“Damn, I can’t find nuthin’,” Fenton curses.
I stop pacing to glance in the direction Kani disappeared, but there’s only darkness.
“What are you looking for now?” I ask, absently.
“Couple a things. None of ‘em panning out.”
“Please tell me there’s not more— ”
“Whoa— ” Fenton cries, putting his hands to his head and closing his eyes.
“Fenton, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” I ask, rushing to his side.
Fenton’s features take a blank expression, as if he’s completely shut down. I shake him hard by the shoulders, but nothing changes.
Then, just as quickly as it had come, Fenton relaxes.
“Trae—we’ve go’ bigger worries,” he says, his skin tone going ashen, “I think Videus jus’ tapped inta Landry’s ComLink. He knows everything we know.”
My fingertips fly to my forehead as I pace. What could this mean? He knows everything we know— Including the fact Runa knows where this Tree is.
“Dammit!” I spit, “We need to warn Runa.”
“She’s gone— ” Kani rushes in, her face flushed and eyes wild. “Runa’s gone.”
“What?” My heart collides with the sickening pit in the bottom of my stomach.
“I mean her scrawny butt is gone,” she screeches, reaching for my arm and attempting to drag me with her, “Are you deaf?”
I blink hard, unable to move. How—?
Fenton rubs at his temple and says, “We gotta go after ’er, Trae. This could be a trap Videus has set. Tha’ hatch isn’t gonna stop ’er from gettin’ outside.”
“Phug,” I say, flying around the table.
So many things can hurt her out there.
The Morph—the thing we thought was the Morph—this Videus guy. A whole host of other things.
Dammit. What was I thinking?
If anything happens to her—
I run down the tunnel and launch myself up the ladder through sheer adrenaline. After propelling the door open, I scramble out, clutching at the snow as I scan the woods. The cold air assaults my senses as I spin in circles, trying to locate her, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
“Where the hell is she?” I demand to the wind.
My heart pounds heavily against my ribcage as I squint toward the Helix. Runa’s nowhere to be seen, but I know exactly where she’s headed, and it’s not good.
Kani and Fenton clamber up, one after the other, each out of breath.
“This can’t be happening,” I say, trying to devise a plan as quickly as I can.
If she’s heading to the Helix, she’s gonna get caught.
“Fenton, take Kani to the tree I found Runa at. Do you remember where it is?”
Fenton nods.
“Good. When you get there—stay nearby, but not too close. If Videus is tracking you— or has access to your visuals, we don’t want him knowing which tree it really is.”
“Understood.” Fenton says, grabbing Kani by the hand and kicking the hatch door shut.
Without any more options, I leave the two of them in a cloud of kicked up snow. Somehow, I need to get to Runa before she triggers the alarms—before the Labots—
Even though the cold air threatens to burst my lungs, I run as if my own life depended on it—because in some form or another, it does. My agonizingly slow progress fuels my imagination and flashes of losing Ava to the Labots twist into Runa. This cannot happen, not again. Not because of me pushing her away.
When I finally reach the Helix, I clutch for the first door I come into contact with and set foot inside the Helix for the first time in nearly eight years. Once I slip inside, I stand in a vaguely familiar section of the Helix. Memories of living here flood back as I take the location in.
Everything smells exactly as I remember.
The smooth, sterile gray walls are still backlit in the ceiling, giving the illusion the hallway goes on forever. From both directions, there are non-stop doors as far as the eye can see, but no sign of Runa.
Which way?
I take a sharp turn to the right and start running, but every couple hundred meters or so, the hallway constricts, as you approach a scanner checkpoint. I wish I’d paid closer attention to her Living Quarters address when her hProfile was up. Dammit, we had the entire thing up on the screen.
I stop running knowing there’s only one way to find her. She’s already in danger anyway, at least this way, I might be able to get to her first. She can’t gain access to her Living Quarters unless she logs in and that means she can’t disengage the eLink. I find a secluded corner to hide in and start the sequence to log into the eLink. The system will flag my interaction, too. With any luck, it should take a few minutes to sort through all the data being exchanged before action is taken.
Twenty minutes. That’s all I need.
My brain crackles with the irritating, familiar itch as the eLink connects. Blinded by the stream of data coming at me, I lean against the wall, focusing on the relevant information I need to acquire. There are a series of commands I’m required to use in order to create a link with Runa. I close my eyes to concentrate, because it’s been so long since I’ve used them. The process takes longer than I’d like, maneuvering through the prompts with my thoughts. Finally, the permission request to connect to Runa Cophem is initiated.
My eyes search the hallway again, hoping I can remain undetected.
~C’mon, Runa. Accept.
A few excruciating moments pass.
Maybe she’s not logged in yet? What if she is and she won’t let me in?
Permission is suddenly granted and I’m given access as her beautiful face flashes in mind, letting me know I’m connected to the right person.
~Runa... Where are you?
My voice is frantic, even in my head, and a part of me hopes she can’t perceive it.
~What do you want, Traeton? You shouldn’t be here. I can do this on my own …
Hearing her response in my mind sends a shiver down my spine and cool relief washes over me. She’s reserved, but I hear her. She let me in and she’s still safe.
~The hell you can. Do you not understand what kind of danger you’re in just by being here?
A few seconds pass and my insides are screaming to run to her—but run where? We don’t have time for this—
~Actually, I do. I don’t expect you to understand—or care—
I tap my forehead, wishing I could implant myself with the right words to convince her of the danger she’s in—that we’re both in.
~I may not completely understand, but I wanna help. Videus tapped into the ComLink Fenton and Landry were using. He knows everything we know. We need to be fast and I know you can’t do this alone—Runa, please.
There’s a pause and I hope like hell she’s considering what I’ve said.
~I’m sorry, Runa. I never should’ve gotten upset with you. Please, just let me help.
After another long pause, I close my eyes, and lean against the wall.
~Hurry.
I stand straight, ready to bolt the second I know where to go.
~Where are you? Send me directions, but wait for me—don’t touch anything.
My heart kick-starts as a series of directions get downloaded from Runa regarding her whereabouts. I turn around, heading the opposite direction.
~Stay out of sight and shut down your eLink. I’m on my way.
My feet fly, but the distance between us is still too far to handle.
I disconnect my connection to the eLink completely, hoping like hell it’s enough to enable me to sneak by the series of brain scanners without tripping the force field doors. If everything goes according to our hypothetical, the Helix isn’t equipped to track normal human presence. At least, if Landry’s right.
Holding my breath, I walk slowly through the first checkpoint. I step between the arched door frame, waiting for the screeching sound of an alarm … When nothing happens, I rush down the narrow hall with
more relief I’ve felt since we woke up.
My feet continue to pick up speed and I finally see Runa sitting on the floor with her legs pulled in and her back against the wall. She’s near the far end, barely out of sight of the next series of scanners. Her white hair is tousled around her shoulders as she sits, waiting.
“Don’t ever do anything like that again—” I growl at her and instantly clamp my jaw tight.
Those multicolored eyes of hers flit around the hall before she turns them on me.
“Do you know how to get inside, or don’t you?” she asks. Her whisper is urgent as she stands up and taking a step toward me.
“We need to devise a plan quick. The retinal scanners are the only way to get into your LQ and with your eyes being the way they are— ”
“We don’t have a choice, then,” she says, taking a careless step toward the door. I grab her by the waist and swiftly shove her toward the corner.
“Runa, these—the retinal scanners are connected directly in with the Labots. They can trigger a full lock down just as easily as the eLink. They’re already gonna be looking for us. Let’s not make it completely obvious for them.”
Her cheeks flush and her lips tremble as she glares back at me.
“Get off of me,” she says through gritted teeth.
Runa’s pulse hammers in my palms and her gentle scent of vanilla fills my senses. My head spins and I close my eyes, not willing to let go.
Why does she have to have this affect on me? Why does she have to be so damn beautiful— even when she’s angry? Why can’t I control myself around her—when I really need to stay focused.
“I said, get off,” she pushes at my chest, barely making me move.
A little shocked at the strength of her outrage, my eyes fly open, and I break into a grin.
“What? Am I funny to you now, Traeton?” she fires at me, her eyes burning.
Where did all this fire come from?
“I was trying to make sure you didn’t set off the scanner. See, right there?” I point sharply at the small disc on the wall. My words come out harsher than I intend.
This isn’t going at all the way I want.
“No, really? I had no idea, considering it’s the scanner I’ve had to use every day of my life—up until the past week,” she cocks her head to the side and sticks her tongue out.
I cover up a snicker and glance at the doors surrounding us. “Alright, so this is your LQ.”
“The one and only,” she says jabbing her thumb to the door right beside us, “Thus the using one eye. I know exactly where the crystal or stone thing is. I can grab it and we can be gone in seconds.”
I rub my hands together in anticipation, and nod. “Okay, then let’s do this and get the hell outta here.”
18
Runa
TRAETON’S STUPID DIMPLES SHINE TRIUMPHANTLY—as if he can walk in here and simply take over.
Please. I could smack it off his pretty face.
His eyes run the length of the hall and he says, “Alright, here’s the deal. No one can get into another family’s LQ without specific permission.”
“I know,” I say, practically spitting venom in my words. I’m not a complete idiot.
He smirks at me again and I swear I’m on the verge of channeling Kani. I roll my eyes and turn away.
Why did I let him find me? Am I glutton for punishment? What on Pendomus was I thinking? Had to be the surprise of it all. Seeing his adorable fourteen-year-old face from the last time he was in the Helix flashes in my mind and interrupt my plans—he was the last thing I expected. His piercing brown eyes were so sad and his hair was still its natural color; a hint of red intermixed with brown.
How was I supposed to say no? I push away the memory to glare up at him. His earthy scent is heady in the sterile hallway and I can’t think straight. I wish he’d back up or something. Give me some room.
He rubs his hand over his mouth and paces in front of the door. Finally, he says, “I really don’t think you should work the retinal scanner. As it is, our eLink connection has gotta be setting off some alerts. It would be like giving them a GPS coordinate.”
“If we do it fast like I said, we can be in and out before anyone knows. Don’t you think? We can’t stand here all day. I mean, I could have been inside and out by now. You interrupted me— ”
“Alright. You’re right. We don’t got all day. Try it,” he concedes.
“Just for the record, I didn’t need you to come up with this plan—I figured it out all on my own.”
“Yeah, okay,” he says, waving his hand at the door. “But you might wanna close your left eye. Better the scanner gets a partial than flips out over the blue thing.”
“Blue thing?” I say indignantly.
Since when does he not like blue?
“You know what I mean, for phug’s sake.”
I stick out my tongue and turn to the door. Its massive size impresses upon me the significance of this moment. We could be seconds away from certain death and yet, I’m standing outside the door to a previous life so far removed from where I am now. How strange.
Inhaling deeply, I step up to the small retinal scanner and close my left eye. The red light flickers on and moves from the top of my eye, downward. I take a step back, expecting the door to swing open, or an alarm to sound.
Nothing happens.
“What do we do, now?” I whisper urgently, matching the concern on his face.
“Damn,” he mutters, scratching his forehead. “We’re gonna have to take more drastic measures. Look out.”
Without giving me any more warning, he pushes me aside and launches his foot at the door. The metal frame groans, but he kicks it again—hard. The construction isn’t meant for such a direct violation and bends in, breaking into pieces and allowing Trae to kick it fully off its hinges.
“I can’t believe you just— ”
“C’mon. Now they’re gonna know we’re here,” he says, grabbing my upper arm and yanking me inside.
I dig my feet in, dragging them against the floor as I claw at his hand.
“Let go, Traeton. Get your hand off of me.”
“Shhhhh—”
Spinning me into the main hall of my Living Quarters, he drops my arm and pokes his head outside the door. Glancing both ways, he turns back to me and says, “You’ve gotta make this quick. Find your little trinket and let’s go.”
“Trinket?” I spit.
“Whatever you wanna call it. I don’t care. Grab it and let’s go.”
“I thought you didn’t believe me. I’m a liar— remember?”
“Runa, let’s not do this now,” he says, his nostrils flaring. Gliding past me, Trae stops partway down the hall, “Looks just like mine did.”
I scrunch my face and start walking, “What did you expect, Traeton? We’re in the Helix. They all look the same”
“Not what I—Fine. You know what, where’s your space?” he rakes his fingers through his hair, making the blue spikes stand out crazily in every direction.
Stupid blue hair.
Biting my lip to keep from snickering, I walk by him and lead the way.
“What?” he grunts.
“Nothing,” I say, waving my hand in dismissal, “Forget it.”
Trae follows right on my heels and I shoot him a dirty look from the crease of my eye.
Out of habit, I stop at the end of the hall to look through Baxten’s open door.
Baxten ...
Traeton follows my gaze and says, “Your brother’s, huh?”
“What difference does it make to you?”
“C’mon, Runa. That’s not fair.”
“Whatever.”
I wave my hand dismissively and turn my back on him.
Traeton sighs, but I cross the threshold of my Quiet Space not wanting to rehash the reasoning behind his hurtful words and betrayal. Instead, I shake away my upset to inhale the possibilities ahead. So much yet to accomplish. But there’s something eerie ab
out being home—inside the Helix. It’s strange after all I’ve learned and experienced these past few days. Everything here looks exactly the same and yet … I don’t even recognize the world around me.
Has my mother even noticed Baxten and I are gone? Does she care?
I bite my lip, bitterly. Doesn’t matter.
Stepping into the center of the room, I march straight to the window. Traeton props himself in the side of the doorway, leaning against the frame. His eyes flit from my Lotus Chair, to my hanging clothes, to the window and the woods outside. My hand stops in mid-air as I reach out. The stone—isn’t here. I search the expanse of the window seam and then drop my gaze to the floor.
Nowhere.
“What’s wrong?” Trae asks, taking a step into the room.
“No, no, no … has to be here,” I whisper to myself, anxiety flushing through my veins, “It’s … ah … I’m sure I—”
I finally give in, dropping to my hands and knees, feeling along the bumpy carpeting.
“You lost it?” he says, his voice accusatory.
“I didn’t lose anything,” my jagged words squelch out through clenched teeth, “I left it on the window seam.”
At least, I’m pretty sure … I took it out of my pocket, right?
“Oh, for the—okay. What does this thing look like?” he says, sweeping over to me and kneeling, too.
Resting back on my legs, I smooth my hair and take a deep breath.
“It’s here. Has to be. Just—just give me a second. I’ll go back through my data memory.”
I can do this … I can find it if I can pull up the right memories—
“What the hell are you doing? You can’t log back in to the eLink for memory access— ”
In a fury, all caution is thrown out the window as I stand up and scowl at him.
“Why did you even bother coming here?” I ask, my hands ball into fists and every muscle in my body twitching with anger.
He snickers and stands up.
“What the hell does that mean?” he asks, “You know why I’m here.”
“I don’t need you to protect me, Traeton,” I say, my voice thick with contempt as I take a step toward him, “I could’ve handled this myself.”
The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series Page 17