by Nina Burman
The little boy hopped off the bed and ran over to his sister who shushed him. His clothes were ragged but clean enough. Tthe only thing on him that looked like it needed a good wash was his teddy and Mo could imagine it hard to convince him to give that up. Betty walked over to her mother, picking up the flannel that was sitting in a bowl of water next to the bed, she rang it out and placed it tentatively on her mother's head, although she still winced in pain.
“It’s ok, they have come to help.” sShe whispered into her mother’s ear.
Mo again was surprised how well Betty had cared for her mother and brother. Eeven though her mother was clearly very sick she was clean as were the bed sheets, even though Betty looked young she must be older than Mo had thought.
Ethan came past Mo swamping the room with his huge bulk. Mo looked behind her expecting to see Benji, but the passage was empty. Ethan knelt down next to the woman putting a hand on her head.
“Can you hear me?” He asked.
“She nodded.”
“What’s your name?”
She coughed a little and Betty ran out fetching some water bringing it back to her mother and putting it gently to her lips., Betty got some pills out of her little bag and crushed them into the water and again helped her mother drink, the little boy hanging off her the whole time. After she had drunk the whole glass she helped her mother sit up and wiped her brow with a cold cloth. After about 10 minutes of Betty fussing, the pills began to take effect.
“My name is Sadie. And you are?” sShe replied, her voice stronger than Mo thought it would be.
“I am Ethan and this is Moria.”
“And what are you?”
“We are Volucris, a different species from human as you can tell, we have wings and we are strong so that we can fly.”
“Am I dreaming, is this the fever?”
“No it is true, but by the heat of your skin you do have a very bad fever., I am sorry to be so blunt but while you are lucid I have some important questions to ask about you and your children, is that ok?”
Sadie nodded in response, her eyes looking a little clearer now, taking in everything Ethan was saying.
Ethan continued, “Tell me, did you have an operation on your back when you were a teenager?”
“Yes I did, I was nearly 15 and they cut away two lumps.” Realisation crossed her face. “Do you mean I am like you?”
“You could have been yes, but they cut your wings away. I am sorry that happened. , Ddid you know both of your parents?”
“Only my mother, I never knew my father and she did not talk of him.”
“It is likely he was like us, and your children will be like us too.”
She looked down to her little boy and over to Betty who was sitting quietly in the corner, she smiled at her with tears in her eyes.
“That is good, I can tell that you are good, not like the others I have seen.”
“Others?” Mo asked.
“Yes, I only saw them from a distance a little while ago now, they attacked a group living a few blocks from here.”
“Attacked?” Ethan asked, surprise in his voice.
“Yes, there were only 4 of them., Tthey didn’t look like you do, their muscles were larger, more defined and in regular clothes, army clothes, and they had no colour to their wings just all white like the girls., I stayed hidden with the children but I was close enough to see and hear what was happening. They were forcing all the people to go with them.”
“Forcing them with what.”
“They had guns.”
“Guns! That makes no sense, no Volucris has ever had a gun.” Ethan responded with dismay.
“Well these did., Mmost of those there didn’t want to go but they had no choice. I heard one of them say they were taking them to the airfield base on the south side of the city., Tthey loaded them into a truck, about 10 people, women and children I would say, glad I was hidden.”
Ethan turned to Mo, “TThis is disturbing, I have never heard of any Volucris acting like this, maybe Lordes has seen it before.”
He turned back to Sadie whose condition was worsening again, the pills not strong. Ethan asked if he could look at her leg, “May I?” She nodded but looked at the children with concern. Mo got the hint and after a little coaxing from the boy, whose name was Ely, took him and Betty outside. Lordes and Benji were in deep conversation as they came outside. , Mo called over, “aA little help here.” She shouted a bit more aggressively than she intended. Benji quickly broke off his conversation and jogged over kneeling down straight away in front of the little boy and asking his name., Yyou could see the child instantly liked him and before long Benji was playing tag with both of them. Lordes had walked off to the side showing little interest as usual, Ethan came out of the house and over to Mo.
“It’s not good, her leg is very bad and the infection has certainly spread, I would give her a couple of days at most. We can’t stay here. Tthe best thing would be to persuade her to let us take the children.”
“You're certain there is nothing you can do?” Mo asked.
“Maybe if Phallon was here but no even then. , Ddo you think you can persuade her, it’s really the only chance the children will have.”
Mo was slightly taken aback at Ethan’s request, she could see it was the only course of action. Tthere was no-way they could move the mother in her state and Ethan was right, it would not be safe for anyone to stay on the ground.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good, I’ll talk with Lordes about what she has told us.”
Mo nodded and went back inside leaving the children to play with Benji. , Aas she sat down next to Sadie they could both hear the delighted screams and squeals of the children as Benji chased them around.
“It’s been a long time since I have heard that noise.” Sadie said.
Mo gulped, she didn’t know how to even start this conversation.
“It’s ok girl, I know what your gunna say so let me save you the bother and I’ll say it first, please take my children, keep them safe.”
Mo was stunned into silence.
“Ever since this world collapsed I have lived in fear of everything, of people, of the virus, of no food, of trying to keep us alive, and since I hurt myself and it went bad, fear of dying and leaving them to fend for themselves. I know Betty is good and does a great job with me and Ely, but I was so scared of leaving them both. And now you folks have walked in the door and I know they will be safe with you, I can just tell you will look after them properly, not like those others. And I can let go for the first time in a very long time since their father died, I can stop feeling so scared, I am so tired of being afraid. So please take them for me and promise me you will keep them together and look after them till they're old enough to look after themselves.”
Mo smiled back at Sadie, “I promise, with all my heart.”
And Sadie closed her eyes., Mo could almost see her relax, as though a huge weight had been lifted.
“Thank you, now send my babies in, I’ll need to tell them to go with you so they will go with no fuss ok.”
“It seems so wrong just leaving you here.”
“Don’t worry yourself about that, you are doing the best thing you can for me by taking my kids. Those tablets that Betty gave me, they will be over there by the dresser in the top draw. Just crush em all up and put them in this glass of water, I’ll soon drift off. Bbe best that way girl, you can’t carry me out and what good would it do anyway, I know in my bones that this infection is killing me.”
Mo looked over to the dresser. Sshe walked over to it and opened the draw, there were the pills in its their orange tube, she picked it up, could she do this? She was helping this woman to die.
“Don’t you fret over it girl, I’m dead anyway, you make me that cocktail then send my babies in ok.”
Mo found a spoon and tipped out the contents of the orange tube., Sshe crushed the tablets fighting back the tears that were threatening, she knew she couldn�
�t be the one to be showing any emotion especially as Sadie was the one going to die and she seemed so resolute. She fetched the glass of water and tipped in the crushed pills before using the spoon to mix it together. Sshe took the fatal tonic over to Sadie.
“Thank you girl, you’re a good girl. Iit’s the right and proper thing to do.”
Sadie took Mo’s hand in her own. “You’re like angels coming here and saving my kids, and you tell me I would have been like you too, with these magnificent wings?”
“Yes you would have been, and your children will, they will soar through the air; it is the most wonderful thing.”
“Mmm I bet it is.” Sadie smiled imagining what it must be like.
Mo nodded and rose., Bbefore she left the room she bent down and kissed Sadie on the head. “You're the bravest person I have ever met.”
Mo went out of the house and first explained to Lordes and Ethan what was happening before going over to Benji and the children. , Sshe told the children to go into their mother which they promptly did., Oonce they went inside Mo told Benji what was happening and seeing her anguish he swept her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest letting the tears stream down her face, not caring what her father or Ethan thought.
After about half an hour the kids came out of the house, the little boy ran straight up to Benji who promptly threw him in the air making him laugh and giggle. Betty hung back on the porch and Mo could see her wiping tears away from her eyes, Mo walked over to her.
“Ely doesn’t get it.” sShe said to Mo. “He doesn’t understand what she is making us do, but I do, she is making us leave and then she is gunna kill herself.” She burst into tears and fell on to her knees. Mo rushed over to her and lifted her into her arms.
“Betty, I know how hard this is for you, I had to leave my own grandmother behind when these people came for me, before I had my wings. , Iit is the hardest decision you will ever have to make but it is the right one. Your mother is very sick and no matter how hard you try and care for her she will die, maybe not today but in the next couple of days., Yyou have done so much for her and looked after her so well but no-one can help her now. The only thing you can do for her is come with us and help look after Ely.”
“Is your grandmother dead?”
Mo looked down at the girl in her arms, she had never allowed herself to think the worst and she hoped beyond anything that it wasn’t true. “I don’t know.” sShe replied.
Chapter 42
They left soon after. Ethan strapped Betty to Mo and then Ely to Benji., Tthere was one heart breaking moment when Ely asked, “What about Mum?” but Betty showed great strength, reminding him quietly that she was very sick and she would have to stay behind.
“But who will look after her?” his eyes beginning to pool with tears.
“She won’t need any more looking after ElyEly; she is going to sleep now.” Betty replied.
Benji hugged the boy close to his chest as he was strapped on and Mo did the same with Betty, sobs racking through their small bodies.
Ethan said he would stay behind for a little while to make sure their mother didn’t need anything. Mo could tell he was going to make sure she had the strength to drink the toxic potion, none of them wanted to leave her to a long and slow death.
It was hard taking off with Betty strapped to her chest, but Mo followed her father who quickly led them to a lifting thermal. Lordes had been very cold throughout the whole ordeal., Mo didn’t even think he had gone in to see Sadie, he just hung back outside. She wondered what he and Benji had been talking about. Wwhen she first took the kids outside it was the first time Lordes had shown any interest in Benji. , Sshe figured it must be about this new talent he had for smell, it certainly had proved a useful skill today. She doubted if Lordes would have let them take the children at all if he hadn’t been sure they were Volucris. How would you tell otherwise though, they shouldn’t just dismiss it out of hand, they must have some way of telling otherwise how would they have known to pick up Lucy or Anabel? Thinking back she realised all of them had been picked up when their wings had started to grow through, maybe that’s why they had not bought back anyone younger than teenagers, because they couldn’t be sure they were true Volucris, this was a chilling thought.
They arrived back at the camp just as the sun was setting, the others were already back having had no luck in their own searches. Betty and Ely had both fallen asleep on the way there exhausted from the emotion. , Tthey carried them to Mo’s tent and set up cots for them both, tucking them in together.
Ethan returned soon after looking graver than usual. , Mo didn’t wasn’t sure if she wanted to know what had happened in that small house. Sshe looked at Ethan and he just nodded back at her, that was all the answer she needed, it was done, Sadie was dead.
The others had got the fire going and made a meal, they all sat round and ate in silence. Even though it had been such a traumatic day Mo found she was ravenous and she ate greedily, it must have been the extra weight of Betty.
After eating they discussed what each group had found. Tristan and Thea both reported much the same as what Mo had already seen. Aa lot of death. , Iit seemed all the inhabitants of the town had died or left. , Tthere was a trail leading to the north which they thought they could explore further.
Lordes told their story in considerable detail Mo was surprised to find. Even though he had not been actively involved he clearly knew everything that had happened. He explained about Benji and his powerful smell which they were all very impressed by, especially Tristan w when Benji told him what he had had for lunch earlier, he slapped him on the back, admonishing him for not telling him before. Benji revelled in the attention he was receiving from the older Volucris and Mo felt a growing sense of pride for him.
“Benji’s new found gift, “Lordes continued, “will enable us to identify even younger Volucris, which I am afraid Benji, will mean you staying on the mainland for a while.”
“That’s fine by me, anything I can do to help.”
“It is also very concerning the news the mother imparted to Moria and Ethan. That a set of unknown Volucris are taking people by force using guns no less.”
“Isn’t that what you have been doing for years though?” Mo tentatively asked.
“Never by force Moria. , Yyes, we have taken in many young Volucris but it has always been their choice after we explained to them what they are. , Bbelieve me, we have not convinced everyone, especially when they had to leave behind family members.”
Mo felt thoroughly admonished and shrank back against Benji, she never meant to make out anyone had done anything wrong.
“I want us to fly to this airbase to see what is happening. , Wwe have to be careful as we have already heard they are armed, something abhorrent to our kind. , Wwe need to see if there are any Volucris being held here against their will. If we are all in agreement, I suggest we go tomorrow night with the cover of darkness, although it is a full moon so we will have some light.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“What about the children?” Mo asked.
“We will of course take them with us back to Ety, I would suggest in the next day or two. I want us all to go to the airbase tomorrow for safety which will mean leaving the children here alone for a few hours, I don’t see that as much of a problem though, the girl seems quite capable. I want some of us to stay here for a while, but I have not chosen who will take them back to Ety as yet, let us see what we find at the airbase.”
Mo was conflicted, she knew Lordes wanted Benji to stay here and help in the search for child Volucris, but she also felt a strong connection with Betty and Ely. Sshe didn’t want them to feel abandoned from by her if she sent them off with someone else to Ety. And of course, the whole reason she had come here in the first place was to find her grandmother. She had been so sure that was her only course of action until she had met Sadie and her children. , Wwhat Sadie had done for those kids, to let them go like that was so brave.
, Mmaybe Ethan had been right from the start, she should let Rebecca go, that wasn’t her path anymore and Rebecca had wanted her to go, to be safe, to become what she had not been able to be too.
The conversation had begun to break down into smaller groups. , Lordes and Ethan had stepped back from the fire deep in conversation away from prying ears, Benji was enthralling the others with his amazing talent for smell. Mo got up and stepped away from the camp, she looked in on the children both sound asleep, cuddled in each other’s arms. She left them sleeping and went out to the cliff edge. Tthe breeze was strong and she let it buffet her wings trying to blow away the events of the day.
“You ok?”
Mo jumped slightly, she hadn’t expected anyone to follow her, but her heart leaped at the sound of Benji’s voice.
“I guess, I don’t know.”
“It was hard today.”
“You seem to cope ok with it all, I was the blubbing idiot.”
Benji moved over to her, encircling her in his arms, their wings automatically joining, surrounding them like they were in their own little cocoon.
“I’ve just got used to dealing with this kind of stuff Mo, you lock it away in a box and just don’t go there.”
“That doesn’t sound too healthy.”
“No, it’s not but if I let all the bad things I’ve seen and had to do get to me, I would not be here now.”
She looked into his dazzling blue eyes and stroked his cheek before gently kissing him.
“You know I really love you.”
“And I love you too.”
She smiled and rested her head against his chest.
“We haven’t had a moment together recently, there is so much I want to talk to you about, your mother, my father, this situation here, my grandmother and not least, why you didn’t tell me about your super power.”