‘Gita and I have to report to Tech’s den for our monitor watching shift,’ said Sarema. ‘Perhaps you’d like to join us?’
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
‘Has Spartacus left HQ?’
Sarema asked Tech the question as the twins took over monitor watch from Boudicca.
Tech nodded. ‘He went out to post Magog and Beowulf’s fight.’
Sarema smiled at Gita and both girls relaxed in their seats.
‘Is Leo in the café?’ Boudicca asked them.
‘No,’ replied Sarema.
‘Did you see him around?’
‘I couldn’t say where he is.’ Sarema kept her eyes on the monitor as she fiddled with the brightness control, which Kai thought strange as she must have seen Leo and Raven chatting together.
‘Leo’s annoying Raven again,’ Kai told Boudicca. ‘Can’t take a hint, that boy.’
‘Right!’ Boudicca huffed out of the door.
Sarema sighed and looked at Kai ruefully.
‘Can’t Spartacus post the fights from here?’ Bird Girl asked Tech. ‘Aren’t you linked to the outside world?’
‘Too risky,’ said Tech. ‘The police have very sophisticated tracking equipment. They can discover sources no matter how cleverly they’ve been covered up.’
‘They be not the only ones,’ said a voice behind them.
‘Mole!’ Bird Girl was on her feet and across the room in seconds. ‘Did you make the roof safe? Were you in touch with my sister? How is she? How is Dar—’ She stopped to correct herself. ‘How is Dove?’
‘She be happy,’ said Mole. ‘Roof nearly fixed.’
‘Is Dove OK with us running a cable into her den?’ asked Kai.
‘Did she write a note?’ Bird Girl was in a nervous fever. ‘What did she say?’
Mole squinted his eyes around the room to see who was there. Then he took a piece of paper from his pocket and gave it to Bird Girl.
‘Would you read it out to us?’ said Sarema.
Bird Girl scanned the page and then began to read aloud:
‘When will you take the camera to her?’ Bird Girl asked in anxiety.
‘Later.’ Mole put his palms together and laid his hands flat alongside his cheek and closed his eyes. ‘She sleep now.’
‘I hate to think of her alone and in the dark.’
‘She has torch and she be not alone.’ Mole tapped his top pocket, which was empty. ‘Albert be there.’
‘You left Albert with her?’ Bird Girl’s eyes filled with tears. ‘You are so kind. I appreciate how much Albert means to you.’
‘I’ve got the stuff ready for you, Mole.’ Tech pointed to the bag containing the audio-visual cables and camera.
‘It’s a pity we don’t have more time to bring down the other equipment.’ Kai thought of the boxes in the lock-up. ‘Spartacus has got the new digging tools you asked for, Mole.’
Mole looked at Kai. ‘Don’t ask for no digging tools,’ he said. ‘Too noisy. Not so safe.’
‘If you don’t use digging tools then how do you get through blocked-off routes?’ asked Bird Girl. ‘How will you eventually rescue my sister?’
‘Dig with hands.’ Mole held them up. His nails were ragged and his hands and fingers heavily calloused and ingrained with dirt. ‘Maybe Spartacus be lookin’ for his own pot o’ gold.’
‘What do you mean by that? Is Spartacus doing something else in the tunnels as well as setting up the cage fights?’ Bird Girl moved nearer to Mole to ask him this.
Mole looked at her. He extended two fingers so that their tips rested above Bird Girl’s eyebrows. ‘You see a lot,’ he said. He waved at Kai and the rest of the people in the room. ‘More than they see.’
‘I’m here for one reason,’ said Bird Girl. ‘To rescue my sister.’
Mole went very close to Bird Girl and peered into her face. He seemed satisfied with what he saw there. ‘You got shiny hair.’ Mole lifted a strand. ‘Like gold it be.’ He let it drop. ‘Golden treasure.’ He glanced at Kai. ‘There be all kinds of treasure for a body to find if only they do see it.’ He picked up the carrier bag and left.
‘If the Meet’s early today I’d better get some training in before Spartacus comes back,’ said Kai.
Bird Girl walked with him to the door. ‘I’m sorry if what I say about Spartacus upsets you, but he’s not as open as the rest of you guys,’ she stated flatly. ‘Do you really believe that his sole purpose in being here is to help young people make some money to get a new start in life?’
‘He let us know from the beginning that he was in it for himself too,’ said Kai. ‘He told us he needed to make money to live. His disability was reassessed and his benefits cut. The allowance he gets means he can barely survive, or keep warm in the winter.’
‘I know about benefit cuts and restrictions,’ said Bird Girl. ‘There’s loads of people living like that now. Having to make a choice between eating and keeping warm.’
‘His mum died and they took his two-bedroom Council flat away from him. Said they’d move him fifty miles outside London. Had to think up a way to get some cash so he could stay near his friends and support groups.’
‘Yeah, but’ – Bird Girl waved her arm around – ‘why this in particular?’
‘Before he was injured he was into boxing, was about to go professional, so he knows how to train and organize us. And with his leg the way it is, then there’s not much else he can do.’
‘There’s something out of sync though,’ said Bird Girl. ‘You guys don’t see it because you feel beholden to him for rescuing you. The Cage Fighters treat him the same way Sarema treats you, Kai. Like a god-creature.’
Kai burst out laughing. He stretched out his arms and flexed his muscles. ‘Hey! I’m a god! Superhero me!’
Bird Girl joined in his laughter and thumped her fist heavily on his arm. Kai pushed instinctively at her hand. And suddenly he was conscious of the softness of her skin, of how near she was to him and the deepening darkness of her eyes…
‘I – I,’ she stammered and they sprang apart. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Didn’t mean to punch you so hard, actually.’
‘No harm done,’ replied Kai, but his voice wasn’t quite steady. He waited, making no attempt to move further away.
Neither did she…
And then the moment was shattered by an exclamation from Sarema.
‘Look!’ she cried out. ‘The rats are running!’
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
‘Rats constantly move about underground.’ Tech swivelled his chair to get a better look. ‘We’ve seen them before.’
‘More than usual.’ Sarema indicated a monitor. A dozen rats were running along one of the tunnels.
‘Let me see!’ Bird Girl crossed the room.
‘The rats are nowhere near the old Langsdaine Station,’ Sarema reassured her.
‘Are they heading this way?’ asked Kai.
‘No.’ Tech checked Sarema’s monitor and then the other screens. ‘They’re moving in the opposite direction. Running away from us.’ He frowned. ‘I’ve never seen such a large number on the move before.’
‘It’s like that Pied Piper poem we read in school.’ Kai stared, fascinated, at the screen. ‘And out of the houses the rats came tumbling…’
‘There are a number of rivers under London,’ said Tech. ‘If there’s been much rain recently then the water levels have probably risen and flooded their nests.’
‘It’s been raining heavily off and on for days and days,’ said Bird Girl. ‘Being down here means you don’t have any idea what the weather is like on the surface.’
‘You’re right,’ said Tech. ‘I noticed Raven was drenched when she came back in yesterday with your phone. Had to give her my towel to dry her hair.’
‘Will this affect the last two cage fights?’ asked Bird Girl.
‘Shouldn’t do,’ said Kai. ‘But Spartacus will decide when he gets back in.’
‘Only one
day to go and then it’s over,’ said Tech. ‘I’ve enjoyed the filming, but I’ll be glad to get out of here.’
‘Have you made plans?’ Kai became curious. The nature of Tech’s work mostly kept him separate from the others and Kai only knew the outline of his story.
‘Yeah, I’ve made plans.’ Tech busied himself at his desk.
‘Uh, OK,’ said Kai. ‘See you guys later at the Meet.’
Sarema and Gita waved in response, as did Bird Girl, but her eyes were on the screen, which still showed the moving pack of rats.
The monitor screens were blank when Spartacus returned. He was unconcerned when Tech told him about the rats.
‘They’ll head towards the Thames,’ he said. ‘They know that’s the main food source. Nothing for us to worry about.’
Spartacus knew why the rats were running.
It wasn’t heavy rain filling the gulleys and drains to sweep away their nests.
It was because he, Spartacus, had put in place the last part of his scheme.
Fetching the boxes of explosives from the lock-up and hiding them in certain wall cavities had disturbed the creatures. Animals had an instinct for survival. Some primeval sense had warned the rats that death was in the air and they must move on.
Spartacus was aware that the unity of the group was fracturing. In order to keep the Cage Fighters settled he’d crammed the final bouts into the last few days. But the ones who’d been put out were bored. Modern youngsters were spoiled – they’d no discipline, no staying power. Their rebelliousness would have happened anyway, even without the arrival of Bird Girl. She was a major complication. But in one way, that had turned out to be useful. It meant he knew exactly where Mole was. Instead of sneaking about spying on them, the skinny freak was occupied getting that repulsive rat of his to run back and forth with messages and setting up the camera and microphone.
Spartacus allowed himself a smile. After being forced to leave the army, his life was beginning to look up again. He’d felt utterly patronized at being asked to help out for free in a grotty little gym. He was convinced that the teenagers laughed at him behind his back, mocking him and how he limped. If it hadn’t been for that accident, which – despite what his superior officer said – was not his own fault, he’d have been a championship boxer and wouldn’t have to waste his time with these no-hopers.
In the gym he met that sanctimonious do-gooder Tech, drivelling on about his drug-addict sister who’d died alone on the street, and how his dream was to make a tribute film as her memorial. The kids were a mixed bunch, and the gym ran programmes of instruction in boxing or judo or karate. Tech suggested staging a tournament – boxing combined with martial arts – to give them something to aim for. He wanted to build a closed cage with bars to indicate how young rough sleepers were trapped in real life.
Spartacus saw instantly that there was money to be made.
Lots of money.
He subscribed to the Mixed Martial Arts websites and had enough Internet savvy to recognize the idea’s potential. He offered to invest in Tech’s film as a pay-per-view project to raise money for homeless charities and give the kids a bonus too. ‘We’ll open secure accounts for the deposits,’ he told Tech. ‘In your name, of course.’ During days of smooth talking he persuaded Tech that it would work better being secret.
‘Adds an extra buzz for interest and it’s too much hassle to get a licence and comply with official Rules and Regs. We’ll make our own. To give it a lift I’ll scout the squats for a couple of more experienced fighters. Organize the whole project as a quick hit. Get them to commit to a month, maybe more. If it flops, then no harm done. If it takes off, at the end we do a big “reveal” for the media. Masses of publicity. Highlights the whole vulnerable-homeless-youth situation,’ Spartacus added. ‘Might even shame the Government into doing something concrete.’
It was the last sentence that had brought Tech round to his way of thinking. ‘If we’re doing it off the record, where could we stage it so we’re not interrupted or stopped halfway through?’ Tech had asked him.
Spartacus had already thought where to stage it. He’d kept an old lock-up from the days when he could afford a car. Had been thinking of living there since he got notice to quit his accommodation. One night he’d turned a corner in a street near the lock-up to see a head pop up from a manhole cover and then disappear. The next morning, armed with an industrial torch, he went exploring.
And found the mad lad called Mole.
Spartacus made it his business to befriend Mole, using his savings to buy him food and water and treats for his pet rat. Watching Mole go about underground taught him where the tunnels intersected and how to discover secret accesses.
In exchange for an endless supply of materials, Mole had said he’d help with the project. It meant that Spartacus was able to establish a base for the tournament and gain intimate knowledge of the network of tunnels.
It also meant that he knew exactly where to set explosive charges to seal off the exits. Tomorrow night he planned to walk free while all of them would be trapped – caged in the darkness of the underground tunnels.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
His conversation with Raven about her name must have had some effect, for, to Kai’s surprise, she chose to sit beside him at the Meet.
Spartacus gave her a stern look when she came into Tech’s den, late as always. Kai was never sure whether Raven, who didn’t wear a watch, wasn’t conscious of the time or if her arrival was by way of a statement to show that she wouldn’t be bossed around by anyone.
‘Soz.’ Raven flapped her hand at Spartacus, took one of the stacking stools and placed it alongside Kai.
‘Well, now that everyone is here…’ Spartacus rustled some sheets of paper.
Kai tried to concentrate as Spartacus droned on, but it was mainly the usual info relating to food and toilets and conduct and noise levels. Some updates on the state of the tunnels. More warnings and rules and then Spartacus handed each of the Fighters a single sheet of paper.
‘This is the final schedule and wind-down arrangements. Study it, and if there’s something you don’t under-stand or anything is bothering you, please let me know.’ He looked at the twins. ‘As Kai brought you here then he will take you topside but I suppose you had better have a copy too, so that you know what’s happening.’ He paused. He knew that the Cage Fighters liked the girls. The twins kept out of people’s way and were helpful. It would be best to acknowledge this. Another aid to keeping everyone on-side as the stress increased over the next forty-eight hours. Spartacus cleared his throat. ‘I will give Sarema and Gita one hundred pounds each. This will come from my share. But’ – he spoke directly to Sarema – ‘instead of trying to live on your own again, you should go to a women’s refuge. Bear in mind that you might have died had we not rescued you. So please do not betray us by giving any information whatsoever about the Cage Fighters or the tunnels to the authorities.’
Sarema stood up to take the sheet of paper from Spartacus. She made a small bow to him. ‘My twin and I say thank you. We will not betray you.’ She bowed to the whole group. ‘Again we say, thank you.’ There was a scattering of applause as she sat down.
Spartacus looked at Bird Girl and then at the door. ‘I’d asked Mole to report back at this time to tell me what’s happening at Langsdaine.’
Bird Girl looked apprehensive. She didn’t want to tell Spartacus that Mole hadn’t waited for him but had instead given them his update. ‘I—’ she began.
‘Mole came by while you were out,’ said Kai. ‘Was in a hurry though.’
‘Yeah,’ Tech backed him up. ‘Said he’d almost sorted the roof and that Dove was sleeping so he’d try to set the camera up tomorrow morning.’
There was a silence. Kai held his breath, anticipating an angry reaction from Spartacus.
‘Does he intend to stay there until that work is finished?’ Spartacus asked.
Tech nodded.
; ‘Until tomorrow?’
‘He reassured me that he’d not leave Dove on her own.’
‘Very good.’ Far from annoying Spartacus their answers seemed to please him. ‘I knew he was the lad for the job.’ He smiled at Bird Girl. ‘After Leo and Kai fight tomorrow we’ll see if we can get a visual on your sister. Now Raven and Boudicca should get into costume for their epic battle.’ He grinned at the girls. ‘I’m really looking forward to this – our first finalists of the tournament!’
Kai was not looking forward to Raven fighting Boudicca. Spartacus had said he would speak to both fighters about the boundaries before each match, but in Magog and Beowulf’s fight no clear lines had been drawn. Kai decided he wouldn’t go to the Arena and watch them in action. Instead he went to his den, lay down on his bed and put in his ear buds.
Boudicca had the same build as Leo and was the same brand of fighter, using height and weight and deviousness to outfox a more resourceful opponent. Raven was wiry and tough, but there was no guarantee that she would overpower Boudicca. They were each on form and up for it, but Kai worried that Boudicca might have the crucial edge. He couldn’t bear to see Raven being defeated.
He closed his eyes and blanked his mind as to what was happening in the Cage.
When he awoke Kai went to Tech’s den to find out the result. As he entered Tech was shovelling things haphazardly about his desk.
‘You OK?’ Kai asked.
Tech shook his head.
‘A nasty fight in the Cage,’ Magog said from his seat at the monitor. ‘Worse than mine. That was not a nice end to the girls’ competition.’
‘What’s up?’ Kai asked, then his heart hiccupped and he said, ‘Did Raven lose out to Boudicca in the Cage?’
‘No,’ Tech answered abruptly. ‘Raven won the contest. If you can call that winning.’
‘What do you mean? Is Boudicca OK?’
‘Boudicca is fine. She was outclassed and played some rotten tricks – especially at the end.’
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