Purpose (The Wanderer Trilogy Book 1)

by B. Buechter

  “Have you seen a lady with red hair and green eyes?” he asked. They shook their heads. “Her name is Eva.”

  Still nothing.

  “Do you know anyone named McAvoy?” Silence.

  “Eva’s probably dead.” Jake turned to his brother. His hair was soaked with sweat as he held snow to his arm and cooled his wound. “She just got swept up like we did. Take one look at her blades and bam. They found out who she was and killed her.”

  “Don’t say that Jake.” Tommy teared up and shoved his brother. “Don’t ever say that.”

  “What do you mean who she was?” Jake immediately recognized the blind woman from before. She had been fed by Tommy in the prisons. He swore that the Tigers must have killed her. But there she was, sitting just as quiet and as calm as usual. The two other inhabitants he had not met.

  “No one.” He lied.

  “Well then,” she smiled. “Your friend may be dead. But there is a greater chance that she is still alive. Do not doubt her. Speaking of her so lowly will only impede her energy.”

  The old woman with wiry hair threw her head back and cackled. The noise that escaped from her lips sent chills down Jake’s spine. A Bondsman and Doxie, who shared the same tent, just shook their head at the madwoman. For a while, Tommy and Jake sat near the opening in the cloth, looking out into the compound’s immense yard. There were large piles of metal waiting to be thrown into massive barrels which drained out into bullet molds. Glowing coals from the work day created an eerie glow over the muddy slush. In the distance was the building where they had been discovered, and where Eva still may be.

  “Hey boys.” The young Doxie slid over to them. Underneath the layer of dirt was the face of a pretty, young, and extremely thin girl about 16. She had long, orange hair that was almost as messy as the old woman’s, and a patch of freckles on each cheek. One of her eyes was black and swollen. “I’m sorry about your friend. Maybe she works out here. Tigers don’t kill anyone who can work unless they deserve it.”

  “No one deserves this.” Jake remained fixated on the building. “You all should be free.”

  A sheepish grin grew across the girl’s face and she looked at the “T” branded on her own arm. “That is nice of you to say, but most of us have never been free. Out there… you are forced to fend for yourself. At least they give us meals and a safe place to rest our heads here.”

  “And yet they work you to death and beat you senselessly,” Jake replied. “I would rather starve to death out there than live with this.”

  “We are not all fit for the outside world.” The Bondsman whispered from the dark corner of the tent. “I could never hunt. I don’t have any skills. That’s why I make ammunition for the Tigers… I came here willingly. Years ago.”

  Jake snickered to himself and turned towards them. “Let me tell you something. Me and Tommy here… We were raised away from all of this. When we were freed, I had no clue about fighting Gangs or finding my own food. I didn’t think I was capable. But the woman who saved us also showed us kindness and patience. She taught us both how to fend for ourselves. Yeah, it’s tough killing someone, but sometimes it has to be done.”

  Jake opened his mouth to continue, but closed it when he replayed what he had just said. Eva’s own words were speaking through him. He bit his lip hard to force back tears. She can’t be dead. I will never believe that. Even Tommy smiled over at his brother.

  “Your enthusiasm,” the old woman yawned. “It is nice to see. Not many slaves have that here.”

  “That’s because it’s beat out of us,” the Bondsmen sighed. “I had that spark when I was your age, but it has long since gone.”

  The Doxie girl smiled and slid over to her bedroll. “Hey. Let’s get some sleep. You both will be working in the Fire Pit tomorrow, I bet. Make sure you get your rest.”

  Before Jake or Tommy could speak with them further, the slaves had all fallen asleep. The younger McAvoy brother made himself a bed in the corner, away from the cold of the winter snow. Jake decided to stay near the slit in the tent. If Eva was taken down into the yard, he would be the first to know. It was almost impossible to sleep with a mind so full of worries, but he forced himself to rest for a few hours.

  ***

  Clanging of metal pipes rang out through the compound. It was still dark, but early morning. The sun’s rays had not even found their way over the horizon when all of the slaves rushed out of their tents and queued towards the middle of the yard. Jake and Tommy were snatched out of bed by the Bondsman. He shoved them into a line. The chaos of seeing hundreds of dirty, gaunt faces attached to bruised and bloody bodies sickened the brothers. Aside from the sound of footsteps sloshing through ruts in the snow, the line was silent. On occasion, a slave-driver would berate a servant in the distance. The cracking of a whip would sound through the brisk air, cutting through the cloud of breath above them. Some of the slaves would flinch, but kept their eyes locked on the shoulders straight ahead.

  “What are we filing for?” Jake asked as silently as he could.

  “Morning meal,” the Bondsman replied. “They only make so much food. Sometimes, you don’t get to eat if you’re at the back of the line.”

  “Shut up over there or no food!” A Tigress stomped over to them. She lifted her whip over her head and came down hard on both their backs. Tommy whimpered but kept his eyes glued on the person in front of him. He did not even dare to turn back to his brother. Jake gritted his teeth in pain, but did not cry out. He refused to give his torturer the satisfaction.

  After a painstakingly slow pace, they made it up to the table where the food was being served. Somehow, Jake had gotten in front of Tommy. The last bowl of food was sitting on the table in front of a large man. As Jake stepped aside for his brother to grab it, the man bounded over the table. He started screaming at Jake, only inches away from his face.

  “You don’t get to choose who eats.” The Tiger’s spittle landed on his face. “That’s my job.”

  “He was in front of me.” Jake looked at his feet. His shoulders tensed for the beating. “I screwed up and got in front of him. Accidentally.”

  The rest of the servants had already started working when Jake received his second beating of the day. When the Tiger was done, he pointed him to a large bonfire surrounded by burly Bondsmen. Tommy gulped down his food and followed his brother to the mountain of logs. The man that shared a tent with them was there as well.

  “Just keep the fire going,” was his only instruction. “It has to stay bright and hot. Otherwise, the metal doesn’t get hot enough to come down into the molds. Too hot, and it will start melting the buckets. You screw up, we will all be taken to the torture rooms.”

  It sounded as if he had rehearsed these lines before. Jake and Tommy began throwing piles of sticks and logs into the fire. They kept very close attention to the color and shape of the fire to keep the same temperature. Soon, the Chief began making his rounds. He was surrounded by five guards, all brandishing large guns. One of the guards was Olivia, the woman from the city. Jake ducked his head when the Bondman called out “Chief”.

  Chief McAvoy, still adorned with his crimson cape and slicked back hair strolled around the grounds. His hands were clasped behind his back and he would stop occasionally to observe the servants’ production. With a flick of his finger, a Doxie would be carried out of sight in the direction of the building. With another wisp of his hand, a Bondsman working too slow would be slaughtered. Although his face bore no expression except a slight lip curl, his icy blue eyes glowed with joy. He made his way to the Fire Pit and passed both of his sons. Neither of them noticed him, but the Chief’s brow furrowed for a second and he stepped back to them. He whispered a command into his guard’s ear and turned on his heels, continuing his rounds.

  Once he was out of earshot, Jake turned to his new friend. “Is this a daily thing?”

  “Yeah,” he replied.

  “Has that man been the Chief long?”

  “No. Weird
thing is, he just showed up one day claiming to be from another Gang. He challenged the old Chief and massacred him so badly, they did not have much to bury. Well… not that they actually bury anyone here.”

  “So he likes death,” Tommy panted as he hoisted another log onto the fire. Their faces and bodies were burning, but they were not permitted to move.

  “He loves death and torture.” The Bondsman was careful not to speak too loudly as a couple guards walked by. “He is less merciful than the one who ruled before him. This guy does unspeakable things and lets his men get away with anything.”

  The day transformed to night and Eva did not make an appearance. There was enough of the evening meal for every servant to eat. Jake and Tommy were bruised and their hands were covered in splinters. Jake’s back still stung from the whipping, but they were finally allowed to rest. The young, red-haired Doxie entered the tent much later than the others. On her arm was a red hand print and her hair was matted even more so than before.

  “Those men are ruthless to you poor Doxies.” The Bondsman looked at the young girl’s arm. He scooped up some mud and caked it on her bruise. “That should make it feel better.”

  “You know we aren’t allowed to talk about our work.” She brushed her hair with her fingers. She graciously handed her empty bowl to Tommy who took them back to the food line. “Besides, it isn’t hard work. You have it much harder. We get breaks.”

  He rolled his eyes and played with his beard. The Doxie jumped in her seat and turned to Jake. Her voice grew jittery as Tommy stepped back into their tent.

  “I almost forgot,” she clapped. “We don’t even know your names. I’m Natalie. I was from a Rover colony that doesn’t exist anymore. That’s Brandon the Owl Spirit. He was a Nomad a long time ago.”

  Tommy gasped in excitement. “That is so cool. I was given the Owl symbol too. By the Nomads. When Eva took us.”

  “You were part of the Nomads?” Brandon leaned in. “How long ago?”

  “Not long,” Jake interrupted. “I’m Jake and this is Tommy. We… um… actually came from the Vault between here and the Serpent’s Nest.”

  “How did you not end up at the Nest?” Natalie’s face hardened. “They took everyone.”

  “Not everyone.” Jake cleared his throat. He rubbed his still-throbbing arm. “The Wanderer found us.”

  The whole tent went silent. Natalie and Brandon looked at each other in disbelief. While the old woman slept in the corner, they whispered further questions.

  “Wait,” Brandon repeated. “You know The Wanderer? I thought he was just legend. Someone that the Gangs are terrified of, but doesn’t really exist. The Nomads revered him as a villain turned hero.”

  “He is a she,” said Tommy. “And her name is Eva. We are looking for her.”

  “She is the friend we spoke about earlier,” Jake said and tugged on a strand of his hair.

  “I’ll be damned,” Brandon laughed. “Always thought the Wanderer was a myth. I had no clue it was a woman either. I bet she’s deadly.”

  Jake and Tommy both nodded and answered simultaneously. “She is.”

  “Is she as cold as they say?”

  “No,” Tommy replied. “She is nice. She saved both of us… a lot of times.”

  “But she can be harsh and cold,” Jake added. “I watched her torture one the Tigers for information.”

  “Wow. No mercy. All survival.”

  “We are also searching for our father,” Jake added. “We were told he would be here.

  “What is your father’s name?” asked Natalie. “Maybe we know him.”

  Right as Jake was about respond, two guards marched over to him. They reached in and yanked he and his brother into the yard. What did we do? Hearts racing in their chests as they were thrown to the ground and commanded to get up. The two brothers were forced to follow their captors to the building. One guard stood in front of them, the other was on their heels.

  “Where are you taking us?” Jake asked. He knew that he was going to be killed whether he asked the question or not. At the very least, they could give him a response.

  “The Chief asked for you two, specifically.” That was all they would say.

  Jake and Tommy looked at each other in horror. What did the Chief want with them? They had done their job without any incident. How did he know who they were if they had just arrived? It felt like hours before they set foot into the building. The Tigers referred to it as “The Castle”. It was where they slept, ate, and tortured their slaves. A number of Doxies queued in and out of the building as personal servants for the floor. Some carried food. Others dragged heavy bags of clothing. But they all were dressed in silk nightgowns of various colors. The ones who bore the tattoo of the Tiger on their body were part of the Gang itself. They were allowed to carry weapons and torment the servants as they saw fit. Those with the branded “T” on their bodies were the slaves.

  Winding staircases were built at the corners of each level. The brothers were instructed to march up to the top floor. Their guards followed them closely, nudging them with their rifles each time they slowed. Jake felt his throat closing in fear. He worried for Eva. Neither of them had seen her since she left to scout ahead. A little voice in his head considered whether she intentionally led them into a trap in order to join the Tigers.

  At the very top of the stairwell was the steel door to the highest floor. The Gang member in front opened it and pointed to a door on the left. The right side of the hallway was covered in paned glass except for one closet door and a door directly across from the Chief’s chambers. Both of the Tigers were behind them as Jake placed his hand on the cold brass handle and turned it. Tommy was shaking and forcing back a barrage of tears. He took a final look at his brother and opened the door.

  It clicked behind the McAvoy brothers. At the other side of the room was a large desk. A figure, shrouded by shadow, sat behind it. The room itself was neatly filled with extravagant things from the Old Times. Books, furniture, clothing, and art covered the edges of the walls. Everything was meticulously organized. Not one thing was out of place. Sitting on the desk were Eva’s blades. Jake had no doubt she was here. Whether she was alive or dead was still unknown. A long, royal blue rug lined the only pathway between the door and the desk, where the Chief sat.

  “Do you know who I am?” McAvoy leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on the wood table.

  “The Chief,” Jake and Tommy said simultaneously.

  “Not a wrong answer,” he tilted his head. “But you are missing something… much more… pertinent.”

  Something about his voice started tearing at Jake. He could not put his finger on it. Why does he sound so familiar? It was soothing, sickeningly soothing. He had watched the back of this man only this morning as he massacred at least five of his own servants, but he had not spoken a word until now. And this was the first time Jake had met him face-to-face. At least, he thought it was.

  How do I know his voice? And why hasn’t he just killed us already? He didn’t waste a second with the other lives he took today.

  “Tell me boys,” McAvoy’s voice hastened. “What do you know of The Wanderer?”

  Jake gulped. Tommy stayed as quiet as he could.

  “Nothing, sir.” Jake lied. He hoped this man was not as good as Eva picking up on the deceit in his voice. “Aside from rumors and legends.”

  “Pity,” the man stood up straight. He pushed his chair behind him and guards appeared from either side of the room. “That woman has cost me so much of my life. And still, she gave me all of this - this power. I will ask you only once more. Do you know me? Jacob and Thomas McAvoy.”

  Jake backed up against the door. It couldn’t be. This man. He had finally recognized his voice.

  “Dad?”

  Chapter 15

  A loaded gun in Eva’s hands pointed toward the woman at the door. Her eyes were still fuzzy with tears, so she was not able to focus at first. The silhouette looked similar to Eva’s demon,
but when it spoke, she did not recognize the voice. With her arms shaking in front of her, the scene gradually became clearer and she lowered her weapon. The woman who had come into the room threw her hands up and pleaded for her life.

  “I just work here,” she stuttered. But then, she noticed that Eva was not an enemy. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”

  Eva scanned the Doxie from head to toe. She was covered in dirt and bruises, but she was rather clean overall. Her face was thin, not emaciated, and her hair was the same shade of red as Eva’s, cut to her shoulders. In fact, this woman looked very much like The Wanderer. The uncanny similarity inspired Eva to hatch a plan.

  “I asked who you were,” the woman repeated, slightly more stern. “You are not one of them or one of us.”

  “By them I guess you mean the Tigers?” Eva holstered her pistol as a calm spread through her body. She closed and locked the door behind them. Although she was still reeling from seeing Chief McAvoy, her thoughts shifted to saving Jake and Tommy. “And by us you mean slaves?”

  “Yeah?” The woman backed up, thinking she was going to be cornered. “So, whose side are you on?”

  “My name is Eva Calloway,” she responded as she wiped the sweat from her head and chest. “I came here with two boys. A ten year old named Tommy and a man of twenty-five named Jake. Do you know them?”

  The Doxie shook her head. “Sorry, no. Why did you three come here in the first place?”

  “We were searching for the boys’ father. I didn’t plan on freezing when they took my friends captive. But maybe you can help me find them?”

  The woman glided over to the overturned chairs, picked one up, and sat near the window. Moonlight shone in with a silver brilliance. It illuminated the Doxie’s black nightgown and created a faint aura around her entire body. Eva stepped into the light and repeated her question.