by J E Reed
“Do we have a choice?” Elliott asked.
Her blood ran cold, but to her relief Eldridge let out a small laugh. “There’s always a choice. We didn’t come here to force anyone, though we do encourage them to stay together. I can promise that if you come with us, there will be no shortage of food, and we live fairly comfortable, all things considered.”
“We’d be foolish to refuse, but let me run it by the others. I can’t decide for them.”
“I understand. Shall I join you?”
Elliott nodded before turning to her. “Are you all right?”
She waved for him to go.
The three men headed toward the waiting crowd, and she stood and started back to the wall. She didn’t feel up to entertaining the older man’s questioning gaze.
Kiuno found one of the beige horses and touched the soft muzzle wondering if it’d been transported or was just another fabrication of this waking nightmare.
REALM: 1
DAY: 40
Kiuno sat atop the stone wall with her legs crossed, watching as the sun set over this fictitious expanse of land. The tree’s shadows grew toward her, stretching across the meadow like fingers trying to pull her into their world. The sun painted the sky with calming hues, a mixture of pale orange and pink.
Someone had created all this, had placed every tree. It all felt so real. It still felt real. The idea of it being fake…
It was the reason they’d been dumped in the middle of nowhere. They were at the mercy of some lunatic’s creation.
Kiuno ran her thumb over the little blue stone. Eldridge had a stone, as did the others with him. They weren’t the people who put them here. Their eyes looked worn and homesick. Many of the same feelings she shared.
Family, friends…they were all here. Everyone she’d grown close to in that two-year time span. Their names weren’t in the book. Did that mean they’d joined with another group? It was a possibility and better than—she choked, fighting back tears.
Her husband would search for her once he got the news, she knew him well enough. Maybe it was in her best interest to go with Eldridge’s group, she would be safer and then—Kiuno paused. Then what? Wait? Go between the separate groups in search of Elite every day?
She shook her head. They wouldn’t allow that. If she ate their food and slept under their roofs, she would be obligated to contribute. Running back and forth would just make her useless.
A slight noise was the only thing that alerted her to his presence. “What do you think of them?” Kikyo asked, sitting beside her.
“I assume you were listening?”
“Would you assume otherwise?” His response made her smile if only a little.
“I’m not sure I trust them,” she admitted. They were strangers. Who knew if they were telling the truth.
“And you shouldn’t.”
His tone caught her by surprise. “You think they’re lying?”
“It’s not that. With groups like this, you have to understand your place. They’ll present themselves as having your best interests at heart, but all they want is what you can give in return. In this case, the goal is escaping and while that’s our goal as well, I feel they’re willing to sacrifice more to reach it.”
“I’m aware.”
“Is it safe to assume you won’t be joining them then?” He sounded hopeful, as if he’d already decided he wouldn’t be going. Where would that leave them? Two people out on their own in the middle of some dangerous world?
“I don’t know.”
He turned to her, but she didn’t meet his gaze. “Something else is bothering you.”
Silence followed.
He was observant as usual, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. She’d been working to keep her composure and couldn’t risk voicing her mind’s chaos without spilling her feelings with it.
“Maybe,” she managed.
The two of them watched the final bit of light fade before Kikyo stood. “I’m going to see what else I can find out.”
“Be careful.”
“Always am.” He slid down the ladder, disappearing into the shadows. His calm appearance made her wonder if he had anyone to worry about like she did.
Hours passed.
Kiuno’s body felt stiff from sitting on the hard stone, but it was the safest place with their new friends around. She trusted Kikyo’s instincts. Her own were screaming or had been. Right now, she just felt numb.
Eldridge had a lot to offer them, not the least of which included protection. It was good to know she wasn’t the only one opposed to joining them. She had family to find.
Kiuno turned as Elliott made his way up the creaking ladder. “I’ve yet to figure out why you kids enjoy sitting up here.” She gave him a small smile.
He sat beside her, looking over the meadow. “Are you doing all right?”
Kiuno clenched her fists, her body trembling.
Am I?
Thoughts from earlier raced through her mind. She was scared but not for herself.
She was scared for everyone she’d ever loved. Scared to find out what might have happened, to get that news. She didn’t want to say their names and watch someone’s eyes divert as they tried to find words.
Kiuno longed for home like she’d never done before, to lie in bed with his arms around her and pretend this was all a bad dream. She wanted to look forward to a Friday night with friends instead of their next meal. She wanted the experiments to be a lie.
“Kiuno?” She clenched her jaw to fight them, but the tears spilled over. Elliott wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him. She cried. Hard. The composure she’d held onto this entire month falling onto his shoulder. The only hope she clung to had been shattered, torn to tiny hopeless shards.
Elliott held her in silence and waited for her to take a few shaky breaths before speaking. “I know you’re scared, but we’ll figure this out.”
Kiuno shook her head. “He’s out there somewhere and I—” Her voice cracked.
“Elite is your husband?”
She nodded. “It’s bad enough I’m here, but why them too? I don’t even know if they…” She clenched her jaw again.
The experiments tore at her the most. She knew they could survive, provided they were given a chance. The people she called friends were more like family. She’d do anything for them. The thought of them being hurt made her heart ache like nothing she’d ever felt before.
Elliott stayed silent for a time. “If your husband were given the same opportunity, what would he do?”
There was no question. “He’d look elsewhere.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “If my name wasn’t in that book he wouldn’t leave me behind.”
“Then you’ve already decided not to go?”
“I have to find them, and if it means going out by myself then that’s what I’ll do.”
He chuckled. “You think I or Kikyo would just let you wander on your own?”
“Kikyo doesn’t want to go either, but I can’t ask you. Too many people rely on you.”
“And now they have help.” She sat up, trying to see his face in the darkness. “I can’t let you have all the fun. Someone has to keep an eye on you kids.”
She smiled as more tears threatened. “Thank you.”
“No more waterworks. There’s no reason to lose hope yet. How many of your friends are we looking for?”
“A lot.”
“And what exactly constitutes a lot?”
“I was a leader in that game.”
“Regardless, we’ll help you find them.” She smiled again before laying her head on his shoulder. Even here, she’d made good friends.
TYLER PACED the tent, his adrenaline racing as he rubbed his palms together. “You saw it, didn’t you?” His voice shook with excitement.
“I did, but we need to be patient, and let them come willing. She’ll be a better asset that way.” Eldridge flipped through another page as if he w
ere trying to find some secret they’d missed.
Tyler’s face flushed as his temper rose. “I will not pass on this opportunity. We’ve traveled too far and lost too many to let it go. I’ll take full responsibility if things go south, but the girl is coming with us.”
His far too passive companion sighed. “Just let me handle things. It’s unlikely anyone has figured out what they’re capable of, especially her. The people are afraid, and fear is something easily manipulated. I’m confident we can convince her to come. We simply have to tread carefully, a few seem protective over her.”
He snorted. “A couple of boys aren’t going to stop us.”
“Tyler please, try to stay collected for once.” Eldridge rubbed his temple.
“Fine, try it your way.”
“Thank you.” He respected Eldridge, but sometimes his methods didn’t get the job done. Either way they would get what they needed and then escape this wretched place.
WITH DAWN breaking the pair climbed down the ladder and started toward the twelve, her decision final.
Her only worry now lay with Kikyo, but it was short lived. She found him perched on the opposite side of the wall, moving to stand as they approached, but his expression made her pensive. He didn’t smile and held his bow at the ready, shifting his gaze from her to their guests.
Kiuno nudged Elliott, but Eldridge greeted them before she could speak. “I trust you slept well?” Eldridge exchanged a glance with Tyler, and she looked at Kikyo again.
“We did,” Elliott lied. After staying up, trying to absorb yesterday’s news her eyes burned, and her body felt exhausted.
“After you left, I stayed to talk with some of the villagers. They agreed to leave this morning. I hope you don’t mind. We’ve been away for a while.”
“This is your last stop?” Elliott asked.
“We have one more, but rumors tell us there’s not much left.” His voice seemed full of regret.
“If you can promise their safety, whatever decision they make is fine with me.”
Eldridge said, “You have my word, they’ll be fine. Once we enter the third realm there will be an escort. We don’t travel through that land on our own.”
“Good.” The silence settled over them like a thick blanket of unanswered questions.
Eldridge cleared his throat. “I’m eager for you to meet our leader. I’m sure there will be a fitting job for your expertise.”
Elliott glanced at her. “I think three of us will be traveling on our own from here.”
“Why?” Eldridge looked between them.
“Kiuno has concerns about her family’s whereabouts.”
Eldridge’s expression shifted. “I know you were disappointed, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
“They’re not,” she stated.
“How are you so sure?”
“Because I know my husband.”
She watched several emotions play across his face until resistance won. “I’d like to argue the point, but you’d know him best. Will you join us once you’ve found him?”
“I think I’d like that.”
“Eldridge,” Tyler said with a hiss. “Our discussion?” The man’s eyes were wide and wild.
Eldridge sighed. “We can’t force someone against their will, it’ll only create problems.”
Force?
“She has what we’ve been searching for!” Tyler exclaimed and lunged forward, gripping her wrist.
“Tyler, we can’t ju—”
“We are under orders to bring anyone like her home. If you have any complaints, then take it up with our leader.”
With a jerk, she stumbled forward, and her foot caught the ground. A sharp pain shot through her wrist, and his fingers dug into her skin. Elliott pulled his knife, and two men positioned themselves before him, drawing their swords. Kikyo ran until he stood above the gate and pulled back an arrow.
Time froze.
Elliott, armed with nothing more than a small dagger, faced the two men with larger blades. Behind him stood another, bow in hand, arrow notched and gaze directed at Kikyo.
What could she have that they wanted?
Eldridge’s commands floated through the air. Villagers murmured amongst one another, but none moved to help, just like the time she was attacked. Cowards remained cowards.
Fear shot through her as the arrow drew back, Kikyo oblivious to the danger. She needed to warn him. What could he have heard? What didn’t she know? Their plan was obvious. Take her captive and kill those that resisted.
Like hell.
Kiuno planted her feet and yanked against his hold with every ounce of strength she possessed. Tyler stumbled, but his grip only tightened. Tears sprang to her eyes as she pulled again.
A foreign sensation stirred deep in her gut and flames spiraled down her arm, bursting around her wrist. Tyler cried, and they both fell to the ground. Kiuno rolled, but the fire chased her as if determined to keep her within its grasp. She struggled in a panic, trying to put it out until realizing it didn’t burn.
Kiuno paused her frantic flailing and looked at the flames that encircled her arm. The flicker mesmerizing. Tyler still sat on the ground, clutching his hand.
The flames didn’t dissipate. She wasn’t sure whether to be afraid or fascinated. Kiuno twisted her hand back and forth. Not one spot of marred skin.
Eldridge stepped forward with both hands raised. “This has all been a huge misunderstanding.”
“That’s an understatement,” Elliott said.
Eldridge placed himself between his men and Elliott. “Help Tyler onto his horse, and take him outside the gate. We’ll be there soon.” The male cast a final glance her way, then sheathed his sword. Tyler didn’t object.
Eldridge continued, “As for the rest of you, there is no need for violence. Put your weapons away and help the villagers prepare for travel.”
Kiuno looked at the people. A familiar fear in their eyes, but most of it was directed her way. Perhaps it was a good thing she wouldn’t be joining them.
Elliott sheathed his knife, but Kikyo refused to move. His gaze still swept the area as if they might attack any moment.
Eldridge turned to her and his expression softened. “This is the first time?”
She nodded.
“The fire will continue to feed from your energy until you’ve calmed down.”
Calm down? How was she supposed to calm down? The thought sent another wave of adrenaline through her body, and the flames responded. They crawled further up her arm, almost at the shoulder now. Her friends had come so close to dying.
“It can stay,” she spat.
Eldridge nodded and headed back to the gate.
There was a current. Something that flowed wild through her body and spun out of control. She tried to grasp it, but the flow eluded her, like an older child playing a game with their sibling, one they’d never win.
Kiuno distanced herself upon hearing the whispers. She started down the center road toward the water basin and stayed on the well beaten path. It wouldn’t do any good to light the entire meadow on fire.
Kikyo joined her shortly after but kept his distance. He leaned against the nearest house, bow still in hand. Maybe he thought someone would come after them. She looked at the flames again. It wasn’t likely.
The villagers exchanged packs and sorted through items to make traveling easier. There wasn’t a lot to take. They had leftover meat that would feed them for a few days and some extra animal hides to keep warm. A pang of longing washed over her as she watched. Despite her anger toward Tyler she hoped they were telling the truth.
Once her heart slowed, the flames died until there was nothing left but their warmth against her skin. She ran her fingers over the area.
Eldridge approached with Elliott on his heels. He stopped, several yards out, when Kikyo leaned forward and pulled on the arrow. Eldridge nodded to him. “There’s still a lot unknown about the magic of this world.”
“Magic?
” she asked.
“We can teach you. I hope you can forgive Tyler’s actions. We’ve been searching for someone with the color stone you possess. He got carried away.”
“What does a stone have to do with any of this? Is such a trivial thing so important that you’d be willing to kill my friends?” Kiuno fought against the flames that threatened to burst forth again. This so-called magic was going to be a problem.
“The color generally marks the element one is able to use. Red signifies fire, deep blues are that of water, green for wind, and tan for earth. The common steel color you see indicates no magical talent at all. Most of us have that one, but a lucky few have been blessed with gifts beyond imagination. To be honest, I’m impressed with how naturally it presented itself.”
Compliments would not quell her anger nor distract her from the question at hand. “I thought you said red represented fire.”
“I did, there are different variations depending on the person.”
Kiuno sighed in annoyance and held up her wrist. “Does this look red to you?”
He shook his head.
“So, tell me why this rock is so damn important.”
He shuffled his feet. “Honestly, we don’t know. The book shows a picture of that stone with the caption ‘Fire from the Sky’ and claims it to be the most powerful magic. Only catch is it’s uncontrollable as well.”
“And you feel this power will help kill monsters, thus sparing your men.” Elliott finished.
“Exactly.”
Kiuno scoffed. “How can it help if you can’t control it?”
He shifted again. “I’m not sure. We were given orders.”
“Maybe you need a new leader,” she said. Elliott smirked.
“I apologize, perhaps you’ll consider joining us when we have more information?”
“Perhaps.” Elliott’s tone was dismissive and Eldridge nodded and turned. She watched Elliott get people situated, shifting larger packs to the horses. As least the men weren’t too proud to walk.
Several villagers hugged Elliott and he bid them farewell. None bothered to speak with her. She was forgotten. Nothing more than a firework that had fizzled.