by David Webb
“The Scourge?”
Another nod. “He was close with all the instigators of the Uprising, really. That’s why the Silvers pay so many visits to the clinic. They want to make sure he’s not corrupting some poor kid with delusions of starting the next Uprising.”
“Like you?”
Roland grinned. “Like me. That’s also why Gareth was never allowed to re-marry and have any more children.”
“So you’re not related to him at all? I never understood how you ended up with him. His family died in the war, right?”
“Not quite. Gareth’s entire family was executed as punishment for his participation in the Uprising. He took me in shortly afterward. Honestly, if he didn’t have me around, I’m not so sure he would still be alive.”
“Where is your real family?”
Roland shrugged. “I don’t know, and by now, I honestly don’t care. If I needed to know, Gareth would have told me by now. He used to tell me that it’s safer if I don’t know.”
“So how do the Lightbringers have you registered?”
“They don’t. As far as I know, they don’t even know I exist. Like the one under your house, Gareth has a similar bunker under his shack that I hide in during routine checks and visits. There have been a couple close calls, but I’ve managed to avoid running into the Silvers before today. They can’t be too happy that you’re running around with someone not in their system.”
“I’m putting you in danger, then.” Aniya let her head droop in guilt.
“Yes, absolutely. But that’s the neat thing about not existing. It doesn’t matter as much if you’re dead.” Roland let loose a wry smile. “Listen, Aniya. Gareth has been more than a father to me. If he says keeping you safe is the most important thing for me to do, then I’m going to make sure that you stay alive. If he says that we need to get your brother back, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Aniya smiled. “Thank you, Roland.”
Roland waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it. I had nothing better to do. I just hope that if the Silvers catch us, they do so after we get out of these tunnels. I already live underground. Call me crazy, but I don’t want to die in a hole in the ground inside another hole in the ground.”
“Maybe if—” Aniya was cut short by the torches going out.
“That’s weird.” Roland’s voice sounded unsure.
Aniya edged closer to him. “Roland . . .”
“I wouldn’t worry. These tunnels were the Lightbringers’. Maybe they rigged the torches to a timer.”
Aniya thought of the wire she had severed from the nearby torch. It made sense. She peered down the path and was surprised to see that despite sudden extinguishing of the torches, the tunnel was not completely dark. Instead, a strange green glow emanated from the cave walls. The dim light was speckled along the rock with no consistent pattern. The source of the glow was unclear, but whatever it was seemed to slowly move, just enough to notice.
“Aniya, look.”
If Roland was gesturing, she couldn’t tell. The green glow gave off a little light, but it was still difficult to make out any details until her eyes adjusted again. She looked around, turning until she saw a distinguishable shape on the tunnel wall behind her.
On the rock wall, in a wet green glow, was smeared a large depiction of a four-fingered hand, almost seeming to reach out at them.
Aniya stared at the crude drawing. “That looks just like the one you—”
That was all she got out before a cold, grimy hand covered her mouth, stifling the scream she would have let out as several more hands grabbed her all over and forced her to the ground, binding her hands and gagging her mouth.
Then a sack was placed over her head and tightened, and she was left helpless.
16
Roland was pushed to the ground. He stumbled over a rock and fell hard on his shoulder, unable to brace his fall. But as much as his shoulder hurt, his feet ached even worse. The walk had already lasted for several hours.
He heard another impact on the ground next to him, accompanied by a grunt. He tried to say Aniya’s name, but it came out as a simple “Mmmph?” through the gag in his mouth.
A cold hand undid the sack over his head but did not take it off, only removing the cloth from his mouth before securing the sack around his neck once again. Then, footsteps faded into the distance, and they were alone.
Roland tried again. “Are you okay?”
“Mostly.” He heard her scoff. “You said whoever lit the torches wasn’t any threat to us. I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty threatened.”
“At least it’s not the Silvers.”
“How do you know?”
“We didn’t get shot. But whoever it is, they’re probably just as dangerous. They came out of nowhere.”
“Who do you suppose they are?”
Roland paused. “I have no idea. I can’t imagine who would be foolish enough to enter the caves. The tunnels may be dangerous to the Silver Guard, but even more so to defenseless civilians. There’s creatures in these caves that don’t like their home invaded. It’s a crude tunnel system, so there’s always risk of a cave-in. Plus, living this close to constant electromagnetic energy is very dangerous for your health. When the radio suppressant was first built, the only reason it wasn’t used widespread was because it spread disease among the rebels. If these people live down here, it’s likely that their bodies have adjusted and evolved. They are probably quite brutish in size in order to compensate for the energy-sucking nature of severe electromagnetism.”
“An interesting theory, young one.”
Roland looked up toward the source of the scraggly voice, even though he couldn’t see very well.
The sound of flint crackled, echoing throughout the cave.
Through the tiny holes of the sack, Roland saw the spreading glow of a fire illuminating the thin, huddled frame of a person sitting across from them.
“I remember when I was indeed a brute of a man. That was long ago, when there was fire in my heart and strength in my bones.”
Aniya scoffed, and Roland couldn’t tell if it was directed at the man’s strange claim or the fact that he used such flowery language.
In any case, the man seemed to ignore Aniya’s reaction and continued, “Now, I must rely on the shadows for my strength, subterfuge my only defense against the tyranny that seeks to bring about my end.”
“Enough talk, Daddy. How do you want to do it?”
A new voice, a shrill one, pricked Roland’s ears so close that he jumped a little.
“We can flay them, roast them, or just start eating them raw.” The girl laughed in a shrieking trill.
“Cannibals?” He heard Aniya say. “I thought that was just a story that the Silvers tell us to keep us from straying too far from our homes.”
The girl laughed again, and Roland winced as the high pitch violated his ears.
“Relax, Tami,” the male voice spoke again with a chuckle of his own. “These are no Silver Guard. There is no need to scare them yet.” His voice turned stern. “However, you did encroach on our territory, and we know by now that the Lightbringers are not beyond sending spies into my camp to destroy us from the inside out. This, young ones, is your trial. I am a fair judge, and you will be allowed to speak your piece. If I am not satisfied with your answers, I will leave you to my daughter, and I cannot promise that she will be as fair. The sacks, please.”
With that, the sack around Roland’s head was pulled off violently, jerking his neck sideways. He heard Aniya struggle nearby, but he found himself staring at the curious sight in front of him.
On the other side of the small fire sat a man with hair of pure silver, complete with a long beard that seemed immaculately trimmed. His skin was wrinkled and spotted, clinging tightly to visible bones. His eyes were a clouded gray, though they contained a wild spark inside that made Roland shudder. A simple cloth tunic hung loosely on the man’s body, tied by a thin rope around his thin waist. On his
hands were black gloves, a strange addition to what was otherwise a minimalistic outfit.
A feminine snicker tickled Roland’s ear, and he turned around to see a girl dressed in brown leather that was stitched together crudely, draped around her body with no particular sense of fashion to it. A large gun was strapped to her back, a strange addition to her outfit that Roland couldn’t help but find amusing.
“I already know what I’m going to do with them. The girl can die in the fire, but I’m saving the cute one for myself.” She grabbed Roland’s chin, pulled his face toward hers, and grinned widely, revealing a set of incredibly straight and white teeth, far from the lack of hygiene he expected from cannibalistic cave-dwellers.
“If their trial reveals them guilty, you can have your way with them both. Que será, será. But remember that we have these trials for a reason. Let him go, Tamisra.”
Pouting, the girl called Tamisra released Roland’s chin and pushed his face toward the man across the fire again.
The man lifted a cane from the ground nearby and jabbed it at Aniya, poking her in the chest. “You. Why should we let you live?”
“Well,” Aniya said, hesitating. “We’re not who you think we are. We’re not here on behalf of the Lightbringers, we’re not spies, and—”
The man laughed, wheezing. “A weak argument from a weak girl. You should hope your friend does better.”
Roland rolled his eyes. “You didn’t let her finish. We—”
Without warning, the man leapt across the fire at Roland’s chest, forcing him to the ground. “Do not speak out of turn, boy. I will let you know when you may talk.”
Roland stared at the man, terrified at the crazed look in the man’s eyes. They remained like this for several seconds as the man seemed to study Roland’s face, his frenzied eyes darting back and forth.
Finally, the man got up and walked back to his side of the fire, but not before taking a close look at Aniya’s face as well.
“Now you may talk.”
It wasn’t Roland who spoke next, but Aniya. “I know who you are.”
The man turned again to Aniya, his eyes blazing. “The only reason you are not on the ground right now is because you are a woman, and I have greater honor than that, but know that my patience is thinning. Speak your piece, and then be silent.”
Aniya spoke slowly. “You’re Salvador, aren’t you? Salvador the Scourge. We’re friends.”
“The fact that you know my name does not prove that you are a friend. Every spy the Lightbringers send in here knows my name.” The man sneered, picking up his stick again and jabbing it toward Aniya’s nose. “You and the rest of them, always seeking to take what little we have left. You already took it all, you fiends. What have we more to give? Our lives? We barely have those anymore as it is.”
Roland groaned. “I think you’ve mistaken—”
“You dare interrupt me again, child?” The man spun around, whipping his cane toward Roland and striking him on the cheek. Roland tumbled over as Tamisra clapped her hands and shrieked in excitement. “I will not be silenced. You will let me speak.”
Roland got back up, rubbing his cheek. After a long pause, he carefully spoke again. “Gareth never mentioned your willingness to hit children.”
The man’s expression changed, almost confused, and Roland continued.
“He thought you were dead.”
After a moment, the man shook his head. “No. Gareth Tigoro was a known rebel. The Lightbringers know his name very well. You will have to do better than that.”
Roland searched his mind for anything that could convince this crazed man. “Wait. Lumen ad mortem.”
The man froze. “How do you . . .” Slowly, his expression softened. “Not many of us knew those words. I knew your faces were familiar. There is no doubt. You are Roland,” he said, then swinging his cane and pointing at Aniya. “And Annelise Lyons.”
17
Aniya stared in wonder at the emaciated man, who now towered over them with a broad smile as his eyes twinkled wildly. She had heard legends of the psychotic rebel leader, but this was nothing like she had imagined.
“How do you know who we are?” Roland asked. “Have you been in contact with Gareth?”
“Sadly, no. He is too well watched by the Lightbringers. I could never have delivered a message without endangering him. I know who you are because I was there when your care was entrusted to my dear, old friend. And you,” he said, turning to Aniya, “look just like your mother.”
Tamisra frowned. “Does this mean I don’t get a new plaything?”
“You are correct, dear. Unbind them.”
The girl pouted but obeyed.
“Forgive us. As I said, we are visited by the spies of the Lightbringers on a somewhat frequent basis. Had I any idea who you were, we would never have treated you this way,” he said, nodding toward the welt on Roland’s cheek.
Aniya smirked. “Maybe we should have led with our names.”
“Everyone thought you were dead,” Roland said. “The Lightbringers said you were hunted down and killed even before the cave-ins.”
“You know as well as I do that their words cannot be believed. Truly, I am disappointed that Gareth believed they could find me in here, let alone defeat me in battle.” The gaunt man stood tall and puffed out his chest.
Aniya laughed before realizing that Salvador was not being dramatic. “Sorry.”
Salvador simply smiled again. “Alas, I am not the fighter I once was. I have my flock to look after, and my days of battle are over. Yet though our fight has come and gone, the Lightbringers still indirectly oppress us here in the tunnels just as much as they attempt to directly control you in the sectors. The only difference is that you can enjoy a nearly normal life under their rule, while we have been sentenced to a fate worse than death. We eat roots when we cannot find moles. We drink from irradiated pools that collect in dark corners of these tunnels. Most of us have not seen the outside of these caves in nearly eighteen years. What I would give for us to be free again! Unfortunately, the time for war is over.”
“Maybe not,” Roland said. “You have a chance to help us and hurt the Lightbringers.”
“Hurt them? I have heard promises like that before. What could you possibly do to hurt them, little one?”
“They took my brother,” Aniya said. “He was chosen for relocative servitude three years ago, but he escaped.”
A sad smile spread across Salvador’s face. “William. Yes. I am aware of his plight. But I have grave news for you, child. Your brother is dead. He was killed by the Lightbringers in a foolish attempt to attack them a few days ago.”
Aniya shook her head. “He’s still alive. He was shot, but he made it back to Holendast alive.”
“He escaped again?” Salvador raised his eyebrows.
“Again?” Roland asked.
“Yes, again. He came to me and asked for my help, and he was alive and well when we met, at least as well as could be in his condition. Three of our best—well, two of our best and one well-meaning fool—helped him break back inside the Citadel in an attempt to sabotage their power source. I had my reservations about the journey, to say the least. Apparently, they succeeded, but we lost contact until all three of our people showed up just inside the tunnels, all of them missing their heads. We assumed that they delivered your brother back to Holendast in the same condition.”
“I think the Lightbringers have a different relationship with the sectors,” Roland said. “They would never show such violence to the rest of the Web because they would quickly lose control. For you, though, I don’t think the war ever ended.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” Aniya said hesitantly. “But was it the best plan to permanently shut off the power?”
“History is defined by those who recognize their chance to change the world and then take advantage of it. Besides, we lasted for centuries without the help of the so-called Glorious Bringers of Light. We can do it again if it mea
ns our freedom. Besides, we did not have time to devise whatever master plan you must have in mind if you dare to venture into the Hub with a single gun.”
Aniya looked toward Roland. “About that . . .”
Salvador raised a wispy eyebrow. “You do not have a plan, do you?”
“We haven’t exactly had time to think of one,” Roland said as he looked away. “We were chased out of the Hole.”
“Chased?”
“They came for my brother and killed the rest of my family,” Aniya said, dropping her gaze toward the ground. “They took him, and now they’re after me.”
“Theodore . . . Catherine . . .” Salvador bowed his head for a moment, and when he finally spoke again, his speech grew rapid as he began pacing. “Your brother must know something. They could have just as easily taken him back. The Lightbringers do not kill lightly, one of their few merits.” He looked back up at Aniya with a mysterious stare. “Did your brother communicate anything to you before he was taken?”
Aniya shook her head. “He said the less I know, the better.”
Salvador gave a small smile.
“Gareth thinks he knows something big,” Roland said. “He’s convinced that if we rescue William, we’ll have an advantage against the Lightbringers.”
“I agree, though rescuing him may prove more difficult than you might imagine. Come, let me show you our home. I do not have men to spare to guide you into the Hub, but I can give you supplies and a warm bed before the dangerous road ahead.”
Aniya rose, ignoring Roland’s outstretched hand. “We’re just grateful you didn’t kill us. Honestly, for a second, I was pretty sure your daughter was about to take a bite out of our necks.”
“I still might,” Tamisra said, again bringing her bared teeth close to Roland’s ear.
Salvador laughed. “We may live like animals, but we have not yet resorted to cannibalism, despite Tami’s enthusiasm. The roots that grow in these caves sustain us just enough to survive. Occasionally, we come across a mole, which we have come to consider a feast.”