Finding Eden

by K R S McEntire

  “Hello Lilah,” the woman said, moving over so that she could step into the house. Lilah didn’t move an inch.

  “Hello,” Lilah spat. “Who are you?”

  The woman ignored Lilah's curtness and smiled. “My name is Freedom. Please, come in.”

  Chapter Six

  Adam

  The conference center near Navy Pier had been vacant for years. Its halls were full of dust and remnants of its former glory—classical columns inspired by ancient Greece crumbled on the floor, and glass shards from a large chandelier were scattered around the stained carpet. The main hall was cleared for the occasion, and hundreds of portable folding chairs had been moved into the room.

  Adam checked his reflection in a dusty, cracked mirror outside of the main hall. His new red, white, and blue button-up was tucked securely into a pair of blue slacks and held tightly in place by a leather belt. These were the nicest clothes he had ever worn. Growing up in Indianapolis, the only “belt” he owned was a long, wool string that his mother tied around his waist to keep his pants secure as he played with the neighborhood children. Those pants were hand-me-downs from another boy in his settlement and had come to him with stains and holes upon them. Not only were these clothes brand new, but they also looked like they had been ironed before being folded neatly into the box. He felt a little silly slipping back on his dirty, worn black sneakers to meet the president.

  President Kane was going to give a speech about the state of the nation and introduce the new Wardens to the world. Before the Bio Wars, back when the country had elections to pick its leaders, presidents gave speeches all the time. Adam figured Kane was trying to bring a sense of normalcy back to the world, but Adam wasn't sure why the entire nation would care about a few random Watch recruits in Chicago. The notion of a global, even national, economy was a thing of the past. Unless something tragic like the incident took place, no one cared much about what happened outside of their home settlement. At the same time, he hoped his family was watching his big moment. While they didn’t own a computer, his father had a cell phone that would allow him to tune in.

  Melissa led them backstage, where Adam and his new friends merged with a larger group of recruits. Adam counted that there were now ten recruits total, mostly men, but one young woman, a thin, freckled-faced brunette, smiled at him.

  From a crack in the curtain, Adam saw hundreds of people waiting eagerly in the hotel lobby to hear the president. Adam’s hands started to sweat. Not only was he about to stand before Kane for the first time, but he was going to be publicly introduced to all of Chicago and, via internet streaming, all of the world.

  The crowd quieted as Melissa stepped onto the stage, their silence amplified the click of her heels as she approached the podium. She greeted the crowd quickly, knowing they were eager to be introduced to the main speaker.

  “As you all know, the biological and chemical warfare that took place during the Bio Wars all but destroyed our nation. Ninety-nine percent of the Earth's human population died off from sickness and lack of food.

  “For the past three generations, the Kane family has been pivotal in the restoration of our great nation. Working toward the goal of building a world where war will never be necessary, the Kane family has reduced discourse by banning political parties, religious institutions, and pre-war money. In addition, the Kane family is working to rid the world of humanity's biggest blight—mutants. President Kane has touched each of our lives in a very personal manner. He funds our doctors and teachers, provides high school and college degrees to our brightest children. He supplies food and medicine for all citizens and pays the Wardens who protect our communities from threats as we transform our settlements into cities. We are honored to have him here today. Please welcome President Samuel Kane!”

  The crowd went wild. Adam had never witnessed a more literal example of that common expression until that night. As Kane walked onto the stage, the crowd gave a standing ovation. Some clapped, some screamed, others cried. Some fell to their knees, others started tossing items onto the stage, maybe as an offering, maybe just to get his attention. Two local Wardens stood with weapons at the ready, blocking anyone from making their way to Kane. Other Wardens worked to get the citizens to sit down and stay silent. People stood on chairs to get a better look as others tried to claw them back down. Adam stifled a chuckle. It was almost comical.

  Kane walked over to the podium and took the mic. Though Adam had seen images of Kane many times on the internet, he was surprised by his looks when he saw him in person. Kane was about the same height as Adam, maybe a few inches shorter, but his body was square and broad. His face still held his classic, handsome looks that people were accustomed to, though his brown hair was starting to grey. He wore a tailored gray suit and black dress shoes that looked like they had been purchased from a pre-war mall.

  “Welcome, citizens,” Kane said to a round of enthusiastic applause. “It’s so good to finally be in the city of Chicago. I believe Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the nation, hit by tragedy, but it still shows such a resilient spirit.”

  Adam heard the clicks of Melissa’s heels get louder and louder as she approached the Watch recruits backstage. She asked Adam and his friends to move away from the curtain, so Adam couldn’t peek out at the crowd. Adam and the new recruits could only listen as the crowd applauded.

  “As you all know, for the past year we have been investigating the murders of the three Wardens. I know many of you call it the incident. I, myself, feel that the name takes away from the severity of the situation. It is a tragic thing that happened in this city, but when innocent lives are taken, it will not be swept under the rug. I will find the mutants who did this and leave no stone unturned until I do.”

  The crowd erupted again.

  “At that aim, I would like to announce that I have hired ten new Wardens specifically for the Chicago settlement. These brave men and women are some of the best in the nation and have skills that I hope to utilize in bringing these killers to justice.

  “I know many of you live in daily fear of the mutants and their powers. You question how you will keep your children safe in a world where monsters roam free. I am cracking down on the mutant problem nationwide. Local Wardens from all cities will engage in more frequent CitCard checks, and citizens will be subjected to annual testing for mutations. We will increase our patrols until every mutant is caught and killed. Please keep your brave Wardens in your hearts as we work to build a greater tomorrow. With no further ado, I would like to introduce you to the newest members of the Chicago Watch!”

  Melissa motioned for Adam and the other recruits to walk on stage. Hesitantly, the recruits lined up, and Adam took a deep breath as they walked out. Once Adam got onto the stage, the bright lights all but blinded him. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from using them to shield his eyes.

  The crowd rose to their feet and applauded the new recruits. A mix of gratitude and pride swelled up in Adam. He’d never experienced anyone showing him this level of respect before. Now there was an entire city looking up to him, hoping he could help them.

  Adam pushed his shoulders back and thrust his chest forward, straightening his posture as Kane walked over to each new Warden and shook their hands. Adam couldn't help but feel starstruck when Kane reached him. Here was the man whose family saved America from extinction, who helped end the bloodiest war the world had ever seen, and he was shaking Adam’s hand.

  “Thank you, sir,” Adam blurted out before Kane moved on to the next recruit.

  Being onstage with Kane was unreal, but Adam promised himself that this moment would not be the highlight of his new life. Like Kane said, they all needed to do their part in building a greater tomorrow. Adam already knew what part he wanted to play.

  Adam would find the mutants who had killed the innocent Wardens, and he would kill them himself if he had the chance.

  Chapter Seven

  Lilah

  “You’re kicking me o
ut?” Lilah yelled at the top of her lungs. She could feel her hands heating as they balled into fists.

  “No,” her mother said. “Of course not. I’m sending you someplace safe.”

  “By sending me off to die?” Lilah asked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing from her own parents.

  “If you’ll calm down and listen,” her father's voice was stern, “you'd know that's not true. Please, sit down and hear her out.”

  It was too much for one night. Lilah was too exhausted to fight anymore. She didn’t have any more fire in her left to burn. Lilah allowed her body to go limp, sinking onto dirty carpet. She hugged her knees to her chest, digging her toes into the warm fabric.

  Freedom sat perched on the arm of the loveseat, looking down at Lilah with cool eyes.

  Lilah had heard of Freedom before. She was the rumored leader of The Resistance, an organization that some say was behind the incident. Lilah didn’t know if any of that was true, but if this woman was behind the death of the three Wardens, this woman was the reason the Wardens were so overly vigilant now.

  “Kane is in the settlement now, recruiting new Wardens with the goal of killing every mutant they can find. Your mother reached out to me to see if I knew a way to protect you,” Freedom said. “You have options. You can do nothing and hope for the best. Or, you can move into the City Below. That’s what a lot of passing mutants are opting to do right now. Better to be underground than dead.”

  Lilah was formulating a response when her mother interrupted her thoughts. There were wrinkles under her mother's tired eyes. Strands of grey highlighted her black, coiled hair that had been pulled into a tight bun.

  “Where were you tonight?” her mother asked.

  Lilah looked at her toes. “A Warden took me...for testing.”

  Her entire family gasped.

  “What?” her mother’s eyes grew moist. Lilah looked away.

  Before she realized what was happening, her mother, father, and sister all gathered around her. She was the center of their large embrace. Their concern made her wish she was normal, like her sister, so they would not have to worry about her every time she stepped outside of the house. Leave it to her family to make her feel guilty for simply walking home from work.

  “It’s okay. I’m okay,” Lilah said, but was she? The Warden said he would be back; he would take her to a facility for more testing. If she was found to be a mutant, she would surely be killed. It seemed like her days of attempting to blend in with the rest of the world would be coming to an end, one way or another.

  “There is a third option,” Freedom interjected. Her mother’s hopeful, wide eyes gave Freedom her utmost attention. Lilah’s mother looked at this woman, this criminal, as if she were the savior of the world. It made Lilah’s stomach sick. Lilah had taken care of herself and lived with her powers for seventeen years; she didn’t need or want a savior.

  “There is a place called Eden. Out in the woods. It’s a safe haven for mutants,” Freedom continued.

  Lilah huffed at Freedom. This was getting more ridiculous by the minute. A safe haven called Eden out in the woods sounded too good to be true. And her mother was eating it all up.

  “The woods?” Lilah asked. “Going out into the woods is a death sentence. There’s no food or water out there.”

  “Eden is about a two-week walk from town. You would have to pack for your trip, but once you get there, you’ll have plenty of food and water. I could give you some supplies as well. When you find Eden, ask for Angela and Jesse. They’ll know I sent you and let you in.”

  Lilah thought of the Warden’s warning, and her stomach turned. While she wasn’t certain a place like Eden could exist, she was running out of options. Even if Eden wasn’t real, disappearing into the forest for a while might not be the worst idea.

  “When would I have to leave?” Lilah wanted to know.

  “Soon. Tomorrow at the latest,” Freedom said. “Kane just hired ten new Wardens. We are not sure what they are planning, but you really don’t want to hang around here and wait until we find out.”

  “I’m not sure about this. It sounds too good to be true,” Lilah said. “I mean, Eden, come on? Besides, they say there are mutants out there in the forest! The dangerous kind!”

  Freedom chucked, a full smile spreading over her face.

  “Is that what they say?” Freedom laughed some more, moving toward her with so much poise that she almost appeared to be floating.

  “You have been living among the powerless for so long it seems you have forgotten what you are.” Freedom knelt beside her. She put her finger under Lilah's chin and lifted her face so that their eyes met. “Lilah, you have nothing to fear. You are the dangerous kind.”

  Lilah lay still in her bed. Despite resting under a thick quilt, she shivered. Moonlight shone through the cracked blinds, painting streaks of light on her wall, desk, and dresser. She looked at the pattern until her door creaked open. Her eyes moved toward the door in a panic. She sighed in relief as her sister, Lyric, crept in.

  “Hey, Bear.” It was a nickname Lilah had given Lyric when she was younger. Lyric would cry and cry if anyone tried to take her teddy bear away. Even though Lyric was almost eleven, Lilah hadn’t stopped teasing her. Usually, Lyric grimaced at the name, but tonight, she seemed unbothered. She climbed into Lilah’s bed and cuddled close under the thick quilt.

  “Can I sleep here tonight?”

  “Of course,” Lilah said.

  “Are you going to do it?” Lyric asked. “Go to Eden, I mean.”

  Lilah wrapped her arms around Lyric.

  “I don’t know. Do you think I should?”

  Lyric shrugged. “I want you here.”

  “I know, Bear. I want to be here, too.”

  “Then stay,” she insisted. “You can hide in the basement. We won’t let the Wardens find you.”

  Lilah knew it wasn’t that simple. The Wardens could track her location by her CitCard. If she got rid of it and relied on her family to hide her away and care for her, she would be putting them all in danger once the Wardens decided to pay them a visit. She needed to be far away when they came for her.

  “I love you, Bear, you know that,” Lilah said. “But I don’t think I have a choice.”

  Chapter Eight

  Adam

  Adam, Nate, and Melissa stood in an area of the city that Adam suspected had not seen human life since before the war. Their backs to the ruined buildings, they looked out into the woodlands that surrounded the settlement. Despite it being mid-summer, most of the trees failed to sprout any leaves. The grass was brown, and the soil was dark and dry. He couldn't see any birds in the air or critters on the ground.

  “We have gifted you both enough food and water rations to last three weeks, though the journey should only take two,” Melissa said. “You have two weapons: a gun and a tranquilizer gun. You also have one of the few phones that work nationwide. You will be able to call us anytime.”

  Adam nodded, the oversized pack on his back already weighing him down. When he left Indianapolis to venture to Chicago, he hadn't even considered that he might be asked to leave the settlement boundaries. It was one of those things that was just never done, not even if you were a Warden. It was assumed that if anyone was out in the forest, they were as good as dead. Maybe that assumption had been wrong. It seemed Kane was confident that, somehow, the mutants responsible for the incident had escaped the city and were alive and well.

  The night before, after Kane had given his speech and the audience went home, Kane met with each new Warden individually to speak with them about their new jobs. Brice was assigned to some type of medical lab, but both Adam and Nate had been assigned as trackers—Wardens with the authority to go beyond city bounds to search for rogue mutants.

  “I don’t understand,” Nate said, looking at Melissa questioningly. “Even if the killers had run off into the forest after the incident, how could anything survive out there?”

  “The mutants are p
roving to be…trickier than we thought,” Melissa said. “We have reason to believe that somewhere outside the city is a type of safe house they call Eden.”

  “Well, that's terrifying. How many mutants might be living there?” Adam asked.

  “We don’t know,” Melissa said. “Now that we have aircraft, we are going to use some planes to patrol the areas surrounding the settlement from above and see if we can see anything. Obviously, we still need men on the ground.”

  Her eyes softened. “I think seeing planes in the air has given people hope. The world is slowly returning to what it once was. If it wasn’t for the mutants, causing everyone to live in fear.”

  “We will do anything we can to bring them to justice,” Adam said. “But I must admit, if this place does exist, walking into the home of a large group of mutants kind of seems like a suicide mission.”

  “Don’t worry,” Melissa said. “You will not have to interact with any of the mutants alone. If you find Eden, give us a call, and we will send backup. If you do not find Eden in three weeks, give us a call, and we will pick you up to bring you back to safety. We can fly in a chopper if need be. We gave you weapons to protect yourself, but we don’t expect you to attack them. Kane would prefer to bring them back alive, if possible. They will be put to death in town. We hope to make an example out of these rogues so that mutants far and wide will get the picture.”

  Adam and Nate nodded, then they both offered Melissa a firm handshake.

  “Godspeed,” said Melissa as Adam and Nate took off toward the forest.