by E. C. Myers
My kids. I have to save my kids.
We’re going to die.
“Shut up!” That thought was Fox’s, and it wasn’t until he heard momentary quiet in the square that he realized he’d inadvertently mentally shouted at everyone in his immediate vicinity. They were probably more confused than cooperative, though.
“Ow,” Coco said. “Thanks for the headache. But that was good, Fox. What else you got?”
Fox put his fingers to his lips and whistled. The sharp sound cut through the still square.
“Okay, that works,” Coco said. “Everyone, please calm down.” She stepped forward, right to the edge of the roof. “As long as we keep our heads, we’ll have nothing to worry about. Many of you have gone through this before, and you know that what you’re feeling will pass soon.”
Murmurs of agreement from the crowd as the latest wave of emotion subsided.
“Everything will be all right. Short of Shade Academy, this is probably the safest place in Vacuo right now—you’ve got six Huntsmen here to protect you,” Coco said.
“Seven!” a man shouted in a shaky voice. People laughed, the situation defused.
Fox focused on the man. His mind was bright, burning brighter than most people’s, but it was also flickering, like it was struggling not to go out. Through familiarity, Fox recognized that Velvet and Yatsuhashi were standing near him, and there was another presence close by that was harder to pin down. It was almost as bright as the man’s, but with dark spots on it, and in constant turmoil.
That had to be Edward and August Caspian.
But then someone shouted, “Look!”
Fox sighed. “What is it, Coco?”
Coco didn’t answer him. More people were shouting, and some people were screaming in abject terror. Fox heard feet pounding on the ground and sensed everyone scattering in different directions quickly.
“Coco,” Fox sent.
“I’ve got this.” Fox heard Coco’s handbag transform into her Gatling gun.
“Isn’t that overkill?” Fox sent. His own panic was rising out of control. He hadn’t felt this nervous since their mission in Lower Cairn.
“I think it’s just the right amount of kill,” Coco said.
Then Fox felt it—an emptiness of thought and spirit—just over their heads. A Grimm.
“Everyone down!” Yatsuhashi shouted.
Coco opened fire. Fox covered his ears and turned away, wincing at the loud gunfire right next to him. Then, distantly, he heard the sound of her Semblance-enhanced bullets hitting their target and exploding, high above them. A Grimm wailed as it was torn apart.
The crowd cheered and clapped. Then a moment later the cheers turned to surprised shrieks, followed by the thump and squelch of flesh hitting the sand all around them. It was raining Grimm gore.
“What was that?” Fox sent.
“Ravager,” Yatsu sent back.
“This is even grosser than the mole crabs,” Velvet said.
“The Grimm parts are already fading,” Coco said.
She folded up her gun. “Now that we have your attention. As I was saying, we’ll keep you safe. But you have to help us out, too.”
Fox felt the surging anxiety of moments ago subside, like an outgoing tide on the beach.
But where did those hidden feelings come from? And where did they go when they weren’t being forced to the surface?
“She’s right,” Bertilak called out. “We’re here to protect you.”
“But the best way to keep safe,” Carmine said, “to keep everyone safe, is to stay in your own homes when one of these mood bombs hits.”
Bomb is a great analogy for what happened, Fox thought.
“Gathering in crowds like this only causes more conflicts, which makes the situation even more volatile,” Carmine said.
It might not be good but it was only natural to seek out other people when you were scared and alone. And even under the best circumstances—when your feelings weren’t being manipulated or magnified by some unknown force—it was hard to manage your emotions. Incredibly sensitive people like Yatsuhashi had mastered the art of keeping their feelings under control, while others, like Coco, could channel them into action. Velvet sometimes let her feelings get the best of her, Fox thought. And Fox? His lonely upbringing meant he was still getting used to showing any feelings at all.
“But what if there are more Grimm out there?” a woman called.
“There are definitely more Grimm, you can count on that,” Carmine said. “But we just need to work on keeping them out there while we’re staying calm and collected in here.”
“Maybe we should leave now,” someone suggested. “Instead of waiting for them to attack.”
“Then they’ll just attack us out there,” Carmine said. “And we’ll die.”
“Well, most of you will,” Bertilak said.
“It’s better if we keep trying to figure out what’s causing these emotional surges,” Coco said. “We’re getting close, I know it. We’ve spoken to a lot of you already, but if anyone can think of a cause for these mood bombs, please speak up. Anything could be helpful. Anything can help us save lives.”
Coco waited. “No one?”
“This probably isn’t the time or place for this,” Bertilak said. “The bottom line is we need to keep the group in mind. What’s best for everyone, not just ourselves. Right?”
“Right,” Carmine said.
“I have an idea.” Slate’s voice carried easily across the square without the need to shout. It didn’t hurt that everyone was inclined to listen to her.
“First of all, thank you, Ms. Adel, and thank you, Huntsmen, for keeping us safe. I’d rather have pieces of a Grimm stuck in my hair than find myself stuck in its craw.”
That got a few laughs. She went on. “It certainly seems like there’s good cause to believe that something among us is causing emotions to run wild. It’s like we’re carrying a disease and we keep infecting new towns with it as we spread out.”
The crowd murmured in agreement and alarm. Slate held up a hand and they quieted. “Now that we have six able Huntsmen—no offense, Mr. Caspian—maybe we should consider breaking up into smaller groups, each one guarded by one of you. Then we spread out a bit. All of us can survive out in the desert for a couple of days, right?”
Everyone made sounds of agreement.
“That’s not such a bad idea,” Carmine said.
“Thanks,” Slate said wryly. “In smaller groups, maybe we could isolate whatever is affecting emotions.”
At first, Fox agreed that the proposal seemed worth considering. They had figured that one of the refugees from the first settlement, Tuff, might be responsible for the strange incidents that had begun there and spread to subsequent settlements. Splitting into smaller groups, each assigned to a Huntsman or Huntress, could narrow down the search. But even if it would save lives and end the cycle of Grimm attacks, Fox didn’t think Coco would go for it in a million years.
“I don’t like the idea of using people as bait,” Coco said.
“We would be minimizing risk for everyone. If the Grimm go after one of the groups, they can call for help,” Slate said.
“As long as we all stay in range of a CCT support tower,” Coco said. “And if we’re all in range of it, we’re probably still close enough for everyone’s emotions to be affected.”
“However, it wouldn’t affect everyone equally,” Velvet said. “Distance does seem to be a factor in the intensity of the experience.”
“It seems risky,” Yatsuhashi said.
The tension was thick in the air, maybe thick enough to pull in more Grimm.
“We should all stick together,” Coco said. “Isn’t that what you do in Vacuo? Even a large group with six Huntsmen is going to have better odds than a group of thirty with only one Huntsman or Huntress.”
“Well, it’s our call—” Carmine began.
“Actually, it’s my call,” Edward Caspian said. “Since you work for me.”
&nbs
p; “Now’s not the time to develop a spine, old man,” Bertilak said.
“Grandpa,” Gus said. “Hear them out.”
“I’ve heard enough,” Edward said. “I’m with the young lady with the big gun. Separating the town would be a mistake—we’re more powerful united. That’s the way we did it back when I was an ‘able Huntsman.’ ”
“Okay, then,” Slate said.
“There are likely more Grimm in the area,” Coco said. “My team will start patrolling the borders and sound the alarm if any of them get too close.”
“Much appreciated,” Slate said. “And what will you two do?”
“Watch Edward and Gus, like we were hired to,” Bertilak grumbled.
The people in Feldspar might have slept less well if they had known that one of the Huntsmen on night watch was blind.
On the other hand, darkness was no problem for him. Fox felt the tiny, faint presence of assorted animals out there, dotting the landscape much like he was told stars pinpricked a black sky. Most of them were in burrows just under the surface, sheltering deep where the sand was still warm, as the night air dropped to below-freezing temperatures. Fox was wrapped in his cloak and a thick fur blanket as he slowly patrolled the outskirts of the settlement. He was searching for … Well, nothing. An absence of feeling, the lack of a soul, the yawning void that heralded a creature of Grimm.
Then he noticed another mind out there. A person. No one should be wandering in the desert alone, especially at night. Whoever it was, their consciousness was dim; it could have been someone sleepwalking, a deadly habit in these parts, if no one was looking out for you. Fortunately, Fox was looking out for everyone tonight.
And it seemed he wasn’t the only one. He picked up another consciousness, following the first. One he knew very well.
“Velvet,” Fox sent. “Where are you going?” Fox was already heading for her position.
“I’m following Edward,” Velvet said. “I think he’s sleepwalking or something.”
“You didn’t think to say something to the rest of us?”
“How?”
Fox’s Semblance came in handy, particularly with his team, giving them a unique strategic edge in combat. But the drawback was that no one could communicate with Fox until he initiated contact and kept the connection open.
“How about your Scroll?” Fox sent.
“Oh, right,” Velvet sent. “I forgot we could do that since we’re close to the relay tower.”
“Uh-huh,” Fox sent. “What are you really doing?”
Velvet was silent for a moment, but he kept waiting for her response.
“I’ve got this,” she said. “I can see in the dark better than anyone, and I know how to talk to him. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“I hope you won’t mind a little backup.” Yatsuhashi and Coco would kill him if he let anything happen to Velvet. “Just me, okay?”
“Thanks,” Velvet sent.
He understood why Velvet wanted to strike out on her own, to prove herself not only to the team but also to herself. Growing up, Fox had been the outsider, the orphan, the little blind boy. His people had meant to be kind, but their overprotectiveness was stifling. Everyone but Copper had underestimated his abilities and treated him as fragile, unable to take care of himself.
Besides, if he told Coco that Velvet was out here, Coco would come charging out on her own. And she needed to stay where she was, keeping guard in town in case anything got past Fox—and keeping an eye on Bertilak and Carmine, who they worried might try to ditch the settlement, job or no job. As much as the pair seemed to prevent CFVY from taking charge, they also had seemed relieved to have the team draw the attention of the beleaguered townspeople.
Fox hurried in the general direction of Velvet and Edward, noting that Edward’s mental impression was becoming faint, which probably wasn’t a good sign. And on top of that, Fox began to sense … nothing. That really wasn’t a good sign.
“Grimm,” Fox sent to Velvet. “Moving in on Edward.”
“I’ll meet you there,” Velvet responded.
Fox noted Velvet picking up speed, closing the distance between her and Edward. She could move fast.
Edward’s consciousness nearly blipped out. Fox started running. He could move fast, too.
“Trouble!” Fox sent.
He reached Edward just behind Velvet. He could barely sense Edward now.
“How is he?” Fox sent.
“He isn’t sleepwalking anymore. Now he’s just sleeping,” Velvet said. “And breathing, thank goodness. He’s out here in just his pj’s.”
Fox was surprised the old man had made it this far before passing out from the cold, without any protective clothing. He pulled off his blanket and bundled it around the old man. He was heavy.
“I’ll take him.” Fox draped Edward over his shoulder. “Let’s get him out of here before—”
Velvet shoved Fox and Edward out of the way as something fast and large struck at where he’d been standing. Fox grunted and spat out sand and blood; he laid Edward on the ground behind him.
“It’s a King Taijitu,” Velvet said. “We’ll need to lure it away from Edward.” Fox heard her activate a hard-light weapon and then a heavy thwack as she hit the massive viper hard with whatever it was. The snake hissed and its scaly skin rasped against the sand as it drew back.
Fox oriented himself toward the Grimm and crossed his arms in front of him, making an X with his blades. He relied on his hearing in the still night and the gentle vibrations of the sand to follow its movement.
“Can you see all of it?” Fox asked.
“Just the white half,” Velvet sent. She knew better than to speak aloud when he was listening in the middle of a fight. Being able to communicate quietly, especially around Grimm, gave them a nice advantage—even if it drained Fox and weakened his Aura over time. “The rest of it must be under the sand.”
That explained why Fox felt movement below his feet, while it seemed the snake was withdrawing aboveground.
“It’s coiling to strike,” Velvet said. He heard her snap a photo of him and then activate another weapon. He grinned, knowing she was now armed the same way he was, with his own fighting techniques.
Fox took in a deep breath, then darted forward, arms up, blades out. As he reached the King Taijitu he ducked and pushed himself forward even faster. He felt a breeze as the snake’s head passed just over his own. He lifted his arms, cutting down the length of its body toward the trunk. Then he locked his arms in front of him, brought the blades forward, and fired their guns behind him for an extra boost—and sliced clean through its body.
“Great!” Velvet sent. “The white end’s gone, but the other end is—”
The ground beneath Fox caved, sucking him under. The sand filled in around him, pinning his arms to his sides. He felt hot breath from the remaining half of the Taijitu rearing up in front of his face.
“My turn,” Velvet sent.
The King Taijitu shifted to attack her, giving Fox his chance to dig himself out. He still couldn’t budge his arms, since the sand was packed in tightly, so he fired his blade guns. The explosive force cleared enough space for him to drag himself out of the pit. He rolled onto his back and squinted as sand blew into his face. A dust devil?
No, it was just Velvet zipping by him and then up the length of the snake. He heard the familiar sound of Sharp Retribution—an echo of his own weapons—cutting through its steely scales.
“Heads up!” Velvet sent.
Fox scrambled to his feet, waiting for his cue.
“And now it’s coming down!” Velvet sent.
The ground shook and sand blasted over Fox as the King Taijitu’s head slammed into the ground just in front of him. He dashed around to its right side and slashed a blade at the eye while it was stunned, then vaulted up to move to the other side. While he was on top of its head, the snake suddenly reared up and Fox nearly lost his balance. He jammed his arm blades into its skull and held on
.
It did not like that.
The snake thrashed around, trying to dislodge Fox, as it raced around the desert.
Bullets from Coco’s Gatling gun followed it around.
Coco was here?
A bullet whistled just past Fox’s ear.
“Sorry!” Velvet said.
Velvet again. But without Coco’s ability to enhance the strength of her bullets, her hard-light gun couldn’t do much damage on the King Taijitu.
Fox twisted his left arm blade and the snake veered left. He twisted to the right, and it turned right. He could steer the Grimm! The question was, where should he take it?
Away from Feldspar, obviously, but he didn’t know how long he could keep this up, and he just wanted to finish the Grimm off.
“The quarry!” Velvet sent.
“What about it?” Fox asked.
“I meant the nearby Dust quarry, not the Grimm,” Velvet sent. “The stone pit just north of here. Isn’t it weird when the same word means two wildly different things?”
“So weird,” Fox sent. “I’m gonna ditch our quarry in the quarry.”
He was already steering the half-blinded, half King Taijitu toward the great stone pit near the town. Quarries like this one could be found all over Vacuo. Once upon a time, about a century back, they had all been part of a major mining operation. Once the corporations had leeched the land of the Dust that made it so valuable, they up and left—having helped the desert claim more of the land, and leaving giant holes like this one.
The snake didn’t see the pit coming until it was already slipping over the edge. It flailed around, but it was falling down the side of the man-made crater. Fox pulled his tonfa free, turned, and ran up the length of the King Taijitu toward the edge of the cliff.
Just as he leaped off, the tail end of the snake lashed out and wrapped itself around Fox, pulling him down with it.
“What?” Fox sent.
He and the King Taijitu tumbled down the canyon. Fox’s arms were free so he jammed them into the stone wall. Metal and stone screamed against each other, sparks flew, and Fox thought his arms were going to be yanked out of their sockets. But the blades held, and Fox’s descent slowed and then stopped.
