by J. D. Miller
The serenity within the room shattered as a siren pierced the air. Carter jolted back, his hand slipping off the front of the pod. Inside, the girl’s face contorted, the breathing tube collapsing in on itself. Carter watched in horror as she convulsed.
Wake up, you idiot! She’s dying!
Behind Carter, the pulsing yellow light dulled red, pulsing faster and faster as the siren droned on. Scanning the room, he spotted a small terminal against the stairwell leading back to the hallway. Dashing to it, Carter flipped through the commands, heart pounding. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girl’s neck arc back, her hands twitching as she fought to breathe. His gaze landed on the last option on the board, and he slammed his hand onto the large confirm button next to the console.
The sirens died, and the fluid within the final pod drained simultaneously. Noting the spinning gears on the side of the metal cylinder, Carter ran forward. The front of the pod promptly slid away, leaving the girl to fall to the deck with a thud.
Holy shit! Is she okay?
The girl coughed violently, pushing herself up with both arms. Leaning down next to her, Carter stripped off his hoodie, draping it over her back.
“Hey, are you okay? Are you all right?”
After a moment, the girl nodded in response.
Relieved, Carter ran back upstairs to the crew. “Guys! Get over here, now!”
He dashed back down into the wreckage. Taking the stairs two at a time, he could see the girl hunched over on all fours. As she gagged and sputtered, a stream of the yellow liquid from her pod dripped from her mouth, coating the floor. Dropping to his knees, Carter tentatively patted her back. Behind him, the sound of footsteps grew louder and louder.
“What is it, greenho—” Drew stopped short, staring wide-eyed at the young girl in front of him. “Boss, you’re going to want to see this!”
A few moments later, Marcus strode into the room. He smelled of smoke, his hair littered with ash as he brushed himself off. The others were in similar states, the fire abandoned in light of Carter’s outburst. Marcus walked up behind Carter and the girl, putting a hand on Carter’s shoulder.
“Good work, but put that damn pistol away. You’re not going to need it here.”
Marcus’s voiced hinted malice as he leaned down to smile at the girl. He slouched patiently as she coughed up the rest of the liquid and wiped her mouth. When she finally glanced up, her scarlet-red eyes searched Marcus’s face.
“Hello, miss,” Marcus said. “My name is Marcus Ward. I’m a scavenger, and these are my men. Your ship has been in a very grave accident. Can you tell me your name?”
“S-Silvia. My name is Silvia,” the girl answered in a quiet voice.
Carter watched her, momentarily bewitched.
Marcus’s grin widened. “It’s very nice to meet you, Silvia. Tell me, are you from The Shell?”
“The-The Shell?”
“The exoskeleton surrounding the planet.”
“Oh, yes. I’m from The Shell.”
The girl named Silvia finally sat up. Zipping up the hoodie around her, she held her sides with both arms and looked around slowly. “The others…are they…”
“I’m sorry. You were the only survivor.”
Silvia simply nodded, staring down at the floor in front of her. Her arms quaked suddenly, and Carter caught a glimpse of a tear rolling down her cheek. Looking up at Marcus, her voice quavered. “Please, help me.”
Marcus glanced back at Drew. Catching the silent exchange, Carter watched the two men out of the corner of his eye. Drew seemed reasonable to a point, but Carter didn’t trust the captain in the slightest.
Finally, Marcus leaned down, putting his hand on Silvia’s shoulder. “Let me go talk with some of my men, and we’ll see what we can do, okay? For now, stay here. I promise, you’re safe.”
Silvia nodded again, drawing the hoodie tightly around her. Marcus took his leave, climbing the stairs back into the hall. Drew followed out the door, leaving Carter and the others alone with the girl. A deadly silence engulfed the room. After a few moments, two of the other party members moved forward, covering the corpses as best they could.
Forgetting about Marcus for a moment, Carter knelt down and opened his backpack. Silvia glanced up at him. Carter paid her no mind, instead pulling a canteen from the back pouch and thrusting it in her direction. She hesitated, but Carter placed it gently in her hands.
“It’s okay, take it,” he whispered. “You need it more than I do.”
“Thank you.” Lifting the canteen to her lips, the young girl drained the entire flask in one gulp.
Carter watched her, making sure she was okay. He’d been in her shoes once, alone and afraid. As she handed the canteen back to him, he offered her a genuine smile.
At that moment, Marcus stepped back into the room. He shot Silvia a grin. Carter’s hand subconsciously curled into a fist, the blood draining from his knuckles. Marcus’s smile seemed off. The captain stopped next to Carter, placing a hand on his shoulder. The captain’s fingers wrapped around the edge of Carter’s collarbone, the grip tightening ever so slightly. Carter didn’t flinch.
“It’s your lucky day, Silvia,” Marcus said, offering her his free hand. “We have a contact in Montar from The Shell who buys our scrap on a steady basis. We think he might be able to get you back up to your home.”
“T-thank you so much.” Silvia’s voice nearly broke as she spoke, but her face brightened as Marcus hoisted her to her feet.
Once she steadied herself, he turned back to the others. “Okay, everyone, get all our salvage packed and ready to go. I want you all ready to pull out of here in less than twenty minutes. Now, who has room for an extra passenger?”
Carter’s brain leapt into overdrive, an idea forming in his head. Stepping forward, he raised his hand. “I have room, sir.”
Marcus’s gaze narrowed on Carter, telling him to shut up, but he stood his ground.
The captain gave his best grin, eyes never wavering from his subordinate as he spoke. “You expect our guest to ride in the back with you, greenhorn?”
Carter’s pulse quickened. What the hell are you playing at, Marcus? He stepped forward, his grin unwavering.
“Respectably, sir, it makes sense. I’m the only person driving alone. Any of the other cars would be crowded. She would be a lot more comfortable in my front seat then shoved in the back with the salvage.”
The rest of the scavengers fell into a hushed silence. Carter’s mind raced. What happened to those who defied Marcus’s rule? A heavy tension filled the air.
“Sir?”
Carter fought to keep his jaw from dropping as Silvia spoke.
She looked uncertain as she glanced between him and Marcus, but she quickly cleared her throat and continued. “If it’s not too bold, I don’t mind riding with him. I’m just grateful for your help.”
Relief flooded Carter’s body, his shoulders slumping. She’s a lifesaver.
Marcus wouldn’t fight about it now. Acting brashly only offered suspicion, especially in a delicate situation like this. He raised his hand and then lowered it, his mouth clamped tight.
“It’s settled then,” Marcus said.
He still smiled, but Carter noted the flash as their eyes locked.
Finally, breaking the gaze, Marcus addressed the crew in an authoritative voice. “Well, what are you waiting for? We’re burnin’ daylight, people!”
Marcus gently pushed Silvia in front of him, leading her toward the exit. As the others filed out behind him, Carter waited to head up the rear.
Drew put out his hand, stopping Carter at the door. “You seem like a good kid, so I’ll give you one warning. Don’t screw with Marcus. He’s bitter as they come, and crossing him will come back to bite you in the ass. I’d hate to see the wilderness swallow you whole, greenhorn…” Trailing off, the Covenant’s second-in-command left Carter standing in the doorway.
Shaking off the warning, he walked through the doorway. Every
one of his senses was on high alert. Whatever Marcus planned definitely involved Silvia, but what could a girl from The Shell possibly offer? Carter hid his fist in his pocket.
I don’t like this, not one bit.
The other scavengers busied themselves hauling their loot back to the cars. Anywhere they could fit it, salvage got loaded: the empty seats, the trunk, the roof, even in little bags tied to the sides. After a while, the cars sank slightly on their axles, the load almost too heavy for the small four by fours.
Carter wasted no time joining the fray. A stack of sheet metal plating sat next to his ride. The next hour passed in the blink of an eye as he panted, lifted plate after plate, and arranged them in the back. The whole time, Carter kept one eye trained on the front of the caravan. Marcus leaned against his ride, watching the others. He didn’t so much as glance at Carter.
Carter threw the last of the sheet metal into his trunk just as the sun began to pass behind one of The Shell’s many platforms. Despite the cold, he reeked of sweat. The ship lay barren next to the convoy, stripped of anything worthwhile. Only the frame remained, standing defiantly against the otherwise peaceful landscape. After catching a glimpse of himself in the back windshield, Carter rang out his tank top, watching as perspiration dripped from the ends.
God, I’m a mess.
“Ay, boy! You good?” Drew’s voice cut the thought short. He stood among the others as they celebrated their good haul in front of Marcus’s ride.
Silvia stood to the side, watching the scavengers whoop and holler. She wore a dazed expression, observing the scene with mild enthusiasm.
Carter nodded to Drew and approached the group. “Yeah, that’s the last of it. I’m good when you guys are.”
Drew bobbed his head, watching the party out of the corner of his eye. “Grab the girl and get ready to move. I suspect Marcus will give the order soon.” Without another word, the Covenant’s second-in-command trudged toward the head car’s driver seat.
Carter took a deep breath. At least Drew seemed decent enough. Equipping the usual grin, Carter wandered over to Silvia. She spared him a glance, eyeing him curiously, but didn’t speak. Carter transitioned from his trader’s grin to a real smile.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, leaning on the car next to her.
“I’m okay. I’m just a little cold. Thank you for the coat.”
“It’s fine. And don’t worry, it’s warmer in the car. You can go ahead and get in if you want. It’s the last one in the row.”
“Thank you.” Silvia bowed slightly, wasting no time in making a beeline for the car.
Carter watched her go, but when the rowdy crowd grew silent behind him, his attention turned back to the Covenant. Marcus stood in the middle of the group, hand raised above his head.
“Good work today, everyone,” he shouted. “We pulled in a good haul today, as well as an unexpected guest. Plans have changed a little bit, so follow my route closely and keep sharp. Let’s roll out!”
The rest of the party roared in agreement, running to their vehicles like dogs on the hunt. Carter turned, stretching as he trudged back toward the car.
What a day.
Carter’s body begged for sleep. Despite his lack of religion, he silently thanked the powers that be for giving him someone to talk to on the trip back into town. At least he wouldn’t fall asleep at the wheel.
Just then, something hit Carter’s back. Crying out in surprise, he felt his chest slam the back of the nearest car, shooting pain through his torso. He struggled, but his assailant quickly pinned an arm back at an angle, threatening to break it. Realizing his position, Carter let his body go limp.
“I’m only going to say this once, greenhorn, so listen close.”
He swallowed. Marcus. Carter cursed himself for getting so distracted, earning a hard kick to the side.
“You don’t talk to that girl, you hear me? If all goes well, you’re gonna be rewarded handsomely, greenhorn, and I’ll know I can trust you. But cross me?” Marcus leaned close, whispering into Carter’s ear. “Cross me, and I’ll hunt you to the ends of the Earth.”
Marcus turned Carter around, looking him straight in the eye. Marcus’s pupils were dilated, his rage threatening to burst through at any moment. Carter brushed himself off and mustered his biggest trader’s grin, meeting Marcus’s cold stare.
Locking eyes with the captain, Carter channeled his anger into one final quip. “Whatever you say, sir.”
Marcus pushed Carter back onto the car’s hood, storming off toward the front of the convoy. Carter caught his breath and tentatively wiped his nose. Blood smeared his hand, dripping onto the hood of the car. As the rest of the convoy pulled away, he dropped into the driver’s seat, revving the engine back to life.
“Are you okay?”
Carter ignored the question, shoving an old washcloth up his nose to stop the bleeding. He glanced over after a few moments, grunting in confirmation. Silvia’s eyes peered at him from across the car, concern written all over her face. Some of her features were regaining their color. It occurred to Carter just how bright red her eyes were.
“Why do you work for someone like that?” she asked.
“It’s my first day.”
Silvia raised an eyebrow and watched him for a few seconds, as if trying to decide how to respond. Then, leaning over, she snatched the washcloth from him. Before he could protest, she pushed it back up to his nose, holding it firmly in place.
“You just worry about driving. I can handle this.”
Carter kept his mouth shut. Marcus’s instructions were to keep quiet. So, as she held the cloth steady, he put both hands on the wheel and followed the convoy across the never-ending fields. The sun sat much lower in the sky than before. In a couple of hours, it would be dark.
“Hey.” Silvia’s voice broke the silence after a while, cutting through the rising tension like a knife.
“Hmm?”
“Mind if I ask you your name?”
Carter shot the girl a puzzled look.
Silvia sighed. “Well, you already know mine, so I want to know yours. Unless you want me to call you ‘Hey you!’”
“I’m not supposed to talk to you.”
“What?”
“My boss. He said not to talk to you.”
“Oh.” Silvia, sank back into her seat, glancing down at her lap and letting the washcloth drop.
For a moment, he considered breaking his oath and apologizing, but he decided against it. He already felt bad enough.
Wait a minute.
Carter sat up a little taller in his seat. Up ahead, a mile marker for Benton stood propped up against an old tree. Benton. According to Marcus, they were no longer heading back to Boston. Carter thought that meant they were headed straight for Montar, to contact their representative with The Shell. So why were they headed to Benton, a small little backwater town that served nothing more than to take them out of their way?
Puzzled, Carter fell back into his seat, letting up on the gas pedal ever so slightly. Silvia sat up, glancing over at him. Her eyes begged him for answers, but she didn’t speak. For a while, she seemed to struggle with the issue, her face reddening as if fighting the urge to voice her thoughts out loud. Finally, she poked his shoulder.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t get it. The only thing worth a profit in Benton is—”
The answer hit Carter like a brick wall. Could that be what Marcus and the others were planning? The evidence seemed overwhelming. Gripping the wheel as tightly as he could, Carter resisted the urge to bolt.
“Dammit!”
“What?” Silvia looked genuinely worried. She stared at Carter like he might catch fire at any moment.
He glanced over at her, trying to put what he needed to say into words, but his brain sputtered, still recovering from its revelation.
That bastard! How could he do such a thing?
“He’s trying to trick you,” he finally said.
�
�I’m sorry?”
“Marcus. He’s not trying to help you; he’s taking you to a slave depot in Benton.”
Slaves were incredibly valuable. Despite the church actively denouncing the trade completely, slavers thrived all over the Northern Lands. Even a few well-known priests reportedly kept a bed maiden or two. Carter grimaced. God only knew what would happen to a young girl like Silvia in a place like Benton. Slave depots weren’t known for their kindness or generosity.
“W-what? Why would he do something like that?” Silvia’s eyes went wide as she stared at Carter.
He didn’t have any answers for her. Swearing, he continued to follow the caravan for the time being. Could he really go through with this?
Cross me, and I’ll hunt you to the ends of the Earth.
Marcus’s final threat echoed in Carter’s mind. He felt Silvia’s eyes piercing him. She wore a grim expression, her hands gripped tightly over her chest. Carter stared straight ahead. The convoy’s current route would take them through the mountain pass ahead, leading them straight to Benton.
Follow your heart, Carter. Don’t back down, especially when you know you’re doing the right thing. This is madness.
“Hold on.”
Silvia obediently braced herself between the seat and the dash. As the convoy entered the one-way tunnel, Carter counted down in his head. If he timed this wrong, he risked having one or more cars pursue him. Three…two…one…
Carter slammed on the brake, turning the steering wheel as hard as he could. The car lurched. Silvia cried out, nearly hitting the door as the old clunker did a 180. Grinding his teeth, Carter floored the gas pedal, shooting off like a bullet. In his rearview mirror, he saw the other cars in the convoy brake. He smiled. The tunnel’s single narrow path didn’t leave any room to turn around.
Turning his attention back to the road, Carter let out a huge sigh. They were in the clear for the time being. Next to him, Silvia took several labored breathes, her gaze wild. Steering back toward the main road, Carter allowed himself a quick grin.
“I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but what the hell are you doing?” Silvia’s voice shook, but her half-smile betrayed her true feelings.