by Gavin Zanker
‘You would,’ Aiden said, shaking his head. ‘I prefer to keep my eardrums intact.’
‘What are outlanders?’ she asked.
‘She meant the people who live south of the city, out in the sinking dust.’ He whistled Hitch to heel. ‘Stay close now, boy. You know the drill.’
They continued on their way, soon coming upon throngs of people milling around outside the walls of the city, most shading themselves under shelter constructed from tarpaulins and assorted scrap. The number of people denied entry to the city who had nowhere else to go grew larger every day. Beside the makeshift shelters, a massive domed tent had been erected with smaller stalls dotted around it, all bustling with activity.
‘Wow, look at him!’ Leigh said, pointing ahead.
Following her gaze, Aiden saw a lanky figure stride into view, towering above the lounging crowds. The man wore a top hat and white face paint as he moved around on stilts, bending now and then to interact with people in the crowds.
Leigh was transfixed by him and as they drew closer, the man caught her staring. ‘Hello, young 'un,’ he said, bending down low and speaking to her in a warm tone. ‘Welcome to Commodore Woodrow’s Exciting Theatricality!’
Aiden took a step closer to Leigh’s side, his hand resting near his pistol as Hitch sniffed around the man’s shoes, his tail wagging.
‘Hi,’ Leigh said, turning her smiling face upwards. ‘I’m Leigh.’
‘Well I’m Woodrow, but you can call me Woody,’ the clown said, extending his hand down and shaking Leigh’s.
Aiden caught sight of the scythe inked on the back of the man’s hand. ‘Nice tattoo,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realise Syndicate gangs were running the circus.’
‘A past life,’ Woody said, a smile fixed on his face as he pulled his sleeve down to cover his hand. ‘I have little dealings with the Syndicate these days, though no doubt they are keeping a greedy eye pointed towards my circus.’
‘Why are you standing on sticks?’ Leigh asked.
‘Well aren’t you a clever little fox. Keep your voice down though,’ Woody said as he leaned in close and lowered his voice, ‘most people think I’m just really really tall.’
Woody rose up and adjusted his top hat as he turned to Aiden. ‘Why don’t you both come have a look around? There’s plenty of good clean fun to be had here. Games of skill, games of chance. We even have our very own Oracle that can tell the future. And if you stick around, you can catch the main event in the big tent.’
Leigh’s eyes danced as she looked around at the attractions. ‘Can we?’ she asked, turning to Aiden.
Aiden shook his head. ‘Maybe on our way back. We have errands to run in the city first.’
‘Of course, of course,’ Woody said. ‘It’s always the way. Say, what’s this?’
Aiden tensed as the clown reached around behind Leigh’s ear. She laughed as a small coin appeared in the man’s fingers. He showed it to her in his palm, then juggled the coin back and forth in his hands until it disappeared. He stopped and frowned, scratching his head as he looked on the floor around his feet. Then he reached around behind her ear a second time and the coin appeared in his hand again. Leigh laughed with delight at the trick.
‘Come check us out when you get a chance, little fox,’ he said, raising himself back up to his full height. ‘I think you’ll both enjoy yourselves here.’ He nodded to Aiden, then headed off into the crowd.
‘Wow, did you see that?’ Leigh said, rubbing behind her ear. ‘How did he make it disappear like that?’
‘It’s just a magic trick,’ Aiden said. ‘He is fast though.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The coin never left his hand, he just distracted you so you didn’t notice what he was doing. It’s called misdirection.’ Leigh looked puzzled as she tried to understand. ‘Come on, there’ll be time later,’ Aiden continued, leading them away from the circus.
As they came to the makeshift wall constructed from scrap and rubble, Aiden checked Hitch was at his heel. ‘See these walls?’ he said, turning to Leigh. ‘That’s the redoubt. It surrounds the only entrance into the city below. The gate is guarded by the city police, so try not to draw any attention to us. Just keep quiet and let me do the talking, okay?’
Leigh nodded, and as they approached the chain-link gate, a thin-lipped officer holding an old bolt-action rifle stepped to block their path. ‘Step over here,’ he ordered, motioning for them to follow.
Aiden followed him to an empty table set up just outside the gate. He knew where this was leading even before seeing the second bored-looking officer waiting by the table with a clipboard in hand.
‘Name?’ the officer with the clipboard asked in a monotone.
‘Duke. Duke Carter,’ Aiden lied smoothly.
‘Purpose for visiting the city?’
‘Just taking in the sights with my daughter.’
The officer scribbled something on his clipboard without looking up.
Aiden turned to the guard holding the rifle who was leering at Leigh. ‘Officer, maybe you could aim that weapon at me? I don’t think a little girl is much threat to you.’ The man scowled at Aiden, training the gun on him instead.
‘Empty your pockets out on the table,’ the bored officer said. ‘We have to make sure you aren’t carrying anything dangerous.’
Aiden reached in to his jacket and grabbed a handful of loose tokens. ‘Let me introduce myself properly,’ he said with a smile. ‘My name is Duke. This here is my daughter, Lily.’ Aiden thrust his hand into the surprised officer’s. ‘We’re just here to see some of the city.’
The officer's face quickly registered the bribe as he felt the coins drop into his palm. ‘Well, Carter was it?’ he said, his tone changing immediately. ‘I don’t see any problems here. You and your daughter are free to enter the city and go about your business. Just mind your dog there, we’ve had trouble with starved animal attacks lately.’
‘Much obliged,’ Aiden said, turning and flashing a grin at the scowling officer with the rifle.
Aiden motioned for Leigh to follow and they headed into the redoubt. A row of metal cages lined the inside of the wall. A handful were occupied by people, leaning against the bars with defeated looks in their eyes. Unable to pay their way in, the police usually had no interest in helping them and left them in cages as a warning to others until they started to smell too badly. Aiden moved to block Leigh’s view of the cages, not wanting her to get too curious. ‘Come on,’ he said, ‘we’ve got a lot of stops to make.’
She nodded at him and followed, skipping to keep up with his long strides as she gazed around at the unfamiliar sights. The Grand Arena was built here on the surface, its imposing concrete walls reminding Aiden of his brief time spent there as a fighter. Groups of people were already coming up from the city below and making their way into the towering structure to watch the afternoon’s fight.
A loud mechanical rumbling started nearby making Leigh gasp. ‘What’s that?’ she asked, eyes wide.
Aiden glanced at the source of the noise. Beside the Arena were a row of old lorries with people in jumpsuits milling around the flipped-open hoods and exposed engines. ‘Looks like they rebuilt some old lorries. Probably for trade. Hauling coal and iron from the north.’
‘What’s a lorry do?’ Leigh asked, frowning as she gazed at the machines.
‘I forget how little you’ve seen of the old world sometimes,’ Aiden said. ‘You must’ve seen cars, right? Same thing really, just bigger. They have huge engines that run by burning fuel and they pull trailers behind them that can carry heavy things.’ Aiden stopped when he noticed that only Hitch was at his side. He turned back and saw Leigh staring down in to the canyon, mouth agape at the twisting walkways and cable lifts.
‘Leigh,’ he said walking back to her. ‘I know this is all new to you, but this is a dangerous place. I can’t afford to keep an eye on you the entire time we’re here. You need to pay attention.’
‘Sorry,�
� she mumbled as she backed away from the canyon edge. ‘It’s just so high.’
‘Watch yourself as we enter the city, there’ll be pickpockets and beggars everywhere. So don’t let them engage you, just keep walking and stick close to me. You’re listening to me right? If you want to stick around, I need to know you’re taking this in. I don’t want a repeat of what happened back on the road.’
‘I’m listening, don’t worry.’
‘Just…’ he said, trailing off.
‘Just what?’ she asked with a broad grin camping on her face.
‘Just… don’t, all right?’ he said, looking down at her and shaking his head. ‘Just don’t.’
‘No problem,’ she said as the three of them crossed the corroded railway tracks and headed down the worn stone steps to enter the city proper.
AIDEN WAITED IN the lobby of the radio station, resting on one of the seats that lined the wall, with Leigh on one side and Hitch sleeping on the other. Grace Ludgate stepped through the rear doors into the otherwise empty lobby, her dark hair slightly dishevelled and a messenger bag slung over her shoulder as usual.
‘Grace,’ Aiden said, greeting the radio host as he stood, ‘how have you been?’
‘Oh you know, can’t complain,’ Grace said, readjusting her dark-rimmed glasses and moving forward to give Aiden a quick hug. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
‘Looks like you have your hands full today,’ Aiden said, nodding towards the scratched window of the recording booth where a well-dressed man in black and a diminutive blonde woman were arguing on air.
‘Ah yes,’ she said, her tone sarcastic, ‘Rim News Radio is proud to host a lively debate between the esteemed figures of the Syndicate spokesman, Julian Caldwell, and the Mayor’s wife, Catherine Reinhold.’ Grace sighed and rubbed her eye, knocking her glasses askew. ‘Unfortunately, they’re too busy sniping at each other in there to make any actual progress.’
‘The Mayor and the Syndicate at odds with each other,’ Aiden said. ‘Who would’ve guessed?’
‘Yeah, not much changes down here in the city I’m afraid. The Mayor accused the Syndicate of being responsible for the recent generator attacks, and so Julian is here denying any involvement. Obviously, Catherine has something to say about that. Add in the two sides brawling out in the streets, and you’ve got a political powder keg just waiting to go off.’ She looked back to Aiden and flashed a tired smile. ‘You want to listen in?’
‘No thanks, it’d take something more than a squabble to get me interested in politics.’
Aiden watched the two figures soundlessly arguing in the booth with their hands waving animatedly. Julian glanced out through the glass, his piercing gaze lingering on Aiden for a second before turning his focus back to Catherine.
‘So why aren’t you in the booth yourself?’ Aiden asked. ‘Seems like a big deal.’
‘Robin can handle it,’ Grace said, waving a hand towards the third occupant in the booth. ‘He’s learned a lot as my assistant in the last year. Besides, I didn’t get enough sleep to listen to bickering like that. Who’s this then?’ she asked, looking at Leigh and smiling. ‘Long lost daughter you never mentioned? And I see Hitch is still around, busy keeping you out of trouble I bet.’
‘Hi,’ Leigh said, swinging her legs as she sat in the chair. ‘My name’s Leigh. I like your radio station, I’ve heard it lots before.’
‘Thanks,’ Grace said, ‘our broadcast reaches a long way these days.’ She walked over and took a seat beside the sleeping Hitch and pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘I always thought you hated kids, never thought I’d see you with one.’
‘You look tired,’ Aiden said, studying the new lines in her face.
‘Always. This city is going to hell and trying to wake people up to the truth every day is exhausting. But then if we don’t do it-’
‘No one else will?’
‘Sorry, I know you’ve heard all this before.’ Grace brushed her dark hair back over her ears and smiled weakly. ‘So why are you back in the city so soon? Here to visit Commodore Woodrow’s Exciting Theatricality?’ she said, putting on an exaggerated voice. ‘My contacts tell me that place is drawing quite a lot of attention lately.’
‘I saw it on my way in,’ Aiden said. ‘Surprisingly though, I’m not here to catch a circus. I have something for you.’ He leaned over and reached into his pack. ‘Remember last time I was here and you said if I ever found any music on my travels I should pay you a visit?’
‘You didn’t!’ Grace said, her eyes lighting up.
Aiden pulled out the stack of CDs from his pack. Grace grabbed them from him, beaming as she flicked through the silver discs. ‘We don’t have any of these. Where in the Dawn did you find them?’
‘They’re useful to you then?’
‘Absolutely, we can rip these to digital files easily enough. I’m sick of playing the same old songs five times a day. If I hear about the stranger with the big iron on his hip one more time I’m going to throw myself into the canyon.’ She turned her attention back to Aiden. ‘Thanks, this is great. Really. People are going to love this. Stay here and I’ll get you something for them.’
She placed her hand on his arm as she rose from the seat, then disappeared back through the rear doors. Aiden tried to ignore the lingering scent of her perfume as she moved away.
Leigh jumped into the seat next to him, kicking her feet. ‘She likes you,’ she said with a huge grin.
‘Don’t be daft,’ Aiden said.
‘Pft, you should pay more attention. Even I can see she likes you.’
The rear doors swung open, interrupting their conversation. It wasn’t Grace who stepped through though, but rather a grey haired man in a faded pinstripe suit. He looked preoccupied as he wiped his face with a handkerchief.
‘Hello,’ Leigh called out, waving across the lobby.
The man looked up, surprised at the greeting. ‘Hello there,’ he said in a slightly nasal voice.
‘Are you Robin?’ Leigh asked.
The man shook his head. ‘No, that’s Robin,’ he said, pointing into the booth. ‘I’m Malcolm.’
‘Do you work here?’
‘I’m afraid not. I work for Mr Caldwell.’
‘Who’s Mr Caldwell?’
Malcolm looked to Aiden. ‘Inquisitive child, isn’t she?’
‘Don’t I know it,’ Aiden said. ‘Sorry if she’s disturbing you.’
‘She’s no bother,’ Malcolm said with a smile. ‘She reminds me of my own daughter, all youth and energy. I suppose they need it since they’re the future. It’s just a never ending stream of questions, isn’t it? So what’s your name then, miss?’
Leigh jumped down from her chair and walked up to Malcolm, extending her hand. ‘I’m Leigh, nice to meet you.’
Malcolm shook her hand. ‘Likewise.’
‘Your boss doesn’t seem to be getting on well with that Catherine,’ Aiden said, nodding towards the booth where Julian was now standing and pointing aggressively.
A pained expression crossed Malcolm’s face. ‘If you’ll excuse me,’ he said, turning on his heel and disappearing back through the doors. A moment later he appeared in the booth, whispering something into Julian’s ear causing the Syndicate spokesman to sit back down.
‘Can’t say I envy his job,’ Aiden said, turning back to Leigh. ‘So you doing all right here? You’re not horribly bored?’
‘I’m good. I like this place, it’s nothing like what I imagined when I heard the radio. So many buttons and levers everywhere.’
‘Well you better not press any,’ Grace said, appearing in the doorway. ‘You might bring the entire station offline and then what would people listen to?’
Grace stepped forward and handed Aiden a stack of carefully folded notes. ‘This is as much as we can afford. I hope it’s enough.’
‘This is fine,’ Aiden said, pocketing the money. It was lighter than he had hoped but he didn’t mind doing Grace a favour.
‘You
heading over to Oldtown for supplies?’ she asked.
Aiden nodded. ‘That’s the plan.’
‘Well be careful, with the Syndicate and the police at each others’ throats over this generator business, people are taking advantage of the chaos. There’s basically a crime wave rippling through the city right now. It’s getting so bad, I hear some people are even running away to join the Ravagers, if you can believe that.’
Aiden raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re kidding, surely?’
‘What are Ravagers?’ Leigh asked. ‘Everyone always seems so scared of them.’
‘Ravagers are… very nasty people,’ Grace said.
‘They’re cannibal raiders that destroy everything they can get their hands on,’ Aiden said. ‘They have no morals and no mercy. Hope you never meet one.’
‘I suppose when you suffer through the worst the world has to offer,’ Grace said, ‘the every day grind can seem like a delusional waste of time. Eventually you get to the point where you feel more at home when you’re living on the edge like a savage, getting shot at and fighting for your life.’
Aiden eyed Grace’s faraway expression with a frown. ‘I think you need some rest,’ he said.
‘Don’t worry,’ she said with a tired smile, ‘I’m all right, just drained is all. So anyway, if you need any mechanical or electronic work done while you’re in the city, head over to Orlen’s in Oldtown. He handles most of our repairs here at the station. He’s an old friend of mine, so tell him I sent you and he’ll fix you up with a discount.’
‘I will. Thanks.’
‘Well, until next time then,’ she said, moving in for another quick hug. As she pulled away, her gaze lingered on his face for a second before she shyly turned away. She waved goodbye to Leigh, then slipped back in to the booth where the interview was still in full swing.
Leigh moved alongside Aiden. ‘See? I told you so.’
Aiden glanced down at her. ‘Wipe that grin off your face and wake Hitch up for me,’ he said. ‘I hope you’re not afraid of heights. We need to cross back over the walkways to the north side of the city to get to Oldtown.’
