Clan World

by Jim Kochanoff

  “Which would be?”

  “Not a clue. Pretty much anything but the council,” Tuko replied.

  “I’m not as sure as my brother, Pene, but I do have reservations about what my choice should be. Having your future predetermined for you feels forced. I’m hoping our road trip will give me some perspective to make my decision.”

  “While I have already decided,” Tuko added.

  In a way, despite their lack of technology, their choices weren’t so different from mine. Before my dad died, he made me promise to follow the order and security that the drones provided. My home was controlled by adults that decided our decisions. In this place, the adults controlled your choices as well. Maybe Jinn and Tuko needed this opportunity to decide what was right for them.

  “I hope you figure out what to do,” I said to Jinn.

  “So do I,” she responded, and her body shook as we drove through a pothole in the road. She looked at the sky. “It will be dark soon. I’m glad we’re close to Trall.”

  “Sounds exciting.” But I wasn’t sure if it would be. I was worried about how I’d blend in a crowd. I felt like I was pushing it now with two people.

  “It is if you like long, boring speeches about how our choices can change the world.” Tuko gave a kingly wave, if he was speaking to the masses.

  “Keep your eyes on the road, loser. Before you hit a bump and knock us into a ditch,” Jinn warned. Then he did hit a bump, and she almost fell back onto me.

  “Watch out, hate to see you fall out of the car,” he mocked.

  I rolled my eyes. This guy thinks he’s all that. I’m surprised his inflated ego doesn’t weigh him down. How could someone as sweet as Jinn have such a jerk brother?

  “Are we there yet?” I asked and realized that we were approaching a large wooden wall.

  “Look in front of us.”

  “Is it.…?” I started to ask. Before they could answer, the ground shook, almost upending the car off the road. A flash of fire and smoke exploded from the ground far to our right and extended to the sky. Tuko gave me a crooked smile as he regained control.

  “This is Trall. If you haven’t been to a Gathering before, prepare to see the spectacle of a lifetime!”

  2

  The Gathering

  As I stared up, dozens of leering faces peered down at me. None of them looked friendly. There was a wooden railing along the top of the wall where the guards walked along the platform. Past the faces, guards with weapons marched in both directions.

  The wall that surrounded the town was almost a hundred feet tall. No person or animal was going to climb up without being discovered. The wall was made of timbers lashed tightly together with rope, with cloth or wood chips stuffed into the gaps. Tuko waved his hand, and the gates opened to let his car in. The earth in front of the main gate had a huge hole in it, like an underground bomb had exploded. The town was a fortress: wire fences protected the upper edges while the walls were guarded by dirty teenagers. I wasn’t sure if they were trying to keep people in or something big out.

  “What caused the explosion?” I asked as we entered.

  “Probably an animal — they have explosives around the wall in random places to keep the dinosaurs out. Some unlucky beast must have met its maker,” answered Tuko.

  Again with the dinosaur reference. Did this place take a step back in time? How do these teenagers actually know what a dinosaur would look like? Maybe humans aren’t the most dangerous animal here?

  As the car drove forward, the town looked bleak and uninviting. Long buildings lined the street and graffiti screamed out across several walls. One building had a huge hole, and the interior looked pillaged and empty. People turned and looked at us as we passed. Most eyed us suspiciously. Suddenly I could see the benefits of a drone-watched city. My face must have given me away, because Tuko looked at me and laughed.

  “Guess this is your first visit?”

  “That apparent?” I nodded.

  “You look scared, like these guys,” Tuko waved his hand to the crowd, “are going to eat you.”

  “Well, they are not very welcoming. Did we do something to make them angry?”

  “No. They treat all visitors the same. They’re nervous. It’s unusual to have so many clans in one place. Although a lot of the clans are allies, there are plenty that don’t get along. They’re just worried there will be trouble tonight at the Gathering.” I listened and tried to fight back my questions. There was so much of this world that I just didn’t know.

  “We never asked you, Pene, which clan are you with?” Jinn asked innocently. My heart skipped and my mind raced. If I didn’t respond quickly, they would think I was lying or had something to hide.

  “Droniums,” I answered; the first image that came to mind was the thousands of drones that had watched my city daily.

  “Never heard of them,” Jinn answered, but Tuko gave me a weird look. I had to distract them.

  “What’s that?” I pointed to a large field and amphitheater. There were thousands of people and hundreds of vehicles swarming around this area.

  “Our destination,” Jinn pointed. “Tonight, there will be clan leaders who will talk about our origins and what we hope to find during our pilgrimage to the Cradle. Kids will yell and scream behind the leaders they like and boo the ones they think are full of crap.”

  “And lots of people will get drunk, there will be fights, and someone always gets hurt,” Tuko added. “It’s a big party…”

  “That no one wants to miss,” Jinn finished. As our car got closer, we began to slow down as traffic got worse. There was a huge field of vehicles. Some adults tried to direct cars to park, but it was mostly disorganized. We slowed down as our car passed a group of motorcycles. They were mostly teenage boys, screaming and yelling. The party had obviously begun for them.

  “Hey ladies, why don’t you ditch the loser—” pointing to Tuko “—and come party with some real boys.” Jinn made a hand gesture that I wasn’t familiar with, but it sent the boys into a laughing fit.

  “The Chycle clan are usually pigs,” Jinn commented. “I’m surprised those gearheads look at anything besides their motorcycles.” I scanned the group. The bikes were in various stages of repair; some were well maintained while others looked like they might fall apart on the next pothole. None of the riders were people I would want to hang with.

  A heavy truck drove by with a long trailer bed; boys and girls sat silently on its edges. Each clan member had their faces painted white with black markings. Some were painted scars, stitches, or ghastly skull faces. Their wordless demeanor made them seem more dangerous than the rowdy boys before them.

  “Who are they?” I asked as they stared back at me.

  “Zombie clan,” Jinn answered. “They don’t say much, and part of their membership includes the stipulation that once you join the clan, you never leave. I’d stay clear of them.”

  I nodded and then squinted at the group beyond Zombie clan. These clan members rode in wagons pulled by fierce beasts. The animals had a tiger’s head and legs but a hippo’s body. They were strong beasts and I would not want to anger one. Other clans gave them a wide berth as they marched by.

  “They own the place,” Tuko said with reverence.

  “With animals like that, they probably should,” I commented to no one in particular. A beast stared at me as we passed, and I could feel its intentions as it licked its lips. The rider pulled on its reins, and the clan passed by us on their way to the stadium. Jinn pulled the car into a row and parked. We got out and started following the crowd on the long walk to the stadium.

  There were kids, adults, families everywhere. For the most part, everyone seemed in a good mood, although I could see some jostling between certain clans. Ahead of us, I could see a group of tall spears with some type of crest at the top. Tuko seemed to recognize the emblem and raced ahead. I could see him tapping the shoulder of someone tall and lean.

  “Friends of his?” I asked Jinn.
r />   “Tuko wishes they were his friends. He idolizes the Hunter clan. They control those animals we just passed. Their emblem stands for the strength of the land.” She spoke in a deep voice that told me she was mocking them. “They are full of themselves. They kill for sport and not for food.” I watched as Tuko put his arm around the taller teen and motioned toward us. The guy had a sharp, angular face with dirty red hair. I had a feeling I was going to like him even less than I liked Tuko.

  “Abraham, you know my sister.” Tuko pointed. Jinn waved and moved off to the side, not interested in talking to him. “And this is my sister’s friend, Pene.” I smiled while Abraham frowned at me.

  “Who’s she with?” he grunted.

  “Hello, I’m right here,” I answered, not appreciating being ignored.

  “Droniums,” Tuko replied as if he didn’t hear me.

  “Never heard of them. Must be a minor clan,” Abraham said, already dismissing me.

  “Guess we all can’t have big heads like you,” I mocked. What did it matter what these stupid boys thought? All they cared about was themselves.

  “What did you say?” he asked with rage entering his voice.

  “I said,” forgetting that I should not draw attention, “that you seem very full of yourself.”

  “Who do you think you are?” Abraham came at me, getting too close into my personal space. That infuriated me, and I shoved him back.

  “I’m someone who doesn’t like you in my face. And I don’t need a wild animal to prove how important I am.”

  Abraham’s face turned red. “Watch what you say around me. I’d hate for one of my animals to get loose and hurt you.” He pointed at one of the creatures.

  “I’d rather deal with that animal. It at least has some brains,” I countered. I realized that each time I opened my mouth, I was making it worse for myself. But I just couldn’t stop. My mouth had a mind of its own and I had pushed too far. A hand came in between us.

  “Isn’t your father calling you?” Jinn motioned behind us. A large, stern man was watching us. Abraham glared at me and then walked back to his clan. He spoke to his father, pointed at me, and then they moved toward the coliseum.

  “Nice move, Pene. He’s the son of one of the most powerful clans. You got skill,” Tuko jeered.

  “Shut up, Tuko. Abraham is a jerk and you know it,” Jinn interrupted. “Why don’t you go ahead of us and we’ll join you inside?”

  “Whatever.” He dismissed us and walked on ahead.

  “Thanks.” I smiled. “I don’t know why I let him get under my skin. Maybe I just can’t stand authority.”

  “Or guys with huge egos.” We laughed, and for the first time while in this world, I felt like I had made a friend. As we walked on, the sea of people became more congested. The excitement was palpable. As we entered the coliseum, I looked up and saw thousands of people in the stands. There were flags everywhere, waving in the night breeze: emblems of Shields, Tigers, Dragons, and other creatures I didn’t recognize (and hoped I’d never meet), which must symbolize the different clans. A large stage was in the center of the stadium and several adults in robes were milling around.

  “That’s the elders,” Jinn pointed, “getting ready to tell us about their stories of creation.” She looked around, and her eyes stopped on one of flags. “Did you want to sit with us, or do you see your clan emblem?”

  I pretended to look around. “Nah, I’ll come sit with you.” I acted like I couldn’t see my family flag.

  Jinn grabbed my hand, and we climbed to the top of the stands. All around us people were talking, some excited but almost all engaged in conversation. Most spoke while facing the stage in anticipation of the clan leaders arriving. We reached the stands where Jinn’s family crest of armor moved in the breeze. She waved to several people, and I saw Tuko a couple of rows lower, talking to another boy. The noise was deafening, so I couldn’t talk to Jinn without screaming. Instead I used my time to survey the crowd.

  A large bonfire was burning on the ground to the right of us. From the smoke, I smelled sage. Jinn watched me suck in the air.

  “They are going overboard with the incense tonight — trying to make us all remember our old clan members. Armor clan uses a strong charcoal incense, what about yours?”

  “Metallic,” I answered, absently thinking of all the drones that flew around my home. I almost regretted my answer, but Jinn didn’t seem concerned with my response.

  Below us, many teenagers and adults were in attendance, but I didn’t see any young kids. I assumed tonight’s topics were not for the very young. Some groups looked alike as if entire families were sitting together.

  Down below us, I thought I could see Abraham having a heated conversation with his father. His temper didn’t just go off on me; he gestured wildly as if trying to make a point. Then they stopped talking and Abraham scanned the crowd as if he was looking for someone or something. As he gazed toward our area, I ducked.

  I’m so stupid. I’m sure he can’t see me in the crowd, and even if he could, who cares?

  “Can you hear me?” A deep voice boomed through a loudspeaker. His voice resonated, and all the voices around us went silent. “I said — CAN YOU HEAR ME!” The stadium erupted with a resounding “YES!” Cheers filled the air and drowned out all conversations. The speaker was tall and bald, and the video screens flicked on to show his smiling face. He thrived on the energy of the audience as he let the crowd chant for a few more seconds before beckoning for everyone to fall silent.

  “When I was a boy,” he began to sermonize, “I came to this very stadium. I listened to many great men and women who explained their theories of the creation of the Cradle. And I said to myself, Self,” the crowd erupted with laughter, “you need to learn from these people. You need to study their theories, make your own decisions, and then teach your beliefs to your children. These ideas must live on!” The crowd roared its approval. He paced on the stage and soaked up the crowd’s cheers. I looked around and a flash of red made me blink for a second.

  I marveled at how focused the crowd was on the speaker. I wanted to nudge Jinn to ask who he was but decided against it. It would create more doubt with her if I didn’t know.

  “I am here to tell you that this year you will hear a new theory on the creation of the Cradle. It will challenge your beliefs, stretch your imagination, and make you wonder if everything you believed was wrong. Are you ready to hear it?”

  “Yes!” the crowd yelled in unison.

  “I can’t hear you. ARE. YOU. READY?” he yelled again.

  “Luther! Luther! Luther!” the crowd chanted. He had them hanging on his every word.

  “Isn’t he amazing?” Jinn poked me. I smiled back and watched a crowd enamored with his every word. Whoever this Luther was, he knew how to work a room. I watched the Hunter clan below, beating their chests and trying to make the most noise.

  Whoever this man was, he had an impact on these people. They listened. Back home, no one had the charisma to hold thousands and thousands of people’s attention. You did what the drones directed because you thought it was the right thing to do. You believed that whoever was controlling the drones had your best interests at heart. Well, we had been wrong about that.

  “I now share with you this new theory of creation and let you make your own decisions.” He brought his hands down and everyone took this motion to mean they should be quiet. I was distracted by a red light dancing along the stage. Everyone leaned forward, hanging on his every word.

  “I have waited a long time to share this news with you. Many of your leaders have told me not to talk about this tonight.” Some in the audience booed. “But knowledge is not meant to be hidden, locked away. It is meant to be shared, to make you think in new and interesting ways. Tonight, I will challenge each and every one of you!” He pointed and each one of us felt he was motioning just at us. “Are you ready to change the world?”

  An enthusiastic “Yes” rocked the stadium and even I was caugh
t up in the moment. What secret would he share? The red light flashed again, and when I turned I could see nothing behind me but a few other clans.

  A shot roared out and brought my attention to the front. Luther stared up at the audience, his voice silent for the first time. His eyes were unblinking, and even from this distance I could see a red stream of blood dripping down his chest. He fell backward, his sightless eyes looking up into the sky.

  The crowd was shocked into silence, unable to believe what they had seen. I could hear sobbing in front of me.

  “The shot came from that direction!” a teenager pointed up at us as all heads turned in unison.

  “I think it was her!” I looked down and saw Abraham pointing behind me. I looked around, but no one was there. I turned back to him. He was pointing to me.

  3

  Escape

  I felt sheer terror when I looked down at people who were going to hurt me. I could see it on their faces, I could feel it in the air. Instead of humidity, it was hatred weighing me down. Before I could defend myself, hands grabbed me from behind and lifted me into the air.

  “I didn’t do it! I didn’t kill him!” I replied, but no one was listening. I was carried down swiftly through the hands of the crowd, like ants carrying its meal.

  “Pene!” I could barely hear Jinn screaming from behind me as her voice was drowned out by the crowd. No one was listening to me, but the mob needed someone to take its anger out on. People were rough, and I felt several hands scratch my arms and back. It was like a ride, except I knew at the end, Abraham and his beasts would give me little time to defend myself. I glanced behind me and saw that Jinn was pursuing closely. I was lucky that the Hunter clan never received me.

  The east wall exploded, and rubble flew through the crowd, sending the stadium into pandemonium. People were struck by large rocks, and others were trampled under the crowd. But what came through the wall increased the death count. It was a dinosaur — straight out of a textbook. Now the walls outside the city made sense. It wasn’t other clans this town was afraid of — it was this gigantic beast.