by Paris Singer
“Oh, that,” he replied, waving a hand in front of him. “I simply evaded him, Number 7. Such questions.” He turned sharply to the side, directing his attention on the rest of the passengers, clearly wishing to end his conversation with me. “Now, students. If you will please be seated. The craft has taken off and it would be best for your own safety if you sat down.”
As the vessel began to take off, the ominous roar of the approaching crimson monster vibrated all around to the continued screams of students. I rushed to the window and saw the enormous frame of the enraged Brattean emerging through the last of the trees it’d felled in its wake. Its trunk and limbs were now so tight and bulky parts of the wood of which it was made cracked and snapped off.
The vessel continued to ascend, and as it built up speed, thundering footsteps were heard outside in the clearing as the Brattean sprinted toward us.
In that moment, my breath caught in my throat—the beast was almost upon us. Just as it was far enough to stretch out its enormous hand, the Brattean’s right knee cracked and buckled under the great pressure that was placed on it. Dozens of splinters burst out in all directions, and it fell. Its tiny face filled with anger, the large beast was still determined to catch us. It stretched its hand toward us as far as it could.
Just as it was about to succeed, the vessel built up enough power to send us hurtling into the distance and away from certain destruction. As we sped away out of danger, a sigh of relief escaped my lips.
While on my way to find my seat, Iris, who already sat in hers, said with a grin, “Exciting enough for you?”
Reaching the relative safety of open space, the other students seemed to relax and chatted and laughed among themselves at what had just occurred.
Looking out the window into the bejewelled darkness, I replayed the events that had taken place. Why hadn’t they all reacted immediately when the Brattean had started to act oddly? Why had they only done so when it’d grown taller than us and was already dangerous? I wondered whether they’d been sedated by the creature somehow. If that was the case, though, why hadn’t I? As I puzzled over what had happened, the vessel reached the Sky Drifter, touching safely down in its hangar.
While the ramp whirred as it lowered and the door opened, we all stood to the sounds of Mr. Sylva’s instructions. Iris skipped over to me with a mischievous look in her eye.
“Still think that was a boring trip?” she teased, holding her hands behind her back and standing on tip-toes.
“Hmm,” I replied, still lost in my thoughts.
“Oh, come on, don’t be a grumpy pants. I was only joking.” She smiled sweetly.
“Hmm? Oh, no, sorry. I was just thinking.”
“And what were you thinking about, Mr. Grumpy Pants?”
“Well—”
“Listen, students,” began Mr. Sylva in his gruff monotone. “You shall leave the vessel in a single file, in an orderly manner. Number 57.” He faced an Orantes girl, whose long, brown, thin frame towered above most others. Her hands, shaped like the scythes of my native planet, never stopped moving. “Being first in line, you shall stand by the door and await my signal, after which you may begin your descent with the rest of the students behind you.”
With that, the teacher turned his mobile unit to face the door and promptly left the vessel. Once he reached the bottom, he slowly waved at 57, and everyone filed out down the ramp as Mr. Sylva ticked them off his list.
“Come on, I’m dying to have ice-cream,” began Iris excitedly. “Knowing Pi, he’ll already be there!”
Interlocking my arm with hers, Iris and I walked down the ramp together and onto the hangar. As we reached the bottom, I unhooked myself from her, and said, “Hang on, Iris, just one second. I have to ask Mr. Sylva something.” Before she could ask what it was, I turned to face the teacher. “Excuse me, sir.”
“Yes, what is it, Number 7?” he spoke, turning his right eye toward me as his left stayed focused on the students walking down the ramp while he ticked them off his list.
“Well, sir,” I began, “it’s just that something has been bothering me ever since we left Brattea.”
“Yes, go on,” he said with an unusual sharp tone of impatience.
“Well, I was just wondering whether you could tell me how you managed to get from the clearing where the Bratteans live to the vessel before we did.”
“Do you doubt your teacher, Number 7? Do you think he may have consorted with an enemy?”
“No, sir. I just meant—”
“In that case, Student Number 7, trust that your old teach has his ways of dealing with such matters in a manner exceeding your current knowledge and experience.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir,” I replied flatly, feeling slightly embarrassed and frustrated by his answer.
“Not to worry,” he concluded. “Now off with you. I shall see you tomorrow in class.”
With that, I excused myself and then walked away with Iris at my side.
“What was that about?” she asked as we headed toward the lifts.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “Something about what happened in Brattea feels…weird. The way you all behaved when the Brattean started to turn and was violent doesn’t make sense.”
“The way we behaved?” asked Iris.
“You all just stood there while it pulled off that other one’s head and started to grow and destroy everything. It just doesn’t fit. And when I tried to pull you away from obvious danger, you looked at me like I was crazy.”
Staring at me with a puzzled expression, Iris said, “Seven, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. All I remember was seeing the Brattean suddenly change into that monster thing and running.”
As we reached the lifts, I pressed the blue pad in silence. What Iris said didn’t make any sense. If she was right, it’d mean that I’d experienced the same event as everyone else, but saw different things. How could that be?
“Look,” began Iris, smiling again, “what’s done is done. We made it back here safely and nobody was hurt. So, why don’t we just forget it and move on? I’m starving, and I just know you are, too!”
Deciding to keep my unresolved doubts to myself, I turned to Iris, smiled, and said, “Well, I am a little hungry after all that running.”
“I knew it!” she exclaimed and then spent the ride up speaking about all the things she’d eat once we reached Shabli’s.
We reached the ‘shake shop, and it was busy as usual. Just as Iris had predicted, from amid the crowd, Pi’s thick, hairy arm rose like an island in a vast sea, directing us to where he sat. As we weaved and ducked our way through the masses, Pi’s sizeable frame came into view. He chewed on something with a look of sleepy contentment. That evening he’d chosen a light blue, short-sleeved shirt with pineapples and palm trees.
“Welcome, bros,” he said sleepily as we squeezed into our seats.
“You’re looking especially tropical today” said Iris, choosing what she’d have from the menu.
“Today,” replied Pi, “is a good day. I had an awesome cooking class, my love of sundaes continues unabated and I just don’t feel like sweating the small stuff.”
I looked at the table and noticed three empty sundae bowls and a spoon inside one of them, fresh from the slaughter that must have only just occurred.
“Good for you,” I said with a slight grin.
Yawning and looking around him, Pi asked, “So, how was the trip? As exciting as you thought it’d be?”
I recounted the bizarre events that had occurred earlier, and the unshakable feeling I had that something about it all didn’t feel right.
“Bummer,” replied Pi. “Sounds pretty heavy, bro. These things just happen, though, I guess. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t you think it’s all just a little bit weird? The teacher never once mentioned anything like that ever happening before, or that it was even possible. And then there’s the complete lack of reaction from everyone until they all suddenly panicked a
t the exact same time! Iris says she doesn’t know what I’m talking about,” I continued, glancing at her as she played on her Exodus, occasionally taking a bite of the alder brownie she’d ordered. “I don’t know—”
“Dude, seriously,” interrupted Pi, casually placing his clawed hands behind his head, “you’re totally over-thinking it. It was probably some random virus or something.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I replied pensively.
“Oh, right,” began Pi, furrowing his brow a little as he looked at me. “You’re not going to like this.”
“What is it?” I asked, squinting in worried suspicion.
“Apparently, No Face has been spreading rumors about you.”
“What? What’s he been saying?” I exclaimed, suddenly sitting straighter, as I searched my mind for anything I might have done.
“Just that you cheat at Sphere. That your ball is lighter than regulation weight, which makes it faster or something.”
I stared blankly at Pi as I absorbed what he’d just told me, then stated, “That doesn’t even make sense.” I slightly raised my eyebrows.
“I know, but it’s starting to spread. You know how these things are.”
“It’s stupid. It literally makes no sense.”
“Tell me about it,” Pi agreed as he chose something from the menu on the table display. “He’s probably just pouting because he was banned until next week.”
“That was his own fault, though. He’s lucky Iris isn’t going to maim him for it.”
“Yup. Either way, No Face has it in for you, bro.”
“Always has done,” I replied resentfully.
“True,” stated Pi as he began eating another sundae with relish.
Pi and I continued chatting for a while as I devoured a couple of hot dogs. From the corner of my eye I saw one of One’s goons peering down at me from amid the bustling crowd before plunging back into its depths. I expected One to make another unwanted appearance shortly after, but he didn’t, so I took out my Exodus and joined Iris in her game while Pi and I continued to chat. As the light from the dome faded and was replaced by the endless speckled canvas of space, Iris, Pi and I decided to return to our respective quarters. We had to be up early for classes the following day. Walking down the winding path back to our halls, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. From the darkness of the field to my left, I thought I saw a shadow swiftly glide alongside us.
“Did you see that?” I asked abruptly. I turned my head to where I thought I’d seen the snaking shape.
“Huh?” offered Pi distractedly, lost in his mind.
“Where?” asked Iris.
Scanning the darkness beyond and seeing nothing, I shrugged it off, “Oh, nothing. Never mind.”
“Are you okay?” asked Iris, a look of worry sweeping across her shimmering face.
“Yeah, of course,” I replied, forcing a casual smile. “Just tired I guess.”
We reached my halls without noticing anything else moving in the inky blackness of the field.
“All right, see ya,” mumbled Pi casually. He continued on his way without stopping.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” I replied.
Iris stepped toward me, and speaking in a soft, sweet voice, said, “Try not to worry too much about today, okay? It was probably something to do with a weird virus like Pi said.”
Raising my eyebrows, I remarked, “So, you do listen when you play on the Exodus?”
At my words, Iris dropped her gaze slightly and grinned. “Of course I do. Now,” she continued, raising her eyes again to look into mine, “try to get some sleep. Pi and I will get here at the usual time, so you’d better be awake.” Her tone suddenly changed to that of a hunter eyeing its prey, and concluded, “Or I will kill you.”
“Okay.” I grimaced, gulping.
“See you tomorrow, Seven,” she said, her expression becoming sweet again. With that, Iris turned on her heels and skipped away.
Once she’d disappeared from view, I turned to face the door, and just as I was about to place my hand over the pad to open it, I heard a faint shuffle from somewhere behind me, swiftly followed by a loud crack around my ears. As the immense pain filled my head, the sight of the door ahead became dimmer and dimmer until all was dark.
CHAPTER NINE
I AWOKE TO VIRTUAL darkness with only the stars above and three circular light disks placed around me for illumination. I could just make out the outlines of trees and the lights from the halls in the distance, so I guessed I was in the open fields toward the back of the upper deck of the ship.
“Looks like he’s finally awake,” came a deep, gruff voice somewhere above me.
“Stand him up and hold him,” replied a cold voice I recognized as One’s.
An instant later, a pair of strong hands, much bigger than my own, forcibly grabbed hold of my collar and pulled me violently up. Just as I got to my feet, another pair of thick arms appeared from the darkness behind me and abruptly wrapped themselves around my chest, rendering me immobile. As soon as it was evident I wasn’t going anywhere, One stepped into the light ahead of me.
“Hello, Simian,” he said in a malicious tone, tilting his head slightly. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be out at this hour by yourself?”
“Shut up, Imago, and tell your goons to let me go.”
“Watch your mouth,” he spat venomously. “Your hairy friend isn’t here to help you now.”
“I keep telling you not to underestimate Iris, either,” I replied, causing One to burst out in laughter, which prompted the two Morex to follow suit.
“Do you mean your colorful princess girlfriend?” he guffawed. In one swift move, One stepped forward and placed his masked face directly in front of mine. “She can come at me any time she wants,” he said suggestively, closing his malicious eye to a slit beyond the hole in his mask.
“You shut up about her,” I shouted, struggling in vain to free myself.
“What’s this?” he mocked. “Suddenly think yourself brave, do you? Perhaps the situation you find yourself in has escaped you?” Taking a step back, One stated, “Let me clarify it for you.” He thrust his fist forward, twice ramming it into my gut. Stepping forward again, he grabbed hold of my hair and yanked my head up. “Do you now understand, Simian?”
From behind me came the deep voice of one of his goons. “I hear something.”
As if he hadn’t heard him, One continued to silently stare at me, a look of gleeful malice in his eye.
“Someone’s coming,” persisted the Morex in an urgent whisper.
“Are they close?” asked One without shifting his gaze.
“Getting there,” replied his goon.
One remained motionless for a moment, as if deliberating whether approaching voices were reason enough to stop his fun, then said, “It would appear luck is on your side, Simian. Feel free to tell your hairy friend what happened here, but know accidents can happen at any time. It’d be such a shame if something were to happen to your little girlfriend, don’t you think?”
He let go of my hair and punched my stomach once more, for good measure. After the Morex let go of me, I fell to the ground in a pile, holding my gut, as I heard them rushing away into the shadows. Just then, their footsteps were replaced by those of two laughing students as they neared me. I slowly propped myself up as they approached and fell silent. I looked over to where I thought they stood and saw their silent silhouettes gazing at me.
“What are you looking at?” I shouted in frustration, feeling on display.
Their lanky, wavy frames slowly retreated until all I heard was the sound of fading footsteps, and then only silence.
I picked myself up and slowly walked back to my quarters. I returned to the sounds of Ava playing a game on the display screen.
“Welcome back, Seven,” she greeted. “I have acquired a new game. Would you like to play?”
“Not now, Ava,” I snapped, heading into the kitchen.
“Is everyth
ing okay, Seven?” she asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I replied, looking inside the chill cube for nothing in particular.
“Tell me what has happened, Seven.”
“I said I don’t want to talk about it!” I snapped and slammed the chill cube door closed. I walked back into the main room, turned the Hi-Fi on to some guitar blues and threw myself down onto my bed, turning to face the wall.
A moment later, I heard a mechanical whirring move from behind me into the kitchen where it remained only briefly. Soon after, the sound moved back into the room, growing louder the closer it got, and stopped just behind me.
“I made it myself, Seven,” came Ava’s voice.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I turned to see a dusty, yellowed service bot Ava was supposed to use, but never had, standing beside my bed. It held a tall glass, which contained a thick, light pink liquid.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It is a shake made from the pulp of dago fruit, Seven.” Ava replied as I sniffed it.
“When did you get the dago—”
“Drink it, Seven,” she insisted.
I grabbed the glass from the service bot and then brought it to my lips. The sweet drink was smooth and just tart enough for my liking.
Relieved of what it’d been carrying, the bot lifted its arms and waved them around to the merry dance music that suddenly started playing. I sat on the edge of my bed and smiled. “Thanks, Ava.”
“You are welcome, Seven.”
After taking another sip from the glass, I asked, “So, what’s the new game about?”
Ava and I played for a while, then I went to bed. However much she’d helped me forget, the deafening stillness of the night now magnified my encounter with One tenfold until it filled my mind.
***
BANG. BANG. “Seven! Get—”
I opened the door just as Iris swung her fist at the door to knock again. As it collided with my mouth, she turned with a look of confusion on her face.
“Hi,” I said, checking for a bleeding lip.
Her eyes widened, not so much at the thought that she’d hit me, but at the fact I was awake on time.
