Oden (3 page)

He taps his foot impatiently, waiting for who knows what.

“Well?” I ask him, my eyes watching his hands clench into fists.

“We should be automatically… transported to a holding… area where we can… choose where we need to go.”

“So it’s not working?”

“It appears not to be,” he grounds out.

His anger is practically pouring off him in waves, therefore I instinctively take a step back from him. Although, without any pushing from me, Ival loses it. He growls, shouts, and then proceeds to punch up the wall to our side. His injuries obviously aren’t ailing him now.

“Do you really think you should—?”

He cuts me off, screaming in his own language, and I take another step back from him. Perhaps this is where we should split and go our separate ways. Ival can stay here throwing his tantrum, or get caught and die for all I care. I need to find Marduke, and while I’m at it, I’m going to find Hannah, Logan, and Lisa, too. Piece of cake, right?

“Mattie?” I hear Marduke shouting my name in the distance, and I glance wildly around for him.

“Marduke!” I yell back, my eyes scanning the area around me. I am desperate to see him.

As soon as I spot him, I sigh in relief. He appears to be unharmed—well, at least not any further harmed than how he had looked on that spaceship. Again, I wonder what Jeprow did to him. Both he and Ival look like death, and I hate how much Marduke has had to go through. It makes me feel sick the way he’s been made to suffer.

He rushes through a gap between the smaller buildings up ahead. We take a handful of steps towards each other, and then I lose sight of him altogether.

Between us, a machine charges through the buildings, tearing them apart, with a swarm of creatures covering it, their saliva burning the machine. As it collapses on the ground, the creatures successful in their attack on the machine, they then focus their attention on us.

Chapter 2

Marduke

I’ve been frantically searching for Mattie for what feels like a torturous lifetime. As soon as I lost her grip in the air and she dropped too quickly away from me, I felt completely helpless. Within the blink of an eye, I lost sight of her, and from the rate she was dropping, I knew we would never land in the same area. The strong wind was dragging me farther away from her.

Part of me knew the chances she would survive would be low. I spent the entire time worrying and cursing Ival and myself for letting this happen. I hated that she was going through that fall alone and felt agony that her last few moments would be so terrifying.

I remember the fear and panic I went through the last time I was on Oden and Mattie wasn’t here. I didn’t know if she was alive then, and given the knowledge of her possible pregnancy, I was beside myself.

This feels even worse. I know for sure she is carrying my baby, and I also know I’ve let her down. I failed her. I’m not exactly sure how I am supposed to live with myself knowing this.

I doubt I will ever be able to forgive myself.

When I near the ground and land softly, I begin frantically searching for her. I know what I will likely find won’t be a pretty sight, yet there is no way I’m not going to search for her. She doesn’t deserve to be abandoned here.

I run constantly, barely noticing the ongoing war surrounding me from the Claws and hinemas. I don’t care about it. All that matters is finding Mattie.

Then, I swear I hear her voice.

As I listen carefully, I realise I do hear her. She is alive!

Unfortunately, my elation is short-lived when I also hear Ival ranting and screaming. I immediately assume he’s trying to hurt her and anger quickly builds up inside me. After all that I have done for him, after getting him out of that spaceship, he’s going to harm and possibly try to kill her?

“Mattie?” I call out for her, fear easily heard in my voice.

“Marduke!” she cries my name in reply as my legs take off after her voice.

I round the corner of a small building and am allowed a few seconds to take her in. She’s not only alive, but she looks unscathed. Finally, something has gone right for us. The Aeepla did work for her!

Relief courses through me just as a hinema crashes through between us and interrupts our reunion. With it being covered in Claws, I realise quickly we have to get out of here, fast.

I notice Mattie and Ival moving away from them and me, going through one of the buildings. I quickly leave the terrifying scene behind, running back the way I came to match their direction since there’s no way to get to them from where I currently am without being killed by the Claws.

I race along the buildings on either side of me and scrape the sides of my arms on the hard surface as I brush against it. This passageway was meant for one-way traffic as a way to move through the buildings instead of having to go around. Therefore it’s a tight squeeze to move through it walking and running is impossible.

We’re on an island called Edael, where my father has placed most, if not all, the humans on Oden. So far, I’ve only seen lifeless bodies. No living humans. I’m not sure where they all are, but right now, that isn’t my main concern. I’ll worry about Logan and the others once Matte is safe in my arms.

When I reach the other side, I look to my left side, holding my breath until I see Ival burst out of one of the buildings, Mattie at his side.

I sprint, and when I reach them, all I manage is to take Mattie’s hand as we both keep running.

I want to convey how happy I am to see her. I want to apologise for what I have helped put her through. Moreover, my arms itch to have her wrapped up against me. Instead, I just squeeze her hand tighter in my grip, promising myself that I won’t let go this time, while I keep us moving away from the Claws that are too close for comfort.

Ival is lagging behind, but with the Claws not appearing to be too close to us, I don’t feel much concern for him.

We run for several blocks before we stumble upon another fight. This one includes humans trapped in the middle. They have no weapons and their screams cause Mattie’s hand to painfully grip mine, her nails digging into me. I know she’s hurting for these people, wanting desperately to help them.

“We have to move,” I tell her softly, tugging on her hand when she doesn’t move.

As a result, we hide back behind one of the buildings, and while we can no longer see the battle, we unfortunately still hear the screams of the helpless humans. Mattie’s hand is now pale and frozen from holding me hard enough to bruise.

I lean close to Ival, knowing we need a plan instead of just running aimlessly through the area, bumping into battles and probably more dead humans.

“The buildings aren’t… safe; they’re being crushed at… random. Hiding in one won’t… keep us protected. We… need to find someplace… that is quiet,” Ival says awkwardly to me. He’s gripping onto his side still, a motion I recall seeing him do back on Jeprow’s spaceship.

“They are everywhere. There won’t be anywhere on Edael that is safe,” I answer him, being sure to speak in English so Mattie doesn’t feel left out.

“The tunnels, we have to find… an entrance. It’s the only way we can get… to Jyin without Jeprow knowing.”

“I was dropped close to that entrance. It is crawling in Claws. There is no way we can safely get passed them,” I growl, angry that there is no easy answer.

Edael is an island, consequently it is completely surrounded by an ocean that is far too wide to safely swim. The tunnels run under all of Oden, and Jyin—where our house is, as well as where our father is most likely being held—is situated on the island next to this one. To get there through the tunnels will be a long and exhausting walk. A journey where, once we start, there is no stopping. We’ll only have water above and no supplies to take with us. For Mattie, who is pregnant, it is too dangerous. That isn’t even considering the fact that none of us have eaten a proper meal in a long time. Furthermore, Ival and I were just tortured for a week by Jeprow and his men and Ival is clearly injured; how will he cope in the tunnels?

“We’ve faced worse. There is only one tunnel entrance on Edael, so we have… no choice. Your human might not survive it, but that isn’t my problem. The fact that… I’m even willing to allow her to see the entrance, to step foot on ground that… she has no right to, is more than she deserves. She is
human,
Marduke. Father would… have us hung for showing her such a sacred secret.”

I grind my jaw, trying to control my anger. At least Ival said that in our own language, otherwise while trying to reign in my own anger, I would also have to hold Mattie back from him. Instead of that scenario, she’s just glaring at him for purposely not speaking in English while having no idea what he’s saying.

“I’m not putting her life at risk,” I tell him resolutely, not leaving any room for argument.

As I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her against me, she feels stiff and cold. I know she’s only half paying attention to us, the rest of her is being tortured by those terrified screams.

“She’s more at risk if she stays here. If we can make it through the… water, and to the rooms hidden under our home, there will be a bed for her, medical supplies… and access to food. She can stay there while we plan our attack and get back Oden.”

I look down at Mattie, feeling her slight shaking. There are dark rings under her eyes, sweat over her brow, and her hair is half stuck to her face and neck. She looks stressed, scared, and tired. This is no place for her and our baby. She needs a place to rest and be away from any war.

“I don’t like this; it’s too risky to get to the entrance,” I say this even though I know there is no other choice for us. We have to risk the tunnels.

“We have no other options. We are stuck… on Edael otherwise. I’d prefer to do this with… you, but if you are too weak and scared, then I… will go into those tunnels alone. Your people, your… home, and your family need you. Our mother… is dead, Father has been captured, and Oden is… under attack. I already know you are a… traitor, but how can you turn your back on… us so easily? And all for a lowly human? It’s… disgusting, and if our blood wasn’t being… hunted and exterminated, I’d kill you myself right now.”

I lock my jaw in place, refusing to express my shock and hurt over his words. As an alternative, I let my anger shine through.

“I love Mattie. As far as I’m concerned, she
is
part of my family, and since she is carrying
my
child, she also carries our blood. Since we’re being hunted, you should be just as concerned about keeping her and the baby alive as I am, even if that is as far as your reasons can stretch.

“I’m not saying I won’t fight for Oden. I’m not saying that I don’t want to see Jeprow and these Claws burn. I just think we should be smart about this and not get killed by the fifty or so Claws I saw earlier, milling about the entrance of the tunnels. Give me a plan that works, and I will gladly go there with you.”

“Good, then we will get ourselves… to the tunnels and attack Jeprow from our… hidden advantage. Brother, some free advice for you. If you can’t… control your human, if she gets caught… then you know what will happen to her. Don’t… forget that look Jeprow was giving her. He knows… she is important to you. Her life already has… an expiration date attached. Keep her in the tunnels and… she remains safe. No one but our family knows of… them, and Father would rather die painfully under torture than… reveal our secrets to Jeprow. They will remain safe from—”

“Will you two stop speaking in that fucking annoying language? It’s driving me insane!” Mattie cuts him off as she pushes away from me. I might have started off speaking English in front of her, but apparently, I stopped once Ival pushed my buttons and anger took over.

“I’m sorry; we’re just trying to think of a way out of here,” I try to soothe.

“Well, I am part of this, too, so there is no reason to keep it a secret from me.”

“I know.”

“You two are repulsive. You,” he points his finger at Mattie, “don’t speak to someone of Marduke’s… standing like that. And you,” now his attention changes to me, “should demand more respect. Why you… love a woman who treats you like garbage is beyond me.”

“I think love is beyond your capabilities in the feeling department, unless it involves loving yourself,” Mattie mutters.

When Ival glares at her, actually taking a step towards her in anger, I quickly intercede.

“Ival, don’t—”

His hand reaches out to me lightning fast, and before I know it, he has me against the wall in a choke hold. It appears his injuries are worse after running, but once he’s had time to catch his breath, he’s ready to fight.

I wrap both hands around Ival’s, already able to pull his hand away so he has barely any pressure at all over my neck. If Ival hadn’t been injured, however, I wouldn’t be able to budge him an inch, even using all of my strength.

I take a deep breath, opening my mouth to tell him to stand down, but I don’t get the chance before Mattie moves to his injured side and punches him hard in the ribs. He immediately lets me go, groaning in pain as he falls to his knees, his arms wrapped around him.

In any other situation, I would have been in awe that Mattie has brought Ival to his knees like this and simultaneously terrified that her life would be over because Ival would never let someone live after knocking him down. Thankfully, he appears to be in too much pain to be focusing on his usual murderous rage that simmers under the surface of his everyday emotions.

“Mattie was just defending me. Let it go, suck it up, and let’s get out of here. It won’t be long before this area is swarming with Claws, and we don’t have time for it. The sooner we are in the tunnels, the sooner we can get back to Jyin,” I tell him, moving to stand in front of Mattie just in case.

I hold my hand out to him, ready to extend the offer of peace and help him to his feet. He ignores it, but when he eventually stands, he doesn’t make another move towards Mattie. She is smiling at him smugly, and I stare at her, trying to communicate without voicing it to not provoke him.

When he begins stumbling forwards, I hold her back and lean close to her so Ival doesn’t hear me.

“Ival isn’t someone you mess with, Mattie. We have to keep moving, and we don’t have time to be fighting with each other.”

“I didn’t start that fight, Marduke. That was your asshole brother. I just ended it.” Her smug smile returns, and I have to hold in my exasperated sigh.

“Please, just promise me you will stop antagonizing him?”

“Never,” Mattie answers immediately, frustrating me until she throws herself in my arms. “If Ival is being a jerk, then I’m going to tell him. If he’s hurting you, then I’m going to kill him.”

I can’t help smiling at her declaration. I would do the same to anyone who dared hurt her. I squeeze her body against me, savouring the fact that she is finally here.

“Thank you for having my back, but Ival is not one to back off if—”

“We need to… move now!” Ival yells, his words jolting me away from Mattie as I glance around us to see what threat is coming at us now.