Chapter 9: Welcome aboard
''Hurry!'' I urged Throbb to fly faster, fearing we wouldn't make it in time.
''Stop screaming into my ears señjorita, I'm flying as fast as I can.''
The last boxes were just loaded into the hold. We didn't have much time left.
Throbb turned on the turbo mode and dashed through the opening. I had to hold on tight to his neck fur to prevent me from falling off. Undiscovered we slipped past the workers into the interior of the plane. By accident, Throbb hit the head of a man who was about to unload another metal box. It dropped right out of his hands and fell with a crash on the floor.
''Watch it, Russell!" another worker snapped at him.
"Sorry," he said, "but I think something just hit me.'' Confused, he looked around, but Throbb and I had hidden well between the already loaded cargo.
Russell's colleague rolled his eyes in annoyance. We don't have time for this nonsense. We gotta go!'' And with that, the two men withdrew and the cargo door was closed. Turning everything dark.
Minutes later we heard the sound of a starting engine and then we took off.
"Where is this thing heading anyway?" Throbb asked.
"No clue and doesn't matter.'' Not caring if he was following me or not I began running around the boxes, trying to find my friends. ''Shade! Orestes! Are you here?'' First there was no answer until I knocked on one of the metal boxes on the ground. ''Guys?''
''Vanessa, is that you?''
''Shade?'' Oh, how glad I was to hear his voice. ''Shade, is everything alright? Are you ok?''
''I'm fine'', came the voice from inside the box. ''Chinook is with me and a bunch of other bats.''
''Don't worry. I'll get you out there.''
The cage was closed with a simple hook closure. All I had to do was to release the hook from the anchorage and the door could be opened. Question was, how to reach it? I turned around, looking for Throbb. But the Vampyrum was nowhere to be seen. Great! Just when you needed a giant bat, it wasn't there.
Compared to the pleasant warmth of the artificial forest, the outside temperature was freezing cold. And even though it was daytime, the sun seemed to be unable to do much about it.
Marina needed to hurry. Not because of the weather. For that, she got a sufficiently thick fur. But she couldn't keep flying around out there. Sooner or later, she would be seen by a bird and hunted down for breaking the law.
Beneath her, the human building was glittering coldly in the bright sunlight.
''Free,'' she thought bitterly. "I am free.'' Yet, she had never felt less.
Hopefully, Vanessa and Throbb had been quick enough to get on board before it took off.
She didn't trust the meat-eating bat but she trusted her friend. And if she was willing to risk letting him take her to where she couldn't go by herself then so be it. Besides, Vanessa was right. Someone needed to tell the Silverwings what happened. Frieda would certainly know what to do. They could fly south, into the direction of the flying machine, and look for Shade. Yes, that's right.
Finding the small entrance wasn't easy. The building looked different in daylight. Unviting, with no magical bat melody to lure her inside. It was just a bunch of metal and stones. Like all human buildings.
Eventually, she recognized a part of the roof they flew over when they arrived at this place. A few minutes later, she found the entrance hole and headed directly towards it. Only to stop merely centimeters before it. What was she doing? She couldn't fly inside like this. She would just be trapped again. Marina glared hatefully at the building. All she wanted was smash that thing to pieces.
Wait! That's it!
She quickly glided low over the ground, seeking the largest stone she could carry. Finding the right one, she grabbed it with her claws, flew up, took aim, and dropped it. Marina watched the stone fall and hit the center of a glass pane. Nothing. Not even a scratch. Again, she picked up the stone, struggled to reach the top, and dropped it on the same spot. Harmlessly it bounced off.
Disappointed, Marina laid back her ears. This left her only one choice. She had to go through the hidden trapdoor again. But how should she and the others get out again? The door only opened in one direction. But maybe if she...
An idea popped up in her mind. One more time she flew low over the ground. This time looking for a stick, thick and not too long. She grabbed it and flew through the entrance.
Inside, she crawled carefully through the tunnel. Her eyes fixed on the ground. She could still remember how Vanessa was the first to fall through the trapdoor because she didn't pay attention to where she was crawling. Soon she found the hatch and kicked it open.
Quickly before the door could close again, Marina pushed the stick in between and squeezed herself past it into the inside. The stick wobbled a little but stood firm. Satisfied, Marina turned to the forest and began searching for Frieda, Ariel, and the others.
Somehow I had to get on top of the cage. From above it would be easier to release the hook. Unfortunately, the walls were too smooth to climb and my fingertips didn't reach the top. Even if I stood on my toes.
''Is everything okay out there?'' Shade asked.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I just need to figure out how to get to that lock.''
"Can't you stand on something to reach it? That was Chinook.
"I'd love to, but there's nothing here. Wait!'' Among all these cages there were also other stored items. One of them being a small filled bag that I could pull over and use as a stool. I rushed over and grabbed the string attached to it. It was heavy but not too heavy for me to pull it over to the cage with Shade and Chinook inside.
''Alright,'' I said. ''That should do it.''
The lock was still high up, but with a jump, I managed to grab it and used it to climb on top of the cage. From there I lay down over the edge on my belly and fumbled the hook from its anchorage.
''Got it!'' With a smile, I watched how the sliding door was pulled open and bats came scurrying out.
There were at least two dozen with two familiar faces among them.
''Guys, up here!''
Shade and Chinook, looked up hearing my voice and smiled, spotting me on top of the cage. I smiled back, feeling so happy to see them alive. But then I noticed the devices on both of their bellies. And not just them. Every one of the bats had a metal disk sewed on their belly plus a metal button stuck to their ear. ''How sick of my kind to do that to them'', I thought and jumped down from the cage and on the sack below.
''Did Marina come with you?'' Shade wanted to know.
I shook my head. ''No, she flew back to warn the others and get them all out.''
''How?''
''Don't know. But I'm sure she will think of something'', I said.
''Then how did you get here?'' Chinook asked.
''Throbb carried me inside before the door was closed,'' I explained and saw Shade's eyes widen hearing this. ''Throbb is here?'' he asked.
''I know. Not a great idea to bring him. But I had no other choice.''
''Where is he?''
''No idea'', I confessed ''I kinda lost track of him while searching for you guys.''
Chinook looked at us puzzled ''What's wrong? Who's Throbb?''
Shade sighed. ''Remember how we told you and the others about the two giants bats?''
He nodded.
''Well, Throbb is one of them.''
''What?'' Chinook was shocked. ''But didn't you guys said he was dead?''
''We thought so'', I said. ''But it seemed he survived somehow.''
''And Goth too. Unfortunately.'' Shade glanced around, looking worried to see the Vampyrum prince jump at them at any second.
''We need to get out of here!'' he said.
''First, we have to make sure to free you from these things'', I replied while pointing at the metal disks on their bellies. But Shade shook his head. ''That has to wait. It's better if we leave this place first and get back to the other Silverwings.''
''No, you have to get rid of this right now.''
''Why?'' Chinook asked alarmed.
I hesitated, not wanting to tell them. But I knew I had to.
''They put bombs on you.''
''WHAT?!'' both males exclaimed, getting the attention of the other bats around.
''What's going on?'' a Brightwing asked.
I sighed and turned to him and the other bats. ''Those things on your bellies are bombs. They will explode and kill you.''
Chaos erupted among the bats. Everyone started screaming and flying around in panic and fear. I tried to calm them down but it didn't work. The turmoil even got louder from the screams of the bats still locked in their cages. They must have heard the bad news from the others outside.
''Everyone, please calm down'', I tried again. This time adding more determination to my voice.
''If you are not careful you may activate it.''
''How you could you do this to us human?'' a Silverwing male, who I didn't recognize from Shade's colony asked while glaring at me with bright yellow-green eyes.
''Hey, don't blame me for what other humans did to you'', I protested. ''We are not all the same.''
The Silverwing wrinkled his nose, clearly not agreeing with me.
''Please, no fight.'' Shade said, stepping between me and the other bat. ''We should hurry to get those things off and get the hell out of here.''
I nodded in agreement and took a closer look at the bomb stitched on his belly. ''I think all we have to do is cut the threads that hold them to you.''
''But how?'' Chinook asked.
''Good question. Maybe if you use your teeth you could bite yourself through them. In the meantime, I will go free all the other bats.''
''I'll help you'', Shade said and waved off as I tried to protest. ''It will be faster that way.''
''I'll help too'', said Chinook which honestly surprised me a bit. Nevertheless, I agreed to their help and together we began unlatching the other cages. As I had thought, not only bats had to go through that ordeal. Owls did too. Explaining to them what was going on and asking them not to harm me or any of the bats wasn't easy. But luckily Orestes was there to help.
During the next few minutes, all animals were busy with either freeing each other from the bombs or opening more cages.
Nearly everyone was liberated by now, as something on the side caught my attention. It seemed like something was moving in the shadows. Thinking it was Throbb I nearly called out his name but stopped as I saw who it actually was.
That was what Throbb had been doing while I was looking for Shade.
He had opened Goth's cage.
Marina wasted no second. She had no idea how long her stick would hold the flap open. Hopefully long enough. A cold wind blew through the opening into the artificial warmth of the forest. It was afternoon by now and apart from a few exceptions, most bats were still sound asleep.
But that should now change. Without consideration, Marina raced through the forest, looked into every tree and under every branch, and woke up everyone she could find. Soon the sky above the treetops was filled with hundreds of confused and grumpy looking bats.
''What's this all about?'' Arcadia made her way through the crowd until she was just before Marina. What drove you to make such a racket at this hour,'' she snarled.
"I'm sorry. But you all have to get out of here. Now.''
''What? Listen here young one. I have no idea what got into you but...''
''Marina!''
She turned around and noticed Ariel and Icarus flying over to her.
''Thank's Nocturna you are alright.'' Ariel sighed with relief. ''Where did you go? And where is Shade?''
''And where is Vanessa?'' Icarus added, looking worried.
''She is safe'', Marina panted, completely out of breath. ''But the humans have captured Shade and did horrible things to him and the other missing bats. We need to get out of here, otherwise, they will do the same to us.''
Nervous murmuring broke out among the other bats.
''Horrible things?''
''What is she talking about?''
''Everyone please be calm down.'' Frieda Silverwing had made her way to Marina and the authority in her voice immediately brought the desired effect. Within seconds everyone was quiet again. And dozens of eyes gazed questioningly at the young Brightwing.
''Please, tell us what happened,'' Frieda asked her.
As soon as Marina's breathing recovered a little, she quickly told them what had happened to her and her friends and how they had managed to get out of the forest in the first place.
''We must hurry,'' she said pleadingly. ''The flying machine is heading south and...''
''What are you so worried about,'' Arcadia asked, not looking as shocked as the others after hearing her story. ''Obviously, this is all part of Nocturna's Promise.''
''Nonsense!'' Marina exclaimed. ''I saw what the humans did with my own eyes and this has nothing to do with any promises.''
''How dare you stand against the great goddess Nocturna.'' The old bat glared at her angrily.
''I don't.''
''Have you no faith in her?''
''Of, course I do,'' Marina sighed. This was leading nowhere. Besides, they were running out of time. Seeking help, she looked into the faces of Ariel, Icarus, and Frieda. The latter looked at her for a few heartbeats, then nodded. ''We are leaving!'' she said determinedly and raised her voice so that everyone could hear her. ''All those who wish to come with us should come now!''
''Don't listen to her!'' Arcadia countered. ''They only want to lead you astray. Can't you see that the sun is still up? Out there we will be slaughtered by the owls, but in here we are safe.''
''We are not safe here at all'', Marina cried. But Arcadia's words were effective. Only a few bats decided to fly to them. Mainly the Silverwings, who originally left Hibernaculum together with them.
"There you see it.'' Arcadia grinned smugly. ''We are not afraid of the trials Nocturna has laid out for us.''
''Then I wish you good luck,'' said Frieda and led her group to the entrance with the trapdoor.
Heavy footsteps staggered over the roof, making Marina's heart beat faster. "Quick,'' she called out. ''Apparently they know I left the flap open.''
With relief she saw, the stick was still holding, although it was trembling heavily under the pressure Piercing smoke rippled out of the wall and the strained whirring of machines became louder.
''Hurry,'' she shouted after she went through first and helped the other to get out too.
The humans were now, according to what she could hear, right above her. She heard the sound of metal on metal as something was lifted. A flap suddenly opened beside her and a human hand pushed its way in and fumbled around. Eventually, it found the stick and began to pull. Without hesitation, Marina jumped forward and dug her sharp teeth deep into the soft flesh. With a scream, the hand was pulled back.
Marina watched how Frieda and after her Ariel and Icarus squeezed through last. Then the hand returned, this time armed with one of those sticks that the humans used to paralyze the animals. It blocked her way out and pushed her back to the flap. Marina could hear Ariel calling out for her in fear and feverishly thought of a way out. She let the human fumble his way to the flap, then grabbed the still stuck stick and yanked it out so that now the human's stick was stuck there instead. While he was busy pulling his tool back out, Marina rushed past him and out into the bright daylight
Of everything that was currently happening, this was the worst. With a smirk on his face, Goth stepped closer to me, showing his sharp teeth. He too was wearing a silver metal button on his ear and a metal disk on his belly. His one was bigger than the ones the smaller bats were carrying. More of the size the owls had.
"What's is it señjorita? Surprised to see me again? I feel hurt being uninvited." He chuckled darkly.
''S-stay back,'' I stumbled backward and tripped over a bomb someone managed to get rid of already.
Goth, looked at me, pretending to be hurt. ''Aww, how unfair. And yet I only want to show gratitude for what your kind has done to me.'' He was now hovering over me and raised his hand. His claws flashing in the darkness. I remained where I was, frozen with fear while staring into his yellowish colored eyes. This time I knew I was done for. Goth raised his claw higher, ready to strike. As someone called my name, distracting him briefly. Then I saw Shade flying over, the metal disk still stuck on his belly.
''There you are. I was wondering...'' He stagnated when he saw the Vampyrum and instinctively took a step back. "Oh no. No!''
"I'm glad to see you too, Shade,'' said Goth. ''Looks like I'm still getting a change to get my revenge on you as well.'' He chuckled viciously and got ready to attack.
"Shade, fly!'' I cried.
He didn't have to be told twice. With whirling flaps of his wings, Shade jumped to the side just before Goth could lunge at him. Yet he didn't give up, and chased the small Silverwing across the entire plane. It wasn't long before the others noticed what was going on. And judging by their screams, it was quite a shock.
I picked myself up very carefully, not wanting to activate the bomb by accident. The flickering red light on it made me nervous enough. ... Hold on! Have these things blinked like that before? Pretty sure they didn't.
Another scream.
I spun around and saw Throbb with a Brightwing in his claws. The poor guy desperately struggling in his grip.
''Hey, let go of him!'' I cried but Throbb thought otherwise. ''Sorry, señjorita but I believe our truce is over.'' He licked his lips and opened his mouth to bite into his victim. Without thinking I rushed forward and slammed my whole weight against him. Throbb gasped at the impact and tumbled back, releasing the Brightwing.
The totally terrified animal wasted no time and flew off to hide. Hopefully, it won't crash into Goth. Where was he anyway? And where was Shade? Throbb, on the other hand, had recovered from my rugby attack and looked anything but pleased that I had ruined his meal.
Suddenly the plane jerked and the door of the cargo hold opened in mid-flight. The wind roared around my ears. I tried to hold on to one of the boxes, but a mighty draft pulled me out into the open together with all the other bats and owls.
The wild impact of cold air nearly knocked my breath away as I was falling upside down towards the clouds. It felt like the time when Shade and I got caught in that storm and landed on Marina's island. Again I plunged through a cloud and fell deeper and deeper. Blades of grass loosened themselves from my self-made skirt. And my whole body was covered with frost. I asked myself about the remaining of the other. But I was falling so fast. All I could see was blurry images of things were rushing past me.
Then suddenly it became a lot warmer around me. And as I rushed through another cloud I was engulfed in a heavy, damp heat, like the one I felt in Goth and Throbb's artificial jungle.
One last time I broke through a thick layer of clouds and gazed upon a large city. For a short moment, I was captivated by the sight. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed something rushing towards one of the buildings. Way faster than me. But before I could see what it was, erupted the earsplitting sound of an explosion followed by a shock wave of smoke and flames.