Twin Spirit

by Matthew Thompson

  “Shane, please –”

  “Shhh…” he interrupted, “my dearest petal. And how are you?”

  He was sat on the chair in the far corner, rolling a cigarette, and gave her a grin.

  “Get out!” cried Lily.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said, smirking, then tapped the cigarette on a weapon – a gun? “Now, listen, I’ve never erased a little girl in all my years. And I don’t want to start today. Not with my favourite twins in the whole wide world.”

  “Just leave us alone,” Lily shouted.

  “Now, now, Lily, I hear your frustration, but you must understand our dilemma,” he said, and placed the cigarette in his mouth. “Cosy little hideaway ye got here, by the way. Good job we have eyes and ears in this sector. Otherwise, we may not have found ye. Plus, leaving the door unlocked like that, well, saved me waking ye.”

  Rose could barely swallow as her mouth was so dry. She gazed around the cabin, and another man stepped through the opened door. It was Shane’s sinister sibling, grinning with joy and malice.

  “He’s still out,” said Niall. “In a right state he is.”

  “You tie him up?” asked Shane.

  “Aye, good and proper. He’s in the chair.” Niall handed a roll of black tape to his brother.

  Shane looked at Rose. “What have you done to the man?”

  “Leave,” ordered Lily. “Before I get really angry.”

  “Well now. What makes you think you’re the boss of me?” said Shane, standing up and leaning over the twins with an expression of superiority. “They’ll be here soon. I can hear them. And this time I ain’t budging. Our life depends on this catch.” He moved around the bed and sat down, far closer than Rose would have preferred. The smell of cigarette smoke was intoxicating, causing her to grimace as he learned closer, staring at her with intensity, and said, “I grovelled, Rose, like never before, and that’s saying something. You see, the Govern don’t take kindly to those who waste their time. I wasted their time, Rose.”

  He took a long drag of the cigarette and blew the smoke directly into her face. She held her breath and watched the vapours drift away.

  Niall began to chew loudly and activated his weapon, which made a short, sharp buzz. “You made a fool of us,” he said. “Nobody makes a fool of the Brady brothers.”

  “A-men to that, brother,” said Shane. “Just as well we took photos of your pretty selves – as proof and that. Otherwise, we’d probably be devoured by now,” he added, poised to take another drag. “I’m guessing you wish that were true.”

  Rose felt tears welling up. “Please, Shane, don’t do this. We can help you escape from the Govern.”

  Shane wailed with laughter. “You want to help us escape, do ye? Escape from all the pleasures that await us after handing you two over? Now, why would we want to do that? There’s a lot of tokens to be earned today. And so much more that you’ll never know, or understand.”

  “But Lily, she can do more than move things. She… she can fix, mend anything you have!”

  Shane huffed. “Nah… you’re pulling a fast one. Nice try.”

  “It’s true, she can, can’t you?”

  “That’s right. And maybe tomorrow, even more.”

  Shane stood. “You girls… why, you’re special,” he said, and stepped around the bed, closing in on Lily with a conspiring expression. “Okay… show me. Show me what you’re made of. Then I’ll decide.”

  “I need something to show you with.”

  He had a think. “Ni, your watch.”

  “It’s broken.”

  Shane gave his brother an irritable glance and simply held out his hand. Niall reached for his watch, placing the silent, silver time-keeper into Shane’s palm. “Now… make it sing once more.”

  Lily squinted her eyes, focusing on the static hands. She slowed her breathing.

  Tick, tick, tick…

  “Well, well, well. Your watch is alive, Ni,” said Shane, before chuckling with disbelief.

  “See, she can,” said Rose. “We must be able to help you somehow. Be worth more to you than having us –”

  “Maybe I need more. Want do you think, Ni? You think she should grovel for her sister? Because I sure do. So let’s hear it.”

  Rose looked around the room.

  Shane held the ticking watch. “Tick, tick, tick-tock twins…”

  “Stanley!” shouted Rose.

  He sighed. “What a pity. Well, save your breath. There’s nothing you can do to change your fate. So let’s not hear another peep from either of you.”

  Shane tore off a strip of thick black tape and smothered Rose’s mouth. As he fixed the end over her cheek he gently stroked her face with the back of his hand. She breathed heavily, watching his every move.

  A thud came from the living quarters. Shane turned to his brother. “Ni.”

  “I’m on it,” said Niall, leaving the room.

  Shane walked over to the door, closed it and locked it. Having removed the key, he made his way over to the chair and set it down, before sitting on it. He then placed the cigarette in his mouth and reached his hands around the back of his head. As he leaned backwards in the chair the tip of the cigarette pointed up, the end glowing bright yellow. He stared at them with smugness.

  Rose, said Lily in her mind, we must find a way – there’s always a way.

  Rose agreed, without showing it.

  I want to try something. If you hear me, make a sound.

  She whimpered.

  Shane smirked, causing wrinkles to engrave on his face.

  Rose then felt the tape vibrate. A stretching, tearing sound ensued, followed by a snap. The breakage was heard by all within the room. At that precise moment, the cigarette Shane kept poised between his lips departed, turned in the air and struck the bare skin of his right cheek. Shane launched himself from his seat in raucous distress.

  Lily unfastened the rope tying Rose down and threw it across the room. “Now, Rose.”

  The door was a leap away. She jumped towards their escape as the key, once sat upon by Shane, was propelled through the air. It clanged at the key hole, jostling to enter. Rose gripped it and fed the key inward; instantly, it turned within the lock. She yanked down on the handle, then swung the door open and dashed through, turning to close it. But the door slammed shut without the slightest touch.

  Shane banged and yelled for his brother. The key departed the lock and clanged to the ground, then slid underneath the door and hit Rose’s foot.

  She picked it up, but then the sensation began. A ferocious surge of sensual thorns bombarded her mind and body. She held out her hands as she fell, bashing her knees, elbows and head.

  Niall edged slowly towards them, pointing his weapon. “Stay where you are!” he ordered, and stepped closer.

  “Ni!” shouted Shane. “Don’t let them get away.”

  “Sis,” whispered Lily, “can you hear me?”

  Rose lifted her head and began to crawl, reaching for the lowest step that led to the upper deck.

  “Stay there,” said Niall. “I will use this. You try me, I will.”

  Rose believed him, though only because of what his brother continued to bellow through the door – banging, thumping, yelling. He may even break through.

  “Give me the key,” demanded Niall, taking another step closer.

  “Back off! Back off! Raaaaw!” squawked Brunel.

  “Shut it!” shouted Niall.

  “Shut it! Shut it! Pheeeew!”

  “No… you.” He pointed the weapon directly at Brunel.

  “Nooooo!” Lily forced the gun to the ground. Niall fought her control, at Rose’s expense. He pulled Lily’s push, followed by a downward heave. No matter, he gripped with both hands as she fought with thought, aware of her sister’s lapsing state.

  Rose stopped moving, Lily noticed, and abandoned her battle with Niall to concentrate on another. He made caterpillar movements towards the control chamber.

  “Do
n’t you ever, ever try that again. You hear?” said Niall.

  “What’s going on, Ni?”

  “It’s okay. The primitive just tried a fast one. She won’t try it again. Now hand over the key, or you’re history.”

  Clunk!

  Niall collapsed into a heap, dropping the weapon to the floor.

  Relief shone over Lily’s face. Above the slumped man stood Stanley, fire extinguisher held aloft, breathing heavily. He dropped the canister, and grabbed his head with a groan.

  “Niall… Niall! Speak up!”

  Stanley took a hold of Rose and swung her over his shoulder, only to stagger into the wall, bumping her head. “Sorry,” he said, swaying as if the vessel were sailing upon a stormy sea.

  “Are you in any state to pilot?” asked Lily.

  He entered the control chamber and turned in circles. “Hmm… why of course,” he said in a deep voice, blinking his eyes. “Rose, can you stand?”

  “Huh… I think so.”

  “Think? That’s good enough,” he said, plonking her down. With both knees buckling, she reached for the control deck for support. He then placed the lever into flight mode, creating a deep rumble of energy, and held his forehead.

  Shane continued to barge at the cabin door, the sound of splitting wood followed. He shouted for his brother, who replied that he was okay.

  Bleep… bleep… bleep… emitted the radar.

  Through the window, the treetops drifted afar as Bella Air raised higher over the Italian sector. Stanley gripped the wheel and spun it full-circle in a hurry. The vessel leaned sharply, and her nose pointed towards the nearest entrance bay.

  “What’s going on?” said Stanley. “Fuel, it’s… depleting.” He gazed at the radar. “It’s no use. The Govern –”

  “Can’t we teleport?” said Rose, in a panic.

  “Of course.” He switched on the co-ordinates, entered the code for their position, then held the lever to transport them. A pull came to nothing but a flashing red light. “Nonsense, I didn’t recharge…” He flipped the battery charger and faced the twins in despair. “It’ll be hours before it’s ready. All right, grab on to something. And hold tight.”

  “What are you going to do?” asked Rose.

  “Just hold on.”

  With a grip on the wheel, Stanley spun a whole rotation and then continued to spin.

  The vessel tilted; her insides rocked as she rolled upside down and back again.

  “You okay, Rose?” asked Stanley.

  “Yes!” she cried, eyes shut, head down, while Bella Air continued to flip over and over.

  * * *

  Shane held the steel mast on deck as he watched the Govern back away from the vessel, readying themselves for another attempt to land.

  Niall gripped the netting at the vessel’s edge as Bella Air rolled the opposite way for the fifth time, catching Niall off-guard. He slid, grabbing on to the opposite netting: a loose grip.

  Shane witnessed Niall part from the vessel and descend towards a deadly impact. But the ground wasn’t to take Niall’s second life. A Govern loomed beneath and swept upwards, engulfing the existence of Shane’s beloved brother in one devouring swoop. He witnessed the entire event during a Bella Air roll. He could only watch – unable to form a single word.

  * * *

  Stanley stopped rolling the vessel, over seventeen kilometres above ground. “Not far to go,” he assured, looking through the periscope, fearing the worst. He activated the doors and observed the entrance bay opening.

  “Hurry,” said Rose.

  The doors parted and Bella Air abandoned the sector, perilously low on fuel. The location reader displayed Sector: OI-377. Stanley had little choice but to point the vessel into its midst. He waited and watched with stern eyes for the sector to emerge, glancing now and again at the radar.

  Fifteen minutes felt more like fifteen hours, but the sector finally came into view. The bay doors parted and swallowed the vessel whole. The Govern didn’t pursue.

  He steered Bella Air steadily through the bay and out into darkness. They then plummeted faster and faster towards what appeared to be a lush tropical forest. He looked at the fuel reader. “Brace yourself… she’s all out. We’re going down. Steady now… steady!”

  Bella Air clipped the highest reaching branches and bashed through the foliage, causing damage to the mast and undercarriage. The vessel ploughed into the earthy ground and buried itself in the soil. The duel engines wound down, emitting a low-pitched drone, while debris fell all around.

  “My best yet,” said Stanley, dusting his jacket down. He observed the radar; it was working, yet made no sound.

  “Nice crash,” said Lily, on the floor. “What’d reckon, sis? Sis…?”

  “Rose?” said Stanley, “wake up, we made it.” He stepped beside her and knelt, listening for her breath. He heard it.

  “What’s wrong with her, Stanley?”

  “She must have taken a knock to the head.” He gently placed her into the recovery position. “Keep talking to her. I’ll be back.”

  Stanley opened the control chamber door, holding out his trusty fire extinguisher. His heart sank as he saw the shattered picture frames all over the floor. There was no sight, or sound, of the brothers.

  “Amnesh crash! Amnesh crash! Pheeeeeew! Hat-trick!” said Brunel, with puffed out feathers.

  He acknowledged Brunel with a nod, and cautiously stepped through Bella Air to reach the top deck, then was greeted by an unexpected sight. Three hairy creatures squatted on the vessel’s bow, spears in hand, their white eyes reflecting the moonlight as they scouted with great interest.

  Stanley retreated deeper into the shadows and gave himself a moment to consider what they might be and what they were searching for.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The Burrow Bandits

  Rose opened her eyes to view familiar surroundings. Her bedroom was lit by moonlight. She lay under her duvet, the slightest breeze drifting over her cheek.

  Something moved in the shadows. She blinked, only to discover Shane stood inches away from the bed, hands in pockets and stared at her. Behind him, Niall leaned against the window sill, rolling a cigarette with both hands.

  “It’s time, Rose,” said Shane.

  The shadowy figure in the corner shook and gasped. Its glossy black tentacles emerged, reflecting the silver light like a mirror. The Govern moved forwards like it had in the flicker book. With the sound of a broken windpipe, it breathed heavily, reaching the end of the bed. Unable to move, Rose observed the creature loosen its wings that wrapped its body and unraveled its tentacles. Three of them slowly extended towards her. All she could do was shut her eyes and wait to be devoured.

  Her eyes opened.

  Rose expected to see the Govern preparing to consume her. Instead, she was confronted by a close-up of monochrome lips beneath a bushy moustache. “Rose…” said the lips in an eerie, yet familiar voice. “Rose, wake up.”

  Her eyes opened.

  Rose’s vision encompassed Stanley’s face, consumed with worry, and all in glorious colour.

  “That’s my girl. Can you stand?”

  “Welcome back to the real world, sis,” said Lily quietly.

  She pushed herself up and rubbed the bump on her head. “What happened? And why are you whispering?” she whispered.

  “We landed in a forest of the tropical variety, and you took a nasty bang to the head. And… we have company.”

  “Govern?” asked Rose, eager for a comforting answer.

  “No.”

  “Shane? Niall?”

  Stanley shook his head. “Shhhhh… Keep your voice down, we don’t –” The sound of movement on the upper deck interrupted him. He gave an inquisitive look at the ceiling, listening to the footsteps. “Stay behind me.”

  He led the way up the stairs, brandishing the fire extinguisher, while Rose gripped his jacket, peeking around the side. Brunel sat perched on his shoulder and bopped his head.

 
“Wait,” said Stanley, “I’ll take it from here.” He exited the kitchen and inched his way along the darkened deck, surrounded by overhanging tropical leaves, some the size of Rose. He then shuffled his feet to reach the mast, stopped and turned to face the twins, whispering, “I think they’ve –”

  Thud!

  Brunel flew for safety as a sharp spear made an impression on Stanley’s left buttock. “Aghh! What is this!” he yelped. “Who… What are you?”

  Appearing from the port and starboard of Bella Air, two creatures of similar stature and frightfulness made their way on deck. They stood on two feet, listened with large protruding ears, smelt with a small snout and observed with yellow circular eyes with black pupils. Their dark grey clothing was tattered and featured a series of white numbers. Beneath their clothes jutted black and grey fur, though the hairs were far shorter than the large bushy tail that waved from side to side. The two held spears directed at Stanley, and gazed with menace.

  “Ah! What is the meaning of this!” wept Stanley.

  “Don’t hurt him,” said Rose. “Sis, don’t let them.”

  “You, girl, come out from the shadows,” said the one edging the spear tip closer to Stanley’s tail bone. The creature stood slightly shorter than Stanley, but its voice was commanding. What was also distinguishing was his head of hair, styled into a Mohican.

  Rose shuffled her way along deck, while Lily twisted herself to gain a better view.

  “That’s far enough. My, my, you’re quite something,” said the Mohawk creature.

  “Why are you here?” asked the other critter. His voice was tranquil, and he too featured a hair style: a spiky trim.

  “Chased by Govern! Out of fuel! Crashed!” said Stanley, wincing on every word.

  “You girl, and the primitive, what’s your story?” asked the Mohican one.

  “I’ll tell you if you let Stanley go,” said Rose.

  “They’ll let him go, sis. They don’t know what I’m capable of – not yet.”

  The creature began to ease the tip away, and Stanley’s expression spoke volumes.

  “Fine. Come to our burrow. You can tell us all there,” said the Mohican creature in a friendly tone. “Food and drink awaits us, eh, guys?”

  “Yeah, sure,” said the spiky haired one.