Leaving Level Five

by L. S. O'Dea

  “The lab is locked. No one can get in here.”

  “Parson did.”

  “I told you that I changed the lock and have been checking the cameras.”

  “But if someone does come in, it’ll be too late. Glassick could be dead.”

  “He’s little. He can hide. No one would even know to look for him.”

  “I guess that’d work.” Charlie didn’t sound very happy.

  Glassick tugged on Charlie’s hair and chirped.

  “What’s his problem now?” He’d been more than lenient with the little thing.

  “H-he hasn’t been feeling well and he hates being alone.” Charlie glanced at the door.

  “Have you been sleeping in here?” That was beyond dangerous. “Someone is going to notice that you haven’t been in the dorm.”

  “No. I go to the dorm every night. I swear.”

  “And you’ve been taking him. All this time, you’ve been pretending to tuck him into the little bed you made for him and instead you’ve been lying to me.”

  “I didn’t exactly lie. You never asked.”

  “It’s the same thing and you know it.” He’d thought they were better friends than that.

  “He’s scared to be by himself and we make sure that no one sees him.”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  “Please, McBrid.”

  Glassick chirped and jumped up and down on Charlie’s shoulder.

  “No. He has to stay in the lab. It’s not safe for you or him or any of us.”

  “He stays under the covers. No one suspects anything.”

  “No.” He couldn’t bend on this. It was too dangerous. “Put him down.”

  Charlie frowned but picked up Glassick. The little Brush-man clung to his finger, chirping.

  “Listen to me.” He walked over to them. “You either stay in here loose or you stay in your cage. Those are your only choices.”

  Glassick bared his teeth but dropped onto the counter.

  “He’ll be safer on the floor.”

  Charlie held out his arm and Glassick climbed onto it, hopping off when he got close to the floor.

  “Now, come on.” McBrid led the way to the door, waiting for Charlie to exit first.

  There was a soft peep from Glassick. The Brush-Man pointed upward.

  “The eggs.” Charlie hurried over and grabbed the small metal box. He put it on the floor and slid it under the counter.

  Glassick pulled the little bed Charlie had made for him next to it and curled up.

  “Get some rest, Glassick. We’ll be back tomorrow morning.” He closed the door and locked it.

  Charlie was already moving down the hallway, shoulders slumped.

  “I want your key.”

  “What?” The Guard spun around.

  “Your key.” He held out his hand.

  “You think I’ll come back—”

  “I have no doubt.”

  “I won’t be able to check on him when I wake up.”

  “Too bad. You should’ve thought of that before you started sneaking him out of the lab.” Damn, he sounded like his father.

  “I promise—”

  “I don’t trust you. Not about this.”

  Charlie frowned but walked over and handed him the key.

  CHAPTER 33: McBrid

  McBrid was finally heading home and it was a good thing because dawn wasn’t far away. He must’ve fallen asleep at his dad’s, because he’d woken in the living room chair, alone and covered with a blanket.

  He darted down a side street, a shortcut to his house. He may be able to squeeze in a few hours before he had to get up for work, but only if he hurried.

  The moon peeked from the clouds, helping the street lights break through the fog. The next moment, it slipped away, casting the area in shifting shadows. Usually, he loved the evenings. He could rely on his Guard’s hearing and sense of smell to keep him safe, but there was something in the air tonight that made his skin tingle. A warning perhaps, or maybe it was just the thought of his father and uncle going sailing for extended periods of time. He’d be left alone with nothing but the bleakness of his future to keep him company. No, that made him sad but not anxious. More than likely, his unease was due to the fog. Even his senses struggled in the hazy mist that cloaked everything in dampness.

  He tipped his head, catching the first sound of sirens blaring through the air. Tonight wasn’t going well for someone. He turned the corner onto his street. The sirens screamed louder and the fog was denser, weighed down by something harsh that scraped at his throat. Almightys gathered in small groups on their porches or in their front yards. Something was wrong. This was a neighborhood of parents who worked long hours and went to bed early.

  He hurried down the sidewalk, his feet sure of his path even though the closer he got to his house the harder it became to see and his sense of smell was useless. He could distinguish nothing but the odor of dirt and dust from debris. He stopped several houses from his, or more accurately from where his house had once stood. It now rested in a ruined pile of cinder block and ash.

  “Araldo, do you think he was home?” asked a young man who stopped next to him.

  “Who?” He didn’t know the guy. He didn’t know any of his neighbors. He was never home and couldn’t talk about his work even if he did have time to socialize.

  “The guy who lives...lived there.”

  He glanced at the other Almighty. This was his chance to escape this life. “I’m sure. Everyone around here is home before dark.” He turned and disappeared into the crowd.

  CHAPTER 34: McBrid

  McBrid stayed out of sight as he made his way to his father’s house. He tapped on the door, hiding in the shadows near the doorway. “Come on.” He knocked again and whispered, “Dad, it’s me.”

  “Matt, what’s wrong.” Dad opened the door, his hair mussed from sleep but his blue eyes sharp with worry.

  “Let him in.” Uncle Rob grabbed Dad’s shoulder, pulling him aside.

  McBrid slipped inside, closing the door behind him. “My house. It’s gone.”

  “Gone? What do you mean?” asked Dad.

  He opened his mouth but the words were stuck in his chest. If he hadn’t come over for dinner and hadn’t fallen asleep...His knees buckled and he staggered backward, leaning against the door.

  “Matt.” Uncle Rob grabbed his arm.

  “Let’s get him to the living room.” Dad clasped his other arm and the two led him to a chair.

  Uncle Rob went to the bar and poured an inch of whiskey into a glass before handing it to him. “Drink this and tell us what happened?”

  He tossed back the shot, the burning warmth freeing his words but doing nothing to keep the fear from clawing at his throat. “I don’t know what happened. I went home and my house was gone.”

  “What do you mean gone?” Dad asked again as he pulled a chair over and sat in front of him.

  “Gone. There’s nothing left but rubble.” The haze in the air had made the night seem even more surreal.

  “Fire?” Uncle Rob moved behind his father, resting his hand on Dad’s shoulder.

  “No. I don’t think so.” He could see the scene but only in snapshots of time. “Nothing was burning. Just a lot of dust. I think it exploded.”

  “How? Houses don’t explode for no reason,” said Dad.

  “I-I don’t know, but this is my chance. I can disappear. No one would expect me to survive that.”

  “They’ll expect to find remains,” said Dad.

  “Yeah, maybe. I guess.” He didn’t want to think about that.

  “I still know some people in the heritage department,” said Uncle Rob.

  “What good will that do?” He didn’t need his history rewritten. He needed his future back.

  “They have access to many things besides ancient texts.” Uncle Rob patted his hand. “Leave it to me. They’ll find enough remains to rule it a homicide.”

  “Homicide?” The truth hit him like t
he splatters of blood against the glass when the Brush-Men were feeding—sharp and clear, unmistakable. He stood and headed for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Dad trailed after him.

  “To the lab.”

  “That’s the last place you should go.” Uncle Rob stepped in front of him.

  “I know.” Araldo, he knew that better than anyone. Conguise had tried to kill him. He’d always said as much but he’d never believed it’d happen away from the lab. “I have to get Charlie and Louis.” He hugged them both. “Go to the boat. Get it ready. If I’m not back in two hours, I won’t be coming.”

  “Son...”

  “I can’t leave them to die.” He couldn’t fail Charlie and Louis like he’d failed Fersia.

  CHAPTER 35: McBrid

  McBrid slipped into the lab, avoiding the cameras as he headed for the stairs. He wasn’t going to risk being trapped in an elevator, the stairs would be bad enough. The hallways were empty. Most of the employees gone for the day. A few Guards were assigned to patrol but they only did their rounds on the hour, making them easy to avoid.

  He entered the stairwell and headed for Level Three—the barracks. He was used to the quietness of the place, but tonight the silence was eerie as if waiting for him to make a mistake. He stopped at the third floor, punched the code and opened the door. The hallway was empty. He hurried toward the dorms.

  All he had to do was get Louis and Charlie and get out of there. It’d only take a moment and then they’d all be free—on the run, but free. Retrieving a Guard this early in the morning wasn’t unheard of but it also wasn’t common. The scientists who worked late seldom required the assistance of Guards at this hour. If he didn’t want to draw attention to himself, he had to appear the confident, powerful Almighty. He slowed his pace, taking a deep breath.

  He opened the door to the dorms. The room was filled with Guards sprawled out on cots. A few opened their eyes as he entered but closed them again when he strode past. Luckily, he knew where Louis and Charlie slept. He stopped in the aisle. Their cots were empty.

  Maybe, they’d gone to the bathroom or...It didn’t matter. He couldn’t wait. He shook a sleeping Guard on a nearby cot.

  “Yes, sir.” The Guard started to sit up.

  “No. Stay. I’m looking for Louis and Charlie.”

  “Who?”

  “The two Guards who sleep there.” He pointed at the empty cots.

  “Oh. Them. They’re gone.” The Guard started to close his eyes.

  “I can see that.” He had to fight to keep the panic from his voice. As it was, the Guard’s nose was twitching, probably catching his fear. “Where did they go?” He filled the words with command.

  “Don’t know. Left with another Almighty.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t know, sir.” The Guard did sit up this time. “I’m sorry, but I work in the back. Deliveries. I don’t know any of the Almightys by name.” The Guard kept his head down in subservience.

  “Okay. That’s okay.” Actually, it was great for him but not for Louis and Charlie. “Do you know when they left?”

  “Not sure. Maybe, an hour or so ago.”

  Right about the time his house exploded. “Thank you.” He turned and strode away. He had to find them before they were fed to something if it wasn’t already too late.

  CHAPTER 36: McBrid

  McBrid hurried down the hallway on Level Five, keeping his head down and away from the cameras. He had no idea who took Louis and Charlie, so no idea where to look first. He’d have to search the labs one by one. Araldo, he didn’t have time for this. Charlie and Louis didn’t have time. He had to think. If Conguise had taken them, his best bet was the container room where they kept the Guards and Servants who’d be used for food, but that was all the way across the building. If they weren’t there, he’d have wasted a lot of time.

  It’d be better to quickly search this wing first. The rooms in this area were large, so there weren’t as many. He stopped at the River-Man lab and pulled his lock picks from his shoe. It took only a moment and the door was open. He slipped his tools into his pocket and went inside. It was dark with only small lights on the outer walls casting an eerie glow around the room. River-Men swam in circles in the tank, the water an iridescent green from the lights.

  They were fully formed, not one of them having any resemblance to their Guard hosts. Parson had failed again. Hallelujah. Not that it mattered to him any more. He was no longer in the running for top scientist. He’d already been tried, convicted and killed. At least, he prayed that was what Conguise would believe. He hurried through the lab, searching the cages in the back, but no Louis or Charlie. He headed for the door, his feet stumbling to a halt as he passed the desk. He stared at the computer. Parson, the little sneak, might know where his Guards were. He moved the mouse. The screen wasn’t locked. That meant either Parson had it set for a long delay or the other Almighty was around here somewhere. He had to be quick.

  He scrolled through the files—nothing but notes and notes on the River-Men. Footsteps stopped at the door and the key scraped in the lock. McBrid slipped into the shadows.

  Parson stepped inside, a mug of coffee in his hands. McBrid waited while Parson closed the door and walked to this desk. The other Almighty may not have a keen sense of smell or hearing, but the fool should pay more attention. The River-Men were crawling out of the tank, eyes on the two Almightys.

  “I need to know where my Guards are.” He stepped out of the shadows.

  “Holy...oh, shit.” Parson dropped his cup, the milky brown liquid spilling all over his desk. “McBrid, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m not here. I’m dead.”

  “What?” Parson stopped mopping up the mess.

  “Someone blew up my house tonight. As far as anyone knows, I was in it.”

  “Araldo.” Parson’s face paled and he dropped onto his chair. “Did you tell anyone about me?”

  “No, but they’ll find my notes.”

  “Where are they?” Parson raced up to him, grabbing his arm. “You have to delete them. Please, I’m begging you.”

  “I will, but I need my Guards.”

  “Your Guards?”

  “Charlie and Louis. They’re gone.”

  “I-I don’t know anything about them.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “I swear.” Parson’s blue eyes were wide in his pale face.

  “That’s too bad for you. They’ll find my notes. They’ll know everything you’ve done.” He pulled away and headed for the door.

  “I’ll tell everyone that I saw you. That you’re alive.”

  “I’ll be long gone by then and Conguise will have my notes which means you’ll be dead.”

  “Wait. Please.” Parson threw himself in front of the door. “Give me a minute.”

  “I don’t have a minute.” Louis and Charlie could be dying right now, ripped apart by any number of monsters. He shook the image from his head. That wouldn’t help him find them.

  “Who took them?” asked Parson.

  “I wouldn’t be here if I knew that.”

  “Ah...ah...did you check the holding room?”

  “Going there now.” He pushed Parson out of the way but the second his hands let go of the other Almighty the man was back in front of the door.

  “Scottsmoor.”

  “What about him?” He stopped shoving at Parson. “Did he take Louis and Charlie?”

  “I-I don’t know, but I heard that he was starting over with the Rattus experiment. He was going to get two more hosts. Neither of the two males from the first round will mate with the new females.” Parson smirked. “I guess they only liked their sister.”

  “Why do you think he’s using Louis and Charlie?” They started over all the time and they almost always purchased hosts from the shelters.

  “Where are my files?”

  McBrid grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the door. “Answer me.”


  The smug look fell from Parson’s face. “Th-this morning Scottsmoor said he had to contact Satcha for two new Guards.”

  “And...” He jammed his elbow into the other Almighty’s gut.

  “And...and this evening I heard him tell Topper and Stink to get the cages ready because he was going to retrieve the Guards.”

  “He could’ve been going to the shelter.”

  “I don’t think so. It was really late. He comes in early and never stays late.”

  “That still doesn’t mean—”

  “Listen to me.” Parson trembled. “I was on the elevator with him. I was going to the cafeteria and h-he pushed the button for the third floor.” Parson’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat.

  “Araldo, no.” He shoved Parson so hard the other Almighty tumbled to the ground.

  “Wait, my files.”

  “Everything I still have is on my two computers filed under sneaky rat.” That’d keep Parson busy since he had no files like that. He’d deleted them when he’d cleaned his hard drive. “You may want to check the backups and remove it from there too.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Write over them.”

  “How?”

  “Fill the hard drives with files and then delete them,” he yelled as he ran from the room.

  CHAPTER 37: McBrid

  McBrid raced toward Scottsmoor’s lab. He had to get Charlie and Louis before they got that first shot. If he stayed in the lab, he may be able to help them fight the effects of one shot, but on the run, on a boat...they’d never survive.

  He slid to a halt at the door to the Rattus laboratory. His hands shook as he pulled his lock picks from his pocket. He couldn’t be too late. He couldn’t. The tumbler fell free and he opened the door. The lights were off and there was an unfamiliar scent—not unpleasant, kind of sweet. Shiny eyes stared at him through the darkness. He’d never seen these creatures. He was pretty sure he didn’t want to, but he turned on the light.

  “McBrid?” Charlie hopped from the mat on the floor and rushed to the front of the cage, Louis right behind him.