Secrets of the Fortress 'Survivors'

by John Victor

  The creature walked out of the room and turned the light off.

  “Drekkas’’

  “What is that?’’

  “That’s what they are called.’’ Donald said as he adjusted himself. “I read about them when I was much younger. I thought it was a myth. They are horrible creatures. The chains binding our hands are made of Podiac stones. The reason you cannot use your magic.’’

  “This is not going to end well. Do you know any powers they possess?’’

  “Yes, it was all written in the book. They have the ability to turn humans into whatever they desire. I believe they intend to use us for their evil deeds. They have a stronger weapon.

  CHAPTER 4

  Evalle saw herself drifting off from the place she saw her mother. She felt hot liquid hit her skin. “The rain that falls here is hot.’’ She said to herself. As it touched her lips, it tasted salty.

  “I knew I would kill, you.’’ The words echoed in her ears.

  Titania walked away from Evalle, heading backwards. Evalle opened her eyes and realized that she was still where she was. She stood up and kicked Titania’s head. “Your piss tastes like shit. Never knew you had a dick.’’

  Titania looked back in fright as she tried to hit Evalle. Evalle dodged it immediately. She picked up Titania’s tail, and flung her.

  Titania jumped as she hit the wall. Evalle smiled. Jumping into the dark where Titania was, she grabbed her by her hair and hit her head on the floor. Forcing her to drink the blood. Titania lapped the blood with her tongue.

  Evalle felt the floor getting dry. “What are you doing?’’ Evalle pulled back her hair and tried to hit her face. Titania stood up and carried Evalle. Evalle felt so small.

  “Thanks, you gave me what I longed for. Strength. Now, feel the wrath of my power.’’ Evalle closed her eyes with her hands, thinking about her mother and how she will feel when she sees her there again.

  A loud roar awoke Evalle from her trance. Titania was yelling. Evalle felt herself drop from the hands that held her. “My goodness. Is she a giant?’’ She said as she looked at Titania who was now writhing in pain. There were large holes on her body.

  Blood gushed out from them and she seemed to be getting smaller. “What is happening to me?’’ She screamed.

  * * *

  “Weapon? What is that?’’

  “Their tongues.’’ Donald said. “It is long. If it hits you, it is over. Lots of spikes are on it. I can’t even describe it well. I think they have evolved. A scientist took one of them to his laboratory.’’

  “The creature was pregnant. A gene of another animal was put into the unborn child. Then scientist waited for months. Then the baby was born. It was a beast. Human beast. It killed its mother and the scientist before escaping to the desert.’’

  “A man then found it on the road. Covered with blood. It appeared as a little boy and it looked human. The man picked him and raised him as a child. The news was all over television screen for days about the murder of a weird creature and a scientist. “Donald said.’’

  “Who told you this story?’’ Emily queried.

  “My dad, he told me when I was still very young.’’

  “Donald, did you listen to yourself?’’

  “What do you mean?’’

  “I think your dad was talking about you, you just didn’t understand him.’’

  “I didn’t reason to that extent. That means he inserted more than one gene into the creature. Human gene is one of them. I can’t believe it.’’

  "We should talk about that later. Let’s find a way to get out of here.’’ Emily said as she heard muffled sounds from afar. Screams.

  “What do they do the bodies of the people they capture?’’ Emily asked.

  “They eat them.’’

  “What? Cannibals? We have to get out of here fast.’’

  Donald felt his muscles tighten. The chains clicked and came free. “Emily’’

  “Shh… Keep your voice low.’’

  * * *

  Everywhere was getting brighter as Evalle continued looking at Titania who was busy mouthing. “I’ll be back for you.’’ Her body became one with the blood on the floor. Evalle looked up and saw that she was outside and snow began to fall from the skies.

  Many people drooped from the sky. They stood up and walked out of the door that appeared behind her. Most of them thanked her as they walked away. Evalle’s eyes stood transfixed to the sky, wondering how everything changed. “I thought this place was a hotel.’’

  The last person leaving the place was a young guy. As he said thanks, he stopped. He looked again. “Evalle?’’

  He knows my name. “How can I help you?’’

  “You are the one? OH my God! How could you forget about me? The guy with the French accent.’’

  “Doesn’t ring a bell.’’

  “Does Devout Lamar ring a bell?”

  “Devout Lamar? Really? Is this you? OH my God! You have grown. How could I forget that crazy French accent? What are you doing here?’’

  “The same question goes for you. Let me tell you my story first.” On the twenty-eight-day of December in 2014, I was in my country when this schooling offer came to me. I was told to come and school in England. I gladly accepted, taking it as a good opportunity to see you again after you left France, with your dad.” Evalle opened her mouth.

  * * *

  “They can’t hear us. They don’t understand our language.’’

  “Okay, what is it?’’

  “My chain came loose.’’

  “How did that happen?’’

  “I don’t know, it just happened.’’ Donald said.

  “Okay, hang on or you will, be killed. When the light comes. . .’’ The light came on and Donald grabbed the chain, so he would not fall off.

  A man walked towards them. He examined them and walked around, checking the others. Evalle looked at him. “Hey, why are you doing this? Aren’t you human like us?’’ The man didn’t reply her. He continued observing the others.

  “Hey, I’m talking to you.’’ The man stepped out of the room and switched off the light. While the light was on, Donald checked around the room for signs of their predators. He also looked for a key. There was one at the door hole.

  Donald dropped from the ceiling and ran to pick up the key. Something hit him by the side. He looked at the large blue eyes staring at him. Donald stretched out his hand and grabbed it by its arm.

  “You disgusting creature.’’

  The Drekkas tried to open its mouth, Donald immediately covered it with his palm. The sharp teeth tearing his flesh. Donald moved towards the right, as the creature lounged forward, arms outstretched.

  Donald caught it by its arm and flung it against the wall. A key fell, to the floor as the creature was sent flying.

  CHAPTER 5

  “When I got here, I was directed to a hotel. Omega Hotels. I got in. Many people were seated. It appeared they were waiting for me. I walked to my room and made myself comfortable.” Emily continued staring unblinkingly as he talked.

  “Proceed please.’’

  “Everywhere spun as my head hit the floor. When I woke up, I met myself in a dark place with a lot of people screaming for help around me.’’

  “Titania, I thought you knew more about smell, Obviously, I was wrong. I never had a father.’’ Evalle said as she kicked his face. Blood trickled from his nostrils. “What are you talking about? Evalle.’’

  “I know no Devout Lamar. Never schooled in France.” She said as she kept kicking his face, damaging it with her fists. Devout screamed as his body changed back into Titania’s.

  “I see you really know my history, you deceitful pig.’’ Evalle said as she gave Titania a final blow. Dead.

  The place didn’t change again. Evalle looked back and saw her bag on the floor, covered in snow. She picked it up and walked forward. Evalle removed the map from her bag and stared at it in surprise. I cannot believe I am sti
ll, on the right path.

  That was part of the plan after all. Only God knows what I’m searching for.

  She continued walking. She began to shiver due to the cold. Her knees knocking each other. Snow covered all the trees. I can’t still believe it is winter over here. We are not even in August yet.

  * * *

  Donald ran to pick the key. As he picked it up, he ran back to where he was hung. Slipping his hands back into the chain, after throwing the key into his mouth.

  The door flung open. Thousands of Drekkas came into the room. One of them went to help the fallen. The creatures looked around for any signs of an escapee. No one was found.

  Donald closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, as Emily looked in surprise.

  The creatures marched out of the room, leaving no one to guard. Donald waited for few minutes before removing the key from his mouth and slipping it into Emily’s palm. Trying hard not to fall.

  “I’ve got it’’ Emily whispered.

  Emily placed the key in her right hand and unlocked the chain on her wrist. The same went for the other wrist.

  “Hey, we have to leave this place now.’’

  “I know.’’

  They both left their chains and hit the ground silently. They heard an alarm blare from afar off.

  “Jeez. Never knew this place was high-tech.’’ Emily said.

  “That should be the work of the humans.’’

  Emily and Donald hid behind a table.

  “You smart-ass. I enjoyed every bit of the stunt you displayed there.’’ Emily said.

  “I couldn’t even believe myself.’’

  The table was small, and the corner, cozy. Emily’s legs rested on Donald’s laps. An electric surge ran through his veins. Goose bumps rose all, over his skin. He felt like touching her. He felt like kissing her. He didn’t want to betray her trust.

  * * *

  Evalle spotted something behind a tree. She ignored it and continued walking. Someone was chanting behind her. A very strange language. She looked back and saw the most impossible.

  I’ve only read about this in books. I never even got to see their pictures. They are real?

  The creatures that stood behind her were men. However, men with half of their bodies, animal-like.

  “Half-man, half-horse. Centaurs.” Evalle left her mouth agape. She watched them increase in number. An army right in front of her eyes.

  Evalle looked back and began running. She knew her legs would fail her and she could not possibly run faster than horses. She tried to listen for sound of footsteps. She heard none approaching.

  Evalle stopped abruptly in her tracks and looked back. She saw them. Still in the same position and the same distance from herself as she had seen them a while ago.

  Evalle looked forward and saw that she remained in the spot where she was. ‘’Did I not run? Why am I here again?’’

  “You can’t run from us.’’ The voices echoed together.

  Evalle fell to her knees. Shivering. Her legs were thoroughly failing her.

  I am going to die. My punishment for not minding my business. And I am going to die in a strange land. Where I know no man. Where no man exists. Mum will be very disappointed.

  “You cannot run from us. Because you don’t have to run. We own this place and everything in it. Don’t be frightened. We are here to help you.’’ A man with husky voice said. Evalle guessed he was their leader.

  * * *

  “Why are you staring at me?’’ Emily asked.

  “Nothing. Just wanted to absorb the moment.’’

  “We are behind a table. Some beasts are after our lives. Don’t do anything silly.’’

  The door flung opened, lots of beings came in. Humans were definitely part of them, as Evalle could hear someone speaking English and conducting the search. Evalle immediately protected herself and Donald with an invincible wall. Making them invincible.

  Donald appreciated her efforts but she put a finger on his lips to shut him up. The electric tingling sensation went all, over his body once again. He was going crazy.

  Two pairs of legs appeared in front of the table. Donald shook. Fear crawled all over his skin. The table was raised. Dropped almost immediately as the creatures nodded their heads in disappointment.

  Donald heaved a sigh of relieve, making the creatures to look back and return to the table. Emily added an indestructible wall, around them. The table was raised again. Donald almost shrieked.

  The beasts left again. Seeing nothing. Sensing nothing. Donald kept his silence even though Emily had removed her hands from his lips.

  “Is the place clean?” The voice reverberated, few meters away from them.

  No sound was heard.

  Evalle assumed that the creatures communicated with him through gestures they make with their heads or hands.

  They all stamped their feet on the hard floor as they marched out of the room.

  A conversation ensued in front of them.

  “I kept you people as prisoners so you could listen to their conversation.” The leader said.

  “It was dark and we couldn’t see. We are sorry.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Evalle looked bewildered. She never dreamt that this could happen.

  Centaurs, help me? How do they know about my journey? Evalle stood up straight. Gaze fixed firmly on them.

  “We knew you were going to arrive. We are here to guide you and ensure you take the right path. This task was entrusted to us by your mother.’’ Then leader said.

  “My mother? You know her?’’

  “Yes. And you will have to begin your journey now.’’

  “Okay. Where do I start?’’

  “Justin.’’ The leader yelled.

  A young guy came out of the crowd. He looked like he was in his early twenties. He moved in front of the leader and knelt before him.

  Evalle noticed that he was the only human among them. She raised her eye brow as the leader returned to his speech.

  “You will be the one to take Evalle around. You must not leave her until the task is completed. Return with her when you are done.’’

  “What task?” Evalle asked.

  “You will know when you get there.’’

  The leader turned his back and the others followed. Leaving only Evalle and Justin.

  Evalle opened her mouth but words couldn’t come out. The boy looked so handsome. I can’t imagine myself with this boy. He looks nice and brilliant. He looks downcast. Should I talk to him? What will I say? He is supposed to be the one talking.

  Both of them stared at each other. Neither of them blinking.

  “Hi’’ Justin murmured.

  Finally, he broke the silence.

  * * *

  Emily pushed away the table that stood in front of them. “I can’t believe it.’’ She whispered.

  “It was all a plot. It seems they have changed. They were never this way.’’

  “What do they want with us?’’ Emily asked.

  “I don’t know. This is going to be terrible. They needed only us.’’

  Emily picked up her bag that was on the floor. She was able to use her eye powers.

  They walked out of the room, keeping to the shadows, Donald holding Emily’s hand. Emily looked for the window she took to get in. It was nowhere in sight. She held her head.

  She had seen something crawling up ahead in front of them. She pushed Donald to the wall, her arms over his chest. The same sensation he had been feeling, came back again.

  Emily removed her hands from his chest as she no longer saw movement. They got to a room. There was light in there. Donald looked for the shadows so he could continue moving.

  They were surrounded.

  “You think you can escape from me?’’

  The man with the same thin voice she heard before appeared in front of them. Donald began to shake.

  “You did well in running away. You weren’t just smart enough.’’

  Emily c
ontinued looking at him as if he was a mosquito she could crush with her fingers.

  “Take them.’’ He shouted.

  “Not so fast.’’ Emily yelled back. “Donald, do your thing.’’

  “My thing? I have a thing?’’

  Emily threw him a hard glance.

  * * *

  “Hey, so how are we going about it?” Evalle replied.

  Justin walked close to Evalle. She could see his eyes clearly. Filled with pain, guilt, despair.

  “What happened to you? Evalle asked.

  “Nothing.’’ He said. Angrily.

  Justin stretched out his hand and requested for Evalle’s map. She reached out to her bag and pulled out a brown paper. As he stared at it, Evalle wondered what lay ahead for both of them.

  “I know this route very well.’’ Justin said, removing her from her thoughts.

  “Oh, that’s nice. So, that means we can go now?’’

  “No, you need to rest. I know a place where we can go.’’ Justin said, getting a little delighted.

  “Justin, if I may ask, how old are you?’’

  “I’m twenty.’’

  “I’m eighteen.’’ Evalle replied as she hopped beside him.

  They walked together. The snow seemed to have disappeared. Evalle shrugged her shoulders, still feeling happy about the cute boy she must met. Justin kept walking. Not uttering a word.

  “So can you tell me about yourself? You have been quiet all day’’

  “There’s nothing to say about myself. It has been a hell of a life.’’

  “Tell me about it.’’

  “I’m on punishment.’’ Justin blurted out loudly as he began sobbing. He collapsed into Evalle’s arms.

  “Feel free to talk to me. The burden is always lighter when you talk to someone. My mother always pushed me to tell her everything that disturbed me. Whenever I tell her, I feel relieved. Solutions come out instantly. So feel free.’’ Evalle rubbed his hair gently.