by E S Richards
There appeared to be a scoring system written down for how well each of the boys performed in a certain task. After remembering what Asher had said about his suspicions about his mutation and checking what had been written down Zahyra’s mouth set into a firm line as she accepted that her younger brother did have the ability to borrow other mutations. The more she read on the more convinced Zahyra became that each of the boys carried the exact same mutation. It gradually became clear to her that all of them were Gen 6 mutants and all of them were being trained to handle their mutation better.
Pausing for a moment Zahyra considered what she had learned. She remembered Asher’s letter and the words he had written to her. The reality was that up to that point Zahyra had not witnessed anything that made her think her brother was in danger. She had not yet seen them within the facility; they had not been forced to engage in the fight to take control of the vehicle bay. As she gripped the papers in her hand Zahyra suddenly began to wonder whether they had made a mistake by coming to the safe haven.
It was after all, what Asher had wanted. He had left the warped settlement with the intention of wanting to learn more about himself and more about his Gen 6 mutation. He had distinctly told Zahyra not to go after him and yet that was exactly what she had done. Had she made a grave mistake? More than ever in that moment she longed to see Asher. Just one glance at him would let her know whether he was okay or not, whether being in the safe haven was actually what he wanted.
Doubt began to snake its way around Zahyra’s mind as she realised what a huge step it had been for them to bring the commander’s mutant party to the safe haven. Even if she and Cain wanted to leave the damage was now already done.
With a shake of her head Zahyra continued to question the past. She wondered whether the safe haven’s attack on the warped settlement had simply been a coincidence, whether they had known Adryan was there already and therefore raided the settlement just for him.
But still, thoughts continued to fire through Zahyra’s mind like the bullets that had so recently whizzed through the air around her. Even if Asher hadn’t been forced to reveal the location of the warped settlement and even if the safe haven had raided it on their own accord; they had still killed hundreds of innocent people and that was the one thing Zahyra refused to let herself forget.
The people who ran the facility were murderers. They had killed children, elderly people with no way of defending themselves and warped mutants who had never caused any trouble for anyone. They had also nearly killed her during her time in the safe haven, the T128 trail pushing Zahyra to the edge of her limits. They had separated her from Cain and from Asher and worst of all they had genetically altered who her younger brother was. Who he was, and who the five other boys going through it with him were as well.
Finally coming to a decision Zahyra decided that the safe haven needed to be stopped. Too much wrong had been done by their hand to just be forgotten. Even if they were helping Asher learn more about himself, that didn’t make up for the old life they had taken away from him. Hopefully at least he would now know enough about his Gen 6 mutation to be able to survive with it in the outside world. That was the only slight worry Zahyra had in her plan.
Although, she had to admit to herself, it wasn’t much of a plan. While sitting in the small room of documents she may have made many decisions about how she saw the safe haven, but she hadn’t managed to come up with any ideas for how to act on her new feelings.
She wanted to do something to stop the safe haven, to damage it and set it back in its goals but the specifics of that were something she was struggling to work out. A part of her hoped that the advanced mutant attack and destruction of the Tocsix would be enough, but another part of her knew it wouldn’t be. She wanted to truly make them suffer, to make them feel the pain that she herself had felt all too often because of them.
It was a new feeling that then began to overwhelm Zahyra. Not one of fear or worry for her younger brother. She wasn’t frightened or nervous about what was about to happen. Instead she was determined. She was angry. And most of all she wanted revenge.
Grabbing as many of the papers from the room that she found useful she shoved them into the pockets of her dark cargo pants. They would act as evidence if she needed to convince Cain, she knew that, but she also knew that even if he disagreed with her it would take a revelation to change her mind. The safe haven needed to pay, of that Zahyra was certain.
Picking up her rifle from beside the door where she had left it she edged out of the room and checked the corridor. She had no idea how long she had been in the room for, but the corridor remained as eerily quiet as it had been before. Continuing in the same direction Zahyra paused at the doors and searched for one that would lead to the experimentation labs where Cain would be waiting for her. She knew most of the safe haven would be waking up soon to begin their day and that meant they would swiftly run out of both time and the element of surprise. Although Zahyra quickly realised their drawn-out battle for the vehicle bay would have alerted the majority of the facility to the breach and more and more of the red band was probably flooding the area as she spoke, keen to wipe out the threat the advanced mutant party carried with it.
That thought only made her footsteps quicker, anxious to reach Cain before it was all too late. With another right turn Zahyra gripped her rifle tighter, ready to pull the trigger depending on what she found around the corner. Much to her surprise however a smile crept over her face as she turned, the corner revealing a welcome and familiar sight. She was finally just beyond the experimentation labs.
Biting her lip Zahyra edged forward towards the door that she knew would lead into the first laboratory. Beyond that lay Professor Welbeck’s lab and beyond that there was the one that had belonged to her father. As Zahyra’s hand hovered over the door handle she remembered how Asher had shot down their father not far at all from where she was currently standing. If ever she had wanted proof that her father had done a terrible thing his own son killing him was exactly that. Remembering that day gave Zahyra another boost of confidence and she stepped softly into the first lab.
Finding it empty as she had expected Zahyra hurried forward, pausing at the door between the first lab and the one belonging to Professor Welbeck. She just had to cross through that room to get to Cain. Through the room where she had almost died, where she had been tortured, tested and tormented, all to further the safe haven’s ambitions. Well now she was going to put a stop to them.
Reaching out for the panel on the wall that would open the door Zahyra pressed it down with two of her fingers and waited for the metal structure to give way, granting her access into a room that had all too frequently haunted her dreams.
“Zahyra.”
A voice came from within as the door began to creep open. Zahyra held her breath, she recognised the voice but it wasn’t one she had hoped to hear again any time soon. Sure enough as she remained firmly planted in the place the door opened fully to reveal two female figures standing in front of her.
“How nice of you to pay us a visit again.” Professor Welbeck snarled through her thin, pale lips.
“We were so hoping you’d drop by,” Heather added with a smirk. “Why don’t you take a seat? We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Chapter 23 – Cain
“It’ll be okay baby, it’ll be okay.”
Holding Zahyra in his arms Cain desperately tried to stop the tears falling from her eyes. The battle for the vehicle bay was almost over, just one remaining safe haven soldier was left hiding towards the back of the room. But for now, Zahyra’s upset was much more important to Cain.
He had never been particularly fond of Zac, but was aware Zahyra had regarded him as a friend. He also knew how hard it was to watch someone die in front of you, whether that person was friend or foe. With the added pressure of Zac’s final words to Zahyra about saving the boys he wasn’t surprised she was breaking down in front of him, but he knew he had to remain strong. They had a
mission to carry out and a responsibility to rescue Asher and however many other boys were with him. There was no turning back now, Cain had to make sure Zahyra could see their rescue mission through.
“You need to get inside and look for them,” Cain whispered into Zahyra’s ear as he looked around the vehicle bay. That one safe haven soldier had to make a move soon and when he did Cain would be waiting, although getting Zahyra to safety was his first port of call.
“Get inside now and I’ll meet you in your father’s lab,” Cain continued. “We can find Asher together from there okay?”
“Why don’t you come with me now?” The desperation in Zahyra’s voice was heart-wrenching as she stepped back out of Cain’s arms and looked upon him with her deep, pleading eyes.
Cain looked away from her for a moment, knowing that if he stared into her eyes for long enough she would convince him to go with her. Then, in his peripheral vision he saw the final member of the red band about to make a move, heading for a door towards the back of the vehicle bay. Straightening himself up and stretching his arms Cain sighted his gun, his aim firmly set on the soldier. Then with a slow exhale of breath he squeezed the trigger and watched the man fall to the ground.
“I’ll come with you soon Zar,” he spoke quickly turning away from the man he had just shot. Cain knew the commander’s men would be emerging from their cover now, joining the pair of them in the vehicle bay quickly, that wasn’t something he wanted Zahyra to get trapped in.
“You need to get out of here now so you don’t get caught up in the commander’s plan. Please, go find your brother.”
“Okay,” Zahyra’s soft reply came after a moment. “Don’t be too long.”
Cain returned her look of longing as he pushed her towards a small door in the vehicle bay and out of sight. He hated to be apart from her but knew it was the only way to make sure at least one of them got to Asher and the other boys safely.
With the red band now all fallen they needed to move quickly; Cain knew it wouldn’t be long before the second wave of soldiers were sent in to fight them. He had to shake the commander’s men off quickly as well, allowing him to escape and join Zahyra.
Her father’s lab wasn’t far from the vehicle bay, the access door being just on the other side of the room. Providing his plan continued to work with the commander, Cain knew he could be back by her side in under an hour. As his fellow advanced mutants began to step forward he just prayed it would work.
“Well done men!” The commander’s voice echoed through the vehicle bay as he stepped into the light. Dawn was now breaking outside but the interior of the vehicle bay was better lit through the small fires scattered around the place.
“The next stage of our plan can now commence. We fought hard and brave just now and have reigned triumphant with minimal casualties. Cain?” The commander twirled around on his heel to lock eyes on Cain. “Can you take us through the next stage? Where are your companions?”
Cain thought quickly on his feet, knowing the commander and the advanced mutant party had been relying on the information fed from himself, Zahyra and Zac to get them safely around the facility. The rest of the mutants were now joining them in the vehicle bay, a few rubbing their heads and tending to other injuries but for the most part the commander’s party remained intact.
“Dead,” Cain spoke softly, hoping to put the commander off Zahyra’s trail. “They’re both dead. But I know my way around this place, I can take us to the Tocsix’.”
“Ah, I’m sorry,” the commander bowed his head slightly. “But still like you say we have a job to complete. Now that we’re all here we ought to get moving.”
Cain nodded and was just about to open his mouth to relay instructions to the commander and his men when something happened that knocked all of his breath clean out of him. Stepping into the centre of the vehicle bay walked Asher, accompanied by five other boys of similar age.
Cain gaped at the young boys in front of him, marvelling in particular at how much Asher appeared to have grown in the short time they had been apart. His frame was wider and covered in more muscle than he had carried before; if Cain wasn’t mistaken it also looked like Asher had grown a couple of inches as well. For if he didn’t know the boy was only ten he would probably assume they were all in their early teenage years.
With his mouth still hanging open slightly from the words he had been about to say Cain also regarded Asher’s facial expression. The boy was looking at him carefully but with a piercing and vacant glare. It almost looked to Cain as if Asher didn’t remember who he was, as if the boy didn’t recognise him at all.
Analysing the five other boys Cain saw matching vacant expressions upon each of their faces. Their hands were balled into fists and their stances suggested they were ready for a fight. Had they been a part of the battle already? Cain couldn’t remember seeing any of them and shook his head slightly at the thought of fighting with children. He slowly moved his head to look at the commander and the other mutants, anxious to discover what they were thinking.
All of them remained silent, their eyes never leaving the area Asher and the other boys occupied. Cain watched their faces: the commander looked slightly amused, like he was uncertain why a group of boys had been sent out to fight. Mace and a few of the other advanced mutants looked scared, like perhaps they had encountered the boys in the fight before. Across all of their faces though was a mask of confusion, with no one really knowing what to do or who should make the first move. Turning his head back towards Asher again, Cain knew it would have to be him.
“Asher?” He spoke delicately and remained where he was, allowing Asher the space before him. The simple fact that he had not ran towards Cain as soon as they’d seen one another told Cain something was wrong. In that moment he desperately wished he had not sent Zahyra off towards her father’s old lab. “Asher, it’s Cain,” he continued. “Are you alright?”
The young boy cocked his head to one side with a look of confusion etched across his face. Cain saw some of the other boys looking towards Asher with the same confused expression, each of them waiting to see how he would react. He repeated Asher’s name again, watching the boy closely for any kind of reaction. It was clear Asher still recognised his name but it appeared to Cain that he was more uncertain about who was saying it. For some reason Asher looked to have completely forgotten who Cain was. Suddenly Cain realised that was only half of the problem and he needed to quickly make it clear to Asher that he wasn’t a threat. That he was here to save him and the other boys.
“Asher,” Cain held out his hands in front of him. “I’m here with your sister Zahyra, you remember her? We’re here to help you Asher, we’re here to take you home.”
Asher remained still in front of Cain’s eyes although some movement caught his attention off to the left. The advanced mutants were growing restless with the exchange, many of them now turning their attention to a way out of the vehicle bay. Asher noticed the altercation between the advanced mutants too and both his and the five pairs of eyes belonging to the other boys swung over in their direction. All six of them still remaining silent.
“Cain what is going on?” The commander’s voice carried through the vehicle bay again. There was a touch of irritation in his voice that made Cain feel uneasy, the state of Asher and the boys putting him on edge.
“I know this boy,” Cain’s own voice remained level as he continued to look at Asher, a friendly smile forcing its way onto his lips.
“Well tell him to move aside so we can get on with our task,” the commander ordered even more irritably. “Stupid kids standing around and getting in the way.”
Each of the boys snapped their heads over in the commander’s direction at his words, ensuring Cain that they could in fact understand what people were saying.
“Come on Cain, call them off,” the commander’s voice came again. “We’ve got work to be done.”
Cain shot an angry glare over towards the commander before quickly looking back at
Asher. He took a small step forward and was just about to open his mouth to speak again when all the six boys looked at him and stepped backwards in unison.
“Asher, it’s okay.”
Cain kept his hands out in front of him as he took another step forward, slowly edging closer towards the young boys. After a few more steps he was almost within reaching distance when the boys looked at one another again and then with immeasurable speed each ran away in pairs, hiding behind various bits of cover.
“What’s going on?” The commander yelled over at Cain, clearly confused by the boys fleeing into cover.
“Let’s just get out of here,” another mutant called.
“The door’s over here lads!” Shouted a third.
Cain was frozen to the spot. There was something very strange going on with Asher and the other boys and he didn’t trust it for a second. He tried to argue with the advanced mutants as they all started rushing towards a door, thankfully a different one to where he had sent Zahyra earlier.
When the first mutant reached it there was a high-pitched scream that came from one of the young boys and a strong beam of light shot from his eyes, tearing into the chest of the mutant who was stood beside the door. Silence followed the sudden attack, everyone watching on in horror as the mutant clutched his chest before falling to the ground, the life quickly leaving his eyes. In an instant everything broke down into madness.
The advanced mutants dove into cover, each of them shouting out about the young boys, shocked by the fact they carried mutations. Cain ducked behind the open door of an SUV and tried to remember what he knew about Asher’s mutation – his Gen 6 ranking making him the most powerful mutant in the room. Although with a shudder Cain realised that the five other boys almost certainly carried the Gen 6 ranking as well.
As far as Asher had guessed when Cain had last seen him, he believed his Gen 6 mutation meant he was able to borrow other mutations. There had been evidence enough for this with Asher borrowing Cyrus’ telepathic ability, the old woman’s power of freezing things and Cain’s own MATH mutation.
