by D. S. Murphy
I heard Tobias scream, clawing at his eyes as dark purple veins spread across his pale face. He swung wildly with the sword, but Luke helped Trevor stand and we ran through the now open section of the wall. Outside a third slagpaw was waiting, baring its teeth and growling at us, saliva dripping from its jowls.
Elixir thrummed through my body as I sprinted towards it, ducking under its claws and sliding across the rough ground on my knees, stabbing upwards with my sword. It slipped between the creature’s ribs, slicing it open, belly to tail, and showering me in a warm cascade of slagpaw viscera.
“Grab the crate!” I shouted. Jazmine and Luke each grabbed a handle and together we stumbled into the thick woods, leaving Quandom behind until the ruined steeple was swallowed up by the swirling ash and grasping branches.
5
It was dark by the time we made it back to the dead city. I cringed, expecting to see another slagpaw around every corner, or Tobias. I couldn’t shake the anger and hatred in his eyes. I’d never seen it there before.
I wasn’t sure how many people in Havoc realized what slagpaw actually were, and I didn’t want to risk getting shot again if I showed up with a mutid, so I gave Trevor the rest of my elixir and we waited at the edge of the city until he changed back.
I found a trickle of water running out of some exposed pipes into a small sheltered pond between some buildings. It was only a few inches deep, but clean enough to rinse off the worst of the smelly gunk that clung to me like a second skin.
I was pretty sure I was stained a few shades red like the eggs we used to decorate for Oester. I remembered sitting on my father’s lap, and using wax to draw geometric patterns against the brown shells.
“I can’t believe we’re alive,” Luke said finally. He’d been quiet on the hike back, though we’d covered most of the distance at a near sprint. “Seriously, an elite and three slagpaw? It’s a goddamn miracle.”
“We were lucky,” Trevor said. He splashed some water on his bare torso, which was still a bit fuzzier than usual, and his voice was a deep growl, but at least he could talk again.
“You know,” Luke said, sitting on the chest we’d retrieved from Quandom, “Steve thought this whole thing was a scam. He made me promise to shoot you if you tried to tell anyone the location of Havoc. I said I would, but, well let’s just say I wasn’t looking forward to it.”
“That should be on a greeting card,” Jazmine joked. “Killing you would give me feels.”
“Brevity is the source of wit,” I said.
“Seriously though,” Luke said, pushing back his hair. “Thanks, I guess.” He was acting weird, but I knew it was mostly the elixir in his system. He probably wasn’t used to consuming so much.
“We should be thanking you,” I said, pulling my wet hair into a loose knot behind my neck. “And now we know that flashy thing really works.”
“I think it’s fair to say we all helped,” Jazmine said, leaning against the rusty remains of a van. “But, can I remind you we’re in the city after dark, and didn’t Marcus say something out night prowlers?”
I took a shaky breath and nodded.
We weren’t safe yet.
The guards let us in after screening us again with the UV light, raising their eyebrows at Trev’s naked torso and torn pants. Every time they turned on the bright lights and I felt the heat on my skin, I expected to burst into flames. My skin prickled, and I thought I felt a burning sensation, but then I was done and they ushered me through. Still human, after all.
After the near pitch black of the forest, the underground lights were blinding. I removed my mask and wiped the sweat and blood off my forehead.
Curate Marcus greeted us first, along with a small crowd of onlookers, who stared with interest at the antique chest we’d taken turns carrying back. I noticed Luke was favoring one side and winced with each step; blood ran down his leg from the arrow bolt in his thigh. I hadn’t seen it outside in the darkness. And Jazmine was cradling her broken arm.
“Things didn’t go exactly as planned,” I said, after we’d entered the private office upstairs Jacob was using as his headquarters. Jazmine sank into an easy chair in the corner, and Trevor and Luke heaved the chest onto the table.
“I’m just glad you all made it back alive,” Marcus said.
“And with the chest,” Jacob said eagerly, running his hands over the cracked leather and ornate bronze hinges. “Have you opened it?”
“It’s locked,” Jazmine said. “Plus, we were kind of busy running for our lives.”
“What do you think is inside?” Trevor asked.
“It could be a trap,” Luke said.
“Or a bomb,” Jacob agreed.
“It isn’t,” I breathed. I’m not sure how I knew.
“Forgive us if we don’t take your word for it,” Jacob said. “But given the source of your information, it’s fair to be skeptical. I mean, the elite are known for compulsing people. It would have been easy to fool you. This could all be an elaborate ploy. Maybe he let you escape, just so you’d dig this thing up and bring it here. Maybe it’s a biological weapon of some kind. An infection.”
“Pandora’s box,” Marcus said ruefully.
“We just risked our lives for this thing,” Trevor said. “And now you’re telling us you’re afraid to open it?”
“Not afraid, just cautious. Unlike you, I need to consider the humans under my care.
“So what happens now?” I asked.
“Sleep,” Jacob said. “It’s after midnight. We’ll get our demolitions expert to check the box tomorrow, make sure there are no hidden wires or triggers. Then, we’ll see about opening it up.”
I wanted to protest, but I felt my knees shaking and realized I was exhausted. I bit my lip and nodded, even though I hated letting the box out of my sight. I was sure it was meant for me, and me alone. What secrets did it hold? What was Damien trying to tell me?
Outside, Camina grabbed Jazmine in a tight hug, then pulled away when Jazmine squealed.
“Shit, you’re injured,” she said. “Sorry. I wish I’d been there. By the way, thanks for leaving me behind. Idiots.”
“You needed rest. But you look much better now.”
“You know me, bedrest and a few drops of elixir.”
“Here, I brought you something,” Jazmine said, pulling the bracelet of flowers off her wrist. The petals were half crushed and stained with blood. “It was in better condition before. Still smells good though.”
“I love it,” Camina said.
“She should see April,” Jacob said, “to set that bone, or it won’t heal right.”
“I’ll take them,” Luke said. “Wouldn’t mind a bandage for my leg.”
They headed off together, and I watched them until they disappeared down the metal stairs. After the others had gone, Trevor walked me back to the living level below, where my tent had been set up.
“Are you okay?” Trevor asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I think so.” I raised my arms and hands, looking over my skin. The thorny red marks on my wrists and hands stood out, even in the dim light, but my birthmarks had always been there.
The rest of my skin looked pale, but smooth. Physically I felt frazzled. Thin, like my body was a shell and I could shatter at any moment.
“How did you do that?” Trevor asked, lowering his voice and leaning in close. “The slagpaw, they listened to you.”
“I don’t know – maybe they were humans once?”
“That elite was right there, and you still managed to compulse them. You’re stronger than we thought.”
Had I compulsed them? Master Svboda told us once we’d never be strong enough to compulse others. But she also told me the elixir hit me stronger because I was renitent. I guess nobody really knew what I was really capable of.
“Not strong enough, apparently. When Tobias had me by the neck, I was helpless. I was sure he was going to snap my neck. If it wasn’t for you
– wait, how’d you do that; you shifted.”
“I grabbed a fistful of ash and stuffed it down. It’s all I could think to do. It felt like my insides were melting. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to come back this time.”
“Do the others know—what you are, what you’re capable of?”
“Not all of them. If word got out that there was a slagpaw wandering around, people would freak.”
“What a pair we are,” I murmured.
He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes and leaned forward until I could feel his breath on my cheek. The colorful tents glowed like giant lanterns around us.
“I always knew we’d end up together,” he smiled. “I never realized we’d become the monsters.”
The elixir heightened my senses in the dim light. I was hyper aware of his musky scent, the soft pulse of his heartbeat, and the tension in his body, just before he kissed me.
I pulled away almost immediately, more out of reflex than anything. Doubt flashed in his eyes, followed by anger. My cheeks burned, but I wasn’t sure why. I had nothing to apologize for.
“Tell me it’s not because of him,” he said, his voice rough like gravel.
“Can we not do this right now?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“I thought you were done with all that,” he said. “I thought you were on our side now.”
“Why do there have to be sides?” I asked. “I’m just tired, and I feel disgusting.”
“Fine, whatever,” he said, pushing his dark hair back in frustration. He took a deep breath, before squeezing my shoulder.
“Get some sleep,” he said. “And a shower. We’ve got time. Why don’t we stay in and try not putting ourselves in imminent danger for a few days?”
“That sounds amazing,” I said.
He smiled, though it was tense.
I waited for him to leave, then went into my tent alone and zipped it shut. The camping pad was firm, nothing near as comfortable as Damien’s massive mattress, but it was still welcome after the day’s misadventure.
I rolled up some clothes for a pillow and let my mind wander. My forehead was sweating and my skin itched. I scratched my arms. It felt like insects were crawling on my skin and in the dark I could barely see enough to check. I wouldn’t be surprised if this place was full of cockroaches. I was almost asleep when I heard the whispers at the edge of my consciousness, disturbing the fragments of a dream.
I lay awake in the darkness for awhile, trying to fall asleep again, but it was no use. Finally I got up for a drink of water, walking barefoot on the cold cement to the shared bathroom and splashing some water on my face. I definitely needed a shower. But before I could take off my clothes, I heard the whispers again. I thought I’d just imagined them before, but now I was wide awake. Maybe I was losing my mind.
I followed the noises down the hall; it almost sounded like there were scratches coming from inside the walls, and I pictured hives of rats squirming behind the concrete. It made my skin crawl.
I didn’t recognize where I was until I was standing in the garage, right in front of Penelope’s cell. The single guard outside was sleeping. It was easy to walk past him. I opened the door to the truck as gently as I could. When I stepped inside, the sweet scent of elixir mixed with the smell of rotting flesh and death.
Penelope’s flesh was so pale it looked blue in the dim light, but her eyes shone with fever, lit with internal furnaces as her body struggled to keep her alive. Her new elite form needed fuel, and she was starving to death.
She lunged at me suddenly, rattling her heavy chains, but only made it halfway before being snapped back by the metal collar around her neck. If she recognized me at all, I couldn’t tell. She snarled at me, as if I were the predator, then retreated to a dark corner sullenly.
She clawed at her skin absently with soft whine, and I noticed the thin lines cut into her wrists, smeared with dark red blood. At first I thought she’d done it to herself, but the cuts were too neat and precise.
Someone else had done this to her, and recently. Someone was bleeding her, feeding on her for the elixir in her veins. She pinched at the open wound and a drop of blood rolled across her arm, pooling behind her elbow. My stomach rumbled and I took a step closer, licking my lips before I realized I wasn’t hungry. It was thirst for the elixir in her veins. I felt dizzy with need and had to physically drag myself away. Once outside, I closed the door and leaned against it heavily, taking a ragged breath to clear my spiraling anxiety. Finally I returned to my tent alone, filled with guilt and shame.
I had a pounding headache when I woke up the next morning and felt sick to my stomach.
It was like a hangover, mixed with the flu. Clammy skin, nausea, and hives that broke out on my legs and arms.
“How do you feel?” Marcus said at breakfast, piling his plate with canned beans and fried eggs.
“Gross,” I said.
“It’s normal, after consuming so much elixir,” Frank said, coming up behind us. “It’s a powerful drug, and addiction is common. We see the symptoms even when we get a new recruit from the colonies; just one drop a week and they’ll still feel slight symptoms for the first month. When you consume more, the symptoms can be unpleasant.”
“I didn’t even have that much,” I frowned.
“It effects us all differently. We’re careful not to give soldiers too much. A fourth of a vial is the usual limit. More than that and you may lose control of yourself. Drink a whole vial and you’ll have superhuman strength, but you’ll probably die and never come back. Mostly we use it for healing, not fighting.”
“Unlike the reckless princess amongst us,” Marcus teased.
“Did Trevor tell you about yesterday?”
“Luke can’t shut up about it,” Frank said. “He’s told half the community already, how you sliced through that slagpaw like a cranberry pastry.”
“I had help,” I said. “Everyone was very brave.”
And lucky. One elite and three slagpaw. I had a feeling if it were just the slagpaw, it wouldn’t have gone down so well. Being tied to Tobias made them a bit slower. When he hesitated, so did they.
“One slagpaw is a miracle, but it could just be a fluke. By my count, you’ve killed three. How much elixir did you take, anyway?”
“Half a vial,” I shrugged, sipping my dark root tea. I frowned at the cup, annoyed it wasn’t coffee, but apparently that was a luxury good in Havoc and only for special occasions.
“So five drops,” Frank said. “No wonder you feel like shit. Luke and Trevor are still in bed. Both have fevers but they should be fine after a few days.”
“Your friend fared much better, honestly I’ve never seen anything like it. You must have built up a tolerance in the citadel.”
He nodded towards Jazmine and Camina, who were pushing their food around a few tables away. Jazmine had a big pair of dark sunglasses on, I didn’t know where she found them. Maybe in one of the shops downstairs.
“What about the chest?” I asked. “Did you get it open?”
“Let’s talk about it this afternoon,” Marcus said. “After everyone has had time to freshen up.”
By everyone, I assumed he meant me. I didn’t need to smell my armpits to know I was rank. But first, breakfast.
I grabbed some more tea and smeared butter and strawberry jam between two pieces of toast, before joining the girls at their table. The condiments came in little plastic containers, and weren’t nearly as fresh or tasty as what we made in the compounds.
“This food tastes like it’s been on a shelf for a hundred years,” Camina complained.
“It probably has been,” I said. “Though I’m actually impressed. Who would have thought the rebels even had access to food like this, I thought they’d be living off of bats and spiders.”
“Only on Thursdays,” Beatrice joked, from the table behind us. We waved good morning. Other than the few residents we’d already met, most were keeping their d
istance—they stared with a mixture of scorn and curiosity, if not downright malice.
“This could be rat sausage,” Camina said thoughtfully, taking a bite of her breakfast. “But it’s still delicious.”
“My head feels like it got slammed through a wall,” I grumbled.
“It very nearly did though right?” Camina said. “So don’t complain. Maybe next time you won’t leave me behind to fight elite.”
She leaned back in her chair, and I caught a glimpse of the dark purple scars across her abdomen, beneath her tanktop.
“We weren’t planning on fighting anything,” I said. “Honestly, we thought it would be a quick trip.”
“Here,” Jazmine pushed a round white pill towards me across the table.
“Where’d you get that?” I asked, snatching up the pill. I’d seen Aspirin before, but it was usually only used for emergencies between renewal ceremonies. Unlike elixir, it was legal to store and distribute, though too expensive for most people to afford.
“They have a robust black market down on the 4th level.”
“What did you have to give up for these?”
“Who says I had to give anything up?” she winked, adjusting the sling around her broken arm. Even with elixir, it would take a few days to heal completely.
After breakfast I headed to the co-ed shower system. Trevor had pointed them out earlier but I’d only had time for a quick shower. There was a long line, the water was warm, and we were only allowed 2 minutes each; although more time and hot water could both be purchased for a surcharge.
“Hot water, like coffee, is an indulgence, not a necessity,” Jacob had said.
“Like hell it is,” I’d grumbled. The water was refreshing, and I lathered my body with the pink sanitizer, scrubbing myself clean until the water ran cold.
After the painkiller Jazmine gave me, I was almost feeling like myself again. I fumbled outside the stall for my towel, but it was gone. I poked my head around the plastic curtain and saw it hanging on a peg across the room.
Shit. I covered myself as best I could and made a beeline for it, just as another figure came into the room. I stopped just short of knocking him over, but still ran into him hard enough to steal his breath.