Wow, this story is getting quite long isn't it…? Lol! Xx Thanks for reviews people please let me know what you think of this chapter!
See first chapter for disclaimer
Chapter 14: The Keymaker
As she realised what was happening, Hannah increased her speed until she was running so fast she couldn't even see where she was going. She would have kept going at this rate until she reached Sarah, had she not collided with someone halfway through a room. Immediately assuming the worst, without looking she struck out and back-handed the man across the face. However before she could do any more damage her raised arm was caught and someone shouted at her,
"Artemis, what the hell are you doing?" She recognised the woman's voice, and her free hand automatically flew to her mouth in dismay as she slowly turned to look.
"Uh…hey Trin," she stammered, trying to sound casual. Morpheus straightened, still reeling from the powerful blow she had dealt him, massaging his stinging cheek with his fingertips.
"Oh shit, Morpheus, I'm so sorry…oh god…"
He cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows. "Well it's reassuring to see you on guard." Hannah blushed deeply and became very interested in the floor panelling.
"At least you're looking alright," said Trinity, trying to change the subject. "They haven't hurt you, have they?"
"No, no – not yet, anyway. We've been being chased by these two guys for ages, but it's OK now. I've lost mine, I threw him off my trail a while ago, and Sarah's just been saved by the bell if I'm reading her mind straight."
"You mean she's here?" Asked Morpheus, surprised and more than a little confused.
"Yeh…didn't you know? Whatever tracing thing you used to find me should have shown her too…that's weird…"
"It did, but I came here not very long ago and overheard the Merovingian saying that she wasn't here. I also heard him mentioning the Virus Twins, that's why I didn't stay, and went back for Trinity."
"The Virus Twins? Is that what they're called? No wonder. They're impossible, they can do practically anything!"
"Sounds like it's a good thing we came," commented Trinity. Hannah nodded.
"So where is Apollo now?"
OoOoO
I shut my eyes and braced myself for the worst as my silent attacker closed in on me. But just as I could sense him about to do something, the door opened and I heard someone shuffle in. I dared to open half an eye, and saw that, for some reason, the man in white had resumed his solid form and was looking to his right. I followed his eyes and saw a small Chinese man standing nervously by the door. He wore a brown leather jacket and had several bunches of keys hooked onto his belt. The silver man was looking at him in a distinctly annoyed way. He turned back to me and hissed,
"I'll deal with you later." Then he turned back into a ghost and sank through the floor. Intrigued as to who could have caused him to give up, I glanced at the newcomer and he stepped closer. I looked him up and down.
"Who are you?"
"I'm the Keymaker. Who are you?"
I was about to say 'Sarah Anderson', but paused as I remembered Morpheus' words from way back on the Neb.
"The name Thomas Anderson represented his identity within the Matrix. In letting go of that identity he let go of the Matrix. Sooner or later, you're going to have to choose. Are you Sarah Anderson? Or are you Apollo?"
It was the first time I had been asked my name since having my mind freed, and decided to use it as an opportunity to make the decision. I raised my chin and looked him in the eye. "Apollo."
His face brightened. "Ah! Apollo! I've been waiting for you."
"You have?"
"Yes. I have something for you. But you have to keep it a secret from the Merovingian."
"Hang on, so…you're not on his side?"
He smiled. "I'm under his command, but not his influence. I think we are in the same boat." I nodded and mirrored his smile. I was beginning to like this strange little Chinese guy.
"So what'cha got for me?"
"I'll show you." I started to follow him out of the room when Hannah struck up a conversation. I had been alerted when she encountered Morpheus and Trinity only seconds earlier, but hid it, as I was unsure how far I could trust the Keymaker.
Are you coming Sarah? Morpheus and Trinity want to get out of here as soon as possible.
I know, but I've just met this guy called the Keymaker and I think he may have something useful to show me…ask Morpheus if he'll wait, will you?
He won't be pleased, but OK…
There was a brief pause before she continued: He says we'll wait, but not for long. I think they know who the Keymaker is and Morpheus says you could be right about him being useful. Just hurry up!
Okay, okay, I'm hurrying! How long will you wait?
5 minutes, then we'll go back to the ship. We can't follow you 'cuz Morpheus wants to stay near the exit. But now they know where you are they can link up your mobile so give us a call when you need to get out.
Right. Will do.
I was being led downwards, which was the direction I had been aiming for originally to find a way out, but the Keymaker took me much further than I expected. Soon we were right down in the cellars, ending up in a long arched stone corridor. It was very cold and damp, with droplets of water dripping from the ceiling here and there. It smelt musty and the air was thick; our footsteps made small splashing noises as we picked our way through the light covering of water on the floor.
The room into which he showed me was obviously his workshop. Behind the iron door, the tiny room was made claustrophobic by what had to be several thousands of keys hanging on the walls from floor to ceiling. In the centre was a small table with a machine on it, presumably for cutting, and a bucket stood nearby with discarded metal shavings in it.
As I looked around in awe he rubbed his hands together and began to count the hooks to find the one with the key he wanted. There were several keys on each hook, and the one he pulled out for me had been at the back. He smiled knowingly and mischievously as he held it up to the light. It looked like an ordinary key to me, albeit very new and shiny.
"What's it for?"
He was about to answer when we heard voices and footfall at the other end of the corridor. He jumped and thrust it into my hand, closing my fingers firmly around it.
"It will fit into any door. Use it as soon as you can, and remember to shut the door behind you. Don't tell /anyone/ I gave you this."
"Um, ok…where do I go?"
"Away, now! Go! Don't let them catch you!"
He pushed me out of the door into the corridor, then shut himself in. I heard the machine start up. I could see figures starting to approach down the corridors; among the voices I recognised the Merovingian.
Oh shit.
As I stood debating what to do, I saw an arm raised and someone pointed at me. They began to run, and so did I. I looked around for a door, but there were none except to the Keymaker's workshop. Luckily I found a stairway at the end of the corridor, but I had already done so much running that day my legs were reluctant to take me up them quickly. I heard the voices getting louder and, panicking, jumped the last two steps to find myself in a small hallway with 3 doors. I plunged the key into the nearest lock and went through, remembering to shut the door behind me. Trying to understand the significance of the key, I assumed it was just an easy way for me to escape pursuers. How wrong I was.
I looked around and registered how dazzlingly bright the room was. The floor, walls and ceiling were all glowing with white light, and in the middle, a few feet away from me, was a single black chair. It took me several minutes to recognise the person sitting in it. The key dropped to the floor as my hand went limp and I stumbled across.
This can't be real. Can it?
I put my hand on his shoulder and said softly,
"Tom?"
