Wow, and to think I planned to make this a 3 chapter story… whoops. We're finally getting to the exciting part of the book, which sadly means we're getting closer to the end. Not sure if I'll make a sequel or something, who knows? Enjoy! (this chapter was deleted than reposted because a very helpful reviewer pointed out that I wrote Tobias instead of Tubias, but this is the final copy thankfully) -EmuFrost
Tubias grabbed my hand and pulled me screaming away from Well's body. He clamped a hand over my mouth and pulled me up against the wall. I dropped my gun. The hideous creature that had caused me this pain. I couldn't be trusted with a weapon so deadly. He picked it up and gave it back to me.
"Tide, we have to go back," he insisted.
"Oh sure, let's go murder the rest of my friends! Let's see, you killed Pristina, I killed Well, let's go get Ble, what do you say?" I said through tears streaming down me face.
"You're not the only one, Tide. You're not the only one who knows what its like to feel this way! At least you still have a home to go back to," he spat. I was shocked, I had never seen Tubias this mad.
"Everybody has a home to go to," I said.
"There's something I need to tell you," he said avoiding eye contact. "I'm like you."
"Obviously we've established that, everybody knows now too. Detergent."
"No, not that. I was born in Bathnegation, Tide. I was the first in years to transfer out from Bathnegation. My family was pretty upset. Didn't even come to visit when they could. My father is, you know, Marcsuds Eaton. I knew early on that Bathnegation was never right for me. When I left, everybody thought Marcsuds was a terrible father. They wanted him to be kicked out! And it's my fault. Everything is my fault. I, I'm a Stain, Tide. A Stain," he said.
I suddenly thought of Caleb. All this time in Dustless and he seemed like a distant memory in the back of my mind. I would probably never see him again. He could be factionless for all I knew. All alone in Odorite. I tried to stop crying and face Tubias. I was Dustless, let it go Tide, I told myself, let it go, you'll never see me cry, I thought and faced Tubias.
"Actually, I'm the one who killed Well, and being a Stain is nothing to be ashamed of," I said. "Like you said, I don't want to just be a duster, I want to make laundry soap, I want to mold soap bars, I want to make deodorant, and I want to clean clothing! Be yourself, Tobias, everybody else is already taken!"
"Tide, that was the cheesiest most cliché thing I have ever heard, please save us all and keep your tacky quotes to yourself!" Tubias said. I almost smiled before I remembered what I had just done.
"Tobias, I just killed a man. I killed him. I'm a murderer. That's illegal!" Tubias laughed and grabbed my hand.
"Murder is the last thing we have to worry about, Detergent," he said. I could suddenly hear footsteps approaching the alley way. Tubias sprinted forward and I followed him.
"So what now," I shouted. "We spend our whole lives running from J'clean?"
"Just keep running!" he yelled. "I have a plan!"
"Great," I muttered under my breath. I was panting hard as we ducked through the streets, trying to keep a steady pace. We pressed on through Dustless, past the Soapttoo parlor. I frowned, the Soaptto parlor was getting closer to Dustless, not farther away like we should be. A stray soldier spotted us and was about to yell for back up. Tubias pulled out his gun and shot without hesitation. The soldier fell suddenly to the ground. I kept running, this was war. People would die, I would have to kill some of them, but it was all for the greater good, right? Tubias stopped suddenly and motioned for me to be quiet. In front of me was the place I did not want to be. The very place that was probably the stupidest place to go. That's what I get for trusting Tubias. We slipped under the fence into the yard of the Dustless compound.
"Are you insane?" I whispered. He didn't respond, but kept running to the door. We made it to the front door without being seen.
"The serum, that's controlling everybody, it's in here, the soldiers aren't after us. They're waging war on Bathnegation." Tubias said.
"No," I whispered. My family, my home, everything I knew.
"No," I repeated. "I have to go back, save them."
"Tide, the serum is in the control room upstairs the first door on the left. There are guards everywhere, but you're our only hope. In the back of the room are a series of wires. Cut the third wire which will detach the serum. Grab the serum and run. You can catch a train to Laundrity and meet me there, I promise I'll be there," he said.
"But what about you?" I said.
"I'll be in Bathnegation, saving my family, and yours. I promise, I'll save them. Don't get caught."
"Tubias!" I said, louder than I should've. He leaned forward quickly and kissed my cheek, then ran. I stood against the wall, too shocked to move. I had to trust him. His tall, dark figure moved across the lawn so fast, if I was on watch I wouldn't have noticed anything. I watched to see if he made it to the gate safely, then stepped inside. The door creaked open into a dark empty hallway. The fate of my family was in Tobias's hands. The fate of the world was in mine.
•••
I crept through the empty halls on the balls of my feet, if I was found, I would be dead sooner than you could say Detergent. The Dustless compound empty sent a shiver down my spine. The place was creepy enough with people in it, but without people, I could barely contain myself. No Tide, I thought, you are Dustless, fearless, ready to take on any dust or person in your way. I made it to the corner and peered around cautiously, clear. I stepped out into the open corridor with my hand on my gun. Nobody's in here, Tide, I said to myself, trying desperately to rid myself of the shivering feeling. I had no time to move before I realized what was in front of me. A tall dark figure had blocked my way, their weapon aimed at my forehead. There was no where to go, no time to run. I would've pulled out my own gun, but it was too late.