Becoming (17 page)

Aran answered.

‘It’s a dungeon. They put prisoners in there. The bars meant people could either feed them or throw stuff at them. Usually they’d get showered in shit.’

Yann jumped up and looked at his gloves, wiping them on the back of his trousers, his face twisted in disgust. Freya spoke.

‘We need to find somewhere to bed down. Best to avoid anywhere indoors if we can. The stone walls make the rooms freezing and we can’t risk a fire.’

Freya found a small area which had been dug out, and perhaps had once been a room or dwelling. It offered good shelter, and the group could huddle together under their blankets for extra warmth. They ate a supper of cheese, bread, and fruit, and each drank some of Freya’s tonic. She had made a special batch for Aran and assured him the drink would kill the last remains of poison. Freya guaranteed Aran would feel more refreshed in the morning. Gaia hoped she was right. They settled down for the night under their makeshift bed, smothered in layers of blankets. The moon was still full in the sky, and had not begun to wane yet. Its light dissolved some of the splendour of the stars, though together they still provided a wonderful spectacle of millions of flickering lights. Gaia, Yann, and Freya took it in turns to take a few hours of watch. Despite Aran’s protests the others all agreed that he needed a full night of sleep to recover. They did not need a passenger, but needed Aran fitter and more alert.

The night passed without note or incident. Gaia took the first watch and spent her time analysing the shapes on the moon, its mysterious face, and admiring its silent beauty. For millions of years it had orbited the earth, providing stability and balance as it spun. The moon controlled the tides, therefore they had it to thank for being here. The tides had been  key to their escape, as had the moon’s light. In a way the moon had colluded with them, a secret fifth member. However, in its light there was also a darkness. The speed which the tides had risen had led to the death of Clara. The moon had given the group a chance of a new life, but had also taken one.

Freya took over from Gaia who settled into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. Her exhaustion meant she soon drifted despite the cold biting at her face and ears, and feet that refused to warm. Gaia lay next to Aran, snuggled in close and placed her arm over him, feeling the steady hypnotic pulse of his breathing. It was soft and comforting. This night he did not whimper, nor was he restless and fidgety. He was more peaceful and at ease, the combination of exhaustion and Freya’s potion was working.

It was good for Aran that he was no longer carrying all the burden of responsibility. The mental impact had added to his troubles. The group still faced dangers, many unknown, but the biggest were the hunters waiting somewhere up ahead. The outcome of that encounter would determine the group’s fate. The night was cold, but being near to Aran, and feeling his body close warmed Gaia. She wanted to nurse Aran, let him know she was there and would look out for him. They were all in this together, but Gaia was only there because of Aran. Whatever freedom meant, whatever awaited, Gaia wanted Aran to be a part of her future.

14

Gaia woke early with Aran still sound asleep beside her. Freya was eating breakfast with a blanket wrapped around her. The clear night had brought a crisp frosty morning with a sprinkling of white dust across the grass. The sun was already beginning its slow rise, but was still low and not yet sharing its gentle warmth. There was a golden red hue in the sky, and just a smattering of wispy cloud. The castle walls cast an array of shadows, and all was quiet, even the birdsong was absent. Gaia sat opposite Freya who was picking at her food. 

‘Good morning.’

‘Hi. You feeling better?’

‘Much better thanks. I don’t know what you put in those concoctions, but they work.’

Freya laughed. Never the most jovial, even Freya had been more preoccupied since the spiders. As the others recovered Freya had taken on the role of leader. She was comfortable with that, but it presented a challenge. Freya did not show emotion unless it was necessary. The distractions of motivating the others, nursing them back to health, finding the plants and herbs to make her tonics had crowded her mind. Gaia was pleased Freya was showing signs of thawing. Freya whispered, conscious of Aran still sleeping.

‘There’s nothing to them really. It’s just knowing what to look for and how to put them together. It’s surprising how much is out there.’

‘It’s obviously a specialist role they’ve been preparing you for.’

‘Yes. I was singled out with a few others for the training. It’s mostly natural remedies, but also general healthcare, and dealing with breaks and injuries. I’d have been sent to work for medical support in the haven once I’d become.’

They were both struck by the same realisation that their becoming would no longer happen. Unless they were caught, then it was likely they would be expelled or worse. Gaia had not known any that had escaped return. No-one spoke of them or what became of them. They had crossed a line. They were free now and Gaia shook the thought of capture and its consequences from her mind. Gaia noticed Yann was missing.

‘Where’s Yann?’

‘He’s exploring the castle. He was on last watch, but was still pretty chirpy when I woke and went off soon after he ate.’

‘Here he comes now!’

Yann was running across the open area, sprinting, a look of alarm on his face. He stopped, struggled to speak and catch his breath.

‘You need to come with me. I’ve something to show you.’

Freya jumped up, and Gaia followed. Freya spoke.

‘What is it?’

‘Just come with me.’

Gaia looked at Aran.

‘Wait, what about Aran?’

Freya and Yann were already gone, leaping over the ruins of the internal walls. Gaia was hesitant, wrestling with the urge to follow and the guilt at leaving Aran alone. Gaia scanned the area. There was nothing, not even a sound. The other two were out of view. Something snapped, the training took over and Gaia set off in pursuit. Yann and Freya were at the far end of the outer walls, they had stopped running. Yann was crouched in front, finger placed on his lips. Freya waited, Yann disappeared into the ground and Freya followed. As Gaia neared there were stone steps descending into the darkness. She tiptoed down the steps into a freezing cold cellar. The only light came from three holes in the ceiling spread around the room. Gaia could see Freya and Yann in the shadows, standing over something, both looking at the ground. Gaia approached. At their feet was a giant rat. It was dead, a hole through its skull and another in its back. The wounds were fresh, and blood seeped from them. Freya and Yann were staring at it, looking for any final signs of movement, making sure the creature was dead. Yann whispered

‘I found it just before. It was sleeping down here. I managed to kill it before it woke. I’ve checked, but can’t find any others.’

Freya stepped away, whispering as she combed the darkness.

‘They’re social. There’ll be others, so we need to make a move and get out of here as soon as we can. Let’s get back and leave.’

They made their way back up the staircase, the freshness of the morning air hitting them as they left the underground chamber. They jogged back towards where Aran was sleeping, and Gaia woke him. Freya was agitated, keen to move, struggling to contain her concern.

‘Come on Aran. We need to get going.’

‘Can’t I get something to eat?’

‘We haven’t got time. You can eat on the road. Come on, we’ll explain later.’

‘Is there a problem?’

Gaia tried to allay any panic.

‘No, it’s fine Aran. Have something quick while we pack.’

Gaia cast a glance at Freya who began to pick up the blankets. Aran seemed better, physically and mentally. The tonics and full night of rest had given him some colour. He was more alert, and eager to get on with things. Gaia passed Aran some fruit while the other two packed. Gaia kept watch, peering out just above the wall that surrounded the small, sheltered pit. Just as they had packed away, Gaia noticed something in the far corner of the grounds. There was a movement, something large and black.

At first Gaia could see only one, but more rats appeared. It looked as though the creatures were rising up from the depths of the earth, from an underground cellar where they had been sleeping and were now awakening. The rats would be hungry and desperate. The group were concealed in the pit, safe from view, but trapped. Any attempt to leave would be noticed. There was no way the group would make it to the gateway without being seen. The rats were much nearer to the entrance, and the creatures would be upon Gaia and the others in no time, heading the group off before they got near to escaping. Gaia turned, caught the attention of the others and beckoned them over.

‘Look. Over there.’

Freya surveyed the area, clicking into survival mode, instincts taking control, calm and measured and searching for a solution. The group would need to act, and Freya had spotted the best option and without hesitation had a plan.

‘The turret over there. We’ll make a run for that. There’s a door, hopefully it’s open.’

Yann nodded.

‘It is. I was in there this morning. There’s a bolt on the inside.’

‘What’s in there?’

‘A staircase leading to a platform.’

Freya kept probing Yann, the plan unfolding for the others. It soon became clear what Freya had in mind.

‘How high’s the drop from the other side?’

‘It’s high. You’re not thinking of jumping?’

‘What’s down there, rocks, grass?’

Yann was starting to panic being sprayed with the volley of questions. His mind did not function this way. He liked time to think, to breath, but the group had little.

‘I don’t recall exactly. I think it’s just grass, heather, maybe a few rocks. It’s risky. I wouldn’t want to jump it from that height.’

Gaia and Aran kept watching the rats. The larger ones were lying in the sun, the younger ones were fighting. There were about ten, five adults. Even the younger ones were large, and would prove formidable in a fight. There were too many to take on without risk. The group were still weak, and escape was the best option, any confrontation a last resort. Aran studied the turret Freya had spotted for the escape. He spoke.

‘What about the ramparts? They’re a few levels lower. The jump won’t be so high.’

Freya stared at the ramparts, thought about Aran’s suggestion. There was a problem.

‘The rats can get onto them. We’d be exposed.’

‘Yes, but the only access is through the turret or those steps over there. We’ll draw them to the turret and lock the door. Once we’re sure they’re all there we can move onto the ramparts and jump. We’ll have some time to get up there and jump. Even if they spot the steps we can be over before they get up there. That’s our best chance.’

Freya looked at each of the group in turn. Aran’s plan was sound, but Freya wanted the approval of the others. Yann shrugged, Gaia and Aran looked at each other and nodded. Gaia spoke.

‘I say we go for it. It’s the best option we have. None of us are up for a fight. There’s too many of them.’

Freya nodded.

‘OK. Let’s make a move. Stay low and they might not spot us.’

Freya climbed up onto the edge of the pit and crept across the grass. The others followed. They each looked across at the rats who continued to bask and play, oblivious of the groups movements. Gaia noticed one of the younger rodents stop playing. Its head twitched, and pointed straight at Gaia. It was only a second, but somehow seemed longer as the rat waited, then began to run towards the group. The other young rats followed, the adults stirred and were soon in pursuit. The creatures had spotted Gaia and the others far sooner than they would have liked. Gaia shouted and began to sprint towards the turret.

‘They’re coming. Move!’

Freya was close behind Gaia, then Yann and Aran. The door to the turret was within reach, perhaps twenty metres, but the rats were fast. The creatures were hungry and hunting. Once the rats had spotted prey they became rabid and frenzied, desperation fueling a demonic adrenalin. The adults had now overtaken the young, their long, rapid strides eating up the earth, narrowing the gap between hunter and hunted. Gaia reached the door first and kicked it open. Freya followed. Yann and Aran still had a few metres to go, with the first of the adult rats just behind. Gaia could see their huge teeth, mouths open, salivating, ready to wrap themselves around their prey, preparing to lock tight and rip them to shreds.

Yann and Aran plunged through the door, just as the first adult rat dived towards them. Gaia and Freya slammed the door shut and felt a thud against it. The two girls pressed all their weight against the door as Yann scrambled to bolt it shut. Everyone stepped back and looked at the door, listening to the banging and scratching. There was frantic hammering and screeching from the rats, a sound the group were all familiar with, but had not heard for days. It was a noise the young people had hoped they would never hear again. The door was bulging, the hinges strained. Freya looked at Gaia, grave concern scratched into her face. Freya shouted above the din of the attack.

‘Let’s hope it holds out.’

Freya ran up the stairs while Yann and Aran pressed against the door trying to ease the pressure as it was battered from the other side. The deafening screeches continued, more frequent and frenzied than ever. Freya soon returned and took command.

‘They’re all at the door, so we need to move quickly. The drop’s better from the right of the ramparts. As soon as we’re over head for the woods at the bottom. At the far side I can see a church. We’ll run for that. Let’s go.’

Freya continued to lead, able to switch into a measured efficiency, the result of years of training. Yann seemed unfazed, almost enjoying the excitement. While Aran looked strained, the demands of this and the last few days were taking a toll. Gaia managed to smother the emotion, knowing control and precise thinking were the key to survival.

Freya led them up the stone stairs. They were narrow, steep and slippy, the morning frost on their shoes making the stone like ice. Gaia lost her footing several times as she clambered up behind Freya and Aran. Gaia could feel Yann at her back, bumping into her as she stumbled. The group came to the doorway that led onto the ramparts. Freya was already standing by one of the gaps in the walls. Looking over the edge, Freya threw her rucksack down and without hesitation jumped. Gaia peered over and saw Freya land on the grassy surface below, rolling forward and tumbling down the hill in a series of short, swift rolls. The jump was higher than Gaia had anticipated, but it was too late to back out. The alternative was far worse, the choice determined by a lack of real options.

Gaia dropped her rucksack over the edge and lowered herself down the wall. Her fingertips gripped the edge of the rough, cold stonework, body stretched, toes pointing to the earth below. Gaia let go and recalling her training, relaxed. The body had a natural tendency to tense which was more likely to lead to injury. It was better to concentrate on easing the muscles. In the split seconds of the fall Gaia tried to focus her mind.

Gaia hit the ground feet first, let her legs collapse and dived onto her side. She tumbled, head reeling, the sound of the air and crashing body loud in her ears. Something struck Gaia in the side. It was solid, probably a rock, a jabbing pain shot through her. Winded and struggling to breath Gaia was still hurtling down the hill. She tried to slow the rolls, careful not to extend her arms in case they became trapped. The seconds seemed much longer as Gaia plunged forward. After what seemed an age the tumbling slowed and stopped. Gaia lay still, dizzy, disorientated, and trying to catch her breath. A switch clicked in Gaia’s mind, the survival instinct triggered. Jumping to her feet Gaia looked around. She saw Freya just a few yards away, crouched, rucksack on her back, looking shaken, but still alert and poised, waiting for the others. She looked like a coiled spring, ready to confront the rats, waiting to be unleashed. Freya approached Gaia.

‘Are you OK?’

‘I think so. I hit a rock coming down, but I don’t think anything is broken. It just winded me. I’ll be fine once I get my breath back.’

They looked up the hill, back at the ramparts. Aran had already jumped and was cascading down the hill like a boulder, plunging head first. He bounced, hit the side of the hill and flew high into the air landing with a thud a few metres from Gaia and Freya. Gaia leapt to him as he lay in a heap on the grass, dazed and groaning, but still conscious. Aran’s hair was soaked, filled with flecks of grass and heather.