Utopia

by L. J. Higgins

  “What are you going to tell him?” I asked.

  “What Alber said. I was worried about you, and I've been looking for you but couldn't find you. Plus Mum will be freaking out. She'll be happy to have me home again. Might shed a fake tear or two to drill it home.” His forced smile made me shake my head.

  My throat clenched tight at the thought of Fletcher leaving me alone. I'd enjoyed his company at night, knowing he was there while I lay reading my book. And our long chats distracted me from the reality of my situation. The warmth of his nearby body making it easier to sleep because I wasn't alone. I couldn't imagine what would invade my mind if I was to sleep in the dark room without him.

  “That's settled then. We'll sneak him through the Undercity. You're going to have to come up with a good story, though. You think you're up to it?” asked Lark.

  “He knows how close Aurora and I are, and he'll want his son home, as will Mum.” Fletcher looked at me, making sure I was listening to his words. We were best friends. He had my back.

  “You trust him not to rat us out? He's Mr. Saxby's son,” said Vega.

  “I do. He's my best friend and has risked a lot to keep me safe,” I spat at her.

  Fletcher shot me a smug 'thank you' smile.

  “So do I. He may be Mr. Saxby's son, but he's also Maya's brother. He wants her safe, I know he'll do the right thing by us,” said Domino.

  Bang, Bang, Bang! “Utopian Guard.” The sound from the front door made me jump and sent a shock racing up my spine.

  My wide eyes found Fletcher's and I bit my bottom lip.

  “Everyone, to the Undercity now. Aurora, behind the shelf,” instructed Lark in a stern whisper.

  Fletcher took my hand and squeezed it, his eyes meeting mine for a split second before he was disappearing down the hallway with the others. Hands clenched around my forearms, guiding me towards my room behind the bookshelf, and soon it was slid closed and I stood in silence and darkness. He was gone. I didn't get to say a proper goodbye. Fletcher was on his way back to his old life and I was on my own, again.

  Chapter Seven

  I couldn't hear a sound from behind the bookshelf. Pressing my ear up against its metal backing didn't help either. It must've been sound proofed. Giving up on being able to hear what was going on, I leant against the wall in defeat. The feeling of anticipation I hated so much flooded over me at the thought someone may bust into the room at any moment. Taking a deep breath, I caught sight of the metal cupboard. Maybe there was something in it to keep my mind busy.

  Swinging open the double metal doors, most of the clothes had been worn and only hangers were left on the rod across the top. I hoped Domino had cleaned the clothes I'd worn so I'd have some to wear when we left for Eden. I wavered between excitement and fear at the thought. I'd always wanted to fly on an airship like my father and visit the other floating cities, but never did I dream it would be with the Utopian Guard hot on my tail. I still couldn't imagine how we would escape without being caught, but it was better than spending my life in a dingy little room. Sure, Domino and Lark were great, but I already missed the sunlight, and Fletcher. He wasn't prepared to hurt his parents by leaving with us, and I'd never ask him to. But that didn't stop me from wanting him to change his mind and come with me.

  Averting my attention to the cupboard, I looked below the hangers where combat boots rested neatly next to each other. Nothing exciting down there but the boots would come in handy if they fitted.

  Beside the hangers and boots were a set of metal drawers. The top one squealed as I pulled it out and I winced hoping the room was indeed sound proof. I looked towards the doorway for a moment until I was sure no one had heard me. The top drawer contained rolled-up socks and folded underwear, I searched through them a little before sliding it closed again.

  The middle drawer held some notepads and pens. I had only learned about them in history of the Earth lessons and ran my fingers over the fine pages thicker than the pages in the book Domino had loaned me. At the end of the notebooks page my fingers found a hard metallic object and I lifted it out to look closer. It was round with a strange woven design engraved into it. It looked as though it may have something inside but I couldn't imagine how it opened. Holding onto its long silver chain, I lowered it onto my palm running my fingers over the fine lines of the pendant.

  Wrapping it in my hand, I closed the cupboard and made my way over to the bed, scooping up the new book Domino had given me. It was lighter hearted than the first book she'd given me. But it had helped me pass the time.

  I wasn't sure how long I'd been reading when the sliding of the door caught my attention. Snapping my head up, I scooped the pendant up from the mattress beside me. Domino laughed at the sight of me.

  “It's okay, they're gone. They didn't suspect a thing, even had a cup of tea and a piece of cake with Lark. Which is why we had to leave you in here so long,” she said.

  My shoulders relaxed at the news. Now I could only hope Fletcher and the other rebels were safely in their own homes.

  “Any news on Fletch?” I asked, rising from the mattress.

  “News is he arrived safe and sound,” she assured me.

  As I tucked the book under my arm, the pendant dropped from my hand to the mattress.

  “What have you found there?” asked Domino as she walked towards me.

  My cheeks flushed pink as though I'd been busted doing something I shouldn't have. Picking up the necklace, I held my hand out with the pendant resting in my palm. “I found this in the drawer. I didn't mean to snoop, I was trying to distract myself.”

  “It wasn't snooping at all. You're welcome to whatever you find in the cupboard, including that necklace. It's funny you found it.”

  “Why?”

  “I was going to give it to you anyway. It was your father's.”

  I looked at the pendant, another link to keep my father close.

  “The night before your father died, he visited Lark and me. He told us he was worried he was in danger and he wanted us to look after the pendant. He'd begun telling us why when the Utopian Guard arrived at the door and he shoved it in my hand, telling me to keep it safe. He said he'd be back for it before disappearing down the tunnel to the Undercity. We never saw him again.” Tears danced in her dark eyes at the memory.

  “Do you know why they were after him? Do you think it's the same reason they want me?

  “Sorry, I'm not sure. I can only imagine your father came across information he wasn't supposed to know.”

  “Do you think the information has something to do with the pendant?”

  “I'm not sure. Alber took a close look at it and thinks it needs to be plugged into another device of some sort to work.”

  “To work?” I rolled it around in my palm.

  “He thinks it needs to be activated or plugged in to something to retrieve the information stored in it. But we were never able to work out how to read it, so it was put away in a safe place until we could work it out. It was your father's, and now it's yours.”

  I undid the clasp and attempted to put it around my neck. Domino stepped forward to help me fasten it.

  “I always regretted letting your father leave the night we lost him. Why didn't I notice the desperation in his voice? I could've hidden him away in here. He might've been safe. He might've been able to reveal the truth and explain what was happening.” Sadness filled her voice.

  “You can't blame yourself. Like you said, my dad was a smart man. He knew what he was doing, and I'm sure he knew it was dangerous. But he was also a compassionate man and he wouldn't have put his life at risk if he didn't feel it was important.”

  I enjoyed having the pendant rest over my heart. My father left it behind and a part of me felt like it was meant for me all along.

  “After their visit, I'm sure the guards won't be back. Why don't you join Lark and me for dinner?” asked Domino.

  “I'd like that.” I smiled, feeling like I might belong somewhere again.


  * * *

  “The Utopian Guard think you're carrying something important. Information your father passed on to you,” said Lark before shoveling a mouthful of salad into his mouth.

  I twisted my new pendant in my fingertips. “They were wrong. But now I think it's changed,” I said.

  Domino smirked, “the pendant. They're after the pendant.”

  I nodded, and Lark's eyes widened.

  “You mean the pendant Benjamin gave us the night before…”

  “Yes, Aurora found it this morning while she was going through the cupboard. I know we decided years ago if it was important there was no way of getting the information off it. But maybe now is the time.”

  Lark rubbed his chin in thought. “And you're happy to keep it on you?”

  I clasped it in my hand and nodded. “Yes, until we find out what to do with it I'll protect it with all I've got.”

  Lark grinned at my conviction. “I know we keep saying it, but you're just like your father. Benjamin was a good friend and risked much to help reveal the truth. I think it's only fitting his daughter be the one to fulfil his legacy. On that note, if you're going to be joining our rebellion and staying with Domino and me for a while, you're going to need some training.”

  “Training?” I asked.

  “Yes, we don't just get together and whine about the Elites. We're always actively trying to seek out the truth which can include missions into the Utopian Guards underbelly and intercepting messages between the floating cities,” said Lark.

  “So what does training involve, exactly?” I asked.

  “First you need to learn to defend yourself. Then there's our signals, and we'll have to plan out how to rescue Maya and escape while finding somewhere safe for you.”

  “Lark, you're scaring the girl. Let's get you settled in here first, and then we'll start with the basics. We're all here for you, Aurora, so there's no need to worry.” Domino's words made me realise I'd been holding my breath.

  “Sorry, thinking out loud. The rebellion will do our best to protect you at all times, but I will feel much better if I know you can defend yourself,” said Lark.

  “That would make me feel better too.” The memory of how defenceless I was while watching my mother being murdered made me want to scream. If only I'd known how to fight or disarm them. Maybe I could've saved her.

  * * *

  “I'm sorry, Aurora, but you need to be able to defend yourself. If we get attacked in the facility, I'll feel much better knowing you can look after yourself,” argued Lark.

  “But I'm terrible. I've got more chance of slicing my own chest open than someone else's.” My arms hung limp at my sides, my right hand loosely holding the hilt of a knife. I'd begged Lark to start my training for six days before Domino said I was settled enough to begin. I thought it would help to keep my mind off what was happening. But slicing at the air with Lark's knife, I realised how useless I was with a weapon. It was evident that my best defence strategy would be to run for my life.

  Lark sighed. “I know this is way out of your comfort zone, but we're going to break into the under cells in a few days, and you need to be ready. Both physically and mentally.”

  “I will be. It's hard to concentrate when you've been locked inside for the past week. Maybe if I knew when it was happening, it'd give me something to work towards,” I whined. Being locked away was bringing out my inner bratty teenager.

  “I should find out more from the others this evening on my shift. Until then, you need to practice. Come on, knife up, other arm up for protection.” He raised his hands, and I mimicked his stance.

  I ran through his drill again. Slice knife from upper right to lower left, then straight through the middle. He didn't want me to kill anyone, he wanted me to scare them if they got too close. I reminded him the men who killed my mother had guns and there was no way a knife would protect me. He said it was rare for Utopian Guards to carry guns, and if it were to happen my speed and agility would come in handy.

  The more I learned about what we'd be up against, the more fear pressed heavy on my heart. It made the danger of what we would be doing real. The most aggressive move I'd made in my life was swing the towel rack through the bathroom window, and I hoped the same strength and smarts would come over me if I was put in another life-threatening situation.

  When Lark arrived home from his shift that evening, he was followed in by the large frame of Braven. “What's that delicious smell?”

  Domino greeted Lark with a kiss and Braven a hug. “You joining us for dinner, Braven?”

  “I'd love to. It smells amazing. What are we having?”

  “Aurora helped me put on a pork roast. We've got apple sauce, vegetables, the whole works.” She turned to smile at me.

  Braven's eyes followed Domino's. “Hey Aurora, how's it all going? I'd hoped to drop in before now to say hi, but we've been flat out at work. You know, with Aurora Adams on the run and no one able to find her.”

  “Aurora's started training with a knife,” said Lark.

  “Cooking and weapons, look at you go,” he winked at me.

  “What they're neglecting to tell you is, all I did was peel and chop the vegetables, which is as far as my knife skills go. I suck,” I said.

  “You don't suck. You're learning,” argued Lark.

  “I suck,” I nodded at Braven who laughed.

  “Looks like you're fitting in well then. When do we get to eat?” asked Braven.

  “Soon. You three go sit in the living room. I'll call out when it's done,” said Domino.

  Lark headed to the couch and Braven held his hands out inviting me to go first, “ladies first.”

  “Are you always such a gentleman?” I asked.

  “Not unless he's trying to get into your pants. You're not trying to get into Aurora's pants, are you Braven? She's a bit young, don't you think?” laughed Lark.

  I widened my eyes at Braven, who stood in mock offense.

  “There's only, what, seven years between us? In a few years, that'll be nothing.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I shook my head.

  Sitting down on the couch next to Lark, Braven sat on the other side of me.

  “We can only hope Aurora has enough sense to stay away from you then,” said Lark.

  “No problems there,” I said.

  Braven placed his hand over his heart and wiped away a fake tear.

  “At least I know you two will get along fine. Wish I could say the same for you two and Vega,” said Lark.

  “What is with her? Did I do something in a past life to piss her off?” I asked.

  “Something like that,” replied Lark.

  “Vega's just got a stick up her ass. She hates everyone equally,” said Braven.

  “I'm pretty sure your shit-stirring doesn't help matters,” said Lark.

  “She loves it. Can't you tell by the way she glares at me?”

  “Such a ladies' man,” I added.

  “You, you're a man killer. That poor Fletcher following you around and you give him nothing… nada.”

  “Fletcher and I are…”

  “Friends. Yes. I've heard that one before.”

  “Dinner's ready,” Domino called from the kitchen.

  “Yes, I can't wait to get that pork in my belly,” Braven bounced from the chair and took off into the kitchen.

  “He might seem a bit full of himself, but he's one of the good guys.” Lark stood from the couch and held out a hand to help me up.

  I took his hand and stood. “I like him. He's a lot like Fletcher.”

  “Elite help us then,” said Lark.

  After we'd eaten our delicious dinner, Domino rose to begin clearing the plates.

  “Those can wait. Braven has some news he's been waiting to tell us,” said Lark.

  “You couldn't have told us when you got home?” she asked.

  “I wanted us to enjoy dinner first, before we got into business,” replied Lark.

  “I've been scoping out th
e Utopian Guards quarters and I'm confident I can get us in to rescue Maya. She's being held beneath the city in the cells, which I should be able to get access to,” began Braven, his cocky demeanour replaced by a more serious tone.

  “Alber has made a blow torch to cut through the cell's bars. It's small enough to conceal in Vega's utility belt,” added Lark.

  “Alber also has a friend who works on the airship docks. He's going to give us a small window to escape on one of the smaller airships,” said Braven.

  “Who's going to fly it?” asked Domino.

  “Alber's confident he can fly one,” said Lark.

  “Has he flown one before?” I asked.

  “No. But Alber's smart. He would've read all of the manuals he could get his hands on. If he says he can do it, I believe him,” said Lark.

  “Me too.” Braven nodded.

  “There's something else.” Lark turned his gaze to me. “I was posted at the Saxby's mansion today. Fletcher gave me this.” He reached into his pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper.

  Where Fletcher had found a pen and paper, I had no idea. I guessed being the son of the Elite meant he had access to many items others didn't, and it was much easier to sneak out a folded piece of paper than a computer tablet.

  “I haven't read the note. I thought I'd leave it for you to read.”

  Looking up at him, I nodded thanks before unfolding and flattening out the paper on the table in front of me.

  “Ready?” I asked.

  Domino nodded, urging me to read it aloud.

  “Aurora. I want you to know I made it home safe, and my father believed my story. I told him after he said you were missing that I was worried, so I packed my bag and decided to go looking for you myself. I told him when the guard spotted me running with you it was because I was trying to stop you. He was upset I hadn't told him but welcomed me back with open arms, and although he has been watching me closely ever since, he hasn't asked anymore questions. Mum said she didn't care, she was happy I was home safe and sound. She's been feeding me as though I didn't eat the entire time I was away, so don't be surprised if I'm twice the size when you see me again. When I have a chance, I've been collecting what I can to take with me when we escape Utopia. The night of the escape, I'll sneak out of the mansion and meet you in the Undercity at Edith's house. I'm sorry I had to leave you on your own, but I know you're strong and will be fine on your own for a few days. I know you'll miss me.” I could imagine the little wink he would've wanted to send after his final line, and it made me smirk. “See you soon. Fletcher.”