by K W Quinn
“I didn’t realize you’d become psychic since we last met,” Andy replied. They began the next sprint downhill.
“Sorta. It’s a muse thing. Now shut up and focus,” Cass said. He pulled Andy to a stop again. He could see the spot where the driveway met the road, a ribbon of hope through a heavy iron gate.
They were behind the Dome rather than in the safety of milling crowds and bright lights out front, but the fence was closer here, dotted with blinking lights. A two-lane road to a run-down neighborhood and convenience stores was the only escape route. Left or right, that road was hope.
As they made their halting progress, Cass hummed the Water music to try and get an idea of how to pass through, over, or around a towering fence of living wood. Sung into existence by captive dryads, they said, or grown from seeds planted by Persephone herself. Whatever the origin, it was in the way.
Just a sprint or two ahead, Cass spoke the only idea he had. “You’ve got to give us some light. I know you’re tired, but we just need a little.”
“Can’t. Collar,” Andy panted. There wasn’t much light at all away from the Dome, but it was enough to see the collar, stark against Andy’s neck. It was a continuous, smooth circle, polished like wood, with runes charred into the surface. No clasp, no lock, no hope of removing it.
“The fence is living wood, Andy. It’s been sung. You have to entice the branches to move. I can’t blow them apart. They’ve got all the air they need. But in the dark, they’ll go for your Light.”
The tremors seemed stronger the farther away they got, and even standing was a challenge now.
“I can’t. I tried. If I even think too hard about Light or Fire, I lose my lunch and cramp up all bloody over. Sorry, Cass. We gotta find another way.” Andy’s voice was tired, but his eyes were panicked.
Cass pulled on Andy’s wrists, and they made the final sprint.
He searched the fence for hand or footholds, something they could use to climb, but each smooth branch was fitted so tightly to the other that not even Cass’s Air could squeeze through.
Digging wasn’t an option. Even if they weren’t on Earth territory where it took power and Spells to penetrate the ground, the roots would be as dense as the fence itself.
Neither of them could manipulate iron, so the gate was out. If it had anything like a pickable lock, Cass couldn’t see it.
He rubbed his hands on his pants, pinching and tugging at the tight fabric. His loafers were comfortable at least. This was a ridiculous outfit for a getaway.
At least he had shoes. Andy was still barefoot in his tank top and shorts. Once they slowed down, he would be freezing. Cass gave bitter thanks to the witch for at least numbing Andy to the pain of his injuries.
He ran his hands over the wood, hoping for an alternative that wouldn’t cause Andy pain, but the melody in his mind sang, rising with sweet, pure notes.
“You gotta try, Andy. You gotta try. Trust the music.”
“I don’t know what music you’re going on about, but I can’t. There’s nothing to try. There’s nothing there. I can’t reach the Light,” Andy said, trying to hook his fingers around the collar. “This thing blocks it all. It’s not there.”
“It’s there. It’s always there. They can’t take it from you. You’re a Helio. The Light is yours. That burning, bright light is yours, and it’s the only way.” Cass rubbed his hands together. “I don’t wanna hurt you. I hate this, but it’s the only way. We gotta get through this fence. Please, Andy. Please. Try. The collar is a barrier. I know we can’t take it off, but the block? It’s only in your head. Bust through it. I know you can do it. I know it.”
Andy leaned against the fence. He was covered in sweat. Cass felt guilty for putting this burden on him, but he knew it was their only hope. Adrenaline and fear would give Andy the energy for this much magic. It had to work.
The music had led them this far. But was this the end of the road? Did Min work in some loophole that led to failure? But if Cass was captured by the Earth, how would Min take his soul? Unless Min was working for the Earth all along.
“Bloody ashes. Fine, but you’re cleaning up the puke,” Andy growled, pushing himself up.
He laid both hands on the fence, taking deep, calming breaths. His arms shook. Cass rested his hands lightly over Andy’s. He couldn’t help, but it made him feel better. Maybe it made Andy feel better too. A tremor shook them, and they fell against the fence. No leaves or flowers grew in it, but it somehow smelled like wild summer nights.
Andy panted and struggled to regain his footing. He tucked his head down and rested his forehead against the wood. With a muffled scream through clenched teeth, Andy squeezed off a single burst of growing Light that the branches reached out for hungrily.
They pulled apart, leaving a tiny gap to crawl through. Even as the Light faded, they stretched, and the hole grew wider. Andy hung his head and vomited between his feet. Raising his head, he glared at Cass.
Cass smiled and wiped Andy’s chin with the edge of his sweater. “Just a second. We have to wait for another tremor.”
“What? Why?” Andy squeaked, his voice rough and raw. “What happened to running?”
“I don’t know. Muse music in my head. I’m not sure, but hold on for a second.”
Andy rolled his eyes but waited, swiping at his mouth.
“Let’s go,” Cass said through his teeth. The ground shook, making the fence sway gently. Andy nodded and hauled himself toward the opening.
It was surprisingly thorny inside, but they pushed through. Cass went first, using his long arms and legs to bend and stretch the branches out of the way while Andy, still retching and spitting, clambered behind.
“Cass,” Andy squeaked. “The collar.”
Andy’s eyes bulged, and his face darkened as he tried to push through the living wood. His fingers scrabbled at the edge of the collar but couldn’t find purchase.
“Blood and ashes,” Cass spat. He reached for Andy’s hand, dragging him through. Andy’s mouth opened and closed uselessly. Cass pulled with both hands, pushing himself backward through the fence.
The ground shook again. The fence swayed and spat out a tangle of Cass and Andy onto the bare, rocky ground.
Cass rolled over and shook Andy’s limp body. “Andy?”
Andy coughed and pushed himself onto his hands and knees.
“Flaming fence,” he spat. “Flaming collar tightened up on me for a second.”
Cass raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m OK now.”
“Then we need to move away from here,” Cass said. He struggled to his feet. The tremors were still coming quickly, but they were weaker outside the fence.
“Sure. Fine. Great. I’ll just recover from being choked to death after running for my life after being spanked after having the literal snot beat out of me by a professional fighter,” Andy said between coughs.
“But you won. And we escaped. Mostly,” Cass mumbled, pulling Andy to his feet.
“Right. Mostly. Now what?”
Andy and Cass limped along together, heading for the road ahead.
“We have to run. I’m guessing that collar isn’t gonna stop causing problems.”
Cass pushed his hair out of his face. They weren’t moving fast enough, but Andy perked up with every step. The little magic Cass had used was starting to take its toll, a heaviness in his limbs.
“We need to leave town. All towns. Away from everything controlled by the Earth.” Andy shook his head. “I have no idea how to take this thing off, but I think I might know someone who might know how.” He wiped his mouth against his shoulder.
“A lot of uncertainty there, dude,” Cass said, eyebrows raised.
“You got a better plan? You or whatever music is pulling your strings?”
Cass shook his head. Outside the fence, the music was fading. He felt empty without it.
“OK. So. We can’t go home, and we can’t stay here. We need a car, some cash, and I would li
ke some shoes.” Andy ticked the points off on his fingers. His eyes lifted, and Cass could read the thoughts there.
“Marv Rowan,” they both said in unison.
“Marv will have everything, and he’s not too far from here. He said he was leaving early, so he’s probably home by now,” Cass said in a rush.
They set foot on the road, and Andy filled his lungs with cool night air and smiled. The tremors didn’t reach this far.
“He owes me so many favors for setting him up with Juji,” Andy bragged.
A chorus of shouts drifted to them from near the fence. Both their heads snapped toward the Dome. Points of light glittered through the hole they’d torn.
“Ashes. Can you move?” Cass asked, pulling Andy along.
“Yeah, but we should split up. They want me. You can move faster anyway. We’ll meet up at Marv’s,” Andy said, pushing Cass away as he began to sprint toward the houses and low buildings flanking the road.
“Are you insane?” Cass said, stumbling backward. “I just got you back. I’m not leaving you.”
Andy was already across the road and climbing a fence, shimmying over while looking for his next move. Cass glanced back at the hole Andy had made. Thickly muscled arms were trying to push through. He took a step backward, and the music was back in his head. He ran, against all sense and instinct, to the rhythm of the music, away from Andy.
Run
Over the fence was a narrow alley. Andy saw cinder-block buildings on one side, and on the other, there were low stone fences occasionally dotted with potted plants, yard art, and other signs of domestic life. Thank Apollo, it was mostly smooth asphalt under his feet.
Years of playing barefoot gave him a little protection, but smooth road or not, his feet were tired and aching. Each breath made his throat burn and his ribs creak, but he raced on.
Even after the many times tonight he thought he was going to die, he was still alive. He was free. Or freer. Free-ish.
His collar felt cold now instead of burning and choking like when he’d gone through the fence. That had better be a good thing. He grabbed the wall and vaulted into a cluttered backyard, lifted by the rush of freedom.
Light still felt far away, but there wasn’t time to worry. He slipped into the narrow space between two houses, trying not to retch at the smell of ripe trash. His mouth still tasted like bile and metal.
The walls here were crumbling stucco. It was going to suck, but he jumped anyway. Bracing his bare feet and battered hands on either wall, he scampered up until he stood on the flat roof, ignoring the bite of gravel. The new scrapes on his palms stung in the light breeze, but he pushed on.
He jumped from roof to roof, making better progress than he could have in the jumbled yards or alley below. He needed all the speed he could muster. It was faster here in the slums.
From this vantage point, he could see bodies moving on the side of the living fence now, coming down the hill and waving bright flashlights around the road. He was far enough away that the light faltered before it reached him, but that was bloody thin comfort.
He landed hard on a rough roof, rolling into a somersault out of habit and biting back a groan. Grit and pebbles scratched his skin.
There had to be a path of escape. He glimpsed a multi-lane road not too far off. Andy dropped to his belly and pushed himself to the edge of the roof, letting his toes dangle and find purchase on a set of trash cans. Slithering down, he crossed the street in front of the houses, hoping to put more distance and obstacles between himself and the approaching Earth.
There was too much to think about. Too many worries. He’d never been on this side of the Dome. This wasn’t a safe neighborhood for a suburban kid to be in at any hour. Now it was ashy black, and he was being hunted.
Marv lived south of here, didn’t he? Andy was pretty sure he was on the south side of the Dome. The main road ahead would be Beech. Had to be.
Why had he sent Cass away? Cass was going to get completely turned around and never make it to Marv’s house. Cass didn’t know which way was south. Did he even have his phone with him? Did he remember Marv’s address to map it?
But Cass would be safe because he wasn’t the one who was Bonded. Plus whatever crazy muse-music mysteriousness he had going. Since when did Cass know a muse?
But Cass would be fine. Probably. Maybe. Hopefully.
The houses were crammed so close together here. No sidewalks. Andy dodged around clotheslines and overturned bicycles, ducking, spinning, and hurdling. A railing around the first porch he’d seen served as a vault to put him one step closer to the next fence.
The shouts had quieted behind him. Had he gotten far enough away, or were the Earths being quieter now?
He hopped over low fences and climbed up and over tall ones, moving diagonally down the road, hoping he was headed in the right direction. Mostly south.
He didn’t know the layout of this part of town, but everyone knew the major roads around the Dome. If he could make it to Beech, then it was a few blocks south to Cyprus, which would take him to Bonsai, and from there, he knew the way to safety. Marv was close.
And Cass would find a way. Andy’s brain was racing, trying to piece together facts and plans while his hands and feet carried him around and over obstacles. The streets were deserted. Was everyone here still at the Dome?
Andy had lost all sense of time. The moon was full like it always was on fight nights. The dim reflections of sunlight that it gave were comforting. This harvest moon would bring good things. It would. Even if he couldn’t feel his Light, he knew the sun was still there somewhere.
Across stairs and fences, past trash cans and railings, over plants and under clotheslines, Andy made his way. Grateful for gymnastics and competition, he paused to listen at a corner, out of the reach of the grimy streetlamp.
The shouts and lights were growing louder again, pressing down on him, but he was reaching the end of his endurance. He listened for the sound of traffic, for a hint that Beech was close, but instead, he heard the wheezy honk of a bike horn.
“Hop on!” Cass cried, coming around the opposite corner on a glittery pink bike with streamers and a busted basket, pedaling furiously.
“This is ridiculous,” Andy growled. He struggled to find a secure spot on the slippery vinyl banana seat.
Cass stood on the pedals, leaning over the handlebars. “This is working, so shut up and hold on,” he said over his shoulder and began pedaling.
Andy wrapped his arms around Cass’s waist, pressed his sweaty cheek to Cass’s back, and tried not to imagine them falling to their doom in an awkward tangle of road rash and pink plastic.
It was weird to be touching a person again in some way that wasn’t painful. The solitude of the Dome was still bitter in his throat, but he wouldn’t let it ruin Cass. Cass was warm and here to save him.
“We have to get to Beech,” Andy said, nodding his head to the left to guide Cass. He was grateful not to be on his feet anymore. Or running. All he had to do was navigate and keep a lookout for danger.
The sweat on his skin was cooling, and he began to shiver, pressing closer to Cass’s sweater. He felt like a little kid clinging to his mother. If he wasn’t so tired, he might have been embarrassed, but pride had been beaten out of him.
“Which way on Beech?” Cass asked. His voice was strained, and Andy felt guilty for being deadweight on the bike. Deadweight that Cass had rescued. Like some helpless princess in a story. Andy tapped Cass’s left side. He didn’t trust his voice right now.
“We’ll get there. I’m pretty sure you lost them doing whatever crazy stunts you did. They didn’t come in my direction at all.”
Cass dodged potholes, and Andy squeezed tighter.
Shouting over his shoulder, Cass kept up his rambling tale. “I saw some folks in their living room and kind of went through their house and then over to the next yard, where there was some backyard poker thing happening, and I think I told someone to raise the stakes before going through
that house, and anyway, a few minutes after that, I found this bike and headed down the street I was on and sort of turned wherever I could.”
Cass’s voice was a soothing rumble against Andy’s cheek.
“You’re unbelievable,” he said, rubbing his face against Cass’s sweater to warm up his nose. His fingers were curled into the soft fabric, and it felt nice to hold on.
“I can’t believe that you find me unbelievable. How long have you known me?”
“Since forever,” Andy conceded.
“And I still surprise you? I am something,” Cass said. “Now, after Beech, do I turn on Sequoia?”
“Cyprus.”
“Right.”
“No, Cass, left.”
“No, I meant right as in . . . never mind. Left on Cyprus. Then Ficus?”
“Bonsai.”
“I don’t know why I let you ditch me back there. I’m hopeless without you.”
Supplies
Marv opened the door, rubbing one eye with the heel of his hand. “The bloody ashes are you doing here?”
He leaned on the doorframe, dressed in a rumpled T-shirt and shorts. This was the worst kind of nightmare. He hated middle-of-the-night interruptions. Nothing decent happened at this hour.
“Thanks. Good to see you, too, Marv,” Cass said, shouldering into Marv’s apartment, dragging Andy by the wrist.
Marv shut the door and leaned against it. He had very compelling arguments for why his friends should be somewhere that was not here. For one, his hair stuck up in all directions. It was embarrassing to be seen like this. Or it would be embarrassing if he woke up enough to care.
“Guys. ’S late.”
“Yes. True. And usually, I would apologize and be very kind and full of flattery, but there isn’t time to kiss your lanky ass.” Cass pushed Andy onto the couch and headed toward the hall. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you, and I promise it will make sense someday. But we’re calling in all of the favors we’ve accumulated over the years and also borrowing against your future happiness with the love of your life.”