Dusk of Defiance (The Era of Ensemble Book 1)

by Woosey, JP

  The atmosphere had changed throughout the Bastion. The buzz of excitement and hope had vanished.

  “A gun hasn’t been fired in the middle of the Bastion for weeks, Luke.” Reilly hurried through the narrow passages in-between cloth tents and metal huts. “People thought they were safe here. We had made it safe here, or as safe as we could. This needs to be sorted out soon. We need to restore peace.”

  “I’ll do anything to help.” Luke replied.

  “I’m not sure if that’s the best course of action. We need to hurry to the others.” Reilly began to jog, his old legs struggled, and he slowed to a fast walk, as he felt pain between his joints.

  Luke felt the stares. They blamed him for the panic which had spread throughout the camp. And why wouldn’t they? I’m inside the Bastion for five seconds and this happens. Some people were hiding. Other people grabbed their possessions and headed for the gates. The guards struggled to keep order. A gang of children circled around another young boy. They couldn't have been older than twelve. The group closed in on the lone male, his eyes watering, pleading for the gang to stop. They hurled insults at him. Luke overheard the gang as he walked past. The lone boy's parents turned before most. They circled the boy telling him it was only a matter of time before he turned. The boy gave up his pleas as the gang surrounded him. Fists and feet ploughing into the young boy. Luke heard him scream above the chaos, but Reilly ignored it and implored Luke to follow him. All of this chaos from one pull of a trigger. A trigger I pulled.

  They entered the leaders’ tent together. Luke kept a close eye on Megan. The leaders were huddled in a group raising their voices over each others’ quarrels. They hadn’t heard them enter. Reilly cleared his throat to attract the attention of the other leaders. They didn’t respond. He took out his wrist device and shortly afterwards pings emerged on all of the leaders’ wrist devices. They quietened to check what the ping was for.

  “We have a situation.” Reilly said as the room fell silent.

  “We know we have a situation. Do you think we’re deaf?” A young man with a bandage strapped around his head shouted.

  “Calm yourself, Darryl.” A middle aged man with scratches along his neck responded lightly. “What happened out there, Reilly?”

  “Oscar’s dead.”

  “How?” Darryl asked impatiently.

  “Luke... shot him.”

  “Only because it was attacking my sister!” His face reddened with anger as he shouted.

  “…We should have a public sentencing.” Reilly continued after being interrupted. “Darryl spread the word.”

  “So I’m guilty without even having a trial?”

  “Luke, you need to understand. If what you’re saying is true that means Oscar turned, which is scary enough, but add to that how quickly he must have turned. He seemed fine minutes before he attacked Megan.” Reilly began to pace around the table in the centre of the tent. “It’s best if the Bastion doesn’t know that anyone can turn at any time, without any indication... We’ll have to banish you.”

  “No.” Megan cried. “You can’t just send him away. He’s all I have left.”

  “He’s right, Megan. This place will do better if it was shielded from the truth.” It hurt Luke to admit it.

  “But…” She stuttered. How could it happen so quickly?

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Luke squeezed her arm gently, hugged his sister, and then lifted her hand. He tapped at her screen. It was the invaluable link to the others in Megan’s scavenging party.

  She reassuringly rubbed at her wrist device in response to her brother’s actions. He will always be with me.

  “I’ve got your device number now. I’ll send you messages when I can. I promise.” He smiled, but he felt a tear building in his eye.

  “I can come with you.”

  “No.” Luke snapped. He spotted the M1A1 Carbine resting against a leg of the table. “I found something that belongs to you.” He walked over and picked up the rifle.

  “Grandfather’s Carbine.” She briefly smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek. “You’ve been to my apartment?”

  “It could do with a clean.” He placed the strap of the rifle around his sister’s neck. “Don’t lose it.” Luke fished in his backpack and handed some ammunition to Megan.

  “I won’t.”

  “I’ll find out what’s happened, Megan.” He turned to Reilly. “If I find survivors can I direct them here?”

  “Of course, but make sure they’re sane.” Reilly turned to the entrance of the tent as Darryl returned.

  “We’re ready for the sentencing.”

  “You might want to stay here, Megan.”

  “Okay.” She turned to her brother and hugged him one last time. “Don’t die out there.”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  Reilly handed him some supplies and then led him out of the tent. There were shouts and chants in the distance. Two children barged past him. “Hurry up or we won’t get a good spot.” The child leading shouted back to his friend. Is everyone in the Bastion going to be watching? He saw the answer for himself as Reilly led him through a thick crowd of people. “Murderer!” Someone screamed into his ear. “You’re worse than those beasts.” A voice bellowed to his side. He staggered as someone tried to trip him up. “His eyes are pure evil.”

  Reilly pushed Luke through into an opening. He fell to his knees. There was a course of laughter throughout the crowd. Darryl climbed on top of a makeshift metal hut above everyone else, and then raised his hand for calm.

  “Show him no mercy.” A man in the crowd shouted. The horde of people erupted again in agreement with the man.

  Darryl waited for quiet before he spoke. “This man has killed one of our own. He is not one of us. Nor is he one of those abominations who lurk about the ship and feast on our brothers and sisters. We could forgive him as a person if he had turned into one of those monsters, for his actions would not be his. He killed today, and he was aware of his actions.” The mob wanted Luke’s blood. “Let this man’s punishment today be a warning to anyone who breaks the trust of the Bastion and its people.” The crowd roared in agreement. “Luke, you shall be banished from the Bastion, and may the creatures beyond the walls of our fortress grant you more mercy than you have shown us today.”

  The gates screeched open. Two men grabbed each of Luke’s arms and led him to the gate. “Leave!” One shouted as he threw him down to the floor. He crashed onto his knees. The gates screeched as they were shut behind him. He could still hear the crowd. Most wanted a more severe punishment, Luke could tell. And now he was alone again. At least I know Megan’s okay.

  Chapter 17

  There was a scream in the distance, followed by an uncontrollable laugh. Luke hugged the wall of the corridor as he walked through. Where am I even going? He thought to himself as he moved. A light flashed on his wrist device. It was Maxwell. He pinged Maxwell back and accepted the incoming call.

  “Luke, did you find your sister?” There was a crackle as Maxwell’s voice cut off.

  “Yes, she’s safe. Thank you for leading me to her.”

  “It was my pleasure, Luke. But I need something from you.”

  Luke paused for a few seconds before asking. “What do you need from me?”

  “I need you to go to the Captain’s quarters.”

  “Why?” Luke questioned intrigued.

  “I’d like to know if the Captain is still alive. If he is, then he can help us. We could alter the course of the ship, or send out a beacon to warn the UCSC what has happened.”

  How do we warn others what’s happening if we don’t know ourselves? “What if he’s not there? What if he’s dead? What if he’s turned?”

  “If he’s dead you’ll find his identification tag. If he’s turned, then… you’ll have to kill him.”

  “What do I do with his identification tag?”

  “I’ll guide you through it when you’re in the Captain’s quarters and you have the identifica
tion tag. Don’t forget to ping me before you call me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh and you won’t be able to get a tram from Housing D. You’ll have to go through Entertainment and Sports to get to a working tram which will take you closer to the Captain’s quarters.” Maxwell didn’t leave time for Luke to respond or ask any more questions. He ended the call as soon as he finished speaking.

  At least I have somewhere to go. The last time he went to the Entertainment and Sports section of the ship he was with Elizabeth and Megan. That day hadn’t ended well, and the odds were this day wouldn’t either.

  The corridor felt cold. The airflow being vented caused a draft and a chill went through Luke’s body. He shivered, not knowing whether it was from the temperature or the feeling that he was being watched. Whispers surrounded him, more and more joined. He glanced around the corridor, but he saw nothing. They increased in volume, it felt like people were breathing down his neck and whispering into his ear. But when he turned around there was nothing. He muffled his ears with his hands, to no avail the whispers persisted. He shook his head violently side to side, dizziness engulfed him, for a moment calm prevailed, but he soon felt himself falling to the floor.

  Luke awoke with shooting pains throughout his head. He tried to pick himself up, but stumbled and hit the cold metal wall beside him. He retrieved his bottle of water from his backpack and began to drink. Maybe I am just dehydrated. He used the wall as leverage and climbed to his feet. His head ached, the intense sharp pains felt like someone was playing pinball inside his mind. He clutched the wall as he felt himself lose balance. He breathed deeply and steadied himself. What’s happening to me? A noise in a nearby room distracted his thought, a faint groan and an involuntary gag. Luke stepped towards the noise. His head still pounded, but he could feel the pain fade. He walked with his hand on the wall to steady him. The groan echoed again. It sounded human. Luke approached the open door of someone’s living quarters. The room was a mess. Furniture was destroyed, its pieces scattered across the room, the carpet had been torn up and only the metal flooring remained. The walls were covered in splatters of liquid which glimmered in the blue glow of the emergency lights. Luke stepped into the room as he heard the moan come from deeper within. The noise was emanating from the bathroom. He moved towards it, his revolver in hand, expecting the worst. The floor was covered in an orange liquid filled with solid bits of half-digested food. The smell of it made Luke gag, and he nearly vomited himself. There was a standard issue military handgun resting on a basin. He stepped further into the bathroom and saw the legs of a person. The limbs twitched and moved slowly. A man lay by a vomit covered toilet. A half empty bottle of liquor was beside the man. His eyes were closed, his lips twitched to allow some more vomit to trickle down his chin and onto his chest. He smells disgusting. Luke thought as he covered his nose and stood before the man. “Are you alright?” He asked. The only response was a grumble from the man. One of his eyes began to open, his head wobbled side to side. He opened his lips to speak but he gargled on the vomit in his mouth. The man choked, coughed up, and then spat before he glanced to the gun on the basin.

  “Kill me.” The man could barely speak.

  “What?” Luke replied shocked. The man said nothing. He just stared at the handgun. Luke moved over to the basin and picked up the weapon. It felt as light as a toy compared to his revolver. He checked the rounds in the magazine. It was full. He pointed the gun at the man. Should I kill him? He began to doubt his initial decision. If I shoot him it could lead those monsters straight to me. But if I leave him here he could die a more painful death. Luke hesitated and lowered the weapon.

  “Give me your mercy.” The man muttered. “I have lost everything I love, end my life so I can find peace.” His eyes watered. Luke pointed the handgun at the drunken man’s head once again.

  “I’m sorry.” Luke slid the handgun across the floor towards the man and sprinted out of the room.

  “You coward!” The man shouted, slurring his words, but Luke had vanished down the corridor. He heard the sound of a bottle as it shattered against a wall, but he heard no gun shot.

  He had been running for some time before he eventually stopped to rest. His head still ached, his body soon felt the cold draft again, and his legs trembled from exhaustion. A light flashed above him and caught his attention. He was near the Entertainment and Sports. He took a deep breath, and then moved through the doors and into a different section of the ship.

  Chapter 18

  This wasn’t the first time Luke felt an overbearing feeling of dread when entering the Entertainment and Sports section of the ship. The first time he felt this feeling was when he and Elizabeth were meeting Megan and her date at the cinema. Elizabeth wanted to watch a play at the theatre, but Megan had insisted on the cinema.

  “It’s not like we can watch new films at the cinema.” Elizabeth had moaned to him. “They’re just re-runs of 'so called' classics which weren’t good to begin with.”

  “I’ll do whatever, I don't mind.” Luke had regretted opening his mouth.

  “No!” Elizabeth screamed. “You say that now in front of me, but when Megan’s around you just back her. You always side with her.” How could something so trivial cause such a rift between us?

  He stepped forward past the doors and onto the large wooden pathway. It was like a promenade on a coastal resort, but without the sea. Every step he took echoed like he was stamping along a wooden bridge. A few pieces of wood were missing from the walkway, but it was stable. Luke carried on walking. He passed overturned fast-food stalls of different kinds ranging from a burger joint to a candyfloss dispenser. The food had been scavenged already though. There were a few boarded up shops, which looked long abandoned. He spotted the football pitch ahead and jogged towards it. Only one side of the pitch had seating, but it wasn’t the official stadium aboard the ship. That was further in and seated close to twenty thousand people. Going to the official stadium really put into context just how large the spaceship was. This smaller stadium would only seat several hundred. Luke had fond memories of it though. He had played for a Sunday league team when the ship had first departed from Earth, but Elizabeth had convinced him to stop playing when she said they weren’t spending enough time together. He reached the field of grass. The lights around it were still on, too high for the abominations to smash. Maybe that’s why I haven’t seen any of those things yet. It’s too bright for them here. Luke mused on the thought while he stepped onto the grass which reached way past his ankle, it had overgrown. He heard a clicking sound, and then liquid fell down onto his head. He backed off the pitch only to realise it was water. The sprinklers were still active. He opened his mouth to catch some. It was fresh. The water purifier was still working as normal. It was still quiet though, it felt like he was the only person in the whole of Entertainment and Sports. All it needs is some tumbleweed to drift past. Just as he finished that thought he heard a noise behind him. Something had dropped, he was sure of it. He moved off the grass and walked towards the sound. An overturned bag with its contents spilt onto the wooden walkway. A bottle of water, a few tubes of food, some magazines and a pocket knife. Luke knelt down and picked up a tube of food, but as he did he heard a faint whimpering. He stood up straight and walked further into the Entertainment’s centre.

  The cinema was boarded up with words of warning painted on the walls. ‘Keep Out’ and ‘No Place for the Living’ were two that stood out most frequently. Luke moved past quickly. The crying was increasing in volume. He carried on and moved past bars and clubs he had once been in, restaurants and museums he had taken Elizabeth to. All brought back memories of how he had lived previously. Before he could reminisce further a loud outburst of blubbering echoed from the theatre. He advanced to the large red wooden doors and entered.

  A red carpet led from the door, past the ticketing booth, and under a huge red velvet curtain. He followed along the carpet and pushed through the luxurious curtains. The theatre wa
s dark, almost pitch black except for a spotlight on the centre of the stage which revealed an animal's metal cage. The crying started again, it was soft. Luke advanced to the stage, a figure was curled up in a ball, whimpering. It was a woman, not much younger than Megan. He climbed the steps to the stage. “Hey.” He whispered. The woman didn’t make a sound. She turned around slowly. Water streamed down from her hazel coloured eyes. Her smooth face was scratched, her hair was choppy, and her clothes tattered. “Do you need help? Are there demons around?” He asked the woman, but she didn’t reply, she turned her head to the padlock on the cage and began to whimper again. Luke crossed the stage to get to the lock. It was heavy, but it was old and rusting. He tugged at it and it clanged against the metal of the cage. The woman jumped back, startled by the sound. “It’s okay. I’ll get you out of here.” He glanced around the stage. It was too dark. He couldn’t search for a key, and he doubted there would be a pair of bolt cutters lying around. “Cover your ears.” He said as he retrieved his revolver from its holster. He aimed it at the padlock, took a deep breath, and then fired. The bang echoed loudly through the theatre. He felt disoriented. He holstered his weapon and opened the cage. “You can leave now. It’s alright.” He held out a hand. The woman looked up at him, her crying had ceased, and there was no fear in her eyes, only anger. She glanced at the hand Luke offered to her. Her teeth showed, as she began to snarl. She snapped at his hand, but he pulled it away in time. She leapt and fell upon him. Both his hands worked to keep the woman at bay. Her teeth snapped at him again and barely missed his nose. He pushed the woman back with all his might, and she landed a couple of metres away across the stage. The demonic woman shrieked, and charged for him. He scurried backwards, and hit the cage. He entered it, and held the door closed. The woman ran into the bars, and screeched in pain holding her face. She fell to the floor and began to cry softly again.

  There was a brief pause before the sound of a single man clapping boomed throughout the theatre. “That was a great show. Bravo.”