Whisper Gatherers

by Nicola McDonagh

  Dreng thrust the gas tube light before him then entered the passage. He stopped at the top of a rickety looking wooden staircase and motioned for me to follow. I turned to the others and repeated the gesture he made to me. For a moment, I felt as if I too were a S.A.N.T. and became less a-feared fuelled by my brief brush with responsibility. It lasted less than a sec, for when I stepped towards Dreng, my foot caught on something. I tripped and fell into his arms. He guffawed most deeply and helped me right myself. I was thankful the place was so dark for I felt a heat burst most prominently across my face and neck.

  The Woodsmale S.A.N.T. grabbed onto the rail that jutted out from the wall and made his way down the creaky steps. I followed close not daring to see how the others fared, in case I lost my footing once again. The light from Dreng’s torch was adequate enough, but I discovered that if I did not keep up with his robust pace, I was plunged into almost darkness. Thankfully Orva’s torch at the rear cast a dim glow that was sufficient to illuminate the narrow tunnel.

  We wended our way in silence. The air became humid. I found it difficult to take in enough lungfuls and had to stop once or twice to catch my breath. On one occasion, Elijah caught up with me. He spoke low into my ear, “You are well? Not suffering from fright at all things dark, deep and confined?”

  “Nope, just find it a tad difficult to fill my air sacs. Do you have a phobe about such things?”

  He shook his head vigorously and gulped. I could tell by the droplets of fear-wet on his brow that he was not telling the truth. I admired his pluckiness in the face of such a trial as this, and patted him on the shoulder. “Stay up close with me. If you slip or falter, then I will be a buffer. You shall not fall.”

  If he had been taller or stouter than myself, I would not have offered to use my bod to protect him, but seeing as he was as lean as a twig and most bereft of muscle power, I felt secure in making him the offer.

  “I accept your most generous proposal in the good spirit it is given and will endeavour to not use it.”

  This Carnie/Praisebee was different from the rest. He did not exude the meat raving antsy of the other cravers. I wondered if he were all Praisebee and not much Carnie after all. All curious in the extreme, I sucked in as much air as was available, and continued the precarious descent to who knows where.

  Chapter Seven

  Beneath Cityplace

  I could hear Elijah’s rapid breathing become strained the deeper we plunged below the city, and hoped that we were close to our destination. I feared that he might collapse before we reached it, so turned my head to see if he was well. He gulped many times, holding tightly onto the rail. On seeing my concerned expression, he attempted a tiny smile. I raised my eyebrows, showed him my teeth, and looked over his shoulder to the shadowy figures of Orva and Lilith. She had long dark hair that fell to her waist. Although it looked somewhat unwashed, it was thick and straight. In the half-light, she resembled an image I had seen in worshipclass of what the Christians call, ‘The Virgin.’

  Orva raised her torch. “There, look Adara, we are almost at the bottom.”

  I took a few steps down and peered into the gloominess. Dreng stopped, waved his light at the space before him and lit up a vast cavern with many arched grottos that I assumed led to more tunnels. I quickened my pace and was soon by his side, closely followed by a panting Elijah, Lilith, and Orva. “We are below Cityplace, utterly out of sight. These are secret tunnels that only a few know about.”

  “How come you do?”

  “All S.A.N.T.S. know about these, Adara.”

  “What even Santy Breanna?”

  “It wa she who sent us down here.”

  “You intimated others are aware of this wondrous place,” Elijah said.

  “I am not at liberty to divulge such info. Ye must know that we cannae allow ye to blab of this to anyone once we have left.”

  Elijah looked at Lilith who shook her head. “In all faith, we cannot promise such a thing. This is such an important find. One that will give us great standing with our own.”

  “Who are? Praisebees or Carnies?” I said folding my arms all-haughty like.

  Elijah scratched his matted hair, blew air though his teeth, then looked to Lilith. She squinted and said, “We are Praisebees, first and foremost. True, some have taken to Carnie ways, but none have veered from the path of righteousness.”

  “Really? Would it be right then to blab about this place? If so, for what purpose?”

  “So many questions, Adara, too many to answer now. Know that we detest secrecy and this place, kept only for a select few, is wrong by our faith values. It should be open for all in times of Agro aggression.”

  In truth, I could not find anything wrong in what Lilith said. This cavern and its potential as a hideout from threat should indeed be accessible for all.

  Orva bowed her head for a sec, then gave us a serious look. “Do not question further. Dreng and I have nothing against you, or your people so long as you abide with the laws we live by. Today you and yours broke these rulings. Those left behind will be brought to justice. We must also arrange a suitable punishment for you both. If you promise to keep shtum, we will forego the retribution. You shall not be harmed. What do you say?”

  Lilith jutted out her chin and her fellow Praisebee looked to the floor. “I can only talk for myself. I do not find the notion of punishment a thing to fear. I am prepared to die for my belief. Do what you must. I will not keep info from my brothers and sisters.”

  All attention turned to Elijah. He coughed. “I do not know how giving the whereabouts of this place to one and all would be of benefit to our cause. It is an empty cave, what would we do with it?”

  “It is secret and must not be. All folk would wish to know that it is here. It could be of use.”

  “I do not see its relevance to our cause. In fact, it may generate unrest amongst us. We do not want more.”

  Lilith opened her mouth, then closed it again. Elijah put his hand on her shoulder and stared into her dark brown eyes. “We will not tell. No reason to. Indeed, as a thank you for allowing us to flee the situation above, I feel it is only right to pay you back for your generosity. Is that not so Lilith?” She nodded.

  “I fear you do not possess anything we need. All Good?” We nodded. “Then let us continue.”

  Dreng held up his hand. “Wait but a sec Orva. It is most gratifying to hear ye say these words Elijah, but I think it may be best if both ye and Lilith are blindfolded for the rest of the way.”

  “Soundly plan. Do not protest. Do not fear for your safety. I will take hold of Lilith, Dreng shall take Elijah. You will come to no harm.”

  The Praisebees offered no struggle when Orva pulled out two long pieces of black cloth, handed one to Dreng and placed one across Lilith’s eyes. He did the same to Elijah and in synchronisation both S.A.N.T.S. tied the blindfolds tight. “Now we can continue.”

  This time Orva, led the way, illuminating the darkness with a bright light from her torch. She held onto Lilith’s hand and marched onwards with a quickly pace. Lilith tottered for a moment, but managed to keep up with Orva’s long stride. Dreng motioned me to follow and pulled Elijah with him. On we walked across the vast cavern. It was like nothing I had seen before. In the flickering light, I saw how roughly the place had been hewn. The stone looked as if it had been hacked by blunt objects. I slowed my pace till Dreng came up beside me. “Why do ye loiter so?”

  “I am in awe is all. Do you know who constructed this place?”

  “Nay. All we know is what we are told in camp. That it was most likely formed at the same time as Cityplace. Perhaps as an escape route if there was any Agro trouble. To my knowledge, few have used it. There having never been a need tae.”

  “Until now.”

  “Indeed. Come on lassie, nay time for viewing.”

  Dreng nudged my elbow and we continued onwards until we came to one of the holes at the far end of the cave. All stopped. “These tunnels are narrow and low. You
must bend a little to pass through,” Orva said. She let go of Lilith, motioned for me to follow her a little away from the rest, so I did. She put her finger to her lips and said all whispery, “You are to hide out here until things quieten above.”

  “How long will that take? It’s not as if me and my name can just disappear all sudden like and not be noticed.”

  “Folk are easily diverted. The Praisebee trial will occupy their thoughts. Then all will be well. Down that passage is a room especially built for such an occasion. It has supplies. In fact, everything you will need to keep you safe until we come for you. But, you must share it with the Praisebees. It was not our plan for them to be here. I am sorry.”

  “Can’t say that I relish the idea of being confined below ground with two zealots. What if they try to escape?”

  Orva ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. She reached down her trouser leg, opened a side pocket and withdrew a nifty looking blade. “This is an all-purpose knife. It is sharp on one side, serrated on the other. I know that your have been trained by Breanna to use such a weapon. I feel confident that if the need arises you will do so with great efficiency and not hesitate.”

  I took the thing from her and hid it the inner pocket of my tunic. “If needs be I will.”

  “Good. Either Dreng or myself will come with news and provisions.” Orva smiled, headed back to Lilith and took her hand. “Come, we are almost at our destination.” She led us through a long winding tunnel that led onto a narrow corridor, and pointed at a hollow at the end of it. “That is our destination.”

  “We have trodden quite a ways. Have you taken us to a different location?”

  Orva raised her eyebrows and winked. “Could be Lilith. Who knows where you are?” She was fast at taking advantage of situations. A goodly idea to confuse the Praisebees, in case they did have the opportunity to blab about this place.

  We strode to the gap. Orva spoke, keeping up the falsehood, “We are within another building. This is where you shall remain until it is safe for you to leave. Please do not try to escape. Adara has been given full authority to use whatever force she deems necessary to prevent this happening. Besides, there is nowhere for you to go.”

  “What? Have you taken us to the Wilderness? Or even, the Beyondness?”

  “The Beyondness is too far away, fool,” Lilith said.

  “We are not at liberty to divulge such info.”

  “Nay more talk. Move,” Dreng said and we walked into the small corridor.

  As we entered, the place was lit up by a series of tiny lights above our heads. Both S.A.N.T.S. extinguished their torches and placed them into their backpouches. It was unlike the other corridor in every way. The walls were smooth and painted white. The ceiling was high and not at all rough. Air circulated around it as if we were in Centralplaza itself. It was a cooling breeze and if I too had my eyes covered, I would have believed myself in a well-ventilated building rather than an underground cavern. Dreng waved to me. I went to him. He put Elijah’s hand in mine. “I must lock the outer door. You are in charge of this male and that fem, Adara,” he said, walked back to the hole we came in, pressed something above the entrance and it sealed shut.

  “What is happening?”

  “Nowt Elijah, keep walking.”

  He did. Soon we caught up with Orva and Lilith. They were standing before a wooden door at the far end of the passage. She waited for Dreng then spoke, “You may remove your blindfolds.” They did and blinked a few times. “That is where you will be residing. It is a large room with many comforts. Adara is in charge. She will have access to a comdevice.”

  “I will?”

  “Yes,” she said and took one from her sleeve pouch. “Only use it when absolutely necessary. We have no info on who may be able to access its frequency. It is a last resort only.”

  “I understand. Ta.”

  Orva went to the door and pulled it open. A bright light came on and I thought for a sec that I was back in Cityplace. Before us was a large room set out exactly like the living area at home. We went in and I was relieved to observe that there were four sleeping areas. The only difference was that instead of a foodprep room, there was another wooden door. Dreng stood by it. “This is where we will leave and enter. It will be locked at all times. Only Orva and myself have the means to open it.”

  I looked at the Praisebees. They had a blank expression as if what was occurring where a dream. “Where are we to cook and eat?”

  “No cooking I fear Adara. There is foodstuff enough in that box on the shelf by the sofa. Inside are water, soylygrub, Sterichoc…”

  “Sterichoc! Mine, all of it,” I said and dove into the contents of said box. I was somewhat dismayed that there was only one bar, but did not hesitate to eat it right then and there. I wiped my mouth. “Sorry, but I have not tasted this sweety stuff in many moons.”

  Orva grinned. “The provisions were meant to be replenished, but with all of the hoo-ha, there was no one spare to attend to this necessity. You will have to share what there is until we can bring more. This may not be as quickly as you would wish, so please be cautious in your portions.”

  I felt a pang of guilt, then caught sight of a small sachet of Yellowsweet and held it out to Elijah and Lilith. “Sorry for the fastly consumption of our only choc. Here, you can have the vanilla curd.”

  Lilith smiled and took the sachet from me. She opened it, squeezed some into her mouth then handed it to Elijah. He greedily drank it dry and sighed. “We have not fed for a sunup or two.”

  This I well believed, for in the brightness of the room I clearly saw their sunken eyes, hollow cheeks and thinner than thin arms. Some, however, had eaten of fleshly bits, as I observed in the auditorium before. These two? Nah, far too narrow of wrist to be Carnies.

  “We must leave. We will return as soon as. Hopefully, with good news. Until then, be calm,” Orva said. She and Dreng went to the doorway. They nodded to us, pushed the door open then stepped through.

  “Dae not despair,” Dreng said and pulled the door shut behind him.

  Chapter Eight

  Not All The Comforts Of Home

  Lilith flopped onto the comfycouch. As her head fell back, she closed her eyes and let out a low groan. Elijah sank onto the matching cream coloured recliner, and placed his hands on the arms of the chair. I remained standing not knowing exactly what to say.

  A few secs elapsed with us all in the same position, before I spoke, “So, I suppose we should choose a slumberroom each. What with all the excitement and the like, I need to cleanse. But then, I will have to dress in what I am now wearing, which may well be infused with my perspiration. I could rinse said garment, but then would need to hide my almost nakedness until it dried. That I could do in the privacy of my chamber, so, all in all, that is what I propose to do.” My inane babblings fell upon ears that were not attuned to my voice. I stared at their bland faces expressing nowt but fatigue, Elijah gave out a loud yawn.

  “It has been many days and nights since I slept. Daniel kept us awake chanting and praying so that we would be ready for the assault on Cityplace.”

  Lilith snapped her eyes open. She raised her head and said, “Elijah, sshh, say nothing more. He is confused through lack of sleep for sure. Of course, we only heard about the ghostie thing but yesterday, so could not have been preparing prior to that.”

  I folded my arms and gave them an all-knowing stare. Elijah stood, too quickly as it turned out, for he lost his balance and fell to his knees. He made a high-pitched wheezing noise then put his head in his hands and blubbed loudly. Lilith sighed. “He is weak. Daniel knew that. That is why he decided to choose him as a group leader. To give him authority in the hope it would toughen him up so that this kind of display would not occur.” She shook her head, crossed her legs and gave out another sigh of contempt.

  “Tell me more of this planned incursion.”

  “There is no more to be said.”

  I knelt next to Elijah and put my hand on h
is shaking shoulder. He lifted his tear-streaked face, gulped a few times then ceased to blub. I dug into my pants pocket and handed him a Wipeclean. He dabbed it around his face for a bit before offering the soiled cloth back.

  “Erm, no ta, just fling into the wastebin in the…” I glanced at the space where such a device would have been, but saw nowt but white wall. “Keep it in your mitts until I locate a place for disposing of all things impure.” I stood and searched the room, but found no holes to rid ourselves of any muck we might gather during our stay. Flummoxed, I went into the slumberrooms . I almost cried out. They were just that. Rooms fit only for sleep. Each space contained a bed, small table and chair. Nowt else. No steamshower much to my great vexation. I began to panic somewhat and went into the tiny box-like hallway that separated all the rooms.

  To my greater than great relief, I found a door that led to a place to poop. It had a sink too. I turned on the taps to make sure water was forthcoming. It did, but was not hot. A dispenser with antiviral goo stood on top of the poobowl. Eagerly I covered my hands and arms with the stuff and washed them clean. I would have ablushed more of my bod, except there was no dryingsheet, so I wiped my damp flesh upon my tunic before returning to the others.

  Elijah had recovered. He sat next to Lilith, who held his hand in hers. She was saying something in a whisper. He nodded his head a few times. She stopped abrupt-like when she saw me enter, and let go. “Goodly news and bad,” I said then perched my bot on the edge of the glass-topped short legged table. “No shower, but thank all and sundry, there is a wastebowl and sink with some sanitising gel.” Lilith let her mouth rise up a bit at each corner.

  Elijah stood. “I must go to that place at once. I have a feeling of knots and scurrying insects inside my innards.I need most urgently to rid my system of them.”