Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2)

by Catherine Kopf

  “I’ve got so many plans! Now it’s just a matter of what we’ll…”

  I interrupted. “Can I at least say goodbye to my friends?”

  “Friends?” Mai sighed. “Right… come this way.”

  Mai nodded to the guards and both of them moved aside so we could exit the room.

  Piercing screams rang in my ears, this time with more meaning. Were any of those screams Enya’s? Cal’s?

  “Promise you won’t hurt them,” I said.

  Mai grinned. “Duh! Of course I won’t. We’ve got an unbreakable promise.”

  She opened a sliding glass door and pulled my arm to follow her. It didn’t look like any sort of containment unit — only with a cabinet or two in the ruby and black, neon-lit room.

  Mai tossed something my direction. “Put these on.”

  “What about my friends?”

  “This first.” Mai glared. “Or I’ll keep them here.”

  I hesitated and clenched my fist before doing as she said. The black and scarlet uniform was a little too much, with a sleeve carrying The Commander’s ‘C’ on the armband cuff and the black turtleneck with burgundy buttons. Secretly, I placed my pistol into the new pair of bottoms, just in case Mai bailed on our deal.

  She snapped her finger. “So much better. This look really suits you!”

  “Let’s go.”

  “Geez, no need to get impatient…” Mai motioned for me to follow.

  As we strolled, the piercing shrieks resonated louder than before, echoing in my surroundings. Maybe it was my sensitive hearing, or maybe it was just that bad in Darkguard.

  Glass windows lined the hallway, each portraying an equally mortifying scene. One displayed scientists injecting vials into a young girl. Her scream rang in my ear — a death cry. The sweat on her face symboled hours of agony.

  The next window had a familiar face, but I could barely recognize her.

  “Vana?" my lip quivered.

  Vana wasn’t human anymore. Metal replaced her right arm and left leg. Two bolts and screws kept a piece of metal in place on the right side of her forehead. Even her chocolate brown eyes had a different sheen under the light — more vibrant, more artificial than before. Wires hung from cables that connected to her body.

  They turned her into a cyborg. More than that, I noticed a small chip planted into the side of her head — the same design as the chips I corrupted in Weisheit. I saved her from The Regime’s influence. Vana’s face lifted and her gaze met mine, pleading for help.

  “You’ll release her too, right?” I asked.

  Mai’s eyes widened for a second before she regained her composure. “Sure.”

  We continued our walk, and I adjusted the cuff on my sleeve. Having it there seemed like one of Dustin’s uniforms, just different. This one wasn’t torn from the battlefield, and neither was it one given to a normal soldier.

  Mai unlocked the door at the end of the hall and pushed it open. The room’s checkered floor contrasted the garnet flags above it. A crimson carpet stretched out from one doorway to the other like a regal fabric. It brought back memories of the castle hall in Filía: elegant and refined, but instead of being light and airy in the rubble, this room was systematized and lit under candlelight.

  Four figures laid on the ground, a member of Mai’s force pointing a weapon at each of their heads. Cal’s eyes watered when I entered; Zeke placed her hands behind her back. Enya clenched her teeth and resisted The Illusionist, but a collar on her neck shocked her when she tried to summon her magic. When Enya’s collar shocked her, Dustin’s prosthetic hand reached her direction, only to be squashed by June’s boot. Wes stood there silent, distant.

  “You idiot. Why didn’t you plan an escape? Huh?” Enya croaked.

  Wes’ lip quivered as he raised his head. “Come on, Ambert. You care about us, don’t you?”

  “Just lacking in brawn so he had no other option… right?” Dustin asked.

  I sighed. “I swore I’d protect you. Fulfilling that promise is greater than any Dreamer victory. I’m sorry.”

  “Isn’t that sweet?” Mai cleared her throat. “Take Calista, Wes, Enya and their other close allies to Fortress. For sleeping.”

  “That wasn’t a part of our deal.” my heartbeat accelerated.

  “I said I wouldn’t hurt them. And I won’t. I just need them for reassurance for the first part of our deal.”

  “Ambert!” Cal screeched through the halls of Base Darkguard. My sensitive ears picked up her cries like scraping on a chalkboard. Poor Cal — but she had allies out there that could help her.

  Enya struggled to get free, but the guards quickly injected a serum into her neck, cooling her system. Two guards dragged Enya’s limp body toward where Cal was taken.

  I could never forget the look on Wes’ face — sad, teary-eyed, longing to get away. He avoided The Regime for years — and his capture wouldn’t settle easy. Now Mai wanted him to face comatose. He reached out to me for a second, but I looked away. I couldn’t gaze at my best friend — not now. Not ever.

  I held out my hands and pointed them toward Mai, ready to release a blast of sound at her. “Let them go.”

  Mai rolled her eyes. “We’re doing this again. Wow…”

  “Let them go, or I’ll make you let them go.”

  “You think they care about you that much, huh?”

  “Of course they do. They’ll find some way to escape, and they’ll come back for me. You won’t want that.”

  “Then come on. Use your magic.” Mai summoned mist around her, forming a ghostly fog in the dimly lit room. Her eyes flashed ebony as the grin on her face widened.

  I pushed energy from my hands, finding no sounds came from them. Trying again even harder, a small squeak came from my powers. Of course. She had something in my new clothes. Clever.

  I revealed the pistol and shot a guard straight in the chest. As blood spilled on the carpet, a chill of cold jabbed up my arm. For once since discovering magic, my desire to save my friends was more than my fear of the darkness. But yet, at the same time, guilt stabbed through my chest. What did I let myself do?

  Mai snapped her fingers. Guards behind me rushed forward, giving Mai enough time to swipe my gun.

  She put it away on her belt. “Aww…. look at you being stupid trying to be a hero! How far were you willing to succumb to save people who only use you?”

  I kept my mouth shut. Not even I knew the answer to that question. If killing was what it took to ultimately save lives, was it a line I was willing to cross? Otherwise, if I was killing, was it for the right reasons — the right people? I didn’t know what had gotten into me, but the thought conflicted in my head.

  Mai twirled one of her pigtails. “I don’t want you to get hurt before we even start. You’re under The Regime’s protection now.”

  “So, what’s next?” I shifted my eyes back to the doorway where I last saw Enya and Cal.

  “ Experimenting on twins formed this world’s magical powers. By the time we’re done, I’m hoping you’ll help us break through on a lot of research. You’ll be helpful to The Regime. Isn’t that great?” Mai dialed a number on her phone and looked at the two guards holding me. “Take him to the prisoner’s quarters.”

  My knees shook, but I remained composed. This was the only way Cal, Wes, and Enya would’ve made it out alive. Now, I just had to resist her and whatever she did long enough to place a dent in The Regime. Although, I bet Cal would lead a force of Dreamers to rescue me. Who could blame her? We carried a bond stronger than blood.

  The flames of rebellion couldn’t be stopped, and drums of war beat in the background. Every beating heart in the country followed one tune or the other.

  The Blaze and The Regime would clash, and someone would fade to dust while the other prevailed. I couldn’t stop the inevitable. It was just a matter of which side won now — and how I could use my position to help the cause.

  I made my choice.
I accepted who I was.

  I was Ambert Greer: one of the twins. Brother to the girl of flames. A bearer of sound. Idealist. Son of Harmony Greer. Darkness and light didn’t exist, just different sides on different conflicts.

  Silence wouldn’t splinter reality: accepting myself and using my strengths? That would. I was willing to stop all the blood spills. Whatever it took—even if it meant myself.

  I wouldn’t go down without a fight in this blazing rebellion. Just like a dramatic piece of music, my last notes wouldn’t be quiet. I had many chords left to play — whether they be with Cal or until she and our friends got there.

  Silence wasn’t in my nature.

  FOURTY-TWO

  Calista

  If I hadn’t been so stupid, I would’ve found out The Commander’s plan sooner. I’d be home eating something by the fire instead of going to join Aurelia and my friends in an endless sleep! I’d be conformed to The Regime’s ways, but at least Mom would be alive. I wouldn’t have lost some of my friends… and maybe even my own life.

  Some leader I am…

  Guards placed Enya, Wes, Xiang, Dustin, and several other Dreamers in two straight lines at opposite ends of the room. Each of us had a guard preventing us from escaping. A cyborg girl squatted on my left, and tears spilled from her brown eyes. Despite the wires, I knew she could feel just like any other Dreamer.

  “Ca… Calista…” the girl whimpered.

  I recognized her voice immediately. “Vana!" my hand reached out to her.

  Zeke slapped it. “Next time you’ll lose that hand.”

  I slowly brought my hand back to my chest like a child reaching away from a cookie jar. It was like Father was here all over again. I had to find a way to get my friends out of this, save Aurelia and Ambert, and make it to The Blaze. There had to be hope somewhere. Not even The Regime was invincible.

  Zeke handed me off to another guard and exited the room, I assumed to check on our transport to Fortress. I turned my head and noticed the keys on my guard’s belt and his gun. I had to somehow get them, but how would I with so many guards around?

  Father entered at the other doorway and his clouded gray eyes widened after seeing me. He rushed to my side, eager for answers. “Sweetheart, what’s going on?”

  The guard pushed him away. “Sorry, Sir. Commander’s orders.”

  “Under what charge?” Father clenched his teeth.

  “Your adopted son came and traded his life for theirs,” the guard said.

  “Who has Ambert now?”

  “Lieutenant Mai, Sir.” the guard eyed Father with a cold glare.

  “First Moreno’s death and now…” Father clenched his fist and grabbed the guard’s shoulder and waist. “Dang it all! I should’ve known.”

  “Sir, you have to leave.” the guard put his hand on the gun by his side.

  “Of course.” Father held my hand for a brief moment before he left the room, without acknowledging me much. Maybe his mind was lost in thoughts, or maybe there was more danger than I was aware of.

  What was going on?

  Something remained in my hand, cold to the touch. Enclosed inside my fist was the small, metal key for my handcuffs. With it, I could escape. But why would Father do that? He was so loyal to The Regime. Was it me? Mom’s death? Something more sinister? Either way, it left me with a speck of hope to escape.

  But I wasn’t given much time to process everything. Zeke re-entered the room with a twisted smile on his face.

  “What is it, Love?” Becky brushed his shoulder with her hand.

  “We don’t have enough room in the vans. Means we get to butcher a few Dreamers so we can carry out orders.” Zeke pulled Becky closer to him and locked lips with her.

  My eyes widened, and I let my lip tremble. Of course, the full van scenario. It was the same as Goldcrest: lighten the load by thinning the herd of prisoners.

  They could kill me here, now, and always. Every moment I stayed in The Regime’s custody was like another second of a bomb. Tick. Tick. It was only a matter of time until the explosion went off and my time here ran out. Was it now? Here? I swiftly put the key into my restraints and began unlocking the cuffs on my hands. I wasn’t letting Wes die. Not when we had so much left to say to each other.

  Becky pushed Zeke away and spoke with a voice shakier than his. “…How many?”

  “As many as it takes.” From that talk, Zeke could’ve been Head Executioner.

  Enya looked at me from across the room and mouthed the words “We’ll be okay.”

  Her hands trembled in their shackles, and with downcast eyes, I saw The Daughter of Flame lose her fire. Her fighting spirit left her, now at the mercy of The Regime. Just like me. Just like anyone else there.

  She hummed a song, preparing for the worst. It was the same tune she and Ambert devised in Filía: soft, flowing, almost optimistic like Ivory.

  Zeke summoned several blades in his hands, lifting them from the ground, and pointed them toward several of The Dreamers, including Xiang. I looked at him, barely holding in my emotions. They couldn’t just kill him, right? Right?!

  The cuffs clinked away from my hands and I slowly grabbed the weapon off my guard’s side. With a banging shot, I fired at him, followed by the guards holding Enya, Wes, and Vana. I shot again, only hearing a click rather than a fire. I couldn’t be out of bullets already. Not now!

  Becky grabbed my hand. “He told you if you stuck out that hand again, you’d lose it.”

  I kicked her dress, sending her to the floor. She and I had similar physiques, making her a great opponent. I was glad she was the one who wanted to fight me. Knowing what she did to Zeke, I needed to avenge The Dreamers she charmed.

  Chaos broke out. Dreamers and Regime guards punched and shot at each other, spilling trickles of blood onto the floor. Enya used her elbows to knock down guards attempting to control her. A fiery look returned to her eyes. Wes took a paintbrush from his back pocket and knocked the guard next to him. He performed a front elbow strike, bringing down another.

  I counter-attacked one of Becky’s movements and hit her with a palm-heel strike, a movement I swore to my father I’d never use unless I was in an emergency. This definitely counted. Striking her nose, she winced. Becky’s watered eyes smeared the mascara on her face as she held her nose, probably broken from the blow. I kicked her stomach, sending her to the ground before taking off in a full sprint.

  “Wallflower, wait!” Enya rushed after me, determined to help out.

  I had to find Ambert and Aurelia. Getting them out and destroying Base Darkguard would send a backlash against The Regime. The sounds of the fire would roar in their minds, and the citizens’ talk would cripple them of their strength. I had to do this. For Mom. For my friends. For Wes.

  I raced toward a hallway, looking for signs to point me to a gas room or something.

  Without warning, someone shot a guard behind me with an arrow on the leg.

  In the moment of confusion, I tilted my head and returned to Enya. “Did you… Did you fire that shot?”

  “Wasn’t me.” Enya shrugged.

  The melody Enya hummed was copied onto an instrument, one vaguely familiar… a violin! Was Ambert coming to save us? Were we going to make it out of this together? My heart thumped quicker and quicker like a hopping rabbit.

  Another boy in a gray hood materialized next to me in a glitter-like display. A violin rested in his hands and a crossbow laid across his back. “The Blaze is here to rescue you, Calista.”

  The boy summoned a galaxy-like substance in his hands and jolted it at Enya’s collar, removing it. Instantly, she began sparking the base with her flames. This was the first boy from my visions: The Boy With the Violin, the one who weaved the stars with his hand and played when he could.

  “We need to find my other friends and destroy this place,” I said.

  “Agreed.” The Boy With the Violin handed me his crossbow and a lighter. “Take these.
Quickly. There should be a control room. Inside will be a gas tank, wires, something.”

  Where did he keep all this stuff? I nodded to him and gripped onto the lighter and crossbow like my mother’s necklace.

  While I fended off some guards, The Boy with The Violin freed Dustin using a dagger as a weapon. The Illusionist, June, and Zeke watched in awe for several moments without their leader's orders before chiming into the fight.

  Becky rose herself from the floor and wiped the blood off her nose. “The Commander will be infuriated if we lose to these rats. Move!”

  Other Dreamers were lost in the slaughter. Guess they weren’t the ones important to Ambert. Ambert… The Boy With the Violin needed to get him too! I turned to him, only to find he evaporated from the battle. Where was he? Was he already getting Ambert? He had to be! Aurelia, Ambert, and the other Dreamers were too important to just leave behind.

  I raced down the hallway, following the signs:

  “Map Room

  Commander’s Quarters

  Prison

  Testing

  Electronics

  Genetic-Alteration

  Harvesting

  Control Room”

  Bingo. The Control Room was there just as he said. I released a breath. Here goes nothing.

  I scurried through the hallway, making my way toward the double doors at the end. Peering through the window, no guards remained the room, probably either protecting The Commander, fighting The Boy With the Violin, or in the loading area with my friends.

  I creaked open the door and stepped into the darkness, only computers lighting my way. The buttons in the room were uncountable, each tempting to discover and push, but I was on a mission, a mission I couldn’t abandon.

  In the corner of the room sat a heating unit. The sharp smell of gasoline filtered in and out of my nose. This was definitely the place. I shot an arrow into the container, spilling gasoline on the floor. Gripping onto the lighter, I sat my crossbow on the table nearby.

  It was time for The Regime to burn. To do something so bold The Regime would never expect it. Enya would be proud of me.