by KM Fortune
"So?" Blaze asked. "You got an explanation for us?"
Simon turned and waved his arm at the broad landscape behind him. Matthew and the others looked at where he indicated. For the first time, Matthew noticed a significant amount of metal debris peppering the terrain near the road. Are those rusted hulks of vehicles? he wondered. “I don’t see it. So there was a car accident way back when? Who cares?” Blaze asked.
Simon shook his head, clearly frustrated. "I implore you to broaden your interpretation of said landscape," he said. "Quite clearly, due to the variance of molecular erosion on our menagerie of structural artifacts, these vehicles did not all become disabled at the same time. It is my hypothesis thus, a form of defense has been enacted at what I reason is the outlying perimeter of the facility we have been seeking." Simon paused to take a breath, and in the break, Blaze stepped up and jabbed the man in the chest with his finger.
"Speak English," he snarled. "Are you saying we found it?" Simon nodded, and Matthew was glad to see he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
“So what are we stopped for?” Hector asked.
“Because it’s unsafe,” Kaleb interjected.
Blaze turned to the doctor. “How so?” he asked. Kaleb pointed at Simon.
“Ask him,” he replied. Blaze, Hector, and the twins all groaned. It was all Matthew could do not to smile. Although he agreed the stranger was long winded, he was interesting for certain. Blaze looked back at Simon.
“You got one word. Explain,” he said. Simon paused for a moment and then lifted his chin with a smile of satisfaction.
“Minefield,” was all he said.
THE NOISE IN THE HALLWAY outside his quarters was what alerted him to something different in the colony. Samuel got up from his desk where he was writing down the things he was grateful for and went to the door. Opening it, he was surprised to see some of his brothers running up and down the corridor. Stepping out, he put up a hand to stop one of them. "What is happening?" Samuel asked. The man was out of breath, and it took him a moment to gather himself enough to answer.
“The Creator,” the man said. Immediately Samuel had a horrifying thought. Something has happened to him.
“What are you talking about?” Samuel asked. The man swallowed as he realized who he was speaking to within the colony. He bowed and then continued.
“The Creator has come to walk among us,” he said. Walk among us? Samuel thought and did not like the sound of it. There was no precedence for such an activity. In all the years, Samuel lived in the colony, from the day he was made, The Creator had never gone beyond the Gathering Chamber. Only one thing would motivate him to do something so dramatic, Samuel thought. A sliver of fear crept into his heart. It has to be because of the child. Since the girl was being so rebellious now that the man who came from the outside world with her was gone, it appeared The Creator was taking things into his own hands. But is he doing so out of anger? What is the motivation? A small voice in Samuel’s mind whispered it was not because The Creator was angry, but instead because He was missing Hannah.
“Where is he now?” Samuel barked at the man. He watched with a certain amount of pleasure as his lowly brother started to tremble under Samuel’s stern tone. The man licked his lips and averted his eyes.
“He has only just now left the Gathering Chamber. He is surrounded by a group of brethren to ensure his safety, but he has insisted he drive himself in his magical wheelchair,” the brother said. “Rumor is, he is on his way to see the human child.” Samuel shook his head. Even though he had guessed it was the reason, it was still shocking to hear it. Suddenly the brother raised his eyes. “What do you make of this?” the man asked quietly. “Who is this child?”
How do I answer this question? Samuel wondered. If he tried to explain the child was only a wanderling who deserved nothing, who should not even be allowed to live, he would be going against what was important in the eyes of The Creator. If rumor went around he was speaking against Hannah, Samuel knew it would not go well for him. Samuel bowed his head. "She is nothing but another soul needing to be saved," he said. "To be expunged of her sins by The Creator."
The brother nodded. Samuel was grateful the man believed.
WHEN THE STRANGER CAME back into the room, Raven was waiting. He had been gone for hours, but not bothered to tie her up. All he had done was tell her to not bother to yell because no one would hear. Then he left and locked the door behind him. Raven had immediately assessed her situation. What would Kit do? Or Willow? she had thought. First, she tested the door for weaknesses, but it was metal and solidly shut. Next, she scanned the space from floor to ceiling for a window or any other opening she might use. Again, there was nothing. It was merely an eight-by-eight room with cinder block walls, a steel door, and no windows. Furnishings were sparse. A twin bed, a bare bulb lamp, and a small table with a single wooden chair. There were no personal effects aside from a gold cross hung on one wall. Hardly the sort of accommodations she had been getting used to in Reno. There was no way to know much about her captor. Other than dragging her a few blocks from the fighting hall and ordering her into the room where she stood now, they had hardly interacted. But Raven did surmise that if this room was his home, his social standing was low in the forbidden city's pecking order. Is that why he is willing to risk his life to kidnap me? she wondered. Because he has nothing to lose?
Finally, Raven had the chance to ask him, and she lifted her chin ready to demand answers now that the man was back. Seeing her standing there, the stranger paused at the open door. His expression quickly turned from one of surprise to disgust. Averting his eyes, the man entered and closed the door behind him. Using a key from his pocket, he locked it and then went to the table. Taking the pack from his shoulder, he dug inside and brought out a lump of cheese. "Eat this," he said holding it out in Raven's direction. Raven did not move to take it.
"Tell me why I am here first," she said. The stranger looked at her, and it was all Raven could do to not recoil from the hate in his eyes.
"Shut up," he snarled. "I won't have you working your witchcraft on me." Raven shook her head.
"I am not a witch," she said. "I am not here to—"
"Shut up!" the man screeched. "Did you not hear me? Do not talk. Do not look at me. Just eat." He threw the cheese at her and Raven instinctively caught it. Unwilling to give in to his tantrum, she glared back at him.
"I'll need something drink with it," she said. The stranger's face turned scarlet, but he dug into the pack again and brought out a plastic bottle of water. Tossing it onto the bed, he picked up the pack and moved in the direction of the door. Unable to help herself, Raven stepped toward him. "Wait," she said. "How long are you going to keep me here?" This time Raven thought the man would explode, his pent-up rage was so apparent.
"Until the hunt dies down," he hissed and then unlocked the door to leave. Before Raven could ask anything else he was gone, slamming the door and locking it behind him. Raven sighed. Unfortunately, what he said made sense and was even quite smart. She doubted The Duke would think to initially look inside the city for her. The stranger was wise to lay low, and she knew it meant her keeper would be that much harder to get away from when the moment was right.
CHAPTER 3
Hector sat with Helen at the edge of the fire ring. He reclined against a log and stripped pieces of raw meat off of a haunch of deer. It was one he ran down himself after the group decided to make camp near the edge of the Area 51 perimeter. Only after he returned with food for everyone did Simon point out the risk he had taken considering the "apparently underappreciated defenses the United States government put in place during what was a previously delicate period in history." With a roll of his eyes, Hector had strolled into camp and dropped the carcass at Blaze's feet.
"Happy birthday," Hector said and then tore off a large portion for him and Helen to share. The redhead had flushed angrily at Hector's sarcasm, but before he could spout off an insult or two, Hector turned his ba
ck and went to the log to sit down. Helen was waiting and she shook her head at him.
"Hector," she said. "You could be a little bit nicer to them." Sliding to the ground to get comfortable, Hector shrugged.
"I got food," he said and handed her half of the meat. Helen sighed and accepted the meal. The rest of the group started grilling their steaks on sticks over the open fire and soon there was only the sound of men and cat mutants eating. As if the silence pained him, Simon abruptly stood up to address the group. He’s going to ruin my appetite, Hector thought but a look from Helen let him know not to interrupt.
"Lady and gentlemen, I find it appropriately timed to engage in discourse as to the present situation laid before us," Simon started. Hector saw the twins lean in toward each other.
"What did he say?" one of the blonde men said.
"No idea," replied the other as he cut another piece of meat off his steak and ate it. Hector could not help but laugh. Simon turned to look.
"I have the impression you are not assessing this situation with the level of bearing it warrants, Prince Hector," he said. Hector grinned.
"If you mean, I don't care about your minefield, then you are right," Hector said. "First thing in the morning, Helen and I are out of here."
"Wait a minute," Blaze said from where he crouched at the fire. "You said you were coming along."
Hector shrugged. “I was. Until this idea seemed like a bad one. No one mentioned getting a leg blown off when we discussed it earlier.” Hector saw Matthew set down his food on a rock and lean forward.
“We were not sure of what was here,” he said to Hector. “But we still need your help.” Hector shook his furry head.
“I have other things to worry about. Only the hope there might be superior weapons in Area 51 made me agree in the first place,” Hector said. “Sorry.”
“You don’t sound sorry,” Blaze spat out. Hector had to agree with him there, but he definitely did not like the guy’s tone. With a low growl, Hector started to get up. It was time to shut the man down. He felt Helen put a gentle paw on his arm to stay him.
“Let’s not fight amongst ourselves,” Helen said. “We all need something and I believe we can all have what we need if we agree to work together.” Hector continued to glare at Blaze, but let himself settle back again. The other man turned and spat a hunk of gristle into the fire, but appeared to be willing to listen.
“You have the floor, as you will, My Lady,” Simon said.
If the girl was surprised to see him, she did not show it. Instead, she stayed seated at her little table and watched as he entered. The Creator could feel the anxiety this caused among the entourage accompanying him. Normally, anyone so blessed to garner a visit from The Creator would immediately drop to their knees in a deep bow. But she is anything but normal, The Creator thought. Never in all his many years had he anticipated meeting someone as unique as Hannah. He was willing to admit now, as he drove his wheelchair into her room, she had changed him and for the good.
“You came,” Hannah murmured at last. The Creator nodded as much as his fragile neck would allow.
“They told me you did not want to come to me,” he said. “Have I done something to upset you?” Hannah looked away and crossed her arms, clearly unhappy.
“You made them take Blue,” she said. “So I’m not leaving here until he comes back.” The Creator sighed. He knew her actions were related to the removal and killing of the nomad captured with her. His servant, Samuel, had explained what happened. The remarkable ambush by a female nomad and her execution of the one Hannah called Blue. With the platoon leader’s own sword, no less, he thought. The most astounding information, however, was the fact the Patrol's leader, Gabriel, had not only been with her but helped her escape. The world seems to have turned upside down. So how do I handle this now? The Creator waved his skeletal hand at the men around him, signaling for them to clear the room. Two hesitated, no doubt concerned for his safety.
"Begone," The Creator commanded and the remaining followers scurried away. Now he could focus on Hannah. "I want to apologize for what happened to your friend." Hannah remained unphased. The Creator lowered his chin to his chest and pondered what he was about to say next. An admission of the magnitude he was contemplating would undermine the very structure of Eden. Yet, it is the truth and I shall not lie to this child any longer, he thought. "Hannah," he started. "Look at me." The little girl complied. Her face was filled with hurt and anger, but it was the sadness in her eyes, which touched The Creator the most. It helped make up his mind and he wheeled closer so he was beside where she sat. Looking down, he reached out slowly, carefully as an offering to her. The little girl paused and considered his gesture, but at last took his hand in hers and held it. The Creator realized a comforting he never knew he missed. "Hannah," he said. "I am sorry, it's just that—" The Creator hesitated one last time, but then plunged ahead with his admission. "I did not know Blue was being taken away from you." Hannah's eyes widened in surprise.
"But you are all seeing, all knowing," she whispered. The Creator gently shook his head from side-to-side.
"No, I am not," he said. "It is all a big lie."
KIT COULD NOT TELL for sure how long she had been in the truck, but based on the speed it was moving and the bumpiness of the road, she was sure she had gone a fair distance from the city. As it slowed at last, she prepared herself. She took out her knives and waited at the back of the truck. Finally, after a short time, she could hear the locks being thrown on the door. Dropping into a crouch, she stood poised as the door was rolled open. As soon as there was a gap big enough for her to shoot through, she did. Seeing only a glimpse of the surprised faces of the two men who were standing at the back of the truck, she hit the ground and ran. It was night, but there was the light of many campfires illuminating the area around the truck.
Finding it all disorienting, Kit slowed down and looked around her to see tents and groups of people huddled at fires everywhere. She had never seen anything quite like it, but a yell from the men back at the truck motivated her to get going again. Sprinting toward what looked like a lane running through the center of the tent city, Kit scanned for a way to escape. She could hear the men from the truck starting to run after her and worried for a moment they were armed. As soon as she thought it, a gunshot went wide, and she dodged to the left to cut between two plastic tarps which made up the shelters of the people who lived there.
People started to notice her dodging amongst their dwellings, and some even looked as if they were going to try and stop her. One man came out into the lane and Kit could not help but notice the large open sores on his face, neck, and chest as she easily dodged under his outstretched arms. What is wrong with him? What is wrong with everyone? she thought as she began to notice all the people who were now emerging to watch the race had similar sores and a general look of unhealthiness. Turning quickly to avoid another group who seemed eager to catch her, Kit raced through one of the tents and leaped over a small fire, barely missing the cooking pot over it. The smell coming from it was not savory, and Kit wondered what these pathetic people ate out in the middle of nowhere. Finally, she saw an opening which led out of the tent city and made a beeline for it. Her feet raced over the mud and dirty trampled snow and in a moment, she was clear of everyone. As she disappeared into the night, she could not help but wonder what was going on and knew in the morning she would have to find out.
CHAPTER 4
Raven paced the small room. One wall, turn, and back to the other. She could not make up her mind as to her next move. The man with the black angel wing tattoos running up his neck, apparently a spy from the colony in the mountain, would eventually return. When he did, she knew she had two choices. I make a break for it when the door opens and hope I can get past him to run away, she thought. Or I take my chances with him. It was not an easy decision. Escape would mean going back to The Duke and her promise to marry him. Every minute she was in the lanky cowboy's company was pulling he
r deeper and deeper into his world. He was dangerous, Raven had no doubt, and although he never said as much, she knew her life and those of her friends hinged on keeping The Duke happy. The other alternative was to see what was ahead if she allowed herself to remain a captive. Her keeper appeared to have a plan. The fact he was forward-thinking enough to hide within the city to avoid detection was a sign he did not make rash decisions. If anyone would be able to help her out of The Duke's clutches, it would ironically be the person who kidnapped her for his own gain. Still unsure which way she wanted to go, Raven heard a key being inserted into the lock of the door to the room. With a click, it opened, and Raven took a deep breath. It was bolt now or wait and see. She watched as the man stepped into the room and then Raven slowly exhaled as she did nothing but watch while he turned and locked the door. The dice are cast, she thought and sent up a silent prayer to the universe it was the right choice. The man looked at her and frowned. "What are you staring at?" he snarled. Raven lowered her eyes. She saw no point in riling him.
"Sorry," she apologized. "I was beginning to wonder if you would return." The man did not bother to reply and instead went to the bed to toss his backpack on it. He pulled some dark, and what Raven suspected, dirty clothes from it and held them out to her.
"I want you to put these on," he said. "We are leaving."
"Now?" Raven asked.
The man glared at her. "Do not speak unless I ask you a question," he said. "Understood?" Raven nodded. "Good. And yes, now. It's early and the city is asleep. The Duke's men are searching, but I have a good idea which direction they are looking. I can slip past," he said. He shook the clothes in her direction and Raven stepped up and took them. They smelled bad but arguing seemed out of the question. Clearly, the outfit was meant to help disguise her. I would stand out like a sore thumb in my fancy dress, she thought.
