Type X

by M. A. Phipps

“Let’s go,” I bark before either of them can speak.

  Pressing forward, my feet step around the twisted hunk of metal.

  We pass through the entrance into the Heart, and in a strange way, it’s as if we’ve entered another world. Empty of human life, the decrepit scenery of Zone 7 surrounds us with the insignia marking our location dotted at the corner of every building and street. It looms around me like a visual echo, bringing everything that’s happened over the last three years full circle.

  Upon entering the city, I turn to face Quinn. “What’s the fastest way to Zone 1 from here?”

  He peers into the shadows as if searching for an answer. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to say without knowing what sort of response we may be up against. With the attack, the surviving Enforcer units will be on high alert.”

  “We may have to use the tunnels, after all,” Ezra says.

  Quinn lifts his hand in protest. “I told you, it’s too risky. Besides, once Nolan catches wind that you’ve escaped, he’ll have people out looking for us. Our chances are better up top since the State isn’t actively hunting us down.”

  The image of dead Enforcers takes shape inside my head.

  “Not yet,” I grumble.

  We stand in a silent huddle, contemplating our lack of a plan. We were so focused on getting back into the city that we never stopped to consider what we’d do once we got here.

  “What about the trains?” Jenner proposes.

  Ezra shakes his head. “All likely to be shut down to keep everyone in their respective zones. Maybe even destroyed depending on which parts of the Heart were hit.”

  A smile crosses my face. Of course, the obvious option is always the last to be considered.

  “No.” I laugh, grinning at Jenner. “No, they’re not. It’s brilliant.”

  I see the train system in my head, along with each of the empty stations. The perfect pathway to Zone 1.

  To Rai.

  “Even if they aren’t operational, we can walk along the tracks and have a straight shot back to Zone 1,” I explain. Glancing around the immediate area, I push the idea even further. “Where’s the nearest station?”

  “The eastern perimeter,” Quinn grunts. “Follow me.”

  He maneuvers us through the abandoned streets, and as we jog through the darkness, I’m surprised to see that Zone 7 appears untouched—apart from some pre-existing damage. It’s as if whoever dropped those bombs chose to bypass this place on purpose.

  A feeling of apprehension claws its way up my throat, but I swallow it back down. Bowing my head, I tail Quinn’s steps.

  Minutes pass, piling one on top of another until we’ve been running for a full hour. Ragged breaths spill from my lips as the exertion forces me to recognize the sheer magnitude of the Heart. This city is my home, and yet, I failed to notice something as obvious as its size because of the simple fact that it was never vital for me to know.

  There was so much I never realized until it was spelled out in front of me. So many limitations that were put in place, not only to discourage unnecessary contact between zones but between people in general. Our cold, detached nature . . .

  The State made us this way on purpose.

  My thoughts go in circles, working around everything I’ve learned about the State and PHOENIX. Even with my visions, I’m not sure which side is right. The State brought destruction upon themselves by waging their needless war, but as Richter said, the blame rests on my shoulders too. Then there’s PHOENIX—advocates for change who have succumbed to their own impatience and are now willing to sacrifice the lives they once vowed to fight for.

  Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

  How do we change what’s doomed to happen?

  How do we end this war before the future I saw becomes our only future?

  The farther we progress into Zone 7, the more I notice that it reeks of abandonment. Maybe Nolan already evacuated this part of the Heart, but I feel like we’d be aware of that by now if he had made such a move. Besides, I doubt he could work that quickly.

  I push that fleeting worry to the back of my mind, focusing on our primary motive for this moment.

  Get back to Zone 1.

  Find Rai.

  Those two thoughts keep me going when my lungs threaten to fail.

  Another thirty minutes pass before we reach the station at the eastern perimeter. Upon arriving, we find it just as deserted as the streets, and as we hurry down the stairs, I notice the concrete flooring is coated in refuse—no doubt a result of the panic that ensued after the attack.

  Our steps reflect through the expansive lobby, chasing behind our movements like a shadow of sound. The chorus of noise beats back in our ears, accompanying our labored breaths. We only slow our advance when we reach the barricade of turnstiles. Quinn and Jenner leap over them with ease while Ezra hangs back to help me. I ignore his outstretched hand and catapult my body over the barrier.

  It’s a strange sensation. After so many years of playing by the rules, it’s a rush to break them now with this small act of rebellion. Even though I’ve done far worse over the years, this moment somehow feels more significant to me. Symbolic, I suppose, of the complete break from my life before.

  We run past each platform, searching for the train that will take us to Zone 1. Every corridor of the station is abandoned, leading me to assume the residents must be taking shelter or hiding in their homes until the worst is over.

  Or they’re dead.

  I try to discard that thought.

  Rounding the final corner, we spot a train already stationed at the platform we’ve been looking for. A wave of relief washes over me, and the feeling becomes more prominent when I notice the string of doors standing open as if to welcome us. As if to encourage what we’re trying to do.

  We board the train without hesitation or delay and proceed to the control cabin at the front of the first car. When we get there, we discover that the door is locked tight.

  Quinn steps in front of us and unholsters his gun. In an aggressive forward movement, he slams the end of his weapon against the door, hitting the glass window with violent thrust after violent thrust. But nothing happens. Not even a hairline crack or a chip.

  I allow him to attempt this for a full minute before my patience runs dry.

  “Move,” I growl, pushing him aside.

  In less than ten seconds, I make short work of the door, and within another ten seconds, we’re all crammed in the tiny room. Taking a step forward, I approach the control panel, allowing my eyes to scan the complex array of buttons.

  After a moment, I glance at Ezra and Jenner.

  “Either of you know how to use this thing?” I ask.

  Ezra rubs his hand against the back of his neck. “Well, the trains are fully automated. Once we turn it on, the computer will do the rest.”

  “Yeah, easier said than done.” Jenner rolls his eyes, mimicking my exact thoughts.

  We take turns fussing with the buttons, searching for a way to operate the train while Quinn stands just outside the ruined doorway, keeping watch for any potential interference. An air of frustration clouds the room, overwhelming us.

  Ezra lets out a heavy sigh, and I can tell that we’re all thinking exactly the same thing.

  If only Rai were here.

  We continue working in silence, attempting sequence after sequence to no avail. The only hint that our efforts are even making any headway is the faint glow of the console, indicating that the train hasn’t entirely lost power. Still, annoyed with the lack of progression, I take a step back to consider our options. Each passing second counts down to the uncertain and minimal time we have left, and every minute we waste here only makes me more anxious. If we don’t get this moving soon, we’ll have to go by foot.

  I wince when Jenner kicks the side of the console, but the sound of it assaults me with a sudden idea. Closing my eyes, I retreat into my mind and channel my thoughts back to the last time this train was used. I see the operator enter the
cabin. I watch his hands move across the panel, bringing the train to life.

  My eyes open at once.

  “Stop,” I gasp.

  Ezra and Jenner freeze, and I can sense Quinn glancing over his shoulder at me. Without paying attention to any of them, I position myself in front of the control panel and wave my hands in a silent request to give me space. My gaze trails along the console as my fingers dance over the buttons.

  A green hologram shines up across the glass windshield a moment later. The light from it reflects into the tunnel ahead of us, casting a dull shine onto the metal tracks.

  An automated voice echoes through the cabin. “Authorization code required.”

  Leaning forward, I input the string of numbers I saw in my head. As my fingers enter the last one, a chiming sound rings above us. Another green glow illuminates the console as the lights in the ceiling flicker on, engulfing our bodies in a blinding glare. Once my eyes adjust, I exchange glances with Ezra and Jenner. No one dares to speak until the automated voice returns.

  “Welcome,” it announces with cheerful acceptance.

  The train jerks forward, picking up speed as it races toward Zone 1.

  Jenner claps his hands in sarcastic celebration. “Well, that was easy.”

  Ignoring him, I trudge back into the passenger compartment of the car, feeling a sudden need to sit down. Collapsing into the nearest seat, I rest my head against the window.

  Time passes in a daze as the constant whir of the train lulls me into a strange semi-conscious state. I only rouse from my inattention when a warm arm grazes my shoulder. Peeking up, I see Jenner staring at me.

  “Are you all right?”

  My fingers fidget in my lap as I mull over his question. I lower my eyes, looking at the paneled floor instead.

  “For two years, she was right under my nose, and Richter, he . . .” A hard lump blocks my throat as a familiar sensation of self-loathing takes hold of me, resurfacing from the darkest depths of my mind. “I should’ve known,” I whisper.

  Rai. In so many ways, I feel like I’ve let her down. I let her down the night we thought she died, and then again by not realizing she’s been alive this whole time.

  My heart contracts in my chest, making me wince. Once more, I’m forced to face the crushing weight of my inescapable guilt.

  Jenner grabs my hand. Our fingers interlace, squeezing together, and his touch brings me a sense of comfort I desperately need in this moment. If anything, it tells me how much I’ve missed him.

  When I meet his gaze, he flashes an understanding smile. “The price of full control,” he breathes.

  Those words sit at the very core of my body, making me nauseous.

  I think back to that conversation we had following my extraction. I think of how distant I was. How cold and unfeeling.

  The guilt resurfaces to consume me yet again.

  His free hand touches my shoulder, consoling me, even though I don’t deserve it.

  “As far as you were concerned, as far as we were all concerned, Rai was dead. You had no reason to look for her.” He tightens his grip around my fingers. “You couldn’t have known.”

  He’s right. I know that. Nevertheless, I can’t help feeling at fault for everything that’s happened. For everything that always happens to the people I care about.

  Jenner leans back in his seat, pulling away from my grasp and turning his darkening gaze to the black tunnel beyond the windows.

  “Did I ever tell you how I joined PHOENIX?” he asks.

  I cock an eyebrow, taken aback by this unexpected turn in the conversation. A sad smile forms on his lips when I shake my head.

  “I was eighteen,” he says. “I was pretty stupid at that age. Hard to believe, I know,” he adds with a laugh. “I don’t know why, arrogance maybe, but I always thought I was a cut above the law. I tested what I could get away with on a daily basis but with no regard as to how it might affect anyone else.

  “Anyway, one night, I was out past curfew. I saw a girl about the same age as me. She was lying on the side of the road, and two Enforcers were kneeling over her. At first, I thought they were trying to help. I thought maybe she was injured or had fainted or something. But then I heard her screams . . . and I saw one of them cover her mouth as the other . . .”

  My eyes widen as I grasp what he’s saying. Despite not having seen it myself, I can imagine the girl he speaks of. I hear her smothered cries in my head just as clearly as I visualize the Enforcers that took advantage of her.

  “I couldn’t see her face,” he murmurs, “but something about her reminded me of my sister, Adley. You probably don’t know this, but I’m a twin. I was . . . a twin.” His lips tremble at those final words.

  My eyes search his face. He never spoke of his family in any detail before, and because of his past, I never wanted to pry. Still, this information shocks me.

  Biting his lower lip, he balls his hands into fists. When I look down, I notice them shaking.

  “For all I knew, that could’ve been her,” he says. “Maybe not at that exact moment, but what was preventing them from doing that again to someone else? To her? If they weren’t stopped, there would be a next time, a time after that, and a time after that.” His fingers clench tighter as he relives the memory.

  The pain he’s experiencing is heartbreaking to witness, and I’m tempted to reach out to comfort him. I ignore that urge, afraid that I would somehow be invading those feelings. Unsure if such a gesture would even be welcome.

  Shaking his head, he releases a low, humorless laugh. “I couldn’t bear the thought, so I tried to do something about it. One scrawny eighteen-year-old kid up against two fully armed Enforcers? I didn’t stand a chance. Luckily, Ezra and Rai intervened. They were out searching for new recruits and curfew-breakers were the ideal candidates. Willingness to disobey and all that.”

  He runs a hand through his black hair and lets out a disheartened breath. “They were able to stop my stupid ass from getting killed, but not before one of those bastards shot that poor girl in the head. In the end, I couldn’t save her. Who knows,” he adds, shrugging his shoulders, “maybe she would’ve survived if I had just left it alone.”

  I recall the moment I met Jenner, and every memory of him since plays after it in a loop. I could always tell there was a deeper, more complicated layer underneath his carefree, positive attitude.

  Now, I finally understand what it is.

  “They got what was coming to them, but it’s pretty hard to hide one body, let alone two, especially when there are cameras everywhere. I knew they’d seen my face, and I panicked. I should’ve turned myself in, but I ran like a coward instead.” His voice is soft, and I can hear the shame behind every word.

  “My parents. My sister. Whereas most families nowadays only exist because of the State’s mandated need for procreation, we were unusual in that we genuinely cared for each other. And how did I return their love?” he asks. “I let them pay for my crimes. My sister, who I loved more than anything and anyone, who came into this world with me, and who I thought I was somehow protecting . . . I’m the reason she’s dead.”

  A single tear trails down his cheek, but he quickly wipes it away.

  “Jenner . . .” I breathe.

  His voice cuts me off. “I guess what I’m trying to say is . . . that’s why you mean so much to me.”

  I hesitate. “Because I remind you of your sister? Or because I remind you of that girl . . . ?” Both scenarios ignite a horrible sadness in my heart.

  An inexplicable smile pulls at his lips as he turns to meet my bewildered gaze. “Because you remind me that, until something changes, there will be nothing I can do to save the people I love.” Taking a deep breath, he adds, “That’s my reason. That’s why I fight.”

  When I first met Rai, she told me that everyone in PHOENIX had lost someone or something and that those losses were their reason for fighting for a better world. It’s no different for Jenner, except similar to me, his regret
is what drives him more than anything else.

  Understanding our similarities makes me see him in a different light, and for once, it feels like I can truly relate to someone. Like there’s another person in this world who can see me in a way no one else ever could.

  Once again, my guilt resurfaces. After all, how have I repaid him for everything he’s done for me? For being my friend and defending me. For rescuing me from Richter.

  I forgot who he was.

  I failed to protect him when he needed me most.

  Above all, I broke his heart.

  The words escape my lips in a rush. “Jenner. About when I left—”

  He holds up a hand to stop me. “It’s fine. Do you think I care if you choose me or him? We have so many bigger things to worry about right now.” Reaching forward, he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “All I care about is your survival. I just want you to live, Wynter. How you decide to do that really doesn’t matter.”

  Everyone is silent for the remainder of the journey. Jenner and I sit together, and his warmth brings me the comfort and calm I need to counterbalance the anxiety raging within me. Ezra sits across from us, contemplating unspoken thoughts while Quinn stands beside the nearest door, looking out into the darkness of the tunnel—possibly questioning his own part in this.

  Just like with the mission to meet Bilken two years ago, I can’t escape the feeling that we’re walking into a trap. I consider using my power to discover what awaits, but the truth is, I’m too afraid to. If I were to see something I would want to change, would I still have the strength to do what needs to be done?

  This disease. This power. No human should have to suffer through such a curse. The future is meant to be uncertain so that we can live every moment in the here and now. So that we can walk through life unhindered and unafraid—not spend it running from a future that’s impossible to avoid.

  I make a silent promise to live that way from now on. As much as I’m able to, at least.

  Taking a deep breath, I ready myself for whatever lies ahead. The future.

  Our future.

  It begins now.

  The station in Zone 1 is dark and eerie. The lights overhead flicker in sporadic bursts with the buzz of the dying bulbs adding a terrifying feel to an already sinister quest. Our footsteps are deafening in spite of our attempts to remain quiet, and we pause multiple times, afraid of the uncertain sounds reflecting back at us in the darkness.