by Matt Ryan
“Give me a minute with my boy, while I set him back up on the radio,” Julie said, then guided Will into the house.
Poly took a few steps away from Derek and glanced at him. He was giving her a look she’d seen from so many men before; his I-need-to-protect-you look. It was so strong, she had trouble keeping eye contact with him. She hadn’t been around many non-family-men since Joey died, and she knew she’d never be with another man for as long as she lived. She swore it.
“You have anything else in your goodie bags?” Derek asked Trip.
“Few explosives.”
“We’ll take some for the road then.”
Trip went into the house and returned with a bag of various weapons that Derek and he gushed over, as Poly scratched at the wood railing and stared at the debris in the driveway. She hated waiting. It felt like each second they weren’t acting was a second of losing.
Eventually Julie returned, wiped her nose, and kept walking straight to the car.
Poly rushed after her. “We’re going to find him and get him back.”
She let out a sob. “I know, it’s not that. It’s Will. He was so cold. I think connecting him to all those people did something to him. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing here.”
Poly cringed at her words and knew her plight well. Being a mother meant putting your kid above all else, but what happened when the waters were muddied and both decisions might hurt them?
“I don’t know. Maybe I should take him with us. I mean, those things could come here and attack him.”
“I can stay back,” Derek said. “I may only have one arm, but I can stop any of those stone-throwing bastards from getting to your son.”
Julie shook her head. “No, thank you, but we have to give up on this notion we are in control. Things are going to happen and there isn’t a thing we can do to stop them. I trust that Trip and Gretchen are going to protect him with their lives.”
Poly got into the car at the same time as Julie, taking the driver’s position. She looked over to her friend and glanced back at Derek. The truth of the matter was, if Will had any of the powers Evelyn had, then he wouldn’t need protecting. In fact, he’d probably be the one to save Trip and Gretchen’s lives when it came down to it.
“He’s going to be okay,” she said. It sounded simple, but Julie nodded and wiped her nose again.
“Just go before I lose it.”
Poly started the car and drove away. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going, but the next town over was much larger, and was the direction the cube had been going.
“You going to Lakeford?” Julie asked.
“Yeah. It’s the only big city around here.”
“I was thinking of the same thing.” Julie didn’t say another word for a few minutes, but kept fidgeting with her Panavice and looking out the window. “You think he’s still alive?”
“We have to believe he is. He’ll be fine. Lucas is smarter than he leads on.”
“I suppose.” She sighed. “Do you think it’s too late for this planet?”
Poly knew exactly what she meant, because she and Julie had seen it firsthand what happened to a world sent into chaos. “We’ll fare better than Vanar; we have a shorter distance to fall.”
POLY HAD BEEN TO LAKEFORD many times, and she knew the tallest building was the courthouse, at maybe ten stories. Now, right where it used to be, stood a thirty-story structure with a blinking green light. The purge tower.
“You think Lucas could be in there?” Julie asked.
“I do,” Poly said, as she slowed the car down and headed straight toward the tower.
Cubes flew in and out of the structure, but the city itself felt quiet. No one walked around, no one was being sucked into the sky . . . and then Poly saw someone.
“I think Trip’s radio is working again,” she said as they passed the man laying on the sidewalk. Soon, many more people lined the sidewalks, or sat in their cars. All had their eyes open, blankly staring at nothing.
“Will’s doing it,” Julie said. “It’s working. I can’t believe it, but Marcus might have saved some people.”
“Don’t ever give that guy any credit,” Poly said between clenched teeth.
“Evelyn told me about him,” Derek spoke up from the backseat. “She told me how Zach was his puppet.” He shook his head in disgust. “I only wish I knew you people before you killed Marcus. I would have done anything to get my hands around his neck.”
Poly thought of the moment Joey killed Marcus. That one moment, where she’d simultaneously gained independence from her oppressor and lost her husband. She’d do anything to get one more moment with him. She didn’t give a damn about revenge anymore. She just wanted to help those she loved avoid the pain she felt—the utter loss.
Putting the car in park, she looked to Julie. “Okay, brainiac, what’s the plan? That thing have guns like back on Hector’s world?”
Julie stared at her Panavice and looked up. “Yes. It has less floors than Hector’s, but everything else appears to be the same. Give me a second and I can turn off their defenses.” Her hand flew around the Panavice screen. “Derek, get ready. If anyone looks like a threat, shoot them.”
“Okay,” Derek said and pulled out a rifle from the bag Trip gave them. “When we get to the base of the building, let me take lead.”
“Fine, we can direct you from behind,” Poly said. “Just don’t get all commando on us.”
“They’re down,” Julie said as she gazed up at the tower.
Poly took a deep breath and drove the car near the base of the building, keeping an eye out for the green light from the upper floors. No cubes had flown by since they’d arrived, but Poly had a bad feeling. Like she was being watched.
Derek got out of the car first, with Poly and Julie coming up behind him. They followed him toward the building, and stopped at the front door. “Once we’re inside, we’re on their turf. Meaning we shoot first, okay?” Derek handed her a gun. “You know how to shoot, right?”
“Yes.” Joey had taught her, but she didn’t like them.
“Stick close to me.”
“Okay,” Poly and Julie said in unison.
Derek pushed the door open and moved inside. The lobby didn’t have a soul in it. He moved around, checking the blind spots before coming back to them.
“The stairs are over there,” Julie said and pointed to the door at the back wall.
Just then, the door opened and a man stepped out.
“Lucas?” Julie rushed up to him. “Oh my God, you’re okay.”
“Of course I am. Where have you been?”
“Right where you left us. I figured the bastards had already torn you apart.”
“No, I escaped,” Lucas said. But didn’t make eye contact, choosing to look at the floor instead.
“You okay?” Julie asked.
“Yes, I just miss our son. Where is he?”
“Back home.”
“They did something to my head,” Lucas said. “I think something hit me. Can you tell me where home is?”
Julie touched the back of his head. Lucas stared out the window as she ran her hand through his hair. “You got a nasty bump back there. Does it hurt when I touch it?”
“No, I’m fine. I missed you.”
She took a step back. “I missed you too.”
“Have you seen Evelyn? I can’t remember where she was last either.”
“They’re both very far away, Lucas. You know this.”
“Tell me where our son is,” he said with a raised voice.
Julie backed away from him. “I’m not telling you.”
“Tell me where Evelyn is.”
Poly put her arm around Julie and answered, “No.”
“If you don’t tell me, they are going to kill me.”
Julie covered her mouth and shook her head. “What did they do to you?”
Lucas winked. When Julie moved closer to him, he shook his head and she stopped. Poly watched on with co
nfusion. He seemed weird, and now he was acting weirder.
“They’re watching. Run,” Lucas whispered. “Run!”
The door swung open and a woman walked out. “I didn’t think that compulsion stone worked on you. What did you do, put it in your pocket?” she said walking up to Lucas.
Derek fired a bullet, and it bounced off her like it had hit a steel wall.
The woman glared at him. “Don’t do that.”
“This is their queen,” Lucas said.
Poly’s jaw dropped and she stared at the woman. She didn’t think she’d actually see the person behind it all. She looked ordinary, with straight brown hair, maybe in her thirties, but she moved with a confidence Poly had become familiar with. Travis had the same kind of swagger.
“You are such an interesting person,” the queen said, studying Lucas. “I’ve never seen a person resist stones like you. Do you know what makes you different?”
“I guess I’m just special.”
“No, you don’t appear to have the gift. The smart thing to do would be to kill you, but I’d like to study you for a while . . . see what’s making you so unique.”
“You can’t have him,” Julie said.
The queen regarded them, as if for the first time. “Some might say I’m lucky to stumble upon one of the Six, as you call yourself, but I don’t believe in luck. The universe wants me to transcend. It provides what I need, and what I need is Evelyn and your son, Will. Combined, I believe I will have enough to move to the next step.” She smiled and looked to the ceiling.
“You’re batshit crazy,” Poly said. “We won’t let you take our children.”
The queen narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to Poly.
If the queen had a shield, then there might be a way around it. Marcus’s shield had a workaround and Poly kept many different types of blades on her, made of materials from the exotic and weird. If she could get close enough, she might be able to test them out.
A pain shot into her brain and she felt as if another person was in her head, excavating. She dropped the blade in her hand, as memories swirled around in her consciousness—thoughts of Joey and Evelyn. She slammed her eyelids shut and grinded her teeth. The pressure lessened and she focused on pushing the intruder out, but it felt like moving a boulder. She bared down and yelled, pushing the presence out of her head.
The queen looked stunned. “You’re her mom.”
In one quick motion, Poly threw the knife. The queen didn’t move and it struck her in the shoulder, narrowly missing the intended target, her neck.
Shocked, she grasped the thin blade and pulled it from her shoulder. Blood trickled out of the wound. “How did you do that?” She blurred, then reappeared near the door.
Poly knew she’d just moved through time like Evelyn did. She searched her person and found all of her blades were gone. Julie’s Panavice wasn’t in her hands anymore, and Derek had been disarmed.
“Twice today you have attacked me and succeeded.” She dabbed at her shoulder and looked at the blood on her fingertips. “I won’t let that happen again. I see your last text to Will, but it won’t help him. I know where he is now. It’s only a matter of time. The rest of your family will come for you, and eventually, I’ll have you all.”
Poly stared at the wacko standing in front of them. It’d be a cold day in Hell before she ever gave up her daughter.
“I’ll even let you see what I do with your children, since you’ve given me such trouble. You can watch them help me take my ascension. It’s something to be proud of, really. They will be the final ones to push me to the stars.” She looked to the ceiling with her hands held high.
“If you think we’ve hurt you,” Poly sneered, “wait until Evelyn and the others get ahold of you.”
The queen laughed. “You think you hurt me? Nothing can hurt me. And soon, the entire galaxy, and every version of it, will be at my command. You and your band of ordinary people will be nothing but a blip in my endless life.”
“I’d rather you killed us than have to listen to this garbage,” Lucas said.
“You’re the most interesting of them all. I may keep you,” the queen said, then turned to Julie.
Julie grabbed at her head and fell to her knees.
“Stop it!” Lucas yelled, and jumped on the back of the queen.
Derek rushed to the queen as well and swung at her, striking her in the stomach.
The queen grunted and threw Lucas into Derek. She laughed and pointed at them. “This is fun. No one ever dares to attack me.” She adjusted her shirt.
“You’re a lunatic!” Julie screamed.
“Yes, well . . . I’m afraid I’m going to have to end this little show now. We’ve set up a not-so-nice place for you. Some of your friends are already there. Something about you three,” she pointed to Lucas, Julie, and Poly, “in the same place, is energizing. I’m interested to see if the effects amplify with more of you.”
Poly raged and pulled at the spaces where her knives should be. She was still upset about missing the first time. But what could they do now? The woman could control time, she had a shield on, and she’d taken all of their weapons. With a quick glance to Julie, she knew they were screwed. Her eyes were wide with fear. Poly knew the feeling. Someone was hunting their kids now, and that kind of fear overwhelmed you, until you couldn’t breathe.
“Maybe we can make some kind of arrangement,” Poly began to say, before she felt something strike her hand.
A purple stone soaked into her hand and she fell. The world swirled around her, and soon, her feet hit something solid. She teetered on the bar she was now standing on, and looked down at her feet. A lattice work of metal bars ran underneath her and continued up the walls and over her head, encasing her in a cage of steel. Below her, a metal chute ran into a dark hole below.
“Poly, is that you?” a man called out.
She whipped her head around and in the cell across from her, sat Harris in his underwear. Poly looked down and saw she was in her bra and panties.
Lucas and Julie appeared in another, then Derek. All in the same stage of undress.
“Great, they got a bunch of you.” Harris plopped down on his steel cage and it rattled through the rest of them.
The door at the end of the catwalk running between the cells opened, and the queen walked down it. “Sorry the accommodations are so poor, but we built this on a moment’s notice. It will serve its purpose though, as will you all.”
HANK STARED AT THE DEAD woman, who used to once be Mary’s mother, Cindy’s grandmother, and Carl’s wife. Mary was the only person that stuck around when they came to this holding cell for their turned mother.
“That’s a grinner?” Gladius said and whipped out a knife.
“Just end it,” Mary pleaded and ran away.
Jenny staggered and knocked into a chair. She fell to the floor and kept crawling, growling as she moved.
“So crazy,” Gladius said. “You think she has any human left in her?”
“No,” Hank said. But as he looked at Jenny, he couldn’t help but feel for her and her family. This was his kid’s grandma. “My real question is, why did they stuff her in here?” Hank hadn’t killed a person he knew before, and while he could simply stomp on her head, he hesitated, choosing instead to move Gladius to the other side of the room.
Jenny got back on her feet.
“Can I kill it?” Gladius asked.
“Sure. That thing will kill us both, without remorse or cause. It will rip our flesh off and eat it until it can’t eat anymore.”
Gladius threw a blade at Jenny and hit her in the neck. “Ooh, look at that black blood. I don’t think it even slowed her down. Fascinating.”
“It has to be a head shot,” Hank said, his blood pressure rising with each step Jenny took.
“But it’s not like she poses any real threat. We could just keep walking around the room and avoid her.”
“No, these things are too dangerous.”
Gladius groaned, then threw another knife. It stuck into her head, causing her to face-plant onto the carpet. “We should leave,” Gladius said, reaching down for her knife.
Cost Plus might have been a great place to live on Ryjack, but it wasn’t a place to raise his daughter. He turned and faced Gladius. She pulled her knife from Jenny’s head and wiped it on Jenny’s shirt.
“So gross,” Gladius said. “I mean, you told me what these things were, but to see it live, it’s just crazy. I wonder what else Marcus spread throughout the worlds that we don’t even know about. All the more reason to get off this planet as fast as we can.”
“I can’t leave her here.”
“Really. You want to bring your bastard family along for the ride, to Earth . . . the place that has a full blown invasion happening?”
She was making good points, but none of that mattered to Hank. “I know, but I can’t. I won’t leave her.”
“Why? You gave them a gift and now you want to take it back?”
“It’s not like that. Once I saw Cindy, I knew, I just knew, I could never forget her for as long as I lived. I can’t explain it.”
Gladius closed her eyes as she crossed her arms. “I’m trying, Hank, I am. But I’m struggling. It’s not like you to do what you did. This is a lot to take in all at once.”
“Mary was my mother’s name,” Hank tried to explain.
“What?”
“I don’t know, but when I heard her name, I thought it meant something at the time. I thought of my past and how much pain we endured. I saw it in all of our parents’ eyes, and I thought, if I can bring a little bit of happiness into one family, how could I not?”
“I get it. You always want to help and I love you for it, but both of our worlds are no safer than Ryjack at the moment. Earth and Vanar may not even be around, if we can’t beat this culling queen.”
The door burst open and Mary rushed in. She looked as if she had something to say but stopped and stared at her dead mother on the floor. “Is that . . .?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Hank said and regretted not covering the body.
“You have no idea how happy I am.” She walked closer to him. “Since she died, my dad’s lost it.” She glanced back at Gladius. “If you’re wondering if I want to go with you, I do.” She nearly squealed at the end.