The Beyond: Dystopian Survival Fiction (The Breeder Files Book 4)

by Eliza Green

‘Tells?’

  ‘Expressions. You don’t hide your emotions anymore. That’s all you did in the city, except when you figured out how to erase your memories.’

  She looked up at him. ‘Is that a good thing?’

  June, Vanessa and the Inventor nodded at the same time.

  He said, smiling, ‘Welcome to human life.’

  4

  Anya

  The food stores had dropped to their lowest levels. With all of Kaylie’s team to feed as well as their own, rations were down to the bare minimum. But Anya wasn’t worried. During her time as a prisoner in Praesidium, she and Alex had eaten like kings. That meant there must be a food replicator or a garden or something in the city.

  The dining hall was busy that evening. Anya sat with Dom at one table while Sheila, June and Imogen sat at another. Kaylie, who’d been helping in the valley, kept to her team. The woman who shared an intimate past with Dom no longer bothered her. Anya had been through too much with Dom to let anything come between them.

  She looked over at Sheila’s table. Of the six Anya had completed the first floor of Arcis with, only three survived: June, Anya and Jerome. She hoped he and Alex were okay.

  Dom dipped his spoon into the meagre portion of beans on his plate. Next to it were three apple slices gone brown and a piece of stale bread. His head was still, resting in his hand, but his eyes were not. At least there wouldn’t be many supplies to take when they finally left for the city. The dwindling food supplies was another reason they couldn’t stay.

  She kicked him under the table. ‘Hey.’

  Dom startled and looked up at her. ‘What?’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  He faked a smile. Her time in Arcis had trained her to know everyone’s tells. But she was most attuned to his.

  ‘No you’re not. What’s wrong?’

  Dom’s lips thinned. He looked around, as if he were avoiding her question.

  His eyes found hers. ‘Did the shooting session help?’

  She kicked him again. ‘Stop changing the subject.’

  Dom pulled his legs back. ‘Ow!’

  ‘I didn’t hurt you, you baby. If I did, you’d know about it.’

  Dom smiled; it was the first genuine one she’d seen from him since Max died.

  Max! How could she be so insensitive?

  Anya reached out for him and touched the top of his hand. He pulled it back from her, glancing around the room. She paused, her hand in the air, waiting, until he inched his hand forward. Then she swatted it. Lightly. He laughed.

  Her own smile lasted mere seconds. ‘How are you coping without Max?’

  Dom’s shoulders dropped and she worried she’d sent him into a deeper, darker pit.

  ‘I’m fine,’ he said.

  She wanted to ask more but Vanessa, Charlie, Thomas, Jacob and Carissa entered the food hall and drew Dom’s attention away. All eyes were on them, covered in rock dust, looking like they’d come from some deep excavation project.

  Dom sat up straight. They approached their table. Other soldiers looked hopeful. As did June, who had also perked up at their arrival.

  Vanessa sat down beside Anya. She scooted up to make room for her. Charlie sat next to Dom. Jacob and Carissa remained standing.

  ‘It’s done,’ Vanessa said. ‘The wolves shifted the last of the problematic boulders out of the way.’

  Anya could smell the effort that had gone into the removal. She and Dom had offered their help, but Jacob had said the wolves would work better with a trusted few.

  ‘All of them?’ Dom asked.

  Charlie nodded. ‘Like we planned.’ His lips were pinched. ‘I guess we can go now.’

  All eyes were on Dom for his next answer.

  Anya’s heart tugged for him. The weight of responsibility had been thrust upon him so fast.

  ‘It’s not the right time.’

  His reply surprised Anya, matching Charlie’s earlier disputed one. What had changed his mind?

  ‘Of course not now,’ said Jacob, resting his fingers on the table, ‘but in the morning. We need to get June urgent medical help.’

  Dom blinked, as though he’d forgotten. ‘Of course. In the morning. We’ll head out after breakfast.’

  Vanessa got up. She headed to the food counter, and Jacob and Carissa did the same. But Charlie stayed seated.

  ‘You need to tell them what’s happening,’ he said to Dom, nodding at the room. ‘It’s what Max would have done.’

  Dom’s shoulders stiffened. ‘Of course. I’m sorry.’

  He stood up and announced to an eager group, ‘The wolves have moved all the boulders, clearing a path for the trucks to leave. We will head to the city in the morning. Everyone should pack up tonight.’

  A restrained buzz ran around the room. But that energy didn’t hit their table. Something was off about Dom and Anya wanted to know what.

  Dom asked Charlie, ‘Did you turn the anti-magnetic field back on?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And the spotters?’

  ‘They’ll stay up on the pass until we’re ready to go. You should order them down at dawn.’

  Charlie stood up and clapped Dom on the back once. He followed the others to the counter for food.

  The second he left, Dom shoved his plate of food away and stood up. ‘I’m going to pack.’

  He left the room, leaving Anya alone.

  She checked her watch. It was only seven thirty. What was there really to pack?

  Sheila frowned at her and mouthed, What’s wrong with him?

  Anya replied, Max, even though she wasn’t sure.

  Sheila nodded. Whatever issues she’d had with her at the shooting range had disappeared. Anya had no energy for grudges.

  She followed Dom out into the hallway. There was no sign of him, but there were only two places he might be. She checked the strategy room first, but he wasn’t there. Next, she went upstairs to the room he’d been using as his bedroom. One of the officer’s rooms.

  She cracked the door open to see Dom lying on the bed, his arm draped over his eyes. She opened the door wider and stepped inside.

  He didn’t move. ‘I don’t want company right now.’

  His voice was low and soft. She didn’t believe him.

  Anya closed the door and sat down on the bed. ‘That’s too bad because you’re getting it.’

  Dom lifted his arm and peeked at her. Then he draped it back over his eyes. At least he hadn’t told her to go a second time.

  She squeezed his leg. ‘What’s going on with you?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘You missing Max?’

  ‘Of course—we all are.’

  Anya peeled his arm away from his eyes. He protested with a sigh.

  ‘I sensed from the conversation downstairs that you’re not excited to be leaving the camp,’ she said.

  Dom looked at her. ‘I’m not.’

  ‘But you were all for it earlier in the strategy room.’

  ‘I can change my mind.’

  Anya scooted closer. ‘Not when June needs help and food is running low. Plus, Alex and Jerome are prisoners in the city.’

  Dom sat up, sighing louder. ‘All valid reasons I know, but I’m worried.’

  ‘About what?’

  He refused to look at her. ‘About losing more people. What Charlie said earlier bothered me. We don’t know what’s waiting for us when we leave here.’

  The danger had occurred to her, too, but Anya couldn’t see another way. ‘We have to go. Julius could be spilling rebel secrets as we speak, instructing the Collective about our habits. If we stay here, we give the Collective time to regroup. We damaged its arsenal during the battle. According to the footage from Jacob’s orb, the city’s defences are down. We need to go now. If we stay, we die.’

  Dom rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand. ‘That’s what I’m worried about.’

  ‘That we’ll die?’

  He looked at her. ‘That we’ll make it inside the c
ity, unimpeded, and they’ll take us prisoners again.’ He looked down at his lap. ‘Max would know what to do. I’m not a good replacement for him.’

  She grabbed his hands and shook them. ‘Of course you are. You’re amazing. You’ve come up with a plan to get us back there. Max would be proud of you.’

  Dom looked at her. His eyes were heavy with tears. She wanted so much to kiss away his fears.

  Instead, she swallowed. ‘Jason would be proud of you, too.’

  He stilled when she mentioned her brother. She hadn’t spoken about him yet. All she could think about was getting revenge for his death. After, she would grieve properly.

  Anya rubbed circles on the back his hand. ‘What’s the plan for when we return?’

  ‘It’s a wait-and-see situation. Jacob’s orb recording is a day old. Anything could have happened since then. The city could have reinstated their barriers, leaving us with no way in.’

  ‘We got out with Carissa’s help. Can she get us back in?’

  Dom shrugged. ‘She was part of the system then. Her frequency matched that of the barrier, allowing her to open it. I’m certain they’ve changed it.’

  So was Anya. But she needed to believe their return would not be difficult. Something had to go their way.

  Dom looked close to retreating inside himself again. She hated seeing him like this.

  ‘Do you want me to help you pack now?’

  Dom’s lips quirked into a smile. ‘I packed the last time.’

  He nodded at a green rucksack in one corner of his room.

  ‘Okay, that’s two of us. So, what’s left to do?’

  He shrugged at her, but the doubt in his eyes lingered. She needed to kick him out of his funk. She had to become someone he could lean on, the way she’d leaned on him. Wasn’t that what partners did for each other? Helped each other out?

  She brushed her lips against his. He gasped with surprise; it was the most delicious sound in the world. It pushed her to explore more of his mouth. Her fingers played with the buttons of his green, rebel jacket. She popped the first one. A suddenly impatient Dom popped the rest. He shucked out of it and dropped it to the floor.

  His T-shirt came off next, black and plain, but it offset Dom’s olive skin and deep-brown eyes perfectly.

  Anya slid her hands over his stomach. Dom’s breath hitched when she touched ragged skin. He pulled her to him using the same arm the medics in Praesidium had placed their tech inside. She felt the power in his touch, but also Dom’s control of it.

  He pulled off her T-shirt next. She sat before him in just her bra and combat trousers. His eyes trailed over her and the look set her skin on fire.

  Dom deepened their kiss, pulling back to lick her earlobe briefly. She groaned; both sensations sent a thrill through her. Dom switched to a kneeling position and pulled off his trousers, then worked on hers. She lay on her back, giggling at his failed attempts to get them past her heavy, black boots.

  Anya sat up, and while she untied the laces Dom kissed her neck.

  ‘Hurry up, please,’ he murmured against her skin.

  ‘I’m working as fast as I can.’

  She got the boots off. Dom wasted no time in pulling off her combats. Wearing just her underwear, she lay back down on the bed. Dom rested his cheek against her stomach. She played with the soft curls in his hair.

  ‘I love you so much, Anya Macklin.’

  Her heart nearly exploded in her chest. ‘I love you, too, Dom Pavesi.’

  5

  Anya

  Ten trucks rolled out past the relocated boulders, through the front of the valley, its anti-magnetic protection disabled. Anya sat in the first truck. Dom was driving. In the back were half a dozen soldiers, plus packs of food, ammunition and guns. The other nine trucks were similarly packed.

  The truck jerked over some smaller rocks that hadn’t been cleared, forcing Anya to grab the door handle to steady herself. Dom gripped the steering wheel hard, his knuckles turning white. His stern gaze was fixed on the opening to the valley.

  Anya was worried, too. Nobody knew what might be waiting for them. Jacob had sent his reprogrammed orb out to check the landscape an hour ago. The orb had returned with footage that showed it to be empty. But an hour was plenty of time for Praesidium to make a move. Anya looked up to see the orb zipping ahead of their truck, but without a monitor to see what it recorded, it was useless.

  She sucked in a quiet breath to steady her nerves, hoping Dom wouldn’t hear it. She wanted to be strong for him, but the idea of returning to the city put her on edge. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d been the Collective’s prisoner.

  But they had to go back.

  Dom slowed when the truck neared the entrance to the valley. He leaned forward, trying to get a better look.

  ‘Should we check on foot?’ asked Anya. It would only take a minute.

  ‘No.’ He leaned back. ‘If there’s trouble, we can move faster in these things.’

  He inched the nose of the truck out. Anya craned her neck, not seeing any large diggers or Copies waiting for them. She released a breath.

  ‘Maybe they had other things to do,’ she said, settling in the seat.

  Dom frowned. ‘Maybe.’

  He flashed his rear lights, signalling to the others behind him. Then, he rolled the truck out.

  The orb zipped overhead as the last of the trucks exited the valley, heading out a short way before returning. It kept close to the truck that Jacob was in. The two wolves galloped alongside him. Her and Dom’s truck rumbled over the dirt landscape. Evidence of the recent fight lay strewn across the battlefield. A few Copy corpses remained, alongside two digging machines the rebels had dismantled.

  Anya frowned at the scene. ‘Why didn’t they reclaim their dead?’

  It was a stretch to call the machines dead, but to the Collective these once-living beings were their creations. It must want them back. It had gone to a lot of effort to take Jerome and Alex, both children of the city.

  ‘I don’t know. We don’t know anything.’ He shuddered as his narrowed gaze assessed the scene. ‘Let’s just be glad they aren’t waiting for us.’

  Their truck sped past the broken machines that had turned parts of the landscape into a mini junkyard. The other trucks followed. Rover appeared at Anya’s window, keeping pace with them. His eyes were set ahead and his tongue lolled to the side, as though he were enjoying the run. Next to him was a second, smaller wolf that Anya presumed was female. During the battle, Jacob had cut her connection to the Collective. When she’d come back online, she’d listened to a new voice. She and Rover were inseparable.

  Anya felt better knowing the beasts were on their side.

  Dom was concentrating on the route ahead. She did the same, hoping the wolves would alert them to any approaching danger. The city wasn’t far, maybe fifty kilometres away. By truck, and with the weight they carried, they’d be there in an hour.

  Ω

  It didn’t take long for the city to come into view. Nothing but flat land lay between them and it. Ahead, an arc of buildings marked its perimeter, making it look like an oasis in its desert-like surroundings.

  Dom stopped the truck. Being exposed like this made Anya shiver. The other trucks staggered their stops behind theirs. One truck drove up next to them. Charlie rolled the window down. Vanessa was sitting beside him.

  ‘What now?’ he said to Dom.

  ‘I don’t know. Any idea if the barrier is still down?’

  ‘Jacob might know. But I think he’ll suggest we try it for ourselves.’

  Charlie got out of his truck. Dom did the same and they walked to the window of another one. Anya watched the pair in the mirror as they spoke to Jacob. Jacob shook his head. Carissa next to him perked up, eyes wide. Her gaze flicked between Charlie and Dom, then to the city.

  Their limited choices caused Anya’s pulse to hammer in her throat. The girl had gotten them out once. If the barrier was back up, there was a chance she could get
them back in without them having to ram it. But, as they’d discussed, it was more likely the Collective had already changed the frequency codes and the girl was no longer aligned with it.

  Dom and Charlie returned to their trucks. Dom slid into the driver’s seat next to her while Charlie stayed by Dom’s window.

  ‘Jacob says there’s no way of knowing from out here if the barrier is still active. He says it gives off a weird shine when it is, but today’—Dom pointed up at the overcast sky— ‘it’s not that easy to see it.’

  The city looked ordinary to her, not shiny at all.

  ‘Then we drive at it. If the barrier’s up, it will stop us,’ she said.

  Charlie raised one brow. ‘It’s not the worst idea.’

  Dom appeared to think about it. He looked at Anya. ‘You think it will work?’

  She grimaced. ‘I have no idea.’

  Dom gripped the wheel and looked ahead of him. ‘That’s good enough for me.’

  Charlie climbed back into his truck.

  Dom said to him and Vanessa, ‘I’ll try it first. If I make it through, the rest of you follow me.’

  He turned to the grill separating the cabin from the back of the truck and ordered the soldiers out. Turning to Anya, he nodded at the door for her to do the same.

  ‘No way. I’m going with you.’

  Dom shook his head. ‘It’s too dangerous.’

  ‘Yes, it is, and that’s why we’re both doing it.’

  Besides, it was her idea.

  ‘Come on, Anya...’

  She folded her arms. ‘Make me.’

  He gave her a withering stare, but Anya stayed put.

  ‘I guess we’re at an impasse.’ She stared ahead of her. ‘Let’s go. June needs us to get in there.’

  Dom shook his head and rolled up the window. ‘Okay, but hold on to something. The lack of seatbelts in this thing will be a problem if we meet resistance.’

  Her hands started to sweat, thanks to the kick of adrenaline pumping through her body. She wiped them on her combats and gripped the door handle. Dom stuck the truck into first and floored it, quickly shifting up through the gears. The truck swapped the dirt road for a paved one that marked the main entrance into Praesidium. The Business District was to the left and accommodation to the right, separated by a deep strip of grass that created a buffer between the city and the real world.