Chapter 3- Reunions and Traitors
A/N: Chapter 3 is up?! Well don't hold your breath. If you've read my other muti-chapter stuff, you know I die about Ch. 3. So here is hoping I don't die!
The tunnel was dark and Mattie wasn't getting any more confident. That ship sailed when Hero gave him that coy smile. America gave him that smile a lot, it usually meant that he was about to get in trouble.
The pair walked down the tunnel for almost half an hour before they came to another door. This one was well rusted and had grease spilling down the hinges. It looked like a vault door, to a bank or something.
Hero stepped up to the door and knocked.
"Who knocks at the garden gate?"*
"One who has tasted its fruit and knows its mysteries. I brought a friend."
"You may pass."
The door swung open with a loud creaking, like 10 chalkboards were being murdered by angry cats.
The inside of the room was crowded. People marched everywhere, as an ant colony might march around, everybody with a job to do. Mattie became apprehensive, not only did everybody have something to do, everybody had a gun. Just because he knew how to use one, didn't mean he liked them, or carried one with him.
Hero walked him inside. The room was lit with florescent lights, and was about the size of a lobby in an apartment building. The walls were lined with beds, each of them filled.
As Mattie was examining the room, Hero walked up to a man. He was about 6'4', with a purple V neck and black jeans. A pin that read "Team Leader: Jake" was present. He also wore black Nikes, which have seen better days. His hair was brown and in a mess. He had bluish green eyes and, of course a gun.
Hero whispered something in the guy's ear; Mattie didn't have a chance to wonder, because a gun was held to his back.
"Alright Mr. Moose is it? Well I hear you want to be part of the resistance. Well you're going to have to prove yourself." His voice was loud and filled with authority, that of a leader. He paced the floor with his hand behind his back, the way a drill sergeant might do for his platoon.
"First are the questions. What is your ID number?"
"For what? I don't have one!" Mattie was freaking out again. It wasn't the question he didn't have an answer for, It was the guns.
"Not important I guess. Next question. Where did you come from?"
"Umm that a bit more complicated. Let's just say Canada."
"Canada... Never heard of it."
"Not many people have."
"Okay. Last question. Why do you want to join the Resistance?"
Mattie stiffened. He wanted to join because of what he saw in the café, because of his brother and friends, he wanted to do something, instead of just sit by, but now might have been a bad time to be a hero. Mattie was bad with timing.
"Come off it Jake!" A woman walked up behind him. She had platinum blond hair and green eyes. She wore a black tank top and cargo pants, with combat boots. She had an ear piece in her ear. Her hair tied back to show a tattoo of a flower, from Mattie's view point he couldn't decipher what flower.
"He's not hurting anyone. Besides I bet he is here for the same reason we all are here. To help fight."
"Oh look whose here, The Queen of Peace herself, Abby."
"Hello Jake. I see you became leader. What happened to Leo? Did you kill him?" Rage burned on Jake's face. His ears turned red, it seemed as if cartoon smoke might steam out of them.
"HEY!" Hero was standing next to a screen with a beeping red dot.
"Sometimes you got to stop arguing and focus on the problem! We've got activity on 32nd street. Battle stations! Go! Go! Go!"
People dashed in and about and all around. The scary part was that they did so in perfect order. Like they had been doing this their whole lives. It was like clockwork.
"Hey Moose!" Hero called. "Get a gun and come on!"
Mattie didn't have a chance to argue, He just picked up a gun and fallowed.
The new tunnel they were in reeked of stink! It was all Mattie could do to not pass out. They (being Jake, Hero, Abby and Mattie) walked in a formation, careful not to alert anyone they were there.
Mattie stood next to Hero and decided now was the best time to ask,
"So what's the issue between Abby and Jake?" (( That sounded like teen girls gossiping! XD))
"Well to make a long story short, they dated. And you can't share power evenly when you're dating. Things got out of hand and a man named Danny died. Jake blames Abby, Abby blames Jake, and the world keeps spinning. Although if you were to ask my opinion, it was an accident. They would never believe me though, too stubborn for their own good."
Mattie was troubled by the news, but he couldn't help but think of the people he knew, who were just the same way. His gut churned and he felt a pain of home sickness. He wanted this to be over so he could go home. It must be horrible for them, searching for him. If anybody bothered to notice he was gone. Before he could get too lost in his thoughts, they came to a man hole. Everybody climbed out the latter. The engravings on the sewer cap read
32nd and Park
New York City, USA
The city around them was in ruins. Buildings were shambled and messed up. The sky was a brown color, with hints of sunshine, but nothing more. The streets were littered with flipped and broken cars. Trash and paper flew in the breeze. It looked like the aftermath of the Avengersmovie Alfred had taken him to.
"What are we looking for?"
"The Zumbalo. They live in the ruins of the cities."
"What about Small Town? Why is that still standing?"
"That's one of the places we are allowed to live. They have 21 cities in the varying countries. One place where the occupants are allowed to live."
"WHAT?! But there are so many countries! So many people, how do you fin 7 billion people into 21 cities the size of Small Town?!"
"That's an odd number. There are only 1 billion people left."
Mattie's heart froze. Only 1 billion people? How had 6/7th of the citizens in the world die? No that's too ugly to think about. Focus on the task at hand.
"So how did you all survive?"
"We were chosen. We all had superior something that they needed. Everyday people go missing. We give them our money and they take the lowest paying person to who knows where. We haven't se any of those people since."
"So what are we doing out here then?"
"Well you see there are some settlements out here of the non superior people. They live outside the 21 safe camps. Our job is to protect them."
"So why not just live with them? Why do you have to move back and forth?"
"They do a head count every day. Can't have free people."
Mattie was about to answer another question when Jake gave the get down signal. Mattie and Hero ducked behind a waste container. Down the street a squad of Zumbalo passed. One however was smart enough to turn its head. Right behind a trash can a blond curl was sticking out.
It screeched in a violent tongue and started shooting towards the can.
"Battle stations!" Jake was facing the creatures and shooting. Everybody was shooting, everybody except Mattie. He was sitting there petrified. He had been in war before, but not with aliens! He was so afraid and lost in his mind he didn't see Hero move, or the Zumbalo standing right above him, laser gun raised.
Through some amazing fighting and skill, (and cowering from Mattie) the small group was not killed. Only captured, and stripped of their weapons. To be honest Mattie wasn't too thrilled to be shoved into the back of a windowless van thing. It was like a van, but it hovered. New experiences for the nation every day, and always in America.
Mattie's biggest concern was the fact that they hadn't been killed. He suspected the Zumbalo were going to make an example of them and kill them on the Triacmid, for all of what's left of the world to see.
"We have obtained some humans; they are being taken to the cell in the base." The platoon leader said into his communicator.
Mattie marveled at the fact he could understand the creatures. How did they know English? He didn't have time to wonder at this point, he just had to go with the flow.
"Hey kid," Jake's voice whispered on the other side of him, "What 's with the face, you knew when you singed up that there was going to be trouble."
"It's not that, can't you hear them?" He whispered back, wasn't he the newcomer?
"I prefer not to hear their screeching language. It hurts my ears."
"HEY, MEAT! BE QUIET!" One of the monsters yelled. The pair quieted their talk as they pulled to a stop and were pulled from the van
The rag tag trio was held at gun point, much to Mattie's displeasure. They were taken to a place he knew all too well. The Emblem of Freedom, the first sight immigrants saw from Ellis Island. The Statute of Liberty.
Mattie remembered when France had given it to Alfred. He was overjoyed. He wanted to share it with the world, so he put it on its own island. Alfred even dragged Mattie through it when it was complete. He knew the Statue like the back of his hand, remembering all this, made Mattie miss home even more, and more determined to find Alfred.
"What are you thinking about?" Hero had noticed the look of sadness on the poor guy's face. She could have sworn it was frightened bunny rabbit 3 seconds ago.
"Just what I remember about that Statue. My brother took me all over that thing. Through every nook and cranny. He wanted me to play Hide n' Seek with him."
"That sounds like it was a lot of fun. The only problem I have with that is the Statue hasn't been open in almost 50 years. How did you get inside?" Jake asked, curiosity overtaking him.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Considering we are about to die, I'm ready to believe anything."
Mattie considered this, but before he could say anything the Zumbalo started talking to the guard at the base.
"Does Leader want to see them?"
"No. Put them in the jail with the others."
They were forced to walk at gun point down the stairs, Mattie knew this was the way to the boiler room.
The boiler room was bronze colored and had 2 parts, the boiler itself and a newly placed set of bars used to create a jail cell. The trio was pushed in and the door slammed. The group was left alone. There was only one other person in the jail.
He was sitting in the corner with his hands on his knees having them pulled up to his chest. His head was bent causing a shadow to cast itself across his features. His pants and tee shirt were torn. Even the jacket he treasured so much was covered with holes and dirt. His blond hair was dirty and the alfalfa that normal spiked up was depressed. His glasses were cracked and his blue eyes dimmed. There was no more joy in them, no life, no happiness.
Mattie's eyes filled with tears as he gaped at the figure on the ground. The man glanced at the group and rested on Mattie. His lifeless eyes became wide, his jaw became slacked and he gaped an identical gape at his brother.
"Mattie?" His horse voice was gruff and filled with doubt. Hero and Jake listened to the conversation noticing the name change.
"Hi Al." All Alfred could do was stare and cry. Mattie knew Alfred and he knew that he only cried when he truly had nothing, and was lost in his own mind. Right now was that moment. Mattie kneeled next to his brother and stared in his eyes.
Alfred was afraid. He had seen all these wisps of Mattie's ghost. Mattie coming to sit next to him and talk, coming to keep the crazed old nation company in the darkness of his own prison in the base of freedom. Maybe so he won't get driven into insanity, maybe because he missed his brother so, but this was real. He felt he could touch and hold him. Just to see his brother again. That is what he had wished for, the entire time.
Alfred's hand reached out, hesitated and slowly shakily touched Mattie's face. The warmth surprised him. He rubbed his face, then his hair and his back slowly pulling him into a hug. He smelled the fresh Maple on him. It was like the last time he saw him. So what was that day then? Was he real?
"Mattie, How, I mean the last time I saw you-" Alfred's mind was filled with the memory.
Mattie had invited him so stay for dinner. It was peaceful, the night was clear and there was certain surliness to it. Not unlike the calm before the storm.
Then there was the attack. The sirens went off; the sirens Arthur had put up by some space company called Torchwood. They were meant to sound in the middle of an alien invasion. Mattie went into panic and fled to the bunker, also installed by Torchwood. Alfred stayed upstairs watching the saucers come into the air. Mattie had to drag him to the shelter.
They worked to bolt the doors. Mattie's was broken through. That was the first time Alfred saw the Zumbalo. Mattie was knocked back and they came inside demanding something in their own language. Mattie stood next to Alfred. They proceeded to yell at the alens they couldn't understand a word they were saying, but assumed they were going to be ruled by the 'Zumbalo' As they called themselves. Mattie was about to go peacefully, when his brother stepped up.
"No, Canada!" With a flash he pulled out a gun and started shooting. One of the creatures grabbed him around the arms and knocked his gun out of his hand.
"This house has been determined hostile. Kill all residents." Mattie imagined they would have said.
"NO! Stop please! Don't hurt them! Take me and I promise I'll come peacefully! Just leave this man alone." Mattie could only think about was getting the "Zumbalo" away from them.
The tension was thick the platoon leader seemed to considered this.
"Who are you to ask this of us?" He thought they said.
"Canada." Mattie's courage was fading.
"Are you the leader of the world?"
"No he isn't. I am." Alfred stepped in.
The Zumbalo grabbed Alfred refusing to believe anything other than that. They left leaving the nation with looks of full gratitude, sorrow, and pain. Just as the door was closing Mattie screamed for his brother. Al's last thought toward him was "stay safe."
Alfred still was taking in Mattie.
"How did you manage to stay away for all those years?"
Al was trying to remember where everyone else was…mostly dead or in hiding.
Mattie had no idea what he was talking about, but decided not to question.
"There's no time for explanations." Jake interrupted the reunion.
"He's right. We still have to find a way out of this place." Hero chimed.
Alfred became aware of the other people in the jail. He stood taking Mattie with him, afraid if he let go Mattie would disappear. He looked them up and down and smiled. He hadn't done that in a while.
"I've already tried everything. Nothing seems to work."
"There has got to be something." Jake was looking at the lock as if thinking 'how am I going to tear this apart?'
Hours passed. Everyone sat down again. Alfred was in deep thought, all the others were figuring out an escape plan, for when they get the door open.
If they get the door open.
"So, Moose, is that even your real name?" Jake asked, seeming to decide it was the perfect time to ask.
"No, I suppose it's not. Sorry I had a fake name, it just seemed right. My name is Matthew Williams."
"Why did you have a fake name?" Alfred asked, trying to figure it out himself.
"New place in an alien infested world just seemed fitting." He whispered trying to hide the fact he was lying, and a time traveler. The others seemed to accept that as a answer and went back to waiting and thinking.
Mattie started fiddling with the green laser pointer he received from the Doctor. Mostly he just tossed it from hand to hand, just thinking about everything and nothing.
Hero spotted the device and almost flipped a lid.
"What is that?!" Her voice was excited making all the others stare at Mattie.
"This? I don't know. This man I met gave it to me. He didn't have a chance to tell me what it was or what it does. Do you know?" Canada felt the excitement rise in him as Hero started to explain.
"This, my dear Moose, is a sonic device. I don't know what type, but it will still work. If I can just find the right tune..." Hero pushed a button and the bulb sprung up and emmited a shrill whistle sound as she held the device to the door. The lock clicked and the door opened. Everybody jumped to their feet. Hero handed Mattie the screwdriver.
"Great, now we can escape." Jake smiled, Hero beamed and Alfred was like a child again, bouncing around waiting to be told to stop and focus, like freedom was in his reach again.
The group rushed out of the door. Jake turned to look at the others when he noticed a person with platinum blond hair running after them.
"Abby what are you doing? Run!" The call came too late. They were surrounded. Everybody was grabbed, except Abby.
"Take them to the Leader. They are more trouble than they are worth. I think he might like some entertainment."
"We trusted you!" Jake was yelling. Trying to understand why she knew their language, not putting 2 and 2 together.
"We gave you our lives!" Hero was fighting and having frustrated tears roll down her face.
"Well there is your problem. You were too trusting. And that's what killed you." Hero suddenly had a thought.
"And you killed Danny! He figured out your secret and you had to shut him up before he could tell anyone!"
"Oh sweet Hero, you are so smart! He rode my tail, watched my every move. I slipped up, he connected the pieces. He was a liability."
"He was your friend!" Jake shot with venom.
"Oh you and your feelings, so easy to control. Simple and stupid, well, it seems this conversation is over. Bye now." And with that she turned her back and flipped her hair. Laughing as she went.
A/N: Good gravy that was long. Hoped you liked it. Don't kill me for the sad parts. It was what had to happen. Remember to review.
*This quote is from Avatar:The Last Airbender.