by T. C. Edge
The trail we're on is bumpy, but well worn enough for us to make quick progress. The land around us continues to grow more mountainous until we're driving along a precarious track with a sheer drop of hundreds of metres to our right, and a tall, imposing cliff to our left.
According to our driver, it's the only path up into the mountains; the only path to Petram. Not one easily navigated by an army, that's for sure.
On we go as the light fades and the sun dives down beneath the mountains. From this vantage point, the highest I've ever been, the sunset is positively stunning, the sky as beautiful as the most wondrous painting. Ellie and I both spend a full fifteen minutes in absolute silence, just staring at the colours. Never in my life have a witnessed such beauty.
Soon, though, the blackness of night consumes all, and the sky becomes veiled in thick cloud. With the route so hazardous, we stop at a suitable spot, the convoy parking in a small clearing. Everyone steps out to stretch their legs, although no tents are assembled; we will be sleeping in the cars tonight.
The change in temperature is noticeable, and welcome. There's a chill in the air, a faint breeze sweeping through the valleys and caressing my sun scorched skin. Theo, who'd spent the day travelling in another car, steps towards us with a smile. I can tell in his eyes that he's delighted to get away from the wasteland below and those who fill it.
“It's so beautiful here,” he says, looking around. “I had no idea a place like this even existed, let alone in the Deadlands.”
“Yeah, this place is anything but dead,” says Ellie, mimicking Theo's bright tone.
“It's good to see you two smile,” I say. “I've missed those faces. Come on, let's get some food.”
We walk as a three towards the supply truck, where some dinner is being prepared by a couple of men. Dinner is perhaps a strong word. As with our journey so far, the food passed out is rudimentary at best. And after spending all day sitting in a car, I haven't worked up the feverish appetite to make it taste anything more than what it should.
Still, none of us complain as we fill our bellies and look up at the odd patch of stars visible through a break in the clouds. I remember, sitting here, how beautiful the stars were at night back home. Here, the clusters are even clearer, brighter, and more stunning.
Gradually, the clouds disperse, and the sky glows in all its glory. The moon appears, bright as a beautiful smile, and sends its warm light down on us. Behind, the men chatter casually, and I hear my father's voice in conversation with Lieutenant Murphy, discussing the onward journey. It is the most peaceful moment I can remember in months.
We sit for a time, everyone in their own thoughts, musing on this and that. My mind drifts, thinking perhaps that living here wouldn't be so bad, that perhaps we could stay in Petram and live there forever, hidden from the sight of Eden and Augustus Knight. And then, as always, my mind turns and twists, and the image of my three friends' lifeless faces charges to the front of my mind.
And I know that, one way or another, things will never feel quite this peaceful again.
It's hard to sleep that night. Partly because of the sudden cold; partly because of the discomfort of sleeping in a car. I get a few restless hours, though, and wake in time to see a spectacular dawn rise up on the horizon. Soon after, the engines begin chugging and the convoy continues its journey.
Ellie appears to have regressed when she wakes. The excitement in her eyes, that innocence I love about her, seems to have been replaced once again with that haunted expression. I ask her if she's OK and she just nods, a large frown sitting on her brow, and returns to her thoughts. I know from experience that she'll talk when she's ready, so leave her to it.
With our car at the rear of the convoy, I keep a close eye ahead. The train of vehicles weaves this way and that up mountain paths, climbing ever higher, before beginning to slow.
“What's happening?” I ask the driver.
“We've reached the tunnel,” he tells me.
I sit forward, and search the path ahead. By the looks of things, it seems to go straight into a large mountain, a sheer rock wall blocking our path. The driver smirks when I ask him about it. “You'll see,” is all he says.
In no time, I do. As the terrain flattens out, I see a large gate built into the mountainside. As we get closer I see how big it really is, towering several floors up above us. The convoy stops, and then, slowly, the gate begins to open inward, revealing a long, dark tunnel beyond.
We don't move though. Not yet. From the black tunnel, a series of men come, each holding automatic weapons and wearing military gear. They look more professional than the soldiers we've been travelling with, better equipped and attired. Once more, the sight gives me hope.
They reach the first car, occupied by Drake and Lieutenant Murphy and a couple of others, and have a brief conversation. One then marches back towards the third car, the one I know Theo to be in. Drake steps out and follows him back. Then I see the man pointing through the window and shaking his head.
I reach for the door handle.
“Hey, where are you going?!” asks the driver.
I don't answer. I open the door and step into the cool wind, then head straight for the small gathering midway down the convoy. The armed guard sees me coming, raises his gun, and shouts: “who are you?! Stop!”
I don't stop. He calls again, and I keep walking.
“She's my daughter,” I hear Drake shout. “Calm yourself down.”
The man carefully lowers his weapon, but keeps a stern gaze on me.
“What do you want?” he asks.
“I want to know what's happening here. Is this about Theo?”
I look in through the window and see Theo sitting there calmly. His eyes are narrow, though. He doesn't look pleased.
“This boy is from Eden. He cannot come into the city,” shouts the guard.
“This boy has saved lives. The lives of your people. This boy hates Eden as much as the rest of us!”
“He cannot come into the city,” repeats the man.
From behind, Lieutenant Murphy approaches, joining Drake.
“Guard, listen to the girl. This boy is one of us now.”
The guard turns to the young lieutenant.
“Sir, I have orders. The Master has heard rumours of this boy from Eden. He cannot be trusted to enter.”
“If he doesn't come in, neither will I,” I say. Everyone turns to look at me. “I go where Theo goes.”
From behind me, a squeak sounds.
“Me too!”
Ellie appears by my side in a show of solidarity.
“I've known Theo since we were trained as Watchers on Eden. I've seen the changes he's gone through. You can trust him,” she says.
We stand together, two 16 year old girls, unyielding. In the car, Theo remains motionless, staring forward. On closer inspection, I can see his jaw shut a little tighter and begin to grind.
A short silence dawns, and then Drake's low voice brings some control back to proceedings.
“Theo appears to be a fine young man to me,” he says. “There is no reason for you, or the Master, or anyone else to doubt him. Now, let us pass and I will square this with the Master myself.”
The guard stands firm for a few moments, looking at Theo, then back at Drake, and then at myself and Ellie. Eventually, he nods silently and turns, marching back towards the entrance to the tunnel. He raises his hand and the guards blocking our path step to the side.
“OK girls, back into the car,” says Drake. “The journey isn't quite over.”
We step away and slide into the back seat of our jeep. The convoy begins to move again, edging closer to the black tunnel. One by one, we enter the mountain, until the giant gate behind us grinds shut.
The tunnel is lit by lights at intervals, casting a glow on the rock walls on either side. It's narrow, and tight, but just wide enough for large transports to squeeze through. I strain my eyes to look ahead into the abyss, the lead car shining its high beams forward
. A long expanse lies ahead, slowly fading into darkness.
We drive on for several minutes, locked inside the mountain. Ahead, the lights from the convoy give shape to the track. It bends here and there, but goes mainly straight, climbing a little as we go. I muse on the other mountain tunnel I passed through only days before, the trek from the battle, weary and worn; the days where I began to get to know my long lost father once again.
And once again, like before, soon the pale light of day appears in the distance ahead. A circle of light signalling the end of the passageway. It grows brighter as we approach, and blinds me as we rush out into the daylight. I blink hard and look around at the mountains on each side. And then, I look forward.
And see the city of Petram.
8 - Petram
Ahead of me lies a sight I've never seen before. The image of a city, built on top of a plateau high in the mountains, protected at the front by a great wall of stone, and by a towering mountain at the rear.
The wall, high and strong, stretches from one side to the other, melting into the mountains that surround us. In the centre, another gate looms. As the convoy comes to a stop, it begins to open. I search the wall and see men standing at placements along it, armed and ready. Other battlements dot it, large guns and anti-aircraft weapons. The city looks well protected.
Again, men come out and perform checks, which I find unnecessary but reassuring. Once again, I see Drake speaking with the guards, and wonder if the subject of Theo is being covered. This time, there appears to be no problem. The convoy is quick to move off without delay.
It isn't into a long, dark tunnel we go this time. As we pass into the city I find myself open eyed and gaping at the grandeur of the buildings around me. Here, out on the plateau, everything appears to be made of stone and rock and even built into the natural hills we sit atop. It gives the image of strength and power, a truly impenetrable base.
People appear to be going about their daily lives. I see a thriving market area, barracks for military personnel, even the sight of children at play. It looks like they have schools here.
The plateau, however, isn't huge. I look around as we approach the rear down a central road, wondering how this place can be a refuge for so many. If all the thousands of refugees get this far, as well as countless others, how will they be able to cater to them and house them?
My answer comes quickly. The mountain at the back looms closer, and I see several openings going into it lining the back of the city. The thriving settlement here on the plateau, it seems, is merely the tip of the iceberg.
We enter through a large passage, several metres thick, and I find myself blinking in awe. An enormous, endless cave stretches out ahead. Inside, dozens of vehicles lie parked, hundreds, if not thousands of people, sitting and standing in little communal areas. I see beds set up in pens, fires lit all over the place, long tables where food is prepared and passed out.
And along the rock walls, other passages leading deeper into the mountain in each direction away from the central chamber.
“What is this place?” I ask, half to myself.
The driver answers from ahead.
“This is Petram,” he says, stating the obvious. “This is the main chamber of the city. There are many others.”
“And...all these people?” asks Ellie, equally dumbstruck by these new surroundings.
“Most are refugees. They've been streaming in ever since the war broke out a couple of weeks ago.”
“And they live here? Sleep here?”
“Of course. This is the safest place in the Deadlands. No army is getting to us here.”
We drive into a parking area and stop, each car neatly positioned up against the next. Despite the enormous space, with more people coming daily, room appears to be at a premium.
We step out, and to my surprise it feels fairly warm. Outside, on the plateau, I know it will be much colder. The winter weather gear that people were wearing was a clear sign of that.
Drake comes to us immediately, calling Theo over as well, who appears completely lost in his own world, blankly staring out at the high rock ceiling.
“OK kids,” he says, “I'm going to leave you in the capable hands of Lieutenant Murphy. I need to see the Master immediately. Actually, Theo, you come with me.”
Theo looks a little concerned.
“Um, yes sir,” he says.
“Who is the Master?” asks Ellie.
“He's the City Master, the leader of Petram and, well, the leader of this entire cause.”
“But I thought that was you?”
“No, not me,” he laughs. “The Master has been here a lot longer than I have. He is in command here.”
Ellie and I share a look.
“Right girls, I'll be back soon. Theo, let's go.”
Theo offers me a nervous look before turning and walking off with Drake towards one of the passageways to the left. Ellie turns to me.
“I guess we called it right. This place is more secure than I could ever have expected.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
The youthful face of Lieutenant Murphy appears, his face lit with a wide smile.
“Oh, it's good to be home,” he says, taking in a long, deep breath. “Right, let's get you two set up in your accommodations. This way.”
He begins walking off to another passageway on the right of the grand cavern. As we walk we pass by a multitude of people, many just sitting in groups with little to do and nowhere to go.
I wonder how they're all to be fed, especially with more arriving, and question Murphy on the topic.
“We have large stores here,” he says confidently. “I wouldn't worry, we're well prepared.”
We walk on, reaching the right hand wall of the cavern and entering a passageway leading inwards.
“Are all these caves natural?” asks Ellie, rubbing her hand along the wall as we walk. “This one seems carved.”
“You're right. The central chamber was natural, as are some other areas. Many passages have been man-made, though. Think of the mountain a bit like an anthill. There are innumerable passages leading in all directions, including down, with plenty of scope for further expansion if we want it.”
“It's really something,” says Ellie. “And this Master...what's he like?”
I listen in closely.
“He's very old, and very wise. I personally don't know him too well. He tends to keeps council with only certain people these days.” He turns to me. “Your father is among them.”
He turns back and keeps walking.
“Of course,” he continues, “his advisers are wearing a bit thin these days. I heard about the other two Leaders being killed during the attack.”
The image of crushed bodies and burst veins flashes back into my mind.
“Cyra was there,” Ellie says. “She saw it.”
“You did?” asks Murphy.
I nod, but don't speak, preferring not to relive it.
“Well, your father is a great man. I'm sure he and the Master will conjure something to get Eden sweating. Ah, here we are.”
We turn into a small chamber, hidden behind a small wooden door. Inside are two simple beds, a table and two chairs, and a rudimentary stone washing basin. There's no tap, though, and seemingly no running water.
“As you can see, the facilities are pretty simple here. There are washing areas further down the passage which use recycled water. You'll find water stores around the place too, with clean drinking water that we mine from mountain springs. It's very refreshing. I doubt you'll have ever tasted water like it.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant, that sounds good,” says Ellie.
“Food is served in the central chamber,” he continues. “We're rationing hard right now for obvious reasons so we only do two meals a day – a fairly early lunch and dinner. Don't expect the sort of gourmet food you had on Eden.”
The comment is said off hand but kind of annoys me. As if he thinks we grew up on Eden or some
thing. Far from it.
He makes a move to leave, before stopping at the door.
“One more thing. I wouldn't get too comfortable. Up here, we can do nothing but hide. I don't think that's why the Master wants you here. It's not why he sent us to get you, Cyra.”
With his words hanging in the air, he leaves, closing the door firmly behind him. I look to Ellie, a frown hovering on her forehead.
“What did he mean by that?”
“He means we're going to be at the centre of this war, whether we like it or not.”
“Good,” she says. “I don't care if I die. I just want revenge.”
Her strength seems to be returning, that gritty edge she developed on Eden coming back to the fore. For me, though, it's become less about revenge, and more about protecting those I care about. And right there, once again, the flashing image of Ellie and Theo and Jackson's faces appear before my eyes, ghostly and lifeless.
“Cy, are you OK?” asks Ellie. “You've gone a bit pale. Here, take a seat.”
She sits me down onto the bed, and I take a deep breath.
“You've had a vision haven't you? I can tell.”
I nod slowly.
“What of?”
I look up at her, see those big green eyes staring back at me, concern written inside them.
“I won't let you die, Ellie. I will always protect you,” I say.
“Cy, what's going on? What have you seen?”
“I don't know, really. I...I don't know what to say.”
“Say the truth, Cyra. I'm a Watcher. I can take it, whatever it is.”
I shake my head.
“You don't need to speak. You're telling me now.” Her voice is calm and matter of fact. “You've seen me die, haven't you?”
Head down, I nod.
“Just me?”
I shake my head.
“Your father?”
“Jackson...and Theo,” I whisper.
She grips my shoulders firmly, bending down in front of me, and forces my chin up.
“Cyra, don't believe it. Remember, these visions, they're only one version of the future. You can change that. We can change that together.”
I set my jaw, and let her words fill my mind.