Stronger (15 page)

Carter stretches and taps his fingers against the top of the doorframe. “I’ve been assigned to help you escort the prisoner to the shower when she’s done eating.”

Ty spoons up some of the cold soup and brings it to my mouth. I gratefully swallow it. Ty spills more of my soup then he gets into my mouth but I can’t complain. The soup taste divine and I lick my lips between every bite to make sure I don’t waste a drop. The bread is dry and the water has a weird taste but I finish both.

Several scientists come in to observe my meal and ask my parents questions about their insights on me.

Every time I blink or swallow the scientists jot something down. I feel like a zoo animal, but I’m too hungry to care. As soon as I take my last bite the observers are ordered to leave.

“Time for her shower. Untie her carefully,” my dad says.

Carter sniffs when he unbuckles my arms. “Ugh. She needs one. She stinks.”

Ty unties me and he and Carter lead me to a small shower. Conversations stop as we walk by. Carter and Ty do a final sweep for any items I could use as a weapon in the shower stall before allowing me inside. Ty hands me a bar of soap and a clean pair of sweats.

Almost time
is carved into the soap. To my soul, those words are like a ray of sunlight bursting out from behind the clouds.

The soap lathers much better than what I’m used to and it smells like mint. I wash my hair and my body several time and then rinse. The clean new gown I put on is made of a soft material that I’ve never worn before. Using the provided comb I untangle my hair and then use my finger and the container of toothpaste to clean my teeth. I take assessment of my body. I feel good, stronger than before. Stronger than ever actually. My reflection is still recognizable, but the girl staring back at me is a bit older. My face has narrowed, losing the roundness of childhood. I smile because I look like a warrior.

An Orion, Sunflare to be exact, is in the room when they escort me back. Bryant is standing beside him. So are Lee and Bates. I stop short when I see them, but the gun Ty presses into my back makes me move toward my seat. Ty goes to secure my restraints when Sunflare raises his hand. “That won’t be necessary.”

He folds his arms behind his back and glides toward me. “She won’t hurt me.” His eyes lock onto mine. “What is your business on my planet?”

His words are like tentacles squirming into my brain, but I can separate them from my own thoughts. The filters help, but not completely.

“Your planet? I think the humans were here first.”

“Tell me your plans. Why you’ve come. What you’re hoping to accomplish.”

Again his words embed themselves in my mind, begging me to do what he wants, to please him. With a shake of my head I break free of them. “No.”

He lowers himself so we’re eye to eye, his searching my face. I jump when his finger touches my skin. He’s colder than an icicle. But his touch is like a blast of wind, scattering my thoughts and all I can do is stare at the beautiful face before me, marveling that something so perfect would touch me. His hands caress my face, then my arms. “You did all those tests and she still looks like this?”

“Yes,” Bates says. He sounds far away. “We can’t explain it.”

“She’s beautiful. Perfect. Closer to us than any children we’ve had before. We’ll take her with us.”

This beautiful being is going to take me with him?

“Would you like that, child, to come with me?”

I start to nod, but he keeps talking. “We’ll take away all the pain you’ve experienced here. We’ll keep you safe.”

His words are saying everything I want to hear, but they sound… wrong. I pull back, freeing my skin from his touch. Clarity comes back in an instant. Behind Sunflare, Ty is gripping his weapon like his life depends on it. My eyes go back to Sunflare. Now in my right mind I recall his words. Him calling my unusual skin perfect, like his. I clamp my lips shut to keep down the shriek of horror when I realize my change has made me more like my enemy.

“Well, child? What do you say? Should I take you with me?” Sunflare gives me a soft smile. All it does is showcase the calculating coldness in his silver-starred eyes. When I shake my head, his expression darkens. His lips purse as he picks up a strand of my hair and examines it. “Reconsider coming with us. You’re really quite remarkable. We believe we can find a use for you.” His hand touches my cheek again and I pull back, afraid to lose myself again and more afraid no soap will be strong enough to erase the dirty feeling his touch has brought. “I am here to offer you a position in our army. We have studied the scientists’ findings about you and are intrigued.”

He stands to his full height, towering over me.

“No thank you.” I glare up at him. “I have no wish to be your slave. The sound of your free-will-stripping voice grates on me.”

His whole body jerks back and I laugh. “Not used to being told no?”

His wings flare out, raising himself a few inches into the air, towering over me. “You will join us or die.”

“What?” Bryant asks. He drops his gaze when Sunflare glares at him. “I just thought we’d be able to learn more about her. Where she’s from.”

“And that is why we do not use you Vals for thinking.” Sunflare’s wings stir my wet hair from my shoulders. “It doesn’t matter where she came from, or what she plans. If she’s not going to align herself with us, then she must die. Which will it be Ms. Young: join or die?”

I don’t hesitate to answer. “Death.”

He spreads his arms out with a mocking grin. “Your death will show my people how well we take care of them. That we’ll protect them from those who would move against us.”

“And will killing me do that?”

“We now have a face to blame for all of the terrorist attacks. It will show that we win no matter how strong our enemy is. Your death will be very public.”

He glares at me like he expects me to beg for my life, to confess my secrets. I grin instead. “I would expect nothing less.”

Sunflare hisses something in a language I don’t understand before flying out the door. Ty and Lee follow behind him, leaving me alone with Bryant.

Bryant doesn’t move. He’s staring at me. “Why not join him and save yourself?”

I shrug. “He would kill me anyway.”

“He wouldn’t. You don’t know our leaders as well as I do. You heard him, he wanted to take you with him.”

I snort. “So I could be his favorite pet? Like you are with Starburst?”

Bryant flushes. “You say that like it’s a shameful thing. I’m honored that—”

“They kill off their own warriors, Bryant,” I shout over him. “When they get too popular, or start asking questions they suddenly die.”

“That isn’t true!”

“So it was purely coincidental that after you confess to Starburst your feelings about Lee’s cruelty, a grizzle attacks you?”

“Yes!”

“You’re on their radar, Bryant. The people like you too much. You’re getting too strong. If you rebelled, too many people would follow you. That grizzle attack won’t be the last accident in your future.”

Bryant’s hands convulse around his weapon as he points it at me. “You are an enemy. Trying to poison me with your words.”

“I’m telling you the truth.” I sit up. They forgot to restrain me. I step into his gun so the muzzle is directly over my heart. “They lie. They put their own thoughts in your head.”

Bryant backs away toward the door, his weapon still trained on me. “I won’t listen to any more of your lies. Sunflare’s right; you’re dangerous.”

“To them, not to you. Haven’t I proven I won’t hurt you? I saved your life.”

His hands are shaking. “I won’t listen. Lee,” Bryant says into his wristband. “Come secure the prisoner.”

“Bryant, please listen.”

“No!” The door slides open and he keeps his weapon pointed at me while Lee secures me back into the chair. After he leaves, Bryant watches me, shaking his head. Finally, he turns and leaves. My eyes follow him until the door slides closed. I lean my forehead against the cool steel, fighting back tears for failing to save the boy I once loved

It doesn’t take long for my summons to come. I’d been expecting it since I refused to go with Sunflare. He’d promised me a public execution and I knew this was one promise from an Orion that I could trust.

Carter is one of my armed escorts. I recognize the other from the newsfeeds. Jacob is a veteran of the Musk wars. He doesn’t give me a second glance, but Carter is a different story. He stops every few feet to glance back at me, his expression worried.

The hallway they take me down is lined with Vals standing at attention, their weapons armed and ready, watching me as I pass. The blasé attitude I started with is failing the further we walk, but I clasp my hands together to hide their shaking. I will not give them the pleasure.

I’m surprised when they lead me outside. The walkways are filled with Vals and Debs shouting their hatred at me. Some throw rocks. It’s hard to believe I’m the cause of all of this. Most of my life I hated feeling invisible, but right now I’d give almost anything to sit unnoticed in my old room with Olivia. I’d joined the rebellion to help humanity, to rid them of the Orions’ tyrannical reign. The people I hoped to free are the ones who despise me.

I’m led to the school’s spacious indoor stadium and it’s packed. Every seat is taken, and crowds fill the standing room around the outside and up the aisles. This isn’t just a school event. I see people from the community, shopkeepers, war heroes, working Debs, and even reporters from the newsfeeds. A dozen Orions reign over the event from their luxury box. The entire group is united in a single purpose. To watch me die.

In the center, a glass box has been erected and people buzz around it. I’m pushed along an open aisle and into the glass box. I can see my reflection on its polished interior surface. Above me is giant screen, zooming in on my scared face. Sunflare stands to speak, his voice carrying across the auditorium without the use of a microphone. “This is our enemy. She set off the explosion in the Sacred Square, she damaged our planes, she set a grizzle to attack one of our people. She is the reason our platoons go out and fight. This enemy slipped in as a spy. She has refused to cooperate, refused to tell us who she is. This threat ends now.”

The crowd roars in approval.

People are spitting at me, but the glass protects me. Spittle slowly moves down the panes in several places.

“Who better to kill her than one of our best students?” Sunflare says. “Bryant, step forward.”

A pale Bryant stands beside Sunflare. Bryant’s eyes find mine.

“Can you do this to protect our people, Bryant? For me?” Starburst asks, moving beside him. She brushes her fingers against his skin. “It would please me to have you enter the ring.”

Bryant nods slowly, his eyes narrowing.

Why choose him? Then it hits me: they’re trying to eliminate both of us, two birds with one stone. Poor Bryant is the patsy here, and he doesn’t even know it. All the anger I’d felt toward him vanishes. He’s as much a slave as any Deb. He just doesn’t know it.

All eyes follow him as he makes his way from the top box down the stairs and up to the box. He enters and my two escorts close the glass door. The roar outside fades to a low murmur as it seals tight.

Despite the glass muffling their voices, the crowd chanting Bryant’s name is clearly audible. He comes right at me and swings for my face, no hesitation whatsoever. I duck under it and sweep my leg around, catching him in the back of the knee. He stumbles back, but steadies himself before I can take advantage. His next swing catches me in the jaw. Stars flicker in my vision but I manage to pound him in the gut. He barely staggers before coming at me again.

I dance backward, trying to shake my head clear. My lip is cut and stinging, but I can’t dwell on it. He’s like a rock, but I know I’m quicker. The next time he swings for me, I move closer, spinning into him so my back is to his chest. Using the momentum of his swing, I flip him over my shoulder and onto his back. Before he can stand, I fall on top of him, driving my elbow into his forehead. His head ricochets off the floor with a sickening thud and his eyes roll back in his head. I drop down to my knees, panting. I find his strong pulse and breathe a sigh of relief. His eyes open slowly, his pupils dilating as he tries to focus on me. “I told you they were trying to get rid of you.”

I look up to the stands. The Orions share a horrified glance before turning back to me.

“Gas her!” Starburst orders.

“But Bryant is in there!” someone shouts. “Save Bryant!”

The box shutters as part of the ceiling rolls away to reveal hundreds of air holes. A wispy cloud emerges, hissing its way out the small holes. Oxygen? Oh no!

I kick at the glass door. It reverberates under my kick but doesn’t break. I kick at it again and again. The air seems to thicken. I try to hold my breath, but the exertion of kicking makes me gasp another breath. My head feels woozy at the oxygen-tainted air, but I continue to batter at the door with all my strength. Finally, a small, spider web crack appears. Despite the weakness growing in my limbs, the next kick shatters the door panel.

The sounds of the screaming, rushing crowd erupt to full volume as the shards of glass fall among them. I spin around and help a panting Bryant up, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He stands, swaying on his feet. I half drag him to the hole I’ve created, pushing him through to safety. I try to follow but the fans rushing forward to catch Bryant block my escape.

My lungs burning, I shove at the mass of bodies plugging the hole, and stick my head out.

“Get out!” I scream between gasps. The microphones in the box magnify my voice throughout the arena. “There’s oxygen in here!” People surge for the exits, giving me enough room to escape. My feet slide on the layer of shattered glass surrounding the opening, and I cut my hand grasping the side of the door to catch myself. A few Vals surround me, grabbing my hair, arms, and legs, all pulling in different directions, threatening to rip me in half.

“I’ve got her!” One of them shouts, trying to drag me by the arm back into the cage. I wriggle my other hand free and punch him in the face. He falls back, letting go, and I land on my back with a painful thud.

The lights dim and then blare to life. The giant screen no longer shows my bloody face but footage from a recent battle.

“Ladies and gentleman of Earth,” a voice says. I recognize it as my uncle. “This is what your precious Orions have done for us.” On the screen, Eclipse bends over a wounded Val and orders him to slit his own throat. A horrified scream erupts as the blood gushes from his gaping neck and his glazed-over goes go slack. The video changes to a portrait of the soldier who killed himself, then pulls back to reveal dozens, hundreds, thousands of faces. “These are only a portion of the Vals we’ve lost in the Musk wars. We mean nothing to the Orions.” Video footage of Sunflare, Starburst, Silvercloud and other Orions killing Vals flash across the screen. “When we get too strong, or dare to question them, they kill us.”

I look around. The mass of people stand staring, many with tears streaking their faces, horrified by the images on the screen. “And sometimes they get us to their dirty work for them!” The next clip shows Sunflare ordering a young soldier to kill James Pearson, one of the most famous and beloved warriors ever. Then it shows that young soldier, his hand trembling, shooting his friend and hero in the back during the battle. It cuts to the soldier reporting back, sobbing at having killed his hero, and Sunflare kills him, slicing his head off with the man’s own sword.

A gasp erupts from the stunned crowd, turning quickly to screams and cries. The Orions are shouting, trying to command order, but even their controlling voices no longer making a din in the chaos.

Someone grabs my hand pulling me forward. My dad. We’re running through the rioting mob and I can’t breathe. My lungs feel heavy like they could drop like bricks to my feet at any minute. I’m gasping for air.

“We can’t slow down.” My dad wraps his arm around me and Uncle Charlie has my waist. Ty is behind us, helping a bleeding and barely conscious Bryant stagger forward.

“You’re bringing him?” My uncle asks as we push through the crowd. “He’s the one who turned your sister in.”

Ty lifts his chin. “I’ll take responsibility for him.”

“This is your plan?” I ask, still panting.

My dad nods. “The first move was to make everyone question the Orions. Outright shock can free people from the Orions’ persuasion, at least temporarily.”

Instead of heading to the exit, my dad takes us down a flight of stairs heading under the structure.

“Where are we going?” I mumble.

“They’re sealing the doors to contain the chaos. We were counting on that, though.”

The rumble of the heavy metal doors sliding down permeates the air, making the screaming inside even louder.

“How are we getting out?” a panting Ty asks. Bryant is now slung completely over his shoulder, hanging limp.

“Through the tunnels. Hardly anyone knows about them.”

I can’t make my feet keep moving. My lungs are stiff, filled with the gas that’s killing them and I keep drifting off.

A sharp slap across my cheek wakes me up.

“Don’t you dare die on me, Lexie!”

My dad’s eyes are rimmed with red. “I’ll treat you when I can. Right now, we have to keep moving!”

“Is she dying? Did she breathe in the oxygen?” Ty asks adjusting Bryant.

“Did you breathe it in?” my uncle asks.

I nod. “I tried to hold my breath. But I couldn’t.” The tips of my fingers are already blue. The first stage in oxygen poisoning.

Dad leads us down two flights of stairs into a maintenance room. We make our way around the massive ducts that divide the tiny space and come face to face with a group of armed soldiers. I open my mouth to scream.

“Ssshh,” my dad says. “They’re with us.”

Two of the armed men shove aside an old metal cabinet, revealing a tunnel lined with ancient crumbling brick. They wave us inside and we follow a man carrying a flashlight down the narrow corridor. The air is stale, making my cough even more. I stumble and feel myself being picked up and carried by someone in the group. I close my eyes and lose track of time, only opening them as a gust of ice-cold air blows across my face. I look up to see my uncle carrying me, his face framed by twinkling stars. The night air feels good and my burning lungs greedily suck it in. He sets me down, and a deep cough racks my body, while blood gurgles in the corner of my mouth.

“Whoa, whoa,” my uncle says cradling me closer. “You can’t pass out.”

I manage a nod but my tongue is too swollen to talk. The moon casts long shadows on the snow as we tromp through it. The last a man in the group drags a device behind him that scoops up the snow and sprinkles it evenly to cover our tracks.

I concentrate on following the leader’s footsteps and my world narrows to them. I can make it two more steps, I tell myself. And when I reach those I tell myself the same thing again. And again. I barely register when the thinning snow gives way to a metal ramp. I follow it up and collapse in a chair where my father straps me in.

He must see the confusion in my face because he answers my unasked question. “Uncle Charlie’s plane.”

He buckles himself in beside me and clutches my hand. I close my eyes and rest my head back. Within moments, the engines roar to life, and I’m pressed back into my seat by the force of takeoff. Soon I’m lulled to sleep by the engines’ steady hum.

When my dad shakes me awake he points behind out a window over my shoulder. I blink in wonder at what I find outside my window. Stars! We’re surrounded by them. They glow with an intense brilliance that makes my eyes water.

“What are we doing?”

“Circling the planet a few times before descending back to Earth.” He kisses my hand. “It helps throw them off our trail. Your uncle found a way to trick their scans, but we have to break contact first.”

I touch the cold glass, marveling at the stars outside. I never thought I’d be in outer space. Debs are considered too weak and fragile to survive such a trip. And yet here I am flying among them. I tune out the conversations around me, lost in the spectacular view. The sky is no longer purple, and there are more stars than I could have ever imagined, each of them twinkling golden against the deep blackness of space. Its beauty causes a single tear to roll down my cheek. I’m surrounded by stars and not a single Orion vessel in sight. I only look away when we reenter the atmosphere and I have to shield my eyes from the fiery glare.

It’s dark outside when we land and I can’t see much out the window. “Where are we?”

“The rebellion’s command center.”

It looks to be nothing more than ruins, several crumbling buildings silhouetted against the inky night sky. “Where? One of the buildings?”

He helps me unbuckle my seatbelt. “Under them. The whole place is connected with underground tunnels. By staying underground, we avoid the Orions’ thermal scanners.”

It’s hard to stand; my legs feel like overcooked truffs. My dad puts my arm around his shoulder and lets me lean on him as we descend. My first step outside feels strange, my body weight feeling weird. I try to breathe, but it’s like a steel band is wrapped around my lungs, not letting them move as they should. Dad leads us down a flight of stairs and down a long sloped hall. We stop in a command center of sorts, illuminated by a wall of monitors. The screens appear to be part of the original structure, but are connected to the newer computers by wires fed through holes punched into the wall next to each screen. It’s barely warmer than it was above ground and I shiver at the chill. The band constricting my lungs tightens.