by S. T. Boston
Namtar's legs weakened and he fell to the floor beside his brother's body. Grasping his bleeding skull, Namtar let out a cry of pain and anger which echoed across the small airport and out into the night.
Chapter 17
“I think it's best if you tell Adam how long you've been here on Earth as soon as you can,” said Lucy, turning toward Oriyanna who had her eyes fixed firmly on the narrow, dark country lane. Unconsciously she ran her palms over her stomach, still unable to believe there was new life growing inside her.
Oriyanna drooped her eyes to the floor and looked at her feet, “Yes,” she replied sounding somewhat reluctant. “Then we need to figure out just what's happened to Samuel.”
The mention of his name made Lucie's heart skip a panicked beat in her chest as the icy tendrils of worry crept over her; she left her hands on her still-flat stomach, as if protecting the tiny foetus.
“I'm sure he is just fine,” Oriyanna reassured the young woman, sensing Lucie's worst fears, but at the same time not quite believing her own words. Lucie grabbed her phone from the small cubby-hole on the dash and brought the device to life. “Still no news?”
“Nothing,” she replied soberly. “The network coverage is never great out here.” Lucie squinted at the road ahead, making the most of the Juke's powerful headlights. “Go straight across this roundabout,” she instructed. “We're very close now.” It had been a good few years since she'd last visited the old cottage, but the route was imprinted onto her brain. Adam always took a right at this point, preferring to drive through Pewsey – it was slightly more picturesque but she wasn't on a sightseeing tour. Lucie noticed that the Woodbridge pub, where she'd often eaten at as a child, was looking a little worse for wear. Two of the ground floor windows were smashed, and the old net-curtains hung limply through the jagged gaps, fluttering in the light breeze like spectres in the headlights.
Oriyanna guided the Nissan across the roundabout and picked up speed along yet another dark and impossibly narrow lane. Lucie peered out of the window, fruitlessly trying to take her mind off Sam and the terrifying thought that he may never hear her news, and even worse, never get to meet his son or daughter. They passed the looming, tree-lined top of Woodborough Hill , completely unchanged in all the years she could remember, it created a bloated shadow against the darkened sky. “Slow it down a little,” she commented a few miles later as they passed a sign that read 'Honey Street'. “It's just on the right, before the canal bridge and sawmill.
“Sawmill?” questioned Oriyanna. “What's that?”
“Never mind,” smiled Lucie. “Here, turn right.” Oriyanna slowed the stolen Juke to walking pace and swung them into the gravel drive. Lucie was relieved to see Adam's quirky little RX7 parked at the far end, close to the gate. A dull orange glow flickered in the front window, a welcoming light after their long and danger-fraught journey. “Well, he made it, that's one thing,” she sighed, a little of the stress leaving her shoulders.
“This is a good place,” Oriyanna commented, killing the engine. “I think we will be safe here, for now.”
* * *
“It won't make her get here any faster,” groaned Maya, as Adam crossed the small lounge for what seemed like the hundredth time. She tried to stretch her legs out on the cramped, floral two-seater sofa. The piece of furniture was well worn, and the springs pushed against the bottom of the cushion, biting into her backside. Making his way to the grubby window, one pane of which he'd wiped clean, Adam peered out into the darkened driveway, cupping his hands around his face to block out the candle and firelight.
“It's easy for you,” he snapped. “It's not your family, is it?” He turned away from his vantage point and fired a terse look at Maya, immediately feeling bad for the way he'd spoken.
“I'm sorry,” she sighed. “It just might be better if we both try and get some rest. Your sister will be here as soon as she can.”
“Yeah, unless she's been…” He couldn't bring himself to say it.
Since arriving at the cottage half an hour ago, they'd checked the building thoroughly, moving from room to room, the flashlight app on Adam's phone guiding the way. Apart from a few spiders and other house-dwelling creepy crawlies who'd scurried away when the light from the phone found them, the cottage was empty. Having cleared the building, Adam found some old candles and matches in the walk-in pantry. The once brightly-glossed white door had succumbed to three years of human absence and damp, the paint peeling away in strips and revealing the aged pine beneath. It made Adam sad, and at the same time guilty, that he hadn't taken time to come out here and give the place a once-over. His grandparents had been very house proud and it would have broken their hearts to see their life-long home in this squalid state of disrepair. In the days after the virus things like property were not the prized possessions and investments they had once been, however, so like his Aunt and Uncle's, it had sat empty.
The matches Adam found were, like most things, a little damp and frustratingly hard to light. He'd broken more than a few trying to spark a flame. As the contents of the box grew dangerously low, one which had been buried nearer the bottom fired, crackling and popping reluctantly to life. Once he'd got the candle wick to take, he'd used the flame to light a further four candles. He'd taken four of his grandparents' old saucers from the crockery cupboard and dripped a little wax onto each, making a safe base for the candles, then positioned them around the lounge. Scavenging through the pantry and cupboards, he searched for any tinned food left behind after he and Sam had last used the place. That hadn't been long before he'd headed off to Malaysia to cover the World Summit, if memory served him correctly. Thankfully, they'd left a couple of tins of beans and sausages, as well as a tin of orange segments. It hardly qualified as a feast, but it was better than finding the cupboards bare. The dust-covered tins were a welcome sight, and although a few months out of date he was sure they'd be safe enough to eat. His stomach rumbled at the thought of food. If it was no good they'd have to go hungry; it was a good five miles to the nearest shop unless the village's pub, the Barge Inn, was open for business in the morning, but he doubted it. Times had changed, the days of people taking nice canal walks in the morning, then stopping at their local for a bacon and egg sandwich were gone. Normality was gradually returning, but it would still be a good few years, if not decades, before life was anything like it had once been.
Having located food and some basic lighting, he made his way to the old asbestos-sheeted garage and under a waxy tarpaulin, located the pile of firewood. Thankfully, it was still dry and well-seasoned for the most part, having been inside for god knows how long. The tarp had helped hold the relentless damp at bay. With the help of some kindling, which was still in its Honey Street Sawmills' hessian sack, he'd got a fire burning in the lounge's hearth. The heat instantly began to remove the musty smell of damp from the air and gradually, one degree at a time, the room had grown warmer, making the run-down cottage more homely and habitable.
“I hope Sam picked up my text,” he said absently, turning away from the window. “I got it out just before I lost signal.”
“I'm sure he will be just fine,” Maya lied. She knew only too well that they'd been aware of his every move since he'd cast off from Portsmouth. The two who'd been sent for him were not to be messed with, a matter she hadn't broached with Adam yet.
“If and when he picks it up, at least he'll know exactly where we are.” The sound of an approaching engine drew his attention back to the window. Peering out, he willed it to be Lucie's Mini, but as the sound drew closer e disappointment washed over him. It was a diesel for sure, much too loud to Lucie's little Mini Cooper. He watched as the lights traced along the hedge outside, throwing shadows across the overgrown front garden as they pierced through the wiry hedge. They slowed to a crawl before swinging into the drive. “Get down!” he hissed, as the lights illuminated the lounge. Waving his arm frantically at Maya, he dropped below the old glossed sill, his heart thundering in his chest.
“What is it?” Maya questioned.
“A small four by four just pulled up, it's not Lucie's car!” Behind him, he heard Maya release the safety on her gun and slide to the floor.
“What can you see?” she asked in a tense whisper.
Adam poked his head above the sill like a wary meerkat, searching for a predator. “Two on board, both in the front— Wait a sec!” In a state of relieved disbelief he watched as his sister jumped down from the passenger side, followed by a second female who'd been driving. “Impossible,” he muttered to himself.
“What?” Maya's urgent voice came from behind him.
“It's her!” Adam beamed, taking his attention away from the window. “And she's with Oriyanna!” He spun back to the window and watched them file past the front of the Nissan Juke they'd arrived in, feet crunching over the pea-shingle drive. As they rounded the corner of the cottage he made for the door, his body wracked with a burst of nervous excitement. Behind him Maya remained standing, a worried look creasing her tanned smooth skin.
Adam was far too caught up in the moment to notice her expression.
* * *
Lucie gripped the cold handle of the cottage door and depressed it. It was locked. No sooner had she started to knock than she heard the key turn in the barrel and the door flew open, her brother revealed in the dim orange glow of the room behind, a wide smile of relief on his face. They'd last seen each other at breakfast that morning, but it felt as if a week or more had passed since then.
Adam flung his arms around her as the door opened. “You're safe, thank god!” he exclaimed. Lucie didn't have time to cross the threshold before he was gripping her tightly. After a few long seconds his grip relaxed, and he held her at arm's length, smiling madly. He reminded her of how a proud grandparent might look before saying, 'My, haven't you grown!'
“There's someone with me that you'll want to see,” Lucie smiled, aware that Oriyanna was hanging behind. Lucie stepped aside and beckoned Oriyanna to join her at the top of the step..
Oriyanna moved to Lucie's side, smiling. “Hello, Adam Fisher,” she said. “I told you we'd see each other again.”
“I don't understand,” Adam said. Seeing Oriyanna alight from the Juke with his sister had taken him by surprise, he hadn't yet had time to figure out what he wanted to say, or work out how he should greet her. It all felt a little awkward, like unexpectedly bumping into a girl you'd had a holiday fling with, except in this case, it had been no holiday. It had been a bitter fight for survival which had brought them together, and he felt as if the dice was about to be rolled for a second time.
“There is much to tell you,” replied Oriyanna. She made to make the first move and slid past Lucie to embrace him warmly. Adam melted into her arms, just as he had on the beach in both the lucid dream, and then later, for real.
“It's so good to see you,” he sighed, enjoying her warmth.
Lucie snuck past them, eager to get in out of the cold. There was a warm fire burning in the hearth and she was keen to flop out in front of it and get warm. It brought back fond memories of staying in the cottage with her parents; before bed she would sit by the fire, nursing a hot chocolate while her mum read her stories. Times had changed, and not for the better. “Who the hell is that?” she gasped, seeing Maya sitting on the sofa, hands on her knees, watching the reunion with interest.
“This is who I owe my life to,” Adam answered, reluctantly turning his attention away from Oriyanna and feeling unaccountably guilty at being found alone with another woman. He cursed himself inwardly for being so stupid, Earth females might react with jealousy but he hoped Oriyanna was above that. “Her name is Maya,” he continued, letting Oriyanna enter the cosy lounge. His skin was warm, and he suspected he was flushed. “She was at my book talk, in Brighton,” his voice sounded rushed to his ears. “She warned me about what was happening and got me to call you and get you to leave the bar.” He turned to Oriyanna who was standing with her back to the door, her head tilted to one side, regarding the unexpected visitor with interest and more than a little suspicion.
Oriyanna turned to Adam. “Just how did she know all this?” There was no malice or betrayal in her voice, and why would there be? He hadn't done anything wrong.
“Before I tell you,” he began tentatively, sensing how easily the situation could get out of hand. “Just remember that without her help, I'd have been taken, hours ago.” There was an awkward pause, the kind which happens when no one really knows who should speak next.
“I am Earth-Breed,” Maya interrupted matter-of-factly, as if keen to break the awkward silence.
“You brought an Earth-Breed here?” Lucie fired, fixing a disbelieving glare on her brother. Lucie turned her attention to Oriyanna, who pushed the door shut, and it creaked on its aged hinges.
“I think we need to give Adam a chance to explain,” Oriyanna cut in, raising her eyebrows at him in a please explain fashion.
Adam explained the events that led to him arriving at the cottage. Both Lucie and Oriyanna remained on their feet, listening to his account in interest. “She has photos on her phone of the team she killed,” he finished up with. Lucie looked at Maya, then back to her brother, disbelief on her face. “I doubted her at first, too, but then she showed them to me. Maya, can I have your phone please?” He held his hand out, gesturing for her to hand it over.
Maya dug into her pocket and removed the handset, “It's all true,” she said earnestly, passing the mobile over. “I wanted out of the whole situation, I can't help what I was born into, but I can try to make amends.”
Adam opened the image gallery on Maya's phone. It wasn't what you'd normally find on a young woman's phone; there were no pictures of her out having fun with friends, no photos of pets in amusing situations or baby showers or family shots. All the gallery contained were the gruesome, bloodied images taken in his aunt and uncle's kitchen. “See, Lucie,” he encouraged, holding the phone up for her to look at. “That's Aunt Sue and Uncle Brian's kitchen, I know you haven't been there in ages, but you know what it looks like.”
Lucie studied the images, with Oriyanna watching on beside her. When Adam reached the last picture she let out a sigh and said, “Okay, I'm not saying it's an ideal situation, but it would appear she's telling the truth.” She looked at Oriyanna. “That is my aunt's old house.”
“Then it would appear we owe you a debt of gratitude,” Oriyanna said, smiling. There was something that didn't feel right about the woman, despite the pictures. Oriyanna couldn't get an accurate read on her mood or feelings, something she could usually do naturally, thanks to her highly-evolved brain. For the time being, she decided to play nice and treat this Maya woman as you might a dangerous animal – carefully, while trying not to provoke it. She hoped she was wrong – after all, she had apparently killed three other Earth-Breeds to save Adam. If she had an ulterior motive Oriyanna couldn't grasp what angle it was coming from, yet.
Lucie flopped down onto a single chair near the fire, enjoying the way the flames warmed her legs. She turned her attention to the fire, mesmerised by the flames as they ate at the charred wood. She decided not to tell Adam he was going to be an uncle for the time being,. She owed it to Sam, to tell him first. To be brutally honest she wasn't sure that this crippled and crazy world was any place to bring a child into at all, but if they came out of this with their lives, she'd do the best she could. “Have you heard from Sam?” she asked, looking at Adam hopefully. “I'm worried sick.”
“Nothing,” he sighed, throwing another log onto the fire. “I got a text out to him before I lost signal, with just a single word. 'Wiltshire'.” He picked up a well-used brass poker and jostled the wood into position, sending a hail of embers fluttering up into the chimney stack.
“You think he'll understand that?”
“You did.”
“Let's hope,” sighed Lucie. She turned her attention to Maya, who had stretched her legs out on the small sofa once again. “Do you have any idea wh
at might have happened to him?” she asked, trying hard to mask the venom in her voice.
“I think our new friend might be a wealth of information,” cut in Oriyanna. “Once she has told me what she knows, I need to speak with Adam.” She crossed the room and sat beside him on the dusty carpet, enjoying the fire's warmth.
“I will do all that I can to help you,” began Maya, twisting slightly to face Lucie. “You are facing a grave situation, they knew all of your whereabouts last night, Sam's included. They knew he was planning to kill another Earth-Breed, they knew the target. They have been watching you for weeks.”
“And you didn't notice!” Lucie snapped, glaring at Oriyanna.
“No,” she replied apologetically. “We had no idea. It would seem they were also aware of our presence, they traced our server and got into the program we used to study the travel patterns of the Earth-Breeds we were tracking.”
“I don't understand,” said Adam, switching his attention between Lucie and Oriyanna.
“I'll let her explain later,” said Lucie, anger still brewing in her voice. “Right now, I just want to focus on Sam. I'm sorry, Maya, please continue.”
Maya smiled awkwardly. “They were going to be waiting for him at the Chateau. Unlike Lucie and yourself, they sent two Elders for Sam. They were aware of his abilities and talent for killing. The two they sent are brothers, the last Elders to escape Sheol after the invasion began.
“Namtar and Asag,” said Oriyanna, almost as if she was speaking to herself.