by Aaron Hodges
“Let’s not waste the time we have,” she whispered in his ear.
52
Another day passed before Chris allowed himself to admit that Liz was right. It had been a week since the Texan had departed, and they couldn’t sit waiting any longer to see whether he would return. Besides, whatever his grandmother and the Madwomen said, it was obvious something had gone wrong. It was clear in the faces of the men and women who guarded the house, in the hardening of their brows and the falseness to their smiles.
It could mean only one of two things. Either the Texan had been taken, or he’d betrayed them.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” Chris said as he entered the dining room.
His grandmother looked up from the kitchen table. Their eyes met, and he watched a wave of weariness sweep across her face. His shoulders fell and he sank into a chair beside her. Until that moment, he’d still clung to the hope he was missing something, that there was some explanation for the Texan’s continued absence.
A paltry lunch had been set on the table, and taking a slice of bread, he made himself a peanut butter jelly sandwich. As he buttered the bread, he struggled to hide the trembling of his hands.
“We can’t know,” Maria whispered as he finished.
Taking a bite of his sandwich, Chris considered her words. The food tasted like dust, and his stomach recoiled, but he knew he needed the sustenance. He had hardly slept or eaten since his conversation with Liz.
“He was meant to be back by now,” Chris said finally. “We can’t stay here. If he’s betrayed us…”
“He hasn’t.”
“Then he’s been taken, and it’s only a matter of time before they make him talk,” Chris countered.
His grandmother bowed her head, and Chris knew he was right. A dozen thoughts raced through his mind as he considered what their next move should be. A part of him longed to flee, to take his grandmother and the others and vanish. They could find a place in the countryside, somewhere deep in the mountain forests, and never be seen again.
Then Richard’s face appeared in his mind, and Chris knew they couldn’t do it. They had to fight, to make Richard’s sacrifice worth something.
That meant taking the fight to the government.
The night before, he had toyed with the idea of revealing themselves. He had even discussed it with Sam. They’d both liked the thought of throwing a spanner in the government’s plan. The Director would struggle to explain how the three teenagers she’d called terrorists had grown wings. But Chris feared it would never get that far. They had already revealed themselves in Independence Square, and while rumors continued to be reported, the truth was unlikely to emerge.
He feared the Madwomen who had died in the square had given their lives for nothing.
That only left their original idea—to go to the university themselves and speak with the professor Ashley had mentioned. He was the only one who could help them learn more about themselves: about what afflicted Liz and Jasmine, and whether their transformation could be reversed. It was a frail hope, but they had nothing else.
“So what now, Chris?” Liz asked, appearing in the doorway.
Chris sighed as the others followed behind her—Ashley and Jasmine and Sam and Mira. The later two were still recovering from their injuries, but he could see the fire burning in Jasmine’s eyes. The edge seemed to have gone from her grief, but her anger burned on. He knew she wanted retribution—he just hoped it wouldn’t consume her again.
There was still a wary look in Ashley’s eyes, but they no longer held the terror he had seen there before. His gaze lingered on her face, wondering if she was ready for what would come next. They would need her help if they were going to reach the professor.
Feeling their eyes on him, Chris thought about Liz’s question. He gripped the tabletop, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Gritting his teeth, he glanced at his grandmother, seeking guidance. But he knew it wasn’t up to her. What Jasmine had said all those days ago was true—this was their fight.
He sucked in a breath and nodded to himself. “I think it’s time we paid the professor a visit of our own.”
Silently, he watched the others for their reaction. They were blood now; he knew each of them better than even his closest friends from his old life.
Jasmine was the easiest to read. Grinning, she took her seat at the table. Liz joined her, the fire in her eyes almost as fierce as Jasmine’s. Both had suffered the terror of losing control, of becoming Chead—the very creatures their communities feared more than anything else. Of all of them, it was Liz and Jasmine who wanted a cure more than anything else.
Not to mention a chance for revenge.
But it was Ashley they really needed. She stood staring out the kitchen window, her eyes distant. Chris could sense the war taking place within her—between the brave girl he had known back in the facility, and the one who had frozen in Independence Square. Holding his breath, he waited to see which would win.
Finally, Ashley nodded and sat. Sam and Mira followed suit, though a shadow hung over Sam’s face. Neither he nor Mira would be able to come—not with their injuries. With the wound in her shoulder, Mira still couldn’t fly, and both would be worse than useless if it came to a fight.
Sam reached across the table and gripped Ashley by the wrist. “You don’t have to go, Ash,” he said quietly.
Ashley returned a sad smile. “I do, Sam.” She looked at Chris. “If I stay, it’ll just be three.”
“We don’t even know there will be a fight,” Chris replied, though he didn’t believe the words, “and if there is, we’ve faced worse odds.”
“And lost more than a few times,” Ashley countered. She shrugged off Sam’s hand and smiled, and Chris caught a glimpse of the girl he’d known before their escape. “No, you need me. Otherwise, who will keep you from getting distracted by all those college girls, Chris?”
Chris raised an eyebrow, and Liz chuckled. “He’d better not.”
Ashley smiled. “If Mike really has been caught, they’ll be watching the professor. But on the campus, we’ll just be like any other students.”
“You think we can sneak into one of his classes?” Liz asked.
“We won’t even have to sneak.” Ashley grinned. “Once we’re on campus, they don’t check student IDs for individual lectures. And the classes are usually big enough that no one will notice a few extras. We can walk right in and talk to him at the end of the lecture.”
Silence fell around the table. Chris studied his hands, turning the plan over in his head, searching for holes. He bit his lip. Surely there had to be a less risky way of approaching the professor. If they were spotted, they would end up trapped in the lecture hall. But as the silence stretched out, nothing else came to him.
“It’s a terrible risk.” He looked up as his grandmother finally spoke.
Her eyes were cautious as she looked around the table, but she attempted a smile. “Your grandfather would be proud, Chris.”
Letting out a long sigh, Chris nodded. “Okay, so we go with Plan C.”
53
The Chead ran all the next day, their endless stamina carrying them over the long plains and raging rivers and rolling hills. Susan went with them—though each time she glimpsed the grey eyes of the creatures, she shook with fear. At times her mind wandered, and it seemed another presence took her place. Hours later she would wake and find the landscape had changed while she dreamed.
By the time the creatures stopped to rest, Susan’s legs were burning and her whole body ached. The relentless sun had turned her pale skin red. She struggled to think through the pain, her mind unruly, her senses dulled by the scent of the Chead. It was a constant presence now, a sweetness that hung in the air, stirring dark desires in the pit of her stomach.
Susan slumped to the ground, wanting only to curl up into a ball and sleep. But as she closed her eyes, she felt that other presence in the back of her mind, a red haze swelling in the darkness, thre
atening to drown her. Her eyes snapped open again. Digging her fingers into the dirt, she fought the fog back.
They had stopped beside an old farmhouse, though it looked to be in far better condition than the last. A faint trace of smoke came from the chimney, and a long dried-up riverbed threaded its way past the house. She glimpsed several Chead wandering along the gravel. Movement came from nearby, and Susan was surprised when she found Talisa approaching.
“Susan,” the old Chead said.
Susan shuddered. Something about the woman’s voice called to her. Looking into Talisa’s eyes, she could feel her will crumbling, swept away by a yearning to obey.
“Yes, Talisa,” she whispered, still crouched on her knees.
Talisa offered her hand. “Come.”
Susan followed the old woman through the host of Chead. She tried to count them as they passed, but her mind was foggy, sluggish, and she quickly lost track.
So many, she thought, but she couldn’t know.
Ahead the ground dropped down to the riverbed. She followed Talisa out onto the gravel, and together they moved downhill, away from the other Chead. Susan watched the old woman, wondering where she was taking her, but Talisa did not look back, and all Susan could do was follow obediently in her wake.
Finally, Talisa drew to a stop in the shadow of the riverbank. Staring into the darkness, it was a moment before Susan realized there was more to the shadows. A cavern beckoned amidst the broken gravel, its mouth disappearing out of sight and knowledge.
“You will sleep within tonight.” Talisa nodded towards the cave.
Susan’s forehead creased, but as she started to object, her eyes met Talisa’s. The sweet scent of the Chead wafted around her, and the words died in her throat. She swallowed and nodded demurely. Moving past Talisa, she stood in the mouth of the cave.
“What…do I…do?” she managed.
“Wait,” Talisa replied.
Biting her lip, Susan lowered herself into the darkness before she could lose her nerve. Halfway down, a rock slipped beneath her foot, and before she could recover, she fell. Darkness rose to swallow her, and an instant later she struck the ground.
Groaning, Susan sat up on the hard rock, her scream still echoing around her. In the pitch-black, even her newly-enhanced vision took time to adjust. Standing, she sucked in a breath to steady herself. The sweet scent had vanished, and her stomach twisted. A pain started in her chest as an awful emptiness crept through her. Wrapping her arms around herself, Susan spun, seeking something, anything, to distract herself.
She was in a narrow cavern, its stone walls worn smooth by the passage of water. Fine gravel covered the floor, while in the corner, a tiny pool of water had gathered. She crouched beside it and cupping her hands together, drank the cooling liquid. Afterwards, she tried to wash the dried blood from her skin. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do for her clothes. She shuddered as her colleague’s screams rang in her mind and straightened again.
Behind her, gravel crunched. Susan spun towards the sound. Heart racing, she scanned the gloom, and latched onto a figure moving towards her. A scream built in her throat and raising her hands, she stumbled backwards.
“Susan,” a voice whispered.
Susan froze, staring into the shadows. The voice was familiar. She frowned as Hecate took shape from the darkness.
“Hecate…” Susan struggled to form the words. “What are…you doing…here?”
Hecate took another step towards her. His grey eyes glowed in the darkness, and Susan felt a sudden yearning for a mirror, though she knew what she would see in her own eyes—a monster.
She shrank as Hecate continued forward, his eyes never leaving hers. His scent drifted through the cavern, and Susan felt the emptiness recede. She moaned, struggling to control the sudden racing of her heart. Her breath quickened as she looked up at Hecate. Her teeth started to chatter, and she took a step back, fighting to keep her body from shaking.
“I was…sent,” Hecate whispered.
“Why…are we…here?” Susan managed.
The Chead looked around at the rock walls. “For decades, the Chead have hidden…in these places.” He turned back to her. “I found Talisa…and her family…in a place like this.”
“That doesn’t—” Susan response turned to a yelp as Hecate took another step towards her. Raising her arms, she stammered a warning. “Stay…back!”
Her words sounded weak and feeble, and Hecate ignored them. She flinched as he raised his hand, but he did not strike her. Instead, the Chead lifted a finger to her cheek. “You are…home.”
“Home?” Susan shook her head. “No…”
“Yes…” Hecate said. “You are mine…now.”
Susan’s whole body was shaking, and a voice was screaming in the back of her mind, but she stood frozen, her legs fixed to the ground. Looking up into the Chead’s eyes, she saw something there. To her horror, she felt herself responding. Hunger swelled in her chest as the sweetness of the Chead wrapped around her.
Still she shook her head. Somehow, she found the will to move and staggered back. The gravel slipped beneath her feet and she tumbled to the ground.
“No, no, no,” she whispered, scrambling away.
The Chead watched her with its strange, unblinking eyes. Susan stilled as she looked back and saw he had not moved. A long silence stretched out, the only sound the distant dripping of water. Susan hardly dared to breathe. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Fiery ripples spread across her skin, as though her entire body had come alive.
Still the Chead did not move, only watched her, waiting. Susan sucked in a breath, and the richness of his scent flooded her nostrils. She shuddered. The smell filled the cavern, drowning her, smothering her mind like a blanket.
What is happening to me?
She flinched as Hecate moved, but he only offered his arm. She stared at it for a moment, her terror fading. A strange peace took its place, sweeping away her worries. Looking into Hecate’s eyes, she nodded, and took the offered hand.
With a yank of his arm, Susan was propelled to her feet. She gasped, her heart racing as the Hecate’s strong arms wrapped around her. For a second, she felt herself again, and terror twisted in her stomach. She gasped, but her face was buried in his chest and his scent was so strong she could taste it. A yellow haze swirled around the edges of her vision.
“Hecate,” she whispered.
The Chead nodded. For the first time Susan looked at him, and truly saw him. When she had encountered Hecate back in the facility, she had not stopped to think of him as a person. She had thought of the Chead as nothing more than monsters, creatures of the dark, come to kill them all.
Now Susan knew she had been wrong. As the yellow haze filled her mind, she realized the creatures had only wanted to free her, to break her from the shackles of her humanity. There was no terror or sadness now—only joy, only desire.
She shivered as Hecate’s arms went around her waist. Another scream echoed in the back of her mind, but her entire body was aflame, and she ignored it. Her skin was alive; even the touch of her clothing made her scream with longing.
“You are mine,” Hecate whispered, his grey eyes boring into hers.
His arms tightened around her, pulling her close, and she felt his power. Susan trembled in his arms, the strength fleeing her legs. She lifted her head, staring into those strange grey eyes, seeing their depth. Desire wrapped around her and she almost screamed for him to take her, to quench the longing in her stomach.
But Hecate only stared back at her, his eyes wide, his face expectant, and Susan realized his last words had not been a statement, but a question.
Shaking in his arms, Susan recalled a distant memory, one of disgust, of a voice screaming out in protest. Looking into Hecate’s eyes, she could not think why. All memory was fading, falling away, until she could only remember this cave, this place, this moment.
“Yes,” she breathed.
Part 7
Ret
aliation
54
Liz drew in a long breath as the elevator dinged and the steel doors clanged open. She cast a furtive glance outside before nodding for Ashley to take the lead. Her friend forced a grin, though her eyes betrayed her nerves. Pulling the raincoat tighter around her shoulders, Ashley stepped from the elevator. Liz, Chris, and Jasmine followed close on her heels.
They had landed on the roof of the ten-story library to avoid the guards checking IDs at the gates. According to Ashley, this was the only security measure the university took to stop interlopers, but Liz still couldn’t help but hold her breath. The scent of old paper was strong in the air as they threaded their way between the rows of books and headed for the exit.
As they neared the sliding glass doors, Ashley slowed. Following the direction of her gaze, Liz saw the guard standing beside the exit. He wore a blue uniform and had a handgun at his side, but his eyes were bored, and he was practically leaning against the wall.
Laughing, Liz looped her arm through Ashley’s and nodded towards the exit. “I know, Professor McKenzie’s a bore, but just another hour and we’re done for the day.” She tugged on Ashley’s arm and together they walked out, Chris and Jasmine a step behind them. The guard didn’t give them a second glance.
A fine rain was falling outside, but they were all already soaked from their flight. None of them were complaining, though—the low-lying clouds had offered the perfect cover and there was no chance anyone had spotted their approach. Releasing Ashley’s arm, Liz flashed her a smile.
“Easy!” she said. “So, where to now?”
“The engineering department, according to the schedule on the boards. His class starts in ten minutes.”
Liz frowned. “Are you sure you got that right? I thought genetics was a biology class.”