The fat man in tight pants was waiting for him offstage.
Leonard was right behind him, red in the face and sweating.
“What have you done to these people? Look at them!” Tight pants wore a conflicted frown that was not altogether unhappy.
Kai shrugged. All he could think about was Runt.
“Half an hour break, then you’re up.”
Leonard, still a bit wobbly, was not happy. “He can’t take my place.”
“Then stop getting drunk. It’s simple.” Tight pants slapped him on the belly as he passed and disappeared down the passage.
Leonard stepped away from the blow and tripped on cables.
Kai heard something crack as he landed. He would need more than thirty minutes to find Runt. He held a hand out to Leonard. “You take the next set.”
Leonard eyed him suspiciously. He seemed to be having difficulty thinking through the fog in his brain. “Sure.” He let Kai help him up, but stayed doubled over in pain.
Kai popped a stool underneath his rear, extracted himself from the man’s grip, and left.
~*~
There were people everywhere. Hanging on each other, leaning on the walls, breathing out smoky, liquor-laced air. Music pumped through the place. Three different beats coming from three directions.
And Runt could be somewhere in this mess.
Kai walked from one end of the floor to the other. There were no locked doors or passages filled with light. The elevator he’d once taken simply didn’t exist. A dozen times he thought about the mark on his wrist and what he’d seen when it touched the ladybug.
This kind of weird bent his brain, yet Runt had no time to lose.
He shut his eyes and laid his hand across his chest. The same heat flash rippled through him, but he was still in the club where the music thumped through him. He kept his hand on the mark and pushed his way through the crowd, hoping for another flashback. There seemed to be a central passage running through this building, similar to what he’d seen of the OS, not that he’d been in there long enough to get to know it well. If this building echoed the obsidian structure, there should be an elevator of sorts at the end of it. He pushed through the crush of people. Nothing but a blank, dirty wall. Now what?
Kai tripped over a snoring body and fell. He just managed to catch himself on the wall, chest first, his head snapped back. He told himself this was a good thing otherwise he’d have broken his nose for sure. His chest stung from the impact, he rubbed it to ease the pain.
As the mark on his wrist touched Runt’s writing on his chest, pale green light shot from the fingers of his other hand as it rested on the wall. Lines of light traced through the wall. A long line split the wall in two, branching out sideways then down to form two rectangles taller than he was. Double doors. Kai reached out with both hands and the green light vanished. The wall was blank.
What was going on? Maybe they were pumping drugs through the smoke machines in this place.
Kai smacked the wall, frustrated. Something shifted on impact. Placing his hands wide for good grip, he pushed. The wall shifted back a fraction, then slid to the right revealing the doors to the lift.
According to the panel, there were six floors up and six floors down.
He checked behind him to make sure nobody had noticed him. Between the guy passed out at his feet, and the clusters of drunkards littering the passage, nobody looked his way.
He ducked in and punched the button for the bottom floor. If it was the same one, the last time he’d ridden this lift was with Elden. He would have to face Elden, break the news of Bree. His heart dropped quicker than the elevator at the thought.
Runt, first.
The lift bumped to a stop and the doors pulled back. There was no green force field that hissed and sang, just a dark passage leading to a string of closed doors left and right. If the two places carried echoes, Runt would be in the one opposite the lift. A keypad lock shone green in the dark. But he couldn’t remember the code to shut it down. He sank to the floor with his back to the door, closed his eyes, and tried to visualize it.
Nothing.
He played with his fingers, hoping there’d be muscle memory of the pattern.
Still blank.
To come this far and hit a dead end.
He wondered if the man with eternity in His eyes could help him here, or was He limited to the other realm? “Tau, I need help.”
You know the code, Kai. Remember the cave before you met me.
Kai sat up in shock. He hadn’t been expecting a reply. It hadn’t come as words, but a deep knowing in his gut. The feeling of being trapped in that tiny rock space brought a layer of sweat to his forehead. What had shattered the rock? He’d sang words of fire from a scroll in his head. He was losing his mind for sure. But he couldn’t argue that the results had been spectacular.
He had nothing to lose. He leaned back on the door and started humming. The music rose from deep inside and he sang, wordless. The wood at his back began to thrum, vibrate. Kai pushed himself up to standing and spun around, placing both hands on the tingling wood. The shaking increased. The screws on the bolt rattled loose and fell. The bolt dropped a moment later.
The door frame pulled skew. Kai jumped back as the locked door popped out of the catch and opened toward him. In his dreams, Runt had flooded the room with light. The room he faced was dark.
Too late.
He’d got here too late.
Always too late.
He owed it to her to bring her out of this place. With eyes adjusting to the absence of light, he saw her tiny body on a low bed. Steeling himself, he reached down and lifted her.
A shudder ran through her, a breath.
She was still alive.
His legs gave in and he sat down hard on the bed, cradling her in his arms. She looked different here and as fragile as spun glass. He buried his forehead in his hand, gratitude washing over him. The mark on his wrist brushed over her drawing on his chest.
For a split second she glowed radiant in his arms, fully alive, fully awake, and grinning at him as if he were her favourite boy.
The moment contact broke between his mark and her writing they were back in the dark, and his night vision was gone. He didn’t need to see Runt to know that she didn’t have much time.
He held her close and felt his way forward, sliding along like a blind ice skater. Kai worked his way down the passage to where a lift stood waiting, carefully hidden to look like part of the wall. Shoving aside the illusion, he felt around until he found the button. A panel in the wall slid back and he stepped into the lift, trying not to bump Runt’s head on the doorway.
Inside, he transferred the small girl to his shoulder—less conspicuous than carrying her draped across his arms. If anyone looked at them, they’d think she was a drunk clubber, albeit a short one. Kai had no idea why they were keeping Runt, but he was sure they wouldn’t want her to leave. Getting past the bouncers at the door would be a challenge.
Back in the club, there was commotion.
Leonard was on stage. Under the lights he looked sick and dirty as if he hadn’t bathed for a month.
The audience had lost the warm, gooey state and were turning violent.
Leonard dodged an ashtray. He shook his fist at the thrower and got pelted with a shower of peanuts in return.
A chant started up from the left of the room. “We want Kai. We want Kai.”
His name was on his guitar. He should have remembered that.
Someone thumped the rhythm on the table, a beat picked up by the rest of the room. A girl in a tight brown skirt jumped up onto the table and began stomping in time. Others followed her lead.
The bouncers entered and crossed the room.
Now was his chance. Sticking to the passage that ran past the dressing rooms, he made his way towards the exit.
Holding Runt as tightly as he could without hurting her, he bolted for the door. He made it out without being stopped, but his guitar was
back in the club.
18
Sweat ran off Kai in rivers. Runt didn’t weigh much, but he’d carried her across town to his place and his muscles were protesting. He managed to get her past Tyson, who was under the stairs, hunched over a bag muttering and digging, up three flights of stairs, and still balance her while he worked the padlock loose. He took her to the bed and precariously wobbled on one foot while he shifted the blanket aside with the other. He dumped Runt and forced himself upright, feeling his muscles bunch all down his back. He pulled the blanket over her and locked the door.
Now what? He hadn’t thought beyond getting her out and safe. Seeing Tyson under the stairs had brought back the conversation he’d had with Tau. He could still hear Tau’s words...Tell him I say it wasn’t his fault. She was leaving no matter what he did or didn’t do. For a moment he thought about going downstairs and delivering the message. Honestly though, it was no great revelation. What difference would it make?
The door handle rattled. Someone was trying to get in. Still wired from the club, he crossed the floor and stood to the side, legs spread wide for balance. His mind threw up possibilities of who could be breaking in. Muscles tensed, Kai stood with fists ready.
As the door swung open, he leapt and grabbed, wrestling the trespasser to the floor. Glass crashed and the warm smell of grilled chicken filled the air. Blonde hair spiderwebbed his face and he sneezed, ruining the effect somewhat.
Zee.
“Get off me, you big oaf! What are you doing?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Kai pushed himself to his knees. His legs suddenly felt like jelly.
“I was bringing you some food.” She shook her head at the cooler bag lying on its side. “Don’t know whether any of it will still be worth eating now. What were you thinking?”
“Look, I didn’t know it was you. Life is pretty weird right now. I...” His eyes drifted to the little girl on the bed.
Eva’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t! Where did you find her? I know she was in trouble in your dream. But Kai, this is kidnapping!”
“They had her locked away, tied up. She might not make it.”
Zee ran to the bed and placed her hand on Runt’s forehead. Zee shut her eyes and her lips moved wordlessly.
Kai felt a strange pull that came from his centre, like doggy-paddling on the edges of an enormous whirlpool. He took a deep breath and surrendered. The walls of the room blurred and slipped away, replaced by tall trees with purple trunks. The forest was back and Zee and Runt were holding hands. LifeLight blazed from them as they danced in a circle, giggling.
The disconnect between the two scenes was too much for Kai. He backed away from them, shaking his head. Turning, he walked straight into a low branch hung thick with glowing flowers. His head hit hard, he fell backwards, and landed on his rear back in his own room.
Zee was on her mobile. “I think she’s starved. I haven’t looked for other signs of injury, but I don’t think she has much time. Can I bring her?”
She hung up and motioned Kai closer.
“Help me carry her. I know someone who can help.”
~*~
“Bring her this way. I’ve got the room ready.” The woman who opened the door seemed familiar to Kai, though he couldn’t place her. Her hair hung in a plait between her shoulder blades, reaching as far as the small of her back. All her attention was on Runt, she didn’t so much as glance at either of them.
Kai carried Runt.
She wasn’t moving. Her eyes were open and she stared at his face wordlessly.
Kai smiled at her, following Zee and the woman down a passage full of ordered chaos. Every inch of the walls were covered in framed photos.
The lady opened a door and waved them in, leaving them to get Runt tucked into a bed shaped like a racing car.
“Prop her up slightly. We need to try and get some food into her.”
She left the room and they worked on putting pillows behind Runt. She returned a few minutes later with a bottle of water and a small bowl of soup.
The first few attempts did nothing more than paint Runt’s bottom lip and dribble on the duvet.
Kai could hardly breathe. He unclenched his fists, running his fingertips over the deep furrows left in the flesh of his palm.
“Come on, angel. Help me here.” Soup dribbled down Runt’s chin.
Infinite love and patience seemed to roll off this woman in waves.
Zee stood closer to Kai, her face buried in her hands. He heard her muttering under her breath but could only catch the words please, Jesus.
Runt ran her tongue over her lips and swallowed. She opened her mouth for more. Now that was better.
The room was like a nursery and a child’s room all mixed into one. Empty though, as if the kid was long gone. It seemed familiar to Kai. The things in the room were foreign to him, but the feelings they evoked were all too familiar, yet he knew he’d never been here.
Zee stood transfixed. Her eyes slid from the crib to the dustbin, over the curves of the bed. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Odd.
It took twenty minutes to get a small bowl of soup into the little girl. She even took a few sips from the bottle of water. By the time the bowl was empty, her cheeks were flushed with colour. Runt settled back with a deep sigh and for the first time, the smile he saw in his dreams broke through on her face. Her chest rose and fell, slowing as she drifted.
The woman gently dabbed at the dribbles on her chin. She set aside the empty bowl, wiped her hands down the front of her jeans and turned to Zee, then Kai. Her eyes narrowed, widened, and then blinked rapidly a few times.“Tea. You two look as if you need some.” She left still rubbing her hands on her jeans.
Kai tilted his head at Zee, “Who is she? Your mom?”
Zee was wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. At Kai’s question, her forehead crinkled. She shook her head. “Let’s go get that tea.”
“You’re holding out on me, Zee.”
In the kitchen, Zee took it upon herself to do introductions.
“Kai, meet TrisTessa. TrisTessa, Kai.” She cleared her throat, in the way people do in awkward situations. “I’ll check on Runt.” Zee walked out.
Kai would have followed her but didn’t want to seem rude. TrisTessa seemed uncomfortable enough as it was. Make conversation, Kai. Small talk.
“So how do you two know each other?”
“I guess you could say we met through the hospital.”
“Were you in together, or just visiting?”
“Er...visiting. Yeah, that’s it.” She breathed out hard enough to make her shoulders slump. “Kai, come with me.” She flicked a light switch in the hall and led him to a mirror nestled in between all the photographs. She pulled him close so that their faces were reflected next to each other. “Tell me what you see.”
He shrugged and was about to answer, but she cut him off. “Look closely.”
He saw it then—the shape of his eyes mirrored in her face, the slant of her cheekbones that he’d been shaving for a few years now. “You wrote the letter, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t meet you. I was on my way...”
“I know, Kai. Evazee found me and brought me to you.” She paused, as if doubting herself. “But even if there wasn’t a bus involved, I wouldn’t have blamed you for not coming.”
“What do you mean?”
The oven timer buzzed. TrisTessa tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and turned to the kitchen. “I didn’t know...” she floundered, grasping for words, “I’ve spent years thinking of what I should have done. It’s eaten me alive—”
“It doesn’t matter.” Kai cut her off, he couldn’t go there now. Whatever she said would just be a cover up for the truth. She didn’t want him and he didn’t want to hear any of the lies she’d tell to hide the fact.
TrisTessa put a hot muffin on a plate and slid it across the table, a peace offering. She seemed to pick up his
anger and didn’t push.
“How do you know this little girl? What do you call her? Runt?”
Zee came back in and claimed the stool next to Kai.
TrisTessa gave her a muffin.
“That’s the big thing. I don’t understand what is going on. I know that I was hit by a bus and landed in hospital. That’s where it gets a bit weird. The way I see it, there are two possibilities. Either I had some really bizarre dreams, or I was somehow transported into a spiritual world.”
Zee bit into her muffin and spoke around a mouthful. “Dreams, Kai. Really vivid dreams.”
“Last time I checked, Zee, dreams don’t draw on your chest.” He pulled his T-shirt aside. The squiggly bug Runt had drawn was still there. Fading, but clear.
Zee choked on her muffin. Kai slapped her on the back. “You were right there after she drew this.”
TrisTessa pushed her plate aside. “It doesn’t make sense to me either, but we have to find who this little girl belongs to and take her back to them. Somewhere there is someone whose heart breaks one hundred times a day.” She glanced at Kai.
Zee blinked away the tears in her eyes and cleared crumbs from her throat. “Maybe you have to figure out where she fits in on the other side, and we can tie it up to where she came from in the real world.”
“She was with a bunch I called the monkey boys. They lived in a rotting tree. Remember, Zee?”
“I do, actually. Where would that be here?”
“Saint Gregory’s School.”
19
Kai sat in the shade of an oak tree across the road from the school. When he left, he’d vowed never to return, yet here he was.
Zee sat next to him, knees drawn up against her chest. “Now what?” she asked.
“Let me try something.”
Steeling himself, he reached up and touched the mark on his wrist to the ladybug Runt had drawn. The sky darkened and the school across the road melted. Kai blinked, and in front of him was the poisoned tree.
Monkey boys sat on the platforms, squabbling over scraps. Others climbed the limbs of the giant tree. All of them wore the painted-on light stripes they’d gotten from the river.
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