Arcene: The Island (22 page)

He doubted he would even attempt such a thing as so much could go wrong. It was a bold and very dangerous move indeed.

The shaking child spoke with fear and shame, but Vorce didn't blame him, how could he? The boy was dismissed, assured he was blameless. After the rather costly sedation of Arcene and her damn dog, Vorce gave instructions for the necessary repairs to the room and equipment. The show would go on, even if it meant The Hunt would be screened in less than perfect high definition.

It had taken him an age to find the right equipment over the years, but he was knowledgeable and found a lot of good quality items, upgrading whenever he could. Most was redundant for the mainland population as there were only a limited number of solar panels and deep cycle batteries to power electronics. Those that were lucky enough to have such specialist equipment, then figure out how to get it to work, relied on batteries that died sooner or later no matter what you did, so there was enough old technical equipment to go around and then some.

The batteries he painstakingly restored best he could were not great at storing the charge from the panels on the roof though, and even the vast array meant they drained quickly in the evening when the sun set. The wind turbines functioned well, but there was nowhere near enough to supply the whole Island with electricity. He didn't want to in any case.

It was to be a simpler life, away from such things, so electricity was used exclusively for The Hunt. He introduced the immersive experience that was their modern Hunt gradually, keeping strict control, but ensuring it became evermore spectacular, the event that kept everyone happy, content — controlled.

To many inhabitants it was a mystical force they didn't even try to understand, just accepted as part of The Hunt and went about their lives, living by daylight hours or candles that always smoked and smelled foul.

Vorce left once Arcene and the dog were sedated after their outburst, and gave orders for them to be brought to his quarters at the base of The Island. Talia was to be brought too, along with her chosen companions.

As he entered his spacious living room, Vorce nodded to two other Elders, a male and female, both younger than him in years and appearance. They were strong, intelligent in their own way, capable and deadly.

There would be six Hunters. Vorce was always the lead, but the Judge, in this case Talia, was usually given ample opportunity to take the fore during the actual Hunt — under his and the Elders' direction. Her Judgment, her kill.

"Are we ready?" asked Vorce.

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Good. Please, sit, drink. You know what to do." They sat. This wasn't their first time, far from it, and with a glance at each other, then a nod to Vorce, they took their glasses and drank. Ten seconds later they were unconscious.

Vorce knew he wasn't his usual self, as he would normally have sat and talked about the day to come, but he was in no mood. Besides, he had work to do. Talia would be here soon and it was best for her to feel as relaxed as possible.

He sighed, then dragged the bodies over to the edge of the room. He slid the panel on the wall and keyed in the code — the steel door whooshed open, stale air greeting him like an old friend.

How he sometimes wished he could leave and never come back, turn his back on his family and friends, his wives and children, the traditions that had warped and gone in a direction he could have never envisioned, but it wasn't to be. This was his life, his responsibility, and besides, he enjoyed The Hunt. It was what he hated most about himself — the fact it gave him such a thrill.

Once they were inside, Vorce stepped into the elevator and arranged them so there was room for four more bodies. Him standing, Talia and her friends unconscious like these two. He stepped out to hear a knock at his door. He closed the elevator with a code on the keypad, slid back the panel and went to let in the new arrivals.

"I hope that's all clear? I know this is your first time, but you have seen countless Hunts before. You understand how it works and you are trained well, as are all of us." There were nods of agreement from the three youngsters — although he knew they weren't young, it was impossible not to think of them almost as children with their lithe, youthful bodies, never mind they were all over a hundred years old.

"And, Talia, this is to be such a special Hunt. So many coincidences because of the numbers. Your birthday, the time between arrivals, more that you don't even know about. It is significant. I hope you understand this does not mean it will make it easier?"

"Um, well, I never thought it would be easy," said Talia. She frowned and shifted on her cushion on the floor.

Vorce could tell her and her friends were rather nervous. It was expected, as this was no easy thing they were about to do, and the risk of death was very real. Although The Hunt was always successful, it didn't mean everyone that was a Hunter came back alive.

"This is different," snapped Vorce. "Sorry, excuse me, it's been a trying night. Events have conspired to bring this girl and her pet to our Island, and so much has come together at once that there is no doubt this is a special moment. She is strong, powerful in The Noise, seemingly unafraid of much at all, and very different to how she looks."

"I know this. I can see her, what she truly is."

"Good, then please be careful. You will take the lead on this, Talia. Cashae, Erato, you are to follow her orders, but mine override every other consideration. If I tell you to do a thing, then you obey. Understand?"

"Yes, Vorce."

"Absolutely."

"Good. Now, drink. When you awake we will discuss things further. And do not be afraid, I will be there to protect you. Imagine that you are on a larger island, which is exactly what the UK is. It's just a larger version of our home. No need to be afraid."

There were nervous glances, nods of agreement and a lot of concern, but above all there was excitement about the day to come and stepping foot on real, genuine, solid ground for the first time in their lives.

They drank.

Vorce waited, then dragged them into the elevator. He stepped inside and pushed a button. They descended.

A minute later he returned. Now all he had to do was deal with the girl and her dog and the day could begin in earnest. Vorce sat in his favorite chair, happy to have the silence. His wives had been kissed, the children tucked in and checked on. He was alone. Vorce closed his eyes and was asleep moment's later. As he drifted, he saw the attack of the dog and how fast Arcene had moved. She was good, very good, but she didn't know what was about to happen.

Vorce managed little more than a few minutes before the girl and dog arrived. The Elders that brought them knew better than to ask where the Hunters were. Vorce thanked them and once they left he dragged Arcene and Leel to the elevator.

Thinking better of it, he resumed his position and fell asleep again — he had to be at his best and the night of upset, and the realization of what the girl was capable of, had meant he hadn't slept as much as he would have liked. Just half an hour, time to regroup, take what he needed from The Noise, let his mind rest.

He instructed his body to make the necessary adjustments, setting timers so that when he awoke thirty minutes later he would be practically glowing with energy, body ramped up and ready for The Hunt.

"Damn, that dog is heavy," whispered Vorce. Then he was asleep.

When he woke Vorce felt ready. Body energized, mind clear and calm. He needed nothing, all that was required was a short ride away. He moved to the elevator, slid back the panel once more, punched in the code, grabbed the beautiful sword leaning against a simple table and stepped into the spacious elevator. The door closed. Vorce smiled and let the anticipation build until he had to calm himself a little as he became jittery.

He stared down at the prone forms of Arcene and Leel, watched their chests rise and fall. She was a pretty girl, if a little skinny, but she was a mess too. He could see what she had done to herself and wondered what had driven her to such extremes. To be forever stuck in a body that age, no chance of being a mother again, what a terrible thing to do. He wondered what had happened to the baby, to her, but that wasn't his concern.

She broke the rules. She had to pay.

The elevator came to a halt with a shake. The door opened and Vorce dragged them out and slid them onto the waiting single carriage that would take them and the Hunters to the mainland.

It would be a good day.

Let the Games Begin

Arcene awoke and the first thing she thought was that they'd killed Leel. She was splayed out on the ground, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth, a massive wet patch staining the ground dark. Had they stabbed her as revenge for what she'd done to that man that darted her? She lunged forward but her legs buckled. Arcene crawled on hands and knees over to her friend.

"I know that smell. Oh, Leel." Arcene smiled, ignored the ammonia tang at the back of her throat. Leel had wet herself.
It must be the drugs, her body too relaxed to control itself.
Arcene had a sudden panic and stared at her kilt. All dry. Good. She stroked Leel's chest, pleased to feel her heart beating. Slow, but beating, and the rhythm was good. She pushed up on shaking legs and shook each in turn, then her arms, like a warrior preparing for the fight of her life.

Her sword! She stepped over to the pile of items, drawn to the red pommel like Leel to the sight of a running rabbit. She grabbed the hilt and pulled it from the scabbard. Steel shone brightly as the sun hit the blade. She felt better already, like she was whole again. Arcene couldn't help but wonder what kind of figure she cut if people really were watching her on a screen. Did she look cool? Menacing and kick-ass?

Ugh, what was wrong with her? Here she was, doing all she could to not be a part of such madness, yet a part of her was still excited by the drama, how she came across. Too much TV, too many old movies where the hero always wins and they don't tell of the reality of getting maimed or dying.

They never showed genuine, warm and sticky blood spurting, the guts falling out, the sheer horror of knowing it's your last few seconds on earth.

And they never showed, couldn't show, what it actually feels like inside to kill another human being. What it does to you, even if you put it in a locked box in the back of your mind, throw away the key and try to carry on as though it means nothing, but all the while it's building inside of you until all the hurt and pain wants to explode out of you like you've burst into flames. Nobody could show you that. It was real.

Still, they'll pay, and I will make sure they do. I'm not quarry to be hunted. I'm a human being and I will never forgive them. Justice will be done.
Arcene rummaged through the assorted items, ignoring them as she retrieved the scabbard and the leather straps. She tied them on, made a few adjustments, and sheathed the sword. Now she was ready for whatever was to come. With a glance at Leel, still out cold, she knew she had to take stock of her situation, but first she lifted her head to the clear blue sky and let the rising sun energize her. The day would be warm, intense and beautiful.

They were back on land, proper land, she could feel it in her bones. This was where she belonged, not out to sea or on a madman's idea of paradise, but back on proper, honest-to-goodness earth. Her earth. Home.

She ignored her surroundings for now. There would be time for that later, maybe. She had to get her priorities right and that meant being as prepared as she possibly could for what would come. They were to be hunted, or that was their plan — Arcene had other ideas entirely.

Stay calm, no fear. You're Arcene. You have a child and you have friends. A home, a real home where you belong, and you will not let these people hurt you or Leel. No way.

Arcene bent to the pile to see what she had been given, as if she were a character in a stupid film. She'd show them. Nobody degraded her for entertainment. She was in charge of her destiny and she would not be shown on some stupid screen for a bunch of inbred degenerates in the middle of the sea. What had Vorce said, that her sabotage had been pointless? So how were they to do it then? Never mind, focus on the here and now.