The Renegades (The Superiors)

by Lena Hillbrand

“That’s what you want to know?”

  “Well, no. I just figured that’s what your books would be about.”

  “I see.”

  “Or…how to do stuff, like drive a car, or climb a building like you did.”

  “Oh? You imagine I learned that from a book?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” She glanced at him again, the shy sort of look only a girl could manage.

  He laughed softly and took the book from her. “This isn’t that kind of book.”

  “Well, what kind is it?”

  “A very old one.” He paused and flipped through it himself. “A sapien wrote this book.”

  Cali jerked upright and turned to him. “Really? There are sapiens who write?”

  “No, this is from long ago,” he said, thinking of Sally’s much-read letter. “Back then, lots of sapiens wrote lots of books. But most of them were burned. A few still survive.”

  “Wow,” Cali said, reaching out to touch the ragged edges of the pages. “That’s heaven.” When Draven did not answer, Cali spoke again after a few moments. “What does it say?”

  “Many things. It’s a storybook.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A book that tells a story. It doesn’t tell you how to do anything.”

  “They use books for stories? Why not just tell them?”

  Draven smiled. “Some people don’t have anyone to tell them stories.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “What is?”

  “That someone wouldn’t have a person to tell them stories. I love stories.”

  “Then perhaps I’ll read you the story sometime. But not now.”

  “Me and Shelly used to make up stories.”

  “Oh?”

  “About people we saw, mostly. What’s that story about?”

  “Lots of things. Love, loyalty, morality, death, courage, responsibility.”

  She gave a little laugh, just a breath really. “Yeah, but what’s the story?”

  “It’s about the complications of human sex in that society, its implications and consequences.”

  “I don’t even know what you just said.”

  “I don’t want to explain it,” Draven said, noticing through a crack along the door that daylight faded more every minute.

  “Well, what are the…whatever you said…of human sex?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. You’re human, you probably know better than I do.”

  “I don’t know that word. But I think it’s scary.”

  Now Draven straightened to look at her. “You think sex is scary?”

  “Well, yeah. I mean, for me, anyway. I know some people like it.”

  “Is your mate not good to you?”

  “Well, we actually…I mean, you know. Not him. But the breeders were scary, and then, when I ran away, this man Larry…”

  “Larry? You mated with Larry?”

  “How do you know Larry?” Cali was staring now, and Draven shook his head and tried to get out of the conversation that had gotten a bit uncomfortable.

  “I don’t.” Unbidden, a memory flooded his mind—Larry and one of the men called Henson coming towards him with sledgehammers raised, Draven wanting so badly to move his legs but unable…and the men laughing…the sledgehammers fell, first simultaneously and then in a rhythm between the two laughing men…

  “What’s wrong?” Cali asked.

  “Nothing. We should go.” Forcing the memory away, he tried to regain a hold on his senses. Every time one found its way in, it left him shaken.

  He took Cali into the back of the lot and stood a distance away while she relieved herself and covered her markings with the clove powder, as he’d instructed.

  “I want to go back and get the baby,” Cali said when they had returned to the car.

  “Cali, we cannot.”

  “Why not? We have to. Byron will kill him.”

  “It is difficult enough to elude Enforcers without carrying you and a baby that can’t hold on.”

  “I’ll hold onto him. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

  “It would cry. Byron would find us in a moment.”

  “I can make him be quiet. I’ll pretend it’s a game,” she insisted. “I can’t just leave him. He’ll kill him. I know he will. He’ll do it just to spite me, or to get Shelly to talk.”

  “He would not kill a human. You are too valuable.”

  “Well, that’s even worse. He’ll hurt him, and Shelly will tell him everything, and he’ll still hurt him, thinking Shelly knows more. And that poor baby…”

  “Cali…if you had told me when we were leaving, perhaps, but not now.”

  “Then I’m not going.”

  “You don’t have a choice now.”

  “You said you wouldn’t take me until I wanted you to.”

  “And you did.”

  “Well, I changed my mind.”

  “It’s done. You cannot.”

  “Sure I can. Bring me back. I’m not going without the baby.”

  Draven looked at her and wondered what he’d gotten himself into. He had this sap, free of her master for one day, already telling him what to do.

  “You’re mine now. I’ll not take you back, and I’ll not steal a baby.”

  “Then when we leave, I’ll scream, and every time you jump I’ll fall off you, until I get away. And when they catch us, I’ll tell them you stole me and I want to go back.”

  “Do not threaten me. You’re mine now. You do as I wish.”

  “I don’t care. I can’t let a tiny baby die or be hurt forever because of what I did. You have to go back. Please. I’ll do anything you want. I’ll never threaten you or ask for anything again, I swear. Please?”

  “Cali…”

  “Pleeease? I’ll never run away again, and I’ll do everything you tell me, and I’ll never question you, ever. I’ll serve you and wait on you, and if you ask me or tell me to do anything, I’ll do it, for the rest of my life. And I’ll never fight back or argue, even if you hit me or make me have babies later. Even if you get a breeder to make me pregnant. Please please please…”

  “Merde. Now I’m risking my life for a baby I don’t want?” Draven shook his head.

  “No, for me. And you already did that by taking me.”

  He looked at her sharply. He’d forgotten how perceptive she could be. Finally he said, “Alright. But you’ll not ask for anything else. And if he cries excessively, we’ll be forced to leave him.”

  “Okay.”

  Draven climbed over the seat to sit next to Cali. He took her hands in his. “Cali, I do not think this is wise. It will only grow colder, and I cannot promise even this much shelter every night. Likely less on many nights. I don’t imagine he’ll live if we take him.”

  “But I know he’ll die if we don’t.”

  “You’re certain this is how you wish to use your last request?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  Draven sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He needed to bathe again. His hair felt stiff and dusty. “Very well then, I’ll attempt it. But…I may not return.”

  Her honey-colored eyes grew large and serious, but she didn’t speak. She only nodded.

  “I need you to listen very carefully, Cali,” Draven said.

  “Okay.”

  “If I’ve not returned by dawn tomorrow, I’ll not return at all.”

  “What?”

  “That means I’ve been captured, and I’m likely dead, perhaps your child as well. You’re willing to risk that?”

  “Okay. Yes.”

  “If I do not return, you’ll have to run on your own. You’re aware of this?”

  Cali nodded, and he could hear her heartbeat picking up speed. Was she frightened by the thought? Or had he uncovered her true purpose in wanting him gone?

  “If you run while I’m gone, I will find you. And you won’t see your child again.”

  “I know. I won’t, I promised.”

  “I don’t imagine I believe you. But I�
��ll tell you how to escape, because you will need to if I’m…accosted.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If Byron catches me.”

  “Then why didn’t you just say that?”

  Draven shook his head. “I’ll have to take the chance that you won’t run while I’m gone. You should also know that Superiors will be searching for you, and you’ll be caught if you run tonight.”

  “I said I wouldn’t. So what should I do?”

  “Stay here and sleep. If I do not return, wait until full daylight when Superiors are sleeping. That is your best chance, if they have not found you already. I have a backpack I’ll leave for you. It has things you’ll need. Put as many of my possessions in as will fit. I must take the blanket to carry the baby or I’d leave it for you. I’m sorry I don’t have more.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

  “I doubt that. But this is your best chance. There’s a bag of white roots in the pack. Break it apart into sections and rub it over yourself now and again if you leave.”

  “I did that,” Cali said, her eyes lighting up. “When I ran away. Wait, how do you know about that?”

  “Apply a thick layer and stop to reapply often. Go up the mountain until you reach a road. Follow the road until you see a stream that parallels the road. You’ll see an old road to the right side, but it’s difficult to spot so watch carefully. It’s more of a trail now. Follow it away from the place you slept that night with the runaways. Continue until you come upon a few houses. Do not let them see you.”

  “Who are they?”

  “There are five or six houses, and they’re difficult to see at times. They’re covered in mud and branches. But there will be clearing around them. You’ll go to the one at the end, where the road stops. Yes?”

  “Okay...”

  “Can you do that?”

  “Yeah, I think so. But where am I going?”

  “Approach the house only in daylight or they will shoot you. Ask for Sally at the house.”

  “Wait, these aren’t Superiors?”

  “No. They’re homo sapiens. They’ve made a village of sorts. You’ll be free.”

  “How do you know these people?”

  “I do.”

  “Is that where we’re going?”

  “No. They’ll kill me on sight.”

  “Oh.” She nodded. “Can you let me go there?”

  “Cali, I’m not risking my life for you, twice, to give you to some vigilante humans who want to kill me.”

  “Oh, right. Of course not.”

  “This is important. If Sally is not at that house, find her. Do not go inside if she’s not there. Do not let yourself be alone with the men in the house. If you find Sally, she will protect you. Perhaps she’s built her own house by now. Tell her I sent you, and she’ll take care of you. Tell her that I asked her for that. She’s a good person, and she would help you even if I hadn’t given her money.”

  “What’d you give her money for?”

  “It matters not. She’s the only person in all of them that is good.”

  “What about Herman?”

  “I don’t know this sapien. I only know Sally.”

  “How?”

  “I told you, it matters little. Do you understand what to do?”

  Cali paused and then nodded. “Yeah, I understand.”

  “And one more thing. If you find Sally, tell her I said thank you and that…I loved her very much.”

  “Okay…”

  “It’s not so strange,” he said. “She fed me willingly. I’ll probably love you one day, too, if I live. I grow very attached to my pets. I like animals.”

  Cali rolled her eyes and sighed. “Yeah, I know, you told me. Okay. Garlic, follow the road, look for the side road, find Sally. Got it.”

  “Good.” Draven bent forward and kissed her forehead quickly. “Good luck. And don’t leave the car until full light tomorrow.”

  He started to open the door but Cali grabbed his arm. “Thank you,” she said, bowing to kiss his fingers. “Master.”

  He withdrew his hand and donned his shades in preparation for the afternoon sunlight. “I’m not your master,” he said, and slid out of the car and closed the door behind him. Running without her, he found freedom again.

  Chapter 20

  Once Draven had gone, Cali looked around the car. She had to crack the door a little to see anything in the car’s dark interior. Without the blanket around her, the wind cut through her clothes almost immediately. She climbed over the seat into the area where Draven had slept and searched for something warm. When she found his clothes, she unfolded them all and piled them on the seat. Then she climbed back into the seat and pulled the pile of clothes on top of her, closing the door to keep the cold wind out before she tried to sleep again.

  The seat had cooled in her absence, but once her body heat warmed it, it held her warmth. The pile of clothes didn’t cover her very well, though, and parts of her always got cold. After a while, she cracked the door again. She couldn’t fall asleep, so she climbed over the seat into the Superior’s space. She wondered whether he’d be mad if she got into his things, and then decided she should pack the bag, anyway. Outside, night had fallen completely, though, and she couldn’t see anything even with the door cracked. She had to open it all the way, and then the icy wind stabbed at her as she moved around in the dark. Still, she could see somewhat by the light from the moon and the city around her. She put as much as she could in the bag, taking out a thick jacket to cover her. Most of Draven’s things fit, but the bag was so heavy when she finished filling it that she could hardly lift it. She didn’t think she could carry it up a mountain.

  Again she crawled over the seat and lay down and pulled the door closed. The seat was still warm. She’d had trouble sleeping all day, but now she lay awake, as if waiting for something—maybe sleep, or Draven to come back, or someone to find her. While trying to get comfortable, she found his paper book again. She lay holding it and wondering about the story and why Draven said it was about human sex, and how that was different from Superior sex. Maybe she could ask. But she’d feel awfully silly talking to him about something so personal. He didn’t seem to have any trouble talking about it, though, so he probably wouldn’t mind if she asked. He didn’t get embarrassed over anything.

  She had always wondered what made Superiors so different, since they looked like humans. Maybe they went about it a different way. Maybe under their clothes, they were made differently. Except she knew Draven wasn’t, since she’d seen him naked before. He wasn’t shy about that, either. He looked normal as far as she could see, maybe tighter than most of the men she’s seen, but nothing significant.

  She fell asleep for a while, and when she woke she wished she hadn’t, because she had no way of telling how much time had passed. It could have been five minutes, or five hours. She waited for what felt like five more hours, her fear multiplying every minute. What if she’d sent Draven to die, and for nothing? If he didn’t make it back with the baby, she would have killed them both, and probably her best and only chance of escape. Her only hope was to make it to the camp of the runaways, and they might not welcome her. They might think she’d lead Superiors to them, or they might blame her if she told them she’d been there the night their community members had gotten killed.

  She didn’t know if they’d all been killed. She couldn’t remember much of that night, except some sort of dream apparition who glowed with light and beauty, who had put his mouth right against hers but not in a kiss, and he’d sucked something from her, some light and energy in her that she couldn’t see. For months afterwards, she’d felt weak and tired. Sometimes she still thought she’d dreamed the whole thing. If not for Draven’s memory of the same night, she might have convinced herself none of it had happened.

  She heard a noise and tensed. Though she wanted to look outside, she didn’t dare move. If a Superior came looking for her, would it hear her even if she kept perfectly still? Hardl
y daring to breathe, she lay waiting, certain that the very next second Master would rip the door off the car and yank her out by the hair. Her scarred hands knotted into fists around the collar of Draven’s jacket.

  A slow, metallic scraping sound wormed its way into the car, and then a bang sounded that made her jump, and then she heard the scamper of running feet. A dog began barking furiously, and, laughing at herself for her childish fears, Cali relaxed. She lay in the dark, huddled under the pile of Superior clothes, thinking how crazy everything had turned. She was free, but not free. She could have run, but she knew she wouldn’t. Not yet.

  And somehow, she’d gotten a Superior to do what she wanted, even though he didn’t want to. That had certainly never happened before.

  Just when she’d managed to calm herself completely, she heard the sound of a car door slamming. She lay still, terrified someone would find her even though she had closed the car door tightly. What if they could hear her, could smell her hiding in the car? What if somehow they just knew, the way they’d known to find her and the runaways the last time. Or suppose they had caught Draven and he’d told them where to find her, the way she thought the runaway who’d been caught had probably told them the last time.

  A voice called from somewhere and Cali started, her heart racing. From inside the car, it sounded so far away. Had Draven carried her so far back into the lot? It hadn’t seemed far at the time. But somewhere nearby, two men had struck up a conversation, and their muffled voices carried back to her, though she could only barely hear them.

  A grinding sound followed, a loud motor started up, and something metal began crashing so close that she could feel the earth shaking beneath her hideaway. It sounded like a giant was tearing the lot apart looking for one little human girl. As the sounds continued, she held herself still, even though she wanted nothing more than to rip out of the car and go tearing through the night blindly until she couldn’t hear the terrible grinding, crunching, grating noises anymore. This wasn’t dogs searching for scraps, or even Superiors searching the cars. It couldn’t be. It had to be gods or monsters. She curled up in a ball and started praying.

  After what seemed like hours, the giants quieted to a constant rumble and then stilled. Cali cringed and hugged herself tighter even after they’d left. Her stomach growled and growled, and she needed to pee, and she needed to change her cup.