by Maguire, Ily
“The tide comes up in forty minutes,” Ezekiel says looking at his wrist. “When the tide comes in, it’ll cover the land bridge with water. It doesn’t go back out again until the tide recedes days later.”
“Days? We can’t stay out there for days. We have to find my sisters.” If I had known how long we’d be stuck here, I wouldn’t have gone so willingly.
“We can get off the island,” Ezekiel says. “It’s just easier to get to the other side and then plan to leave again with the tide, but we can leave sooner if we need to. There are still other ways on and off the island.”
“Then let’s go.” I head for the only speck of land on the horizon. “I’m ready.”
11
The land bridge doesn’t look like much. More like a little grassy hill that goes up from the sandy shores of the water on either side and flattens out at the top. Once my boots have purchase on land again, I push myself up the hill. It narrows at the top and the path is dangerously close to the sides that I don’t want to slip and slide off into the water. The sea is on one side and the reservoir on the other. We’re much higher than it looked from below, maybe thirty feet up or so. I keep my head down and focused on the path. I try to follow Pike and Ezekiel’s steps. The air gusts up more here and it throws me off balance.
Then I can see the land widen on the other side with rolling hills and lush trees. Lye Island is straight ahead.
“The water’s rising,” Ezekiel calls back. “We have to hurry.”
All around us the water has been rising. Not quick at first, but then as we approach the middle of the bridge, it’s getting higher. I look back and see where we just came from. The water is coming up to the land behind me, lapping at the top of the land bridge. On my left is the reservoir, as large as a lake. The water from the sea will come over the bridge and completely fill in the reservoir. It’s how they flooded the city which was created in a physical depression in the first place.
In the center of the reservoir is a tall, rectangular, wooden structure, with a wooden triangle on top. “When the tide comes in, it covers over the church tower,” Pike tells me. “Everything else is underwater permanently.”
As we move over the land bridge, I wonder what the city looked like before it was flooded, and then I start to imagine what it looks like underwater now. I have to be careful, though not to slip and fall into the water on either side of me so I try not to think.
“The tide is coming in faster,” I say as the water laps over the bridge. It splashes up over my boots and wets my skin.
“You didn’t believe it?” Pike has slowed down and lets me move ahead of him. I have to watch where I step because the land tapers and the water distracts me from finding a safe place to put down my foot. It’s a much longer land bridge than it looked before. Maybe a quarter of a mile. Maybe more.
“I did,” I say, lifting my legs from the water and stepping ahead. “But I didn’t expect it to happen so fast. It’s been a matter of minutes.”
“We don’t have far to go,” Ezekiel points to land on the other side. I see now why it’s considered an island.
The sun begins to set and it isn’t as hot as before.
“The safe house is hidden over there.” Pike points to a small cluster of trees in the distance. I don’t see anything except for lush trees and grass in the distance.
“That’s Lye Island.” I state as we hurry to the other side. I can’t believe how natural everything is. Undisturbed and beautiful. There are wildflowers and sea lavender along the coastline and the sand mixes with the sea grass, making everything ahead look a soft shade of green.
“We just have to get past the shoreline and we’ll be there in no time.” Pike takes my hand and helps me over a buffer that is at the end of the land bridge. The trees in the distance aren’t far and it gives me a renewed sense of purpose. Within no time I’m going to be reunited with Leland and Delia.
And Hara.
We get over the buffer and I look back. My last step avoids complete submersion. The buffer prevents the water from spilling over the side, though it still splashes up. We’re back on real, dry land. No evidence remains of the land bridge or the path.
“It’s so beautiful. Does anyone still live out here?” I ask. “It’s not still contaminated.”
“It’s not, but no one really lives out here now. The Imperial Bead wanted the land and wanted everyone off of it,” Pike begins. Ezekiel is moving much faster ahead toward the safe house hidden among the trees.
“But not everyone was willing to leave,” I add, remembering a passionate lesson with Jenny about how unethically the townspeople were convinced to leave.
Pike nods his head. “The Imperial Bead leaked the remaining lye into the groundwater and infiltrated the aquifer. People started getting sick. Headaches at first and then skin afflictions. Tumors and birth defects. It took a lot longer to convince people to go.”
“Jenny said that it was covered up. Didn’t people know it was the Imperial Bead? Weren’t they angry?”
“There wasn’t much they could do. The Imperial Bead waited years before taking the next step.”
“Sinking the city,” I state. He nods. He takes my hand and helps me over another buffer. More protection from the flooding waters. Much farther from the shore, it surprises me. How high does the water come?
“Thank you.” I say, though I could’ve done it myself.
“The remaining, healthy townspeople got up and left. Moved to microcities around larger cities. Families with more than two ill members were told to shelter in place, which they did. Guards for the Imperial Bead came in, locking the ill into their homes. Their electricity was cut off. And then the city was flooded in less than a day without warning. Under more than fifty feet of water. That’s the Sunken City. Anyone not locked in and who could get to higher ground in time got lucky,” Pike finishes.
“And everyone else?” I ask, sick to my stomach at the thought of this drowned city and all of the souls below.
“Not so lucky,” he answers. We’ve almost caught up to Ezekiel. He’s clearly waiting for us. A cluster of trees welcomes us, their branches swaying in the ocean breeze.
“So you’ve been here?” I ask, trying not to look around. I guess I only pictured Pike in Aegis.
“I have.” He doesn’t elaborate. Even up here, away from the water, the air smells salty and the hair at my temples coils.
We meet up with Ezekiel. There’s a glint of light up ahead, filtered through the branches. We walk forward, the air is cool and it’s dark under the cover of the trees. My arm has gotten a bit heavier with the drop in temperature. When will I get used to that? It’s only been weeks, I remind myself. It’ll take a bit longer.
We follow a lightly worn footpath through the trees. The path veers to the right and left and there are small cabins, almost completely hidden by foliage. We approach a structure. A cabin with log sides and wooden shutters around the tiny windows. It’s not kept up, but it isn’t dilapidated either. Moss grows on the roof and the wood is weathered. The foundation, however, is stone and was meticulously constructed.
“Did you build it?” I ask Ezekiel. It’s impressive.
“No. It belonged to one of the families that moved out here before the city was flooded, back when it was a whaling community. Most of the family passed or moved away. One of the grandsons made it out our way, to Aegis and he lets us use the cabin and the barn as we need to,” Pike answers for Ezekiel, his voice echoes among the trees. There are no animals. No sounds of animals anywhere and I can’t imagine how anyone could survive out here if even the animals can’t.
To the right of the cabin is a barn with clapboard sides. A wide, worn path leads up to the double doors.
Pike pushes me forward and I move right behind Ezekiel. Within an instant the salty sweetness is replaced with a sour smell hanging in the air. I hold my nose.
“Dead whale carcasses used to be dragged up here with hooks, chains, and bulldozers. To get them ready
for disposal,” Pike says. “It’s just in the air. You’ll get used to it.”
I cringe and scrunch up my nose.
“Shh,” Ezekiel puts his hand up to his mouth. He’s listening for something, but I don’t hear a thing.
The cabin door flies open, throwing Ezekiel off his balance and he stumbles back onto the ground. Pike and I are far enough away not to fall, but we are caught off guard, too.
“It is about time you people got here!” Leland storms out of the house, over to Ezekiel, and helps him up. Ezekiel swats him away, but Leland persists and takes Ezekiel’s arm.
“Roz! It’s you! I didn’t think I’d see you again!” Leland drops Ezekiel’s arm before he has his footing and Ezekiel falls back to the ground. Leland runs over and wraps his arms around me.
“It’s good to see you, too, Leland,” I hug him back. A warmth starts in my core and spreads throughout the rest of my body. I’ve missed him.
Leland pushes me away and looks me up and down.
“You got all the way back to your house and you didn’t think to change your clothes?” he accuses and I assess my attire.
“But I did,” I defend. My choice of black shirt and black pants is the same as inside The Hollow. He’s right.
“I see, but much nicer quality,” Leland rubs my shirt between his fingers. “Well c’mon, let’s get you even more cleaned up. We’ve got fresh water from some distillery or some flooded city back there. I’m not sure how clean it is, but it sure feels nice running over naked skin.” He analyzes my hair and shakes his head. He takes my hand.
“Who else is inside?” I see more than three people through the window to my right.
“Just the keeper of the cabin.” Leland says with a smile. He looks from Ezekiel to Pike. “We knew you’d be back with Rose, so we made sure we tidied up. This place was a disaster and that old man inside is no help whatsoever!”
The door opens and Hara steps out. She runs up to Pike, wrapping her arms around his neck. He hugs her back. My stomach flips. It doesn’t bother me.
“You all made it here okay,” Pike states. He looks over at me and I stare back at him. I won’t let it bother me.
“We did and we got here just in time. The tide was about to come in,” Hara answers still right beside Pike.
He walks into the cabin. Hara follows, then Ezekiel. Leland wraps his arm around mine. My fake arm. He holds my hand.
The cabin smells like wood. Sawdust. Mediocre furnishings in flannel and flowers are all around, from the drapes to the upholstery. A fuzzy brown rug is on the floor and a fire crackles in the fireplace. There is no smoke and I didn’t notice any outside. An older man with eyes closed, sits in a recliner in front of the fire. It must be the grandson. I didn’t think he’d be so old. A brown, shaggy dog lies by his feet. Neither glances up, which I’m glad for. I’m too tired to talk and all I want to do is take off these boots.
“We should put that out,” Pike glances at Ezekiel and steps closer to the fire. With the sun completely down, the cool air permeates the cabin and the warmth is comforting. “This is sure to alert someone.”
“No one’s out here to notice. There are a few cabins around us.” The man doesn’t open his eyes, but answers. “And there’s a vent about halfway up the chimney that will remove the smoke before it leaves the stack. It’ll smother itself in the ashes when it’s time comes. Just to be safe.”
Pike looks to Ezekiel, who shrugs. I don’t really care what happens to the fire. I long for a shower, now that I remember what one is like. I look around the cabin and realize that there is this comfortable living space and a kitchen and an entire wall is covered with computers and flat screens. They’re all on. One receives satellite images from space in waves, another has row upon row of binary code with lots of 0’s and 1’s. Another is showing some sort of Imperial newscast. The sound is off.
“We got word a little while ago about your family,” Hara states, looking over at me. She hasn’t moved from Pike’s side.
I turn away from the computers. “My family?”
“Well, that’s the thing, Roz,” Leland begins.
“My parents or Dory?” I ask.
“Your parents.” Leland answers. “They were taken.”
“By whom? From where? How?” I can’t seem to get my thoughts straight.
“We have no idea. No one’s been here and the message that was transmitted was obviously intended for you. We never saw your folks and if we did, I’m sure we’d have done something really helpful, but we don’t know. I mean, we just don’t know.” Leland’s hands go up in the air and for a moment I wish he weren’t so dramatic.
“It’s a trap. We don’t know that it’s true.” Ezekiel leaves the room. He takes the stairs up to a loft, two at a time. His feet stomp on the floor above. He runs back down. The wooden railing shakes as he descends the stairs.
“Where’s the gun?” he asks looking around the room.
“Gun? What gun?” Leland is shocked.
“There was a gun hidden upstairs. In case of an emergency. Where is it?”
“What does a gun have to do with my parents?” I ask.
A door inside the cabin opens and Christophe steps out.
“Christophe!” I squeal and run up to him. It’s automatic. “I thought you stayed behind inside The Hollow. What happened to you, Christophe?”
I stop before reaching out to him. His face is bruised and his cheek is swollen. There is a small spider crack in the top right corner of one of his lenses. I put my real hand on Christophe’s arm. He flinches ever so slightly, but it’s enough for me to notice.
“I stayed behind and went back through the tunnels. At the end I was surprised by two attendants. They roughed me up, but then let me go. Sent me right out of the tunnels the way I had come in. They didn’t want me back inside. Apparently they had a message and it needed to be relayed.”
“The message about my parents.” I state.
“Yes,” he answers.
“Where are they?” I ask.
Christophe speaks slowly and only to me, though everyone else is quietly listening in. “They’re inside The Hollow.”
12
My entire body shivers in response. My fake arm shivers, too.
“Is this some sort of twisted joke? Someone is baiting me. They want to get me to go back inside The Hollow. My parents are inside The Hollow.” Once it’s past my lips I get a tingling sensation like someone else is here. My eyes dart around the room, but it’s just us. I run to the door and lock it. I pull the drapes closed and push past Pike and Hara to throw another log on the fire. Smoke billows up through the flue. My body trembles. It’s numb and my head is light.
“It is completely safe here.” The man in the chair says before he gets up. I don’t know his name and I don’t care to find out. The man’s dog gets up too and they walk into another room off of the kitchen. The door closes and I hear it lock.
“How did you get here if you didn’t come with the others?” Pike asks Christophe.
“Before we left I gave Christophe a note with the location,” Ezekiel says.
“That was kinda risky, Zeke, wasn’t it?” Pike is angry.
“I had a feeling we’d meet up again,” Ezekiel answers, ignoring Pike’s obvious anger.
“I was able to hitch a ride with a group of travelers. They took me as far as the forest and I hiked the rest of the way.” Christophe sits down on the couch and I sit beside him.
I’m not going back in. I won’t go back in.
A knock at the door makes me jump. My skin crawls. Christophe’s hand rests on my shoulder.
“I’m locked out!” A woman calls in from outside.
“Delia!” Leland rushes over and unlocks the door. Delia takes one look around and runs over to her son, embracing him. Hara opens the drapes, which for some reason annoys me. Anyone can see in now.
“The Hollow will exchange you for your parents,” Christophe says to me. “That’s the message they wanted me t
o pass along.”
“They must’ve known I’d come here,” I state. How would they know that?
Delia leaves her son to come over to me. She kneels down, taking my hands. She still has the presence of an angel. Her touch is light and her breath sweet. In the sunlight, strawberry-blonde hair looks white. It frames her face and a soft, warm breeze blows wisps around her forehead. I stop shaking.
“We can’t stay here long then.” Pike’s brow is furrowed. “If they know we’re here. You lead them straight to us.” He stares at Christophe, glaring.
“No one knows we’re here.” Delia looks up at Pike, who shakes his head. Her voice is soft and calming. Ezekiel nods in agreement.
“We weren’t followed,” Ezekiel says. “I’m certain of it.”
“But Pike is right, we can’t stay here,” I state. “We need to get to Mine Fire City and get Dory before I even consider going back to The Hollow.” A cold sensation and the sound of squeaking gurney wheels echoes in my head. I shake them away. “And we need to find Evie. I’m not going into The Hollow without knowing my sisters are okay. How long do I have, Christophe? Did they say?”
“They didn’t,” Christophe says. “But I also don’t know what they are planning on doing with them. That wasn’t part of the message.”
I look up at his misshapen face.
“We’ll have to take the chance going back in,” Pike states, moving closer to me. He’s moved away from Hara.
“What’s this ‘we’? When it’s time to go in, I’m going in alone,” I state.
“You go back in and you’re not getting out,” Leland tells Pike. “You don’t know what it’s like in there. You wouldn’t survive a day. And you, Missy,” Leland turns to me. “You’re not going back in there either. We’ll figure out another way to get your parents out.”
“But I know what I’m up against. I’m prepared to go back in,” I say. “Ezekiel, you have to get Dory and Evie. You can take care of them. I’m going back into The Hollow. There’s no other way.”
If I can keep saying it, I may be able to convince myself.
