The Gender End

by Bella Forrest

  I didn’t have to shoot the boys anywhere lethal—I just had to disable them so I could get close to the queen. Provided I didn’t miss and hit a major artery…

  It didn’t matter. As soon as the gun was in my hand and coming around, another of the boys to the side blurred over, and I felt my weapon ripped violently from me, my fingers going numb and then burning as I realized it had scraped the skin. The gun skittered across the roof and came to a stop some distance away, and I stared at it as I was shoved forward.

  Elena was within spitting distance, and, with no other resources left, I lunged for her, rage coursing through me, trying to swing. The boy holding me hauled me back and kept me from striking at her, and then threw me forward onto my knees. I clenched my teeth to keep from crying out, and reared back to look up at her.

  Elena stared down at me, her face implacable. Then she smiled.

  “You had every opportunity to let it go, Violet. I’m confounded as to why you couldn’t, but frankly, I won’t even try to understand your reasoning. I’m sure it is something sentimental, but I really just don’t care.” She simultaneously shrugged and nodded, before pulling her gun up, aiming directly for my head. “It’ll be better this way. It’ll be faster, and you’ll finally, finally get to have a little peace and quiet. Just give up.”

  I glared at her.

  “Never,” I whispered, looking up at her only to see the end of a barrel, a bullet inside with my name on it. “I’ll never stop trying to stop you. You don’t care whose life you ruin in your mad quest to do… whatever it is. As long as there is breath in my lungs, as long as you use people to hurt others against their will, I will fight you.”

  Elena’s smile deepened. “Well you certainly won’t have that breath in your lungs for long,” she breathed, pulling back the hammer. “The boys are now mine, thanks to the Benuxupane sample you got us, and they will be forever. You’ve lost, and I get to sleep tonight knowing I pulled the trigger.” She began to tense her finger, and then stopped. “You know… I think I might actually come to miss the chaotic element you added to my life, Violet. Without you, all this would’ve seemed so… boring. Easy. Not a victory worthy of my talents. I suppose I should thank you for that, but… I have a heloship to catch.”

  Viggo’s face appeared in my mind as Elena’s finger tightened on the trigger. I closed my eyes.

  Viggo, I love you.

  Just then, an explosion rocked the night, and the rooftop beneath us shuddered.

  My eyes jolted open, my heart beating wildly as I instinctively threw myself to the ground at the noise. In front of me, Elena still held the gun, but she was looking to one side—the side from which the lower rooftop extended beneath us—as the noises of shouts and gunshots filtered up from below.

  “What was that?” she snapped, her voice low and dangerous.

  In that moment, when her guard was down, I struggled to find the energy in my legs to move, to crawl backward, to attack her—and then a dark figure blurred into motion in front of me, the queen’s face snapping forward again with a gasp just as the gun was knocked from her hand, clattering metallically onto the roof beyond.

  Elena took one step back, and then another.

  The blur stilled, resolving into the boy who had been roughly shoving me moments ago, his body positioned between me and the queen. Elena held her wrist gingerly, squinting at the boy in front of her.

  “Stand down,” she ordered.

  The boy cocked his head at her and then shook his head.

  As soon as he did, some of the other boys began shaking their heads, turning toward her as well. They broke rank, reaching up in unison and pulling the masks off, and I looked at my savior, my mouth falling open as his mask came off too.

  Tim was standing there, protecting me from Elena.

  Elena took another slow step back, and another. She looked at the group of mask-less boys, seeming to latch onto the ones who still wore their masks… who were now behaving oddly too. They looked around, tapped their ears, stepped back out of their neat ranks, looking around as though they’d just woken up.

  Elena, in turn, muttered something into a comm unit on her neck. She tapped it twice, then shouted, “Don’t just stand there! Apprehend her!”

  The ranks of boys did nothing. The unmasked ones continued to advance, and the ones in the masks stared at her, some of them swaying on their feet. I found myself watching from the roof as if spellbound, transfixed by the scene.

  Elena stood where she was a heartbeat more. Then she turned and broke into a run, racing for the heloship—and everything seemed to move at normal speed again. Some of the masked boys scrambled away, while the rest were already on their feet, moving to stop her. I started to haul up my aching body to go after her, but my brother held out an arm to stop me.

  “Revenge,” he said, watching as she began climbing the ramp to get into the heloship—only to come to a complete stop halfway as the boys at the foot of the ramp began to move up it.

  As I watched, I realized there were more black-clad figures at the top of the ramp—clearly what had made her pause—and she turned around, warily looking at the oncoming boys.

  Tim turned and looked at me, his face apologetic.

  “Sorry for hurt. Played part. Had to trick her.”

  I turned to him, still baffled by the sudden shift in events. I had expected to be dead by now, but I was alive, watching as the boys Elena had exploited slowly converge on her.

  “They’re not going to—”

  “No,” Tim said, shaking his head and smiling. “I know. We need alive. More valuable.”

  “More legiti—” I stopped, my blood running cold, when I saw Elena reach into her pocket and pull something out. Her hand went to her mouth and back down again. “Wait. Tim, call them ba—”

  Then Elena fell to her knees, screaming. She clapped her hands over her ears, her mouth gaping wide, her voice coming out in an agonized screech. There was a ripple of uncertainty in the boys as they watched her scream, and they hesitated, looking around.

  “Grab her!” Tim bellowed. I was too focused on Elena to say anything. What had she just done?

  Moments later she slumped onto the ramp and began to roll down it, her legs and arms moving limply. The closest boys backed up a few steps as she came to a stop, visibly baffled, and I lost her behind the crowd.

  “Get them away!” I told Tim, starting to push through the crowd.

  Elena slowly stood, swaying back and forth, her back to me.

  The rooftop was silent and still for a long second, and then she turned, her eyes burning hotly as she met my gaze full on.

  “Clever Violet,” she said after a long moment, her voice raw from screaming. “You thought to trap me. Don’t you know… I always have a contingency plan.”

  One of the boys broke through his confusion and raced for her, but she casually reached her arm across her chest, bringing the back of her hand down on his face. Instead of simply stumbling back, the boy went flying through the air, disappearing over the edge of the rooftop with a scream.

  “Run!” I yelled to anyone and everyone, retreating, and Elena advanced, death in her eyes and a sadistic grin playing at her mouth.

  OceanofPDF.com

  41

  OceanofPDF.com

  VIGGO

  The hallway we had found ourselves in ended abruptly at a door, and without waiting, Owen and I pushed through it, knowing we’d reached the door that led to the roof. The cool night air engulfed us, and we found ourselves standing before a narrow set of exposed stairs, winding up one side of the palace. Owen started moving up them, but I grabbed his shoulder and held him back, taking a moment to close the door behind us and break the lock.

  We should hurry, he transmitted, but I kept a firm hand on his shoulder.

  Careful. I moved up the stairs first. This roof was lower than the one to our left—that one went up three more stories, the two uppermost having rows of windows, but I couldn’t see any sign of danger lur
king from above. Most of the windows were darkened, only a few emitting a glow of light into the night. The rest of our roof was wide and low, with ventilation shafts poking up and out of it, as well as massive heating and cooling units that seemed to eat up the open space, creating dozens of barriers and shadows. Just above them, I could make out the dim shape of something jutting up from the far corner beyond.

  Are those the antennas? I asked, pointing to the equipment on the far corner of the roof, which looked from here like a tangle of metal silhouettes surrounded by a tall barbed-wire fence.

  Yes. We should— He started to move again, but I pulled him back down, and he gave me an incredulous look.

  Why are you being so hesitant? he demanded. What are you seeing that I’m not?

  Nothing, I replied, shaking my head. But that is critical equipment. Would you leave it unguarded?

  He opened his mouth, and then shut it with a snap.

  That’s a good point. Amber?

  Just at that moment, Amber’s voice came through.

  Viggo, there’s some sort of fire below in the labs. The electrical systems are pretty much melting, and we’ve lost many of the cameras. I’m diverting a lot of the guards out of the area—mostly I’m telling them to help evacuate the servants— but things got out of the lab, and—

  We let them out, I told her grimly. Just do what you can to help preserve their lives as well as ours. We’ll take care of the communications antennas.

  I slid off my backpack and motioned for Owen to do the same.

  What supplies do we really need to take down the antennas? I asked.

  Semtex, detonators—we won’t need it all unless you want to destroy this part of the palace.

  I do not. So…

  There was a flash of a smile on Owen’s face as he pulled a tube of the metal-melting chemical from his bag, along with a few more clips of ammunition. I fished a rope out of my own pile and added it to the collection.

  Rope? he asked, raising an eyebrow as he picked up the rope and tugged on it. Really?

  We’re on a roof with limited access. I want a backup plan. He laughed bitterly through the link, and I frowned at him. What?

  It’s just nice to hear you have a plan for once. You know, just when I’ve finally decided, what’s the point? Plans, no plans… everyone dies just the same.

  I pulled out my gun and checked the magazine, counting the bullets through the holes on the side.

  Owen, stop it. Give me the bag. I’ll go first and you follow behind, in case anyone is lurking out there.

  I looked again, studying the long, dark shadows draped across half the roof, searching for any sign of movement in the relative quiet of the night. There was nothing, but I was on edge, alert.

  I should go first, Owen said, already hefting the bag over his shoulder.

  Owen, you’re better with the suit than I am. Give me the tube and the gun and run interference for me.

  Owen frowned but passed it over with a nod.

  Let’s just get it done so we can find everyone else.

  Thinking about Morgan? I asked as I put on the bag. He smiled, but the expression evaporated quickly.

  That’s none of your business, he transmitted, before slowly disappearing from view.

  Well, be prepared for it to be everyone’s business, I replied, taking a direct path toward the structures on the corner of the roof. They slowly became more visible as I moved toward them, and I realized there was a massive satellite dish in the middle, but around it were straight, long metal frames, towering into the night, nearly as tall as the adjacent rooftop. The metal mesh fence surrounding it was, I realized as I neared it, marked with a sign announcing 10,000 volts of electricity was coursing through it.

  Violet and I have stood up to our fair share of teasing.

  I knew I should be focusing on the mission and only talking about critical things. But Owen’s tone when he’d mentioned giving up on all plans… I suspected he was in that dark place again, the place that made him do irrational and painful things, and I hoped maybe, just maybe, a little reminder of something good in the world might shake him out of it.

  Yeah, but you and Violet are so confident. I’m… I’m not so much. I mean… I didn’t even realize she was into me until Violet said something. His voice didn’t sound as heavy as before, but it was still loaded with some kind of worry. It was eerie talking to a vanished man, knowing he was near me somewhere while we were talking about this but feeling like it would be no different if he and I were on opposite sides of the palace.

  Oh God, I said with a smile as I approached the fence. Please tell me my wife isn’t becoming one of those wives.

  Owen’s chuckle in reply made me feel a little better as I stopped just short of the fence. A slight hum emanated from it—a tiny sign of the 10,000 volts—and I reached into the bag to pull out the tube of solvent.

  Maybe she is, he said, but can you blame her? She’s ridiculously in love with you, and—

  Did you just call my wife ridiculous? I teased as I unscrewed the tube. Because I’m sure she’d love to know you said that.

  Isn’t that the point of love—to be ridiculous with, to, and for each other? he shot back, and I paused in my careful application of the black, tar-like goo I was pressing against the point where the fence wires overlapped. The goo itself didn’t transmit electricity—that was one of its selling points—but I had to be careful that neither the tube nor my fingers touched the metal.

  I should’ve gotten you to write my wedding vows, I said after a thoughtful moment, resuming my work. I gotta cut a hole in this thing, in case you haven’t noticed. It’s electrified.

  I have, just hurry up. It’s making me nervous how quiet everything is up here.

  I agree, I informed him as I slowly drew the tube down, applying the substance liberally. Overhead, wisps of smoke were appearing, and molten metal began to drip down as the chemicals did their job. And I’m not even the one using the suit.

  I gave you that option, he coolly replied. And don’t worry, I’m watching the doors.

  That will only last as long as it takes me to get this fence down. I moved my hands up to start dragging the tube across the top and back down the other side, creating a four-foot-long, three-foot-wide door where the section I’d separated would fall out. Once we’re in there, we aren’t going to have a good view.

  I know. I wish I knew how to help Amber get the cameras back up.

  Well, unfortunately for Amber, the redhead’s voice cut in, reminding us nothing we had said was private, Thomas’ manual didn’t cover electronic meltdown.

  Any chance we can just pull back? I asked, taking a step back to admire my handiwork and wait for the solvent to finish melting the metal. I’d love to lounge in that control room. I tried to keep my tone light, but Owen seemed to have gone even stiller than before at the mention of Thomas’ name, and I was still worried about him.

  They know something’s up, Logan said, his voice a tight whisper. I’m not sure how much time we have before someone’s back up here. The room had four people manning it, Viggo. Four. She’s just one.

  I’m a very convincing liar, Amber replied, seeming unimpressed with Logan’s concern for her. Anyway, to answer your question—no. Sorry. You gotta take the antennas out. Then we can talk exit strategies.

  I sighed—her answer wasn’t unexpected—and then kicked out with my boot, impacting the impromptu door I had created. My boots also shielded me from being electrocuted, if there was still a charge in the partially severed mesh, and the piece I had carved out went skidding across the rooftop and came to a rattling stop.

  That wasn’t exactly stealthy, Owen said sourly, and I ducked through and moved around the base of the satellite dish. I sat my bag down beside the concrete block from which the dish jutted, pulling out the cubes of semtex and placing them on the ground.

  The blonde man appeared next to me a second later, studying the dish and its mount.

  We’ll need to reall
y control the explosion, he said, kneeling and producing a knife. He cut through one of the semtex cubes, halving it and then quartering it again, as he spoke. We don’t want to bring the roof down on the upper levels, but at the same time, we have to damage the equipment enough to make sure they can’t repair it quickly.

  What do you recommend? I asked, taking the quarters and rolling the clay-like material into a ball.

  This size, maybe even smaller. I’ll climb up the dish and put it on there, but you’ll have to climb the antennas.

  I hesitated, wiping my hand on my thigh, and shook my head.

  Too exposed. If anyone comes out or looks in through one of those windows, we’ll get—

  Viggo, I just saw a group of wardens heading your way, Amber cut in. In one of the adjacent halls. I can’t be sure they’re after you, per se, but—

  Thanks. It was rude cutting her off, but I didn’t want to waste a second. What’s the messier way to do this?

  Owen hesitated, then slapped a ball of explosive onto the concrete wall holding up the dish.

  Let’s hope they didn’t skimp on the contractor they hired to build this, he muttered. Every three feet one of these goes down. I’ll move behind you and put in the detonators.

  I picked up the balls we had made, cradling them in my hand, and returned to the front of the equipment tangle at a jog, sticking them to the side of the wall while Owen planted the detonators. We had three quarters of it set up when I heard something—a slight scraping sound—and froze.

  A heartbeat later I moved behind the large radio tower, using the metal frame as cover, and looked out onto the still rooftop, searching for any sign of movement.

  Viggo?

  I didn’t reply to Amber’s voice. I didn’t have time—bullets pinged off of my cover, and I ducked under it as the gunshots sounded.

  I counted four muzzle flashes! Owen, can you confirm?

  Six… no, eight! What do you want to do?