Event Horizon, page 24
"Say again?" Zaks listened for a moment. "Oh my God, yes sir!"
"Something going on?" Margo asked.
"Yeah. Joseph Walker's been spotted in the city." Zaks ran off to join the rest of his unit at the entryway. Dozens more followed suit.
"Think they'll finally catch the bastard this time?" Hugo asked Margo, but she was too focused on the activity to respond. Hugo walked off towards the crafts. Event Horizon contained plenty of tools. Maybe one of them could open that crate. And maybe this time there would be no one to interrupt him.
39
Lost in the Woods
Dakota sprinted down the alleyway, gaining on Walker. Back doors lined the walls. Walker rushed from one to another. All locked. Seeing Dakota closing in, Walker pushed over an empty trash bin, the metallic clang echoing. Dakota jumped over it. They arrived at a dead end. A brick wall towered above them. Blue and green eyes materialized on the wall, glaring down at Dakota and winking out as soon as more appeared.
"Please, wait," Dakota asked Walker, catching his breath.
Walker paid him no attention. He scanned the alley. There was nothing to use as a viable weapon. He climbed onto a wooden crate and tried to jump, but the wall was too high. He clawed at his black hair.
Dakota took a step closer.
"Back off," Walker yelled.
"I'm not going to hurt you." Dakota took a small step closer.
"Then why did you follow me?"
Dakota had not thought about that. He meant Walker no harm. Perhaps he had only gone after the man for answers, the reasons for his violent actions. "I don't really know."
"Guess that makes two of us," said Walker. The man stood still, breathing calmly. His gaze shifted to over Dakota's shoulder.
A large arm wrapped itself around Dakota's neck, squeezing so tight that he could not breathe. He clawed at the arm, desperate to loosen the grip. The arm's owner responded by tightening his hold on Dakota's neck. He tried kicking backwards, hoping to catch the assailant in the legs. A few blows landed, but there was no strength behind them. Dakota felt his arms fall to his sides. His vision blurred. Black spots obscured Walker's face. Dakota could have sworn there was a smile on that face. Then nothing.
Opening his eyes, Dakota found himself lying down on a cot in a windowless room. A single light hung from the ceiling, casting shadows in the dim room. His head throbbed as though someone was beating it with a sledgehammer. He gingerly turned his head towards the doorway and saw a man leaning over a workbench. The only other piece of furniture in the room. The man had snow white hair and wore a black jacket and pants.
"Ur..." Dakota tried to say ‘Uriel’, thinking the man was his guardian. But his throat ached and felt like sandpaper. Speaking would be torturous.
The man faced Dakota. His skin was as white as his hair, and his eyes were a deep purple. At the ends of his fingers were sharp claws. A Zephyrian?
"It's about time," said the Zephyrian in a dry voice. "Maddock can get a bit overzealous. Any harder and I think he would have snapped your neck."
Dakota sat up and the hammer inside his head doubled in speed and intensity. Walker had brought him here. But where was here? How long had he been unconscious? He attempted to speak. No words came out. His throat burned and throbbed.
"Here." The Zephyrian turned back to the workbench and handed Dakota a pad of paper and a pen.
Dakota wrote, Where am I? Who are you?
"I'll answer in reverse. My name is Grendel Ericksen. You've already met my foster brother, Wilfred. He told me all about you and your friends. I'm the next best thing to a doctor out here. Here being Joseph Walker's hideout in, or should I say underneath, Wyrd Forest. Before they were home to anarchists, this bunker was built by an eccentric businessman who feared the end of the universe," he explained with a wry smile. "Though I doubt ten feet of earth would be much protection."
Is Walker here now?
"Yes. He makes twice weekly trips into town to contact Wilfred and learn about recent developments. And no, you cannot see him."
Dakota crossed out that question and wrote a new one. Why capture me?
"Seth, or rather Joseph, doesn't like loose ends. You and the man with you were brought here for his protection."
Is it possible for us to leave? I promise not to tell anyone.
A thin, amused smile appeared on Grendel's face. "Not at this time. The entire military presence is searching the woods now. Perhaps you'll be allowed to leave once things calm down."
Can I at least talk to Eli? The other man who was brought here. He assumed it was Eli. The last time Dakota checked, Eli had been following him and Walker. He doubted Walker would have taken a local. From what Dakota knew, most of them wanted to protect the anarchist.
"I see no problem with that." Grendel helped Dakota to his feet and led him down a dimly lit hallway. The light bulbs hung from bare wires and flickered on and off. Lights only did that when there was a flaw in the power grid. If they were out in the woods, Walker must be using generators. Likely older models that were about to max out.
They passed a handful of people. None of them paid any attention to Dakota, always adverting their eyes, not wanting to be identified. Irate voices came from the other side of a wall. Dakota could not understand the words, but one voice sounded like Walker. Grendel stopped at a door guarded by a tall man. His long, black hair and stand-offish demeanor reminded Dakota of Donovan.
"Look who's feeling better," the guard smirked.
"Step aside, Maddock. He wishes to see his friend."
"More like plan their escape." Maddock folded his arms. At his belt hung a tranquilizer gun. Military issue.
"Not likely, since they don't know the bunker's layout, and this one can't speak. Thanks to you."
Maddock suppressed a laugh and moved away from the door. "They cause trouble, Walker's blaming you, creep."
Grendel opened the door and gestured for Dakota to enter. "I'll have to lock it behind you," he explained.
Dakota nodded. He stepped inside and saw Eli sitting crisscross on a low bench with his back against the wall. No other furniture inhabited the room. The sole light bulb flickered. Eli's eyes were closed, and he appeared to be sleeping. Dakota did not spy any bruises or cuts.
"Eli," Dakota managed to say as he sat next to him. His throat now felt like sandpaper that had been set on fire. He wished he had asked Grendel for a glass of water.
Eli opened his eyes and said, "Oh, it's you." Nothing in his voice suggested panic or fear. Focusing on him, Dakota could only sense acceptance, that Eli believed he deserved this fate as some form of punishment. Punishment for what?
The deal, he realized. When Margo had made that deal with Myrddin, Eli stood by and said nothing.
Dakota wrote on the notepad, Where is Cass?
Eli shrugged. "Not here, as far as I know."
How long was I out?
"Maybe three hours. It's hard to tell time down here. No clocks."
Dakota looked at his watch. It read 11:30. They had arrived at the market just before nine. He showed Eli.
"Not as long as I thought then." Eli sighed and closed his eyes again.
Dakota shook his head, not understanding how Eli could be so nonchalant. They had been abducted by anarchists, for the Republic's sake! Dakota was already thinking of ways the two of them could escape. Overwhelm a guard and take their weapon. Switch out their clothes. The two of them then could... The two of them. Looking around, Dakota realized it was just him and Eli in the room. Where was Uriel? Was he close by and not allowing himself to be seen? Where was the logic in that?
Dakota nudged Eli on the shoulder and wrote, I'll find a way out of here. I promise.
"Suit yourself, Nate. And if it's any consolation, I didn't tell them about your abilities."
Dakota was grateful for that, but he was more worried about Eli. He knew the man had not been himself since Novatera. Hell, he hadn't been himself since Katia left. Dakota never had a chance to meet the real Eli. Either way, it appeared Eli was giving up.
He wrote on the notepad, stood, and walked over to the door. He knocked, and Grendel opened the door a few inches. He showed the Zephyrian the message. Can I have some water, please?
Grendel smiled. "No problem. One moment."
***
Joseph Walker paced around the small bunker room, his mind racing through all the possible outcomes. Why had he been stupid enough to stick around after Link and Penelope left? He should have gone with them immediately. But no, he had to talk a little longer with Wilf, and one of Wilf's new friends just had to show up and stick his nose where it did not belong.
And why was he still making these damn trips? Even before the bombing, going into Farson was a risk. Trying to see Aleah and Kelsi. Assuring Aleah that he was truly making a difference, not just for their family but for every family on Bedlam. But then Maddock got the idea for a bombing in his head. To let the Republic know they meant business. He should have kicked Maddock's sorry ass right then and there. A bombing? Was he out of his mind? And then Jem agreed with Maddock. And then another, and another. Joseph never said yes, but he never said no either.
And now, not only was the military hot on his trail, but he had hostages. His threat level must have risen by ten degrees.
A knock came at the door. Each knock felt like someone punching him in the head.
"What!" he called out.
Wilf slowly opened the door but did not step inside, like a child who had been sent to the principal's office and feared even the slightest form of punishment.
"You can come in," said Joseph, his patience wearing thin.
Wilf did as told and stood in the farthest corner from Joseph, wringing his hat in his hands. The man was on the verge of tears.
"What is it?" Joseph did not have time to deal with Wilf's problems. He had a metric ton of problems of his own.
"I just wanted to say sorry," said Wilf, trembling, "for what happened at the market. I didn't think Nate would chase after ya. He seems like a nice guy."
"Well, maybe he ain't a nice guy!" Joseph rushed towards Wilf, crowding the shorter man into the corner. "You ever think of that? No, you never think! You just stroll into a freaking military base, believing everything's gonna be just fine. You know they're looking for me, right? And the second they learn you know me, they'll ship you off to a prison world. Do you want that?"
Wilf shrank into the corner, tears flowing down his face. His favorite hat had fallen to the floor, and he hugged himself, seeking any form of comfort.
Joseph walked away and stood next to a card table on the other side of the room, placing his hands on the cool plastic. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'm sorry, Wilf. It was my fault, not yours."
So that was how low this situation had taken him. Yelling at his best friend. The only thing Joseph did to earn that friendship was standing up for Wilf in the third grade. Wilf had been loyal to him ever since. Perhaps too loyal. "I've been under a lot of stress lately."
"I understand, Seth. Maybe I should be more careful," Wilf agreed. The man had a bad habit of agreeing with everything people said just so he would not get yelled at. Joseph didn't know anything about Wilf's life before the third grade, when he had been adopted by that Zephyrian family. Maybe blindly agreeing was the only way he had survived the first eight years of his life.
"Tell you what," Joseph said, speaking low and calm, "there's a good chance that the mils don't know you're helping me. Think you can sneak out and tell Aleah to come here? And tell her to bring Kelsi." Did he really want his three-year-old daughter here? He wanted more than anything to be with her, to see her grow up on a better world. But the situation here could turn dicey in a heartbeat. In which case, he wouldn't see her grow up at all.
"Sure thing, Seth." Wilf picked up his striped hat, placed it on his head, and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute." Joseph placed a hand on Wilf's shoulder. "On second thought, wait until nightfall. And when you leave, stay in Farson with your family. I'm sure your folks want to see you and know Grendel's okay. Just stay there until I send word, okay?"
"No problem," Wilf said with a big smile on his face. Joseph rarely saw him without that smile. Wilf exited the room, vanishing down the hall.
Joseph half sat, half collapsed onto the room's sole chair. He stared at the blank wall, thinking over the last few years, wondering where he had gone wrong in order to end up here. He hated being here, underground, separated from the world he so desperately wanted to save.
***
Margo sat at her computer, analyzing the local newsfeeds. The military had spent most of the day searching for Walker and came up empty. No surprise there. She heard heavy footsteps echo in the corridor, growing louder as they approached. She looked up and saw Donovan standing in the doorway. His face was deathly pale and his eyes wide. He had not looked this shaken since Zeta II, when she told him they were going to Novatera.
"Something going on?" she asked him.
“That captain wants to talk to you." Donovan hesitated. He never hesitated. What was the man hiding? "Cass is with him. It's about Walker."
A pit formed in Margo's gut. She stood and rushed past Donovan. He caught up to her and said, "Eli and Nate didn't return to the base with Cass."
Margo cursed under her breath. Her bad feeling worsened. She analyzed all the pieces. Walker was spotted in town. Cass, Eli, and Nate were in town. Walker disappeared. Cass returned alone. The captain wanted to speak with her about Walker. Conclusion: something happened to Eli and Nate, and Walker was responsible. Only the captain could confirm her conclusion.
She and Donovan reached the military headquarters and were escorted to the captain's office. No questions asked. The guards knew who she was. Donovan was stopped at the office door.
"I'm sorry,” said a guard, "but the captain only wants to speak with Ms. Symms."
Donovan glanced over at Margo, hoping she would intercede. Cass was like a little sister to him, and he had gotten pretty close to Nate. Not close enough to be friends, but given a few more weeks...
Margo replied, "That's fine. Donovan, wait out here."
"But—"
"I'll tell you everything," Margo said, lowering her voice. "I promise."
Donovan relented. A guard led him to an adjacent room.
In the office, Margo saw Captain Christie standing behind his desk and Cass seated next to a very pale man with white hair. For a second, Margo thought he was a Zephyrian, until she saw his gray eyes and normal fingernails. He wore a black business suit with matching tie and shoes. He fidgeted in his seat as though he had better places to be.
"Please, have a seat, Ms. Symms," said the captain, taking a seat himself.
Margo sat next to the pale businessman. He anxiously tapped his foot and kept glancing at the wall clock.
"What's this about?" Margo asked, studying the businessman and Cass. Her eyes were dull red.
"Miss Cassiopeia Rosen is an employee of yours, correct?" asked Christie.
"I already told you that," Cass interjected. "Why are you wasting time asking the same questions again?"
"Miss Rosen, please contain yourself." The captain looked at Margo.
"Yes," answered Margo. "She's worked for me just over two years. What's this about?"
"Miss Rosen claims to have seen Joseph Walker in the Farson marketplace this morning, and that he and his followers have abducted," he looked down at a sheet of paper on his desk, "Mr. Nathan Kennet and Mr. Elisha Carnaki. And that they are also in your employment."
An invisible fist punched Margo in the gut. Damn. Why did the captain have to confirm this conclusion? Why couldn't she have been wrong? "How did this happen?"
"I'll let Miss Rosen and Mr. Singer explain."
Cass spoke first. "We were in the market when we got separated from one another. I was looking for Nate and Eli when I saw them running after this guy. I couldn't get a good look at him. He was wearing a long coat. He was tall and sort of thin. Anyway, I see Nate chasing after him, away from the market, and Eli was close behind him when this guy knocks me down." She pointed at Mr. Singer.
"I was merely walking," Mr. Singer explained, "when this young woman ran into me. She came out of nowhere, and I helped you up."
Cass glared at him. "More like grabbed hold of my arm so I couldn't run away." She turned to Margo. "I could have followed Nate if he hadn't held onto me. Then maybe he and Eli wouldn't be missing." Her voice choked on the last word.
"Had you followed your friends, there's a good chance you would have been kidnapped, too," said Singer. "Then the disappearance of your friends would remain a mystery."
The man had a point. Nate wanted to leave. If he didn't show up one night, Margo would assume he found another craft, or maybe somewhere in Farson to stay. But having a valid point was not enough.
"Who are you exactly?" Margo asked Singer. For all she knew, he was working with Walker and knocked Cass down on purpose so the anarchist could get away.
"Yes, sorry. I'm Uriel Singer, an investigative reporter with the Inter Mundus News in Thoreau, Lyceum," he explained, handing her a business card.
"Lyceum, huh? So, what are you doing on Bedlam?" Margo asked, inspecting the card. It appeared to be genuine. Wasn't Nate originally from Lyceum? The name definitely rang a bell.
"I go where I'm assigned. Captain Christie has already corroborated my story."
"I called the number on the card," the captain said. "I talked with his boss—"
"Mr. Abdiel Harker," Singer specified.
"—and he's legitimate."
Margo turned the card over in her hands and looked at Cass. She had known the girl long enough to understand her thought process. She was angry that her friends were in trouble and that she was powerless to help. Part of that oldest sibling mentality. She would not stop worrying until they were found safe and sound. Margo was worried, too. She had the impression that Walker was unpredictable. He might let them go or kill them for his own benefit.
"Is there anything we can do?" Margo asked the captain.
He shook his head. "No. Just have to wait. And the sooner we bring Walker to justice, the better chance your people have. I'm afraid that's all I have for you." The captain stood. "You may go."
