"You okay?" Shai asked as I jumped the last few feet to the bottom.
I nodded, but my raspy voice betrayed me. "Let's get out of here."
We might have escaped the reconciliation center, but we were far from safe. We still had to get out of the city, and I had no doubt there would be troopers looking for us for hours, if not days. The alarms continued to blare loudly. We were a kilometer from the building, and I wondered how the residents could sleep through such noise. I expected people would come out of their homes to investigate, or at the very least peer out of their windows. At that moment, it felt as though the city was empty except for the two of us and the soldiers we could feel like a threat at our back.
We headed east, sticking to dark alleyways. I still couldn’t reach Makari, so I knew we couldn’t rely on him to lead us out of the city. I only hoped we weren’t too far from the outskirts. We stopped at the end of the alley to check the street. Two hydrocars headed toward us from opposite directions; their spotlights directed down the alleyways.
I motioned for Shai to step back. We hid in the gap of a doorway. I held my breath as the alley lit up as though the sun was rising. A moment later the light dimmed, which left the car coming in the opposite direction; we would be in its direct line of sight. I grabbed Shai's hand and ran to another doorway across the alley. We pressed ourselves against the door just as light flooded the alley once more.
"Wait here," I said, when the cloak of darkness flooded the alleyway once again. I didn't want to continue on until I knew they were a good distance away. The alley didn't extend to the other side of the street, so we had to walk a block and a half along the brightly lit road if we were to continue moving east.
Once the hydrocars were out of sight, I waved for Shai to join me. As we jogged down the street, headed for the next alley, a thought stopped me in my tracks. Shai nearly bumped into me.
"What's wrong?" she asked
"They know I'm a shadow stalker."
Shai tilted her head to the side. "Yes, I think that’s pretty clear by now."
I shook my head. She didn't understand. "Makari has been spending time with me. They're going to suspect him of helping me. He’s a shadow stalker, so they’ll work out he knew all along."
"Just because he's a shadow stalker doesn't mean he'd know you are too. It would take the use of your power, and Makari can tell them he never sensed it."
"But they'll know he's lying."
"There's nothing we can do about it right now," she said, glancing nervously at a nearby streetlight. "He'll have to look out for himself."
She was right, and yet, even when I began running again, I found it impossible to ignore my concerns.
*****
The buildings were smaller and sparser, the further we got from the city center. I could see trees in the distance now, indicating we were nearing the outskirts of the city. We had run out of alleyways to shield our movements and had to rely on the shadows cast by the houses we passed. At one point, we were forced to hide in someone's yard. We crouched low, being as quiet as possible so we wouldn't wake the residents. Several hydrocars passed by, all heading to the east side of the city.
"A blockade," I whispered, frowning.
I glanced at Shai, and I could tell by the look on her face she was going to suggest once again that I leave her behind and escape through the shadow world. I gave her my best "don't say it" glare, and she sighed, gazing off in the direction of the blaring sirens.
"I'll find a safe route out of the city," I told her. "Wait here."
I went into the shadow world, hoping there might be a way through the city. I caught sight of hundreds of troopers and soldiers blocking every road and guarding the edges of the surrounding forests. Even if we managed to find our way out, the patrols were too close together. We'd be spotted.
"I’m not sure there is a safe route," I said when I returned.
"Release another demon," Shai suggested. "If you release one on the other side of the city, they might think we’re headed that way and send backup."
It was a good idea—in theory. "I don't want to be responsible for any more deaths."
Shai gazed at me as though I'd lost my mind. "It's a war, Auren. It's us or them. If we're going to escape it might be our only chance. They know we're still in the city. They're not going to stay on the outskirts either. They'll slowly move us back until they find our general location and then release more of those spheres. You won’t be able to escape, and they’ll find us. If you think it was bad before, wait until they begin to punish you because you're a shadow stalker."
The crazed look in Shai's eyes made me take a step back. Her experiences must have been more horrifying than I thought. Another reason to get her as far away from this place as possible. To get us both out. She was right. We had to do whatever was necessary. Protecting the lives of those who were trying to kill me, and destroying the lives of countless others in the process, was both foolish and reckless. Yet I couldn't get the image of the trooper as he slowly suffocated out of my head. It was a horrible way to die. Having a demon on the loose wasn't any better.
"I'll be right back."
Shai nodded and sighed, her expression softening.
I set a demon loose on the western side of the city and watched for a moment. It seemed the logical choice because most people wanting to get off Nadiria, especially if they were in a panic, would head west. It was the only side of the island that bordered any of the others in the Serpent Isles. The eastern side of the island headed further inland on the long narrow island, and further away from civilization. From what I knew of the Galvadi, most of them resided on the western side of the island. As soon as we were safely away from the city, we could turn south to meet up with Kado. I could only hope we'd have no run-ins after that though the chances were pretty slim.
Chapter 6
As soon as the soldiers responded to the demon's presence, my job there was done. I checked in with the troopers and soldiers guarding the eastern border. Several of them were leaving their posts and getting into vehicles, I assumed, headed towards the western side of the city for backup. There were still several soldiers patrolling the forest, but some of them had responded to the demon attack as well. It should be safe enough for Shai to escape.
"Head into the forest from the northeast and avoid the main roads. I'm going to keep an eye on that demon and I'll meet up with you as soon as you're safely away," I told her. If I didn't have to go searching for the demon, anyway. If I had to go on a hunt like on Luten Isle, we'd never be able to meet up with Kado on time.
I watched Shai from the shadow world until she had reached the forest, in case she needed my help. It would be easier to fight off soldiers if I could take them by surprise. Then I headed back to the area where I released the demon. It was dark and there were no soldiers, except the dead ones. I listened for any sign while I followed the trail of bodies, trying hard not to look directly at any of them. Finally, I heard a roar up ahead and a soft light shining through the trees.
I ran to catch up with them. They had surrounded the demon, shooting it from all sides, but I knew all they'd do is make it angrier. I needed to get closer to it to send it back into the shadow world, but I couldn't do that without getting myself shot or captured. I could have waited for the demon to kill them all, but more soldiers would likely arrive to take their place soon, and I couldn't let these people die if I could stop it, regardless of what they would do to me in return for my mercy.
I approached one of the Dansig Troopers, my hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. He looked familiar and gazed at me with an expression of recognition.
"Well, well," he said, once I was in earshot. "I imagine we have you to thank for this?"
I nodded. It would do no good to explain my regret in doing so. He wouldn't believe me.
One of the other soldiers noticed her and pointed his weapon at her. The trooper just watched her, his weapon hung from a strap at his side as he tossed two of those b
alls at my feet and pulled out a recinder. I eyed it for a moment, as I knelt down to pick up the balls. My stomach lurched, and I almost couldn't stand up, but I took a deep breath and forced myself to my feet.
"If you put that on me I can't send the demon back. You can't kill it, and it will keep killing until it's destroyed every living thing on this island." I didn't know if that was true, but it was highly likely to be the case from what I knew of them.
The demon was about to charge his men, they inched back as it advanced on them.
"You have to tell your men to get out of the way and stop shooting. I will send it back to the shadow world."
The trooper narrowed his eyes. "And how do I know you're not lying?"
"If I didn't intend to send it back, why else would I be here?"
He didn't answer right away. I imaged he was trying to find a way to let me do what had to be done without letting me get away, but as soon as I went back to the shadow world with the demon, I wouldn't be returning to their location. I was sure he knew that.
"Your men there will die if I don't do something soon, and I really don't want anyone else to die."
The trooper scoffed, but held his hand out. It took me a moment to realize he was waiting for me to return the metal balls. I set them in his hand, but he gripped my arm with his free hand. I made no move to defend myself, waiting to see what he'd do.
"You've been troublesome since you've been brought in. I knew there was something more to you than we knew. I expected you were a Coalition spy, but I would never have guessed you were a shadow stalker. You're a killer, and you won't get off this island girl. I promise you that. That shadow stalker you're traveling will slow you, and when you are returned to the reconciliation center, I will be paying you a visit. Count on that."
I nodded.
"Release another demon on this island, and I will personally see to it you die a slow painful death."
I wouldn't if I had any other choice, but I doubted they'd make things that easy for us. I tilted my head towards the soldiers still fighting a losing battle with the demon. "Your men."
The trooper squeezed my arm hard enough to bruise before releasing me. I held my expression as neutral as possible and stifled a wince. I watched warily as he and the other soldier backed away, and he gave the command to cease fire and run. As soon as their blasting stopped, I ran to the demon, jumping onto its back before it could think to go after the fleeing soldiers and we disappeared into the shadow world. Fifteen meters, I realized, was the distance I was from the trooper before my powers returned to me. That would be helpful knowledge for the future.
*****
My heart was still beating rapidly by the time I found Shai and rejoined her. The deadly look on the trooper’s face would likely haunt my dreams. If I was lucky enough to fall asleep. Shai covered her tracks well as she made her way through the forest. Good. At least I wouldn't have to leave her again. "I had to pretend to turn myself in to get close enough to send the demon back," I said as I noticed she was walking with a slight limp.
Shai stopped in her tracks, gaping at me. "You what?"
"They were trying to kill it. I had to stop them."
She snorted and resumed her walking. "You should have just waited until they were all dead."
I shook my head and sighed, trailing after her. "Like I said, I'm going to avoid killing people unless I have no other choice."
"And they actually let you go?"
"What choice did they have?"
Shai nodded. "It was still an unnecessary risk."
"I know. Don't tell your father."
"That won't make a difference."
"Yeah, he'll know anyway. He probably already does." It surprised me, though, how apathetic a fifteen-year-old could be towards the lives of others. I didn't know if it was because of her training and how she was raised, or just a result of being tortured for months, but I guessed it was the latter.
I wondered what my father would say, had he been here with us. He had already warned me not to take risks. I imagined he'd be threatening serious punishment. Of course, I still had to face Kado when all of this was over. He'd likely want to punish me for going after Jade and getting captured in the first place, pointing out that my reckless behavior hadn’t saved my friend. Then again, I'd rescued his daughter, so maybe he'd just let it go. No, I doubted it. I had to face facts. I was in trouble.
"You're not the only one who had fun. I ran into one of the troopers on the way out here and had to make a run for it. I outran him, but well…" She lifted her foot and swiped the dirt and debris that had caked onto them. Blood still oozed from the cuts. "We'll need to stop soon."
I nodded, but it wasn't safe to stop yet. We needed clean water, meaning we would have to find a stream. "We need to get further from the city before we stop."
"Kado will be meeting us on the southern shore. So as soon we get some distance we'll turn in that direction and find a safe place to camp." I was going to say for the night, but it was likely getting close to dawn by now.
Shai started to say something, but a dark shadow appeared in front of us, blocking our path.
Shadow Stalker:
Escape Part 2
(Episode 12)
Prologue
Kado scanned the scene from a tree-covered hilltop at the base of the mountain, his pulse quickening. Rows and rows of tents, stretching as far as the distant lake, were all that remained of Yarrin Park, the once lush gardens covering acres of land south of the Appolian Mountains. What had been a popular spot for picnics and weddings, now lay in ruins, trampled under the feet of thousands of Galvadi soldiers. Sephir's low growl mirrored the disgust Kado felt. For a culture who believed themselves to be more spiritually advanced than the rest of the people on the Serpent Isles, they certainly showed great disrespect for the natural world.
The small town of Ridgecrest sat in the distance with hundreds of empty homes, which could have been used by the soldiers, but instead the Galvadi had taken over the park. Kado shook his head and refocused on his mission. They needed a hydrocar to get to Nadiria to pick up Auren and Shai. Preferably one like the model he'd stolen from the group of soldiers on Luten Isle several months before, when the Galvadi had begun their invasion.
"That's the one we want," Kado said, pointing to one of the many hydrocars lined up on the outskirts of their camp.
The hydrocars were being guarded by a few young soldiers, but they didn't look to be more than eighteen or nineteen years old. They were new likely recruits and certainly not a challenge for seasoned shadow warriors.
"Being picky, are we?" Sephir said, a wry grin spread across his face.
Kado snorted. "Well, you can travel under the water in one of the others if you like, but it will be a one-way trip to the bottom of the sea. And I'd like to avoid detection as we travel to Nadiria."
"And how are we going to avoid their detection?" Sephir asked, motioning toward the soldiers.
Kado grinned.
"That look means trouble is coming."
"It is—for our enemies. Wait here." Kado shifted into the shadow world before Sephir had a chance to reply. His friend would have wanted to help with the distraction, but Kado was going to use one of the abilities he alone possessed, as Foramar. He moved into the deepest part of the shadow world where the animals dwelt and found a bear. After asking permission, he borrowed the body of the bear and shifted with it to the opposite side of the camp near the lake.
Kado wasted no time as he began tearing through tents. He would need to be quick. He had to create enough of a disturbance to distract the entire camp and return the bear before it could be injured by the soldiers. After he had toppled ten tents, the shouts were growing louder. They still didn't know his exact location because he was shifting in and out of the shadow world in different locations to further confuse and, hopefully, terrorize the soldiers.
Shots were fired not far from Kado's location, but from what he could tell, whoever did the shooting had not
aimed anywhere near him. Between that and the ensuing chaos erupting through the camp, Kado had decided he'd done enough. After returning the bear to his home, he reappeared next to Sephir who was chuckling softly.
"Nice work," his friend said.
"Thanks."
Even though the commotion took place a good distance from the young soldiers guarding the hydrocars, they were thoroughly distracted.
"Take them out first?" Sephir asked.
Kado nodded. "If possible, leave them alive. I don't care if they are the enemy. I don't want to get into the habit of killing kids."
Sephir grunted his agreement and took care of the soldier standing on his own toward the left. Kado knocked the other two unconscious before meeting up at the hydrocar he'd pointed out earlier. They sped toward the western shore. If they had been spotted, it was too late for the soldiers to do anything now. Kado intended to submerge and keep heading west a while before turning south and then east to Nadiria. His roundabout way of getting there should take him exactly two days, which is when he promised Auren he would meet her.
"Now let's hope the girls have as much luck slipping away from the reconciliation center."
Kado nodded, but he doubted it would be the case.
Chapter 1
The shadow moved towards me, but I wasn't about to let him have the upper hand. I sprang into action, side-stepping him and throwing my elbow into his midsection. He was expecting it, though, as if he were reading my mind. He grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. At the same time, I heard his voice in my head.
It's me, Makari said.
I relaxed immediately as he released me, twisting in his arms and embracing him. "Sorry, but you shouldn't sneak up on people like that. You're just as bad as Kado."
Shadow Stalker Part 2 (Episodes 7 - 12) Page 16
