Volucris_Emmergence

by Nina Burman

  Benji laughed, “I didn’t realise it was so super, I just thought we all had it. It feels good to know I am a bit special now, like you.”

  “To Lordes you mean?”

  “I guess and the others, you’ve been taking all the limelight missy.” He tickled her and she giggled.

  “I am more than happy not to have any attention.”

  “So let’s talk now, what about your grandmother?”

  Mo then told Benji about her real reasons for coming to the mainland, of wanting to find her grandmother, of fearing the worst for her safety, but after today’s events she was realising was this such a good idea? Benji understood her reasons for wanting to find Rebecca, but he too thought there was a more pressing task and that was to help those here and now, that the likelihood was that Rebecca was fine, she was with a group Lordes trusted. Benji knew that, but these children they found today were not and there could be many more like them. And because of Benji’s nose he could really help.

  “What if we find kids that are not Volucris, are we really just going to leave them behind?” Mo asked.

  “I don’t know the answer to that Mo, and it depends doesn’t it, on the circumstances, they may have already got people looking after them.”

  “But what if they don’t, what if it is like it was today, could you really have just left those kids there if they were just human?”

  “No, but I wouldn’t take them to Ety either, what would be the point.”

  Mo could see there would be little point taking humans somewhere they could never get to or leave on their own.

  “But we would see they are ok, won’t we.”

  “I don’t know Mo.”

  An uncomfortable silence fell between them, both were nervous to explore this topic further so Benji changed the subject.

  “I have some other interesting news too that also very much interested your father. Something my mother told me.”

  “Really, do tell.”

  “I am not a half breed after all, both my parents are Volucris.”

  Mo was taken aback. , “I don’t get it, I thought your father died of the virus, I didn’t think Volucris caught the virus.”

  “Turns out he wasn’t my biological father. My mother lived in a very strict clan in Europe up in the alps, very isolated in the mountains. , Iit was run by one male Volucris and he was surrounded by females. Tthere were some boys but he treated them no better than slaves, he was cruel and ruled it like a male lion would a pride. Only he could mate with the females. My mother fell pregnant a number of times and watched as her children grew, some male some female, all being treated and abused by this horror of a man. When she fell pregnant with me she didn’t want this life for another of her children so she ran away, or should I say flew away. , Sshe stayed away from humans as much as possible, but one day my other father, Darren, found her looking for food, he thought she was an angel at first until she explained. He was kind and brought her food throughout her pregnancy, even helping to deliver me. Isabelle knew she couldn’t stay with Darren for ever. , Iit had been summer and easy, but winter was coming and she could not risk being seen by other humans who would not have been so understanding, she had to go back to her clan. Sshe would not have survived the winter alone, she had no idea that she would be welcomed anywhere else, she thought all Volucris lived as they did. She also knew she couldn’t take me with her,. sSo she asked Darren to take me which unbelievably he did. , Hhe told her he planned to move to America and he would be happy to take me with him. So I suppose you could say the rest is history.”

  “That’s incredible! That he would just take you on like that.”

  “I think they were really in love with each other. I have always thought so from that picture I showed you, but they couldn’t be together so he did the next best thing, to have a part of her close to him and that was to have me.”

  “You miss him don’t you?.”

  “Every day, but if he had lived Mo, if he had survived and I had to choose between staying with him or having this life, I know I would still have chosen this life, this is more important.”

  Mo nodded, she could see he was trying to make her see that going after her grandmother was a fruitless task.

  “But would you have left him forever, would you have given him up?”

  “Yes, even believing he was my true father and knowing him, I think he would have let me go like Rebecca let you go, she wanted you to live, to survive.”

  “I just don’t get why we all can’t survive together.”

  “You know why Mo, there are not enough Volucris to help everyone, we have to be selective and for that reason we can only select our own kind to help.”

  Mo shook her head. “I can see the logic, I can, but my heart says no, I will help all those I can or at least try to. And I know with all that is happening here it would be foolish of me to leave to try and seek out Rebecca. I can see I am needed here to try and help, but one day I will look for her Benji, I promised her that I would and I am not going to break that promise.”

  “I know and when that day comes I promise to come with you.”

  She smiled and leant in resting her head on his chest, feeling his low slow breathing and beat of his heart. , Sshe loved him for all that he was, for the good he was trying to do and for loving her, for not dismissing her feelings or ideas.

  Chapter 43

  They spent the next day preparing for the evening. Lordes cautioned them all on being seen, of how to escape quickly especially if they witnessed anyone with guns. Ethan and Thea made more vine ropes just in case, Ethan said, if there was anyone who needed our help, we should be prepared to take them. Lordes very much thought this would be more of a recky recce just to see what was going on. He had spent many years pulling all the clans together which often meant conflict. , Ffrom the scars on his face and the stories Ethan had told Mo, she knew he had been in many battles and always before any battle he said, you must know your opponent well before you attack.

  Mo had little time with Benji. , Iif Lordes was not instructing the group then he and Benji were deep in conversation, Mo guessed it must be about his ability and how it could help.

  When she wasn’t needed, Mo spent time with Betty and Ely. , Betty, as you could imagine, was very quiet and subdued. , Ely on the other hand kept asking when they would be going back to Sadie. , Iit was after the fourth time that Betty shouted at him that she was dead and to stop asking. He of course burst into tears and ran off, Mo hot on his heels. She caught up with him quickly.

  “It’s ok Ely.” She hushed him stroking his back.

  “Is it true?”

  Mo nodded and a fresh load of tears sprung from his eyes.

  “But you’re angels aren’t you, I thought you were gunna save her?” He sobbed.

  “We’re not angels Ely and we did help, we helped you and your sister. , Yyour mum asked us to take you to make sure you were safe, but we couldn’t help her, she was too sick.”

  “How do you know she’s dead, she may have got better overnight.”

  “Remember Ethan stayed behind after we left, he said she fell asleep and didn’t wake up again, I’m so sorry.”

  Ely sobbed into Mo’s arms for what felt like an age eventually falling asleep, little sobs being replaced with soft snores.

  Betty came up next to them and sat. “Sorry.” sShe said.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for Betty.”

  They sat quietly together for a little while before Mo started to ask Betty about her life before the virus struck. She learnt they had a large family, uncles and aunts as well as a father, all succumbing to the virus. Mo guessed it must only have been Sadie and her children that carried the Volucris blood that kept them free of the virus. This poor girl had seen and experienced so much in her short life. Mo was surprised to hear she was in actual fact 13, she looked so much younger, this was probably down to the malnutrition they had suffered.

  The sun started to set and Mo explained that the
group would have to leave them for a couple of hours, that they had to check what Sadie had told them about the airbase. She had been worried Betty might be anxious to be left alone, but she just nodded.

  “I promise to come back Betty.”

  “I know you will.” She smiled back at Mo.

  Mo carried Ely back to the tent. , Tthey all sat down for one last meal before Mo settled the children in, reassuring them they would not be long. Benji had finally extracted himself from Lordes and was busy tickling Ely, making him feel better over the loss of his mother.

  After the children were settled the group gathered to drink blood and go over what the plan was once more. Lordes explained they would reach the base from the north, they would find a suitable landing spot that overlooked the camp, but would not reveal themselves. Tthey would observe from this position and then decide on the next course of action.

  The flight took a little over an hour, slightly longer than Mo had hoped, the base seemingly further than they had originally thought. Mo had not flown at night before. , Aat first she found it disconcerting not having full range of sight, but fortunately the moon was full and once it had risen to its full height, it gained them a degree of illumination. Lordes headed the group in a V formation and Mo marvelled at the moonlight dancing off his golden wings. Sshe wondered idly what colour her wings would be, if she would follow in her father’s footsteps in this regard.

  It was odd when the base came into sight, it was the only thing being powered by electricity in an otherwise very black landscape, it looked almost alien Mo thought. As they got closer she could hear the thrum of the large wind turbine that was generating the electricity, the base was large but mainly unused. There were many outbuildings and hangars Mo could see in the moonlight, but they were clearly unoccupied. There were only two buildings in the centre of the compound that had any light on. There was very little activity, in fact Mo could not see anyone moving around at all. They circled high above the base for a number of minutes before Lordes guided them to a small hill towards the north of the base. , Tthey came in to land silently and made sure they were out of sight. They all crawled forward to the top of the hill to get a good look down over the whole site. Mo stifled her giggle looking at these large creatures on all fours, their wings looking like shells, it made them all look like a group of tortoises. Once at the top they all lay flat on their stomachs and peered down. Again Mo could see no activity and she wondered what their next move would be.

  Lordes turned to Benji.

  “What do you smell?”

  “Not many people there I would say, only 4 or 5, but they are all in one room so it’s a little hard to gauge.” Benji replied.

  “You can tell all that from here?” Mo asked astonished.

  “Not from here, when we flew above it I could tell.”

  “Anything else?.” Lordes asked.

  “Yes, I can smell one Volucris, a female, older, she is at the far end of the other building but she is the only one.”

  “Odd, from what Sadie said I would have thought there would have been many more.” Ethan remarked.

  “It’s possible there were and they have moved them.” Mo added.

  “Well with so few humans and you think they are in a different building, I suggest we go rescue the one Volucris.” Lordes instructed.

  Everyone nodded in agreement. They all slid back off the ridge and stood further down.

  “You are certain Benji that is all you can smell, there is nothing else in the area?.” Lordes asked.

  “No, they are the only living beings, although I can smell a lot of weaponry down there so whatever we do has to be done quickly, without the humans finding out.”

  “In that case the main group will stay here, Benji I can’t do without your nose so you and I will go down, Ethan and Thea you will circle from above to give support if needed.”

  Mo was crushed to hear that she would not be involved, “Please could I not come,” sShe asked. “It seems pretty straight forward and if the female Volucris has been badly treated she may appreciate a female face.” Mo thought she was stretching by asking, but to her surprise Lordes nodded his agreement.

  The five of them took off from the back of the hill and had to do a large circle around. Benji was in the lead this time and as they neared the base Ethan and Thea split off to circle above leaving Mo, Benji and Lordes in their own little triangle. The trio landed as silently as they could and Benji led them to the back of the building where he knew the Volucris was being kept. Mo could not see any security cameras anywhere, she knew all three could be spotted quickly with her and Benji’s white wings, like beacons to anyone watching. Benji tried the door which was unlocked. They They all moved inside quickly, confident that Benji’s nose had been correct and the only being in here was the one they were there to save.

  “Down here” Benji gestured.

  They moved down a long corridor that was lit with dim lamps every few feet. There were rooms off to the side with glass walls, it looked like a medical facility with surgical instruments and beds. In one room, they passed Mo shuddered as she noticed the bed had been adapted with long metal panels coming out of each side, it looked like it had been built for someone with wings. Mo’s heart sank as they moved quietly along the corridor, what were they going to find once they got there? They reached the end and Benji pointed to the door, “In there.” He tried the handle but this time it was locked confirming that whoever was behind the door was being kept there against their will.

  Lordes ushered Mo and Benji back from the door. Hhe stood in front of it and with one mighty kick he splintered it straight off its hinges. He peered inside and gasped, instantly running over to the bed on the other side of the room. Mo and Benji followed him in. The room was very sparse, lit by a small overhead lamp with only a bed in the corner. There, Lordes leaned over a female Volucris, she was about Lordes age with long dark hair. , Hher wings looked limp on her back but they were the most beautiful deep red. Lordes was stroking her hair and kissing her hands, Mo could not believe it but she thought she saw a tear run from his eye.

  “I have found you, finally I have found you.” He was gushing.

  Then Mo realised who this must be, this was not just any Volucris, this was her mother.

  Chapter 44

  Mo stood stunned, watching this intimate scene unfold in -front of her. Iit was as though she and Benji were not there at all and it was a number of minutes before Lordes seemed to realise that they were. He turned looking straight at Mo, tears in his eyes, he reached out to her. , Aas he did her mother turned towards, her, she blinked a couple of times then realisation crossed her face.

  “Moria.” Her voice cracked as she spoke Mo’s name and Mo ran over to her into her arms.

  “My baby girl it has been too long.” She gently stroked Mo’s hair as Mo wept into her shoulder, the three of them holding each other, finally reunited.

  “I don’t want to ruin the moment.” Benji piped in, feeling incredibly awkward. “But the humans next door are moving about and I think at least one is moving in this direction.

  The family of three split apart quickly at this news. “How can you tell?” Iliana asked.

  “It’s a long story, one we can share when we get you out of here.” Mo replied ,wiping away her tears.

  “Quickly, can you fly?.” Lordes asked as he gazed over her wings looking like a cape against her back.

  “Do you have any blood?”

  Lordes quickly retrieved a flask from around his waist and thrust it into Iliana’s waiting hands. , Sshe gulped it down greedily, ill concerned with some dripping down her chin. It was like watching someone who had been dying of thirst take their first drink, and as the blood took hold, her wings started to blossom.

  “It will be a while before I am up to full strength but yes, I think I will be able to fly with some guidance.”

  The four of them hurried out of the room. Benji took the lead as he had a good idea where the guard was coming
from. Hhe led them down a different corridor fuarther to the back of the building. Tthey found a door that would lead them outside, but this too was locked.

  “I will be able to break this down, but when I do it will alert our presence here to the captors, so we will need to exit quickly. , Mo, you go out first then Iliana and myself, Benji you take the rear. , Rrun and fly as quickly as you can, do not look back, got it?” Lordes exclaimed. He was holding on to Iliana’s hand and not letting go this time, it seemed he was determined to leave with her. They all nodded in agreement.

  Lordes kicked the door but this time it did not fly off the hinges so easily. Benji joined in as Mo and Iliana shuddered at each kick, fearing at any moment they would be found. Finally, the lock gave in and the door flew open. , Mo ran out first followed by Iliana, Lordes and Benji. Mo did as her father instructed and ran with all her might without looking back There were no obstacles and they all had a clear run up into the air. , Sshe started to pump her wings while she could hear shouts and running of army boots all around her. She beat her wings still harder until eventually she bounded into the air. Relief flooded her system. Sshe caught site of Ethan on a thermal and followed him there to catch it and make their escape. Lordes was beside her as was her mother. Hher flight was much more laboured but she was determined to escape as she struggled to reach the thermal. Mo looked back to find Benji, she could see his white wings right behind her and his face looking up to her, but there was no relief in his eyes of escape but a look of fear, something was wrong and then everything stopped, he reached out to her, his face twisted in pain and then he dropped.

  Mo screamed his name as she saw him fall from the sky his wings now limp behind him,. Sshe turned and lunged towards him. Sshe heard Ethan call out to her but she didn’t care, she had to get to Benji. Mo could see a circle of men all holding guns pointing up at them, they had shot him. , Tthe anger coursed through her veins, she felt every part of her being scream in pain, the energy building and building and bubbling inside her veins. Benji hit the floor amongst the men, a horrific thud filling the air. , Mo flew straight towards them, the energy so powerful within her being and she screamed again and let it all fly out of her as she too hit the ground. All of the men that surrounded her fell to the ground as she landed as though she had struck them all down. , Nno-t one was moving but Mo did not care about their fate or what she may have done to them all, all she cared about, all she stared at was Benji. She knew before even getting close that he was dead. , Hhis body was all crumpled out of shape, his wings bent crooked and he was staring straight at her, a all the life and love missing from his features, his bright blue eyes dulled, his beautiful smile wiped, he was gone.