Notes:
Hi everyone! Sorry that you've been left in the loop again but I've finally got the motivation to post another chapter. Many thanks to the people that have reviewed, favourited/liked and stuck with this story despite months of going without an update. You are the main reason that I have chosen to continue so I appreciate you all! I cannot promise that updates will be consistent from now on but hopefully the next chapter will come faster than the others as it flows right from this one.
I am also going to explore what the Flu has done to Eve in terms of intelligence and abilities. I understand that not everyone might be into that but please stick with me, I'll try not to make it ridiculous.
WARNINGS: The usual nastiness.
Cold. That's the first thing she notices. Burning her skin, gnawing into her fingernails. Eve's eyes snap open in shock, recoiling against the chill, only to see nothing but darkness. She tries to move, tries to get up, but something holds her down, pinning her down. She thrashes, desperate to throw off the weight, but it doesn't relent, pushing her even further into the murky blackness.
Trying to get her bearings, she blinks rapidly, arms scrambling to get a hold of something. It's no use – all she can see are dark blurry shapes, her fingers scratching and slipping against the hard bottom.
Her eyes fill with black spots and she realises she has been holding her breath. Her lungs ache and she feels her pulse throbbing in her head.
No, no, no!
She coughs, desperately trying to keep her mouth shut tight against the black.
Please, she thinks. Please.
But it's too late. Her mouth opens and the dark floods in. She fights against it as hard as she can but it doesn't matter.
As she slowly drifts away, she swears she hears something roar.
Eve opened her eyes to the sound of growling, her body covered in a cold sweat. She didn't jump up or scream – she was too used to the nightmares for that – and instead slowly sat up, gently moving Sky into her lap. Sky was already awake, staring at Eve in alarm. Eve could sense Bad Ape watching her as well, his eyes peeping over the top of his blanket from across the room. Luna was circling Eve, pacing back and forth with her hackles raised.
Eve sighed. She'd obviously been thrashing around again.
"It's okay sweetheart," Eve murmured to Sky, stroking her face. She patted Luna firmly on the back. "Settle Lu."
"I'm okay," she said louder for Bad Ape's benefit. "Just another nightmare."
Bad Ape nodded rapidly. "Me too," he exclaimed as if it was the coolest thing ever.
Eve bit back a laugh. He was so funny, even if he didn't mean to be most of the time.
"Oh cool," she chuckled. "Anything fun?"
Bad Ape's face fell. "No. Bad, very bad." He paused. "Cold. So cold. And dark. No light."
Eve's gut lurched and she swallowed, her throat dry. Surely it couldn't be ... "Cold? And dark? Is there anything else you remember?" Her voice dropped an octave. "Was it ... Was it the labs?"
He shook his head. "No, no. Different. Different bad. Different scary."
You're telling me, Eve thought. She shook her head, shaking away any thoughts that suggested that their dreams might be connected. No matter how eccentric she was and prone to overthinking that was just crazy.
"It's alright," she said soothingly. "It's normal to have nightmares sometimes. Probably something to do with the weather or something we ate."
You know better, a voice completely removed from her whispered in her head. She ignored it.
Bad Ape nodded, trusting whatever she said.
Luna growled abruptly and they all turned to the door expectantly. Though Sugriva was out on night watch, they were still expecting Travis, who'd stayed back in the courtyard to keep an eye on things.
Keeping an eye on Koba, Eve's brain corrected.
Ever since the chess match between her and Caesar, something had definitely changed. It wasn't immediately obvious – all of the other apes still treated her the same, whether it was keeping their distance or outright ignoring her existence – but the others? Caesar, Luca, Cloud, Rain, Rocket, even Koba? No, there was definitely something up.
Sure, they treated her with the respect that Caesar had insisted they show her but there was a new wariness that hadn't been there before, a watchfulness. She wasn't invited to the fire anymore, nor did Caesar seek out her for advice or conversation. Cornelia and Maurice spoke to her and she was still allowed to help with the children but her exclusion from the inner circle hadn't gone unnoticed by either human or ape.
In truth, Eve wasn't completely innocent herself – she'd been watching them as well, paranoia gnawing away at her. Nor had the cougar incident helped the situation considering they all thought she was a human terminator now. If it hadn't been so young or injured she would have been screwed, that she was sure of.
Now all could she think about was who killed the human that day? Did they all have something to do with it? Or was it just Koba? Or was it any of them? And who was the human? Had been a soldier or just some innocent caught up in all this? And was she next?
Maurice was the only one she somewhat trusted and she wasn't even sure if she should. He had been the one to help them, hadn't he? He'd been the one she'd told her secrets to and she was certain that he hadn't told anyone else. Surely, he wouldn't have done those things if they were just going to kill her in the long run?
Luna growled again, her whole body pointed in a stiff line towards the door, the hairs on her neck raised. The fur flap remained closed.
Eve felt her body go cold again. There was no way it was Travis that she was growling at. Luna adored Travis. Banshee maybe? He had been away a couple of days. But why would Luna growl at him? No, this was something different, something serious. Eve never doubted Luna's instincts.
It's them, she thought but then again who was them? Apes? Soldiers?
Quietly getting up, she handed Sky to Bad Ape, unsheathing one of her knives from her belt. Ignoring Bad Ape's whispered pleas not to go, she crept up to the door, blade extended in front of her.
Eve could have laughed; it was such a horror movie trope, going to answer the door when everything possible was telling her not to but then what was she supposed to do?
To hell with it. Let's scare them. Striding towards the door, she smacked the furs out of the way with the back of her hand to reveal ... nothing.
The Village was quiet, only a few scattered campfires down the valley showing any signs of life. Luna sniffed the air, apparently finding nothing. You need to calm down, Eve told herself, shaking her head. She probably just scented an animal. Your paranoia is not helping anything.
Relaxing slightly, Eve turned to go back inside when Luna barked suddenly, snarling and growling. Eve whirled around, just catching a black shape scuttling down the path, ducking into the woods beyond.
Eve gasped, her shout choked off. She thought about chasing after it but she rooted herself to the spot. Somehow, she knew that would be the worst thing she could do. She sharply called Luna a halt seeing that she had gone to make chase. "Not today," she murmured down to her, "not today."
Ducking back into the hut, she waved away Bad Ape's panic with the excuse that it was probably just Banshee trying to scare them, swiftly plucking Sky off him and holding her tightly in her arms. She would have loved to believe that it was Banshee, she really would, but she was done with lying to herself.
She toyed with the idea of telling Caesar or the gorilla guard about what she had seen but dismissed it out of hand. If it was Koba or another ape, they would say that they had every right to walk around their village. And if it was a human, then how the hell would they have gotten into the Village without anyone knowing? And would the apes think she had something to do with it?
No. Travis was right. She was just making excuses. Whether it was one or all of them, someone was out to get her.
She might not know exactly what was going on but she did know one thing - a trap was closing in on her.
Sugriva yawned, his eyelids drooping. He could feel himself swaying on his feet and he shook his head irritably, trying to wake himself up. The sun was creeping up far too slowly in the sky and he willed to go faster so he could go to sleep.
There was a snap of twigs underfoot and he stiffened, alert. There was a soft gurgle and he relaxed. Luca.
He liked Luca. In a lot of ways, Luca reminded him of his father, of how strong and calm he was. He couldn't look at Luca without thinking of him. It was weirdly very comforting.
Luca gave a soft hoot in greeting. All is well? he asked him.
Sugriva nodded. There had been a few apes milling in and out of the Ape Gate during the evening but they'd eventually tapered off as the night drew in. No one was allowed out after dark unless under specific instructions from Caesar. Well, unless your name was Banshee, in which you could come and go as you pleased. He thought he had heard Luna barking in the distance at some point in the night but other than that he'd seen or heard nothing.
Luca gripped his shoulder warmly. You have done well. Very proud of you.
Sugriva shuffled awkwardly, a little embarrassed. He wasn't good at taking praise but he appreciated it anyway. He wasn't a full silverback yet, being only eight years old, but he wanted to work hard, to be the big and strong gorilla his father had been. It's why he had wanted to be in the Gorilla Guard so badly - he liked the idea of being a part of the wall that protected the Village.
Thank you, he signed, swiftly looking away.
Luca smiled. It is true. You are young and have more to learn but you are a good ape. He paused. Have any of your family been outside today? he asked, too casual.
Sugriva ground his teeth. He knew what Luca was actually asking – or rather who he was asking about. Ever since Eve and others had discovered the bloody rock in the woods, Luca had started asking more and more questions about her. The other gorillas in the Guard seemed more suspicious about her too, taking care to watch her every move in and out of the Village.
My sister, he said with deliberate emphasis, watching Luca's eyes widen slightly, has been going out with Sky and Travis. I think they've been swimming in the river.
Luca made a face. Not being able to swim, most apes hated the water, finding Eve all the stranger for swimming every morning. She should not go into the woods, Luca said disapprovingly. The woods are dangerous for a human. Especially with her young.
Sugriva suppressed a snort. Travis and Luna always go with her, he reminded Luca. Besides, she's not helpless. Apes do not call her Lionslayer for no reason.
Luca huffed in amusement. Koba called her that. No one else called her that until he did. He looked at Sugriva searchingly. I like you Sugriva. You and Jambo are good apes. But you must decide whether you are apes first. Whether you will put apes first and yourselves second. Do you understand?
Sugriva swallowed nervously. Did he know that Sugriva had lied to him when Eve and the others went into the woods that day? Did he know what they had found? He forced himself to nod. I understand, he said meekly.
Luca wasn't done. You must think of the whole village before yourself. Even above someone you love. He stared at Sugriva meaningfully.
So Eve and Travis were right – the apes were suspicious of them. Sugriva cut straight to the point. Eve does not want to hurt apes, he said angrily. You do not need to watch her all the time. She has proven herself a friend to apes!
Instead of reprimanding him, Luca looked at him sadly. I believe you. But others do not. You all need to be careful. The more she asserts herself, the more apes will fear her. Koba will take any opportunity to have her banished or worse.
Or worse? Sugriva suppressed a shudder. Thank you, he said sincerely, knowing that Luca was truly trying to help them. He glanced at the sky; it was almost dawn. May I go?
Luca nodded mutely and, without waiting to be dismissed, Sugriva turned for home as fast as he could.
Sugriva was turning the corner past the stables when he saw Eve coming in the opposite direction, Bad Ape trailing behind her. She had her backpack slung over her shoulders and he could see the white wispy hairs of Sky's head poking out from inside. They must be going swimming.
Sugriva called over to her and she lifted her head, raising her hand at him. He was about to warn her off going when a horrible screech rose from the stables. There was a babble of panicked ape voices and suddenly the wall of the stable collapsed with a sharp crack, a horse barrelling right through it.
And straight towards Eve.
Sugriva scrambled forward with a roar, knowing he would never make it in time. Eve turned towards the horse in alarm, just managing to shove Bad Ape behind her, staring down the horse barrelling towards her.
Sugriva wanted to scream at her. It was so like her to think of literally anyone else before even considering something sensible like running away. Run! What are you –
Time seemed to slow and Sugriva felt something rush over him, an alien and powerful wave vibrating in his skull. His ears rang and every hair on his body stood up. His eyes rooted to Eve's face, he could see her lips move slightly. While he couldn't 'hear' the word, he could see it, feel it, in his mind, the powerful urge to STOP.
And, incredibly, the horse did, skidding to halt right in front of her.
Sugriva stared incredulously. The horse, completely out of control just seconds before, was now standing calmly with its head lowered, looking down at the ground. Eve gaped at the horse for a few seconds, as shocked as he was that had worked. Watching the horse cautiously, she surprised Sugriva by reaching out her hand and stroking its head, talking softly to it. To his shock, the horse, apparently soothed, leaned its head into her hand.
Other apes began gathering around, hooting and gibbering excitedly. Picking their way through the shattered stable wall, Sugriva was surprised to see most of the males in their hunting attire. The horse must have broken free while they were preparing their horses for the hunt.
A panicked-looking orangutan scampered to Eve's side, his hands flying wildly as he apologized over and over again. Sugriva recognised him as Barbar, the ape in charge of the horses. None of the troop hadn't spoken to him much as he was almost always in the stables but he was friendlier to Eve than most apes.
Eve waved him off, insisting that she was fine and it was just an accident though Sugriva knew her well enough to know she was hiding the shaking in her hands behind her back. The males were signing to each other and Sugriva could see they were stunned that she had not been trampled.
I am sorry Lionslayer, Barbar said, ducking his head respectfully at Eve, this one is very wild. He huffed, trying to pull the horse towards the stables. Does not like to be ridden.
Eve's face flushed. "It's fine and you can call me Eve," she mumbled bashfully, helping him lead the horse along. She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she effortlessly guided the horse with no trouble.
Rocket shook his head in amazement. That one never lets anyone touch it! It always bites and kicks!
Barbar agreed. Maybe it likes humans better, he said, observing how relaxed it seemed with Eve.
In the background, Koba scoffed and Sugriva shifted his body protectively as he walked beside Eve, blocking her from his sight. The last thing he wanted was Koba to ruin things for her. Again.
"Maybe," Eve said. She ran her hand down its mane, the colour reminding her of her original auburn hair. "It's beautiful," she exclaimed. "What is its name?"
Barbar made a sound in the back of his throat close to a chuckle. We call him Biter.
"Biter," she repeated, liking the sound of it. "Nice to meet you, Biter."
You should ride him, Barbar suggested. He won't listen to apes but he might listen to you.
Sugriva saw her squirm and he almost laughed. What the apes didn't know was she was terrified of horses, having been bitten by a wild one during the years they travelled with Big Poppa and Mama. They'd caught and eaten the horse but Eve had carried a grudge from that point on, complaining that horses were nervy and "bitey".
"Oh that's fine –" she was about to insist but Barbar had already turned to Caesar beseechingly.
Could she Caesar? Barbar asked. If Biter does not find a rider he likes he will be wasted in the cooking pot! It would be good to have another rider anyway. She can help with the hunt.
Caesar's eyes shifted towards Eve, staring at her intensely, probably looking at her for the longest time he had in a while. She stared back at him; her gaze unwavering but not challenging. He glanced briefly at Sugriva and he couldn't help but look away from the King's gaze. He didn't know how Eve was able to do it without breaking.
Eventually, Caesar gave a curt nod and Eve offered him a small smile. Koba went to say something but Caesar cut him off, signalling for the males to continue getting ready for the hunt.
Eve watched them go, a bittersweet expression on her face, and Sugriva knew that she missed the days where she at least had Caesar's trust. In an attempt to distract herself, she turned back to Biter, cooing over him. Bad Ape held back behind her, looking at Biter from a safe distance. Sky stared at Biter curiously from her backpack and Eve drew her closer, a genuine smile blooming on her face as Sky giggled at the feeling of Biter's mane on her fingertips.
Feeling Sugriva looking at her, she lifted her head and smiled at him. "Hey Griva," she said. "Was there something you wanted to tell me? I thought you were gonna tell me something before, you know, Biter interrupted."
Sugriva considered the deep bruises underneath her eyes and the sadness in her face when Caesar had walked away, contrasting it with how happy she looked now. After weeks of paranoia and sleepless nights, he decided it could wait.
He smiled. No. Nothing at all.
"Please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me," Eve pleaded under her breath.
She was perched stiffly on the Biter's saddle, directing him into a gentle trot. It was her sixth day of trying to ride Biter and it was going horribly. She tried guiding him around a corner but he stumbled slightly on a stone and she couldn't help letting out a little squeak.
She could hear several of the apes snickering from behind the fence. As usual, Rocket and a few of the males were watching with amusement, tending to their horses. Several of the children were thronged around them, sneaking glances at them and her. Though none of them were technically stablehands, they thought nothing was funnier than watching her attempt to ride Biter without squealing. Bad Ape was holding Sky, who watched her mother's every move with fascination.
It would help if you didn't sound like a mouse every time you rode him, Rocket offered unhelpfully.
Eve pulled a face at him and he snickered. While he didn't trust her completely, he was good-natured and didn't mind if she teased him back.
Barbar ignored them, staying focused on Biter. You need to relax, he complained. Your nerves make him nervous.
"Easy for you to say when you haven't had your fingers nearly bitten off!" Eve retorted. She didn't care if it had been five years ago – as far as she was concerned, horses weren't to be trusted.
Barbar sighed. He had no time for her whining. You seemed brave enough when he almost trampled you! Why is it any different now?
Because I was still safely on the ground and not on top of a ton of muscle, she thought bitterly. Nevertheless, she nudged Biter in his side to move forward, trotting in a neat circle.
There! That's better! Barbar exclaimed excitedly. Try it again!
She did, successfully guiding Biter into a loop. Despite herself, she beamed at Barbar and he grinned back.
That's good, now we can –
"We done here?" Travis interrupted. He had jumped across the fence and was scowling over his shoulder.
"Why?" she asked, only just clocking Koba leading his horse out of the stables as she said it.
"Should go," Travis murmured, trying to pull her down from the saddle.
Her skin lit up where his hand gripped her arm and she suddenly felt something snap. So what?! she thought. Why do I have to hide? I haven't done anything wrong!
Frustrated, she yanked her arm out of Travis' grip. He gaped at her in shock.
"I'm not going anywhere," she hissed. "He can go if he's got a problem."
Flicking the reins, she turned back to Barbar, ignoring both Travis and Koba. "What should we do now?" she said way too eagerly.
Squirming at the tension, Barbar didn't answer for a second. Could practice a gallop, he finally said.
"Great!" she chirped enthusiastically. She suddenly didn't feel as scared anymore. She had something to prove now.
"Trot," she murmured to Biter. He didn't move. "Trot," she said again. Nothing. Some of the males sniggered at her from the sidelines. Looking over, she could see Rama and Eshu openly sneering at her, egged on by Koba's groupies. Towards the back, Cloud looked at her sadly and he took a step forward as if he wanted to say something to her. Koba himself had stopped atop his horse by the gate leading into the woods to watch her almost as if he was waiting for her to do something.
Eve flushed with anger and she nudged Biter to face them. Don't worry. I'll show you all something.
"Trot." This time there was no question what she wanted and Biter obeyed, jolting forward. A smile slowly crept across her face and she nudged Biter again. "Canter," she ordered him and he compiled, speeding up into a gallop. The males, seeing them careening towards them, suddenly weren't finding it funny anymore and desperately scrambled out of the way.
Leaving just enough time to really scare them, she allowed Biter as close to the fence as she dared before pulling the reins into a left turn. Obeying the jerk of the reins, Biter turned away from the fence and towards the open gate into the woods where Koba was waiting with his horse. For a second, she could the males' faces gape in shock as they flew past them, dirt kicked up into their faces by Biter's hooves, and she laughed. How's that for a good trick?
Leaving Koba open-mouthed at the gate, she urged Biter on into the woods beyond, going faster and faster with each bound. She giggled wildly, the cool air blasting her face with the smell of flowers and pine leaves. She'd never felt so free and she felt going on forever, flying through the woods. But then, seeing Sky's face in her mind, she reluctantly drew Biter to halt, turning him back to the Village.
Leading Biter back into the stables, she held her head high, expecting at least begrudging respect from most of the apes. See, she thought, I'm not some useless human. I can ride a horse too!
However, seeing the look on their faces, she suddenly felt the smugness draining out of her. Standing silently, they scrutinised her warily, deliberately giving her and Biter a wide berth. Sure, they weren't mocking her anymore – but they weren't proud of her. They were afraid of her. Even the children, her reliable little friends, stared at her with big, scared eyes.
Eve's heart dropped. None of it had mattered. She hadn't proved anything. It didn't matter that she'd been given her own horse and proven herself a capable rider. All it had done was scare them more.
It was only after that that she got a new name from the apes, one much less respectful than Lionslayer, a human word that was rarely used or understood but they thought suited Eve: witch.
Cloud rolled the berry between his fingers, trying to force himself to eat it. He sat underneath an oak tree outside the village, sunlight filtering through the leaves, warming his face. He'd been chewing quite happily on the berries he had helped himself to from the fruit basket in the courtyard when he spotted Eve and Luna walking down to the river, Sky perched on her shoulder. She hadn't seen him but his gut twisted with guilt at seeing her and he suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.
It wasn't fair how the other apes treated her now. She didn't deserve to be called a witch or to be shunned by most of the apes just because of what they thought she might have done. What they thought she was.
The other young apes had asked Rain and him about the trip to the woods, what it was like being with the human. While the younger apes were more tolerant of her, they still thought of her as something strange, treating her a bit like humans would an ape in a zoo. They obviously hadn't been able to tell them but based on the tension between Koba and Eve when they came home, apes made their assumptions. It didn't help that rumours – which Fox was only too happy to pass around - were going around that Blue Eyes had been shamed by Eve in front of her troop and Ash when they caught them going into the woods. So, when apes started whispering about the incident with that wild horse along with her unnatural white hair and the killing of the lion, Blue Eyes had no problem joining in with the others calling her a witch but whether he really meant it, Cloud was not sure.
She hadn't done anything wrong. He knew that. But that was the worst part - deep down, Cloud knew that this was all his fault. If he had just told Caesar or Maurice about what had happened in the woods that day, everyone would know the truth and they would know Eve was innocent. But he couldn't. If he had, he would have hurt her, hurt Rain and other apes. And still could if Cloud or Rain said anything ...
Cloud shuddered. He knew that he was still watching Rain and him. He could be watching him right now for all he knew. He had told them that no one would believe them if they said anything but if that was true, why was he still threatening them?
There was a soft hoot and a thump and Rain jumped from the trees, landing in front of him. She'd been watching him from the trees for a while now. Working up the nerve to talk to him or looking out for him?
He glared at her. He hated how easily she had lied, acting like everything was okay when Eve was getting her life destroyed and apes were being put in danger because of them. Go away Rain, he told her. Leave me alone.
Why? she pouted as if she didn't know. I thought we were friends. She skipped closer, eyeing the berries in his hand. Share, I'm hungry –
Before he realised what he was doing, he batted her hand away, snatching away the berries in his fist. "No!" he cried, his shout strangled by the hoarseness of his throat. I said go away! Rain is a traitor! he finished angrily.
Rain's face crumpled. Am not, she said sullenly. You know what he said! He said he would hurt us!
Cloud shook his head. He won't stop. He will hurt human and ape.
Rain hooted indignantly. He won't! He promised he wouldn't hurt anyone else if we didn't say anything! The human could have been a threat!
Cloud growled, throwing his hands up in frustration. He wasn't a threat! His leg was broken! He just wanted to kill him! He is crazy! I don't trust him. I don't trust you!
He shoved her hard and she fell to the ground with a shocked gasp.
Cloud is a good ape! he exclaimed. Caesar is a good ape! And Eve is a good human! I will tell them everything!
Rain's dark face went oddly pale and she shook her head desperately. No! You can't! He'll punish us! They won't believe you anyway.
Then I will bring them proof!
Spinning around, he sprinted into the woods, ignoring Rain's calls for him to come back. Now wasn't the time to be a coward. He was going to be a brave ape. And he was going to fix everything.
Cloud huffed in annoyance, kicking at random rocks on the forest floor. He'd circled the same patch of trees for what seemed like hours and found nothing. He was sure this was the same place where he had killed the human male but there was no sign of him or the rock that had been used to kill him. Cloud had been hoping to find at least the rock but it was nowhere to be seen, just like the human's body.
He stopped short. If the man's body had been taken, maybe the rock had been taken to the same place. But where? He thought back to when it happened, wincing at the memory of screams and blood, how he had swooped down on them and dragged the human's corpse back from where he had come when he was done. Could that lead to where he was hiding the human and rock?
Looking around to get his bearings, Cloud walked tentatively in the direction he thought he had gone. He began to think that perhaps he had made a mistake when he caught the faint whiff of a sickly-sweet scent. Quickening his pace, the smell got stronger, thickening into the unmistakable stench of decay. This had to be it.
In no time at all he found himself stumbling into a clearing, the trees receding behind him. And there, right in front of him, stood a single wooden house. A human house. He shivered. He knew of this place, even if he had never seen it himself. Scouts had told stories of finding a lone human house in the deepest part of the woods. Apart from scavenging from it once during their first year in the woods, no one would go near it, insisting that something about the place was bad. Naturally, no ape went near it, usually shunning the area entirely.
A good place to hide something, Cloud thought.
Ignoring the urge to run away, he forced himself towards it. Be a good ape. Brave. For family. He darted to the cabin door, glancing at the windows adjoining it. The smell became unbearable and he could see a constant stream of flies flowing out of them, especially the one on the right. Swallowing down his revulsion, he crept towards it. Peering in, it was all dark and he could see nothing clearly except for a dark shape laid across the floor.
Wait, there, that's him, that's the human –
"Cloud - bad ape …" a familiar voice hissed from behind him.
Cloud turned just in time to see the rock he'd spent all morning looking for smashing down onto his skull.
Eve was at the halfway point between dreams and consciousness, feeling the darkness cocooning itself around her. She felt cold again but this time it was a different cold, the kind of cold you got from wearing wet clothes. Her lungs felt heavy but she could breathe, albeit with difficulty. She could hear whispering, not understanding the words but somehow knowing it was about her. It reminded her of the lab, being strapped down to steel tables and being forced to breathe in whatever poison the doctors wanted her to take while they stared down at her, murmuring to each other about tests and results.
She had spent roughly a year in the 'human' sector of the lab. When she was first captured, she'd been forced to play nice, enduring the branding and the needles and the restraints, knowing that Breck could have Amber brought there at any second. That was until she had made a deal with the devil.
2020
"Taylor."
Eve ignores him, staring straight past him through the bars of her cage. She isn't military anymore, she doesn't have to listen to him.
"Taylor!" he snaps. "I don't have time for this shit!"
She drags her eyes upwards despite herself, meeting his flat blue ones. Even now, the Colonel can boss her around. He looks surprisingly sad.
He shakes his head in disappointment. "For fucks sake Taylor. You really couldn't just leave it alone, could you?"
She doesn't say anything. That's the only thing they can't make her do.
He sighs. "I don't blame you. Really, I don't. With your sister and everything, I understand. I knew you would be smart enough to figure it out." He pauses. "Not it matters much to you but you should know I don't approve of this. At all. If it were my choice, I would burn this place to the ground. The human race is dying. It might be slowing down but it's still happening whether it's by the virus, war, starvation … And this place?" He looks around in disgust. "All it is doing is killing even more of us. Valuable human lives. Even people like your sister."
She bristles at that. 'Even' Amber?
"All to deal with this 'medically'," he says mockingly. "For a cure. Not that is what Breck is actually doing." He notices her look. "But as I said I'm sure you'll figure that out on your own. If you live long enough." He sighs again. "Such a waste. I would have put my money on you making it out of everyone else."
"What do you want?" she croaks, her throat battered and sore from the respirator.
"Ah yes, I digress. I'll get to the point." He crouches down to her level, coming close to the bars. "Your sister."
Her stomach drops. "Amber?"
"Yes. Don't worry, I don't want to hurt her. In fact, I'm offering the exact opposite. We'll be rotating and soon they'll have another unit guarding this godforsaken place. I'll be taking Daniel with me of course. But I can take your sister too. I'll have to make her kitchen staff or something like that but I can take her."
She stares at him disbelievingly. "Why would you do that?" she says after a while.
"As I said – you're a good soldier Taylor. If it was my decision, you wouldn't be here. However, my superiors think this is a better use of resources so it's out of my hands. But I can save your sister."
She swallows. What is the point in thinking this through? There is no hope for her. No one is coming to save her. The people that were supposed to have saved her have imprisoned her. But if she can save Amber …
"Okay," she whispers.
He nods once and briskly gets up, going to leave. "Good choice. I am sorry about this Taylor. I really am."
"Wait!" she calls and he stops, turning to face her. "Doesn't Danny know about this? Surely he'll come for me?" She hates how pathetically hopeful she sounds.
He shakes his head slowly, looking at her with almost pity. "We told him you had gone berserk. That you followed the convoy and shot a soldier, ranting about conspiracy theories so we were forced to lock you away. He wasn't happy about it but he accepted it."
He accepted it. He accepted it. He accepted it.
The words, so cold, rattle in her head.
"No," she mutters. "No!" she says louder, refusing to believe it. "You're lying!"
He shakes his head and turns to go, walking away from her and out of her life.
"No! No! No! Noooooooo!"
It takes her a long time to stop screaming.
The whispers picked up at the memory, becoming a constant drone in her head, almost like a rumble. Panic pulsed through her and she tried to twist away but something was holding her firm.
"It's coming," something whispered in her ear.
"Wait? What? Who?" she shrieked, trying to escape the impossible grip over her.
There was a pause and everything went silent. And then – "White bear."
The sound of screaming and roars clashed together horrifyingly and she finally broke free, her hand immediately flying for her knife, bringing it to … Travis' throat.
She blinked, her surroundings coming back into focus. The late morning sun was shining through their hut. She was sat bolt upright in her bed, her knife to Travis' throat and Sky … oh God … in her lap, staring up at the knife.
She instantly dropped her arm and threw the knife away from her, the blade skidding across the floor. She could feel her eyes burning with tears and she buried her face in her hands, rocking herself. One little nightmare and she had almost killed Travis and possibly could have hurt Sky. She was just like those poor deranged people they had left behind in the labs.
"Oh my God, Travis I'm so sorry. I can't believe I … Please, take Sky, it's not safe …"
She felt him crouch beside her, gently pulling her arms from her face. "It's okay," he murmured against her protests. "It's okay …"
More tears streamed down her face and she threw her arms around Travis, shocking them both. It was so nice to feel someone else's touch even though she had shunned it for so long that she didn't think of the consequences. He relaxed into her arms and she sobbed into his shoulder, feeling his arm snake around her.
Sky let out a squeak, getting squashed between them, and Eve immediately let go although Travis was slow to do the same.
Wiping the tears out of her eyes, she looked around. Luna was there but where was Sugriva or Bad Ape? Had they already gone out? Bad Ape never went anywhere without someone to accompany him. "Where is everyone? Was I asleep that long?"
Travis' face darkened. "Eve we have to – go. They're coming for you."
The air whooshed out of her and every single scar on her body tingled. It's coming. "They?" she managed to choke out.
"Caesar and the council. They want to see you." He hesitated, avoiding her demanding stare.
"Cloud is missing."