The Unfavorable

by Samantha Ridenour

  “Do any Favorable know where the group emerged from last night?” I ask, concerned. “Was the group followed at all?”

  I trust him and my brother with my life, but I have to be sure. Even I need a bit of reassurance occasionally.

  “No,” Ryder breathes, bounding onward. “There was only one Loyal in the museum and he didn’t even see us before he was out cold.”

  Even if that’s true, I worry that the path will be blocked. His tone never wavers, so I know he’s telling the truth. However, I detect a hint of pained guilt that I don’t think he recognizes. It’s there in the slump of his shoulders, and the fall of his foot is harder on the ground than it was just yesterday.

  Every exhale is slightly heavier than the last and almost imperceptible, but we aren’t traveling fast enough to generate a change in his heartrate enough for excess respiration. It all makes me curious about last night. Worried as well. Something happened to cause this sort of stress on him. I feel guilty, myself, for not noticing it earlier.

  If he isn’t aware of the guilt he’s carrying then it isn’t the time to bring it up, but it’s something that will continue to plague him if he doesn’t deal with it. I just hope I’m here, outside Geha with him so he doesn’t have to handle it alone.

  The walk around the hill is shorter than I anticipated, even if it is only my perception that is the cause. Maybe it’s because it’s just the two of us so we can go at our own pace. We don’t have to hold back to make sure an entire group constantly stays together. Perhaps it’s the adrenaline pumping through my veins knowing I’m about to kill a man.

  I imagined the events leading up to such a despicable crime would cause time to slow down, but it speeds up instead. Minutes pass in seconds. The two hours it takes to walk around the giant hill flies by in a matter of minutes. Most definitely my perception, but it doesn’t change how disorienting the disparity is. The evidence points to my goal causing the discrepancy.

  In mere moments, we’re approaching a boulder that is twice my height alongside the dirt with a man-sized hole in the grassy wall. I hesitate a millisecond seeing the monstrosity. Micah and Ryder only had eight other men with them, all Unfavorable. My brother always had some impressive motivational skills, but I never imagine he could get this done.

  Tugging on Ryder’s hand, he stops in the entrance of the tunnel and turns to me. His eyes are full of concern and his brow is furrowed. His determination glistens in his gaze just behind the worry that overshadows it. The focus he’s maintaining is what’s keeping him from breaking down with everything that’s happened in the last eighteen hours.

  Focusing on me and keeping me safe is helping Ryder hold onto a shred of sanity. It’s clear in the way his eyes shuffle quickly back and forth as he watches me.

  “Let me go in first,” I insist. “I don’t like the idea of not knowing what or who could be sneaking up behind me.”

  With a nod, he takes a step back and pulls gently on my arm to go ahead of him. With him at my back, I can face anything that might be ahead of me. Knowing he’s there makes it easier for me to look forward. To walk into the dark, completely aware that part of me will be broken forever from what I must do.

  Climbing up the stairs, the tunnel is quiet. I can hear Ryder breathing and his feet as they press against the steps while we ascend to Geha. I never wanted to return to this city and all the horrible things that have occurred in its name, yet I’m willingly going back to save people I had never heard of a week ago.

  A society that has done more for me than my own parents.

  The thought would sadden me if I hadn’t found a new, caring, and accepting family with my brother.

  Although, it’s midafternoon when I step into the tunnel, the shadows within its depths seem to envelope me the further inside I go. Even with the boulder removed from the entrance and allowing sunlight to breach the clay that hasn’t felt the warmth in centuries, the darkness far outweighs the light.

  It is heavy in the atmosphere, mirroring the burden I feel and slowing my movement.

  The air is thin, too, as if the fresh air doesn’t want to mingle with the old. An entire stairway, thousands of feet long, left untouched by humans, nature, and light until last night, though I can’t feel a change from their presence. Even the clay is soft beneath my feet – almost malleable.

  Layers upon layers of dust still coat the earthen stairs. Micah and the rest of the group barely displaced the particles when they walked these same steps. I can’t see any of their footprints among the dirt.

  Reminiscent of the impact their plan resulted in, unfortunately.

  Tears well beneath my lids remembering the child lying dead in Aukai’s hut. I swallow the guilt and sorrow threatening to give me pause and continue my ascent. There’s only one way to end this tragedy. Reminding myself of the cost – what is at stake – moves my feet for me.

  “Here,” Ryder whispers behind me.

  I look back at him and he has a rusty knife in his hands, the handle pointed towards me. A second, larger one is in his other hand.

  “Even if you don’t need it in the tunnel,” he continues, “you will when it comes time to do the deed.”

  Nodding, I accept the weapon without trepidation. I’ve never needed to wield any sort of sharp object, so I’m not exactly skilled in harming others.

  However, basic anatomy is a fundamental prerequisite for every Favorable child before taking their Rite. Every career path uses this knowledge in one way or another. I’m going to use it to my advantage in my current predicament.

  The knife is in my right hand with the blade jutting further to the right and stretching out about four inches. With it positioned ahead of me and off to the side, my left hand grazes the wall as I climb. My eyes adjust quickly to the surrounding darkness but having my arms in front of me soothes the anxiety creeping up on me the closer Ryder and I get to Geha.

  Even with my adaptability, though, I’m only able to see about six feet in front of me. I’m careful with my feet, but I can still hear the patting of both mine and Ryder’s footfalls on the damp clay. Moisture hangs in the air like a fly on the wall. Every minuscule drop hanging on our movements, waiting to see what happens next.

  As I climb higher, the air grows heavier. The humidity fuels my doubt and anxiety over whether we will reach Arbiter Cloudore or be caught in the attempt. Still, my resolve remains steady. According to my calculations, with how far we’ve walked so far, we should be reaching Geha in fourteen seconds if we keep our current pace.

  My eyes are glued to the space in front of me in search of a sign that we are close to an entrance. We haven’t come across any traps or people thus far. I’m confident that means Micah’s group successfully infiltrated the city without revealing how. If Ryder and I were to be caught, it would have been further back – so we could be surrounded and captured easily.

  Seconds tick by, and for an instant I question my calculations. The darkness almost continues without end. With the angle we’ve been climbing and the rate at which we’ve scaled the stairs, the way into Geha must be here. I’m sure of it. I’ve always been able to rely on math when nothing else made sense.

  So, where is the door into the city?

  Step by agonizing step that falls tenderly on the clay, each of our movements are more careful than the last. Holding my breath, I proceed – cautious but completely alert. I can hear the seconds tick by like a metronome in my head. With each beat of my pounding heart, another instant clicks by and nothing to show for it.

  Further we climb, no other option but to press forward. My lungs holding in, what may be, my final breath – I lead Ryder onward. Finally, with only a second remaining, I see a faint light ahead of us coming from thin slits in the tunnel’s ceiling.

  Only then do I release the air captive in my chest – slowly so Ryder doesn’t ask questions or worries needlessly. Now is not the time to show weakness. Not during a suicide mission.

  I remove my left hand from the wall and hold it up
near my shoulder, the back of it facing the way we came, as a signal. Ryder notices and stops his progression just behind me. Inching up to the dim light, the wooden door in the ceiling comes into view.

  I can see dust particles floating in and out of the slits between the boards. They dance carelessly in the air like fairies, heedless and oblivious of the predicament that Ryder and I have found ourselves in.

  Closer still, I warily draw myself to the square plank guarding Geha. My right eye closed, I place my left cheek against the rough wood to gaze through the space between the boards. To my surprise and delight, there are no guards in the room above us.

  Although, I can’t get enough details to know what sort of room it is. I lower my head and raise my shoulders, pressing up on the door with them using my legs for support.

  “Let me,” Ryder speaks before I can put my back into it. I turn only my head, so he can see the one raised eyebrow and know that I think he’s crazy.

  “The door is really heavy,” he explains with a shrug, his entire brow elevated – shocked by my expression.

  I have to hold back a chuckle. The wide eyes are kind but concerned, with anger hidden there, too.

  “I can handle myself when I need to,” I grin.

  Pushing up with all my strength, the block budges slightly above my shoulders. Even though I knew Ryder wasn’t kidding about how heavy this door is, its actual weight still bewilders me a bit as I struggle against it. Straightening my legs, I’m able to lift the trapdoor a solid six inches – which is plenty for my partner to slip through.

  As soon as the space is available, he squeezes into the area, sliding carefully as to not kick me anywhere on the way out of the tunnel. Within moments his feet are passing through the hole and all I hear is shuffling above me. My legs are starting to shake from the weight when the pressure begins to alleviate.

  With the speed of a spider, I crawl my way to the upper floor. More dust covers my clothing when I slide across the floor to get my feet out of the way of the trapdoor.

  Once I’m clear, Ryder slowly lowers the wood, so it re-covers the tunnel. I stand and do my best to brush away the dirt, but to no avail. There is as much dust in here as there is inside the underpass. Glancing at Ryder, he has even more covering him that I do.

  The man only three feet from me looks to me for direction. He’s ready for whatever comes our way, as long as he can protect me. There is reassurance in his features that is practically glowing from his skin – he will ensure my safety.

  I almost lose myself in his gaze when his jerks slightly toward something situated behind me. Reluctantly, I turn around to see a narrow stairway leading further upward from here.

  I never would have guessed the tunnel would lead to an old wine cellar. The only one in the city is in the bottom of the Geha House Museum.

  Good news, though. Now I know exactly where we are and how far away the Cloudore’s estate is. Assuming he is holing up there. It’s too soon to tell where he may be within town.

  Unfortunately, there are a few good places in Geha that he could hide. The Main Frame is below ground, too, like the tunnel and the cellar. That would be a good spot – easy to guard and would make it extremely difficult to reach to him.

  There is also Central Hall, but there are a lot of holes to sneak in and out of. Probably not the spot. The Arbitor’s home would be next. It only has a few entrances so it’s relatively easy to secure. His position will depend on where Loyals are stationed.

  Taking cautious steps, I climb the new set of stairs. Leaning my face against the door at the top, I listen for any sign that Loyals are patrolling the museum. With no noise suggesting anyone else within the building, I make momentary eye contact with Ryder to let him know we are safe before opening another trapdoor. He nods, and we creep into the kitchen.

  Nothing has changed since my childhood school trips here. Every item is spotless and not even an inch out of place. The Geha House Museum and its artifacts bring back memories of when I was younger, and the wonderment I enjoyed walking through it.

  Remembering, I’m almost ashamed of myself, now. If I had known what Nevada Geha’s vision produced back then, I wouldn’t have idolized him so.

  The sun is still shining bright outside. Sneaking around the city and finding Arbiter Cloudore’s position is going to be difficult without darkness to help cover our position.

  Crouching low, I take a left, exiting the kitchen and going into the dining room. A soft creak behind me alerts me to Ryder’s position about a foot behind me, following my lead. I’m just grateful it’s him and not a Loyal.

  Taking another left, a hallway leads us through to a sitting area with large windows in the wall opposite us. The curtains pulled back, I practically dive behind a nearby chair. Looking back, I see Ryder doing the same but to the couch on the left. I get down on my stomach and crawl to the window, the carpet soft against my skin.

  Pulling myself up to the sill, the sunlight illuminates the city but what I see is nothing like I expected it to be. The street is completely empty. Void of any life. I thought there would be Loyals swarming the area.

  They may not be aware of the tunnel entrance in the cellar, but they must know that the men came from this building, right?

  “What the Tesla…” I mutter.

  I lift myself up into a standing position with Ryder whisper-yelling behind me to get down repeatedly. Utterly dumbfounded, I can’t help myself. The view in front of me befuddles me so that I leave myself exposed to the enemy.

  Except, there is no one outside at all.

  Chapter 24

  Alora

  “What on Leda are you doing?” Ryder whispers from behind me again.

  I can’t respond to him at first. I’m so confounded by the sight of not one person wandering the street.

  “There’s no one here,” I respond a few seconds later, leaning my right hand against the glass.

  With the controlled atmosphere of the dome, it’s neither warm nor cold. Which is almost more disconcerting than what I’m seeing.

  “What?” he asks, standing from his hiding spot. It doesn’t sound like he believes me, and I don’t blame him.

  “No one is on the street.”

  “Not even a child or Loyal?”

  “No, it’s absolutely deserted.”

  Pivoting to the left, I remove my hand from the glass and look back to Ryder. He moves from his position and walks toward the staircase in front of me, against the wall. There are several moments of silence while he strides over to the stairs and looks up the stairway. It seems like he’s searching for something, the way his eyes gaze up and down it.

  “What are you looking for?” I query, taking short strides toward him.

  He’s at the base of the stairs as I walk up next to him, my hands on the banister.

  “There’s no one here,” he mutters.

  I nudge him with my elbow. I’ve said this already, so I’m not sure what he’s trying to add. He winces a bit when my arm touches his stomach, but it gets him to look at me. I’m a bit confused about his reaction, though, since I didn’t hurt him. Ryder shakes himself out of his own head, running his right hand through his hair.

  “When we got here last night,” he tells me, eyes closed as if he’s seeing it, reliving every detail again. Anger begins to boil his blood, causing the veins in his neck to throb. “There was a Loyal patrolling the place. I…we ended up having to knock him unconscious right here on the stairs and now…”

  “The body’s gone,” I finish for him.

  Something is eating at him, not allowing him to finish his story. I assume the guilt he feels for having to do this to another human is overwhelming. Even if it was a Loyal. It’s okay, though. I know what he’s trying to say.

  “Which means they know you guys got into Geha from the museum,” I continue. “So, they should be surrounding the place.”

  “Exactly,” he confirms, solemnly. “Why aren’t they swarming this place?”

  “This
is a trap.”

  “Should we cut and run?”

  “No, we can’t,” I sigh. “It’s now or never. If we don’t take the opportunity we have in front of us, innocent children will be thrown away by this disgraceful society. No more helpless and blameless individuals will suffer because of his decisions. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of all Unfavorable, even if it means walking into a trap and laying down my life.”

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Ryder breathes, internalizing his anger again.

  Hearing him so protective of me makes my heart skip a beat, but the way he deals with his rage is starting to worry me a bit. It will consume him if he doesn’t face it head-on.

  “If a moment arises, I’ll make sure I’m there to take the hit,” he finishes.

  “There’s no way I would allow that,” I say, cheeks ablaze.

  “Then I’ll ensure you aren’t able to stop me,” he grins.

  Stepping off the stairs, Ryder takes a stride towards me. Gently, he places the tips of his fingers on my waist, sliding them gradually against my sides and around to my hips. He pulls me against him ever so tenderly.

  His touch warms my being to its entirety, causing all my doubts to be washed away for the moment. I wrap my arms around his neck without being able to stop myself. Ryder’s fingertips trace up my back and stop only when he reaches my shoulder blades. Pressing me even closer, he lowers his head and brushes his lips against mine, breathing in my essence with every inhale.

  The smell of hay and coal lingers on him. Even his silky lips taste of freshly cut wheat from the field, as if he had just finished nibbling on a blade. It’s one of the many things I love about him and will never forget. With every second that passes, the world fades into oblivion while we share an instant together. Maybe our last.