Innocent until Proven Guilty
Chapter 7
Waking up, Marco realized that it was now nighttime. Late, and if he had any idea, very late.
Marco mumbled to himself, Am I turning nocturnal now? Once again, he curled up on the odd looking couch, just for the fact that he had nothing else to do. Maybe if he waited a bit, the sun would rise and he could get the scoop on what was going on here.
A cry from outside jerked Marco from his thoughts. The windows were shaded and the house was almost soundproof. Almost. Throwing open the door, he gaped at what he saw.
There were people fighting all over. One group of people were those that they knew, the ones that looked like Garben and Shactli. The others were a weird burnt orange color, with tight fitting outfits of black on.
As it appeared to Marco, the ones in the black were an army, and they were attacking this town. A blast of a bomb or something landed no less than five feet away from Marco, and he hastily slammed the door shut.
Breathing hard, Marco realized that this town was under attack. He jumped up to warn Garben, Shactli and Shirler, but then he realized that he had no clue where they were sleeping. He had gone to sleep right away, and obviously they had gone to sleep in another room.
And he didn't want to risk walking in on one of them when they didn't want him to.
Sighing, he lifted up a shade on the window. They were taking prisoners, he realized! Now he didn't care if he walked in on one of them, even if this was some sort of odd game. Turning around, he went to warn them, when he ran into Shirler.
Marco said, as he bumped into her.
What's going on? she asked, pushing past him and going towards the windows, What was that noise?
She glanced outside and gasped, We have to warn Garben and Shactli! They warned me of Terikas Followers.
Huh? Terikas Followers? Marco followed her down a dark hall.
Kind of like the Klu Klux Klan of this world. I explain later, Shirler replied, and then she went into a room on the left side of the hall.
Garben! It's the Followers! she yelled, making Garben sit straight up in her pajamas, which were made of a simple blue fabric.
Rachel would shove that girl to the nearest mall, Marco thought, and a pang of loneliness hit him. Hard. Even though he knew it really wasn't time to feel sorry for himself, he suddenly realized how alone he was. He knew no one.
Well, except Shirler. But she was going to kill him the next chance she got so Marco figured that she probably wouldn't count as a friend.
Or would she?
Shoving his thoughts aside, he focused on the problems at hand. Unknowingly, he had followed Shirler and Garben to Shactli's room, where Shactli had taken charge.
Grab your pack, Garben, and get something for Shirler! Here, Marco, get this filled up with some of my clothes, Shactli ordered, handing Marco a pack.
Marco quickly filled the pack up with some plain shirts and pants, and ran the direction that Shactli had taken off to with his stuff. Marco went that way, and found himself in a small kitchen.
Shactli was there, throwing some food into a bag. Realizing how hungry he was at the sight of the food, he set his pack down and started to help Shactli.
After they had hurriedly filled the packs with food and drink, Garben and Shirler appeared.
Hurry, hurry!! Shactli whispered, Into the cellar.
The group filed into the cellar, a dark and cold place. Shactli lit a small fire in one corner, and Garben brought some blankets.
Now what do we do? Marco asked, worried.
Now all we can do is wait. Shactli replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shirler shivered as Garben handed her a blanket. After thanking her, Shirler wrapped herself up in it, still virtually freezing.
The cold had never been a good thing for Shirler or Morgan. As a Yeerk, she hated cold because it could kill her, and as Morgan, the feelings toward the cold were the same. If there was one thing that Shirler and Morgan could agree on for sure, it was that cold could kill.
Morgan's younger brother, Alexander, had died two years ago when he was caught out in a raging snowstorm. The family had lived in Northern Canada at that time, and when the child had been found frozen to death five feet away from the house, they had moved to the U.S.A.
When they had moved to this town, the Sharing had sought out the entire grief stricken family and infested them. That was also when Shirler had received her first host. Morgan taught Shirler that there is more to life than infesting, and somehow, had become her friend.
Not that Shirler or Morgan would ever admit that.
Suddenly, Shirler felt a tap on her arm. Looking up she saw Marco standing there, wrapped in a blanket. Garben and Shactli were talking in another corner about, Shirler supposed, their parents.
Shirler asked, and winced at how proper she sounded.
I just wanted to say something, he whispered, glancing at Garben and Shactli, They said that we shouldn't trust these Terika Follower people, and I agree. But, even though I trust these guys 100% more than those other people, no one said than we had to trust them fully right away.
Shirler nodded, I take it you've been betrayed before? she whispered back.
Don't ask.
Sighing, Shirler continued, Well, that says one thing. As much as I hate to say this, we have to trust each other. And that means no more stereo-typing.
Marco raised an eyebrow, Hey, you stereo-typed as much as I did. But anyway, you're right, unfortunately. Peace?
Shirler replied, For now. The two of them shook on it.
Marco shuddered, Ugh. That is too formal for me.
Oh, yes, I have to tell you something. Shirler said, carefully keeping her voice lowered.
Marco said, sitting down.
Well, I learned from Garben that the sky isn't usually pink. she whispered, If that's true, than I think I know why it turned that color.
Kandrona rays. As you probably know, the color of the Yeerk sky isn't pink, but we have enough Kandrona rays to live, as long as we're in the pool. But when massive amounts of Kandrona rays are distributed to an atmosphere, the sky turns slightly pink.
Marco's mouth dropped open, You mean...
The sky here has turned so pink that it's almost maroon. Because of this, I can survive out of the pool. The rays go straight through my head. Well, Morgan's head.
While letting that sink in, Marco fell silent. Shirler looked around the dusty cellar while he thought. It was big enough for everyone to be comfortable, yet small enough that it didn't take up to much space. There was the food rations that Shactli and Marco packed on the far wall, and spare blankets on the closest one.
But, if that's true, that means someone must be preparing us to..... Marco spoke up.
Shirler shook her head, Not us. Me. You aren't affected by Kandrona rays, and it might have been an accident that you're here. When I went under that weird spell, I felt like dropping everything, but I concentrated on holding on to your arm because the Visser would kill me if you were able to escape.
Yeah, and I can't tell you how glad I am for that.
Oh, be quiet. Shirler said, fighting back the urge to laugh, I'm tired.
Go to sleep then, Marco said, standing up, I'm not tired, but then again, I just woke up, so I'll go try and get something to eat. Im starving. With that, he walked away.
See? Morgan said, I told you that it would be easier to trust him.
Be quiet. Shirler stubbornly replied, I'm doing that for security's sake.
Morgan laughed, Uh-huh. I think Shirler has a crush....
You idiot! I'll still kill him. Once this is over, there is no deal between that kid and I, and I will kill him. Shirler shouted, barely suppressing her anger.
Fortunately, Morgan knew when to back off. Shirler was angry at herself for getting so emotional. Why had she gotten so angry at Morgan? Shirler knew that Morgan was just joking, so why had she blown up like that?
Was it because Morgan was right?
Chapter 8
Marco slowly ate a pastry that Shactli had given him. It was okay, he supposed, but that was really the last thing on his mind. He had just made a deal with the enemy.
What was he, insane? Marco knew that it would be easier to travel not thinking that Shirler was going to kill all the time, but still! She was a Yeerk, and if Marco had learned anything in his time in the war, it was that most Yeerks cannot be trusted. Aftran and Illim could, and others that were in the peace movement, but as Marco knew, Shirler wasn't in the movement.
It was strange, though, how he was almost positive that Shirler would keep her word. But it was the almost that bothered him. That almost' could get him killed.
Glancing up, Marco saw that Shactli was asleep, as well as Shirler. Garben was guarding the door, with some kind of knife in her hand. She appeared very worried, and Marco stood up and went over to her.
What's wrong? he asked, nodding at her weapon.
I have to be prepared if the Followers come. Garben said simply, not taking her eyes off of the door.
Marco said, By the way, I was wondering. Where are your parents?
They are in the army, Garben said, shocked and almost outraged, it seemed.
Marco grinned sheepishly, Sorry, I've lost my knack for knowing when to keep my mouth shut.
Garben nodded, It is hard, I realize. You had better get some rest, you're only distracting me.
Marco shrugged and sat back down in his spot. He really did not like that girl. Or Shactli, either. They were too cocky, acting as if Marco and Shirler were helpless and that they didn't know anything.
Well, they didn't know anything, but Marco certainly wasn't helpless. But, of course, they didn't know that, so he couldn't really blame them, could he?
Personally, he didn't care. All there was to do was sit around and talk to the wall. Oh boy, what fun. The four of them were stuck in a small cellar that smelled like dogs lived in it, and they were waiting the arrival of the famous Terikas Followers'. Joy, joy.
Sinking lower into his blanket, he slowly closed his eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The man stood there, smirking slightly. His brilliant plan was falling into place perfectly, no one could disrupt it. But the time had come for him to push the girl in the right direction.
Casting a insignificant spell, a small power escaped. After being imprisoned, his great powers had been reduced greatly, and he could not control anyone. All he could do was give slight hints, telling someone one thing or another.
Well, that was all he needed. The man sent the spell into the mind of a general, one of Terikas followers. Enforcing the spell, he told the man of where four small children were hiding away, just waiting to be discovered. As the general speed off in the direction of the home in which the children were hiding, the man settled back in his chains and grinned.
Soon his plan would be under way, and he would get his revenge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No! I want answers NOW! Visser 3, leader of the Yeerk Empire on Earth screamed. He was upset at not receiving answers for why a controller suddenly disappeared, and also a seemingly petty human boy.
The controller hesitated, Grand Visser, I believe that maybe Shirler 374 had somehow discovered the Andalite bandits, and they destroyed her for it. Perhaps the boy saw as well, and they destroyed him as well.
Visser 3 eyed the controller suspiciously, There is something that you aren't telling me. I know, and if you wish to live, you will tell me what it is this moment.
The controller, Iness 226, shuffled his feet nervously. Almost inaudibly, he replied, The boy was the biological son of Visser 1.
Visser 3's eyes lit up, A coincidence? No. You think that this boy was one of the Andalite bandits?
Yes Visser. If Shirler 374 had killed him, the Andalite bandits wouldn't even think of holding her until she died. They would have killed her instantly.
Do you have a plan, Iness 226? You appear to.
Iness 226 nodded his human head, I plan to watch the boy's family and friends very closely from now on. Sooner or later they will most likely lead us to the answers we need.
Good. Visser 3 said, Are you also working on infesting them? The tragedy of the boy disappearing is perfect.
Yes Visser, I am.
Excellent. I am expecting to have the Andalite bandit's soon. With that, the Visser cut off the signal. Trembling, Iness 226 walked slowly out of the room. Since his human form was the Vice Principle of the school where Marco, the boy who disappeared, went, he had all of his, and his friends records.
It was time to find out if the theory was correct.