by Amanda Jay
Do you promise me? Kay's voice rang.
Useless, good for nothing excuse for a man. How can you promise her anything? his father's voice countered.
Ezra groaned as he kept walking. What was he to do? The machine was basically complete, Kaelyn was due in a few days. Could he really go through with it? Was he really that kind of person?
He was in two minds about the whole thing, and walked so briskly that he almost didn't see her black hair until he almost crashed into her.
"Easy now," she said, her voice cool and unhurried as always. Then she seemed to notice who he was.
"Ezra," she grabbed his arm. "I've been asking after you. We've all been so worried. Kaelyn is so angry with me that she wouldn't tell me anything."
"Not now, Onyx. I don't have the time for this right now." She was trouble, and Ezra couldn't deal with any more trouble.
"No, look. I'm so sorry about what happened. That they took you like that. We were all taken in for questioning, but there was no harm done, really. Xuntak has gone underground and they don't seem all that concerned about him, I think. But I couldn't believe they did what they did to you. It was after we let Ethel go as well. We didn't keep her for more than a day or two, really. And she promised to help us, and then went straight to the City Guard."
Ezra would have felt angry if he had any energy left. Right now, he just slumped his shoulders and shook his head.
"It doesn't matter now, I suppose. All that matters now is that I can protect Kay."
Onyx narrowed her eyes.
"Protect Kay? But they let you go. Are you still in some kind of trouble?"
"No. It's fine. I have to get going now." Ezra made to keep walking but she grabbed his arm tightly again.
"If Kaelyn's in trouble, I need to know. She's my friend, remember? I can help. Look, I feel bad enough as it is that you took the blame for this business with Ethel. Tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help."
Yes, she was trouble, but maybe it was worth a shot?
"Not here," he conceded. "I'm being followed by the City Guard. I'm sure they will not be happy that I'm talking to you as it is. Circle the block, and then meet me in the library, the art records section. Fifteen minutes."
And with that, Ezra kept walking, keeping his head down, and not making eye contact with any passers by.
When he reached the art records section at the library, he found a secluded corner and sat down. He had picked this particular section partly because he knew that they would be alone, but also he knew that being in the library would calm him. He inhaled deeply, letting the smell of the books wash over him, and for just a few moments, he didn't feel like his world was spinning out of control.
But even that only lasted a short while. He heard the thudding of Onyx's heavy boots even before she appeared around the corner. She sat in a chair a few feet away from him, facing the opposite direction.
"I don't think anyone saw me," she said in a low voice.
"I highly doubt that. But I don't think it matters at this point."
"Why don't you tell me what's going on, Ezra?"
And so Ezra did. He told her how he was tortured for Twin Gods knew how long, and how Udolphus offered him a deal. He told her how the closer he got to completing the machine, the further away he pushed Kaelyn. How he wanted to protect their family, but the only way he could was by doing what Udolphus asked, but how he knew, that in his heart of hearts, that what he had been asked to do was very, very wrong.
Onyx sat silently as he spoke, her non-expressive face continuing to stay passive, for which Ezra was grateful.
"So this machine, it's finished?" she asked, once Ezra was done.
Ezra simply nodded. There were final touches to be put in, but it was basically complete. He hadn't trialed it yet, but he knew his calculations were correct.
"I don't even want to talk about what this could mean for science. If the university could know about this..." But the she shrugged.
"No matter. There will be other discoveries and other times. Listen, all is not lost. While you have been away, the Cause-- that's what we call ourselves now, seemed pretty inevitable, didn't it? Anyways, the Cause has managed to organise a few things. I don't think I should tell you all the details, for your safety anyway. But take it from me, the Black King will not be king for much longer."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that. We are all rising up against this pitiful joke that we call governance. We have it all set up actually. We had it planned for later this week, but thanks to a few of our more paranoid members, we had moved it to today. You noticed the lot on the street didn't you? Things will change and they have to change soon. What kind of monster sacrifices babies? And you know, it's rumoured that he's done it before as well. No," Onyx shook her head. "No, we cannot have a ruler like this.
"Now listen to me, Ezra. The next few hours are going to be very important. So I'm going to need you to get Kaelyn and lie low. Just in case, let me speak to a friend I have, the one that arranged passage for me to visit the Savage Isles. I'll get you on to that ship. Take Kaelyn and get as far away from Mliss as you can, and I'll send word when this is all over and you both can return, okay?"
But Ezra shook his head again. "I don't think it will be that easy, Onyx. Udolphus is no fool. He has me followed everywhere. Kay too. If he even gets wind of this, he'll send me back to Petrike. And who knows what they would do to Kaelyn? I can't risk it."
"You can't let your fear hold you back like this, Ezra. What Udolphus wants you to do, it's ridiculous and unnatural. In any case, come this time a week from now, and you won’t have to worry about Udolphus ever again. No. Listen. I'll get the Cause to create a distraction in the city. We were going to start with a protest anyway. That's where I was headed when you bumped into me. We'll set fire to a royal building or something. That should keep all the City Guards occupied enough for you and Kaelyn to slip away. Just get Kaelyn and come down to the docks. To the same place we were keeping Xuntak at first. You remember Hans' place? Don't worry about anything, let me take care of it. It's the least I can do."
Her plan seemed feasible, but then again, so did her previous plans that had gotten Ezra into this mess in the first place. He was still contemplating it as he left the library.
You promise me? Soon? Kaelyn's voice asked again.
What was he to do?
He found his feet carrying him aimlessly through the city. He just kept walking. Soon enough, he was close to the university. He remembered how he felt the first day he arrived at Mliss. All that hope, all that ambition, all that relief, and for what? For him to make a bigger mess of things than ever before.
You can't escape Udolphus, boy. Imagine what he would do to your beautiful wife if you were to get caught? Imagine what Petrike would do to her? Best do what he wants and get it over with, or die trying.
Promise me?
Let me take care of it. It's the least I can do.
You'll save me Eswah, won't you?
The swarm of thoughts was back, and they were starting to sting him now. He kept walking, faster and faster. He didn't have a direction. He didn't know where he was going. He just wanted the voices in his head to stop. He had made it all across town, and then back again, ambling along like a madman. He must go back to their flat. He should pack up their things. He should grab Kay and run. And then he remembered how his lungs burned when they covered his face with a sack and poured water on him. How he knew he couldn't drown, but was suffocating just the same. How he could barely bring to himself to wash his face, let alone bathe, since his release. What if Petrike got him again?
"Ezra Orson! Ezra Orson!" A young boy on foot was running up to him.
"Ezra Orson! Stop! I've been looking for you everywhere."
Ezra was too preoccupied to focus.
"Mr. Orson! It's your wife! She's having the baby!" the boy screamed again.
Ezra stopped in his tracks.
"What did you say, boy?"
; "The midwife sent me. I've been searching all over the city for you! She's having the baby! You should come with me."
There was a loud commotion on the street. People were shouting, with some of them rushing towards the direction of the palace.
"Don't be shouting things like that? Look at what a commotion you've created," Ezra scolded, but his mind was only half in it. Kay was having the baby! He had to get to her at once.
"That's not because of me! That's because the palace is on fire! You really don't know anything do you?"
"What do you mean the palace is on fire?"
"The whole East Wing! For about a quarter of an hour now! Quite the sight. I went by that way when I was looking for you."
We'll set fire to a royal building or something. If anything was to be said about Onyx, she moves fast.
"Hang on, did you say the East Wing?" Ezra stopped in his tracks.
"Yes! But why does that matter? Your wife is having the baby! I'm to take you right to the midwives'. Straight there, they said!"
The East Wing of the palace was where Udolphus' laboratory was located. If it burnt down, if his machine burnt down, if Onyx's plan was not successful...
He didn't have much time. He had to get to the palace. He had to do what Udolphus asked. This was his last chance. He couldn't trust Onyx. Her plans had never worked before. He shuddered to think what Udolphus would do if his machine was destroyed. What they would do to his child. He had to get to the laboratory and bring the other one back. Before everything was destroyed.
He started running in the direction of the palace.
"Hey! Mr. Orson. That's the wrong way!" The boy hollered.
The crowds in the street were thickening. People were panicking. "It's the revolution!" some of them cried.
"Bearoux the Black's reign is ending!"
"The Twin Gods themselves couldn't save the king now!"
"Power to the people!"
Ezra tried ducking around them, but soon he had to slow down. He could see the palace gates up ahead. If he pushed through he could be at the laboratory in five minutes.
No! A million voices screamed inside his head. No!
"Hey! Mr. Orson! Have you lost your mind?" the boy was back next to him and tugging on his arm.
"Your wife needs you now. She kept calling for you. You can join the revolution later. She needs you."
She needed him.
Of course she needed him.
What was he even doing?
He dropped to his knees and buried his head in his hands. What was he to do?
Do what it takes to save her, you worthless, good for nothing excuse of a man.
Promise me?
He knew which voice to choose.
He slowly stood up again and held the boy's shoulder.
"Take me to her," he whispered.
"About time," the boy muttered. "The place is right around the corner. I know a shortcut."
As he hurried towards the midwives', Ezra knew he had made the right decision. Whatever it was, they can work it out. Now he just had to get Kay and the baby bundled up, and get them to the docks as soon as possible. Hopefully the guards would be distracted. He knew that Kaelyn might not be fit to be moved. He needed to get word to Onyx as soon as possible.
He nearly burst into the infirmary.
"Kaelyn Orson," he called to the lady behind the desk. "Where is she?"
She looked at him confused. "Mr. Orson? I was quite sure I--"
"This way!" the boy grabbed his hand and led him down a corridor.
"I think you just missed it," an elderly midwife called out to them as they sped past.
"She's just through here," the boy panted, finally stopping outside a door.
Ezra pushed his way inside.
Kaelyn lay on the bed, her eyes were closed. She looked so peaceful, Ezra thought to himself.
"I'm here, my love. I'm so sorry I missed it. But I'm here now. I'm really here. I'm so sorry. Everything will be alright now."
Kay opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. "He's adorable, isn't he?"
A “he!” A son!
"I haven't seen him yet, my love. I missed the whole thing. Where is he?"
Kaelyn frowned at him drowsily. "What do you mean you haven't seen him yet? You picked him up. You took him outside to the nursery."
Maybe it was the drugs she was on.
"No, sweetheart. Perhaps that was the midwife. I just got here."
Kaelyn sat up in bed. "You were here just a few minutes ago, Ezra."
Ezra felt a stone drop down into the pit of his stomach. It couldn't be. Could it?
"Ezra, where is my son? You took him, Ezra. Where is he?"
Ezra ran out of the room, and back down the corridor. It was Udolphus. He told himself. It was the Black King. It was someone, anyone but him. But even as he ran, he knew that he couldn’t convince himself.
"What have you done? Where is my son?!" Ezra could hear her scream.
"Mr. Orson. What's happening? The nurse at the front desk said she saw you take the baby out of the infirmary. I'm afraid we don't allow that, sir. Sir!" the same midwife he met earlier called out.
He opened the main door to the building and ran outside, but the whole street was flooded with protesters. He knew where he had to go. Pushing his way through, he once again found his way to the palace. The side entrance he usually took was unguarded, and he tried to make it inside. If the other him had only just made it, was there time for him to do the same?
The heat hit him even before his eyes could register what was going on. The entire wing was alight with flames. There was no way in. There was no way he could make it back to the machine.
So he had done it, then. Somewhere, not in this world, but somewhere he had made the decision to go through with Udolphus’ plan. The other him had taken his child. Could it even be? But in his heart of hearts he knew-- there was part of him that was going to do it all along. He just never thought that part would exist anywhere else. So now there were two of them, two of his son, both on the other side. And he was left with…
Ezra slumped over. Once again, in whatever life, this was all his fault. Twin Gods damn him, it was all his fault.
TOM
Be careful of Onyx. She knows everything. And she's very, very dangerous.
Very, very dangerous.
How much could he trust the words that came from the man he despised so much? Was he, in fact, sitting across the room from the person who had killed Felix's mother? To think of her as his own mother still didn't seem to sit right with him.
Onyx said nothing after her introduction, she simply sat back in her chair and studied him, giving him some time to study her right back.
She had an otherworldly quality about her, Tom thought, like something you would find in a children's book. He noticed that Felix was staring at her too. Did he know her from before?
"Why am I here?" Tom asked, far more confidently than he felt.
"For answers. That's what you want, isn't it?"
Every bone in Tom's body screamed for him to find Skii and get out of wherever it is they were, but he had to admit that she was right. He wanted to know. And so he found himself staying in his seat.
"I knew your parents," Onyx continued when she didn't receive any objection from Tom. "I knew them both well. It might please you to know that they loved each, and you, very much." It sounded awkward and contrived, like a machine speaking about love, and Tom suspected was included there mostly for Felix's benefit.
"While Ezra was in University, he stumbled upon a very interesting theory. In his theory, he assumed that we functioned in an intricately formed web of two worlds, which complemented each other. Like two sides of a spinning coin, was the exact phrase he used, if I remember correctly, not that I could ever begin to explain the mathematics or the science behind it to you both."
Tom felt his heart pound. He didn't want to look over at Felix, even though he felt the boy's eyes on him.
"Very few of us of knew that Ezra had developed his theory to maturity, however. Even the University was unaware. And I certainly never thought he would actually go through with it. Until it was too late, of course. He managed to develop a means to cross over. A machine of sorts, if you will. I don't think even he believed it was possible for it actually happen, at first, anyway. But the two of you sitting before me if evidence enough.
"You wanted to know where you were from, Tom. Well, there you have it."
Tom swallowed. He felt short of breath. He didn't even fully understand.
"So, you're saying I'm not from this... this..." he couldn't even find the words. "This world?"
"For lack of a better term, I suppose so, Tom."
He couldn't answer. He didn't think he could ever speak again.
"I feel I have to say, since I knew him, that I strongly doubt he wanted things to end up as they did. He would have never gone through with it, if he wasn't blackmailed by the King's advisor."
"Udolphus," Tom muttered to himself.
"Bringing you over, Tom. It was a terrible mistake. It really hindered the balance between the two worlds.
"The balance?"
"We ran out of Pulse Stones. We rarely had rain. The summers are hotter, the winters far, far colder."
"All that couldn't be him," Felix interjected shakily.
"The two of you aren't meant to exist in the same world. I'm sure even you can feel it-- the tension, the discomfort. Our universe, everything we understand and don't understand, is poised on a delicate balance. Ezra willingly or unwillingly, disturbed that balance."
"If it was such a problem, then why couldn't he return one of us back?" Felix asked. Tom was still trying to make sense of everything he heard.
"Good question. It was quite a tumultuous time, you see. You were born around the same time Bearoux the Black was overthrown. There were riots. Most of the castle was burned down. Including the section with Ezra's machine.
"For a while, I think he tried to make it work with your family. But it didn't take him too long to figure out what he had done. The way it affected all of us. And he realised then, Tom, that if anyone understood the magnanimity of this situation, that your life would be in danger."