Looper

by Ann Bakshis

  “Good evening, Tarsus,” Hammond begins, his face a lot younger than it is now, but still covered with that ridiculous mustache. He’s standing in front of a large paned window, which overlooks the skyscrapers and bright neon signs of downtown Tarsus. He has to be at least several stories high since the tops of most of the buildings behind him are at the same level he’s at. “Leader Fallon has dispatched a unit of Aedox to the northern section of Tarsus. There are rumors going around of a possible uprising among some of our more elite citizens.” The window behind Hammond changes to an overview of a very well-manicured landscape with immense houses sporadically positioned around fountains and pools. No signs of carriage lines anywhere along the paths.

  Does having a carriage line connected to your dwelling actually signify that you aren’t as prominent as those without one? I don’t remember seeing a cable running along the path in front of Troy’s house, or any of the houses in his neighborhood now that I think about it.

  “Minor uprisings are not new to us. They happen quite frequently in the Outer Limits,” Hammond says, almost with a laugh. “What is concerning about this one is the couple implicated in such a scheme. Yes, children, I’m speaking about our loving and kind hearted former leader, Liam Thomas.”

  “What does this have to do with anything?” I ask, irritated.

  “You don’t recognize them?” Frey asks.

  “Why would I? Nothing like this has ever been transmitted into the Outer Limits. We can only watch The Litarian Battles.”

  “Max, these images are from your memory,” Troy says. “The Archive simply matched up the data from your mind to their files, and is showing related content.”

  That can’t be? None of this can be true. This has to be a trick.

  Troy had paused the video after my outburst, so he touches the screen again to continue the video.

  “Liam and his wife, Clio, have been outspoken opponents of the newly appointed leader. Especially since Mr. Thomas was not allowed to serve the normal timeframe for his term in office, which is twenty years. In fact, he was only our leader for a total of four years. An unprecedented short amount of time. Leader Fallon has never explained why she was selected to replace Mr. Thomas, nor has she commented on any of his statements against her. So for now, children, we will sit back and watch the fun.”

  The video stops and the files appear on the screen. Troy looks them over and selects another one. Hammond appears on the screen again, standing in the same spot he had in the earlier message.

  “Severe actions were taken today against the Thomas family,” Hammond starts, looking a little frazzled. “Leader Fallon had no choice but to seize Liam and Clio Thomas this afternoon, placing them under arrest. Not much detail is known as to why, only that they have been moved to a secure location. The whereabouts of their daughter, Mera, have not been disclosed.”

  “You honestly think I’m these people’s daughter?” I say with a slight chuckle. “Wow, the three of you are nuts.”

  Troy stops the video, walks up to me, but he can’t get close enough with the beams. “You really don’t get it, Max. Do you not understand your role in regards to the future of Tarsus? Your parents were formidable opponents to Leader Fallon. You can help us take back Tarsus from Fallon’s rule, liberate the Outer Limits, and allow anyone to go to Icarian, not just those who pass her torture ritual.”

  “You’re making this all up,” I protest. “My parents died in an industrial accident. I’ve been in the Outer Limits my whole life. I’m not the Thomas’ daughter.”

  Frey presses the button on the end table, allowing the beams to ascend. He pulls me to my feet, and I’m surprised I can now move. With his hand on my back, he gently guides me to the monitor. He switches the images, so the child is the main focus. I know it’s me, I recognize the outfit. It’s the one I was wearing when I was sent to live at the orphanage. But I still don’t want to believe any of it’s true. I stare into the eyes of my younger self, trying my hardest to recall what happened.

  I try to pull away, but Troy is blocking my path. He touches Liam’s picture and chooses another video. I don’t know how much more I can take, but I’m pinned to my spot.

  “Good evening, Tarsus. Traitors have been located among us. Leader Fallon has made it her priority to rid Tarsus and the Outer Limits of them by making an example of the two most dangerous people we have ever encountered. Liam and Clio Thomas were executed today, according to Leader Fallon, and their bodies have been destroyed. Their daughter has vanished. Many people are speculating that Mera was killed with her parents, others say she has been tucked away somewhere. Nevertheless, peace has finally settled over Tarsus and its territories once again.”

  Frey stops the video. “Are you still not convinced you’re their daughter?”

  I hesitate in answering, which is a bad move. He sees right through me now. The doubt that has formed in my mind of who I really am. I don’t want to believe what I just heard, but parts of it ring true to me. I look down at my hands, remembering the dream I had about Leader Fallon ensuring I was sent into The Litarian Battles. Did she do this to me? Why? Was killing my parents not enough, that she felt she had to mangle me as well? But why send me to live in the Outer Limits? Why not kill me as well? She would’ve known I could be a possible threat when I got older, so why spare me?

  I don’t say a word to any of them on the ride home. Once we’re back at Frey’s house, I tell him I need some time by myself to think things over. My head is pounding and I want to hide under the covers, but because of last night I don’t dare. Instead I take one of the pillows and a blanket, pulling them down onto the floor with me. I curl up in a ball and try to sort out the feelings that are currently running throughout my body. The main one is confusion. Why would my parents want to cause an uprising? So my father only led for a short time, so what? None of this makes sense.

  I feel myself starting to drift off to sleep. I try to fight it since I’m not really tired, but I’m failing. My wristband begins to glow green, the room begins to vanish, and it’s at this moment I realize I’m looping. I’m being pulled from my current location to another one, but how and why?

  The warm air is replaced by cold, almost to the point where I can see my breath. I can’t tell the size of the room I’m in due to the extreme darkness. I’m puzzled by how I got here. It’s definitely by the same method used to move me from the battle floor to the medical office. I thought the Keepers couldn’t transport anyone who was outside Thrace Tower. But what if they aren’t the ones who brought me here? I get to my feet slowly, waiting for someone to attack, but not sure why. I wrap my arms around myself trying to keep warm. The sudden flash of light above my head causes me to jump. I’m momentarily blinded. My eyes eventually adjust, but the light doesn’t move.

  “Maxine Sutton,” a female voice echoes through the chamber. “You’ve been brought here at the request of Leader Fallon.”

  I squint my eyes and scan the room looking for where the voice could possibly be coming from. “Why? Who are you?”

  “We are the Patrician, the rulers of your world.”

  “I thought Leader Fallon was in charge?”

  “She is in charge of the city. We are in charge of her.”

  I let silence settle between us. My brain quickly thinking of questions to ask. “Why am I here?”

  “Leader Fallon will tell you.”

  The light above me vanishes as another one turns on across the room, illuminating a tall woman with long red hair. Her dark green pantsuit causes her hair to glow like a fire that has just been started. Individual lights pop on above her as she makes her way towards me. I can’t decide if I should be terrified, angry, or relieved.

  “Hello, Max,” she says when she’s only a few feet away.

  “How did you bring me here?”

  “The Keepers aren’t the only ones who can teleport people. We’ve been able to prevent them from taking anyone outside of Thrace Tower for a little over a year now. It won’t b
e long until they figure out how to override our protocols and re-establish their connection with the outside. They’ve been trying unsuccessfully for months, but with some changes that have occurred at Thrace Tower, they’re almost close to succeeding.”

  “What kind of changes and what does it have to do with me?”

  She ignores my question. “Have you heard of the Dracken?”

  I shake my head.

  “Have you noticed anyone with a dragon tattoo?”

  I hesitate in answering. Do I tell the truth, or lie? What will happen to me if I just don’t answer?

  “Max, I need to know. You’re my only set of eyes in Thrace Tower, and I can’t trust anyone else.”

  “What makes you think you can trust me?” I say with anger.

  “You owe me, Max, you just haven’t realized it yet.”

  “I don’t owe you anything!” I shout. “You killed my parents and stuck me in the Outer Limits. Did you do this to me too?” I show her my hands, shoving them as close to her face as possible.

  “I know you’ve been to the Archive, which is why I had you brought here. You only saw what they wanted you to see, not the whole truth. There’s more going on here than you know.”

  “What if I have seen people with a dragon tattoo? Who cares?”

  “They belong to a group called the Dracken. An anti-Patrician group set on causing a realignment of our world. The Keepers are the ones orchestrating this rebellion. We believe they are using The Litarian Battles to initiate new members and grow their army.”

  “And what about the event?”

  “It’s a means to select their new ruler and begin a war with the Patrician.”

  “So, there is no Pentras,” I state more than ask.

  “Yes and no.”

  “What does that mean?”

  An alarm sounds behind me. Leader Fallon rushes towards me, grabbing my arms. “Max, don’t trust the Matrons or any of the Dracken. I’ll try and contact you again, but you have to go back now.” She lets go, steps back, and is about to leave when she stops mid-step. “I didn’t kill your parents, but now I wish I had.”

  She disappears into the now darkened room. I feel myself being pulled, thrust backwards. I try not to hold my breath as I loop. My feet touch cold tile and I’m in the bathroom off the bedroom.

  “Max, where are you?” Frey calls from somewhere in the house.

  The Patrician must have been monitoring the house, so when Frey began looking for me they sounded an alarm.

  “Max, you hiding from me?” Frey asks with a slight giggle in his voice.

  I quickly step over to the toilet and flush. When I exit into the bedroom, Frey is walking through the door. “Can’t a girl use the bathroom in peace?” I ask, chiding him.

  “There you are. I was wondering if you’re hungry.”

  I nod and follow him into the kitchen. His parents have left for the evening, so we eat in the common room with the monitor off. I’m thankful for the silence as my head is too cramped with everything that has happened today to tolerate any extra outside noise. I don’t eat much and take my plate back to the kitchen. I stand in front of the sink, looking out the window at the night sky.

  “What’s the matter?” Frey asks, putting his arms around my shoulders, leaning his tense body against mine.

  “With everything that’s happened today, I just can’t process it all.”

  “I know what’ll relax you.”

  It’s only a matter of minutes before we’re both naked in his bed. The heat rising from his skin eases the tension in my muscles. His touch feels comforting and natural. We collapse into each other’s arms. I rest my head on his chest, listening as the air moves in and out of his lungs. I want to ask him about the tattoo, but feel this may not be the right time. Instead, I ask him something else.

  “Why did you take me to the Archive?”

  “I wanted you to know who you really are. It’s been kept from you for so long, that I felt you had a right to know.” He strokes my spine with his hand, and I begin to drift off. “I need you, Max. We all do.”

  Twelve

  He’s gone when I wake. I put my clothes on, head down to my room, and take a long hot shower. When I emerge wrapped only in a towel, Avery is there. His presence is unsettling. I head right to the dresser and rummage through the drawers as quickly as possible.

  “You know, don’t you?” he asks.

  My hands pause, I blink, and start choosing my clothes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  I turn around, but he has my path blocked. He steps forward, causing me to fall back into the dresser. His hands are almost touching my towel. “Who you are, Max. What really happened to your parents? I told you not to remember, to bury it, but you didn’t listen and now we’re all going to pay for it.”

  He pulls out a knife from behind his waistband, grabs my wrist, and swings my arm behind my back. He shoves me to the floor, straddles my back, and is about to plunge the weapon into me when a shot rings out. Avery falls off me. I scramble away as fast as I can, trying to get some distance between us. Nan steps further into the room and shoots Avery again. She turns to me, gun aimed at my head.

  “Where’s Frey?” she asks, her voice not wavering.

  “I…I don’t know,” I manage to squeak out.

  “Get dressed and meet me in the common room.”

  I sprint into the bathroom, lock the door behind me, and start to cry. I don’t know why I’m sobbing, perhaps at the thought that my life almost ended. I’ve never been afraid of death since you face it so often in the Outer Limits, especially at the hands of the Aedox. But this was different. I tap the wristband and scroll through the options, looking for the map of Tarsus. There has to be a way I can escape from Tarsus and get back to the Outer Limits so I can hide. But the only connection between the two areas is the Dead Zone, which is too toxic. I splash cold water on my face, dress, and meet Nan in the common room.

  “Please, sit,” she says, gesturing to the couch, the gun no longer in her hand.

  I take a seat, but as far from her as possible.

  “Frey cannot know any of this,” she says, pacing in front of me. “I will get rid of the body, but you have to promise me you won’t tell Frey what happened.”

  All I can do is stare at her. I’m still trying to process everything.

  “Promise me,” she says louder.

  I nod.

  She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “All right, now that we have that settled, there’s something we need to discuss.” Nan sits in the chair by the window trying to calm herself down even more. “When you get back to Thrace Tower, you need to do everything you can to get to the event.”

  I’m shocked by her request since she thought I could be as dangerous as my mother.

  “Even if that means killing your friends,” she adds.

  “Why?” I ask, trying to sound like I’m in control of my voice, which I’m not.

  “Our survival depends upon it.”

  “Why?!” I shout, standing. “What the hell is going on that everyone is saying they need me? I’m just an orphan from the Outer Limits. I’m nothing special.”

  “Yes, Max, you are. If only I could explain it to you…but we’re running out of time.” She looks down at her watch, which displays something else that I can’t quite see. “Just trust me, please Max.”

  I don’t have time to respond before Frey walks through the front door. Nan quickly conceals her agitation with a smile. She gets up and gives Frey a hug before heading back towards the bedrooms. He steps down into the common room and places his hand on my shoulder, while his other hand lifts my face towards his.

  “You all right?” he asks, a concerned look on his face. This one looks genuine.

  “Is there another place we can stay for the next two days?”

  “Yes, but why? What happened?”

  I’m trying to think of a lie, but one isn’t coming fast enough.

  “Max, you’re shakin
g.” Frey pulls me into his chest and I wrap my arms around him, holding on tightly.

  “I don’t feel safe here,” is all I can say.

  He kisses the top of my forehead, releases me, and goes into the kitchen. I sit down on the couch, trying to think of a better story to tell when he returns, which isn’t for some time. When he does come back he tells me to go pack. I hesitate walking down the hallway, knowing what lies on the other side of the bedroom door. But when I open it, the room is empty. I grab the duffle, stuff both my clean and dirty clothes into the bag, and go down to Frey’s room. I make sure to close my bedroom door since I don’t want Frey noticing the large bloodstain next to the bed.

  “Where are we going?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t say Troy’s place.

  “Addie’s house. She’s excited to see you.”

  I let out my breath not realizing I’d been holding it. When we exit the house, I’m surprised there isn’t a carriage waiting for us. I ask Frey about it.

  “I don’t want it recorded.”

  I give him a questioning look.

  “Every pickup that the carriages make are automatically recorded. Don’t they do that in the Outer Limits?”

  Since I only repaired them, I never noticed if they recorded anything. But I don’t remember seeing any such thing in the carriages, so I doubt it. Why would Leader Fallon want to know where every carriage in Tarsus has been, unless it’s the Patrician that wants to know? Frey takes my hand and we walk casually down the street. It’s mid-morning, so most of the houses are empty. We have to cross several blocks, almost as if we were going to Lok’s house, but we move past that street and turn right. It’s another ten minutes before we get to Addie’s street. She has the door wide open before we’re even near the path to her house. She runs out and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

  “I’m so glad you came,” she says, releasing me. “Come on in, I’ve got everything situated.”