“That is none of your concern!” Dero stepped closer, getting frustrated. Maybe it would make him careless.
“Why not? You train dinosaurs that kill members of every clan. I would say it is everyone’s concern,” I countered.
“Enough!” He swung the chain at my head, which is what I was hoping for. I moved and allowed it to wrap around my arm. Sharp edges bit into my skin, I would deal with the pain later. Dero was bigger than me and I would lose in a game of tug of war. I took the rock I had picked up and threw it at a nearby mound in the desert next to the bikers behind Dero.
The ground erupted with teeth as both bikers disappeared in seconds into its mouth. The worm opened its mouth and I heard the sickening sound of bones being crushed. Dero ignored his clan members behind him and ran toward me. I feverishly tried to unravel the chain from around my arm. Before he could reach me, Lucaz kicked him in the gut and pushed him back toward the worm. The chain tightened as the distance increased between Dero and me. I grunted in pain.
The worm slithered around, gnashing his teeth. Dero ducked as the worm lunged at his head. It missed him, and its mouth slammed on thin air. But as I was removing the chain between the two of us, the movement attracted the worm. It grabbed at the chain.
“Lucaz!” I yelled as the chain dragged me toward the open maw. My feet dragged across the dirt as the chain became entrenched in its mouth.
“Stop moving!” Lucaz yelled as he started unwrapping the chain from my wrist. Ten feet, eight feet, my heels were screaming in pain as the worm pulled me effortlessly toward it.
“I have no choice!” I bellowed back. The chain was digging mercilessly into my arm. The worm’s breath stank of death. I ducked as Dero’s fist came at my head. I came down hard on his collarbone. A nice pop rewarded my ears and Dero grabbed his shoulder. It was the last thing he ever did. The worm’s jaw came down on his head and he disappeared. The crunching bones made me cringe. I was next on the worm’s menu as I was being pulled in closer. Five feet, four feet…
“Take this!” Lucaz removed the last of the chain and tossed into the worm’s mouth. It swallowed it whole. If it didn’t like the taste, it showed no reaction. As we ran back to the car, the worm remained rooted to the spot, as if it could only dispense death from a specific location.
“Come on!” Tuko motioned to us. We leapt onto the moving car, leaving the worm to rummage through the wreckage of the Chycles. I watched it shrinking in the distance as the car took us away from the carnage. I sank deep in my seat, weak from the end of my adrenalin high. Was I saved? Then it hit me.
“Where is Jinn?” I jumped up and punched Tuko in the shoulder. He turned, but the pain in his face wasn’t from me striking him.
“They have her. And if I don’t bring you to back to them, they’ll hurt her.”
16
Loss
“Who has Jinn?” I demanded. I had waited twenty minutes for Tuko to drive us to a safe place away from the worms and the Chycle clan. It was one of the longest times of my life as Tuko was unresponsive to my questions, just telling me I had to wait. Lucaz told me to relax, but I couldn’t; this was my fault. With the car stopped, Tuko turned to me. The usual arrogance in his eyes was gone, replaced with genuine hurt.
“When we lost you in the forest, we knew by the leftover web that Spider clan had you.”
“Pretty obvious,” Lucaz chimed in. His interruption barely registered with Tuko.
“We wandered for a while before Dad picked us up. He was overjoyed that we survived — when we disappeared, he thought we were dead. But once he realized that you were captured, he was furious.”
“But you tried to find me, right?” I asked. Tuko shook his head.
“Our clan was hurt and needed medical attention, Pene. Jinn and I tried, but there were bigger issues to deal with.” I nodded. Once we got to the end of the forest, the next settlement was Brendal.
“The Relics?” Lucaz asked. Tuko nodded.
“Did we see them at the gathering?” I asked, trying to picture what they looked like.
“No — they don’t tend to leave their settlement, except for hunting and the annual visit to the Cradle,” Tuko responded. “But they were intent on finding you, dead or alive. They had heard through the radio that we were spotted with you and wouldn’t leave us alone.”
“Relic clan is pretty wild — once they get a hold of you…”
“Why are we listening to him, Pene? I gave him a lift because he was with you, but I’m happy to leave him behind,” he snarled at Lucaz.
I sighed. “He helped me but was also the one who captured me.”
“This is his fault!” He jabbed a finger at Lucaz’s chest.
“Look — back off.” Lucaz retreated. “I did what I was told to do because we thought she killed Luther. It meant a lot of prestige to my clan to bring her in.”
“Now what do you think?” I asked, wanting to know how he felt.
He looked at me. “I think we were backing the wrong side. Because of the animal settlement, there is definitely something else going on.”
“Well, my sister and I knew that from the beginning!”
“What happened to Jinn?” My patience was wearing thin.
“They took her! Our clan was beaten and hurt from the dinosaur attack and they outnumbered us. When my dad told them that we didn’t know where you were and wouldn’t tell them even if we knew, they became violent. Jinn fought, but we got separated. My dad had no choice but to call for reinforcements, but I knew I had to find you.”
“But how did you find us? We didn't even know where we were,” Lucaz asked.
“I didn't, but you had been sighted near the Wastelands. I found the Spider and Beast encampment that got hit by the storm. They were debating about trying to find the three of you when I noticed a couple of Chycle clan bikes driving out into the middle of nowhere. I decided to follow. It was at night but a full moon, so they didn’t see me behind them. But had I known what was off into the desert, I might not have gone after them.”
“So what's next? Are you going to turn me in to get Jinn back? You better get in line. Lucaz also wants to exchange me.”
“This is true.” Lucaz smiled, but I didn't feel he was as serious about it as when we first met.
Tuko put his head in his hands and stared at the ground. “What do you want me to do! She's my family!”
“Fine. I don't want Jinn to get hurt. Take me to Relics. Do you trust them to make a trade?”
“I don't trust them. We should find Abraham instead. He'll get the Relic clan to give her up,” Lucaz offered.
“Sure you're not just looking after yourself?” I asked, realizing that this was his original plan, after all.
“Abraham could team up with Armorand we could overpower Relic,” Tuko said.
“Abraham took off when we needed his help. All he cares about is himself.” I slammed my fist into my palm.
“And bringing you back to pay for Luther's death,” Tuko commented.
“I think Dero was responsible for that, but no one will hear him admit it now.”
“I can tell my dad about the animal base and take people back there. That will help show that you are innocent,” Tuko replied.
“We don’t have time to debate this! If you want to bring me in to get Jinn back, I say let’s go.” And I looked at Lucaz. “And you can give him and his clan part of the credit.” The two of them looked at each other. A silent agreement passed between them.
“This is crazy. We have no guarantee that Relics will even honor their part of agreement. This could be a trap!” Lucaz warned.
“Easy for you to say. It’s not your sister that they hold captive!”
“Enough! Save the posturing. It’s my life they want. I will make the decision. Take me to this Relic clan and trade me for Jinn!” The discussion was over and neither one had a better solution to offer. I sat back in my seat and closed my eyes. I just wanted a few minutes of rest.
* * *
>
I opened my eyes hours later. My body was rested but my heart was hurting. The constant running had worn me down. I would love to be back home in my bed again, where my biggest worry was getting to school on time. Knowing the truth was mentally exhausting.
The room was dark. The only illumination was from the stars. The walls, as best as I could see, were plain, with wooden panels and a door. The last thing I remembered was the rhythmic movements of the car as Tuko drove us to the Relic clan. Where were we now?
“Tuko? Lucaz? Where are you guys?” Silence greeted me. I hadn’t expected an answer unless one of them was lying on the floor at the end of my bed. They were likely asleep somewhere else to rest up before my exchange. I got up, kicked on my shoes (I did not remember taking them off), and walked toward the door. The handle turned easily and I stared into a hallway. A set of stairs headed down into a main foyer while two other doors lined the upstairs hall. Did I dare wake those guys or let them sleep? My instincts said to let them sleep. Both had saved my life so the least I could give them was a few hours of rest.
I crept down the steps. The stairs creaked so loudly that I thought I would wake everyone up. I gave up trying to be quiet and walked normally. The main floor was open and looked like a big kitchen with cabinets. I opened a cabinet door and was greeted by cups and plates. Were we in someone’s home? Had the trade already taken place? If so, I didn’t feel like a prisoner.
A rapping on the window broke my concentration. The noise was tiny, as if a small beak was hitting the glass. A light flashed and was just as quickly extinguished. Was someone playing games with me? I tried the door, but although the knob would turn, it held fast. I went to the window and tried to open it. The light flashed again. Tiny red eyes! It was a drone. How did it follow me from home to this world? Was it watching or warning me? I picked up a chair. It was only glass. I was sure I could batter my way through. I raised the chair and swung my arms in a backward motion.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” My arms stopped dead. The voice was familiar. From my past. The last time I had seen her was on a computer screen. My mother was here!
“Who are you?” I asked, stalling for time.
“You know,” a shadowy figure answered from the end of the room under the entranceway.
“I do.” I started to walk closer, but my mother’s hands gestured me to stay.
“How can you be here?” Wherever here was.
“Wrong question to be asking, Pene. I can only be with you for a minute. I am here because I needed to talk to you.” Okay, now she was talking in riddles. Was this an adult thing?
“Are you close by?” I wondered, hoping my exploration of this world was not a waste of time.
“I am always close to you.” Her face remained in shadows. “But your journey will come to an end if you trust the wrong person.”
“Stop the mysterious riddles, Mom. Who are you talking about? Why can’t I trust them?” Then her shadow shimmered and disappeared. Where did she go? “Mom? Stop this! Are you still alive? How can you talk to me now?” Silence was all I heard. I was so frustrated that I was ready to scream until I heard movement behind me. I turned only to find that the figure was behind me but closer. Close enough that I could see her smile. If this really was her.
“I can’t explain, Pene. But I am watching you always, trying to save you. You will need help at the Cradle — don’t try the solution on your own.” I ran to her but as I closed my arms around her waist, she turned to smoke and dissipated.
Was this a joke? I had thought my mother died, yet lately I had been seeing her and talking with her like she was still alive. Why can’t she come to me?
* * *
“Rap! Rapppp! Rapppp!” The noise on the window was back and the flash of red light told me what it was. I pressed my nose up to the glass. The drone looked back at me as it hovered. Had these things followed me from my world? Or did they exist everywhere, watching the inhabitants like mice in a maze? I raised my fist, intent on smashing the glass and destroying the drone.
“Ahhhh!” I yelled
“What is your problem?” Tuko asked as I straightened up from the back seat of the car. The sky was dark, but the motion told me that we were still driving. That meant everything I just saw was a dream. None of it was real. Was it?
“Sorry — bad dream. Was I loud?” I answered, pushing back my messy hair. Gross — did I drool?
“You were screaming about something. Although you didn’t wake up Spider clan next to you.” Tuko pointed at Lucaz, who was fast asleep with a blanket covering half of his face. Guess he could sleep through anything.
“He didn’t move?”
“Not an inch. Want to tell me about your nightmare?” I thought about sharing with him. Would he understand?
“It was about my mother. She was talking in riddles, and it was driving me crazy.”
“Where is she now?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I don’t even know if she is still alive.” Tuko’s body slackened. He slowed the car down to a stop and turned to face me.
“If I ask you a question, can you give me an honest answer?”
“I can try,” I said, puzzled by his comment.
“Where is your clan?” His eyes looked concerned but wary, as if he knew something wasn’t adding up. “Why are none of them trying to help you?” There it was. My lies were tumbling down. It was obvious that I wasn’t from this world. Question was, did I continue to pile on the lies and hope something would stick, or was it time to tell the truth?
“My clan, my family, and friends are far, far away. Too far for anyone to help me. I’m on my own.”
Tuko shook his head. “That doesn’t make any sense. Your clan is your family. We do anything to protect one another. It’s what gives us our strength. Who are you really, Pene?”
I slumped down in my seat. “I’m from a place much different than here, Tuko. It’s a lot safer, but people don’t protect each other like here.”
“I can tell. Besides us, no one has come to help you. Doesn’t that weigh on you?” And it did. In school, I didn’t have a lot of friends. Just one best friend and a boy who helped me escape. But I had always been a loner. I had the constant need to leave home, and making friends wasn’t a high priority.
“It does,” I answered truthfully, “but fortunately I have made friends along the way. I thought this journey was about me, but I’ve learned I wouldn’t be alive without help. Your help included.” He nodded as if satisfied with my answer and turned the key, starting the car up again. I sat back down, realizing that Tuko had made his decision.
“You know that I can’t just give you up to them.”
“But you must, We can’t have anything happen to Jinn.”
“I know, but we can find some middle ground. Maybe if we tell them about Dero and your innocence?”
“I have had a hard enough time getting you guys to believe me. I doubt people who don’t know me will take my word over a clan leader’s.”
I struggled for a solution that didn’t involve my death. There must be some way to get out of this. Maybe if I learned more about who I was dealing with.
“Tell me more about the Relic clan. What makes them tick?”
“Relics are one of the oldest clans, living in the treetops of the Olfest Forest. They keep to themselves and are real tree-huggers. Living off the land. Every action they take circles back to the forest around them.”
“They sound honorable. Do you think they will return Jinn if I go willingly?”
“I think so, but they will take you to the Cradle and turn you over to the elders. After that, unless we prove your innocence, I don’t see you living too long. I just wish we had other options to get Jinn back.”As I thought about Tuko’s comment an idea began to germinate. It wasn’t great, but given time, it might be our best option.
“There is something else you could tell them.” I tugged at my father’s necklace on my neck, my plan beginning to form.
“But it is going to be risky.”
17
Rescue
The sun was high as Lucaz and I watched Tuko and his car get swallowed up by the forest. We waited until the dust cloud had settled before venturing behind him but stayed off the main road.
“Just for the record, this plan is crazy.” Lucaz shook his head while following in step behind me. The forest was thick and would be slow going for the last two miles before the Relics’ camp.
“Nobody forced you to come with me. You could be riding comfortably with Tuko and avoid the surprises of the forest.” I slapped at an evil-looking bug on my shoulder. Lucaz grunted which I took to be his weak comeback.
“At least we don’t have any problem figuring out where to go.” I pointed to the large trees of the Relic settlement directly in front of us.
“Seeing our destination and getting there are two different things,” warned Lucaz. “This is their land. They’ll have sentries and traps throughout. And we’re just blundering through. We’ll be lucky to get within half the distance of their camp.”
“ I guess it’s important that you apply some of your Spider know-how then,” I goaded as I refused to discuss our plan yet again. We ran the rest of the way in silence. The only noises were animal sounds around us. The birds were beautiful making me wish I had the time to admire them more closely. After twenty minutes, we were winded and finally stopped. I was no track athleteand Lucaz was more tech-minded than physically strong. We saw the first sentry at a high vantage point. We couldn’t reach him, so we had to find a way to make him come to us.
As I stepped through the forest, the dry leaves snapped under my feet. I was making enough noise to sound like a herd of dinosaurs. I glanced upward and thought I could see someone climbing down from the trees. I walked faster, almost breaking into a run to put some distance between us. The forest was unforgiving. The branches clawed at my face and hands like a hungry animal. I heard a thud behind me and knew that I had to run.
Clan World Page 16
