by Storm Jk
Pausing to open a connection to Vladimir and Eric, Emily tentatively forged a light connection with the other abnormals telling them simply, ‘I am Emily, these men are Vladimir and Eric, we come to you as friends.’ The abnormals quickly looked at each other as Emily tried to project calm and sincerity. Then one of the men pointed a gun at her and barked, ‘Don’t use your mental powers here witch, I have orders to shoot you if you do.’
Emily smiled at the man and broke off her connection. She knew closing the connection quickly would unsettle them. Her eye caught one of the young abnormals – he looked so familiar. He was young, he looked no older than eighteen, and he flashed her a small smile before looking away. Looking more closely at the boy, Emily noticed that he was tall and lean although he had not yet developed a man’s body, his hair was the same colour as Eric’s.
Emily gasped and when she looked at Eric she knew he had noticed too. Vladimir was the first to speak and he looked grim, ‘Who is your mother, boy?’
The boy replied, ‘My mother is dead her name was Rachel she died after giving birth to me, but perhaps you should be asking the question “who is my father?”‘ The boy’s voice carried dark emotion.
‘Enough,’ another guard spoke roughly. Turning to the boy he said, ‘Go back to the compound, you’ve had the family reunion you wanted.’
‘Wait,’ Emily cried. Turning to the youth she asked in a soft voice, ‘What is your name?’
‘Eben,’ the youth replied then turned and ran ahead, his movements very fast.
Looking at Eric’s face, Emily realised that whatever had happened to Eric’s first lover Rachel, her child had ended up here. Emily reached out and put her hand into Eric’s and Vladimir moved closer and rested his hand on Eric’s shoulder. ‘He looked strong, like you,’ he thought to Eric, as the three were still connected mentally.
But Eric had tears in his eyes. ‘My son hates me, I felt it.’
‘No,’ Emily thought to Eric. ‘He doesn’t know you,’ and then she spoke. ‘Eric, you have a son, I’m so glad we came.’
Keeping close together, the small group walked through the dark forest with the few of the guards carrying torches. Rounding a bend they left the track and moved onto a road, before them was a huge manor. In the moonlight it looked cold and scary.
‘I do not like this place,’ Applejacks thought to the group.
‘No one does,’ Eric murmured softly. But Emily was in awe, she had never seen such a building.
‘My father would have loved to have seen this,’ she said, ‘it’s so incredible.’ Looking at the old manor, Emily forgot for a moment the trouble they were in. The dark building was huge and stretched at least 400 metres across and four stories high and was made with a dark stone. Gargoyles were spread intermittently across the different levels, all baring their teeth in expressions of hate.
Before speaking Vladimir thought to himself, how does she stay so much in the moment? ‘Sven told us that there were laboratories where all the testing is done underneath the manor. That is where our people are.’
Hearing him the guard said, ‘Only the ones who don’t obey. Varrick only keeps them to breed. I imagine you’ll see that place,’ he laughed coldly then added, ‘You two are somewhat of a legend here. I remember when Varrick thought you were dead, he killed the group that he’d sent to look for you.’
‘Interesting management style,’ Vladimir replied.
‘We have to keep your kind in check.’ The man gestured for the group to move on.
Emily could feel the abnormals around her bristle at the comment, the guards were all full humans, I wonder why he only uses full humans as guards, she thought and she sent the information to Vladimir and Eric who exchanged a look.
The group could now see a stone bridge that ran across a small stream in front of the manor. It was lit with fire torches and, at the entrance on either side, were men with machine guns. Standing beside them were Rottweilers like Rumour, who growled as the group approached. Emily opened a connection to the dogs sending reassuring thoughts. She asked both the dogs to lie down as they passed and both guards yanked at the chains around their necks trying to get them to stand up. The guards that had brought them from the train stopped at the entrance of the stone bridge.
‘Keep going,’ one of the other guards ordered.
Stepping onto the stone bridge, Applejacks’ hooves made a sharp rapping sound and Rumour was pressed so tightly against Emily’s legs that she almost tripped, but Vladimir caught her and held her hand as they crossed. Walking into the courtyard they could see where they needed to go, as on either side of the group people were lined up. Emily sensed that these people were abnormals and when she opened up a connection to them she felt no aggression; most of them were just curious. It was overwhelming to feel so many people at once and Emily had to close down the connection and place it behind a wall in her mind. As she looked at the people, Emily thought to herself how beautiful they were even though their clothes were in rags and they all looked underfed. A small child smiled at her before its mother pushed him back into the crowd. There were six steps to the hall; Emily stopped at the bottom and looked at Applejacks.
‘It is fine,’ he thought to her and walked up to the steps before the others.
The large doors swung open. Inside was a large room with ceilings that were over twenty metres high. Emily had never seen such a room, it was so luxurious. There were rugs and tapestries, silk chairs and couches, and there were about fifty people in the room who were all dressed in ball gowns and suits – such a contrast to the people in rags outside. At the end of the room were six steps up to a landing and in the middle of the landing was a throne carved out of dark wood with dark designs; it looked sinister.
At the base of the stairs was a young blonde woman dressed in a low cut black gown, but around her neck was a collar with a chain that was connected to a large metal ring in the wall to one side. She sat on the lower step and as the group approached the woman looked up, her beautiful face looked shocked. Suddenly, a door behind the throne opened and a man came out followed by Ivan, Sarah and Roy. Emily guessed it was Varrick as he looked so much like Vladimir. The chained woman rose and started to walk towards Emily’s group but Varrick caught the end of her chain and pulled it sharply. The woman fell back but she didn’t look hurt.
‘Vondra, stay where you are,’ Varrick barked at the woman. The woman sat down again on the bottom step and Emily could sense hatred coming from her but it was not aimed at them. She hated Varrick. Sitting on the throne, Varrick looked at the group for a moment before saying, ‘So son, you have returned to me. May I introduce you to your sister Vondra.’ Varrick looked pleased as he gazed on the small group.
Looking at Vondra in surprise Vladimir stepped forward and said forcefully, ‘We are here for our people! They deserve to go free.’ The chamber went quiet and Vondra smiled at him. Then Varrick stood up and walked down the couple of steps towards him, smiling.
‘I see, my son,’ he said smugly, ‘and how is that going?’ Vladimir was confused, he hadn’t expected Varrick to be so calm. Varrick gestured to the guards who disappeared from the chambers. After a moment they returned with Vince, Ross and several other men, bound and chained; they were bloody and hurt.
‘I’ve failed you,’ Vince told Vladimir. ‘The rest of our men are dead.’
Vladimir looked at Vince and replied, ‘No my friend, I have failed you.’ He felt so stupid, he had clearly underestimated Varrick and knew now that they were all dead. Suddenly Emily fell to her knees, clutching her head.
Helping her to her feet, Vladimir asked, ‘What is wrong?’
Eric had reached out to her as well. ‘Em, are you alright?’
‘Get her out of my head,’ Emily moaned. The pain was unlike anything she had ever experience before.
Rumour suddenly snarled and started to approach Sarah, who looked like she was in a trance. Realising that it was Sarah that was hurting Emily, both men tore off their clothing
and changed into wolves. Within seconds several of the other abnormals had changed and formed a circle around the group.
No one in the room moved for a moment and then Applejacks suddenly reared up and lashed his hoof out at one of the wolves. It was unexpected and, realising their advantage, Vladimir and Eric leapt at the other abnormals. Laughing, Ivan changed as well and he jumped at Rumour who was almost on Sarah. Vladimir had seen what he was going to do and jumped over the group, knocking Ivan away from Rumour, but Roy was also behind him and sent a kick into Rumour’s side causing her to flip over and go flying down the stairs, yelping.
‘Remember who your master is,’ he screamed at the dog. Rumour struggled to get up; Roy had broken several ribs. Suddenly coming to life, Vondra swiftly moved and pushed Sarah over. This caused Sarah to break her mental hold on Emily and with the release of the pain Emily was able to reach up to Applejacks; then she teleported Sarah away.
‘Where did you send her?’ Applejacks thought.
‘To the void,’ Emily replied, realising with horror that she had just killed her.
Focusing on Vondra, Emily teleported her chains away and within seconds of freedom Vondra had transformed into a white tiger. She leapt into the fight crashing into two wolves, slashing them deeply with her claws.
Roy yelled for his men to shoot. ‘Target all of them,’ and Emily knew she only had seconds to teleport her group away. But everyone was moving so fast, she had never teleported moving objects before. As she was trying to focus, one of Varrick’s wolves leapt at Applejacks pushing him out of Emily’s reach. Realising that she had run out of time Emily knelt down and took a deep breath in. There was a loud pop as Rumour, Applejacks, Vondra, Ross, Vince and his three men teleported away.
Vladimir and Eric had been behind her and knowing this, Emily had chosen to stay with them. Before she fell into unconsciousness, she saw that both Eric and Vladimir had been shot with a tranquiliser gun. As darkness enveloped her, she sent out a thought to them. ‘My loves.’
Chapter 18
Vladimir came to and realised he was shackled to a wall. Next to him Eric was moaning, also coming to. The chains were thick and as Vladimir tested them he knew he couldn’t break them.
‘Môn vieux, are you alright?’ but Eric moaned again. Vladimir was nauseous, his head hurt and he was dehydrated. The cell was dark with no windows and he could smell a dirty dampness that smelt of terror and blood. It could be any time of the day or night as a bright light was on in the cell. The cell was modern in design.
‘Vlad,’ Eric moaned again, ‘Vlad.’ There was something wrong. Eric wasn’t coming around and Vladimir could see blood in his ears. Oh God, what have they done? he thought.
He called softy; ‘Eric…focus. Come on, Môn vieux, wake up!’ He threw all his strength against his chains and for a moment he thought they gave a little. Concentrating he tried to change into a wolf but he couldn’t; he needed to be running to make the change. Then he heard a key turn in the heavy metal door and Roy and Ivan stepped into the room.
‘Where’s Sarah?’ Ivan barked, there was madness in his eyes.
‘I don’t know,’ Vladimir replied, although he guessed that Sarah was dead. The look on Emily’s face when she had teleported Sarah away told him that.
‘I can’t feel her,’ Ivan raged. Turning to Roy he screamed, ‘Where’s the witch? I want her dead!’
He’s out of control, Roy thought and then said in a soothing voice, ‘Ivan, get it together. Come on, we’ll form a search party. Remember, the girl transported the others away, they may be with Sarah,’ he didn’t care if Sarah was dead even though he had slept with her a couple of times, but then, so did half the guards.
Ivan turned and left the small cell, his face was white with rage and he wanted to hurt something.
‘Something is wrong with Eric.’ Vladimir loathed speaking to Roy but he was worried about his mate.
‘So, what do I care?’ Roy replied, but he walked over to Eric and lifted his head. Looking at Eric’s eyes he saw they were completely bloodshot.
‘Your kind heals fast, he will recover soon,’ Roy declared coldly, ‘Varrick doesn’t want you dead just yet.’
‘Where is Emily?’ Vladimir demanded, his deep voice carried death in it.
‘Oh yes, your witch. Varrick has special plans for her. As we speak she is undergoing the gene program, it will be interesting to see what happens to her,’ and then he paused and said, ‘That is, if she survives.’
Vladimir’s answer was to throw himself against the chains, but Roy just looked at him without fear.
‘Your father will soon realise that you’re only helpful to him by being dead. Rabid dogs get put down,’ and Roy left the cell laughing.
Vladimir’s body pulsed with uncontrollable rage. I can’t believe that I was so brainless, he thought. All his years of planning were for nothing. He had doomed them all.
Eric slowly lifted his head and said, ‘Vlad, are you alright?’
Eric’s voice brought Vladimir back into control. He would remain focused. There was always a way out and he let that thought repeat over and over in his head while he spoke to Eric. ‘Môn vieux, I am so worried about you. Are you alright?’
‘My head hurts. God I’m thirsty, how long have we been here?’
‘I’m not sure, I would say a day,’ Vladimir replied.
The door to the cell opened again and a man with light brown hair that reached his shoulders and a trimmed beard, walked in. He was pushing a trolley that had food on it.
‘My name is Janak, I’m here to feed you.’ Looking at the men he added, ‘I’m sorry but I can’t let you down.’
‘How do we know it is not poisoned?’ Vladimir asked him.
Janak grabbed the drink bottle, put it to his lips and took a swig. Then he pushed it towards Vladimir, holding it while he took a drink and then did the same for Eric. Both men felt better with some fluids inside them. Janak got the food, took a large spoon from the trolley and fed both men. The stew was thick but it was very bland in taste. There was a guard watching them and he told Janak to hurry, it was obvious that the guard didn’t think much of him. Turning back to the guard, Janak accidentally tripped and smashed the bowl, splattering stew on the guard’s boots and trousers.
The guard turned the gun around and punched it into Janak’s stomach commanding, ‘You fool. Clean this up.’ Then he went to the hallway and barked for another abnormal to bring a cloth for his boots.
A blonde woman appeared, smiling at the guard. Her dress was cut low and the guard’s eyes moved to her chest as she got down on her knees and began to clean the boots. Janak was picking up the pieces of the bowl and when the guard was distracted whispered to the men, ‘We’re only few but we’ll get you out. Plans are in place.’
Vladimir whispered back, ‘What about Emily? Do you know where she is?’
‘She’s in the lower dungeons. We can’t get to her right now.’
‘Can you get us out?’ Vladimir whispered.
‘We’ll try in two days time. I’ve heard that they’re going to torture you both tomorrow. If you live through it, we’ll get you out,’ Janak said, keeping his voice low as he wiped the floor.
‘Are my men still alive?’ Vladimir almost didn’t want to ask the question, he was afraid that Vince and his men had been captured again.
‘I don’t know but Varrick has not been able to find them yet.’ Janak stood up, he was finished cleaning.
The guard returned to the cell and barked, ‘Move it. You’ve caused me to be late for my replacement.’ Janak lowered his eyes as he walked past the guard and said nothing.
After they were gone, Vladimir looked at Eric. ‘Maybe we will get another chance.’
‘Only if we live past tomorrow,’ Eric responded.
‘If we don’t, Môn vieux, then Emily is dead,’ Vladimir countered.
‘Or worse,’ Eric replied, locking eyes with Vladimir.
*
The next morning
, Varrick walked into the jail cell with Ivan and Roy.
‘Where is Emily?’ Vladimir demanded.
‘My new pet is safe,’ Varrick replied. ‘Perhaps you should be more concerned for yourselves and the plans I have for you today.’
‘We’ve been looking forward to it,’ Eric quipped, he wouldn’t show Varrick any fear.
Vladimir remained silent as Varrick’s men unchained him. It was surprising how much pain flooded through his body as the blood rushed back into his limbs. Eric grunted but neither man showed that it hurt.
Varrick smiled. He would enjoy torturing these men as he could see that neither would give in easily. Two men had guns and Vladimir had realised that this was not the moment to try and escape. As they were led down a narrow hallway past more cells, Vladimir noticed that they were full of both men and women. They looked out at them as they walked past, but there was no hope in their eyes and Vladimir didn’t have to be Emily to feel their suffering.
God, Vladimir thought, why is Varrick doing this? He couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so cruel to another.
They entered a lift that carried them down a floor then opened up to a large white room. It had modern medical equipment that looked sinister against the chains hanging from the ceiling and a trolley with instruments that didn’t look like they were made to heal but rather to inflict pain. One section looked like an operating theatre with large lamps above it. There were large grates to catch the fluids from dismembered bodies.
The men were strapped onto metal tables and Varrick put a record on an old turntable. The music was operatic and at any other time Vladimir would have thought the music beautiful.
‘I prefer something a bit more modern,’ Eric volunteered sounding friendly.
Varrick turned his attention to Eric. Then he pulled out a metal stool and sat down just a metre away from him.
‘I looked up who your father was last night, his name was Thomas. I believe your mother was fond of him.’
‘Was?’ Eric responded. His heart had skipped a beat when Varrick had mentioned his father, he had spent a lot of time wondering who his father was.