Josian’s voice wasn’t even breathless as we hurried along. “We were always warned against having relationships with any beside Walkers, but I thought that was simply a Walker superiority.”
“How many Walkers are there exactly?” At first I’d had the impression there weren’t many, but I was starting to think I was wrong.
A calculated look crossed Josian’s face. “Why do you ask, Aribella?”
I shrugged, watching the puffs of condensed air exit my mouth.
Josian kept pace beside me. “I can’t be too sure. I know our clan numbers in the tens of thousands. And there are seven clans.”
He let me do the general maths. They were far less in numbers than the population on either of our planets. But with their power, that probably didn’t matter.
As I led them through the streets, I thought of how helpless First Worlders, and Josian probably, would feel here. People so reliant on their magic and energy. On Earth, technology was the only ‘magic’.
I spoke my thoughts aloud. “You know, if you’re trying to take down First World, and in turn all the younglings, hiding out on Earth seems like the perfect solution.”
Josian nodded. “I have a feeling some entity is taking advantage of the anomaly that is the dead zone of Earth.”
Brace jogged up to be next to me, and for the first time I noticed the form-fitted dark clothes he was wearing. And just like that I was very distracted.
I hadn’t been paying attention before, but everyone looked to be in new clothes, close-fitted, dark and perfect for running.
The streets appeared a little more derelict than when I had left. I couldn’t believe it was only three days before. It felt like lifetimes had passed. There were new burnt-out vehicles, more buildings reduced to ruins.
As I approached the compound, I slowed and then came to a stop to one side of the gate. Moving the vines, I stepped closer to the security panel. I reached out a hand, fingers hovering just above the pad.
Something was wrong. The light to indicate activation was no longer lit. I turned toward the gate. It was already slightly ajar. I gave it a shove. It swung open.
Peering around the edge, I couldn’t see anything untoward in the outer gardens. Stepping through, I ran to the front door with everyone following. There was a real feeling of neglect surrounding the compound now. I tried the front door – it was unlocked. Josian stopped me from entering first. I rolled my eyes as he pushed me behind him and stepped through the doorway.
As we moved into the front hallway, a familiar voice echoed throughout.
“Well, it is about time you got back here, Aribella. I’ve been waiting for a week.”
Josian spun around defensively as a familiar figure stepped out from the small side classroom.
Pushing my protective giant aside, I ran forward and threw my arms around Quarn in a tight hug. He looked exactly the same and I was so relieved. He stepped back, holding me at arm’s length. It was hard to tell through his usual stoic expression, but I think he was happy to see me.
“What happened, Quarn? Where is everyone?”
Before answering, he stepped over to Lallielle and took her hand. He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Josian was at Lallielle’s side so fast he blurred.
“I’ve missed you, old friend,” Lallielle said as she shooed the deliberately towering over them Josian.
But Quarn stepped back quickly enough. At no point did he acknowledge Brace or Josian’s presence.
I cleared my throat. He smiled. “I see you have not learned patience in your time on First World.” He stepped closer. “When you and Lucy left me in the alley, I was ambushed moments later. The same men, but with fifteen of their closest friends. I was all for having a shot, but I realized even for me that wasn’t the best odds. I managed to get out of the alley and they gave chase.”
He had enjoyed that, which in my brief experience of his behavior, seemed to be typical.
“I made it as far as this compound. When I noticed the gate was open, I ducked inside. Being so far ahead, no one noticed or followed me. I moved closer to check out the house, and it was a warzone. Girls were everywhere. Your compound leader was in the middle of a girl-rebellion. But then something unusual happened.”
He looked troubled.
“Somehow she subdued the girls. They turned into ... zombies before, quite literally, disappearing from the compound.”
“How could she have subdued all of the girls? Even if she used some type of drug, she couldn’t get them all at once.” I looked around the messy hallway. “Where did she take them?”
“I don’t know how she got there, but I followed one of the men she left behind.” He looked directly at me. “Are you missing something, Aribella?”
I was confused for a minute, before understanding kicked in. “She has Lucy?”
He nodded. “I staked out her hideout for a few days, and in that time Lucy was one of the many herded inside. That’s why I returned here to wait. I knew it wouldn’t be long before you came looking for her.”