by P. T. Hylton
IN THE WOODS (PART FIVE)
Frank watched Zed in the glow of the man’s own lantern. The man moved slower, more carefully, and his smile was a bit thinner than usual. Zed knew Frank was out here, and he crept through the undergrowth like a man who knew he was being watched.
Frank considered his options. The idea of picking up one of the many pieces of downed redwood and taking a swing at Zed’s head—or, hell, using the lockbox—was mighty appealing. Zed wouldn’t see it coming. But, again, Frank didn’t know the extent of Zed’s current powers. If he was still as invulnerable as he’d been in Rook Mountain, Frank would be doing nothing but giving away his position.
Still, it might be worth it to hear the satisfying thud of the wood hitting Zed’s skull.
Frank held his position, his back pressed up against a tree so large it would have taken ten men to wrap their arms around it. He was frozen with indecision.
Zed stopped fifteen feet past the tree. “I don’t know if you can hear me. I’ll be honest and admit I have no idea where you are. That’s why I’ve said this ten times over the last two hours I’ve spent searching for you.”
Frank tried to counter the thunderous beating of his heart by taking the shallowest breaths he could manage.
Zed’s voice was gentle. “Frank, we’ve been through a lot, you and me. I want this to end. Your prospects here are grim. This is my place. I know it like you’d know your childhood bedroom. I’ve spent a long time here, even by my standards. But you’re alone, and without shelter or food. And daylight’s coming. It’s so close I can feel it.”
He twisted in a circle as he spoke. “Show yourself, and I promise you I’ll treat you fairly. I truly respect you, and I can show you things. I can show you how to use your abilities in ways you’ve never imagined.”
Frank squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on the sharp bark pressing into his back. He was so cold. His tongue was thick with thirst. Only inertia and indecision kept him from falling for Zed’s appeal.
After a long moment, Zed turned in one more circle, his flashlight and his eyes scanning for any sign of Frank, and then he moved on.
Frank waited a full minute before allowing himself to move. He took a deep breath and staggered forward, placing his hands on his knees.
He stood like that for a while before dropping to the forest floor. He sat with his back against the tree and put his head in his hands.
It wasn’t just his thirst and the cold that had made him briefly consider Zed’s offer. The man was right. Other than running, he had no idea what he was doing out here. He had no plan, no goal other than to avoid capture. He needed shelter. He needed water. After that, he’d need food.
His best bet would be to pick a direction and start walking. But, it was dark, and, even if it hadn’t been, he had no compass. He’d read somewhere that most people lost in the woods end up walking in circles in the direction of their dominant hand, all the while thinking they were going in a straight line. Maybe he'd compensate by veering slightly to the left? But how far?
He sighed and rubbed his temples. He didn’t buy what Mason said about this place being inescapable. The man had been raised by Zed, after all. Who knew what kind of crazy his head had been filled with? That said, this forest must be pretty vast if Mason had never reached the edge of it in his wanderings.
And, if it was possible to walk out, what was Zed still doing here?
Frank sat like that for a long time, until he saw the faint glow of light over the horizon. At least he knew which direction was east. Assuming the sun rose in the east in this weird place.
Even with the sun rising, he felt no great desire to move. He’d lost all sense of direction. If he started walking now, he’d be just as likely walking toward Mason’s cabin as away from it. Maybe that would be a good thing. Maybe he should take advantage of his invisible state, head there, and grab some supplies.
As the sun rose, Frank noticed a sound rising with it. It was a strange sound, a cross between a hum and a chirp. It was a rapid sound and it came from multiple directions.
He knew what made that sound, but he wasn’t afraid. He clutched the Cassandra lock tight in his hand and visualized himself locked away from the Larvae.
He sat silent as the hum to his left grew louder. He concentrated on remaining quiet. A small black sphere inched into sight. It crawled out of the undergrowth less than three feet from his left foot.
The way the creature moved reminded him of a snail. It compressed its body toward its forward-most end and then expanded forward. This method of movement was painfully slow, and Frank sat transfixed watching the thing’s persistent, methodical movement.
When it was almost past him, the creature paused. Frank watched it, wondering what it would do next. The Larva shivered and its long strands of thick fur rippled. Then, though it made no perceivable movement, Frank sensed it turning. He was sure it was looking at him.
The creature compressed and stretched, inching forward. But it wasn’t moving past Frank now. It was creeping toward him.
Frank’s pulse quickened. He tried to reassure himself he was safe, that the Larva couldn’t possibly have seen him, that something else had triggered its sudden change in direction.
As he watched, the creature’s fur gradually straightened outward, until its body was covered in spike-like appendages.
He staggered to his feet, cursing himself. He’d waited too long. Sure, it was moving slowly now, but, from what Mason had said at the stream, they had the ability to move much more quickly.
Why had he assumed his lock would protect him from these creatures? How could he assume anything in this bizarre land? Zed had called it his own place, after all.
Frank could almost see the wide smile that would be on Zed’s face when he found Frank’s bones, the flesh stripped away by the Larvae.
Or would he stay invisible, the Cassandra lock clutched in his hand as his remains turned to dust over the centuries?
Frank didn’t want to think about it.
What he did next came from habit. He did what he’d always done in the Away when he needed to distract the Ones Who Sing. He whistled, long and loud, the tune that summoned the Unfeathered.
The reaction was instantaneous. The Larva began to shake, but not like it had before. There was a fury in its movement. It had moved slowly and deliberately before; now it began to roll haphazardly this way and then that way. It changed directions suddenly and launched itself toward Frank’s face. It whirled through the air like a buzz saw.
He had just enough time to throw his arm up to protect his face before the creature reached him, burying its long spiky appendages into his arm.
CHAPTER SIX: THE BROKEN WORLD
1. Rook Mountain
Sean was driving home from a movie in Elizabethton when he decided to swing by Christy Havert’s house. Something about the message on the tree called to him. It was stuck in his mind. Maybe the Tool it referenced was the hammer, and maybe the him it referenced was Zed. But what was the book? Was it the notebook he’d found in the Beyond Academy? Or was it something else?
He felt like if he could see it again, maybe it would make more sense. Besides, the Haverts’ house was only a few blocks out of his way.
The movie had been a dud, filled with giant robots, explosions, and action scenes that cut so fast it made his head hurt. Maybe he’d gotten old over the last eight years. This was his first time seeing a movie at the theater since the Deregulation, and he had a feeling it might be his last for a while.
Wendy had some PTA function, so he flew solo. He was hoping she’d call him when she was finished and maybe they could get together for a late night drink or something.
He slowed to a roll as he reached the house. There it was. The tree with the words carved into it. Even in the dim glow of the streetlight, he could make them out a little. Not well enough to read them though.
Had it said, Use the Tool and the book to bring him home, or, Use the book and the Tool to bring
him home? It probably didn’t matter, but he thought he might as well check since he was already here.
Something about this whole thing bothered him. He needed to talk it out with someone he could trust. He texted Wendy: Can you stop by my house when you’re done? I want to chat about the tree.
He got out of the car and walked toward the tree, but something else caught his eye before he reached it: the front door to the house was open. And it was dark inside.
He felt a buzzing in his pocket. His cell phone was ringing.
He looked at the illuminated screen, so bright on this dark night the people across the street could probably read the words ‘Private Caller’. He stabbed the answer button and held the phone to his ear.
Before he had a chance to say hello, the voice on the other end of the phone said, “Officer Lee! What brings you to the Havert residence this fine evening?”
He squeezed his eyes shut. He’d known who it would be the moment he saw the blocked call.
“You watching the house, Colt?” As he asked, he spun around, looking for a parked car the kid could be hiding in. Of course, he could easily be inside the house.
“This is actually super convenient. I was planning to have to go hunting for you, and here you are.”
“Here I am,” Sean said, still turning in a circle. “And where are you?”
Colt chuckled. “We found your card in the house. Mrs. Havert was a little reluctant to talk about you. We had to ask both her and her husband quite a lot of times. Thankfully, we didn’t have to resort to asking the kid. They’re here with me now. Want to talk to them?”
“Colt, stop for a second. Think about this. You’re holding an entire family against their will. This is a whole lot worse than throwing a brick through a car window.”
“Officer, we’re talking about Regulation Breakers here. Not regular people. But you know all about that, don’t you? She told us about the hammer.”
“Think really hard before you do something you can’t take back.”
There was a long pause. “I have thought hard. That’s why I’m doing this. I’m not a sheep who follows whatever government happens along. Not like you.”
Sean gripped the phone. Best to let the kid think he was in control here. Which, if Sean was being honest, he’d have to admit was totally the case. “So what do we do?”
He could almost hear the kid’s smile when he spoke. “In just a minute, a car’s gonna swing by. You get in the car and tell the driver where to go to get the hammer. We already searched your house.”
Sean’s mind was spinning fast. What was his best chance to help the Haverts? Should he get in the car? Or should he run and get help?
“After you get the hammer, you’ll bring it to me. When it’s in my hand, I’ll let them go.”
Sean took a deep breath and thought about the woman who lived in this house. “Okay. I’ll take you to the hammer. But how do I know you’ll let the Haverts go? You gotta give me something here.”
“Give you something?” Colt sounded genuinely surprised. “I’m giving you the Haverts. I’m letting them go. Do you understand how much I’m giving you by doing that? They’re Regulation Breakers, and they deserve to die.”
Sean tried to think of something else to say to buy a little time, but a car rolled to a stop in front of the house.
“Looks like you’re ride’s here,” Colt said. “I’ll see you soon.”
Sean heard Colt hang up. He took a deep breath and got in the car.
2. Sanctuary
Sophie stood in front of the door, the key in her hand. Once she opened the door and crossed the threshold, she’d be breaking one of Sanctuary’s rules. She’d be subject to possible banishment. And she sure as hell didn’t want to spend the next thousand years as a tree.
But in spite of the risks, she knew she had to continue.
It had been a week since the banishment. A week since she’d borne witness to Vance’s terrible transformation. A week since the message on the tree had changed everything.
Use the Tool and the book and you can bring him home.
The message had been simple enough to figure out. The Tool referred to the compass. Rodgers had told her that’s what the objects with the broken clock symbol were called. And the book could only be the one Jake kept locked in his office. And him…that was no doubt in her mind that referred to Taylor.
She wasn’t a killer, as much as she tried to convince herself she was. But maybe she could take Taylor back to justice like the message said. Maybe she could get home and see Taylor punished.
She’d known what she needed to do almost immediately, but it took her a few days to work up the nerve.
When she overcame her internal resistance, she took the compass, feeling its cold weight in her hand. She pressed the broken clock symbol on the back of it and thought as hard and as loud as she could, Spare key to Jake’s office.
It had taken a minute. At first the needle only quivered a little. But Sophie thought harder, so hard she felt a sharp pain behind her eyes, and even then she didn’t stop.
The needle had swung suddenly and stuck on a spot. Sophie followed the needle into Jake’s home, and, after confirming he was in his office, upstairs to his bedroom. The spare key was hidden in the bed frame under the box spring.
Next she had to wait for the opportunity. She couldn’t hang out at Jake’s house, watching his office door all day without arousing suspicion. Thankfully, she had another plan: she’d watch Logan instead.
Sophie wasn’t the keenest observer of human nature, but she certainly wasn’t oblivious to it. Either Jake and Logan’s undercover affair was something everyone pretended not to notice or they were all too wrapped up in their own drama to see the obvious.
But Sophie had noticed. She’d seen the way they were careful not to look at each other. The way they sat as far away from each other as possible at every group event. The way Logan disappeared and made overly elaborate excuses for her absence.
Sophie certainly didn’t begrudge them their secrets. It seemed odd that they were keeping it under wraps, especially since they had a child together. But maybe they craved the excitement of an illicit affair. Sophie didn’t know the reason, but she was glad for it. It would give her the chance she needed.
She’d watched Logan’s cabin, hoping to see her leave at an odd time. Today, it finally happened. Nate showed up and took Mason somewhere, and Logan had left. Right in the middle of the day.
Sophie headed to Jake’s five minutes later and lurked in the woods near the house. Ten minutes after that, Jake walked out the door, and Sophie knew this was her chance.
She took a deep breath and slid the key into the lock, doing it slowly, feeling the key slide past each pin. When it clicked home, she turned the lock and stepped into the unknown.
She shut the door behind her, locked it, and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d done it. She was inside.
She looked around the sparse office space. A large desk made of dark-stained oak dominated the room. The desktop was clear. It was odd seeing an office without a computer. But what use would it be here anyway? It’s not like there was Internet access. Two large filing cabinets stood along the back wall. A small bookshelf sat in the corner, a few paperbacks lining its shelves.
Enough messing around. She needed to find the book, and she needed to do it quickly. She briefly considered searching the drawers, but why not automate the process? She pulled the compass out of her pocket, pressed its back, and thought book.
The needle spun immediately this time. She didn’t know if it was because she was closer to the object she was seeking or if it was because she was getting better at using the compass.
The needle pointed at a rusty old lockbox under the desk.
She approached the desk, her heart feeling suddenly larger in her chest. This was still the first step, granted, but if she had the book she might have a real shot at making things right. There was a way to get the book to take her home, she knew there w
as. Maybe Jake couldn’t figure it out himself, or maybe he didn’t want the rest of them to know about it.
Besides, Jake didn’t have the compass.
She pulled up the lid on the box. It came open with a loud squeak. And there it was. The book.
The cover was a dark earthy brown. She ran her hand across the leather.
She picked up the book with her free hand. Suddenly the compass came alive. The needle spun with a speed and fury she hadn’t seen before. She hadn’t even pushed the button.
She’d intended to stuff the book under her shirt and wait until she was safely back in her cabin before opening it, but the needle made her more curious. Was she imagining it, or was the needle in the back of her mind telling her to open the book? It felt the same as when she thought at the compass, but the other way around; it was as if the compass was thinking at her.
Before she even realized what she was doing, she set the book down on the desk. She put the compass next to it so both her hands would be free. She lifted the cover and opened the book.
There was a poem on the first page.
Upward, outward, always spinning,
Always singing, faceless grinning.
As they open, time will close
In a place without shadows.
The writing on the next page was small and the language was one Sophie had never seen. It was handwritten in a strange, slanted hand. The pages were thicker than they looked, almost as heavy as card stock, but they turned easily. On the next page, there was a pencil drawing of some sort of strange bird creature.
As she flipped through the pages, she noticed the needle of the compass slowing. She flipped a bit farther. When she was about a third of the way through the book, the needle stopped altogether.
The two-page spread was filled with drawings. Drawings of trees.
Sophie picked up the compass and moved it near the page. The needle shifted as she moved the compass back and forth, and she realized it was pointing to one particular tree.
