Down and Out: A Young Adult Dystopian Adventure (The Undercity Series Book 1) (19 page)

He stumbled off to his room and Henri along went with him. The brute dumped himself on his bed and stared at the ceiling tiles. Climbing gingerly into his bed, Teddy left him to his thoughts. There was enough swirling around in his brain to keep him awake for hours yet. Belinda was a disease. She was a horrible, merciless infection eating away every sign of life. It didn’t matter to him anymore what happened to Uppercity. They were a soulless cancer devouring everyone else.  They deserved what they got.

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I
n the early morning, they left home and went to the hand cranked lifts, which brought them to Upper.  Pa almost forgot the boxes, and they had to go back again to retrieve them. Teddy went too to carry them, and Henri went along as the closest thing to protection they could come up with. Their brute traded yawns with him as they stepped on the wooden platform and jostled for a position among the Underlings and merchandise destined for Uppercity.

This was a normal day, he reminded himself as paranoia set in, and he began to think everyone suspected what they were about.  Every expression, every glance made him fear discovery though he told himself he was being silly.

“Calm yourself,” Pa whispered as the platform rose with every pull of the supporting ropes. “This is just another day.”

Teddy adjusted his load of boxes as though they were all the worries he had. They left the loading zone behind and went through the crowded market. Everything seemed different despite how static it appeared.

“Pa, I think we're being followed,” he asked, his voice hushed as he glimpsed a couple of brutes he thought he had seen with Belinda slip in behind them.

“Uh, yes, I do believe we are,” his father said with a cheerful grin and a wave to some other merchant. “I'd say Belinda is a half smidgen insecure and a whole bit demented. Don't worry though. Act normal. We're only making a delivery.” Taking a deep breath, he turned to Henri, and the brute frowned at him, his head whirling about as he tried to fulfill his role as their protector.

“Ah, Tru,” Georges exclaimed, coming up beside them. She slung an arm around Pa and leaned on him. “You are ever the perfect scrounger. You found my little trinkets?”

Taking note of Teddy's load, she roared. “Oooh, so you did. Delightful. I got a few visitors to... visit tonight, and I promised eternal treasure, well, at least, I promised a box or two. These will grant me favor, tremendous favor. If you weren't so happy in your bliss, I’d almost feel generous and grateful enough to share a portion. Interested? No? Too bad. Now, let’s go to my place and settle matters. You must join me, at least, for a drink. I’m bored with my usual company and need fresh conversation.”

“Of course, of course, Georges. I would be most pleased to spend some time taking advantage of your stores. I could use something stronger to perk me up today.”

The Upperlord shoved on the door to her private chambers and went in with a flourish. As Teddy entered, he glanced back and caught sight of two brutes waiting at the end of the alley.

“Come on, boy. And don’t drop my gifts,” Georges ordered, and she slammed the door behind them.

“Breath easy, I sent my hag on an errand, which will take her time to fulfill. My sister’s spy, she is. Can’t trust anyone these days. She is the one who told her about the food. Not good.”

She lounged on her couch and motioned for them to sit. “Toss those things, boy,” she ordered, meaning the boxes.

Teddy dumped them on the floor with a clatter. “Sorry.”

“Whatever.” She sighed and turned her attention to his father. “Well, now we sunk ourselves into a pit. I am guessing you took note of your new shadows? A few Underlings are watching over you too. I hope you feel well protected. I sure do.  No matter where I go, my dear sister’s creepers go too. How lovely.”

“All the more reason to leave,” Pa said.

“Oh, for all that is worth saving, please, Tru, don’t pretend to think you can go on with this plan. I am all for leaving this place behind too, but how? Sneaking out of hell cannot bring one to paradise. The devils won’t allow it.” “We have few other alternatives, Georges, you know this. Can you tell me you can forget paradise? Can you leave all the comfort and space behind for this?” He swept a hand over the broken down surroundings and the slit of a window letting in a remnant of light. “You gazed out better windows and discovered a richer world. How can we stay here knowing what exists a few hours away?”

The Upperlord worked her jaw as though she was trying to swallow what Pa told her. “Oh, fine. Might as well go through with this insanity. If all works as hoped for, we find rapture, if not, well, nothing will change except maybe our suffering.”

“What mean?” Henri asked, leaning his bulk against the door.

“What do I mean, brute? What do I mean?” She emphasized each word. “I mean if we are discovered trying to leave this dump, they will not only take paradise from us but use us as an example of traitors. First, we’ll suffer and after, we’ll die. You must remember the group of Underlings who tried to get together last year and take over the power station. I do believe if you go to the South Side pits you can still see what’s left of their bodies dangling from ropes over the sewage gardens.”

Teddy turned his attention to Pa. He hadn’t heard of this. “Your mother and I decided this was information you and your siblings did not need,” he explained. “There are things not worth talking about. Their plan was ill-conceived, and they had nowhere to go except here.”

“So, what do we do?” Teddy asked, unsettled by the news.

“We seal off Uppercity,” Henri told them, his voice low and rumbling. “We cut off so can’t follow. Destroy bridge between here and warehouse. Barricade tunnel to mall. They never find, ever.”

Georges raised a disparaging eyebrow. “Doesn’t ask for much, this brute of yours, does he?”

“No, but he has a point,” Pa said. “He has a good scheme, but how do we flesh the idea out? As you said, there are Upperlords like your sister who own faithful subjects both here and below. We must gather our allies in secret if we are to succeed.”

Henri jumped and stumbled on a rusted table leg as a heavy pounding at the door interrupted them. Georges grabbed a decanter and sloshed some alcohol into a glass, thrusting the drink at Pa.

“Oh, for all that is shiny stop your hammering and come in,” she ordered, taking a tremendous sip from the bottle.

The brute unlocked the door; his face twisted up in an attempt to appear intimidating. Belinda entered with a few other Uppers and a multitude of brawn-flexing, sullen brutes. The stubby, hairy creeper from the Adult Quarter with Dorkas came in with them. He sneered at Teddy, picking at his teeth and gawking like he had discovered something special.

“Well, what coziness this is,” Belinda cooed as she slithered around the room. “Your choice of constant companionship is becoming worrisome, sister.”

Teddy scooted back to where Henri stood, noting the stretch of pipe the brute hid behind his leg.  

“Eh, you worry too much, Lindy,” Georges said with a grunt and a dismissive wave.

“Don’t call me that.”

Georges belched. “Sorry. Habit. Tru here is as harmless as kittens... or potato pie... or, or....” She belched again, a disgusting breeeeaaak, and Teddy marveled at her prowess. “’Scuse, this bottle contains more kick and bite than he does.”

“You’re pathetic, Georges. Why do I bother with you? That’s enough of your sneaking and debauchery. You are up to something. You think I buy your drunken stupor? You forget I grew up with you and you still think me a sucker. I understand you better than you know yourself. The drunker you appear, the soberer you are. The more the fool you act, the more cunning your intentions.” She stepped close, taking the bottle from Georges’ hands and pouring its contents to the floor. “What are you up to?”

Georges managed to sit up, wobbling on the corner of the threadbare couch. “I resent those accusations, sister. What do you think anyone can do, conniving or not, in this pitiful shot glass of a world?” She slid down and ended up half under the coffee table. “Limping tunnel snakes, Bel... Bal... Lindy. How can you question my drunkenness? I’m insulted.”

“I think maybe we should go,” Pa said, teetering to his feet and put a hand on the end table to steady himself. “I’m afraid your wine is messing with my head a trace too, and I can see this is a family af... affair. Don’t want to interfere, so I’ll take my child and go.”

“And your brute?”

He paused in his steps and half-turned back. “In truth, he’s more of a heavy lifting machine. My bones are getting old, and the boys are not growing up fast enough to deal with the balance of our work.”

“Yes, Belinda. You said yourself he makes a lousy brute, so I got what I could out of him.” Georges thrust herself to her feet, leaning on a heavy cane she fished out from under the couch.

“This is what has you all concerned and tied up?” She laughed. “Here, I make us a deal on a dud, and you get all worried I’m taking over the world. Do you believe I’m that ambitious?”

“Georges, I tend not to think much of you at all. However....” She strolled over to Pa and scanned Teddy from top to bottom, the look in her eyes disturbing. “I have a business proposition for you.”

“I suspect I may not like your proposition,” Pa said.

Teddy slid in behind Henri. The Upperlord was making him feel turned inside out and he wanted to get away from her. She was so serious without any flicker of emotion.

“Truman, you understand this world has needs, which go beyond the basics of food and pillows.  You possess a certain couple of commodities, which would serve well. The Nest is gone, and good stock is low, so prices are high. Now, I realize your daughter is your real child and so your affections for her probably won’t allow you bargain with her; however, the boy is a spare you dug up, as I understand. He is a bit skittish, I’ll admit—they tend to be at that age, but his form is good, and he is considered attractive to some. I must tell you I possess two fine offers waiting for his person.”

Bile rushed up Teddy’s throat and threatened to spill out his mouth. He swallowed many times, his heart pounding.

“This could be the break you wanted,” she went on with a slick smile. “You’re not like the other Underlings mucking away in the pits. You have potential, uses, and I possess the means to make you and your... family quite comfortable. Think on this, Truman—safety and a new home for your wife and children, a good life for many at the cost of one. There may even be room for you to bring in a few more... orphans.” She cast an eye over Teddy. “Even he would get a better life. Happiness for everyone.”

She waited, gazing at Pa as though they had been talking about pillows again. In an instant, a myriad of colours shifted over his father’s face—a live experience of a morphing Teddy read about in a torn picture book. His father settled on a tight smirk, which hid a clenched jaw.

“Thank you for the honor of your request, but I am afraid I am as attached to my son as I am to my daughter. I must decline your offer and end the day. Georges, thank you for your wine, Belinda...” He worked his stubbled jaw as if trying to let the right words come out. “Another time.”

Still holding his pipe, Henri put a hand on Teddy and went to guide him out of the room with Pa right behind them, but the guards at the door stepped in front of them.

“Ah, Belinda, why don’t we leave this for now?” Georges suggested, sidling up to her sister, but she dismissed her with a flick of her fingers.

“No, I’m afraid we can’t do that. You see, the request was a formality. I am not interested in your personal feelings in this venture. I believe I have been fair in allowing you to keep your daughter, but the boy is a commodity I cannot lose. Therefore, he will stay here, and you will take my offer.”

“Like hell!” Pa said and hit Belinda in the head with the wine bottle.

Henri jabbed one brute in his bulging stomach and went to strike the other, but the goon grabbed the pipe and caught him with a right hook. Georges stepped over the coffee table and smashed a statue on the nearest brute.

The creeper snatched at Teddy’s arm. “You’re mine, pretty boy. Mine.”

Teddy kicked at him and punched him in the face. “Get off,” he yelled, hitting him again. The creeper fell back, and Teddy gave him another kick before his father grabbed him, hauling him out the door.

They ran down the alley though two more guards who stood at the end. One tried to catch him, so he ducked under the brute’s arms and scrambled under his legs. His father dodged a hit and slashed at the other guy with the remains of the bottle, cutting deep gashes across the man’s face. He yowled and brought his hands to his face as Henri rushed up with Georges behind him and took out a piece of brawn with his pipe.

“Guess going in secret is out,” she gasped as they ran. “This is going to be hard on my reputation.”

“Get to the lifts,” Pa shouted as several more guards chased after them.

The foursome weaved through the marketplace turning tables and scattering merchandise as they went.  They created chaos as people scrambled everywhere, grasping for goods and trying to protect their livelihood. If it hadn’t been for the guys still after them, Teddy would have stopped to laugh at the desperate want driving the Uppers to steal from each other.

As they reached the lifts, sentries stepped forward to catch them, but Henri roared like a true brute and charged. One doubled back and fell against the wooden barrier protecting people from falling down the hole, which allowed the lifts to rise and lower. Henri barged through two goons and threw a red-faced, shouting Upperlord into a brute’s chest.

Pa took hold of Teddy, and they jumped on the lift with Georges. Henri yanked on the brake and jumped on as they descended at an uncontrolled rate. Down below, people scattered and they hit the ground hard, sending dust everywhere. Teddy fell down, his teeth rattling in his head.

“Cut the lines! Cut the rotten lines!” Georges shouted, hacking at the ropes, which worked the lifts.

The lift started to rise as the brutes above hauled on the cordage. Henri roared again. He seized a mess of cables and tore them out of their gears, sending bolts and wood everywhere. The whole thing lurched and tilted while Underlings scrambled in panic.