by Al K. Line
"And the Elders?"
Talia shrugged. "Don't know. Maye they are a part of it, or maybe they are just people he knew he could manipulate if the need arose. Erato, this is horrible. Cashae is dead, she was our friend for over a hundred years and now she's gone. How can life be taken away so easily?"
Erato put an arm on Talia's shoulder and tried not to wobble too much as the train jerked a little from side to side. "Me either. She was our best friend in the world, and he killed her. She was trying to save me, and he stabbed her like it meant nothing. And the Elders too, they are dead."
"They deserved it." Talia frowned. "Maybe."
"That's it though, isn't it? Did they? Or were they doing things they had no choice in? If Vorce manipulated us all then maybe they weren't like that really?"
"It's too late now, but we have to warn everyone, make it right. We can't let him carry on like this, we just can't."
"We won't. We'll finish this today no matter what. When we—"
Woof, woof, woof.
They turned at Leel's bark; she was staring at Arcene. Her eyes were open and she was struggling to sit up.
Woof!
"Hey, Leel, how you doing, girl?"
Woof.
"Haha, I'm pleased to see you too. Um, are we there yet?"
"Not quite," said Talia. "I don't know how long it will take. We have no idea where The Island is, so it could take hours."
"Ugh, my head feels funny." Arcene shook, grabbed Leel's collar and pulled herself to her feet. "I think I've had enough of the digital world for a while. Immersed in it makes you lose yourself. And I doubt it will take long. He wouldn't have built it too far out to sea, and besides, it would only take a few hours to get to France, so it can't be that long a ride."
"France?" asked Erato.
Arcene looked at him strangely. "Yeah, you know, the country that's just across the Channel from us. Seriously, nothing?" Arcene looked from one to the other.
Talia finally understood the extent of the gaps in their schooling.
"Wow, what have you been learning for the last hundred plus years?"
"I think I'd like to find that out too. I get the feeling there's rather a lot about this world we know nothing of." Talia felt like a child in front of Arcene. Such a long life yet she knew less of the world then this girl who was barely a woman. No, that was unfair. Arcene was strong and smart. Cheeky, yes, but she was saving them, saving them from not only Vorce but themselves. She was their hope, their salvation, and she would not let Vorce harm her.
"Thanks," said Arcene with a smile, the color returning as much as it ever did.
"For what?"
"For saving me back there. I think I entered The Noise one time too many without resting and it didn't go well. Probably need some food. Um, maybe later," said Arcene hurriedly, as if thinking about what happened the last time she ate on The Island.
"Haha, don't worry, once this is over we will have a feast and you really can eat as much as you wish."
"Um, I think I'll pass."
Talia noted the shock on Arcene's face at her own words. She got the feeling it wasn't often Arcene turned down food. What did that say about her and her people, when someone trying to save them was still wary of their hospitality? That they had a lot to make up for, and it would begin today.
Well, happy birthday, Talia. It's a year you will never forget, that's for sure. If you survive.
Strangely Comfortable
In a matter of minutes, the train shuddered to a halt. The lights dimmed, the engine hissed and ticked and then there was silence. The three people looked at each other, knowing there was a little time. They had the train, and if Vorce walked it would take him hours.
"How does this work?" asked Arcene.
"What do you mean?" asked Talia.
"I mean the train. How did you get it to leave the station and come here? How does Vorce call it back? Can we stop it?"
Talia looked blank and turned to Erato for help. "Don't ask me, I've got no idea. Talia just pressed the button and the doors opened, we pulled you in, she pressed this button here and—"
"No!"
"No!"
The door hissed open and warm air flooded in. "Um, I guess I shouldn't have pressed it, right?" Two pairs of eyes burned holes in Erato's already fiery cheeks. "Sorry."
"Okay, so the doors are open, but I'm guessing they have to be closed before the train can be called back, unless he can't and you have to be where the train is to use it. Just don't press any buttons. If we can keep it here then we have some time." Arcene stared accusingly at Erato.
"I said I was sorry."
They stepped onto the platform, only to be confronted with yet another door, but this one was different — metal split down the middle. An elevator.
Arcene assumed it led directly up into The Island so there was no need for steps here, and it wouldn't have been possible anyway. She tried not to think about the fact they were under the sea, as the thought of all that water above your head was enough to make you consider really freaking out.
"Well, it doesn't look like there's any kind of complex lock like before. Phew. I don't think I could go through that again."
"How do you do this? I don't understand any of it, but, you know, shut the cameras down, read the codes and all?"
Arcene thought for a moment, but she had no answer. "I'm not sure. I've never tried anything like this before. I just kind of, um, let myself go into the code, sort of. Er, dunno, it's just like if I let myself free then I can become a part of this weird virtual world. It's scary though, it's not like being inside an animal's mind. It's a lot more alien and you could lose yourself. I don't like it, that's for sure."
"Haha, a woman of hidden talents," quipped Erato. Both women just stared at him. "I'm having a bad day, all right?"
Woof.
Leel barked her warning. The door to the train hissed then closed. Nobody had pressed the button.
"Oh no!" The train lights flickered into life and the engine rumbled. Moments later it was gone, picking up speed as it disappeared into darkness. "We need to move, fast," warned Arcene. "If we don't have time to see how your people have reacted and find out what they know, then this could be very bad, for all of us."
"Let's go then," said Talia.
"Um, the door." Arcene indicated the key lock for the elevator. If nothing else, Vorce was security conscious. "I think if I tried it again I would be out cold for hours. Any ideas?" Arcene knew the risk would be great. There was only so long you could lose yourself in alien worlds without the toll being extreme. She could be unconscious for hours, even days. Or worse.
"Yeah, I've got one." Erato stepped to the side and picked up a thick bar resting against the wall. It looked like a handle for the pneumatic piece of equipment next to it, a way to jack up the trolleys or something. It didn't matter, Erato stepped back quickly, raised it above his head and—"
"No!"
"No!"
He stopped mid-swing, about to bring it down on the keypad. "What?"
"It might disable the elevator, then we'll be stuck. Here, let me try." Talia stepped up close to the keypad, peered at it, tried to will it to give up its secrets but she got nothing.
"You have to go deep into The Noise, unless you have any other strong abilities you could use?" said Arcene.
"My best ability is that I can hear just about anything, even really quiet sounds, or things very far away." Talia was deflated, like she clearly didn't think it would be of any use.
"That's perfect. Okay," said Arcene, "just listen closely to the numbers. There will be echoes, faint echoes of the last time they were pressed. They will be here, dancing round in the air, bouncing off walls, but up close to the numbers will be best. Just listen and then punch them in."
"Um, well, okay."
Arcene watched as Talia put an ear to the keypad, moving her head slightly back and forth then up and down, repeating it for what felt like a lifetime. She tapped her foot impatiently
, but stopped when she got a warning glance from Talia. "Sorry, not helping."
Talia listened again. A minute passed, then two. This was getting too much. Arcene began to consider Erato's idea of just smashing it and seeing what happened.
Talia stood and smiled. She punched in three numbers with her index finger and the doors slid open silently. "One. One. One," whispered Talia, as if she'd come full circle. She smiled.
"Cool. What did you say?" asked Arcene, noting the strange smile.
"Nothing. Just feel like certain things have meaning all of a sudden."
"Well done, Talia!" Erato gave her a quick kiss, then stood back like he'd been presumptuous.
"Yum, nice." Talia put a hand to her lips.
"Can we do this later, please?" Arcene rolled her eyes and stepped into the elevator.
Leel whined and tried to get out once she realized she'd walked into a box, but Arcene soothed her and told her that soon it would be over and they could go home. Leel sat, looking at Arcene with pure love and trust. Arcene hoped she wouldn't let her down.
The doors began to close, Talia and Erato were still on the platform, recovering from their kiss.
"Get in, quick."
Whoosh.
It was too late, the door shut. Arcene and Leel rose as the elevator clattered and clanged into life.
"Leel, I don't think this is going to be very good if we end up surrounded by islanders without our friends. And if Vorce catches them before they manage to join us then it won't be very good for them either."
Woof.
"I can't, we have to wait for it to stop. Hopefully they can call it back down once we arrive."
Woof, woof?
"I guess we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed if that happens. And there's always the sword." Arcene reached over her shoulder and gripped the sword hilt. The cold steel reassured her.
She was Arcene, nobody would mess with her. Not if they valued their lives.
The elevator slowed and stopped with only the barest of shudders. The doors opened and as they did so another outer door slid to the side. Arcene wasn't sure what to do to send it back down so studied the panel inside for a moment. There were two buttons, one with an arrow pointing up, the other pointing down. She shrugged, pushed the down button and stepped out with Leel before the doors closed.
They watched as the elevator disappeared and the outer door slid shut. "Wow! You'd never know it was there."
Woof!
"Ssh, quiet, Leel. We don't want anyone to find us, not now. Let's just wait and see if they come up." Arcene stared at the wall that hid the fact the elevator even existed, and wondered if they were still all right down on the platform. Was Vorce there? Was he right now slicing their throats or doing something to them so they wouldn't resist him? What then?
To take her mind off such dark thoughts, she looked around the room, wondering why it was so cold. Because they were deep down in The Island, she supposed. Didn't she hear that Vorce had the lowest level in the bowels of The Island? Yes, that made sense — easy access for the elevator, but boy was it freezing.
She stared at the basic, yet still rather well-appointed room, a red felt high back chair calling to her, asking her to sit, rest for a moment.
Before she knew it she was sighing as she adjusted her sword and leaned back into old but comfortable cushions and put her feet up on the stool.
Gosh, look at my socks, they're filthy! It was hardly surprising. So much had happened, and so quickly, that she would be a terrible sight. She definitely needed a shower, and food, to relax and sleep...
"Ugh, eh! What?" Arcene jumped to her feet. She'd dozed off! Arcene smiled at her own nature. It must look odd if anyone was watching.
Here she was, in an alien environment, back where people had stripped her naked and smiled as they anticipated her death, and she had returned, alone, being chased by Vorce, who knew how many miles from home, and she'd had a nap. Well, there was no point worrying until it was time to worry, so why not have a rest and a little recuperation while she waited?
Thud.
That was what woke her, the elevator stopping. She pulled her sword out and waited in front of the closed panel, Leel beside her, hackles raised, both prepared to fight.
The panel slid into the wall. The elevator doors slid open.
Relief
"Oh, wow, it's you. Any sign of Vorce?" asked Arcene, relaxing and sheathing her sword, as judging by the terrified faces of Talia and Erato she was in what she liked to refer to as the "I will definitely be killing you" zone.
"Um, not yet, but the train was coming back, at least we think it was. We could hear it. It won't be long," said Talia.
"Okay, then let's be sure not to press any buttons." Arcene glared at Erato.
"Come on, I only did it once. Look, let's wedge these doors open and—"
Too late, the door hissed shut the moment he followed Talia out. "Damn, he must be here. He must have called for the elevator from the station."
Arcene wondered if they had any sense at all. She wasn't exactly one for planning ahead, but when it was things as obvious as ensuring people that were trying to kill you couldn't actually follow you too easily, well, it was just common sense. "What is wrong with you? Why did you step out and not wedge the doors open?"
"Sorry, sorry. I was worried it would close with me in it and I would go back down. I didn't think it would close that quickly."
"Fine. Whatever. Look, keep your swords ready and let's get the hell out of here. Do you know the way?"
Erato shook his head but Talia nodded. "I do. I've been down here a few times over the years. This way."
Talia led the way and they followed her across the concrete floor and the threadbare rugs, just about making their way in the gloom. Vorce had some form of very low level lighting but it was hardly enough. Arcene assumed that whatever he used to power it was running down without him to see to it.
"Ugh." Arcene caught her leg on the corner of a metal cabinet against a wall, but at least there was a door too.
"Quiet," hissed Talia. "This is his main quarters. He has wives and children and there may be Elders too. We might not want them to be the first people we see." Talia glanced at a door to their left, presumably to the rooms for his wives, however many he had.
Then she turned a handle in the door closest to them and whispered, "Follow me."
They followed her out. Arcene, then Leel. Erato brought up the rear and closed the door behind him. Arcene turned at the thud — what was with him?
It was almost pitch black, save for intermittent lights on landings as they crept up the freezing staircases and grabbed hold of ornate iron railings that felt so cold Arcene was amazed her hands didn't stick and the skin rip off.
Why on earth would you design something like this on purpose? Why would you want to live in such a dreary and depressing place? She guessed it was all to do with impressions — keeping everyone used to the basics, never wanting too much more. Downtrodden and in their place.
They ascended, moving as fast as they could, but the higher they went the slower Talia moved, as if she never wanted to get to the top.
"Hurry up, we haven't got much time."
Talia turned. "Sorry, but I'm worried how people will react. What will they do when they see us, when they see you?"
"Let me worry about that. Just get us up there as fast as possible. Wait, I have an idea. Do you know the way to the room where they project The Hunt from. I trashed it before I left, but Vorce said there were backups and plenty more equipment. Get us there, fast. I know how we can deal with this, deal with all of it. Maybe."
Talia didn't ask questions. The look of relief on her face told Arcene that any kind of plan was better than what she currently had — nothing.
"Okay, this way."
They carried on up, moving fast again, and Talia took them up to what must be ground level judging by the noise and the light seeping in through several windows and the large open doorway
that led to The Island's surface.
She avoided exposure by taking them along a narrow passage, down a short flight of stairs, practically running past an internal open door where murmurs could be heard, and then they were back up on ground level, the other side of the door, and heading up a narrow flight of stairs.
Woof. Woof, woof.
"Quiet, Leel, and no, it's nothing like the church. There will be plenty of room for you to get up." Arcene had no idea if that was true, but now wasn't the time.
They ran up narrow steps, cold concrete walls on either side, but it was wide enough for Leel. Talia burst into the room with the others right behind her, only to be confronted with a boy, pure terror on his face. He dropped whatever it was he was working on and backed up against the outer wall.
"Pieter, it's me, it's us. No need to be scared."
"I don't think it's you he's scared of. You're the one from the other night, aren't you?" said Arcene. The boy nodded, eyes widening further as Leel shoved her way inside the now very full room. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you but I was fighting for my life. You know how it is." Arcene waved it away like it was a regular problem for everyone, even small boys. "Um, forgive me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What! You little... Oops, sorry. Arcene is fine, no need to get all formal. Now, look, is there a camera here, like the ones they use when they film The Judgment? Like the one the man had the other day? The one that filmed me?"
"Yes, ma'am, um, Arcene," said the boy hurriedly as Arcene scowled.
"Well?"
"Um, what?"
"Get it then!"
The boy practically tripped as he took a few steps to the bench along the wall, undid a metal case and pulled out the camera. It was smaller than she remembered, but it was probably because she took little notice of it at the time, more concerned by her predicament and the fact she was naked, tied up, and her bum looked big on the large screen.
Arcene glanced out the window and was pleased to see that the large screen was still in place. Not so pleased to see the chaos that reigned outside. "This might be a problem. Are they often like this?" Arcene moved aside so Talia and Erato could squeeze past Leel and take a look.
