA had also looked around, she came through to them. I agree. I think now’s our best chance.
Because they were in the middle of the crowd, Sparks wouldn’t have been able to see anything. It must have been why she didn’t comment.
When Seb eased himself to the left, the other two followed him. They pretended to stumble and dragged their feet so they fitted in. As much as he tried to avoid it, he looked at the slaves again. The trauma in their damaged eyes spoke of beings who’d been taken to the edge and pushed off. How did they turn them into functioning slaves after this?
Seb made it to the side of the pack and glanced at the shadows next to them. A quick look up and down and he still saw no guards other than the ones at either end of the line. He then stepped into the darkness, SA and Sparks following him a second later.
Chapter 44
Seb, Sparks, and SA waited in the darkness and watched the line of slaves they’d been a part of vanish down the tunnel. The guards at the entrance tagged onto the end of the line, ushering them into the darkness. We need to see what’s going on here so we have something to take back to Moses, Seb said. Hopefully a clue as to who Enigma is.
Both SA and Sparks looked at him, so Seb took the lead, guiding them through the shadows. They headed back the way they’d come from, passing the cage as they moved on towards the four large barns.
They skirted around guards, the darkness cloaking them from several pairs of not so watchful eyes. They looked confident about having the place locked down. It would have taken an almighty disruption to alert the crimson-robed villains to much. As far as being an employee of the Countess and her operations, they had a cushy job. As long as they could tolerate the screams that soared through the cave every minute or two. Maybe the amount of time they’d spent down there made them numb to the sounds.
If Seb, Sparks, and SA understood the process like they thought they did, the first barn they came to was the fourth step in whatever twisted production line the slaves were put through. The large doors were closed, so they saw nothing. However, as they got close, they heard the splash of water inside. Seb froze. Any kind of water with his fists … Then he heard it again. It sounded more like it hit the ground rather than a pool of any sort. Hopefully a soaking rather than anything a being could drown in.
Seb led the line and kept them moving, the rough rock of the wall scraping against his coat. Close to the next barn, they were now near to the screams that had been a feature since they’d entered the place.
What are they doing to them in there? Sparks said.
Like the previous barn, the closed doors stopped them seeing in. I hate to think, Seb replied.
They were just metres from a steam whistle when it shrieked again. Seb jumped so high his feet left the ground. It took all he had to keep his startled yell in. As he fought to calm himself down, he leaned against the wall and waited. The other two did the same.
The humidity in the hot cave had turned to condensation on the rocky wall. When Seb pressed his hand against it, he felt the sweaty surface. The thickness of his coat had prevented him from noticing the damp until that moment.
Although the crimson guards opened the doors of the barn close to them, their current position meant they could only see the side of the large structure. Despite having a better line of sight into the second and fourth ones, the darkness inside them sat so complete, they saw nothing in them either.
Once the beings had all moved on to the next station—the slaves from the cage exiting via the tunnel while the newest batch of victims formed before the first barn—SA took the lead. They crept past barn two and one and heard nothing inside.
The pen in front of the first barn had about fifty to one hundred slaves waiting to be processed. They’d been led in via a tunnel much like the one they used to get out of there.
How many slaves do you think they have waiting down there? Sparks said while nodding in the direction the new slaves had come from.
Seb squinted, but it did nothing to help him see any better. He shrugged. I wouldn’t have the first clue. Although, this doesn’t look like the kind of operation that takes many breaks, so I’m guessing they have plenty to keep this place going.
Quite the conveyor belt, SA agreed.
More screams called out of the third barn. The frequent vocalisation of suffering chipped away at Seb, setting his nerves on edge. If the wide eyes of the other two were anything to go by, the noises of torture grated on them too.
More sweat than ever ran into Seb’s stinging eyes as he squinted, trying to comprehend exactly what the crimson-robed guards were doing in the dimly lit cave. Hot, humid, dark, and underground, it felt like they were currently in hell.
So we can’t stop this, Seb said. We’re outnumbered and we don’t want to give our mission away.
That’s right, SA said. Also, what will we do with hundreds of liberated zombies?
Seb shrugged. So what do we tell Moses? What have we learned?
Nothing from the other two.
When they got closer to the pen by the first barn, Seb sighed. One of us needs to go through the process. Otherwise we have no intelligence to take back with us.
SA stepped forward. I’ll do it.
A look from SA to Sparks, Seb said, Whatever’s happening to the prisoners, it seems like they’re messing with their heads, right? Doing something to their brains.
Right, Sparks said.
So, if anyone can fight against that, it’s SA.
SA nodded. Which is why I need to go through it.
It’s why you need to stay out of it. When Seb looked at Sparks, she seemed to shrink in the glare of his attention. SA, do you think you could protect someone else against it?
A moment’s silence before she said, I could try.
Sparks looked like she want
ed to argue, but Seb didn’t give her the chance. Can you keep my mind safe if I go through it?
Both Sparks and SA gasped. SA finally nodded. I think so, yes.
Close enough to join the slaves moving into the first pen, Seb reached out and put a hand on the shoulders of each of his friends. He looked from one to the other while he spoke. It makes sense for me to go. SA can keep me safe if her mind remains sharp, and Sparks will be able to get us out of here when I come out the other side. I can fight, that’s all. And if we get to the point where we have to fight, we’re screwed anyway because there’s too many of them, so what use is my skill set in our getaway? Just follow me through the process, try to stop them screwing my mind up, and help me get out of here at the end, okay?
Two anxious faces stared at Seb.
Okay?
They both nodded.
Seb nodded back as he took his coat off and handed it to SA. See you on the other side, he said. When the guards looked the other way, he slipped into the line of slaves about to go into the first barn.
Chapter 45
Seb stood in the pen with the other slaves. They bumped and nudged him, but none of them looked up. Most focused on their feet as if eye contact had been forbidden. To stop himself watching the strange behaviour around him, he stared into the darkness in the direction he knew Sparks and SA to be. Only able to see shadows, he said, You’re well hidden. It’s impossible to see you from here.
It took all Seb had to keep his anxiety in check. The screams, the water, the zombies at the end of the production line … So when Sparks said, Are you sure there isn’t another way? his stomach tensed and he felt a pull to run out of there. How he wanted to say yes, that he’d thought of something better and everything would be okay.
After a few seconds, he copied the other slaves and looked at his feet. No, he finally said to Sparks. None of us can see into these buildings without going inside. I have to do this so we can stop whatever’s happening to these poor creatures. We need to stop Enigma and whatever it is they have planned. I think the process will give us the information we need to take a step closer to them.
But are you okay? SA said this time. She spoke in a much kinder tone to him than she had in a while.
Don’t be nice to me, Seb said, his resolve weakening by the second. Not now. Just be there to stop the madness from coming in, yeah?
The next whistle sounded out in the cave, snapping Seb rigid. No matter how long he stayed down there for, he’d never get used to the shrill noise.
It took all Seb had to stop himself from vomiting as those around him shifted in preparation for where they had to go next. Palpable anxiety, he felt sure none of them knew what they were letting themselves in for, that none of them had seen the brain-dead slaves in the cage at the end. And why would they have? The only way for them to get there would be to become one of them.
The large double doors at the front of the barn opened. Despite Seb squinting as he peered into it, he only saw darkness.
What can you see? SA said.
Nothing. It’s too dark, like all of the other barns. The slaves at the front of the pack shifted forwards.
After Seb had shuffled about ten metres closer to where they were heading—his palms slick with sweat and his throat dry—he still saw nothing inside the dark barn. One last look into the shadows where he knew his friends to be, he fought to keep his expression relaxed. He might not be able to see them, but they could undoubtedly see him. He didn’t need to share his fear with them now.
Seb’s bravery abandoned him when he walked forwards with the next pack to enter the large wooden structure. The building looming over him, he said, Please don’t let me slip away.
SA came back to him. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.
Chapter 46
Once Seb entered the barn, his surroundings were still mostly lost to the darkness, but when he looked ahead along the line of slaves, he could just about make out the crimson-robed guards ahead. He watched as they passed a cup to the next creature at the front of the line. They didn’t speak, but if one of the beings refused to drink, the guards raised their blasters at them until they complied.
As Seb moved closer because of the shortening queue, he heard those in front of him heaving and retching from what they were being forced to take. He could also smell the brew and saw a bubbling cauldron behind the guards. It reeked of stewed mud, dung, and mushrooms. Nausea swelled through him at the thought of drinking it.
Seb arrived at the front of the queue to see the crimson soldiers wore the same robes he’d seen them in before. A darkness within their hood that his eyes couldn’t penetrate. It seemed like the same magic existed within each of the buildings.
After taking the cup they handed to him, Seb watched the creature on his right drink first. It looked like it might spit it out until one of the guards clamped a large hand over its mouth and hissed at it.
Seb knocked his drink back without the need for help. It tasted like curdled vinegar.
After taking the cup back from him, one of the guards pointed to show Seb where he needed to go.
They were led into another room. As dark as the first one, the air stank of vomit. The slaves were made to sit on benches that lined either side. The sounds around him were of creatures heaving and then the splash of their sick hitting the concrete ground.
As Seb sat down, the creature next to him threw up. A chunky splash-back splattered against his right trouser leg. Before he had time to process it, his own stomach locked tight and sweat virtually jumped from his brow. Moist palms and an accelerated heart rate, his stomach sucked in as he forcefully ejected everything he had within it.
Seb added to the chorus of vomiting as he went several more times, purging his body of everything he had.
It felt like only seconds had passed by the time he’d finished. Then he heard Sparks’ voice in his mind. Are you okay? What’s going on? You’ve been in there for ages.
What? Seb said, exhausted from the process. His body coated in sweat, his clothes clung to him. While wiping his mouth, he continued, They made us drink something and I’ve thrown up everywhere.
Light-headed from whatever he’d swallowed, Seb didn’t hear what Sparks said to him next. However, he did hear the steam whistle in all its nerve-jangling glory. Shaky on his legs, he wobbled as he got to his feet with those around him and said, Got to move now.
Chapter 47
Aware of the carpet of vomit squishing beneath his feet, but too focused on trying to remain upright on his weak legs, Seb followed the other slaves out of the room they’d all thrown up in and exited the barn.
Because he’d been in the darkness for so long, even the glow of the fire and candles around them stung his eyes. Repeated blinking did little to relieve the painful itch. As he scanned the shadows—the space even darker than before on account of the glare from the flames—he quickly gave up hope of seeing SA and Sparks. Are you both there?
SA spoke. We’re right with you. I couldn’t get through to you for a time in there. How are you?
Sore, he said. Aches streaked up both of Seb’s sides from having been so violently sick. Tar ran through his veins; an influenza ache in his body. They gave me a strange drink that made me throw my guts up. We all threw up.
One of the flickering candles close to Seb then caught his attention. It seemed to swell to ten times its size. Mesmerised by the effect, he watched it for a few seconds before he looked along to the next one. Trails of light dragged as he moved his head. When he looked back at the first swollen flame, it burst, orange butterflies taking flight from it. Lethargy gripped his muscles, his jaw falling limp as he watched them flutter up to the cave’s ceiling.
Seb!
The forcefulness of it startled him and he said, Huh?
I was talking to you.
Sorry. I think there was something in that drink. The world looks funny. What were you saying?
But before he could hear her, Seb drifted off again.
More of the candles animated around him, shattering as light rushed away from them like exploding fireworks.
And then they were gone.
It took for Seb to look around to see he’d walked into the next barn. So distracted by the flames, he’d barely been aware of even putting one foot in front of the other as he’d headed to the next stage of the twisted production line. While watching the torches, a warmth had climbed over him. It felt like it had entered the base of his skull and spread through his central nervous system.
Maybe a guard had told them where to go. Maybe Seb simply moved on instinct. Either way, when he got into a large room and lay down, he did it because he knew it was the right thing to do. He stared up into the darkness of the barn’s ceiling. The vast inside of the building had enough floor space for him to lie down without touching another being.
Then the glowing firelight returned, although this time it swung from side to side and kicked off grey smoke. When it got close to him, Seb heard chanting and smelled an almost headache-inducing incense. The reek entered his nostrils, an unwelcome invader as it challenged the warm grip inside him with its acerbic bite.
The smoke and the warmth battled within him, the smoke gaining power over his system, stretching its invasive fingers through his being. The chants around him grew louder. Maybe they said words, he couldn’t tell. It sounded like more than one creature. They spoke in stereo as they muttered the same things over and over.
Then Seb took off. Like a rocket, he shot straight up at the barn’s ceiling. For a moment, he hovered in the space, looking down on his body and all the bodies around him. But before he could take it in, what felt like a hand grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and yanked him out of there.
The Shadow Order - Books 1 - 8 + 120 Seconds (The complete series): A Space Opera Page 112
