Sword of Damocles: Chapter 7
Written by Lynne (Maniacal Dragon)
-------- Lynne --------
Humans were supposed to stay blind. If they had to live, let them scurry about their pointless, narrow-minded existences, and stop trying to swarm at anything they didn't understand. Let them ignore it all. Let them release their filthy grip on this planet which still remained beautiful even under their assault.
We'd lost the Voot. Not even Zim knew, I guess, how thickly they'd had the base covered. I had no idea what some of the weapons they'd launched at us were, but they weren't something even an Irken Voot Cruiser could take, apparently. We'd taken off through the lot and into the woods, leaving the Voot where it had landed roughly tangled in the lower branches of the trees. I wanted to do something for them but there wasn't any time. We'd had to split up, and it was only through quick-thinking tricks of elusiveness on my part and Aubri's that we'd managed to avoid them at all.
Deep in the trees now, I paused a moment, leaning my forehead against an old oak, concentrating to try and get a handle on the energy lines that ran through everything get a sense of where they were, and where the patterns I associated with certain individuals were. That was important. Colors, feelings, vibrations, emotions, karmic links they all combined into complex auras that were pretty useful for picking someone out of the interweaved web of energy that criss-crossed existence.
They were all nearby. Relatively close to each other although Aubri was slightly harder to pinpoint; he was still employing that nice little trick of fading into the background and blending with the lines around him. AF and Purple they were a bit farther, I swear that Tallest had such a penchant for fleeing like a suicidal lemming or something. I shut my eyes tightly, looking farther. Red and Tabby weren't even in the woods I really hoped Red wasn't heading for a nightclub or something.
I pulled away from the tree and ran again, headed straight for the group.
I tried to keep my voice down, panting slightly.
THERE you are!! Zim said, pivoting around to grab ahold of my hand. He was up on his mechs, antennae swiveling back and forth urgently.
Be quiet, hissed Aubri, and JC made a sound that sort of resembled a squeak. A moment later we could hear them, crashing heedlessly through the bushes, breaking twigs, ripping leaves
We ran. At this speed I could hardly perceive anything except my breath aching in my lungs and my heart pounding in my ears. An uncomfortable throbbing spiked from my hand where Zim still held it in a death grip. I could keep up with him well enough, in the woods it was when we hit open ground that—
We stumbled out of the trees onto a backlot of someone's house. I vaguely sensed Aubri and JC right close to us, JC's breath coming as ragged as my own was.
You'd think a year in track would've done something for me—AAAH! JC didn't have time to finish her sentence before the group of us was hurried to plow on down the street, urged by Zim's hissed commands. He sure could be determined too bad there was only training, and not a whole lot of sense behind that determina—did he really have to yank my arm that hard? My thoughts were spinning. Were we doomed? Would we escape? Did it matter? If it had just been me maybe not. But while the members of our group were relatively free from prosecution, humanity afforded no rights or respect to anything it considered alien. My friends were aliens. The one little Soldier I'd taken under my wing and come to care about so much was an alien. I had a responsibility to keep him safe that I wasn't going to let go of.
Zim skidded to a halt abruptly, nearly causing the entire string of us to crash into him. Where did they go?? he demanded, his voice hushed.
Aubri smirked knowingly but didn't offer a comment. Zim glared at him before looking back once more, his crimson eyes glowing in the faint light. I tried to shake off his grip on my hand, looking at Aubri thoughtfully. I didn't know what he'd done either, but I could hazard a better guess than Zim could.
JC trotted up, holding her sides and panting. more exercise she gasped. I didn't echo her thought, but I was sure enough panting nearly as hard as she was. I much preferred paying attention to my mind than my body which I hated anyway. It was human. It needed food. It needed sleep. It was ugly. And filthy. And I could go on forever but I didn't really have time to focus on that now.
Don't worry they're gone, Aubri said, meeting Zim's gaze.
How do you know, Aubri-stink!? the Irken snapped. He finally realized he was gripping my hand and let it drop.
I led them off, he said simply, shrugging. But we still shouldn't stay around here
said JC, half-doubling over before straightening back up, her hands on her sides. She managed to remain there for a moment before sinking down against the wall of the nearby building. anyone got anything to drink? she gasped. She looked much the worse for wear which was how I felt. Good thing she hadn't had anything to take with her she'd wanted to bring the couch, I'm not sure why. I hadn't brought anything either heck the only thing I really cared about was wait.
I said, my gaze still on JC. Where's your fiddle?
Right here, Zim said with a sigh, and held the case up. It had been in his other hand. I breathed a sigh of relief. If there's one material thing I'm attached to, it's books well, or musical instruments. Especially that fiddle.
Tabby and Red weren't anywhere near us Aubri said. Neither was Bast. We got cut off from them.
What about GIR?? Zim demanded suddenly, a trace of worry crossing his face. Was GIR retrieved safely!? Was the Jendai??
I hope so I said absently, not giving free reign to the part of my mind that did not want GIR around. He was hardly beneficial to staying inconspicuous.
What about AF?? JC said.
She was they were oops I turned around, glancing down the dark streets. There was no trace of AF, or Purple. He'd probably dragged her off, not so much like a suicidal lemming as much as like a gazelle on steroids. He got panicky like that.
I blinked Aubri was already heading off down the street at a fast clip. Zim started following him without a word, walking without aid of his mechs now. I gave JC a hand up from the wall and we tagged along after. At least, until Aubri sped up then started running and Zim did the same. I didn't try to keep the pace for long, instead sinking back to a walk several feet behind them. I glanced over my shoulder; JC was several feet behind me, and also walking.
Zim fell back to walk beside me, his steps quick, and rather lighter than they usually were. He was still poised to run not that I blamed him. His entire base and mission had just been overrun by the enemy' maybe he wouldn't get them back. Deep down, I hoped he wouldn't, despite all the terrible implications of the situation. You know what they say there is no great loss without some small gain.
Hey, you guys slowed down or I sped up HI! JC said, breaking a smile to the two of us. I returned it weakly, but Zim ignored her. Aubri stopped for about half a second up ahead, then broke into a run, like he'd suddenly heard something. I groaned inwardly, but picked up my fatigued feet and ran after him.
And there they go JC mused to Zim. Mr. and Mrs. Lookit me run A moment later I heard the click of mechs, and Zim was beside me again, keeping pace, even pulling ahead. He was snickering.
And baby lookit me run too!! hollered JC.
Aubri didn't stop until he stopped very suddenly, right at the far edge of a street, beyond the houses. There was a very steep incline more or less in the direction we'd been running, and a lone hobo huddled up in newspapers. I stumbled up, panting for breath, and looked around for JC. I didn't see her she must still be walking.
Aubri said, looking at the hobo. Did you see a couple of people come by here
How did he know, I wondered, and then concentrated on getting my breath back.
One would be about yea high and has a skin condition?
said the hobo, swallowing, and pointed down the cliff face.
I really don't think Aubri said. A scream, from the distance, caught our attention. In another moment, Aubri was racing away towards it. Stifling a groan, I ran after him, followed closely by Zim. Streets whipped by, buildings, lights flashed in the corners of my vision, and it was getting harder to keep my line of sight trained on Aubri. I took to following him through the energy of his aura instead, and that was easier. I spanned my awareness out, trying to concentrate even as my pounding feet faded into a steady rhythm that I could no longer here. Something tangled among the energy lines ahead, something I was sure wasn't good—
I skidded to a halt next to Aubri and snapped my eyes open. The startled faces of a group of uniformed humans looked up suddenly, and a moment later at least a dozen guns were trained on us. The faint glow from the streelights flashed coldly off the gun barrels.
a harsh voice shouted. The humans suddenly straightened, and one swiveled his gun around to something beyond Aubri and I. he shouted. IT'S THE ALIEN!! A familiar, panicked scream cut the air. I reached out, but suddenly my perception was filled with interlocking, powerful shielding strands of energy. He was making a shield. What about Zim?? I glanced back at the humans. I could see them easily enough with my normal eyes; the shield was invisible, but in the state I was currently in, it swallowed my Other perception.
It's showtime, Aubri said, and I saw something in his hand. It was a blaster. Not a human-made gun, but an Irken one. Where the hell does he pick these things up!? I knew he was often rifling through Zim's base and equipment, not something I entirely agreed with, but at least he probably put it to better use than—a sudden explosion and outward spiraling of energy stunned me for half a second, I saw the humans' guns shatter, saw a few of them crumble to the ground, and then someone grabbed me roughly by the arm and dragged me away from the overwhelming influx of snapping energy and back down the dark streets, over the pavement, past the burning streetlights.
Only to be met with the rather confusing sight of a hobo rocking back and forth and clapping, and an over-eager JC hugging the life out of a gasping and breathless Zim. I stared.
He saved me!! JC was saying to Aubri. The hobo said they went down the cliff but then I looked and I didn't see them and Zim came running back here and ran into me and I almost fell but he pulled me back and saved me!!
crushed. ZIM!! Zim gasped, attempting to muster a glare but not doing a very good job. JC let him go and went over to Aubri. Hopefully they'd figure out what to do next in the meantime, I knelt down next to the distraught Invader and hovered a hand over his forehead. His aura looked a little tangled, but I willed it smooth, spreading it out.
He relaxed. Thank you.. he mumbled under his breath.
Guess I'll see where everyone's been so keen to travel to the hobo broke in, getting to his feet. He pulled the newspapers around himself determinedly and headed for the cliff. I stared. He stepped right off the edge and fell silently.
Aubri winced. Zim stared and threw a hand over his mouth. JC fidgeted nervously. And a moment later, a sickening splat sounded from far below. I pulled my perception away from the energy lines, not wanting to see what it looked like there. Zim scrambled to his feet and ran behind a bush, holding both hands over his mouth. For a Soldier, he sure had his weak spots now and then but that kept a spark of hope that he would get past the affliction of Soldier.
Aubri swallowed and raised a hand. All for chasing after AF again
Was that her screaming?? JC asked, wide-eyed. I mean, yeah! She raised her hand too. I lifted my hand briefly. Zim staggered out from the bush a moment later.
noises he moaned. I shook my head, then looked out past the houses, towards the street. A large black government van rolled slowly down the road, heading parallel to us.
I said. I think we better find a place to lay low.
Aubri said, and then he was off again. At least he wasn't running this time I started to follow him, but the truck in the distance took a sudden turn down the street nearest to us.
Wait, Aubri, the truck, I hissed. He nodded and faded from sight. It was a handy trick, blending in that well with the energy around you he didn't disappear, he just wasn't noticeable. I wasn't very good at that trick and I wasn't going to test my luck. I crawled under a bush after Zim, and JC took refuge behind another. Aubri sidled behind a large tree as a glaring searchlight swept from the street across the houses. I shut my eyes against its glare, unconsciously trying to meld my own energy and Zim's with that of the bush we were in. I have no idea how well it worked, but the truck passed by without incident, and moment later we came out of hiding, looking at each other. Aubri had managed to remain calm, despite having conveniently mowed down a row of government men. JC was as calm as JC gets and Zim well, he was putting on a façade. I felt sorry for him. He was straight and stiff, as befitted a Soldier I supposed. And yet his eyes belied his nervousness and his antennae were flattened against his will.
Now can we go after them? Aubri said.
You know where they are? JC asked, looking up from sifting through a stack of coupons that looked like they'd been lying in the alleyway for months.
Not really he said absently, looking off down the street. Where would they go, do you think? They'd want to be a bit away from everyone
This whole city is crawling with government people and alien-hunters, I said icily.
The DIB!! Zim said suddenly, in horror. This is HIS doing!! My thoughts stopped cold at that. It couldn't've been Dib. Months ago, probably, now, not likely. He'd learned. He must've.
They'd want to go where there'd be crowds Aubri said, ignoring Zim. Crowds are tough for those idiots to search through.
Where are there going to be crowds at this hour? I said weakly.
Oooo, $5 off a one-time purch—oh.. oh that's expired mumbled JC, rapidly sorting her coupons.
I blinked, then shut my eyes, trying to center my own energy and reach outwards. I was practiced enough in doing this, but even so, under a stressful situation it took me a few minutes. I heard the click of mechs behind me as Zim shifted impatiently. I felt his impatience as I looked out through my other senses, but I moved past him, moved past the rather disconcerting energy ripples caused by the searching humans, and spread outwards, recalling the feeling and aura of AF, and more vaguely in my memory, Purple's. I felt Aubri watching me and then imitating my trick, following my lead.
There she was wasn't she? The sheer noise of energy, heightened emotions, and extreme buildup not at all focused, just tangled, intermixing
said Aubri.
That's not music, I protested, opening my eyes. And pointed wordlessly. In another moment, we were off again, heading deeper into the city. The closer we got, the more a particular emotional field screamed to me—recognizeable as Purple by the sheer panic factor. Yes, he was there, and he was not happy about it.
A building with flashing lights and long tinted windows through which a writhing mass of humans was barely visible loomed up in front of us. It was sandwiched between a couple of taller buildings, but not without alleyways criss-crossing between. I stopped walking, every sense I possessed balking at going inside. Shouts and crashing, pounding music wafted out, playing harder my urge to shrink away.
Blasted humans I heard Zim mutter behind me.
Aubri said absently, also staring up at the nightclub. But they hide people so well. He backed up a couple steps. I don't want to go in there..
Me either, I put in nervously.
Ooo! I'll go! I'll go! JC said.
Yeah, JC can go, I said quickly.
HER.. Zim said.
I'm the eldest! she cheered.
Zim is, I corrected.
You are not! I am! Zim huffed.
Just go in, JC, Aubri said with a sigh.
I have a purpose!! JC beamed, and danced in through the doors.
Well, she's happy I said, staring after her. She quickly disappeared into the raving crowd.
A few moments of silence followed, and Zim looked around, antennae twitching nervously as he muttered to himself. GIR should have located me by now—
PUT US DOWN OR I'LL BURN YOU ALL!!! a familiar shout, barely audible above the music and the crowd, caught our attention.
CROWD SURF ME NEXT!!! JC screamed from inside.
I think I hear AF.. Aubri said, staring at the tinted windows.
So do I, Zim said, grimacing as if it were a severe annoyance. The crowds, outlined through the tinted windows, swarmed, moved in two directions, cheered, screamed, alternately stampeded a single corner
She's out back, Aubri said, and ducked into the alleyway. Zim and I stared. A black truck pulled onto the street.
I looked at Zim; his eyes were wide and his antennae were flat. Without thinking, I snatched up him and his fiddle and ran after Aubri. My foot slipped on a dirtied piece of paper in the alleyway, and I nearly careened into the wall. Zim was shivering, too panicked to protest being bodily hauled about. I saw AF and Purple slam their way out a side door from the club. They were disheveled and panting. Purple's eyes flitted back and forth. They widened when they saw me, but a moment later, AF leapt onto the tall Student, throwing him violently to the ground behind a dumpster.
he yelped.
she hissed. I looked behind me; I was still in sight if the truck passed. There was no place to hide, the alleyway was bare Aubri had already hid, fading from detection. My grip on Zim tightened; his small form was stiff with fear and he clung tightly to his fiddle case. I felt a spread of energy around me, and I flung myself down against the wall, drawing the strands of energy around me and attempting to meld out of sight with them. Aubri was doing it. If I wanted us to survive, I would do it too. I shut my eyes, concentrating on staying unnoticed.
I heard the crunch of tires on gravel, felt the light boring into the dark alleyway. A moment later, it passed, rolling on out of sight. A long time passed in breathless fear. I slowly began to relax, as I let go the strain of keeping myself hidden like that. I just wasn't used to it. I uncurled stiffly from where I'd been hunched over Zim. He was shaking harder now. Gods, poor guy. His entire world had been torn apart, and I knew better than anyone else how afraid he really was, on the inside. How much he dreaded failure and intensely feared what would happen to him. His grip tightened on his fiddle case.
They're gone I heard AF murmuring. I heard a deep, ragged sigh from Purple, and I looked up. Aubri was back in sight again, leaning hard against the alley wall.
You okay, everyone? I heard JC's voice faintly, as if from far away, but I could see her right there, coming from the side of the building.
guess so.. I heard Aubri say. I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts, and glanced around again. We were all back together—well at any rate I swallowed hard. Where had Jendai gone, and Bast what had happened to Ivy? To Tabby and Red? AF and Purple we'd found them JC and Aubri and Zim and I were all here Zim clinging to me and the fiddle in a terrified death grip.
I'm so glad to see you guys AF said, getting to her feet.
Where'd you guys all go? Purple said, as he climbed to his own somewhat painfully.
you ran like a bat out of hell JC said.
Aubri broke away from the wall suddenly and half-fell into the motion of hugging AF tightly.
she said, and hugged him back. she said in a confused tone of voice.
he replied, perfectly normally before collapsing.
JC and AF yelped simultaneously. Purple and I didn't have the presence of mind to do much but stare.
I hate late night runs Aubri mumbled into the ground. The two girls were at his side in an instant as he sat up wearily. AF hugged him, wide-eyed.
Are you okay?? JC asked.
Yes.. just never have me running from those things again..? He got to his feet carefully.
I'll burn them, Aubri-tam, AF said seriously as she and JC helped him up.
Okay.. now that we're all together I heard Pur break into the conversation. Now what? His expression was nervous and he kept fidgeting. His antennae were twitching like mad. I leaned back against the wall of the alley, vaguely surprised at how exhausted I was. Stress and constant running will do that to you, I guess despite that, I was surprisingly calmer than I had expected to be.
We need to get away from here I said absently.
far away Zim agreed, loosening his grip on me.
Why!? Are more men coming!? Purple practically yelped, his eyes going even wider.
More are always coming, Pur.. I said weakly. And they'll never stop until they find us. AF stepped over to Purple and hugged him tightly in reassurance.
Not up there Aubri said. He pointed upwards, vaguely. I followed his glance, staring p at the dark sky.
Home. We should go home, Zim said, his shaking calming down, being replaced by that tense, ever-ready demeanor.
Is it going to rain? JC asked.
Home!? RAIN!? Purple said, holding onto AF tightly.
Aubri said, his gaze never leaving the sky.
Zim's gaze was focused in the same direction, his antennae perked. Yes. Home he said absently.
Aubri blinked, looked away, then looked back at the group of us. Who brought those people after us? he said. A hundred government officials can't just turn up overnight to do alien searches.
This is the reign of Bush. They can do that now, AF said sourly, still holding onto Purple.
Too bad we can't pay a visit to Washington DC before we leave Aubri said, looking upwards again.
That one. Zim jostled my arm and pointed upwards. I jumped at the movement, then focused by gaze past his gloved claw. A yellowish-orange star shimmered in the distance.
We need to find some shelter right now though JC murmured, but I barely heard her. That orange star pulsated in my gaze, I felt the energy behind it, faintly, spread out almost to nothing over the sheer distance it seemed to grow larger, swelling to fill my vision, and I felt the sensation of falling. The alleyway was gone, only the night air whispered against me, the icy void of space I moved farther out, gathering my thoughts together and focusing my presence. It was very cold, but that didn't bother me, not here. My body was back there, down in the alleyway. I couldn't see it from here. But I felt so light, so free the falling sensation became one of flying, my mental presence spread outwards, focused on that orange star, and I spread my wings. They were there now they always were, when I wasn't locked into the human the cold numbed me, but I slowly felt my perception of my own presence fading into awareness. Only it wasn't the presence of my body. Not out here. A purely astral body was what I wore now, and it tended to this form I angled my wings forward, then unfurled them and launched outwards, my gaze on that star. I swept easily through space, moving outside of the physical realm of it. I felt a cold numbness bite at the edge of my mind, as well a sudden burning determination. My tail lashed, I tried to find something to grip with my insubstantial claws, but nothing was there.
My gaze snapped backwards. A spidery mesh of energy clung to my astral form, trailing back over a great distance, glowing faintly against the lines of energy all around it. It was stretched taught and thin. This was the line leading back to my body. I couldn't go any farther without stretching it to the breaking point. It was horribly tempting. I hated my body anyway. But to cut loose from it would be effectively causing my own premature death. In this numbed mindstate however, it was hard to care I was away, away from the demands and restrictions such a body imposed on me, away from the ties of my friends, away from the horrible, oppressive fools that swarmed after us
Something else spiraled suddenly along that link. Worry. Love. Fear. I felt energy from that nether source curling around me, trying to draw me back along the spidery lines. I felt a sudden rush of rage, destructive power that flew into my claw tips, and nearly started to rake at the link which bound me here. But the emotions, something I was free of here, kept pouring along the link. I recognized them. They weren't mine, but my concentration faltered, I allowed my thoughts to dwell too far on them, and a moment later, I was rushing back against that leash, plunging downwards into the dark trap once more. Everything went black.
I tried to move and I couldn't. Then, vaguely, I felt someone near me, and a moment later I opened my eyes. My perception of my own body was still faint, but as I struggled to focus on what was going around me, it swelled, filling in, and I was back again. I saw them around me. Purple was staring at me, AF was clinging tightly to him, her face hidden against his armor. Aubri backed up against the wall, sliding into a sitting position. JC was holding both hands over her mouth in an obvious attempt to mute herself, and Zim was latched onto me, his face buried in my coat. He was mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like don't go'.
I said, not thinking. I'm still here I hugged him loosely. He looked up wildly.
He forced a laugh and it caught in his throat. I was afraid you were.. eh.. asleep.
sleep.. bad idea now Aubri said. His eyes fluttered closed and he slumped over to the side.
AF ran over to him. Wake up!!
Awww Aubri, this is hardly a good time to sleep JC said.
Whaddya mean slee— Aubri looked up, stared at the group of us. He must be as exhausted as I am, was my first thought. The dark and dirty alleyway was no good place to stay. A searchlight aimed at the right angle I shivered.
We have to find a place that's safe, Purple said nervously, twining his long fingers together.
The library, AF said as she struggled to pull Aubri to his feet. It's locked and there's a window to the basement that's hidden
I said absently. A smile tried to appear on my face but didn't make it.
Good, I guess Aubri said.
Zim can get it open with his mechs, AF added. I got to my feet, swaying slightly. My limbs felt numb and I still felt like I wasn't quite there a bad aftereffect, I supposed, of leaving so far from my body. Zim got up, his mech-legs sliding out so he was more or less level with me.
Are you in need of help? he asked, though his attention was back on the street.
Not me, I'm I'm fine I said distantly.
JC, help Aubri stay awake, said AF. Purple? Are you okay?
The Tallest was gazing at Aubri blankly. He blinked suddenly, then looked at AF abruptly. the library will be perfect. Come on.
The six of us filed stealthily from the alleyway, keeping a wary eye around. The library was at the edge of this end of town, hopefully that area had already been searched. And hopefully, they wouldn't search it again. I knew, with a cold feeling in the middle of my stomach, that we'd have been found and caught already many times over if it hadn't been for the unexpected supernatural tricks' we employed. I wondered if it was laying heavy on Aubri at all, those piles of little white ash that used to be government guys he'd left.
Purple's antennae were up and swiveling; he jumped erratically at every little movement or sound as we crept along. AF, walking beside him, eyed him warily. Stop that, Pur, she grumbled.
I'll try, A— he jumped again.. He swallowed nervously, his gaze on her flamethrower, and rubbed his arms. But her attention was on the road now, watching for any motion or people.
My vision started to clear a little bit, and my steps grew a little more sure. Zim tagged next to me on his mechs, watching me. I gave him a look, his antennae went back a bit. You scared me, he muttered.
oh yeah. I had done something ridiculously stupid, hadn't I? Sorry about that I do things without thinking sometimes. Dumb things.
He nodded, his posture straightening again. be mindful.. of how we.. care.
This whole thing has you really spooked, huh I said, gazing down the street.
My.. my base has been.. Zim glared out at the empty street, his demeanor becoming more purposeful and Soldier-like. he said tightly, as if he were trying to make sure that was all he let loose.
There it is, AF said, pointing ahead. The library was a large building, a little aside from the rest of the buildings on the street. As it so happened, this meant that it actually had grass and a few bushes around it unlike the buildings in the deeper city. We stole over towards it, and AF headed straight for the back, dropping to her knees and fumbling the branches of a bush aside to reveal a small window right above the ground. Zim, open it.
Without a word Zim got down off of his mech legs, strode over to the window, crouched, and aimed the tips of them at the pane. A silent streak of blue heat lanced between the tips, and the window fell inwards neatly. We all tensed at the soft clatter that followed. No one dared to even speak a word even JC was being quiet. Aubri was probably too exhausted to say anything, as was I Purple too frightened, and AF and Zim just too determined. Alright, well by then I could hear Purple muttering some nonsense about raindrops
Lynne, you first, AF said. I blinked, then crawled over to the window, wondering if I would be able to fit through.
Hurry, Lyn! Zim said urgently, stealing closer to the wall of the building. Purple had moved out away from it, watching down the street.
Purple! Get back here! AF hissed, and I squirmed in through the window, before falling a short distance and landing at an angle, and none too quietly, on the floor. My hand hit the fallen window, and I gripped it, dragging it out of the way as I quickly scurried through the dark to the basement wall. Aubri crawled in after me. I heard sudden hisses and urgent whispers.
JC, GET THE F*** IN THERE! AF's shout was barely restrained, and a moment later JC thunked in through the window. I huddled against the cold stone wall, unable to move but I stretched, looked outward yes, sure enough there was another truck approaching. I heard scuffling. A shadow blocked the dim light coming in, and then Purple was shoved through. Zim slipped in right after him, and AF followed.
Somebody put the windowpane back! AF whispered, crawling away from the landing spot. I reached out, touched on the pane, got a splinter, and dragged it back over to the open window. Standing up and stretching as far as I could, I was just able to hold it back in place where it had been. Zim, hanging above with his mechs, quickly used them to weld it back in place. I dropped it with a shaky sigh and sunk back down against the wall. The stone was very cold. I shivered. Zim darted across the ceiling, mechs flashing, and returned to fasten some dark cloth over the window. And not a moment before the glare of a searchlight hit it from afar.
The basement was plunged into complete darkness. I heard the skittering of mechs, and then felt Zim next to me. I reached out to ascertain where he was and touched his arm. He was shaking.
he attempted to say something, but it didn't come out. I felt another sharp pang of sadness for him.
Are th-there any b-blankets in here? JC said, her teeth chattering. It was really cold in here like a dead cold freeze that seeped in through the walls. It was probably just the fact that we were underground but that didn't help matters.
books Aubri said distantly.
There should be.. this is a storage basement.. I heard AF, muffled somewhat. How the heck did she keep so calm? Most of the rest of us were a shaking wreck I would be, except I was just too exhausted.
That doesn't stop there being books
A gloved hand touched mine, and a moment later something roughly oval-shaped was pushed into it. As my fingers closed around it, it lit up, bathing the immediate area in a soft glow. Indeed there did seem to be books boxes upon boxes of them. Along with a lot of other stuff I couldn't see in much detail, as the range of the glowing light Zim had given me was mediocre at best. I saw JC digging through some piles of junk, and AF collapsed against Purple with her eyes closed. The Tallest was holding onto her tightly, his antennae straight up in panic and his wide eyes glowing in the darkness. JC moved farther off into the piles of junk.
We're alive... Most of us, Zim said beside me.
Yeah.. we don't know where Jendai or Bast or Red or Tabby are
Or Ivy, Zim said, a tinge of guilt in his voice.
I Zim bit his lip, antennae back. I left her with the Dib His eyes darted sideways to Purple nervously as he said this, but the Tallest didn't seem to notice. I felt a rush of relief. They hadn't caught Ivy, then
He'll take care of her, I said with a sigh. No worries about that Zim's only answer was a distraught silence. He didn't trust Dib, not at all I wondered why he left her with him in the first place. He probably hadn't had a choice.
JC returned carrying blankets. You want one Aubri? she proffered one to him.
Zim got to his feet, grabbed a blanket from JC's arms, and returned to spread it over me. His determination, I noticed, hadn't really flagged at all.
Purple was saying, finally noticing the Faslami girl dead limp in his arms. AF? Did you say something? She only mumbled. JC handed the two of them blankets. Purple wrapped a blanket around AF tenderly.
Hey are we going to be looking? Like, taking a watch or something? JC asked, looking around at the group of us.
I will take first watch! Zim spoke up.
You will, Zim?
Yes. I will.
I'll never get to sleep anyway Purple mumbled.
I can watch without looking.. I ventured.
Wow I've never seen a group of people so eager to watch out for each other, JC beamed. A couple of eyebrows were raised at her. Oh, oh we can do this in shifts, she said. Lynne can take first watch since she'll fall asleep anyway, then Zim or Pur or whoever wants to take the next watch can which one of you can stay up the longest? Or doesn't mind being woken up?
If my Tallest, wishes, he can take watch before I, Zim said.
Okay Pur can have second, Zim will have third, and I'll take last no sense in waking up Aubri or AF, they've done enough
And I, I thought to myself, did nothing except drain myself by doing something exceedingly pointless and stupid.
Me want watch mumbled AF.
you need sleep! Purple began worriedly adjusting the blanket around her again.
You sure AF? JC said.
Me want watch.. me go insane too much sleep AF drooped back onto Purple again.
okay we can make it a five-person shift, and you can watch last, it'll be like rising early in the morni—oh.. oh you're asleep again that was kind of a wasted speech.. JC sighed.
Speech at these times is wasted anyway Zim mumbled next to me, and curled up. He sounded dead tired. But the others seemed to agree with his statement I set down the little oval globe, and we were once more plunged into darkness. Several long moments passed, the silence disturbed only by faint rustlings of people shifting around in various rugs and blankets.
Anyone think we're going to survive this AF's finally voice broke, tinnily, through the darkness. She must've woken up again.
'Course we will I murmured, though I could barely stay sitting up.
I do not know Zim said next to me.
I hope so said Purple fearfully.
No doubt in my mind, said JC. All we have to do is be prepared!
We'll do alright.. I said. Another fear was edging at my mind we couldn't lose hope. If we lost hope, we wouldn't survive this.
If only I had my base Zim almost whispered.
I said, keeping my voice low. The government has it now..
My Voot.. Zim's voice was small, choked, as if he were fighting to keep the emotion out of it. Their.. their filthy.. human HANDS all over it!!
Unnerved, I gave him a loose hug. He didn't seem to notice it. I could feel him shaking, and his voice bridged on hysteria. Touching it!! They'll destroy it!! He swallowed hard and made a concentrated effort to keep his voice low. gone the base GIR.. the.. the Voot everything I want to.. His voice trailed off shakily. There was more he wanted to say, more he was thinking more he was feeling but he couldn't say it he never could. He'd get past those blocks someday maybe if we survived. If we even made it through this night. The silence and darkness that pervaded the basement seemed to speak worlds of what I was feeling. You never know how desolate things are how truly alone you are until you have to run from your own society, hide in your own home. We had to get off the planet. There was nowhere left for us to go