Book of Fire

by Michelle Kenney

  Circular walkways lined the inner wall, connecting layer after layer of reinforced grey steel boxes. Some were grilled on one side, while others were completely sealed. There were numerous doors leading out of the space and far above me, horizontal stretches of white. On the ground floor, there was a circle of tall white desks littered with technical equipment and screens that bleeped and whizzed continuously. I shivered involuntarily. This place had a malevolent air.

  August glanced at me before spinning round abruptly and making his way to the circle of desks.

  ‘No night nurses?’ I asked, almost overwhelmed in this clicking, whirring medical vat.

  He shook his head and pointed towards the bleeping machines.

  ‘All the nurses required,’ he confirmed. I shrugged off the spiky cold that had invaded my spine. Although the absence of real people was a good thing, it only added to the unnatural air and my fear for Grandpa and Eli intensified tenfold.

  He began to move his hand around one of the screens, touching various points and making sweeping movements with his free hand simultaneously. He looked well practised and comfortable, widening the new gulf between us.

  ‘They’re in E 174,’ he offered after a few moments’ concentration. ‘Level 7.’

  My heart raced and I stared upwards. ‘But how do you get up there?’ I muttered. There were no obvious stairways, and the ceiling had to be more than one thousand metres high.

  August held up a hand, as the other moved rapidly across the screen again. A few seconds later there was a succession of quiet clicks and a short burst of whirring above. Looking up, I watched in amazement as several walkways grew outwards from the walls, and swung purposefully towards each other. It was like watching an aerial jigsaw puzzle being put together by invisible giant hands. Within no time at all, the walkways had slotted together to create one continuous incline, and the last railed length was slowly lowering towards us.

  August gesticulated towards the complete stairwell before tapping the screen one last time, and making his way towards me.

  ‘Let’s go.’ He frowned, waiting for me to step ahead.

  I hesitated, reluctant to leave solid ground behind and wary of walking into a trap. He looked down at me, the line between his eyes deepening.

  ‘I can only freeze the screens for thirty minutes. We’ll need to be back down by then, unless you fancy spending the night here?’ he asked coolly.

  It was enough. I ran lightly up the first walkway, surprised by how solid it felt under my booted feet. We made fast progress, passing endless rows of shuttered boxes suspended high in the air. A few had grilles for a fourth side, but when I chanced a quick look, they were empty.

  ‘Awaiting new specimens from quarantine,’ August confirmed, without pausing.

  As we climbed higher, things began to change. There were large vats of flowering plants in transparent containers, and tubes leading to further sealed boxes. I stared at the complex labels, feeling a mixture of curiosity and unease. Then we reached a level for rodents and small mammals. The units were bigger and the animals clear to see, even in the strange blue light.

  I knew we had to move as fast as possible, but my gaze was drawn with increasing dread, by the cages. There were nests of red-eyed mice, bright fluorescent cats, hairless rats, squirrels with tiny spare limbs growing from their backs and countless animals I couldn’t even recognize. Some were asleep but most stared back at me with opaque, hopeless eyes. A dull ache registered in my chest, which grew with every step, and I had to grit my teeth not to release as many as I could instantly. Only the thought of Grandpa and Eli restrained my fingers.

  Then we reached the primate level, and the ache morphed into anger. Groups of marmosets huddled together under purple hazes, illuminating various parts of their fragile bodies. They looked old, frightened, and unlike any monkeys I’d seen in the forest. Some of them were bald, while others were separated into tiny cramped antechambers that made them stoop. Too many were missing limbs and had makeshift replacements, or tubes connected to their throats, which made odd whistling noises as they breathed. I stared into cage after cage, a volcano of horror bubbling up within me until I thought I could take it no longer.

  ‘The gene research is helping to eradicate some of Isca Pantheon’s worst diseases,’ August muttered, looking straight ahead. My simmering anger surged. How could he even begin to try to justify the cruelty?

  ‘The trouble with living in, if I may quote, a vast, cooped-up, homogenized group … is that infectious disease spreads very quickly,’ he added. ‘And, although this research looks hard, we have halved Prolet infant mortality in ten years by finding antidotes to meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria, and cholera.’

  I bit my tongue, I longed to tell him exactly what I thought of Pantheon’s research methodology. But, I needed him just a little bit longer.

  I stepped ahead, trying to calculate how many animals were incarcerated in this soulless place. Had we unwittingly contributed to this research, by providing the samples Octavia had demanded, so we could continue in peace on the outside? Of course we had. I was flooded with guilt and knew that even if I made it home with my family intact, nothing would ever be the same again.

  The walkway took a sharp left, and I paused beside the cage of a small macaque monkey. He shook and jerked uncontrollably in the centre of his cage, which was empty save for a few pieces of dry, yellowed grass. As I drew near our eyes locked. He held out one tiny paw, and I watched as he slowly unfurled his fingers to reveal an empty nutshell. A small chatter escaped through his thin lips, and he wobbled forward just as August passed me. He retreated with a whimper instantly.

  My stomach turned over. Even in his weakened state, his natural instincts told him I was different. He knew I was from the outside. He knew I was from home.

  Desperately, I felt around in my leather pouch and withdrew the only thing I had to give, the apricot stone I’d placed there only a day or two ago. It just fitted through the bars of the cage and I rolled it gently in his direction. For a second he froze, then he whipped it up in his paws and scurried to the back of his cage, licking the mottled stone for all it was worth. From the look of excitement on his face, he was still able to get the flavour of the fruit, and inwardly I cursed for not filling my pockets before I left Arafel.

  Checking August was still a safe distance in front, I reached out and pulled back the short rusty bolt that secured his cage.

  ‘Find a way out,’ I whispered fervently, before moving swiftly on.

  Monkeys weren’t the only mammals trapped in this part of the laboratory. I passed pigs, dogs, cows, and every type of animal from the forest: bears, big cats, deer, and so many different types of birds. I forced myself to stay blind to it, to keep moving. The clock was ticking, and Eli and Grandpa needed me first.

  Finally, we reached a heavy white door inset into the wall of the dome. It bore a small red sign in the centre: ‘Level 7, Highly Classified, No Unauthorized Access.’

  August looked into another bleeping box, and the white door rolled back revealing a pristine white corridor with yet more exits. It was unnaturally quiet, and as we stepped into the corridor, the door slid shut silently behind us.

  My ears pricked. There was a low humming sound, which seemed to originate from further down the clinical corridor. We began walking towards it, pausing only for August to peer through some of the tiny grilled windows inset into each closed door.

  We passed several more before he paused directly in front of one, and looked back at me. His eyes were narrowed and guarded, and I felt a rush of trepidation. Was this the moment he intended to show his real colours and blow the whistle? To bring the wrath of Octavia down on my head?

  He held his forefinger to his mouth before turning the door handle softly. To my surprise it opened easily, and after a moment’s hesitation, I followed him inside.

  As my eyes adjusted to the low light, I stared in denial at the sight in front of me. There had to be more than one hundred
beds fixed to the walls in front of us. Each was secured to the wall, in a uniform pattern that rose and fell for the entire length of the vaulted chamber.

  ‘How do they reach the ones at the top?’ I whispered, pointing to the beds attached on the highest level, about ten metres up from the floor.

  August pointed to a screen fixed to the side of the wall nearest us, and I nodded. Of course, everything in this chilling world was controlled by a screen.

  He began walking down through the room, his footsteps echoing strangely in the dead air. I followed a short distance behind, trying to absorb as much as I could see. Each bed was encased by a long, white concave lid, from which numerous coloured tubes extended at sporadic intervals. There were small transparent windows set into the top of each container, but we were moving too quickly to pause and look through. Something told me that might be a good thing. Finally August’s pace slowed, and he crossed swiftly to the left-hand side of the room.

  ‘Subjects forty-six and forty-seven,’ he confirmed, pointing to two consecutive beds, one at ground level and another positioned a little higher up.

  My chest felt hollow as I forced my feet towards the two containers. I couldn’t tell myself it was all going to be OK any more; it was time to face the truth.

  I reached the top end of the lower bed first. It extended out level with my left thigh, while the second ran parallel with my chest. I threw a quick glance at August who remained at the foot of the beds, an impassive expression fixed to his wooden face.

  So let it begin, I thought, lowering my gaze to peer through the top of the first container. The pounding in my ears was instant, and an acidic nausea seared my throat. It was Eli. He was pale-faced, covered in coloured wires and bare to his waist, but his chest was steadily rising and falling. Relief flooded my limbs, making my knees sag, until I became aware August had taken a step towards me.

  I threw him an ugly look of warning, before spinning round and peering into the second container. Grandpa’s familiar face greeted me, but any euphoria was short-lived when I took in the mass of tubes and blue plate fixed to one side of his head. I straightened up and regarded August with blazing eyes. Now I could see him for the monster he was.

  ‘If I hadn’t sedated you, you’d be here too, and probably under armed guard,’ August whispered, his furrowed eyes betraying some anxiety.

  ‘How do I undo all this stuff?’ I fired back. I was done listening to him.

  ‘You don’t.’

  My blood rushed like white water rapids. So my suspicions had been right after all. This was where it had all been leading, to some kind of cruel confrontation. What next? Had he already called the guard? He’d better not count on me going quietly.

  I slid my hand into my bodysuit hip pocket as he took a step towards me. I’d found my wood slingshot in one of his stark white drawers. If I brought it up hard enough, perhaps I could cripple him long enough to put some distance between us.

  ‘Calm down, Talia,’ he urged. ‘This isn’t what you think it is. I knew you’d never believe me, but now you can see for yourself. Even if I disable all the tubes, the alarm will alert every guard in Pantheon to our presence long before we have the chance to make it back down.’

  ‘You lied,’ I spat with as much disgust as I could muster.

  ‘No. I’ve showed you the truth. You needed to see why you must leave Isca Pantheon, and never return. They never stood a chance, Talia, but you – you’re everything that is precious about the human species. Your instinct for survival is untainted. Your will is original and feral. You’re everything we were supposed to be. And now you must return to Arafel before Octavia finds you. You must survive.’

  He took two steps towards me and I pulled my small wooden catapult from my pocket, holding my ground as his fake sympathy pushed my anger to breaking point.

  ‘I know how hard this must be, but I would sacrifice a hundred like them to protect you.’

  ‘It’s a good thing that won’t be necessary then, isn’t it?’ a familiar voice interjected, one that carried me back to the treetops of Arafel in a heartbeat.

  ‘Max!’ I exclaimed, in a voice half-strangled with relief.

  Chapter Nine

  The sudden sight of Max’s lean, tanned face sent waves of shocked relief through my tense body. He was standing ten or so metres away and flanked by two other people I didn’t recognize: a young man and woman, in worn, unremarkable clothing. A fierce smile lit up my face. I’d never been so happy to see him in all my life.

  Swiftly, I glanced at the strangers accompanying him; both looked mid-twenties. The girl had sharp features and short leather-brown hair that flicked out around her elfish face; while the guy possessed a stocky, muscular frame, bright eyes, and a mop of curly black hair. They both looked much smaller than the Pantheonites I’d encountered, much more like the people from Arafel.

  August scowled and spun on his heel. ‘Damn it, you’ll all lose your lives if you pursue this!’ he hissed.

  ‘Actually –’ Max’s tone was unfamiliar and hard ‘– yours appears to be the only life in danger right now.’

  Max pulled his large hunting knife from the waistband of his forest trousers, and started advancing silently, the way I’d watched him stalk a kill countless times.

  ‘He’s more useful alive,’ the girl interjected. I shot her a glance and was taken aback by her bored demeanour.

  ‘You don’t have to do this. Back down and I’ll do my best to get you and Talia out tonight,’ August barked roughly.

  ‘You’ve done quite enough already,’ Max seethed. ‘If you’ve so much as laid a finger on her I’ll make you wish you’d never been regurgitated, or whatever fancy word you half-breeds use!’

  And on his last derisive note, Max made the leap of his life, hurtling his full weight towards August who met him in a headlong crash in the centre of the room. Three pairs of eyes watched Max power forward, his head and shoulders gripping August’s towering form at the chest. August was physically taller, but Max’s years building treehouses in Arafel stood him in good stead, and his broad back rippled with honed muscle as he propelled August backwards.

  As the momentum slowed, August regained his balance and, gripping Max around the back, spun in a fast circular motion before releasing him to crash against one of the beds, which started bleeping profusely. Enraged, Max was up and charging within seconds.

  I’d seen enough. I flashed a quick look at Max’s companions, but they seemed content to watch. There was a curiously intent look on the girl’s face, as though she was just biding her time, but I’d learned to assume nothing in this place.

  I sprinted back towards Eli’s bed. His chest rose and fell, but there were no other signs of life and there was only one way to find out if I could push things back. Before I had time to change my mind, I grabbed a handful of the tubes that connected his upper body with the board of lights above his head and yanked with all my might.

  The siren was almost deafening. Panicked, I looked down the room to see August and Max still crashing between the beds. August looked up panting, fear written all over his face.

  ‘Run!’ he bellowed, holding Max with one strong arm and a knife in the other. Without hesitation I shoved the watching girl aside, and sprinted down the beds towards them. Not Max, not now I had him back.

  ‘Don’t hurt him!’ I yelled furiously, not caring if we were overheard.

  August looked up from his position astride Max, and in that same moment I knew he was bluffing. For some reason, August didn’t intend to hurt him at all.

  Yanking Max to his feet, August placed the knife against his throat and backed off slowly.

  ‘If you don’t get out of here this second you can kiss your boyfriend goodbye!’

  I scowled. He’d chosen the word deliberately, knowing it would infuriate me. Max frowned, while the girl’s eyes bored into mine. I rolled my eyes.

  ‘Let him go, August!’

  I strode towards them, my jaw set determinedly. It
was a look that had earned me many reprimands from Grandpa, but also the one he said reminded him of himself.

  There was a brief silence.

  ‘I’ll spare him … but only if you move!’ August ground out through gritted teeth.

  ‘I’m not going without Eli and Grandpa,’ I retorted hotly, standing my ground. August advanced slowly with a furious expression twisting his proud face. He still had Max in a stranglehold, but looked like he’d much prefer it to be me.

  ‘There. Is. No. Time,’ he threw back in cold fury. ‘Unless you want to end up a frozen, fragmented specimen, you need to get your obstinate feral arse out of the door right this second!’

  At precisely the same second Max brought his elbow up hard, and delivered a blow to August’s chest that would have winded anyone. As August staggered backwards, Max sprinted towards me, grabbed my arm, and dragged me towards the open door.

  ‘Run, Tal! Go with Aelia and Fabius. They’ll look after you and I’ll follow. I’ll do what I can for Eli and your grandpa, I promise,’ Max urged with one eye on August, who was recovering quickly.

  ‘You both need me! You’ll never make it out of here alive! Aelia!’ August fumed, his face strained with anger.

  Fabius nodded forward while Aelia looked on with cool interest, one hand draped loosely over the handle of her knife protruding from the waistband of her trousers. I shot a look back at August. There had been a peculiar familiarity in his voice. But whatever else I might have thought was lost in the unmistakable sound of curt commands echoing somewhere below us.

  ‘The guard!’ August confirmed, colour draining from his face. ‘You can’t leave via the main atrium now. Your only chance is to go through the Molecular Cloning and Transgenic Unit. You can climb out of the incineration chute at night!’ he advised rapidly, his eyes never leaving the open door. ‘It’s right at the end, after the theatres.’

  The shouting was getting louder and there was something else too. Tiny hairs on the back of my arms and neck began to prickle and rise. It was the sound of huge dogs baying for blood.