“But you’re not happy.”
“I don’t care about happiness. I want nothing more to do with that stuff. Happiness, hope. I spent years hoping things would change, hoping it would get better. What a joke.”
“What about Elden?”
“What about Elden?”
“He’s dead worried about you.”
“Not true. He just wants me recruited. I won’t do it.”
“Maybe you don’t know your brother as well as you think you do.”
The door swung open and Zap peeked inside. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere. Come on. They’re taking us to the pools.”
~*~
The walk from Stone City to the pools left Kai sweating.
“Before you go in, a word of warning. Don’t touch the water. It’s right here in the rules.” Their guide tapped on a raised rock with words carved into the surface. He was a skinny fellow, all bones and hollows with teeth that grew whichever way they pleased. He looked to be about the same age as them, but he acted and spoke like a granddad.
Kai pushed past Ruaan and Zap to get to the rock. The words had been painstakingly chiselled into the hard surface.
Welcome Seeker,
to the Pools of Resonance.
What you see may be, or may not.
One alone can set you free.
Look, don’t touch,
“There’s a bit scratched out at the end here. Do you know what it said?”
Guide-boy shook his head. “If we needed to know, they would have left it. Couldn’t have been important.”
Kai didn’t agree, but decided against arguing. There was something about the place that gave him butterflies in his belly.
“Make good use of your time here. I’ll return later to take you back to the city.”
Kai waved him off absently. For the first time since waking up in this place, he felt a bubbling lightness inside.
Ruaan stood, scratching his head. “Now what?”
Zap clipped him on the shoulder. “We go swimming, that’s what.”
“Weren’t the two of you listening at all? We can only look into this water, we can’t touch it. So, I guess we pick a pool and have a look. Hard to choose, there are so many.”
Pools dotted the landscape like a toddler’s plastic baubles thrown carelessly. The range of colours cycled through the entire rainbow. It was breath taking.
Kai stepped onto the spongy grass path and relished the feeling of sinking into its softness. He breathed deeply. Even the air was different here. His lungs tingled. Zap pulled Ruaan toward a purple and emerald pool. Ruaan dug in his heels and did his best to resist getting any closer to the water, but Zap managed to drag him closer anyway.
Tucked behind a handful of pools, sat a small one the size of a modest coffee table. Kai watched the colours cycle through all the sky-shades from sunrise to sunset. He settled down in front of the water, not sure what to expect. The water turned chaotic and choppy, bubbling and hissing. Violent purple and green flashes clashed and fought. Deep from within the centre of the chaos came a dark shadow, sliding and oozing, forming a path. No sooner had it flattened out when he heard the howling. First one shadow low and compact, running. A darKound. Followed by another, and then more until the entire surface of the water teemed with gaping mouths and dripping fangs. Kai fell back and hit his head on the ground. Pain sliced through his head, but it was preferable to what he’d just seen.
Kai scrambled to his feet and let them take him. He found himself drawn to a pool that sent up a steady beam of white light. He settled down at the edge and wondered what to do next. Leaning over the water, he let the glow wash over him. Tau, where are you?
The pool rippled once then cleared to a flat glassy surface.
Come on in.
Kai knew that voice. The water rippled once again, almost parting to make room for him.
Um, I’m not supposed to do that.
Deep laughter bubbled through Kai, and he felt the open invitation as clear as if he held a card in his hands. He sucked air into his lungs and slipped into the pool headfirst. This was unlike any water he’d been in before. There was a moment of chill as he passed the surface, but after that, it was like drifting through feathery duvet-clouds.
Tau appeared next to him, floating flat on his back with his bare feet crossed and his hands behind his head. Kai was struck by the absurdity of it all and laughed. Tau turned toward Kai with a grin.
Happiness rippled through Kai. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you!”
“I know. I’ve been close. I always am, even if you can’t feel me.”
They floated close enough for Tau to reach out a hand to Kai. “Let me see your mark.”
Shame washed over Kai. He knew it was tarnished from trying to save Bree. Shutting his eyes, he held out his arm. Tau ran his fingers over Kai’s markings and they flashed hot and then icy. With a final pop, Tau let go and the icy heat left. Kai dared open his eyes long enough to see his imprint had been restored. Another wave of happiness washed over him.
“That’s brilliant. Can’t you come back with me? Bree needs you.”
“I’ve had my eye on that one. It is nearly her time.”
“Why does that sound like a no? Ugh. Never mind. How do we get back?”
“There are things you need to do here before you go back.”
Kai waited. Surely, Tau would explain what he meant. They were still floating in mid-air, and golden light surrounded them. It seeped into his pores, warming him. He couldn’t wait any more. “Are you going to tell me what those things are?”
Tau turned his body upright, and it gave the illusion that he stood on a cloud. “You know already. You don’t have much time.”
“I don’t think you were watching as closely as you thought. This has been one long mess up.”
Tau nodded, thoughtful. “Don’t lose your courage. Keep moving. There is much more at stake here than what you know.” He took a deep breath and his cheeks puffed out as he blew toward Kai. Cool air washed over him, raising gooseflesh down his arms.
Tau paused for a moment, frowning. “One more thing. Your suspicion that Bree needs her dad? That’s a good place to start.” As the words left his lips, his form grew hazy and indistinct.
“I know that. Wait! Don’t go. Where do I find him? I’m not ready for all of this. I still have questions.” But Tau was gone, and the wind that had started in his lungs took on a life of its own. Kai was lifted, tumbling head over heels until he could see the round edges of the pool above. One last gust deposited him on the grassy bank. He lay there for a moment, savouring all that it was to be with Tau. He reached down and patted his jumpsuit. It was dry. So was his hair. Maybe he’d dreamt it all.
23
The light extinguished, and Evazee fell back. It was as if something had her head in a death-grip but decided that she wasn’t worth eating. Her eyes filmed over, and she blinked rapidly to clear her vision. Someone had called her name, and she could have sworn she’d seen Kai. She blinked again and shook her head to clear the strange fog in her mind. She needed to think clearly.
“Zee! Is that really you?”
Somebody had called her, she hadn’t imagined it. The boy that came running looked too tall, too thin. But there was no mistaking that face. She lay back on the grassy path that meandered between the pools, watching him as he ran toward her.
Was this part of the vision from the pool?
Then the vision bent down and folded her into a hug that seemed to last forever. Evazee breathed in the smell of him. “Are you really here? Or is this some weird thing my brain is cooking up for me?”
He laughed and hugged her, but she didn’t hug him back. He backed off and waved a hand in front of her face, frowning. “Are you drugged, Zee?”
Evazee couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She pushed herself to her feet and turned on him. “How is it possible that even visions of you annoy me so much I could cry? How, I ask you? And what is th
at awful jumpsuit you’re wearing?”
“I promise I’m not a vision. They brought us here for testing, but I found Tau instead. So their plans aren’t working too well on me. I was killing time, hoping to fake it, but now you’re here, and it’s all worthwhile. I’ve been so worried about you. How are you? What have you been doing? Have you figured out how we’re supposed to get home?”
“Who are they and why are you wearing that thing?”
“Oh, and we found Bree. Zee, I don’t know what to do. She’s changed, nothing like she used to be. She wears her hair straight and doesn’t paint anymore.” Kai seemed to run out of words, though the creases in his face spoke of his deep worry.
Evazee took his face in her hands, lining up with his eyes. He looked real. He sure felt real, too. This vision was overwhelming. There was no way of knowing whether he told her truth or lies, though. “Kai, who are they?”
“We’ve been at Stone City. You know the light we saw from the graveyard? Well, we found it. It’s just back this way.”
Zulu and Peta were sitting cross-legged next to a pool that cycled through hues of pink, purple, and a shade of turquoise so pretty it made Evazee’s heart pop. Peta was telling Zulu a story, a funny one by the loud guffaws coming from Zulu.
“What kind of place is it? So far, we haven’t found anywhere safe. I keep waiting for bad things to happen.”
“There’s no simple answer to that. It’s beautiful and organised. The people are kind. Except that one soldier who took his job too seriously. It all seems to work. They live in light, not darkness.” Kai traced his finger in the sand along the edge of the pool. “It’s so weird. We had to go through all sorts of obstacles to get to Stone City and yet if we’d come this way, we could have walked straight in.”
“What are you not telling me?”
“What do you mean?”
“C’mon, Kai. I know you by now. What’s it about this place that doesn’t sit well with you?”
“I can’t put my finger on it. I guess the way Bree has changed has me somewhat rattled. It’s not a city full of people who celebrate differences. They seem to want everyone to fit the same mould.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“That’s what I’m struggling to figure out. What do you think?”
Evazee didn’t answer. She felt an overwhelming urge to dive into the pool in front of her. She needed answers. Maybe this walking, talking vision of Kai was her answer.
“Come. You can get a good view of the city from just up that rise. Maybe you’ll get a gut-feel of the place.” He helped her to her feet, and she dusted grass off her pants. The path narrowed, and she slipped in behind him.
Kai turned back. “It’s right up—” He bounced off an invisible barrier, snapping backwards into her. They both stumbled and fell. “What the heck?” Kai helped her to her feet, and his hand shot out, apparently reaching for the invisible wall he’d just bounced off. “This barrier seems to stretch across the path. I can’t reach the top either.”
Zap and Ruaan slipped out of the bushes on the other side of the barrier, panic all over their faces. Zap shook his head and ran a thumb across his throat. Ruaan had both hands up, palms facing Kai. They ran straight through a barrier that Kai couldn’t stick a pinky finger through.
Zap’s eyes darted to the sides. “Run, Kai, they’re coming for you.” He stopped dead as his gaze settled on Evazee. “Is she for real? Or some sort of mental simulation?”
“Real. You can hug her. But maybe not now.” Kai shook his head. “I need to get back to the other side. I need to get to Bree.” He turned back to the invisible barrier and smacked his hands against it. They bounced back, stinging. “You try, Zap.”
Puzzlement played over Zap’s features. He turned and walked back the way he’d come, bounced, and fell on his rear. “What is that thing?”
“So, it’s not just me.”
Ruaan tried, too, and walked through the barrier as if it weren’t there, spun around, and came back. “I don’t know what you guys are talking about.”
Bodies flashed by, running through the trees. Evazee leaned in close and felt the blood drain from her face. Run Kai. They are coming for you. “They seem kind of desperate to catch you. Should we go?”
A group burst around an enormous bush on the far side of the pools. They ran swiftly, some carried guns.
“Kai, run. Now! Go!”
They turned together and took off. Kai’s hands were suddenly on her back, pushing her in front of him.
They picked their way between the pools and the other visitors who glared at them for running.
“Why are they after you?”
“I busted a fake healing meeting.” Kai gasped for air as he ran. “I know how they trick people. They saw me.”
They made it over the top of a small hill. Evazee shaded her eyes and searched for Zulu and Peta. There. She grabbed Kai’s arm and pulled. They barrelled downhill at full speed and slid to a stop at the edge of a pool. Peta jumped to her feet with a shriek.
Evazee threw an arm around Peta and steadied herself on Zulu’s shoulder. “Zulu! We need to leave. Quick!” Her hand waved between the boys, “Kai, meet Zulu.”
“Zulu, Kai.” Evazee doubled over, catching her breath from the run.
Zulu rose to his impressive tallness. “They will not follow beyond where the pool light ends. Come. We must run.” He reached down and lifted Peta onto his back. “Hold tight, small one.”
“Whoa! Who is he?” Zap grabbed Kai’s arm and pulled him close. “What’s up with the big guy? When did we get him?”
Evazee answered over her shoulder. “You can trust him. I think. We have to go.”
Zulu gathered them together and they ran, single file between the pools. They reached the edge of the light. Evazee steeled herself and stepped into the darkness. It seemed darker than she remembered. They melted into the shadow and switched from running to a fast walk that gave them enough time to navigate without tripping.
Evazee risked a glance backwards. Their pursuers stood within the edge of the glowing light and shook their fists at the darkness. Just as Zulu had predicted, they wouldn’t go any further. For the first time, she felt grateful for the dark.
Kai manoeuvred next to Evazee
“Are you grinning at me?”
Kai cleared his throat. “You can’t blame me. Finding you and Peta? It’s just the kind of miracle I need.”
Zulu halted, and Peta slid off his back. “We stop here. Make plans. Yes?” He didn’t wait for anyone to agree, but went about kicking purple mushrooms until they sat in a glowing circle that gave off enough light to see each other’s faces.
Evazee eased herself down onto a fallen tree trunk and stretched her legs out in front of her. “How did you get to be on our side of the barrier?”
“I don’t know. I just walked through. There was nothing there. But you saw what happened when I tried to go back.”
“They must have a selective one-way filtered barrier of sorts.”
“So what you’re saying is that we failed to make the grade?”
Evazee shrugged. “Draw your own conclusions. I’m just calling it as I see it.”
“Well, that’s not very nice.”
“Oh, stop frowning, we have bigger issues. You know the OS problem that we solved? Well, that was just one small anthill in a world-wide network of anthills and tunnels.”
“What are you saying? More schools?”
“An entire global network of schools and some sort of underground tunnel system to connect them all.”
“It’s not possible. How do you know?”
“I found a map thing.”
“You found a map. Where? Did you bring it? Let me see.”
“I said a map thing. Not exactly something I could stuff in my back pocket. And before you ask me to take you to it, it’s right in the heart of where I’ve just escaped from. I don’t really want to go back.”
Kai settled onto the tree trunk ne
xt to Evazee. “I feel like I’m completely blind. I was clueless last time I was stuck here, so this time I should be a little wiser, you know? But everything is different. I haven’t seen a single darKound or LightSucker. Tau is mostly gone. I just don’t get it.”
Evazee rubbed her temples with the heels of her hands. “The way I see it, our most important mission is to find the Healing Stream. With that, we can break the power of the negative Affinity serum and—”
“Wait! You know about that? How?”
“Not know, exactly. I suspect. What do you know?”
“I had a chat with Runt. Don’t ask how. Anyway, she told me that everybody back at the OS is completely knocked out. When I find out who did this...”
“The question is what do we do now?” Evazee shivered and rubbed her arms.
Peta settled herself next to Evazee. She rested her head on Evazee’s thigh and almost immediately, her breathing slowed.
Evazee stroked her silvery fair hair, and Peta smiled in her sleep. “If we can find the Healing Stream, the water will reverse the effects of the serum.” She glanced over to Zulu, who examined something at the base of a tree a good distance away from them. She leaned close to Kai and whispered, “His village has a supply of Healing Stream water. He won’t go back, but it might be our only option.”
“How can you be so sure that it will work?”
Evazee smiled gently at the young girl on her lap. Peta’s mouth was wide open, and she snored softly. “This one. This is how I know.”
“I still think your map thing needs to be our starting point.”
Evazee rolled her eyes. “You don’t know what level of stupidity that would be. I can’t believe you’d actually consider it.”
“You won’t tell me anything, so how can you expect me to make good choices?”
“I suppose I thought you’d use your common sense.”
“Ouch.” Kai pulled back as if she’d slapped his face with her words. “The thing is, Zap, my friend Pete, he doesn’t have time for us to mess around. His death date is being carved right now. Who knows, it might even be finished. Not to mention Bree and her grave. We need a map.”
Resonance Page 18