‘May I see that?’
‘Uncle, I didn’t see you coming over.’
‘You wouldn’t dear; you have your back to us.’
‘Oh, sorry, just taking a minute to write.’
‘I know you are a committed writer Aecia. You have always enjoyed the feel of a pen in your hand. I wondered if I might see your last chapter about the Coalition, I just happened to glance at the word on your page as I came over. It is up to you, but I would be interested to read your interpretation of it.’
He’s my Uncle again; he must have forgiven me for snooping. I have to let him read this little bit. He can start after the sentence where I mention Anne taking a running jump.
‘Eh, ok, but start from there.’
‘Of course.’
I feel like I’m waiting for the results of my final exams Amica, I’m sweating here! He’s finished, and he’s looking at me with that warm expression again, that’s the way he normally looks at me. We’re fine, everything’s back to normal between us, panic over, now do you think I should ask him about training us straight away? You’re shaking your head, so I guess that’s a no, but I’ll have to ask him soon because the raid is in a couple of days. I’m hungry, better grab something to eat and see the family before I go to bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow Amica X
31.01.3012
I have been so busy today Amica, and focused entirely on everything Uncle has told me about the raid. We are going!! There was nobody more surprised than me when he came to us this morning and told us all, including Mother, Father and Anne, that this was the first united group of Vampires and Humans, and we should do this rescue together. He has been over the route at least 15 times already today, and we will be studying it until the moment we leave. Uncle has also taught us some basic military defence tactics and how to disarm enemies of their weapons. Lupe is outstanding at these moves, as I expected she would be. She’s lightning fast and accurate as an eagle spotting its prey.
We have learned how to use the UVA guns on the Vumes, more to frighten them than burn them too badly. It’s not a terrorist attack, it’s a rescue mission, and if nobody gets hurt on either side, then we have succeeded. A Vume is a Vampire-human; they are grown as Clones, and then injected with a small amount of D.N.A from a Vampire, so they do have tiny fangs. They are brainwashed and controlled until they are basically robots who will carry out their owners every wish. The collar I saw is insurance that they keep doing just that, and it emits an electric charge if they disobey. They are sensitive to sunlight, but not nearly as much as a Vampire, and so they are used as slaves for daytime work. Uncle hopes that one day we are able to free them too, and secretly I would like to rip off the collars of the ones we encounter tomorrow and see if they will come with us. I know that’s ridiculous, they are programmed to kill us, but one day they will be part of our cause, I know it.
I am discovering so much about my uncle and his abilities, as each day passes. He is a remarkable man and an incredible scientist. I thought he was just a G.P, a family doctor that treated, well to be honest, I wasn’t sure who he treated, or what kind of illnesses were around that he could treat. Vampires don’t get ill in the same way as Humans, they don’t get colds or ancient chickenpox (I would have loved to see those pox in action) tonsillitis or appendix issues. I doubt very much that Vampires would get indigestion or heartburn from drinking their flagons of blood! He treated me of course, but that was just painkilling medication for headaches and sore gums, brought on by the constant use of thick contact lenses and grotesque fake fangs.
I’ve wandered off my own trail again, haven’t I? I was saying friend, that Uncle isn’t just a G.P, he is a Scientific Researcher. He messes about with all kinds of chemicals, and stuff to help with rehabilitation of the Clones, and he has perfected a tablet he calls the Shadow, which will protect the Vampire rebels from the sunlight. It only works for a few hours and then wears off, and it can’t be taken consecutively i.e. one after the other, or it has the opposite effect, it lights up the Vampire from the inside and he is burned to a crisp! This is not an aspirin Amica! I hope to God, he has tested this thoroughly before we attempt this raid, or the whole thing will amount to a huge bonfire before we have one single Clone in the truck! The tablet also restricts the length of time of the operation; if we are not back inside at a certain time, our Vampire friends will have no protection from the daylight, and they will be ashes. That includes my mother and father, and a lot of rare, decent Vampires that we can’t afford to lose.
I’m scaring myself to death, here! There are just so many things that could go wrong, but if they don’t, then we will have succeeded in stopping the agony of so many people, and helping them start a new life. I don’t think we can imagine how great it will feel to be a part of it. There, I feel better now; to be honest, this waiting around has us all climbing the walls. We want to do it yesterday; do you know what I mean friend?
The last part of the plan of course, is having somewhere to hide all the free Clones, which never occurred to me until last night; how dumb am I? Uncle hasn’t even told us that yet, given his (need to know) shenanigans, but I sincerely hope the drivers know! We leave here at 9 a.m. on 2.02.3012, and get to the nearest road called Maccao Lane, where the trucks will already be waiting for us. This road leads to Belcroft Highway and that in turn, leads to the A4570 dual carriage way, and takes us towards The Capital. The farm is not far from there, but I don’t know the exact location. I’ve just realised Amica that Uncle doesn’t want the details of the route written down until after the rescue, oops! He is a bit paranoid though, because everyone here is part of the raid, and we have to trust each other. He must have his reasons and I do trust him, so I’ll shut up now, lock up this journal, and spend today and tomorrow becoming a master tacticionist and ninja extraordinaire! Some hope! XXX
1.02.3012
It’s 7 p.m. friend, and the time is drawing near for me to panic. What seemed like a daring and courageous adventure, now feels like an absurd and foolhardy expedition that can only result in all of our deaths. I am scared, I thought I was a brave person, but I’m not, I’m a snivelling wimp! Courageous people don’t get scared do they? They just throw themselves into pools of fire, or jump off buildings and land on helicopters. They all have rippling muscles and firm bosoms’, with weapons hidden in their multitude of invisible pockets. I have a ‘sunlight’ gun, and a multitude of pens! I’m doing it though, we all are, because we have to, we need each other and we need those poor abused and imprisoned Clones. They are us and we are them, we’re family, and family looks after family. Don’t for one minute think that you are getting out of this Amica! You wouldn’t let me give up on myself when I was imprisoned, so you better suck it up Mrs! You are along for the ride.
I was hoping that I would hear from disembodied voice over these last few days, but he seems to have forgotten about us. Maybe he is on vacation or something, I don’t know, but that seems a bit harsh. I don’t think I could eat ice-creams and paddle by the sea, if my friends were living in a steel box surrounded by Sanguis and critters. He could also be in serious trouble somewhere, and can’t contact me. I think I’d prefer the ice-cream and paddling scenario for him, even if it meant he had forgotten about us.
Sebastian, Orianna and Lupe are coming over to me and they all look incredibly serious. I hope they are not backing out, I would understand, but I really hope they’re not.
‘Aecia, we want to say, eh, things will go well.’
Sebastian is speaking, and now Lupe, ‘Yes and we always stay together.’
And now Orianna, ‘And we love you Aecia.’
Oh my God, now I’m going to have to cry, and I want to be tough and ready for the raid. It would have been better if they came over and cut off my hair or punched me in the face, something which would get me angry, and fire me up for tomorrow. I love them too though, I really do. Are you blubbering Amica? Get some dark pants on and a bulletproof vest; you’re one second ahead of me in this mission, at a
ll times! Goodnight for now, and the next time I write, and there will be a next time, will be on 3.02.3012. XXX
Chapter Eight
THE FIRST FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
We are all here, and about to leave the haven for the first time since we arrived a few days ago. There is a third entrance to this place which Uncle is only telling us about now. In the second entry room, which you go into after the tunnels and lock, there is another hole in the ceiling. Climbing up there leads to one other dirt tunnel that leads directly to the caves, which were our first haven when we were rescued. It has seldom been used since the steel tunnels were discovered, but it serves our purpose today. This direct route saves us a swim in the lake or a trek through the forest, and whatever entities are lurking there at the moment. It’s not one hundred per cent safe, so we have to travel two at a time, gap, and two at a time, gap and so on. If there is a cave in at any point, others will be able to help.
We are all dressed in some x military fabric jackets and trousers; goodness knows where Uncle got these from, but trust me, they stink of mothballs, and are definitely not new. The label says durable and fire retardant, so that’s something, given that we are exploding the farm with its own oxygen tanks, when we are done.
We are in the tunnel and I have Orianna with me; I forgot to mention that we each have a torch clipped on to our wrist as it is pitch black in here. It’s very dusty, as you would imagine, and I hope the tunnel walls are supported with pillars or something, but I can’t see much, even with the torch. I think I would have risked the forest, given a choice, but Uncle knows what he is doing. The gradient is up, then down, and so on, but it is roughly a straight route as the crow flies, so to speak, except it is underground, until we get to the caves. Amica, I told you that Zak is safe haven’t I? He’s with the wife of a rebel somewhere, out of danger, that’s good enough for me.
I am beginning to recognise some of the grooves and bumps in this tunnel; we could be near our old caves. We are getting nearer the surface because I can hear the riotous noise of the birds. I have missed that so much since we have been closeted in steel. We are here; we have come out in one of the other caves, further down from Garok’s. Garok, why did I have to think of him right this second? He should be here with us.
‘Stop it!’
‘Sorry, Amica, I’ve stopped.’
‘Let’s do this thing!’
‘Yeah!!!’
‘Are you talking to yourself?’
‘Just thinking out loud Orianna.’
I can hear Lupe and Sebastian coming behind us, then it’s just Mother and Father, and we can make our way to Maccao Lane. Uncle is already outside, scouting the immediate area for any signs suspicious or unusual activity.
What on earth is that rumbling sound? Oh No, not the tunnel!
‘Hurry Lupe, tell mother and father it’s not safe, they’ll have to go back.’
The rumbling has stopped, and Uncle has rushed back inside to us.
‘Is everybody out, tell me?’
‘We don’t know yet Uncle. I’m going back in to see.’
‘Oh no you are not! Let me see.’
This side of the tunnel is still clear, and we can see Lupe, Sebastian and Mother, I think, they are covered in dirt. They are holding in coughs, by the looks of them, or holding their breath so they won’t breathe in the dirt. Father must have stayed in the Haven; he must have realised that the tunnel was caving in. Here they are, thank goodness, they’re all coughing like trapped miners, but they’re ok.
‘We have to go.’
‘But Uncle, give them a minute, Mother needs to tell me about Father, he must have stayed behind.’
‘Mother, he did, didn’t he? He heard my warning?’
She is still coughing; I have some water for her to clear her throat. Now she is muttering something to Uncle, when I’m asking a question! Well, that’s just charming that is; just wait till my parents tell me off for interrupting again, I’ll....’
‘We have to go now. Aecia NOW!’
I don’t know what I’m thinking, something is wrong with father, but I want to be a child and not believe it. Mother and Uncle know I’m not stupid, but if I deny it and don’t speak, it might not be true. Lupe is shaking her head in reply to whatever Orianna asked her, and now they are looking at me. I don’t want to know! Focus Aecia, focus and breathe.
‘Yes, come on Orianna and everyone, we have to get to the trucks.’
No ‘one is speaking as we are tramping along over the fields. The birds aren’t singing anymore, and the only sounds are of the seven of us breathing, and seven pairs of boots pounding the ground as they march towards the lane. We have all been given wrist watches at last, and the time is now 9.35 a.m. I can see the trucks in the distance, with two strange Vamps standing outside, and they are speaking into walkie-talkies to somebody. It must be the other drivers, because Uncle isn’t speaking into his. I feel like I’m on remote control, or that I’m up in the sky looking down on all of us. Mother won’t even look at me, but has her eyes fixed on the road. I can’t remember why Mother should be upset, I feel numb.
‘Aecia.’
‘Yes Uncle.’
‘We are here, at the trucks, what are you doing?’
‘I, eh, I think, something to do with Father, but Zak, what about Zak?’
‘Aecia come here, look into my eyes. You are in shock, but you can’t stay that way. I need you with me; do you understand me? You are safe and you are strong, and we are all together. Your father’s spirit, your mother’s courage, and your friends’ love are all surrounding you. We are a unit, we are powerful, and we will rescue the Clones today. Now do you remember?’
I feel refreshed, and confident that we are up to this task Amica, don’t you? Why is everyone standing around and looking at me?
‘Uncle, we have to go now don’t we? Shouldn’t we be moving by now?’
‘Absolutely Aecia, let’s move!’
We are in the second truck with Uncle driving, and I want to find out exactly what will happen before we move in and start disconnecting the Clones. The trucks are basically warehouses on wheels, and blooming large ones at that; we’re going to have to hang on tight to our rescued Humans, when we are in the back with them. I need to know how long we have got to free them, and settle them in here, before we have to speed off again.
‘Uncle, where exactly are you creating the first explosion?’
‘In truck one, there are two oxygen tanks, identical to the ones held at the farm, and we are going to light them up, just outside the back entrance to the supply area. When the Vumes go around to put out the fire, they will think the tanks have loosened out of their own supply, and will go inside to see if the rest are dangerous. Four of our party will be waiting inside, to restrain them if possible, or use the UVA gun as a last resort. You and the others will already be disconnecting the Clones, and the Vampires among us, will carry them, two at a time to the trucks. You remember where the lever is on the wall, which lowers the Clones down to our reach?’
‘Yes, that’s new information to you isn’t it Uncle? We are learning more all the time.’
‘Focus Aecia. All that matters is the time we have now. Do you all know what you are doing? Stay with your partner and watch out for each other!’
The air is alive with anticipation and anxiety, we have been over our every move numerous times and we are ready. If there is a God, please help us now Sir, for what we are doing is right. We are here! We wait for the explosion; there it is; now we move! There are four Vampires in front of us that I don’t recognise. There are certainly more than twelve people involved in this mission now, so Uncle must have contacted some rebels from outside our Sector to help. My God, they are huge! They must be nearly seven foot tall! The entrance isn’t guarded now, because the Vumes are at the rear entrance, trying to prevent the fire from spreading into the storage area, I presume. The front door is locked, but it may as well be wide open as the two ‘SuperVamps’ (well that’s what th
ey look like friend) have just barged into it, and knocked it flying into the warehouse. My puny group, of Orianna, Sebastian, Lupe, mother and I, are hard on their heels and ready for action.
We are in, and in the seconds it has taken us to follow them into the building, the SuperVamps have already lowered the first row of Clones down to our level. The smell is stringent and putrid, and my stomach is quivering in disgust. My friends are suffering the same reaction, no doubt, as they recall the acidic disinfectant combined with the warm iron of blood, invading their nose and throat. Our blood was once part of that atmosphere, theirs’ for a lot longer than mine, and the horror of their memories has stopped them in their tracks. ‘All of you, come on, there’s no time to stop!!’ They are moving, but slowly; is it fear that is stopping them, or the horror of their past existence, brought to life in front of their eyes?
‘Come on!!’ I am pulling Sebastian’s arm, the SuperVamps have lowered every row of Humans down, and are disconnecting them at the other end.
‘Snap out of it, they will die! We will all die!’
Mother is amazing, she must be shocked herself seeing, for the first time, how her kind treat the Humans. It has not fazed her, and she is already cutting into the plastic cocoon of her third capsule. I have to disconnect and lay down each Clone, ready for the stronger Vampires to load them into the trucks. I have to continue, whether my friends are moving or not, I just pray that they have each gone to their own row as we had planned. There is a feeling upon me that I cannot describe, as I mechanically detach each human being from their dual drips on either side of their bodies. I cannot allow myself to own it now, as there is no time, and it would stop me in my tracks, as it did the other Humans in our group. I can see you Amica, striding before me and outlining every move that I must make, and am grateful for your precise composure, which I must emulate. As I release each pitiful Clone, I daren’t look in their eyes, or their bewilderment and pain will consume me, and prevent me from completing this horrific task. There is chaos and movement all around me, but I am alone in my own cocoon of purpose, and each beating heart I release is in time with my own.
Only Human Page 13