Chapter 9: Trapped Part 3 Matt's View It had been a good idea to set off bombs. It made all the guards distracted. Only one problem. With all the guards outside, it made sneaking into the prison dome near impossible. As we ducked behind some garbage piles to hide from another platoon of guards, I reminded myself to thank the president of Atlantric for leaving all these garbage piles out here, before I killed him anyway. When the platoon moved out of view Risana motioned to get up. Another problem. We couldn't talk underwater. Evaline and Zaln could but the rest of us couldn't. We had our wireless headsets but they weren't linked. I watched as Risana stiffened. Peeking around the garbage pile I saw what caused her surprise. 3 guards were had just come around the corner and were looking at her in shock. I was still hiding behind the garbage. Suddenly, Risana sprinted forward with her Tantō unsheathed, Knocking one of the guards mask off, cutting off his air supply before slashing her Tantō clean through the guards neck. This brought me out of my shock. I quickly got out my laser sniper. Unfortunately, this also brought the other guards out of shock. They were all equipped with laser guns. I knew I had to hit at least one guard or Risana didn't have a chance of winning. It was a good thing that they didn't know I was there. I quickly got on my stomach to stay out of view. I leveled my sniper waiting for the right move. Risana was losing ground, she had to move fast to block lasers. Risana moved forwards attempting some offensive moves. The guards started to move sideways slowly. Their backs would face me soon. Now was my chance. I aimed and pulled the trigger. Missed! Risana slipped, she got up but a laser almost hit her head. C'mon...focus Matt... I thought I tried again. This time I hit the bulkier guard between his neck and shoulder blade. It wasn't a kill but he went down in pain. This made the other guard distracted. Risana moved in for the kill. After she cut off his head, I quickly got up and sprinted towards Risana. She had some cuts but nothing serious. I gave her a thumbs up. She nodded in thanks...I think. I wondered what we were going to do about the bodies. The only weird thing about the guards is that they weren't in uniform. They wore regular clothes like us only different armor and they had helmets that covered most of their faces. I noticed the guard I had taken down was still alive but in great pain. I snatched Risana's Tantō and ended his life. Then I felt rather sick. I had killed someone. Risana didn't seem to care, she bending down and removing one of the guards armor, helmet and weapons. Then she took of her own armor and put on the guards. I realized what she was doing. Disguise. Very smart. I followed her suit with the guard I had...killed.... I didn't have time to think like that though. Another platoon would pass by soon so we had to be quick. Soon both of us were disguised as Atlantric guards. I kept my sniper hidden under my arm, Risana strapped her Tantō behind her oxygen tanks. Now we could walk freely. We walked towards the guard dome, the guards there quickly let us in after they noticed Risana's bloody armor. Past the doors was a line of oxygen tanks on the floor. Risana took her mask off but not her tank. I followed her suit. She pretended to limp around. She asked me loudly to find a prisoner to question about those other people we saw as she walked off towards a first aid stand. I answered loudly and hurried off . The guard dome was simple. Everything was cells. I took a right and checked every cell. I couldn't find them. I had checked every cell! "Why isn't your tank off?" I loud voice asked I turned around. This man was in uniform. He had medals too. I decided he was an officer of some sort. Higher in rank. "Sir! One of the guards in my group was injured lightly by some unknown men. While she gets first aid she asked me to find the prisoners that were imprisoned here from the world above. Since we should be heading back out soon I decided to keep my tank on." I explained quickly The man nodded. "Very well. But you won't find them here. They're in the special cells." "Oh. I'm sorry Sir. I'm a new recruit." I apologized "New eh? Well then, Take the right, you'll see a metal door locked with a code. " the man said He quickly whispered the code to me. "Thankyou Sir." I said "Your welcome." then he left I followed his instructions. Behind the door was a dim passage. There were oxygen tanks, weapons and armor thrown carelessly against the wall. I recognized them as Zaln, Tammy, and Drake's. Except an old looking tank. Maybe a spare I thought. No guards were around. A ring of keys hung from a hook on the wall. I took the keys and walked down the passage. It turned left to a row of 5 large cells. I heard some talking at the third and forth cells. Zaln, Tammy and Drake's voice flowed with another voice I didn't recognize. I sprinted. I opened the forth cell where I heard my friends voices. Zaln was sitting on the floor looking bruised and tired. Tammy and Drake were at the cell window talking to a guy around Zaln's age. They all turned in surprise when they saw me. Glaring. I took my helmet off. "MATT!!! Man, what took you so long?" Zaln asked weakly with a smile. "Be quiet!" I hissed I slipped the helmet back on. "C'mon we gotta move." I whispered I grabbed their armor and weapons from the door and gave it back to them. "Were's Evaline and everyone else?" Tammy asked worriedly "Evaline, Keir and Jay went to find Karl and Diane. She sent me and Rusana to get you lot." I answered "Then where's Risana?" Drake asked "Playing injured. Don't know how'll we'll get out..." I said "The window." Said the unknown guy from the other cell. I looked in surprise at him. "But won't all the water come in? Risana..." I said "You can link your wireless headset so you use thoughts instead of words." He said "Let me out and I can help. They are my enemies too." Tammy must have noticed my expression. "We can trust him. He's from Illuminate too." Tammy told me "Ok...." I unlocked his cell and got him that extra old oxygen tank. "Thanks. My names Seth." Seth said sticking out a hand. "Nice to meet you. My names Matt." I said shaking his hand. Seth took my headset and pressed a few buttons on it. "Ok...It's reset and I locked it on Risana. Risana's headset will have been reset too. It should work now." Seth told me I slipped it on and felt a slight electric shock go through my brain. Damn... I thought Damn you're right! Is that you Matt? What did you do?! Risana's voice seeped through my thoughts. Uh nothing... When Risana started to argue I interrupted her. Look, we need to get out. We're gonna smash a window. We need you to get out of here now. Ok fine. But how do you know it'll go undetected? We don't but it's out only choice. OK. Meet you out back. Risana ended "Let's move." I said Since Seth agreed to help us, I had given Seth the laser guns I had taken off the guard. Now all I had was my sniper and machine gun. Drake used his pyro ability to melt the top and bottom of a metal bar on the window and took it. "Ready guys?" Drake said with a grin. Tammy raised an eyebrow. I admit I was also surprised that Drake had a daredevil side to him. He usually kept to himself. "Yeah, what'd ya waiting for? Let's bust out of here!" Zaln said enthusiastically. "Are you sure you want to still come Zaln? We can get you back to the sub." I said "The sub? No way. I'm coming." Zaln said defiantly We slipped our masks on. Drake took the bar and started slamming it onto the window. The glass gave away and water gushed through the window like a high powered hose. The room quickly filled with water. I didn't hear any sirens so I decided no one knew yet. I took the lead. Zaln was being supported by Tammy. Seth and Drake took the rear. No one was in sight. How odd. Then I noticed a nice pile of dead bodies. Risana stood there looking grim with her Tantō gleaming in the water. She had more cuts than I had last seen her. I had to admit. I was impressed. Same way I had been when Evaline gave me a little mind blast the day we met... We better move before someone notices these bodies and who's that guy? Risana asked Another electric shock went through my brain. His name is Seth. They met him in prison. I think we can trust him. Risana nodded and started swimming the main building. We followed. Hopefully Evaline's group found Karl and Diane.
Chapter 9: Trapped Part 4 Silence is all I heard. I opened my wet eyes. Jay looked worried and was talking to Karl in the pit. Keir was studying the outer walls of a nearby home. Atlantric seemed to be getting darker. The lights weren't blazing anymore. They took on a dim glow, casting shadows everywhere. Looking up, the water was an endless black. Questions flooded my brain. How deep were we? What was I doing here? What time is it? All of them left unanswered. For the first time I noticed how beautiful Atlantric was. They had plants native to the sea and buildings so different I could not describe. I hated it. How could the world look so beautiful when Diane was dead? I felt a buzz in my brain as if it was going hyperactive. I tried to shake it off. Looking down, some broken fragments of glass lay cracked on the ground. My eyes were red and puffy. My cheeks stained with dry and fresh tears. The red in my hair was starting to disappear. All I had were streaks. How was I to tell Diane's parents? I sighed. Jay walked over to me. "Are you ready?" She asked quietly I breathed out. My questions would have to wait. More immediate problems needed attention. "Yes..." I answered Jay nodded. "Keir thinks we could sneak into a home and find some rope or a ladder. We can get Karl...and Diane...out of the pit..." "Keir?" I asked surprised "Yes...Keir...is...smarter...than he looks." Jay admitted "Ok...let's do it." I said Now Jay looked surprised. "You think we can pull it off?" Jay asked "Yeah. Plan A: Sneak in, grab what we want, get out. Plan B: Bust in, kill anyone inside on sight. Which one do you want?" I asked My brain felt hyperactive again. It felt like an overdose of caffeine. Jay looked startled by my idea. "Plan A." she said quickly I nodded a bit disappointed. I would have liked to kill anyone from Atlantric right NOW. My feet hit the ground of a pristine backyard. I straightened my quiver and strung my bow. Keir had chosen a house with a backyard. He said it would be easier to get in. When I asked him about alarm systems, he has just grinned and said he would take care of it. This made wonder what kind of trouble Keir got into in Illuminate. Two more pairs of feet hit the ground as Jay and Keir climbed over the fence as well. I turned and nodded at Keir to do thing. Keir took the lead. After inspecting the door and windows. He took out a small pocket knife out of his shoe to pick the lock. "No fancy security system?" I asked Keir "Nope." Keir answered I shrugged. We moved forward into the home. The place didn't look all to different from my own home. We had came into a living room. A set of stairs going down. The room was near empty. A hanging ceiling light, two couches, one made of coral in front of a TV that was next to the stairs. The other looked like a pull out couch that turned into a bed. A wooden coffee table was pushed against the right wall. All the walls were white. Next was the kitchen. Small white stove on the right, a black microwave, a large industrial sink with a counter on each side. Blue walls. Next to the kitchen was the front door. No one seemed to be inside. "Lets go downstairs." I whispered I took the lead at this point, my bow aimed. We crept slowly down the carpeted stairs. It was dark. Almost pitch black. I reached the bottom. I turned to check to see if Jay and Keir were behind. "Keir, Ja..." I didn't finish. My eye caught a figure standing in the dark. I started to move towards it but then that someone swung something at me. I ducked. That person raised their weapon again to strike. I felt a burn quickly spread through my brain, just as it became unbearable the person swung again as it made contact with my forehead, a bright flash illuminated the room. I heard a scream. Then I found myself flying backwards into a wall falling onto the ground on my side with a thud. My forehead felt wet. My conscious was slipping. I let the pain overtake me. -Blackout- I felt my conscious slowly return. I felt something poking my arm and my side. "Stop it Keir." a voice said "Just asking her to wake up isn't gonna work." a whining voice complained. "Go keep an eye on her." the first voice ordered I struggled to open my eyes. Bright florescent lights were on. I was on the floor, still laying on my side. Jay was looking at me concerned. Keir had his ashandarei blunt side up pointed at an woman who looked very tired. Now I knew what was poking me... I tried to sit up. "SEE?! Poking does work!" Keir declared triumphantly My head was pounding. "What happened?" I asked "She." Keir pointed at the woman. "Whacked you on the head with that." Keir pointed at a wooden plank "Did you guys take her out?" I asked Jay looked uneasy. "We didn't...when we turned on the lights both of you were out..." "Yeah...we thought it was you..." Keir added "And that bright flash..." Jay started So the flash hadn't been a dream. "It might have come from you..." Jay mummered I started to feel scared but then I remembered Diane. Karl. I shook it off and got up. "C'mon. Did you guys get the ladder?" I asked Jay shook her head. "Let's go then!"I said "Well..." Jay started "We can't get the ladder because you can only open the garage by fingerprint, face scan, and a bunch of other stuff." Keir finished "And she will only get it if we promise not to kill her..." Jay said I felt my spirits drop even more. If we didn't kill her. We might get found. If we killed her...we couldn't get Karl and Diane out... "Fine...don't kill her." I said "Are you sure?" Jay asked "Yeah." I answered gruffly Keir grabbed the woman by the arm and helped her stand up. She unlocked the garage door and got us the ladder. To buy us more time, I ordered Keir to keep her with us until we left. We dragged her and the ladder back to the trap. I stood the edge of the pit and climbed down. Jay followed. Jay helped Karl up the ladder. It seemed like he had twisted his arm. I went over to Diane's body and picked it up. It was so cold. I felt like crying again. I had a bit of trouble getting Diane out. Once she was out I laid her on the ground. I noticed Karl and the Atlantric woman getting acquainted... Otherwise, I couldn't think. I couldn't hear. All I saw was Diane's broken body. "We're going to have to um burn her body..." Jay told me quietly "I'll bring the ashes back to Enimote." I said Jay nodded and handed me a match, flint, hand broom and a small bronze jar with a lid. "Kayla, the woman you knocked out...seems to have Uh...taken a liking to Karl...so..." Jay stopped looking a bit embarrassed "I get it." I said I took Diane silver necklace off to give back to her parents and our friendship bracelets for me to keep. I took one last look at Diane then lit the match and threw it down. I turned away as the body lit up in flames. I couldn't even bring myself to look at her ashes as Jay put them in the jar. Kayla offered to keep the jar on her doorstep and we could take it when we left. She seemed to have no unfriendliness after talking to Karl. I could tell she more than "liked" him. She even fixed up Karl's arm. It was a temporary thing of course. We would have to get it checked when we got back to Illuminate. If we got back. But we had a mission to finish. We headed for Parliament.
Chapter 10: Seer We were close to the Parliament building. While scouting I had discovered there were no back entrances but low windows that we could open and get through. I ducked back into an alley, flattening against the wall as a platoon of guards marched by. The wall was made of bronze wavy sheets nailed together. This caused a pain to my spine. I held my breath until they passed then jogged back to the others. Traveling by alleys was not safe but easiest way to avoid being seen. My feet hitting against the gravel was the only sound I heard. The stench of garbage wafted to my nose, they had chosen a bad place to hang around while I scouted. Deeper in a dead end alley, light was almost non-existent because we had broken the outdoor wall scones in this alley. I blinked several times to make out my friends forms. Keir was standing dead still in a soldiers position with his ashandarei pointing upwards blunt side on the ground. I wondered if he was keeping guard. I walked closer. Keir shoved his ashandarei in my face almost poking my eye. It gleamed in dark. He probably polished it. "Who are you?" he asked menacingly "Keir! It's just me, Evaline! Can't you see ANYTHING??" I asked "Oh...um...no..." Keir said embarrassed, ducking his head. I rolled my eyes. A massive pile of garbage taller than me stood at the end of the alley. I could barely make it out but the smell told me where it was. Karl was sitting on the ground against the right wall, his arm at an awkward angle and his head down. Jay was kneeling in front of the left wall flipping some odd cards and muttering. She had tied her hair into a short ponytail. Both of them were sitting as far away as possible from the garbage and Keir. I walked over to Karl. His hair had dried blood mixed in with his brown hair. His glasses had a small crack. "Are you ok?" I asked "Yeah...just tired..." Karl muttered He shifted a little. I knew I shouldn't but I did it anyway. I read his mind. It was easy, all his thoughts and feelings were at the top of his mind. He WAS tired, but more worried then anything. He was also in love. I let out a long sigh. Karl didn't look up. It was getting more complicated by the second. Suddenly an unnaturally powerful gust of wind blew into the alley. It toppled me and Keir to the ground. The stench of garbage multiplied, I wanted to puke. The wind tossed my hair around making it hard to see. A bright light appeared out of no where blinding me. I heard Karl gasp. Pushing my hair behind my ears and shielding my eyes, I pushed up onto my elbow and looked up. I felt my mouth drop open. Jay was standing with her arms by her side but her eyes... They glowed a fierce bright orange. Casting all the shadows away. The wind blew around her causing her light brown hair to fly behind her. Somehow her ponytail had become undone. The cards Jay had been using were swirling in a wind whirl in front of her. Each card glowed a dim green. The patterns on the cards pulsing like a heart. Then the wind stopped abruptly and the cards straightened out into glowing green line in front of Jay. One card shot up into in the sky glowing orange like Jays eyes, then fluttered downwards in front of me. As soon as that one card hit the ground all the other cards dropped to the ground losing their glow. Jay stood with her eyes glowing for a few more seconds then her eyes closed and she collapsed on the ground, falling on her side. The alley plunged back into darkness. I quickly shook off the shock. I got up and rushed over to Jay to see if she was ok. Picking her up, Jay was cold all over, like she had just melted from an iceberg. "Jay...Jay! Wake up!" I shook her She didn't respond. I clenched my fist in frustration. "Um Evaline...this card..." Karl said faintly "What is it?" I asked "Come and see." I carefully put Jay back on the ground and went over to Karl. I squinted my eyes in the dark to make out the pattern. It was two swords crossing in a background of blood red, one had a gold hilt. The other had a silver hilt. A dove was caught in-between the crossed swords, while a raven flew freely above. Pictures of bones were at the bottom edge of the card. I peered at one of the other cards. Blank. Nothing. No pattern at all. I picked up some others. All of them were blank. "What is this?" I asked myself outloud "I don't know...but I hope you guys are ready to fight..." Keir said Looking up, Keir had his back to us. He gripped his ashandarei and dagger tightly. "Listen." Keir told us I closed my eyes and listened. Silence... No... Feet, many feet...running...shouts... My eyes sprang open. "Guards..." I whispered "Got it right in one." Keir muttered ------------------------------ Jerad's View I stood in the war council room. The temperature was low but my hands were still sweaty behind my back. My wet hair shone because of the several hanging lights that emitted dim glows around the rectangular metal table in the middle of the room. Panels of wall length touch screen covered 3 walls. The wall to my right showed data, letters and information intercepted by our tech department. The left panel was off. The screen I faced, directly in front of the table was replaying video from 3 different cameras that we had placed on land. One in city hall, another at the beach and another at the docks. I silently cursed myself for not reviewing these earlier. That Zaln boy had been lying. There were two groups. It was probably time to kill him. I heard the door click open. "Sir?" a voice asked "What is it?" I snapped "Um...the prisoners escaped..." the voice stuttered "Pardon?" I asked coldly "They somehow got out of their cells and smashed a window and escaped..." the voice said nervously I stayed silent. "They also took their weapons and tanks...um we believe they got out with help...someone infiltrated our ranks and got them out...Sir..." "Anything else?" I asked "Yes...Sir..." "Tell me." "Um...the other prisoner escaped as well...the one...the one we kidnapped..." I swung around, my face could barely control my rage. "WHAT?!?!?!!" I shouted angrily The man talking to me was an officer. His face went white as a sheet. A blue glow surrounded him, and I heard a queer cracking sound coming from him. The glow disappeared and he colasped. I walked over to his body and ran a hand along his back. His spine was cracked. ------------------------------ Evaline's View I stood flat against the wall with four arrows in my bow. My heartbeat was speeding in my chest. Keir stood parallel to me on the other side, flattened against the wall as well. Looking sideways, Karl was behind me his laser sword not on and one of Jay's Exardite's on his broken arm. He had a grim expression on. I hoped they didn't have flashlights or we wouldn't have the advantage. I closed my eyes and let my ears do the work. Closer... Closer... They were in the alley now and they were running. I opened my eyes. My heart lept. No flashlights! But there were at least 20 guards coming towards us. I made a quick hand signal to Keir. He gave me a slight nod. A raised my bow and aimed. 3... 2... 1... I let them fly. Immediately, 3 guards went down. One arrow missed. They stopped running and started to approach carefully, their guns ready. I fitted in 4 more arrows. Several meters away. I let out a long silent breath. Live or die now. I gave the second signal. Keir and Karl jumped forward striking several guards down. I heard guns going off. Oddly, they weren't laser. I quickly let more arrows fly. Then came out of the shadows. My head pounding, I tried to dodge bullets and shoot at the same time. My arrows had taken out four more guards. Only 9 to go. My couldn't see Karl or Keir, I was only focused on was what was in front of me. I ducked and dodged. I silently thanked my father for teaching me defensive techniques. Two guards started shooting rapidly at me. I dropped and rolled. Something grazed my shoulder. Stinging. I got up dazed. Fortunately, the guns they used needed to be reloaded. I took advantage of this. Aiming I made it an instant kill. I flinched at the pain in my shoulder. Four guards left, I thought mentally. I caught a flash of light to my right. Keir was holding his own, the two guards on him were literally broken. Karl was slashing at one guard. The guard was loosing ground. The Exardite was on creating a shield of energy. Where was the last one? I looked around wildly. He was behind Karl. I jumped on him. It sent us rolling. He grabbed my neck and started to choke me. I gasped for air. My lungs were giving away... I made a last attempt, in desperation I grabbed an arrow and stuck it into his neck. His grip loosened then the pressure disappeared. I got up unsteadily panting for breath. By the light of Karl's sword the alley was bathed in blood. All the guards were dead. I looked at my shoulder. It was grazed. I ripped a bit of cloth from the bottom of my shirt to stop the bleeding. "Wasn't that fun?" I asked sarcastically "What are you talking about? Are you crazy?" Karl asked me wildly I raised an eyebrow. Was it my imagination or was he losing his sense of humour? "Jeez looks who's being serious now..." Keir muttered I ignored Keir, as usual. "And thanks..." Karl added quietly "Your welcome." I responded I quickly took all my arrows back, the ones that weren't broken anyway. "We better move..." a quiet voice said Jay. I turned. She looked sheepish. "Um here..." Karl tried to give the Exardite back. Jay shook her head. "You need it." "Jay...what did you do? Your eyes were glowing..." I stopped trying to think of what to say. "Oh...a little Seer/Oracle trick I once learned..." Jay said "The card..." Karl started I cut him off. Jay looked tired and I knew there were more to her than we knew but then again I had my own secrets. "Jay's right. We have to move." I said Keir started to argue. "NOW." I added Keir shut his mouth. Jay gave me a grateful glance. "Turn the laser off Karl. We need surprise and secrecy now to get in." I told him We dropped back into darkness. "Now we go..." I muttered I walked forward. The sound of feet on gravel followed me this time.
Chapter 11: Secrets Part 1 I peeked around the corner. My eyes darted from side to side from my spot in the shadows at Parliament. Watching for anyone. Parliment is a large rectangular building. We were at the back, where large blooming orchid trees lined side by side in a line going all around Parliament(except the front entrance) like a fence. The wall was lined with ten old dirty windows, mesh covering the glass. They covered half the length of the building. Keir and Karl were on their knees slowly working on the windows security system. Jay was quiet beside me. Staring at the dim empty area my mind drifted to what had happened earlier. "It's an Oracle trick isn't it?" I asked Jay absentmindedly Jay didn't answer. "Jay?" I turned my head to face her. "Sort of...." Jay admitted I waited. "Seer and Oracle are similar, both predict the future, both call upon either the divine, spirits or gods to guide them. The only difference is that Seers ask spirits or the divine and use cards, entrails or objects to predict while Oracles call directly upon gods to answer through the form of riddles." Jay explained "You're eyes were glowing..." I started "Yeah...An Oracle attribute, Gods or spirits temporarily possess the body. That's why my eyes glowed." "So you called upon a God or spirit?" "More or less yeah." "I thought people could have only one or the other? How...?" I tried to put it in words but I couldn't think properly. Jay seemed to understand what I was trying to say. "I don't know...my...memory...I can't remember anything after last year." Jay turned her head, her eyes reflecting the orchids. She had gotten thinner and paler,her light brown hair dirty with dust. "I've tried to use my ability to get my memory back...but...but..." Jay's voice started to break. "Jay...." I tried to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder but she brushed it off. Jay gulped. "But...I can't get anything!...Whenever I don't try I get old memories that I don't want and don't make sense!! I don't know why..." Jay started to sob. "I'm sorry Jay." I said quietly I gave her a quick one arm hug. Jay rubbed her eyes. "Hey guys! It's open!" Keir said triumphantly. His face was broken into a grin. His face fell into a concerned look. "Jay? You ok? Are you crying?" Karl got up beside Keir. Rubbing his dirty hands on his shirt. "I'm fine." Jay managed She wiped her face with her sleeve and put on a determined look. "Let's go." Jay walked over to the now open window, turning on her Exardite. Keir shrugged and helped Jay through the window. I let out a long breath and slipped my bow under my arm. As I passed Karl I noticed a distracted and queer look on his face. His brow was furrowed. I paused at the window. "What's wrong Karl?" I asked frowning. "Hmmm? What?" Karl asked startled. He turned to me as if he just woke up. "I asked if something was wrong? You looked distracted." I answered "Oh...yeah..." he answered vaguely He busied himself with putting on the Exardite that Jay had let him keep. "Is it Kayla? I asked softly. I hated to bring it up but I had noticed the way Kayla had acted around Karl. It had brought bittersweet memories of Dreck. "Huh? Kayla?" Karl gave me weird look. "You like her?" "No. She's...pretty...but..." "Then what is it?" I asked irritatedly but my mind felt at calm. "Just...worried..about the others." Karl muttered "Oh." My tone softened "Yeah, I'm worried too, but I'm sure they'll be fine." I think I thought to myself. "Yeah...you're right." Karl said slowly "C'mon let's go." I said with a smile. I slipped through the window into a dark room. It wasn't much of a drop. Maybe 3 or 4 feet? As my feet hit the floor dust flew up. Squinting, I saw stacks of boxes and filled shelves. A storage room I thought. No, an OLD forgotten storage room. I corrected my thinking as dust clogged up my nose making me sneeze. "Hey what took you so long?" Keir asked unhappily I didn't answer. Turning around Karl's feet was dangling from the window. His head was turned, he seemed to be looking at the orchids. "Karl?" I called "Oh yeah...sorry." Karl turned around his eyes filled with distraction. He slipped though. I wondered what was bothering him. My mind raced through possibilities but I threw them all out. He was just worried I told myself. Who wouldn't be? Our chances of dying here were high. Karl turned his Exardites on, reminding myself to do that to my gpsard. Keir drew out his foot long dagger, his ashandarei strapped to his back. He had a crazed look on. "LET'S GO!" Keir shouted happily I sighed and let Keir lead for the time being. ------------------------------- Matt's View We stood on the roof of Parliament. It was thankfully flat. All our scuba gear had been left behind at the gate. Buried in a hole like the others. We had cut a hole in the roof using Risana's Tantō. I faced the side overlooking the front entrance all the way to the gate. From my view up here, Atlantric was actually a nice looking place. I turned and watched Tammy help Zaln through the hole. Drake was supporting Seth. Me, Risana, Tammy and Drake had to help Zaln and Seth once we hit the main dome. Zaln had passed out and didn't wake until we reached Parliament. Even then, he was still tired and looked a bit weak. It was exhaustion most likely. Seth seemed to have been kept in the Atlantric prison dome for quite some time. At least long enough so he became undernourished and out of shape. He got tired easily but he didn't pass out. He just needed time to recover his breath. "Where do you think Evaline's group is?" Risana asked me. She strode up beside me. I stared at her. I noticed how pretty she looked despite everything, she was not the feminine pretty like Evaline but the fierce type. Her dark blue eyes clashed with her auburn hair*. Made her look different. Her eyes were almost expressionless but I could see a glimmer of worry. "Matt?" She asked "Hm? Oh yeah. They're probably fine. Evaline's a great leader." I said trying to sound upbeat. Risana grinned at me. "I think Evaline likes you deep down but she won't admit it." Risana's face fell. "I haven't known Evaline long but Diane told me that her...." Risana stopped trying to form words. "Well...Evaline's been through a lot where love life is concerned." Risana finally said "What happened?" I asked my ears alert. Risana pursed her lips. Made my gaze draw to her face again. "You should ask Evaline. If she wants you to know, she'll tell you." Risana paused again. "But Matt...What happened to Evaline...hurt her deep. Very deep. She might not want people to know but she cries over it when no one is around. So be careful." Risana threw me a thin smile and walked off to go through the hole in the roof. I watched her slide through gracefully like a cat. That last thing I was thinking about was Evaline. This troubled me. Did I really like Evaline? Of course I do, I told myself. But why? Just because she turned you down and showed some spunk? She keeps turning you down maybe it's time to find someone else? My mind asked "I don't know..." I said to myself out loud. There was something about Risana that made me think about her but unsettled me too. When she was talking to me, it seemed like she cared about what happened to me. Like Evaline I remembered, but she didn't make it as apparent. Evaline tried to look like she hated Matt. A challenge. "Matt? What are you doing up there?? Staring at the stars?" Zaln asked with a laugh His laugh was a bit weak but still strong at the same time. I had come to learn that if Zaln showed humor it meant that he was energy filled and happy. "Coming." I yelled and jumped through the dark hole my sniper in my hand, not knowing what would happen next. ------------------------------- Please note: In case you havent noticed, the default POV is Evaline's. If there is no other named POV(Ex.Matt, Jerad, etc.) then it is from Evaline's POV.(POV stands for point of view)
Chapter 11: Secrets Part 2 Jerad's View I paced in my room feeling furious. Even the pictures on my wall or the calming cool wall colors would not help. A servant stood flinching at the door. How could they have been so careless!! Our secret was at stake and in the open! I thought angrily. "Someone will pay for this..." I growled "You there!" I yelled pointing at the servant. "Go get me Officer Derale and Mr.Kingsburg!" The servant quickly bowed and ran out of the room. I resumed my pacing, my mind racing. They couldn't have gotten far. We should be able to stop them... I stopping in front of picture of yellow wheat fields under a clear blue sky. My anger soared. Concentrating, I felt a tingle go through my hands. I stared at the picture as it surrounded with blue light. Then it exploded loudly leaving nothing but dust. There was a small panel was behind the picture that was exploded. Opening it, there was a wrapped package. As I stared at the object inside the package, A slow smile crept over my face. ------------------------------- Evaline's View Stepping out the door of the storage room, I was surprised to find the hallway dark as well. At least it'll be harder for anyone to see us. The hall went both ways. Right was a dead end, left had another door. Keir looked back at me. I pointed left. Keir nodded and started walking left. I slipped a new arrow in my bow as a walked. My quiver still had a fair amount of arrows but I knew I had to be careful. Keir opened the door and we stepped through. It shocked me. It was dark. Pitch black. I could barely make out two rows of chairs and a desk for every two chairs. Each desk had a panel of wood at the front covering legs if you sat behind it. This was mirrored on the other side of the room. One chair was the the front with a fancy backboard and a desk. A large sea green flag with a conch shell in the middle surrounded three yellow stars, stood next to the chair leaning against the backboard. Fancy painting adorned the walls. Large marble columns held up an upper floor where there were more chairs but no desks. "I don't understand..." I muttered "Talk about it." Keir said "Let's search this room." Karl said "Maybe it's here?" Karl moved to take one of the paintings down. Keir walked forward to look at the flag. "STOP!" Jay hissed "Jay? Why?" I asked bending down to look under one of the desks. "Hush! Don't you hear something?" Jay whispered Me, Keir and Karl stopped what we were doing. My ears strained to pick up anything. Then I heard it. Whispers. Soft footfalls. I raised my bow. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Keir slipping his dagger away and taking out his ashandarei. Karl had his laser sword's hilt at the ready. I crouched behind a desk and motioned for the others to follow. Jay got down beside me. Karl and Keir on the other side. The sound of feet got closer. There were six sets of feet. Closing my eyes I waited for the first set to get close. Then I jumped out and knocked whoever it was flat of their back disarming them at the same time. Jay followed, using her Exardites to cover me. My arrow pointed inches away from their neck. Squinting I could make out whoever it was holding up their hands. It was a teen boy my age...blue eyes and blonde hair... "MATT?!" I yelled jumping back, dropping my bow. "Evaline?!" he asked his voice shocked Turning around Risana, Tammy, Zaln, Drake and a teen with spiky black hair and bronze eyes I didn't recognize had their mouths open. Jay, Keir, Karl were behind me their weapons drawn looking shocked too. Turning back to Matt, my face feeling hot I helped him up. "Jeez Evaline! Did you have to knock me down so hard?" Matt asked I mumbled an embarrassed sorry. Matt grinned. Everybody put their weapons away and started hugging. Weird isn't it? But when you don't know if someones alive or not and they ARE alive...well it's a great surprise. Zaln and Karl did some sort of handshake before Tammy gave Karl a big hug. Even in the dark I could tell Karl's face was going red. I gave Risana a hug. I was relieved to see that she was alive and looking OK. Even Jay and Drake were grinning. That bronze eyed teen was standing around awkwardly. "Evaline! Gosh! I am so happy! But where's Diane?" Risana asked innocently I felt my heart drop and I pulled away. Risana seemed to guess by my facial expression. She put her hands over her mouth. "Oh God...She didn't make it did she?" Tears slid down her face. I nodded in response. I couldn't speak in fear of crying again. "I'm so sorry." Risana said We hugged again. "Hey mind if I interrupt?" Matt asked "Sure. I'll...let everyone else know about...Diane..." Risana said wiping away tear streaks. I nodded. Risana left quickly, walking over to the bronze eyed teen then to Zaln, Karl and Tammy. I turned to Matt. He had an odd expression on his face. "Is something wrong?" I asked "Nah...well...sorta." Matt answered "What is it then?" "Well...A bit earlier when we entered Parliament from the roof..." "From the roof?!" Matt quickly explained what happened to them. "Ok...Go on.." I said "Ok, when we were entering from the roof Risana told me that something happened to you where love life is concerned...she said it hurt you deep." Matt said I shot a glance at Risana who was talking to Zaln. "She told me to ask you what happened...so I'm asking you now. What happened?" Matt continued My heart felt cold. Too many memories. All of them hurt. I opened my mouth to refuse but closed it. Matt deserved to know...He deserved to know... I bit my lip and started my story. My biggest secret. My biggest fear. My worst memory. Things even Diane didn't know I couldn't keep from Matt. He deserved to know... I took a breath. "6 years ago.." my voice shook "6 years ago, when i was 10, I met a boy named Dreck. His family had just moved to Enimote. His father was a traveler, his mother a high society lady. We hit off right at the beginning. Dreck was a year older than me. Me, Diane and Dreck were best friends. A trio." I said a smile at my lips. "Dreck was a pyro..." I added glancing up at Matt. I noticed that his eyes seemed to understand. "When I was 13 and he was 14, Dreck asked me out. After that we became inseparable. The next year...Dreck took me with him and his family to New York City...it was Christmas..." I felt tears prick at my eyes. "He...he..gave me a necklace. It had our initials engraved on it...It was the last present he gave me..." I took another breath. "When we were in New York...Dreck got mixed with the wrong crowd...thugs...gangs...it was right after Christmas. Even after we returned to Enimote. He was changed. He disappeared for weeks going to the city. Every time he returned...he got worse and worse. When I tried to stop him...he hit me..." I saw Matt's eyes widen. "One day I decided to go to New York and see him. When I walked into his hotel room...." I couldn't go any further. Tears started streaming down my face. Matt pulled me into a hug. "He cheated on you?" Matt asked quietly I nodded, my face burried in Matt's shoulder. I drew back once my tears were under control. "He broke up with me right there...and that was it...I never saw or heard of him again. His family moved away." I ended Matt's face was solemn. "I'm sorry...I didn't know. I promise I won't flirt with you again." Then Matt turned away and walked off. I wondered if it was supposed to make me happy. I just felt worser. "Evaline?" Risana. I looked up. "C'mon. We can't stay here long. While um you and Matt were talking we searched the room." "Did you find anything?" I asked alert again "Nothing. I think we should break into two or three person groups then we can search more places." I nodded. "Sounds good." "By the way. The bronze eyed teen? His name is Seth." I opened my mouth but Risana answered. "He's a reincarnation. Pretty nice. From Illuminate. Got kidnapped by Atlantric and left to rot in the prison." "Poor guy...He can help us." Seth should know this place well... Risana handed me a map of Parliament they found at the front entrance. According to the map there were 3 floors and an old basement. I needed to take charge. Everyone was waiting. "Ok we're splitting into groups." i mentally created random groups. "Tammy, Jay and Seth will be one group. You guys check out the basement." I said looking at the map. "Zaln, Matt and Drake. You guys search the second floor." I didn't look at Matt. "Karl and Risana...you guys search the third floor." "Awwww!" Keir yelled "That means I'm with Evaline!" Keir whined "Yes." I said giving Keir a stern look. "You need looking after...we get this floor and we'll search the balcony." Keir complained but I ignored him. "When you finish searching, even if you find nothing...Go straight back to the subs if you can. Wait at least 6 hours before leaving. Unless your life is in danger. We can't fail and we won't be able to get back in." Everyone chorused yes and yeah's, then left leaving only me and Keir. I grinned at a sulking Keir. "Baby-sitting you isn't the only reason why you're with me..." I started Keir looked up surprised. "We need to get that poltergeist spirit of yours controlled or we don't have a chance getting out of here." I said Keir looked shocked then pleased. "Don't get too happy." I muttered. "Search first, spirit later."
Chapter 12: Riddle Me Part 1 I get up off my knees, wiping sweat from my forehead. Only two windows gave us light. We had been searching this room for half an hour. It seemed to be a lounge. We had already finished searching the balcony, five other rooms and had emerged empty handed. I turned towards where Keir was pulling couches away from the wall. "Anything?" I asked tiredly Keir shook his head. "Let's go to the other rooms." I said We moved out of the room, quietly closing the door behind us. Looking to the right were all the rooms we had already checked. To the left were all the rooms we hadn't checked and a stairwell leading up to the second, third floors and down to the basement. "Can we just work on the spirit stuff?" Keir asked whining I turned around. Keir looked as tired as I was but I shook my head. "We have to finish first..." I started Then an ear splitting scream echoed from the stairwell. The second floor. Matt, Zaln and Drake were on the second floor. Keira darted in front of me his ashandarei in his hand. All his tiredness disappeared. I followed him with my bow in hand, both of us running up the stairs as fast as we could. Once we got there, the whole hall was empty and silent. None of the 8 doors were ajar. Keir looked at me with wide eyes. For a second I wondered if we had been dreaming due to tiredness and extreme boredom. Two more sets of feet were running down the stairs behind us. I quickly spun around but only to see Risana and Karl out of breath with weapons at the ready. "Did you hear that?" Risen asked quietly "The scream?" I asked "Yeah." "We heard it..." I said Karl ran ahead grabbing door handles and shoving doors open. We all followed. Door 3...4....5.... I sighed inwardly lagging behind the others. I bumped into Risana at door number 6. Looking up Karl was already through the door. Keir tiptoed behind him. Why is he doing that? Peeking through the door with Risana my heart almost stopped. The room's walls were painted a stunning white with bright fluorescent lighting blazing and it was deathly cold. At least -1 degrees Celsius. A line of 3 large blue rectangular machines were against the back wall. The machine itself went up to my waist in height. A large touch screen control panel was on each. All of them were turned off except the middle one. Glass human sized tubes ran from the machine up to the ceiling and Matt was trapped in the middle one. He was despretly banging on the glass. The glass of the tube seemed to be fogging up. Hot and cold air only caused fog... 5 guards surrounded Zaln and Drake who were backing into the corner of the room. The guards backs were turned to us. They had spears and guns pointed at Zaln and Drake. I quickly glanced at the sign on the door. Only Authorized Persons Are Allowed Inside. And in smaller font below: Testing Facility #3 Testing Facility? What was a testing facility doing in Parliament? What did they test? These question bubbled in my mind. Risana nudged me and pointed at Kier. Keir pointed at the guards then moved his finger across his neck. Keir pointed at the guard with the spear then pointed at himself. The rest followed his action, all claiming a guard. I chose two because I could kill one then take on the other. Keir looked at me for consent. I fitted an arrow in my bow and nodded. The others quickly ran at the guards and I let my arrow fly.
Note: I made the battle scene very small and un-detailed for this part. I may expand/edit it later. ---------------------------------------------------- Chapter 12: Riddle Me Part 2 Evaline's View It was right on. I let my second arrow fly swiftly ending my fight. The guards were gone, only their bodies a pile on the floor. Keir and Risana's weapons were lightly coated with blood though Karl's laser sword showed none. My own arrows were embedded into the guards. I walked over and pulled them out. "Are you guys OK?" I asked Zaln and Drake. They nodded, shaking slightly as they got up. I picked up their weapons that they had dropped and gave them back. Both looked a bit bashed but no blood on them that I could see. "But Matt...." Drake said helplessly I suddenly realized that I couldn't hear any banging. All of turned towards the tubes. The glass was completely fogged, I could barely make out Matt's form slumped against the glass unconscious. My first instinct was to smash the tube, but then it might kill or hurt Matt all thanks to falling glass. Unfortunately, Keir seemed to have lost his brain and ran at the tube containing Matt with his ashandarei. Before any of us could grab Keir, his ashandarei hit the tube... And it didn't break. Only a hollow sound echoed as the ashandarei made contact. I felt shocked, my brain felt like it had frozen. How were we to get Matt out. "Do you think the tube is frozen?..." Keir asked in a strangled voice. "I...I don't...know...." I whispered Hey calm down, we haven't even checked the machine yet. By the way, try not to get nervous, it makes it harder to use telepathy. Zaln voice told me telepathically I wanted to yell at Zaln at that point. Not get nervous?!! Who's he kidding here?! Before I could open my mouth,Risana beat me to it. "Why didn't you guys see the guards?! Why'd you even have to go near those machines?!?!?!" Risana yelled at no one in particular. Turning to Drake "Why didn't you use your pyro ability?!?! You aren't that helpless are you?!" Drake seemed to get a bit red in the face and opened his mouth but I quickly grabbed his arm and shook my head. I knew it wouldn't be much use to argue with Risana once she was worked up. Though I did wonder why Drake didn't use his ability. Then I remember how cold it was in the room. Pyro's were like lizards. They couldn't do much in the cold. Looking at Drake's arm where the mechanism that was to increase his pyro ability was, it seemed to be broken. Drake closed his mouth but I could feel he was still tense. I let go of his arm and hoped he would punch Risana. Karl quietly slipped into the hall, dragging Keir outside with him. Keeping a look-out most likely... "Why?!! Then we wouldn't be in this mess!" Risana yelled Only her voice and the humming of a machine I could hear. I started to zone out a bit when I noticed Zaln and Drake had moved over to inspect the machine Matt was in. "Why???Why?...." Risana muttered her voice cracking. Risana sank down on her knees with her head in her hands. I walk over to her and sat down next to her. I gave her a hug. I could hear her quiet sobs. Staring at the white wall I started to wonder if Risana perhaps liked Matt more than a friend... The thought bothered me slightly. Hey Evaline. You should come look at this.Zaln told me telepathically bringing me out of my thoughts. My arms still hugging Risana, I turned my head towards Zaln and Drake. The two of them were tapping what seemed to be a touch screen on the machine. Something I hadn't noticed before. I gave Risana a squeeze and let go. I walked over to Zaln and Drake and peered over their shoulders. On the screen was a scrambled 3D rubix cube. Zaln seemed to be rearranging it. "When we turned the screen on, it asked for a fingerprint. Zaln did it. We didn't think it would work but it did. Then it told us to solve 5 puzzles/skill testing questions. Its kinda like a game." Drake whispered pointing at 3 snall red hearts at the top of the screen. "The first three were easy. Now is it's a rubix cube with a time limit...."Drake drifted off Time limit was the only going through my head. "But don't worry, Zaln said he's good at this stuff..." Drakes voice was distant to me. Looking at the screen, there was a 15 minuite timer. We had 10 minuites left and Zaln didn't seem to be near finished yet. What would happen if we lost all 3 hearts? Was this a trap? My brain froze again when a possible answer that had been shoved to the back of my mind. Death. ------------------------------------------------ Jerad's View Officer Derale and Mr.Kingsburg stood in front of me in my room. The officer looked nervous and was fidgeting but Mr.Kingsburg seemed calm. Mr.Kingburg wore casual clothes; cargo pants and a zip of hoodie. The officer in his uniform. The fact that he was calm made me irritated. He always seemed older than he was. Like me.... Maybe because he had a power. Telepathy.... If he knew I know telekinesis...I guessed things would be different. "Is there any news?" I asked the officer stiffly "Ye..Yes Sir!" Officer Derale said a bit too loud.. I turned my steady gaze on him. "Tell me." I demanded The officer was sweating. Quickly wiping his forehead he started "We've checked all our camera's and we saw an unidentified group going towards Parliament about 3-4 hours ago. Our older prisoner was with them." Parliament...Who told them it would be there? My brow furrowed. "Very good...send guards...." I started to say but Mr.Kingsburg interrupted me. "Jerad, I will go myself and take them out...."my...brother is with them. He added telepathically With a jolt I realized he knew what my power is. "Go." was all I said dimly Mr.Kingsburg smiled slyly and left. "Do you still want guards....?"Officer asked slightly puzzled, looking at me queer. "No. Station them outside in the water." I snapped regaining my irritation. Officer Derale quickly bowed and left the room hastily. Once the door slammed shut, I wondered how reliable Mr.Kingsburg was. I made up my mind to go out myself. Time to prove myself. I thought grimly. ------------------------------------------------ Evaline's View The timer ticked down to zero. My hands clenched. We lost a heart. The timer restart,Now we had another 15 minutes. I felt my fears rise in my mind. Zaln raked a hand through his messy hair. He started at it again. I walked into the hall where Karl and Keir was and updated them on what was happening. Karl decided to stay outside as a look-out but Keir came back inside to the room. Before he could disturb Zaln I quietly ordered him to keep Risana company. Keir rolled his eyes but went over to her. "Done!" Zaln yelled happily. I ran over. Indeed, true to his word Zaln had finished. I felt my hopes soar again when two questions appeared on the screen. Two blank spaces and a small 3 line qwerty keyboard to type in the answers. Reading the question my hopes dropped. It was questions I couldn't answer. #1.If Pro and Con are opposites, wouldn't the opposite of progress be congress? #2.If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like and like so many things we don't do?
Note:This chapters events are happening at the same time as parts 1&2(except for the small part before the 3 hours earlier mark) ---------------------------------------------------- Chapter 12: Riddle Me Part 3 Jerads View I stood in my personal armory choosing weapons. Racks of the best weapons were at my disposal and I knew how to use them all. I fingered the disc hilt of a sheathed redesigned Talwar. Suddenly, a muffled beeping sound came from the pocket of my jeans I pulled out a small rectangular touch screen device half the size of my palm. I pressed a button on the side of the device and the beeping stopped, in its place the screen turned on and showed a list of locked or "Red light" areas. Most of the places had a green dot next to it but two places had a red dot. That meant they had been opened. Both places were at Parliament. I grimaced and slipped the device away. It would be taken care of. I thought dully, whoever opened it would be in for a surprise anyway. I had my own duty to carry out. I turned my attention back to the Talwar. I removed it from and rack and drew it out slowly, the silver/celestial bronze metal glinting dangerously reflecting my image. Curved and ready to be used. I slipped it back in it's sheath and strapped it on my belt next to my laser pistol. I touched my belt where my secret weapon was then strode confidently out the door of my armory. Everything was going as planned. ------------------------------- Jay's View I felt my mind shutting down. My body frozen. There were no lights at all. Pitch black. I had no night vision. I hate to admit it but I was scared of the dark. More than scared. I had too many bad experiences...the dark just reminded me of them... I know Seth is still in the same room as me...I think he is calling name but It is like a distant echo in my mind. Where Tammy is I do not know. Dust goes up my nose but I am too paralyzed and scared to sneeze. Then I heard it. Something...not human... 3 Hours Earlier Tammy broke the rusting locks and chains on the door with a few shots of laser from her Hearding. The door that kept us from our destination flew open like a bullet as if it had been pressing against the locks and chains that kept it from opening. We trooped down the stairs. Tammy leading, Seth in the middle and me at the rear. I turned my Exardite turned on as the dark became like a thick blanket. A glowing shield of energy on my wrist. Its bright blue glow lighting our path. The stairs were thick with undisturbed dust. I realized we were the first to come down here. We reached the bottom of the stairs. "Jay? Can you swing your Exardite around the room?" Tammy asked I took my Exardite off my wrist and swung it like a lantern to see what was in the room. The room was huge, Old shelves, bookcases and desks like the ones on the main floor were pushed up against the wall. There was also a large old metal grate in the middle of the room in the shape of a sun. "Just a nice old storage room." Seth said "Yeah...very nice carpet too!" Tammy added Seth glared at her. Looking at the ground there was a carpet. A carpet of dust that is. There was more here than on the stairs. "Lighten up. Let's search the room, maybe we'll find something. Since it was locked that means there's something worth hiding in here." Tammy said Tammy moved off to inspect the desks, using her Heardings light up LCD menu screen as a flashlight. Seth took a look at the bookshelves, leaving me alone. I felt the dark closing in on me. I shuddered. Sometimes when I was in the dark and alone I got visions. Visions of the past. Usually I welcomed them, but right now it was the last thing I needed. As I walked over to the shelves I thought about our mission. It had seemed hopeless. I didn't even know anyone in the group. Staring at the shelves, they were empty. I crouched down to look at the bottom. Nothing. Just dust. "Jay? Can you come over here and shine a bit of light on these books?" I heard Seth ask from the opposite side of the room. I held my Exardite out in front of me and found my way to Seth. I didn't stand too close to him, I had to admit I was still wary of Seth. Seth held two books. A leather bound book and a newer paper bound book in his hand. Now with my Exardite providing light I could see both books had gold script on the covers. It was in an odd style of writing. No wait... They were symbols. I squinted at the writing. ♉♃♈♋✝♅/♐♅♅♃ Was on the newer looking book. ❂♌♄♅ ♑♅♇♌♄♐❂ was on the leather bound book. Suddenly I felt an odd almost painful sensation in my head. I rubbed my forehead where the pain was. "Are you ok Jay?" Seth asked I looked up. Seth was staring at me and had a concerned look on his face. Did he really care? "Yeah I'm fine." I answered quietly Seth looked back down at the book. "Oracle/Seer and this leather says The depths" Seth read I looked up stunned but not only because Seth could read it but one was about Oracle and Seers. "You can read that?" I asked "Yeah...I don't know why, I've never seen anything like this before..." Seth said quietly "You're a reincarnation right?" "Yeah...?" "Maybe that's why." I concluded Seth shrugged then opened the leather bound book. Old yellowing pages contained more symbols written with black ink. Seth's brow furrowed. "Seth?" I asked He didn't seem to hear. "Hey guys! I think there's something behind the wall. I'm gonna go see if I can open it." I heard Tammy call from somewhere on the left side of the room. Seth jerked up his eyes wide open. He grabbed my arm. "We have to get out of here...!" He whispered in a horrified voice. "Hey guys?! There was a door behind the wall!" Tammy shouted "TAMMY! DONT OP..." Seth started but then a loud *BOOM* echoed through the room. Then silence. I felt Seths grip on my arm tighten. I inhaled and held it. *cough* "Wow the door just fell right off the hinges!" Tammy said I exhaled. Seth let go of me. "Tammy? We ha..." "I think we might find something here guys!" Tammy said excitedly *creek* "Tammy, we found something too..." I started to say "Seth, Jay come over here! I'm going in, Meet you over there!" Tammy yelled *creek* My eyes flicked over to the grate. It hadn't moved. "Tammy! That room is cu.." Seth tried again. Suddenly Tammy screamed, her scream was loud then started to fade fast. It hit me. Tammy fell. It wasn't a room. Or stairs. It was a pit. I froze. Unable to think. "NO!" Seth yelled and ran to where he Tammy was. *Creek* *BANG* My eyes widened. The grate moved. Then everything turned off. Leaving us in the dark. I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
Apprently there's a post length limit never happened to me before idk why now.... Ill just edit the the I left out and put it in. Now stop posting here
Day 1 of March Break Writing Frenzy Chapter 13: Betrayal and Death Part 1 Evaline's view "Well that's EASY!" Keir said loudly in my ear. I spun around. "KEIR!" I yelled "Sorry." He said with a shrug. "You know the answer Keir?" Zaln asked hopefully "Well the first one....If Pro and Con are opposites, wouldn't the opposite of progress be congress?" Keir read out-loud. Keir reached forward accidentally pushing Drake out of the way and typed in an answer. My mouth dropped open. Keir had typed in this: English language lunacy: if Father is Pop how come Mother's not Mop? "You're not serious are you?" I asked Keir hit enter and said "Never been more serious in my life." Keir attempted to make a serious face while saying this. Zaln laughed. I glared at him. Zaln shut his mouth. "Hey it worked!" Drake said in amazement. I stared at the screen. Sure enough a green check mark was beside the first question. "You wouldn't happen to know the answer to the second one would you?" Zaln asked Keir shook his head and walked back over to Risana who was sitting silently against the wall. "Should we try to break the glass somehow?" I suggested half heartedly. "I...I might know...le..let me try..." Drake stuttered. I stepped back so did Zaln. While Drake typed I stared at the foggy tube Matt was stuck in. I wondered how hot the air was inside so I pressed my palm against the glass. "OW!" I yelped jumping back. Pain racked my hand,I felt tears well up in my eyes. "Are you ok Evaline?!" Zaln asked "Yeah sure..." I mumbled. My hand was red. It was like placing my hand on a hot stove. Oddly though, my hand hadn't burned. "Ok...I'm done..." Drake said quietly. I looked away from my hand a looked at the screen. Drake had typed: We do so many things we don't like, we don't like them because we do them. We like so many things we don't do, we like them because we don't do them. Drake hit enter. Processing appeared on the screen. I held my breath. A check mark appeared next to the question. Zaln gave Drake a high five. The screen shut off and a small door in the glass which I hadn't noticed before slid back. A wave of hot air rushed past us. Drake shivered and his face went pale like Matts. Did it only effect pyro's? Me and Zaln wasted no time getting Matt out. He was still unconscious and his skin felt very warm. Risana ran over. We quickly checked him for any injuries. Nothing serious but his skin seemed to have cracked at some places and was bleeding. "We have to get out of here..." I told everyone. "This is getting too dangerous." "Couldn't have put it better Evaline Werdt." a cold voice filled with sarcasm said. We all turned around. A man had walked through the door dragged Karl by the arm. Karl's eyes were glazed over and he looked sleepy. A dart was in his other arm. The man had black hair and brown eyes. He looked like an older version of Zaln. He deposited a sleepy Karl into a corner. Zaln was gaping at the man. He seemed to want to say something but all that came out was air. "Nothing to say to me Zaln? Are we not brothers?" the man said smirking. He turned his attention back to me. "I suppose I didn't give an introduction. I am Derrick Kingsburg." Derrick paused. "You're a smart girl, I'm surprised you didn't realize that it was already over from the beginning." Then speaking to everyone "I'm impressed that you got in, but how did you think you could get out? I see you didn't think it through." he said with a laugh. Zaln looked like he was going to explode. I shot a glance at Keir. Derrick didn't seem to have seen him and for once Keir was quiet. Unfortunately, Drake wasn't. Drake attempted to(I think) fry him in fire but only a flicker of fire came from Drakes palm. Derrick laughed. "You don't know what this room is do you? A PYRO testing facility. We specially made this room so pyros wouldn't be able to do anything." Drake was literally shaking in anger. Suddenly I felt a shift in metal energy emitting from Derrick. Before I could prevent it a streak on energy surged towards Dreck. Dreck dropped to the ground to avoid it. "Opps. My bad." Derrick said but he was grinning. Derrick seemed to be telepathic too. I could pick up parts of Zaln's telepathic conversation with Derrick. Well it wasn't really a conversation, more of Zaln begging. Derrick held up a cell phone to his ear. "Well Zaln. I'll give you a choice, either you come with me back to Illuminate and say nothing or you die here with your...friends..." I watched Zaln's eyes flick around the room. Karl was still slumped against the wall looking worser then before, Drake was on the ground, me and Risana frozen like icicles. Wait... Where's Keir?! My mind went into a panic. Zaln noticed Keir was gone too. "Hmm seems like your friend Keir decided to abandon. Smart choice." Derrick said "The mission, was setup to fail in my option. Let's see...3 of your friends are who knows where; they are good as dead, one's injured, another unconscious, one abandoned, one a pile of ashes, and these 3 are about to die." "So Zaln, what will it be?" Derrick asked again. I almost expected Zaln to crack a joke instead Zaln clenched his fist. "No. I'm staying, you're evil, just like Nana said." Derrick shrugged. "You're choice." He pulled out a pistol from his belt and lazily aimed at Risana. I felt dread go through me. Me or Zaln couldn't use telepathy, Derrick would just deflect it. Drake couldn't do anything. Risana she looked like a mess. Besides I doubt we could get Derrick to stand still long enough to get hypnotized. Memories flooded me. My old dog, making mud pies, seeing a broadway show, riding my bike, jumping into the river... *CRACK* *BANG* I jumped out of my thoughts. My brain was slow processing the events that just happened. Derrick with a bullet in his head and chest, the gun suspended in mid-air, Keir...KEIR was in the room his eyes like black holes; the same way I had seen his eyes the first day I met him, except this time he had no shadow. *CRACK* The gun broke in two all by itself...no...the poltergeist spirit...! "Are...you...guys...ok..?" Keir asked slowly and slurred. "Yeah, couldn't be better." I muttered "Good job Keir." I told him Keir grinned like a maniac. Zaln was still shaking in anger. Risana had gone over to Karl. Leaving Drake to support Matt. Karl looked in bad shape. His face was pale and his arm kinda green. "He's a reincarnation, he should be fine." Risana said as I walked over. I nodded. Poor Zaln...first his brother now his best friend... I thought Dont feel sorry for me but We have to go on. Zaln told me stiffly through telepathy. Opps. I made a decision. "Guys!" I said catching everyones attention. "We can't go on. It's crazy. Let's move out of Atlantric." Everyone looked shocked. "What?" I asked defensively "We HAVE to finish, or everyones...death...or injuries wouldn't be worth anything..." Drake said quietly I sighed. "Guys..." "I think Drake is right." Zaln said suddenly "Yeah." Risana added her two cents. "Yeah." Keir echoed Risana. "Fine!" I snapped "But we have to get Matt and Karl out of here. That means two of us are going back to the subs." I paused for that to sink in. "Zaln and Risana, you guys are going back. Drake and Keir stay with me." Risana and Zaln started to protest. "Guys...just go." I begged Zaln sighed and grabbed Matt. Risana gave me a tight hug and picked Karl up. She also took the Exardite on Karl's arm and put it on her own. "Go find Kayla and get Dianes...ashes...Kayla might also be able to get you guys out of Atlantric." I whispered to Risana. Risana nodded. They left. "Ready?" I asked Drake and Keir. They nodded. "Let's go." We exited the testing facility not exactly sure where to go.
Chapter 13: Betrayal and Death Part 2 Jay's Viewpoint *Growl* A violent shiver went through my body. "Seth?" I asked quietly "Jay!" I heard Seth call "I think there's...someone...someTHING in this room...with us..." I said my voice cracking. *Growl* "There is it again..." I said "I hear it." Seth answered I felt tears well up in my eyes. Tammy was probably gone, now me and Seth were in a DARK room with some unknown creature. Suddenly I felt a tug on my arm. "AHHHH!!!" I screamed "Jay! It's just me, Seth! Relax!" Seth said beside me. "Oh...sorry..." I felt my cheeks going red. "Can you turn your Exardite on?" Seth asked I touched the power button on my Exardite and clicked it. Nothing. "It won't turn on..." I said *Growl* *CRASH* I jumped. Seth gripped my arm. It kinda hurt. Then I realized I was gripping Seth's arm just as tightly. We stood there gripping each other in the dark, listening to growls and a few crashes. It seemed like eternity until Seth had enough sense to draw his two laser guns. He handed me one of them. I was about to refuse when I remembered that my Exardite didn't work anymore. I took the laser gun Seth offered me. The first shock was how heavy it was. I had to hold it with both hands. Even then my hands shook and filled with cold sweat. We stood there in the dark wondering where this thing was. "I'm moving to the other side. Try not to look at anything bright or you'll lose your night vision." Seth whispered in my ear before moving away from me. Seethes soft steps echoed through the room. I realized that the monster or animal had become quiet. Deathly quiet. Was it gone? I wondered "Do you still have the books Seth?" I asked quietly. My voice didn't sound like mine. It sounded like a scared little girl's voice. "I think I dropped them." Seth said faintly I moved slowly to the right where I thought where Seth may have dropped the books when he ran to save Tammy. Tamm. A cold hand clutched my heart when I thought about what may have happened to her. I shook my head to clear the thought and crouched. I swept my hand over the dusty floor looking for the books. The floor was stone cold, it almost hurt to touch. I felt dust rise and start to clog my nose. Preoccupied with the dust, I slowly started to realize I wasn't just touching dust. There...was....fur... My hand froze. I strained to hear any breathing. Nothing. I dared to inch my hand further forward. My hand touched something solid...the book?...no....fuzzy...and warm?!?! I jerked my hand away, stood up and stumbled backwards. I knew for sure that it wasn't Seth. I could hear my heart beating faster than a scared mouse. I lifted the laser gun and pointed it at where I thought the animal/monster was. *GROWL* Suddenly a breeze of smelly warm air rushed into my face. It smelled like blood, rot, decay and death. I put a hand to my nose and mouth to stop myself from throwing up. Thankfully I hadn't eaten much, almost nothing, since we exited the submarines. Which was this morning. Funny how things could changed so fast in one day. Heavy breathing and more growls that seemed to get louder brought me out of my thoughts. Then I saw it. It was just a dark shape/figure, I couldn't see the features but it was huge. *ROAR* Instantly I thought Lion. Then a strong force jumped on me. I screamed as I toppled onto my back; my head hitting the floor painfully. The gun left my hand and dropped far from my reach. I felt a very dewy breath inches from my face. I stared into glowing maniac eyes. Frozen in place by fear. This was no lion. Then all I saw were teeth, pointy yellow bloody teeth. I finally came to my senses. "SETH HELP!!!!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "JAY?!?!" Seth yelled back. I could hear him running. Almost in slow motion I saw the mouth come nearer and nearer. Stinky breath threatened to suffocate me. I heard lasers go off. It would be too late though... I squeezed my eyes shut and prepared to die. -Blackout- "Jay?...Jay?...JAY?!?!" I heard faintly in my head. Mhmmmm.... Was I in heaven? I wondered Then reality kicked in. Sudden pain racked my body and my skull. My eyes snapped open. I doubled over and threw up what food I had in my system. I groaned and closed my eyes again. Strong arms lifted me up from...the floor? I opened my eyes. The room was pretty dark but my Exardite was on...what's his name...Seth! My Exardite was on Seth's wrist glowing brightly. "Seth?" I asked dazedly "Jay, you ok? You blacked out for quite awhile...I think it's around midnight." Seth answered "I blacked out?" I asked dumbly "Yeah...I didn't try to wake you right away...you're breathing was normal...and...you looked so peaceful, like a angel almost...you were so...so..." Seth didn't finish. His face looked kinda red but I wasn't sure because there wasn't much light. I think I knew what he was going to say anyway. Memories floated back to me. The monster. I changed the subject. "Seth...Where's the monster?" I asked "Dead." Seth answered immediately. He paused. "After you blacked out it lost interest and turned on me. I managed to hit it in the eyes and a few other critical spots." "Where's the body?" I asked Seth stopped walking. He still carried me in his arms. "You don't want to see it." he said "I want to." I said I felt more determined than ever before. I got myself out of Seth's arms and started to walk blindly around the room but Seth grabbed me around the waist and stopped me. "Let go!" I half yelled "You're not ready to see it." Seth said keeping a firm grip on me. I clawed at Seths arm around my waist. He didn't let go. "Let..Me...GO!" I said again "No. You'll just black out again, it's a thing from a nightmare!" Seth shot back "I'm not a child Seth! You don't need to take care of me!" I yelled still struggling. I knew it was a lie though. I couldn't get through the mission without the group. "We're a group. We take care of eachother!" Seth said "No we aren't! We SAVED you from that prison. Otherwise you'd be rotting!" I said angrily Suddenly Seth let go. I stumbled and almost fell. "Fine." Seth said Even from the light of the Exardite I could tell Seth was VERY angry. I felt remourse and guilt. I stopped moving. "I'm...sorry Seth...I...I didn't mean that..." I said quietly I bit my lip. Seth's expression didn't change. "...Like...We ARE a group...now...We need you...I need you..." I added It may have came out a bit wrong but Seths face changed. I turned to find the monsters body. "Jay." Seth said softly "Yes?" I asked turning around. Suddenly Seth leaned down and kissed me on the lips. It was light at first then became more possessive. I felt my heart pound and almost lost myself in a simple kiss. Then reality once again slapped me across the face. Tammy. The monster. The machine. The mission. I barely knew Seth. How could I trust him so easily? I jerked away. Seth stared at me his breathing heavy. He seemed to read my expression and just pointed to the right. "The body is there." was all Seth said and handed me the Exardite. I gave a stiff nod and walked off. I scolded myself for acting so bold. I reminded myself to never do it again. Especially around Seth but I could still feel the effects of a simple kiss.
Chapter 14: Down the Rabbit Hole Part 1 Jay's View I walked over to the body of the monster. In the faint light I could make out a sticky pool of blood coming from the monsters ribs. It wasn't anything I recognized...it was a mix of a lions head and paws, an ostriches body and hind legs and a cats tail. It looked so wrong...like every part had been welded together. A slight movement of the tail caught my eye. My eyes widened. Did I just see it move or was my mind playing tricks? It moved again. "...But this is impossible...Seth killed it..." I whispered to myself. "Jay? Have you seen it yet? I think we should throw it in the pit." Seth said coming over to me with my Exardite. The light from my Exardite shone onto the body and this time one of it's eyes opened. I looked over at Seth. His face was one of horror. He slowly raised his arm and pointed at a wound that was slowing healing itself. My mouth dropped open. What is this....THING?!?! Seth grabbed my arm and dragged me backwards as the monster slowly got to it's feet. All it's wounds were gone. I somehow knew no weapon, except maybe a nuclear bomb, could kill this monster. *GROWL* We had backed up as far as we could go. Now we teetered at the edge of the pit where Tammy had fallen. "Jay...we have to jump." Seth whispered. I looked at Seth like he was crazy, something I was starting to believe true. "I'll go first." Seth said to my silence. "It's the only way. The doors locked, this monster won't die and we have to get Tammy out of there anyway." Seth attached my Exardite to my wrist. I opened my mouth to protest but Seth turned away from me. "Please Jay." With that Seth jumped and disappeared into that black void of a pit. My hands were clammy and filled with cold sweat. I stared at the monster as it approached me, it's glowing eyes mesmerizing me. I am not going into a pit! My brain screamed but my body wanted to jump. *GROWL* One look at the monsters sharp teeth I thought that a seemingly bottomless pit was a better way to go. My hands gripped the sides of the dirty wall, my brain still protesting furiously. In front of me was the pit, behind me was blood thirsty monster. So which way did I want to die? Then the monster roared almost shattering my eardrums. My hands lost their hold and I toppled into the pit like a bag of bricks. The light from my Exardite was the only thing keeping me from complete and utter darkness. Gravity propelled me downwards against my will. The sound of wind streaming past and my hopeless scream were the only things I heard. I couldn't think at all, my brain a prisoner of fear. Soon I stopped screaming and not because I hit the bottom. No. I was still falling. Curiosity flooded my brain but was chased away by fear. What if this pit really was bottomless??! I would be falling...forever!
Chapter 14: Down the Rabbit Hole Part 2 Jerad's View "Where are they?" I muttered "We don't know sir. None of them have been sighted." An admiral answered thinking I had been asking him. I ran a hand through my hair. What to do...what to do... "Admiral..." I started "Halden. Sir?" "Admiral Halden, take three scout groups and three guard patrols and move them to the entrances and exits of Atlantric. I want them directly in front." I ordered "Yes Sir!" Admiral Halden replied. I turned around to face the army I had assembled outside Parliament. My brain had calmed down and was now thinking strategically. My eyes scanned the crowd until I found who I was looking for. "Officer Derale!" I yelled The officer quickly hurried from the assembled lines to my side. "Yes Sir?" "I want your team to go into Parliament and find Derrick Kingsburg. He hasn't returned and I have every reason to think he was sent here as a spy." It didn't hurt to make Derrick Kingsburg look bad, I never liked the guy anyway. The officers eyes widened with this information. "Yes Sir!!" The Officer Turned to leave. "And Officer?" "Yes Sir?" "If you find ANY of the escaped prisoners and their friends DO NOT hesitate to kill them." I said sternly. "What about Seth Miland?" "What about Seth Miland?" I asked coldly. Officer Derale stared at his feet. "You said before never to kill him." "Officer look up." I ordered Officer Derale looked into my eyes. "I don't care whether he lives or dies, though I believe he is better off dead. As I said, do not hesitate to kill ANY of them." I leisurely dropped my hand to my laser gun. "Remember that." Then I strode away. ------------------------------- Jay's View Suddenly I became aware of a small light. "Maybe this isn't a bottomless pit." I mused out loud. I had been falling for 10 minutes now, no more fear only boredom. The light grew brighter as I got fell closer. Quickly the light became blinding and I squeezed my eyes shut. I grew curious and opened my eyes. The light had engulfed me and all I could see was white light. Not blinding anymore, more soft and kinder. A sliver of panic went through me. Where was I? "Where's Tammy and Seth? I want to be with them..." I muttered with my eyes closed again. Through slitted eyes I could sort of see the light was getting brighter. Blinding light again. Suddenly everything went dark. My eyes snapped open. The darkness only lasted a second. Then I was falling again except through a grey funnel this time. My eyes instantly shut. I felt myself crash into something with leaves. I opened my eyes only to find myself in a slightly squashed bush. Around me were flat grassy green plains that seemed to go all the way to the horizon. It was sunset; the sky was pink and purple and slight shadows were cast around a large cave. "Wow...how did I get here?" I mused. Was this a dream? Was I dead? Aside from the cave and bush there was nothing else I could see from my position. I quickly untangled myself from the bush and quickly walked towards the cave entrance. Even if I was dead or dreaming maybe Seth and Tammy were inside. I checked to make sure my Exardite was still working. It had turned off when I had been surrounded by light. I pressed the power button, it flicked for a second then it turned off. "Dammit..." I muttered. The cave entrance stood in front of me. Dark and gloomy. A flash of blue light appeared within the cave but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Now or never Jay..." I told myself and walked as boldly as I could into the cave. The stone walls seemed to close in on me as I kept walking forward and the ceiling of the cave got shorter and shorter. Soon I was forced on my knees, crawling through a claustrophobic tunnel. I tried to sing to myself so I wouldn't get creeped out but it didn't help much but creep me out more as my voice echoed back to me. Soon the tunnel came to an end. There was a hole that shone light from the other side. I got on my stomach and wriggles through. "Oh!...." My eyes widened The last chamber in the cave was filled with blue light. It was in the shape of a circle. A pool of black murky water was at my feet. A small circle of rock was in the middle of the pool. On it was a pedestal made of clear glass. The pedestal held a glowing blue orb of light. I spotted two figures face down floating in the water but Seth and Tammy were nowhere to be seen. I was glad for once my shoes were water proof. I walked forward to see what the figures were. The water went up to my waist when I reached the deepest part of the pool. As I came closer I realized they were bodies. I flipped the smaller of the bodies over first. "Tammy!" I gasped She was out cold. Her heart was barely beating. How were they floating? I quickly flipped over the second body. "Seth!" His heart beated but he was unconscious. How did they end up here if I landed in a bush? I shook Seth's shoulders. "SETH!!! WAKE UP PLEASE!!!" I yelled My voice echoed and made tge water ripple. Seth's eyes cracked open. As oon as he opened his eyes he stopped floating and sunk into the water like me. "...Jay!..." Seth sputtered as he stood up. His hair and face were wet but looked clean and any dirt or blood or wounds he had a moment before he woke were now gone. I checked myself. Still dirty. Seth's eyes eyes quickly looked around the room. "Where are we? I only remember...Tammy!" Seth yelled when he spotted Tammy in the water still floating. He grabbed her wrist and checked her pulse. "Is she going to make it?" I whispered. Seth frowned. "I don't think so..." he answered softly. I didn't cry often especially in front of strangers but now tears slid from my eyes. Sobs escaped from my throat. I hadn't known Tammy well but she had seemed nice. Seth pulled me into a comforting hug. I sobbed into his shoulder. Suddenly a bright light flooded the room. I looked up from Seth's shoulder. What I saw nearly took my breath away. Tammy body was glowing of bright orange light. Slowly her body was levitated by some force an inch above the water. "I forgot...Tammy's a reincarnation..." Seth whispered I gasped as beams of white light shot from her body and flooded the cave. I shut my eyes tight, then the light disappeared and only the dull blue of the Orb lighted the cave. Tammy still floated. Her face and hair was clean and brushed. Her hair was still curly but was a light brown colour now instead of her usual dark brown hair. Her features looked mostly the same but a bit softer than before. She looked like she was 16 years old. "She'll still have the same personality just different looks and age." Seth told me That's when I remembered Seth was a reincarnation too. "Will she remember us?" I asked Seth shrugged. "Some people do some people don't." That's when Tammy stopped floating but unlike Seth she didn't wake up. We grabbed Tammy and pulled her out of the water. Free...me... I jumped. "Who's there?!" I yelled No one. Only the orb was glowing brighter. "Are you ok Jay?" Seth asked The...knowledge...is...yours... I shivered. It didn't sound evil,but not very kind either. "Jay?" "Do you hear that?..." I asked my voice quivering. "I don't hear anything." Jay... The Orb suddenly flared. I screamed. Seth gasped behind me. Only...Yours...the...knowledge...yours... The Orb glowed again and I stared at it. I had a feeling the Orb was speaking to me. I felt almost trance like. I could feel a magical part of myself awaken. I slowly walked back in the water and towards the Orb. My hands went around the Orb but hesitated slightly before touching it. ...Knowledge...is...yours...take...me... My hands closed around the Orb and it glowed brightly and into blinding light the three of us disappeared from the cave with the Orb.