by Kate O'Hearn
“We must,” Chiron insisted. “This is grave news that Jake and Angie bring to us. The Mimic queen has spawned and there is at least one new young queen. There may be more. I have no doubt that soon they will be looking to move on to another world—perhaps Titus. We must not let that happen. This must end here. I had hoped for one more night of food and rest, but we dare not wait. We must move our plan forward.”
“How can we get you out of this prison?” Jake asked.
“That is my job,” Paelen said. “The cabin is connected to this prison yard by a large door. I will get out of here and go back inside to open the door.”
“Jake, what about the sssnakesss?” Nesso asked. “We can’t leave them behind.”
“We won’t,” Jake said. “Even if it means we don’t go with the others.”
“What is it?” Joel asked.
“Nesso is asking about the snakes. They are still in our hiding spot.”
“Those snakes are especially precious,” Chiron said. “How many are there?”
“A lot,” Angie said. “But we have containers now. If Paelen comes with us, we can get them and make it back here in no time.”
“Better yet,” Jake offered, “why don’t some of you go for the snakes while the rest of us go back to Melissa to take her out of her cage and get her some ambrosia? We can meet up there and then leave.”
“That is a very good idea,” Chiron said. “Let us move. The night is long, but we have much to do.”
Jake and Angie crawled back as Paelen stretched out his body and slipped through the bars of the cage. Once free, he returned to his normal shape. It was still unnerving to Jake to watch him do it. He cringed with every pop of Paelen’s bones.
They crawled to the front of the cabin and slipped in. Once again the stench of rotting flesh wrapped around them like a wet blanket and stole their breath away.
“Jake, stay here,” Paelen warned. “I will open the outer doors. It will allow light in.”
Angie stood with Jake as Paelen slipped through the room. They heard him fumble with some kind of lock, and a moment later, the double doors opened and light from the yard flooded in.
Angie had tried to describe to Jake the inside of the cabin, but her descriptions couldn’t capture the true horror of what Jake was seeing. There were cages packed full of sad, unfortunate animals—but he couldn’t recognize their species. Some of them looked like dogs, there were catlike animals, and even some that looked like monkeys. Others didn’t look remotely familiar. The one thing they had in common was the terror on their faces as the Titans entered the cabin from the yard.
In the center of the room were tables. Jake didn’t need to get closer to see what happened on those, as there were dark, wet stains on the surface. And at the end of the tables was a large press that must have flattened the animals. Drying racks were also set up around the room, stacked full of the flattened animals. Jake looked away, unable to conceive of what it must have been like to work in here. In that one moment, he realized he would never eat meat again.
“Jake,” Angie said. “While they’re gathering the ambrosia, would you help me with something, please?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“I want to open the cages and free all the animals.”
Jake had been considering doing the same thing. He approached Chiron. “Excuse me, Chiron. Are any of those animals in the cages dangerous?”
Chiron gazed back at the cages sadly. “No, they are gentle and intelligent. I doubt any of us will ever forget the horrors we have had to do to them.”
“Angie and I are going to open the cages and release them.”
Chiron nodded, then called several filthy Titans over and pointed to the cages. “This ends for them as well. Help Jake and Angie open the locks. Set them all free.”
“I’ll help,” Joel called.
Soon there was a group of Titans as well as the other species going through the cabin unlocking cage doors and freeing the animals. At first the poor creatures didn’t understand what was happening and they shied back, but then Angie picked up a catlike creature and carried it to the front doors.
“Go on now, you’re free. Go home.”
The cat took a tentative step forward, looked back at Angie a final time, and darted off into the darkness. When the other creatures realized what was happening, they too started to run for the exit.
In a matter of minutes, all the cages were empty, and the prisoners had taken all the ambrosia. Everyone gathered outside the cabin. Those who were strong enough carried containers of ambrosia. Others helped the sick and weaker prisoners.
Chiron found Jake standing with Angie. “Jake, please climb onto my back; it will be faster. Angitia, will you tell the others where to go for the snakes? We must not waste a moment, as we have a lot to cover before dawn.”
Angie helped Jake onto Chiron’s back. He knew Astraea had ridden Render, but he’d never imagined that he himself would ever ride a centaur. He felt embarrassed by it.
“Um—sir,” Jake said awkwardly. “Um—what do I hold on to?”
Chiron looked back at him and chuckled. “You may hold on to my arms, or my shoulders. Whatever makes you feel secure.”
Jake reached up to Chiron’s shoulders and felt better.
“Is everyone ready?” Chiron called.
There was an assortment of responses, but they all seemed to suggest, yes.
“Lead us, Angitia,” Chiron said.
They started into the trees. Jake peered back, and before they lost the light completely, he saw just how many prisoners had been freed. He also heard heavy pounding. That was followed by loud creaking and then breaking. As he watched, the whole cabin collapsed in on itself.
Jake gasped. “We have to go. Why are they wasting time knocking the cabin down?”
Chiron paused. “You could not imagine the horrors we have endured in there. Yes, we must leave quickly, but tearing it down is the first step on the path to healing.”
“Was that the Mimics’ only food supply?” Jake asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” Chiron said. “Occasional prisoners were taken from here and moved away, while others were delivered here. This was not the first camp I have been forced to work at. I have been at two others. I do not know why they keep moving us. Perhaps it has to do with keeping us from forming strong bonds of friendship that may lead to revolt. If that is the case, the Mimics have no understanding of Olympians or Titans. In fact, their cruel treatment has made us all closer.”
They walked into the trees, and Jake was cast into complete darkness. After moving steadily forward for a while, Angie called, “There she is; that’s Melissa.”
There were gasps of shock from all around Jake.
“That is a Mimic queen?” Chiron said softly.
“A Fallen Queen,” Angie said. “She lost the fight with her sister. She’s supposed to die in there. Jake is hoping ambrosia will help her.”
Jake heard all the gasps and reactions to Melissa and wondered what she looked like. Angie had said she was big and strange-looking. But what did that mean? A whale was big. So was an elephant, but they looked completely different.
“Melissa,” Angie called softly. “We’re back. We are going to get you out of this cage and take care of you.”
“Angie,” Melissa whined, “I’m so scared. There are strange sounds around me, and I can’t see anything. Is Jake here?”
“I’m right here, Melissa,” Jake said. “Don’t be scared—and it’s too dark for me too. But we’re here to help you.”
“We’re not going to help that thing, are we?” The voice came up from behind Chiron. Jake could clearly hear the disgust it held.
“Yes, we are,” Jake said back to him. “And if you don’t like it, you can go right back to that prison yard and wait for the Mimics to find you.”
“Who do you think you are, human?”
Jake heard Paelen’s voice say, “This human is the one that saved us from that horror.
”
“Yes,” Chiron agreed. “We owe Jake and Angitia more than we can ever repay. All they have asked is for us to help their friend. It is the least we can do after all they have done for us. Is that understood?”
The voice grumbled.
“Is that understood!” Chiron repeated.
“Yes, Chiron.” The voice faded away.
Chiron turned back to Jake. “You must excuse him. He has been enslaved by the Mimics for a long time and has forgotten his manners.”
“I don’t care what they call me or think of me. I just don’t want anyone trying to hurt or blame Melissa. She’s as much a victim of the Mimics as we are.”
“She will not be harmed. You have my word,” Chiron said.
“And mine,” a woman’s voice called. “If any of you have a problem with us helping this Mimic, you will have to deal with me.”
The strong, commanding voice sounded like someone Jake didn’t want to mess with. He leaned forward on Chiron. “Who was that?”
“That is Diana, daughter of Jupiter. If she says she will protect Melissa, I assure you, she will.”
With that settled, a group of volunteers came forward to go with Angie to collect the snakes. When they left, the strongest of the prisoners were called forward to help get Melissa out of the cage.
Jake stayed with Chiron, peering into the dark, unable to see anything as they worked. After a while, he heard the creaking of the door swinging open.
“Be calm,” Diana coaxed softly. “Do not fear us. We will not harm you. I ask that you do not harm us.”
“I don’t want to harm anyone,” Melissa whined. “But I hurt…”
“I can see your wounds,” Diana said softly. “You are very brave. When we find a place to hide, we will take care of these.”
“How bad is it?” Jake asked Chiron.
“Very bad,” Chiron replied. “I am amazed that she is still alive. It must have been a vicious fight.”
“It was,” Jake answered. “Will someone please give her some ambrosia? I said it would help her.”
“I’ll get it,” a man’s voice called. “I’ll get some for all of us.”
They all settled down to eat and wait for the team going after the snakes. When they returned, everyone prepared to go.
Angie came up to Jake. “How is she?”
“Not good,” Jake said. “She sounds so weak.”
Diana called several others forward. “Look at that leg; she can’t possibly walk. We’ll have to carry her. Be gentle.”
There were loud grumbles of protest until Diana raised her voice and threatened the others.
For as much as Jake blessed the darkness for keeping the Mimics away, he cursed it too because without starlight, he couldn’t see a thing to help her.
Melissa whimpered and groaned as she was moved, and it tore at Jake. He had no idea why he felt so protective of her, but he was. Perhaps it was their link. Hearing her pain was like he was suffering too. “Please, be careful with her!”
“We are,” Diana called softly. “We have her, Chiron. It is time to move.”
14
ASTRAEA WAS CLINGING TO THE bird as it twirled out of control toward the treetops. The other birds chased after them and nipped at the wounded bird’s wing tips.
“Astraea, no!” Zephyr howled as she tried to reach her friend, but the distance was too great.
“Astraea, we are coming!” Pegasus shouted. He sped toward her with Triana on his back. One of Triana’s hands was gripping his mane, while the other reached forward.
“Astraea, get ready to jump!” Triana called.
Pegasus dove at her just as the bird’s damaged wings gave way completely and it started to tumble.
Astraea took a deep breath and leaped off the bird’s back. She was flapping her wings harder than she ever had in her life. It wasn’t much, but her efforts helped her reach out for Triana’s hand and catch hold of her.
Triana pulled hard and swung Astraea up to land on Pegasus’s back behind her. When she was safe, Astraea put her arms around Tryn’s sister and hugged her tightly. “Thank you!”
“Thank you for saving Cylus,” Pegasus called.
Astraea looked back and saw all the large birds tearing at the wounded birds in the treetops. It was a terrible and violent sight, but at least Astraea and her team were safe for the moment.
Just ahead, Zephyr was still struggling to carry Cylus. The centaur had managed to get a better grip on her back legs, but he was still looking frightened. His front equine legs were cut and bleeding from the bird’s sharp teeth.
“Zephyr, Tryn,” Pegasus called. “Look ahead—there is a clearing. Try to reach it. We must land.”
Pegasus flew past Zephyr and Tryn and led them down. They were soon over a clearing of broken and crushed trees. Astraea flashed back to the first time they were here and the two massive dinosaurs that had fought and brought down the trees. This looked like the same spot.
When they all touched down, Cylus’s legs gave out on him and he collapsed to the ground. Astraea ran over to him and saw all the damage from the bird’s sharp teeth. She knelt beside him.
Cylus threw his arms around her. “Thank you, thank you so much for saving my life!”
“It’s all right,” Astraea said. “We’re a herd; we look out for each other.”
As the others gathered around Cylus to treat his injuries, Pegasus looked back to the trees. “I’m going back for Darek.”
Tryn put his skateboard down on the ground beside the stallion. “I’m coming with you. My skateboard will lead us.”
“We will be back soon,” Pegasus said. “Take cover; do not stay out here in the open. This world does indeed hold many dangers.”
While Pegasus and Tryn went to find Darek, Astraea, Zephyr, Triana, and Render helped get Cylus into the cover of the trees.
“I can’t believe how much I hate this world,” Zephyr muttered. “We haven’t been back long, and look what’s happened. I should have kept my mouth shut about taking Lergo to Tremenz.”
“Your idea is still a good one,” Astraea said. “Lergo will be perfect to help with the Mimic problem. We just have to get it and us out of here in one piece.”
“It’s too late for that,” Cylus said as he winced while touching his legs. “Look what that thing did to my hoof. It’s going to scar.”
“And you will wear it proudly,” Render said. “We will speak of your bravery for many generations to come.”
Cylus lowered his head. “I wasn’t brave. Astraea was. She had to save me.”
“No,” Astraea said. “You would have saved yourself and all of us if you could have used your bow; we all know that. But you couldn’t because you were holding on to Zephyr. We’re all in this together, Cylus, and we’re all brave for coming here.”
Cylus nodded, but Astraea knew it would be some time before he was himself again. He looked back in the direction that Pegasus and Tryn had gone. “I hope they find Darek.”
“They will,” Triana said. “Pegasus was really low to the ground when Darek let go. He’ll be fine.”
“He’s going to be scratched to pieces from falling through the trees,” Zephyr said.
“Yes, but we have ambrosia and nectar for him and you.…” Triana reached into her pack and pulled out ambrosia for Cylus. “Please eat; it will help.”
Cylus started to shake his head, but when Astraea raised her eyebrows at him, he reluctantly accepted the piece.
They sat together under the cover of the jungle waiting for the others to return. Triana found a big leaf and started to fan herself. “It’s very warm here, isn’t it?” she said.
Astraea looked at her and burst into laughter. “Yes, it’s warm to you and Tryn. But for the rest of us, it’s really, really hot!”
“And it’s full of bugs,” Zephyr complained as her tail swished biting insects away. “Why does everything here want to eat us?”
“Guess we’re fresh food,” Render said. His own tail was
constantly brushing insects away from his flanks.
Roars sounded from all around them, and despite his wounds, Cylus rose and loaded his bow. Render’s bow was already at the ready. Astraea pulled out her dagger. It wouldn’t be much good against bigger creatures, but it had helped with the birds.
After what seemed an age, they heard rustling in the trees. The sounds were getting louder and nearer. Astraea held up her dagger, Triana her slingshot, and the centaurs pointed their bows.
Tryn was the first to appear. His hands shot up in the air. “It’s just us; don’t shoot!”
“Are you crazy?” Cylus cried. “We could have fired on you. You should have said something!”
“If we raised our voices, we risked drawing predators,” Pegasus said as he emerged.
Darek was trailing behind them. He was covered in scratches, and there were still leaves and branches caught in his short hair and equine tail. One of his eyes was swollen shut and going black, and he was cradling his left arm.
“Darek!” Astraea cried. She ran up to him. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll live,” the centaur said. “But I’m never flying with Pegasus again!” He shot the stallion a dirty look. “When he told me to let go, I fell through all the trees until I hit the ground. I’m lucky to be alive!”
“I am gravely sorry,” Pegasus said. “But I saw our height and knew you would survive the fall. It left me free to fight the birds that were attacking the others.” He looked over to Astraea. “But Astraea took care of that herself.” He turned to her. “That was a dangerous move, but it did work. Well done.”
“Well done?” Zephyr cried. “Astraea, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought for sure you were going to be bird food!”
“I had to do it, Zeph; that thing was going to get Cylus.” She walked over to Darek and brushed off the leaves and tried to wipe away the dirt covering him. “It could have been much worse.”
Darek looked at Pegasus again, then said, “I guess, and I’m not really hurt that bad.”
“Yes,” Cylus said. “You might have been almost eaten like me!”
“They could have killed all of us,” Triana said.
Tryn looked up at the sky. “It’s over now and we’re all alive. We should keep moving if we hope to reach the plateau before dark.”