Sandstorm Box Set

by T. W. Piperbrook

  “It’s the only way,” Darius said.

  Seeing the look on his face, Neena asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “This is the place where I shattered my leg,” Darius said, trembling.

  Chapter 43: Neena

  Neena swallowed, surveying a steep blackness with no bottom. The rocky walls sloped down so sharply that she could only see them for a few feet. She looked toward the ledge, which was only a few feet wide; barely enough to plant someone’s feet side by side. The wall looked as if it only had a few places to grab, and at a cursory glance, she trusted none of them.

  “This is where you fell?” she repeated. “And you’re suggesting we cross it?”

  A look of fright crossed Darius’s face. “It is why I said this passage was a risk.”

  Neena looked from his crippled leg and his cane to the blackness. Fear slithered from her stomach to her extremities. She took an instinctive step backward. Kai looked as if he might spit whatever meager rations were in his stomach.

  “What’s on the other side?” she asked, pointing to the farthest point of the ledge that she could see. For all she knew, the ledge went on forever.

  “There is an end,” Darius said, “though I have only been this way once, successfully.”

  “What do you mean?” Neena was confused.

  “I fell the second time I tried crossing it,” Darius said. “It was one of the few trips that gave me anxiety in these tunnels. Perhaps that is why I made the mistake and lost my balance.”

  “What’s past the ledge?”

  “Another cave, leading to some exits on the eastern side of the formation.” Darius looked at them gravely. “Given that our other passage was discovered, it seems like our only option, if we are to continue with our plan to reach the eastern side of the cliffs.” He looked over their shoulders, as if The Watchers might crawl through the small passage at any moment. “Even when I searched for Akron, I avoided this ledge. I searched the two sides, and the bottom, but that was all. I do not know that we have a choice now. If we stay, we might be forced into a position where we have to cross in a hurry. And then we will certainly fall.”

  Kai clenched and unclenched his hands. “It seems as if we have to keep going.” He took a step toward the ledge and Darius, trying for courage.

  Darius held his torch aloft, revealing more of the inky blackness. He clutched his torch and his cane, taking a matching step. Neena stopped him.

  “How are you going to cross, with your leg?”

  “I’ll be fine,” Darius said.

  “Shouldn’t we all carry torches?” Neena asked, looking at the spares in his bag.

  “Yes,” Darius said. “And you and I should carry our bags, so we have more room. We’ll walk with our backs to the wall, moving our feet to the side. That is the best way to cross.”

  “I have no bag. I can hold yours if you want, Darius,” Kai said.

  Darius reluctantly agreed.

  The plan worried Neena. But the alternative seemed even worse. Looking back toward the knee-high passage, she envisioned Watchers crawling through, overwhelming them. They might fight off a few, but eventually they’d be ferreted out, pushed to their deaths, or killed in an even worse manner. Darius’s argument rang true.

  Better to cross than to have someone make the decision for us.

  “Let’s go,” she told them.

  Darius removed two extra torches, lighting them and handing one each to Neena and Kai.

  “You go first,” Neena said, watching Darius with concern. “I’ll keep an eye on you.”

  “I’ll go last,” Darius countered.

  “If you lose your balance, I’ll help you,” Neena said.

  “Or fall with me.” Darius’s smile was grave.

  “I’ll go behind you and help you along,” Kai suggested.

  Darius shook his head. “I’m an old man, with far more years behind me than ahead. I won’t be responsible for either of your deaths. I’ll follow up the rear.”

  “We need you, Darius,” Neena protested. “You know the caves.”

  “Exactly why you should listen.” Darius smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

  Neena looked over her shoulder again.

  They’d taken too long already.

  Grasping the torch and her bag, she put away her knife and took a step toward the ledge. Kai fell in behind her, holding Darius’s bag and a torch. Darius came last with his light. Neena’s stomach fluttered. She’d never been unusually afraid of heights, but then, she’d never faced a fall like this. Too many times, Neena had looked up at the cliffs as a child, wondering what it must be like to perch on those high ledges. But even those heights weren’t as intimidating.

  At least a person on the cliffs knew what was below them.

  Swallowing a nervousness that she knew would accompany her the entire trip, she inched toward the start of the ledge. A few small pebbles skittered over the side. She listened to them ping off the wall, settling with a distant bounce.

  “How deep is it?” she asked, regretting her question.

  “Fifty feet,” Darius said. “I managed to slow my descent by grabbing the wall, when I fell. Perhaps that is something you should keep in mind, in case the worst happens.” He tried to keep his voice even, but still, he trembled.

  Neena swallowed. She didn’t need him to tell her that he wouldn’t get lucky twice.

  She walked sideways on the ledge, keeping her back as close to the wall as she could, maintaining her balance. She clutched her bag and her torch.

  “Keep your focus on your feet,” Darius warned. “Don’t look down.”

  She inched slowly, concentrating on the narrow ledge. The blackness in her peripheral vision threatened to pull away her eyes and her courage. She sucked thin breaths through her nose, the way she did when she was hunting. Perhaps the same frame of mind that guided her spear would help her through this.

  The area to her left was a looming, massive abyss. Any manner of monsters might be down there. The thought was childish, and yet the Abomination had shaken everything she thought she knew.

  Behind her, Kai took his initial steps. She heard him fighting for even breaths. She had been foolish to think she could help Darius. Simply leaning one way or the other would pitch both of them off-balance.

  They were on their own.

  She put her boots down steadily, grinding the pebbles beneath her into the ledge, hoping to gain traction.

  More stones pinged off the wall.

  Neena’s stomach churned as she stopped to regain her courage.

  “Is everything all right?” Kai asked behind her.

  Looking left, she whispered, “Fine.”

  Further back, she heard Darius’s cane scrape along the ledge. He took one dragging step, then another.

  One boot sideways, Neena, she told herself, ignoring the fear in her heart.

  Another.

  She followed the same pattern, getting better at ignoring the dropping pebbles and using her back to guide her along the wall. Too many pieces of the wall’s surface had cracked off over time, dusting the ledge with their remnants. She winced as her back scraped against a sharp piece of rock. It seemed as if even nature conspired against them.

  A shout and a scrape echoed behind her.

  Something bigger than a pebble fell.

  Neena’s heart jolted. She turned left too quickly.

  Her boot slid on some loose rocks, almost tripping her. Frantic, she held out her hands for balance. When she was stable, she looked to her left.

  Kai waved his torch and his bag. His feet were splayed at an awkward angle. Below him, a section of rock had collapsed from the side of the ledge. A space the size of a man’s head was next to his right boot.

  “What happened?”

  “I stepped on a weak spot.” Kai winced, struggling to keep his stance on the ledge. He glanced down at his ankle, looking as if he might slide further.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I think I rolled it.�
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  Sweat poured from Neena’s forehead. She considered a risky turn to help. If she didn’t, Kai might fall. Gripping her torch tightly, she balanced her arms and started to maneuver toward him, until an old arm snaked around Kai, balancing him.

  “I’ve got him, Neena.”

  Looking past Kai, she saw Darius assisting.

  “Thanks.” Kai breathed and found his footing.

  Neena watched them for several more steps, ensuring that Kai and Darius were stable before she continued. Her heart slammed against her chest. The shout and the scrape echoed in her brain.

  “Keep hold of your torches,” Darius called up to her. “Without them…”

  Neena didn’t need him to finish that sentence.

  After another dozen steps, her torch revealed the end of the ledge. The wide tunnel floor seemed like it was unrolled by the heavens as she headed for it, moving just as carefully.

  And then she was on the other side.

  Neena took several careful steps away from the ledge before she allowed herself to believe she was on solid footing. She turned, holding the torch higher and helping Kai.

  “I’ve got you,” she said.

  He pulled her into an embrace, his heartbeat knocking against hers. They clung to each other for a moment, breathing sighs of relief, before letting go.

  “Is your ankle okay?”

  “It’s sore,” Kai said. “I’ll live.”

  Neena’s joy disappeared as she looked past him toward the ledge.

  Darius was far behind.

  “Darius?” Her voice echoed too loudly, and too long.

  Darius huffed a long breath, looking down into the seemingly endless abyss as he held his torch.

  “Just taking a break,” he said with a grim smile, before inching along.

  **

  Neena, Kai, and Darius walked through a new tunnel, relief evident in their steps. Anything was better than the precarious path they’d left behind.

  “How far is the exit toward which we’re heading?” Kai whispered, peering past the torchlight and down the new tunnel.

  “A klick away,” Darius said, looking sideways at a landmark only he recognized.

  They continued down a tunnel that wound as it narrowed.

  After walking approximately a klick, Darius stopped and pointed in the distance. “The entrance is around that curve. Why don’t we leave our lights here and check for danger, before we risk being seen?”

  Neena obliged, leaving her torch on the ground, while the others followed suit. Together, they crept forward and rounded the curve. Right at the cusp of what looked like an exit, five guarding men held blazing torches.

  Neena’s heart sank.

  “They must have made it to all the exits.” Darius’s voice was grim. “I don’t think we’re getting out tonight.”

  Chapter 44: Gideon

  Gideon and his Heads of Colony strode down the alley to meet Thorne. From the tops of the eastern cliffs to the bottom, torches blazed as men searched the caves, scouted the desert perimeter, or surveyed the lands around Red Rock for the fleeing people.

  Reaching Thorne, Gideon said, “Have you found them?”

  Thorne nodded. “We spotted them in the caves. We’re after them.”

  Gideon felt a small ray of hope. “How long until they’re found?”

  “Soon. My men are concentrating their search on the area where they were seen.”

  Gideon nodded, maintaining his authoritative expression. “How about the girl? Did you check on her whereabouts?”

  “We had a Watcher search her house. There was no one there.”

  “How about the old woman with whom she stays?” Gideon asked.

  Thorne seemed confused.

  “She and her brothers stay with an old woman sometimes,” Wyatt reminded him, to the nods of a few of the other men. “Search her house, as well. We need confirmation whether the girl is involved as soon as possible.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Chapter 45: Helgid

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Helgid rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up, instinctively looking for Raj. For the first time in nights, he slept soundly. Next to him, Samel had his hands folded beneath his head, snoring. Pulling herself to her feet, she walked toward the door. The last of the night air gave her an ominous chill. Clutching her chest for warmth, she opened the door.

  A Watcher stood at the threshold.

  Helgid’s heart beat faster. She looked past him, expecting to see someone behind him, or a clue as to why he was here. She didn’t need one for long.

  “Is Neena here?”

  Helgid swallowed, glancing over her shoulder. Raj and Samel were here, but Neena’s bedroll sat empty.

  Where was she?

  A suspicion became a dread as she recalled she and Neena’s conversation from the night before. Neena had expressed her concern for Kai. She hadn’t seemed as if she would do anything foolish.

  But words and actions were different things.

  The Watcher peered over her shoulder, trying to glimpse behind her. For a moment, Helgid considered telling him that Neena was asleep, but it wouldn’t take long for him to discern the truth.

  Thinking of a quick lie, she said, “She’s at the river.”

  She raised her chin and projected confidence. The Watcher glanced over her shoulder again.

  “When did she leave?”

  “Earlier,” Helgid said, keeping her voice low so she didn’t wake the boys. “I think she was going to get water, but sometimes she takes morning walks.”

  The Watcher studied her closely for a moment, as if he might find deception on her face. Helgid hid her fearful swallow and kept her expression calm.

  “Can I ask why you need her?” Helgid asked.

  The Watcher stared at her a moment without answering. And then he was gone, striding in the direction of the river. Helgid waited until he disappeared through the alley before she stepped outside and looked around.

  The Watcher wasn’t the only one awake.

  Handfuls of people stood in the alley, looking toward the eastern cliffs. Several groups of Watchers strode those high ledges, walking purposefully. A few of her neighbors looked over, having seen The Watcher approach her house.

  Spotting Amos, she hurried toward him.

  “Amos!” she called.

  He broke away from a group.

  “What was that about?” he asked her.

  “Neena is missing,” she said, her heart slamming against her chest.

  “Oh, no,” Amos said.

  “What’s happening up there?” Helgid asked, pointing up to the cliffs.

  “The Watchers are after something, or someone,” Amos said. “All of them are on the eastern side of the colony. Some are entering the caves.” Seeing the look on her face, he asked, “Do you think Neena has something to do with it?”

  “I pray not.” Helgid shuddered. Before Amos could ask another question, she asked, “Can you watch Raj and Samel? I need to find her.”

  Amos nodded.

  “Thank you, Amos,” she said, squeezing his shoulders. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Amos nodded. The look on his face told more than words. Be careful.

  And then she was off, hurrying away from her hovel.

  Chapter 46: Raj

  Raj’s eyes fluttered open. For a few moments, he stared at the ceiling, as hazy images and memories came into better focus. Pulling himself upright, he turned his head, finding his brother sitting cross-legged on the floor. Samel perked up at the sight of him.

  “Raj?” he asked, his eyes lighting up. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better,” Raj said, finding more strength in his voice than he’d felt in a while.

  Happiness crossed Samel’s face. “I knew you’d be okay.”

  “Where’s Helgid?” he asked, looking around the otherwise-empty hovel.

  “She went somewhere, I think,” Samel said. “Amos is checking in on us.”

>   Raj looked around the room for him.

  “He’s talking with the neighbors outside,” Samel explained. “He told me he’d come back soon.”

  “Is Neena here?” Raj asked.

  “I’m not sure where she went,” Samel admitted.

  Raj nodded. Sitting up, he glanced at his clothes, wondering when he’d changed last. He’d take care of some other needs first.

  “Wait,” Samel said, getting up from the ground to stop him. “Amos told me you should stay put, when you woke up. And so did the healer. They said you still need time to rest.”

  “I feel okay,” Raj said, finding his footing. “In fact, I feel great.” He stood, found a flask, and took a drink. He couldn’t recall the last decent meal he’d eaten. He felt stronger than he had in a while. “Is there any food here?”

  Samel looked around, stopping when he noticed a pouch by the hearth. “We have a little dried meat left.” He retrieved it for his brother, opening the small bag and passing over a few small chunks.

  Raj accepted the meat gratefully, chewing. The sand rat was the best thing he’d tasted in recent memory. He swallowed it down with another drink. Another urge hit him.

  “What’s wrong?” Samel asked.

  “I have to use the bathroom.”

  “Okay.” Samel scurried across the room, retrieving the chamber pot. “Do you need privacy?”

  Raj nodded. He watched his brother open the door to sunlight. The fervent beams gave him a memory. Raj recalled lying in the graveyard, clutching his stomach, while the older boys laughed and walked away. He recalled the sweat and pain that never seemed to end, until he woke up back in Helgid’s hovel.

  Setting down the chamber pot after using it, he looked around his hovel for his knife and keepsake. Of course, they were gone. The boys had taken them.

  Anger coursed through him. His items were probably long gone by now, fished out by a lucky colonist, or swept downriver, buried so far in the sand he’d never recover them. Embarrassment washed over him as he envisioned wading into the river and searching for his possessions, while the boys looked on and laughed. Perhaps they were waiting for him to recover, so they could torment him more.