Only Shadows Ahead
Chapter Forty-Four
The numbers on the alarm clock beside the bed flash intermittently and she realises that someone is shaking her. She rolls heavily onto her side, rubbing her face and peering around blearily. Sleep settles over her again and she yawns, burrowing under the covers with a tired sigh. The bed lurches beside her.
"Babe," Wheeler says, his voice low as he shakes her again. "They're here. I can hear 'em next door. Time to go."
It's still dark. He swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands, trudging into the bathroom. She hears the shower turn on and she stretches, willing herself to wake up. She's exhausted. They'd had the opportunity to sleep — enough time to gain a few hours rest, but it wasn't to be.
He'd followed through on last night's promise after all.
Not that she was complaining. The cuddles; the idle chatter and quiet reflection had gradually given way to something else. She'd been warm and comfortable under the covers, receptive to his roaming hands. Touching and exploring. Stroking and teasing. Pressing the hard length of his body against hers.
From there it had escalated quickly, reducing her to a sweating, writhing mess — pressed face-down into the mattress, stifling her cries against the rumpled sheets.
He'd managed to coax some strong reactions from her the second time; enough to succumb completely. To lose herself within it. But she remembered his fingers twining with hers; recalled the way he'd held her afterwards.
Her fragmented memories flutter off into daydream territory. She smiles into her pillow, listening to him swearing under his breath as he bustles around the bathroom.
Wheeler reappears quickly; shirtless and wearing the still-damp jeans from last night. Just her eyes are peeking out from beneath the blanket; taking a moment to admire his muscular body and those errant thought patterns become hazy once more.
He smacks her lightly on the butt through the bedsheets and slips out the door, closing it quietly behind him — evidently to gather his stuff and begin the 'negotiations' with the agents outside.
She sits up, pulling the top sheet from the bed and wrapping it around herself. Entering the bathroom, she flicks the light on and showers quickly, keeping her hair away from the spray purely out of habit. She steps out, glancing up and wincing at her appearance in the mirror.
Pale skin and blueish patches are present under her eyes. Her chest and shoulders are dotted with marks and bruises and she frowns, twisting and checking out the scrape marks covering her shoulder blades. Her hair is a dark, matted mess — wild and frizzy from the humidity. She tries running Gi's comb through but the action only adds to the excessive volume.
She dresses quickly, pulling on a fresh pair of jeans and a warm pullover. Still trying to tidy her hair as she shoves as many things as she can into her suitcase, sorting the possessions that were so carefully organised the night before — now strewn haphazardly over the carpet. She drops down to her hands and knees, reaching under the bed and pulling her computer and cell phone cord out.
"Need a hand?"
Gi is standing shyly by the door; barefoot and still dressed in her pyjamas. Linka nods, tucking her new short tresses behind her ears as Gi sinks down to the floor with her, tossing shoes and books inside the suitcase.
Linka glances up, alarmed to see tears tracking down Gi's cheeks. "Are you all right?"
Gi sniffs, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand and shaking her head miserably. "No," she says. "No, I'm not."
Linka drops the phone charger inside her luggage and shuffles forward on her knees, wrapping her arms around Gi, embracing her tightly.
"It's not fair," Gi says softly. "Am I never gonna see you again?"
"I don't know," Linka whispers, resting her chin on Gi's shoulder. A lump is forming in her throat as she nuzzles Gi's cheek. "I am not sure what will —"
"Are you scared?"
"Da," she breathes, being honest. "I am frightened."
Gi's eyes settle on the unmade bed and the corner of her mouth turns up. It occurs to her that Gi didn't return to their bedroom last night. She may have even spotted Wheeler slipping out of the room moments earlier — perhaps even waited around patiently for him to leave before she entered.
Gi's eyes flick to the bed again. Wheeler's phone lays discarded on the bedside table. She raises her eyebrows.
"So..."
"So?"
Gi smiles. Her eyes are bright. Hopeful. "Any new developments I need to know about?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?" Gi leans back, passing her finger over a small bruise at the base of Linka's throat as she inspects the pink, mottled skin around it.
"Da. Maybe."
"Uh huh." Gi grins, trailing her gaze over Linka's rapidly reddening face. "You do realise that the evidence pretty much speaks for itself?"
"We talked last night," she says softly, rubbing her neck self consciously. "Wheeler is coming with me."
"Thought as much." Gi breathes a sigh of relief, hugging her tighter. "You guys finally sort yourselves out last night?"
Linka nods as she glances back towards the bathroom. The rumpled towels are still lying in the same place. "In a manner of speaking."
"Well?" Gi sits back on her haunches, hands clasped in her lap and watching Linka expectantly. She quirks an eyebrow. "Can't leave me hanging."
Linka knows what she's fishing for. She laughs nervously, passing a hand through her hair. "Da."
"Yes? You guys…"
Linka nods quickly, unable to hide her grin, and Gi squeals with happiness.
"God," she says, wiping her eyes. "Been waitin' all these years for you two to throw yourselves at each other." She beams at Linka, clutching her hands tightly. "Not even gonna have the chance to get the details, am I?"
"Bathroom floor," she whispers, and Gi claps a hand over her mouth in response. Linka's face turns beetroot red and she can't look Gi in the eye. "I dragged him into the shower with me and we… we ended up on the…" She trails off, gesturing towards the wet towels.
"Oh my God," Gi breathes. She looks utterly delighted, despite the tears. "About time. All these years. Love you guys so much, you know that?"
"I know," she whispers. "I —"
"Should have happened years ago," Gi says, getting emotional again now. She glances towards the door nervously, and Linka knows she's aware of time slipping away. "Bet he rocked your world! How was it? No wait, don't answer if it makes you —"
"I did not know it was meant to be like that," she says shyly, unable to wipe the silly grin off her face. "I cannot even… it was amazing, I should have —" The rest of her sentence is muffled within Gi's silk pyjamas as she's crushed against her.
"Oooh," Gi sobs, grinning and sniffling quietly; tiny hiccups coming from her mouth. "Okay. All right. That's all I need to know. I can rest a little easier now."
Linka laughs, soothed by Gi's hands rubbing warm circles into her knit pullover. Wheeler's irate voice floats through the walls and Linka purses her lips, knowing he's not going down without a fight.
"I'm so happy for you," Gi breathes, pressing a kiss against Linka's cheek. "I really am. You guys… ah. I dunno. He just adores you. Always has. You guys are perfect."
"I know. I left it too long. I have no excuse."
"Russian pride?"
"Something like that," Linka says, smiling.
"God, I'm gonna miss you," Gi whispers, regarding Linka fondly. "I'll miss our girly chats and just having you there. Borrowing your clothes. Sharing food. Asking you dumb questions and dragging you out shopping for new swimsuits."
"I did not mind," she says warmly. "I love shopping."
"Yeah," Gi says. Her eyes are bright and she's struggling to compose herself. Muffled tones are audible outside and she watches Gi bite her lip, glancing in the direction of the agitated voices.
"I am so sorry it has to be this way," she whispers, touching Gi's cheek and struggling to compose herself. "You will look after yourself?"
"Yeah," Gi says huskily. They're both crying again as they hold one another tightly. "C'mon, we'd better get you organised."
Linka stands wearily, still tired as she zips up her suitcase and does a last minute search for any possessions left behind — emotional and barely holding herself together. It's all so surreal.
"Oh God, I'm not ready for this," Gi murmurs. She reaches for Linka's hand, using the other to grab Linka's suitcase. They head out into the living area where Kwame is standing, looking nervous and uncertain.
Gaia is also here. Linka's mouth drops open. She's so transparent that Linka can barely see her. A mere outline awash in pale mauve and transparent tresses. Her face is solemn. Concerned.
"I did not think you would be here," Linka whispers. She's quite shocked at Gaia's appearance, but then it's been so long since she's been seen in the flesh — so to speak.
"I couldn't miss this," Gaia says warmly. Her voice seems far away, as if carried on a breeze. "I'm so sorry, child."
Ma-Ti is stretched out on the couch under a blanket, but he's awake. He smiles at Linka reassuringly as Gi props the suitcase up beside the door and looks around.
"Where is Wh —"
"You can't hear him?" Ma-Ti jacks his thumb in the direction of door. "Taken them back outside for a chat."
Linka leans against the edge of the couch, rubbing her face and collecting her thoughts. It's gone quiet in the hallway. She hopes that's a good sign.
"Are you all right?" Kwame's arms wrap around her and she hugs him back fiercely, resting her cheek against his chest. "Will you be all right?"
"Da." She nods. "I think so."
"You will look after each other?"
She nods again. Her throat has closed up. Tears are welling and she wipes her eyes against his shirt, gripping the cotton between her fingers.
Kwame sighs, squeezing her gently and stepping back, running a hand through his hair. "They are in a hurry, I think they have already —"
He doesn't get to finish. The door opens and Wheeler stalks in. Jones follows, leaving three men loitering in the hallway. Linka blinks, surprised (and annoyed) to see the chief analyst amongst them.
Glaring sullenly at her, she doesn't get the chance to question his presence because Wheeler kicks the door shut. He gives her the thumbs up sign and she breathes a sigh of relief.
"That analyst guy's an asshole," he mutters, dropping onto the couch and pulling her down onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. She twists, settling her legs across his lap and leaning into him, closing her eyes. Trying to block out the reality of the situation.
"We doin' this? Goon squad have already nabbed someone downstairs. It's not Kroi. They wanna go."
"It's time, Planeteers," Gaia whispers. "I'm drawing too much energy by being here."
Kwame nods, looking around the room. "Final team beam, my friends."
"Yeah," Gi whispers.
"Then let our powers combine. Earth."
"Fire."
"Wind."
Water."
"Heart."
She feels the familiar surge of power, followed by a flash of light. She opens her eyes to find Captain Planet standing beside Gaia. Arms crossed; even he seems alarmed to see her looking so fragile. He extends his arm and she takes it. Her form immediately strengthens and she smiles in gratitude.
"Hi gang," Cap says, looking around in confusion. He scratches his head. "My… we're lookin' about as serious as Hoggish Greedly in a vegetable-eatin' contest."
"Hold that thought," Gaia says. "We have some pressing matters to attend to."
"Do you need the rings back, Gaia?" Ma-Ti asks, but she shakes her head.
"Keep them. The elements will remain in your possession — you simply won't retain control of them."
"All right."
"I'm so sorry, Planeteers," she whispers. Gaia looks overwhelmed as she regards each of her team members. "I feel like I have failed you."
"We have failed you, Gaia," Kwame says. "We were not able to do enough. It became too much, too dangerous." He gestures towards Linka. "And now this."
"You haven't failed me," Gaia says. "You've done all you can. Control is slipping. We can no longer ignore the warning signs."
"Need to go," Jones says impatiently. Linka places a warning hand on Wheeler's chest as his body stiffens with annoyance.
"Be safe," Gaia says, stepping forward and touching Linka's cheek. She sweeps the dishevelled hair away from her face with affection, turning her attention towards Wheeler and placing her hand over his head. "Look after each other."
"Yep."
"We'll leave them to say their goodbyes, shall we?" Gaia says, watching on as Cap strides forward, dropping to his knees and enveloping Linka and Wheeler in a bear hug. Linka's crushed against Wheeler's chest for a moment — breathless — but the moment passes just as quickly.
"Take care, you —"
"Ahem." Jones is tapping his foot; arms crossed and looking distinctly annoyed. "We have to —"
"Seriously, dude?" Wheeler snaps; turning and glaring at the agent. "You guys are a fucking jo —"
Gaia raises her hand as she addresses Cap. "They're on a strict time limit. You and I need to talk."
Captain Planet raises his eyebrows but nods, nodding to the Planeteers as she leads him outside into the corridor, past the gang of agents whose agitated chatter dies down to nothing as the intimidating pair move through.
Gi sits down heavily on the arm of the couch, staring at Jones who is still standing awkwardly by the door, arms folded. She gasps as Wheeler grabs her around the waist and drags her down beside him. She falls, slumping against Linka's back. He locks an arm around Gi's neck, pulling her in for a cuddle.
"Come 'ere, mermaid," he says, and she laughs, hugging him back.
"Gonna miss you, firebug. Gonna miss your inappropriate comments and your loud music," she says, crying openly now. "Gonna miss tripping over your clothes at 2 in the morning when I've gotta pee."
"I'll leave some shit here for ya," he says, tightening his arm around her and pressing a kiss on top of her head. "Somethin' to fall over whenever you're feelin' sentimental."
"Can't believe this is happening." Ma-Ti reaches for Linka's hand, holding it tightly within his own. "It's like losing a part of myself. Nine years…"
"Not going to miss the two of you arguing, though," Kwame says softly, and they all laugh.
"Take care of yourselves," Ma-Ti says. He's looking a little misty-eyed and Linka nudges him with her foot, doing her best to hold it together.
"We need to go," Jones says, and Ma-Ti moves to stand.
"Wait," Gi gasps, still slumped against Wheeler's other side. She reaches for her cell phone and fumbles around with the screen. "Wait, can you take a picture for us? Please?"
He shrugs, pushing himself off the wall and reaching for it.
"Kwame?" Gi says, beckoning for him to join them on the couch. He steps forward and settles himself between Wheeler and Ma-Ti, before grabbing Linka's legs and manoeuvring them over his lap. Linka feels someone clutch her hand. She closes her eyes again, pressing her nose against the side of Wheeler's face as his arm settles back around her.
She's not in the mood for a photo. She doesn't feel like smiling. It's not a positive moment filled with smiles and laughter. No cause for celebration, or reminder of a happy occasion.
She breathes out, trying to detach from the moment, concentrating on the feel of the roughened stubble bristling against her lips as she nuzzles Wheeler's cheek. The body wash still lingers on his skin from the shower and she focuses on this instead. She waits until she hears the familiar click of the camera. Two more snaps and Ma-Ti releases her hand.
"Okay," Jones says after a few moments. "Gotta go."
Kwame stands, pulling Linka to her feet and moving to grab her luggage. She feels Gi's arm settle around her shoulders as they make their way towards the elevators. She's numb. On autopilot, scarcely believing the way events have unfolded over the past two weeks.
They head down to the basement, filing out into the underground carpark. A black van awaits. Darkened windows and Linka's apprehension increases tenfold. She glances back at Wheeler, who's talking in hushed tones to Kwame.
"Are you still happy with Sicily?"
"Yep."
"Only if it is viable," Kwame says quietly; his eyes on the agents who are currently distracted. "If you think it is too risky, don't make the trip. Don't come."
"Yep."
She can't hear the rest. Linka glances back, confused. Assuming — hoping — Wheeler will fill her in later. She opens her mouth to say something and finds herself crushed, in the middle of a tense and emotional group hug. Hushed goodbyes are said as she finally breaks down, hesitant to let go. Not ready for this. Scared and apprehensive about leaving the only good thing she's ever belonged to. Knowing tomorrow she'll wake up with them only in her memory.
"Gotta go," one of the agents repeats. Wheeler has to gently extract her from Gi's panicky embrace. Ma-Ti wraps his arms around Gi, hugging her tightly as she cries uncontrollably. Linka finally climbs into the van, slumping into her seat and dropping her forehead into her palms, sobbing loudly.
Wheeler is there. His arms wrap around her, cradling her against his chest, whispering to her. Reassuring her. She's beyond grateful that he's with her. There was no way she could have done this on her own. The van pulls away and she risks a glance out the window, desperate to see their faces one last time.
But they're already gone from her sight.
"This is taking forever," Gi grumbled, staring ahead at the line that had formed outside the newly designated female bathroom. "Every man and their dog are looking to shower, now."
Grace nodded, eyeing the five women currently in front of them. "Same woman intent on world domination was ingenious enough to design her own gravity-fed hot water system. Go figure."
The compound was secure. Blight, Kroi and Lambert were safely locked down. The teams had spent the next few hours going room by room; taking inventory and pulling aside anyone they came into contact with who wasn't a member of the Belmont community. Housing them safely until they could decide what to do with them. Needing to ascertain whether the prisoners posed a threat or if they were simply reluctant followers of Blight's regime.
Linka sighed, eyeing the steam coming from the bathroom longingly. Kwame had been delighted to find the complicated hot-water set-up. An old-fashioned wood-fire oven sat alongside the exterior bathroom wall. Almost out of place outside amongst the elements, attached to large cisterns and connected to the bathroom water supply. So long as a regular supply of timber continued burning, it provided reasonably warm water.
The sheer amount of provisions stockpiled within the property was overwhelming, to say the least. Clothing, food, medical supplies, furniture, fresh water, weapons and ammunition, chemicals. There was even a room dedicated to reams of blank paper and stationary. Once an office; the computers and phones were long-since dormant. Gathering dust.
The mood was high. People were relaxed, many already celebrating. There was a constant rabble of noise echoing through the place. People bustling around; a joyful atmosphere.
Linka raked a hand through her hair, thankful to have the opportunity to wash — to feel half-human again. A group of men came barrelling towards them from the direction of the science labs. Linka stepped aside as she was nearly bowled over by an over-enthusiastic party-goer. He skidded to a stop and apologised profusely, before lumbering off towards the galley — wine bottle in hand.
"Bozhe moy," she muttered, moving forward in the line. The trio of shower stalls were now visible. "There will be a few hangovers tomorrow."
"Think the headaches will have already started," Gi said.
"Do you think that's real?" Grace asked, pointing to a large, framed painting on the wall. "Looks like a Rembrandt."
"It would not surprise me." Linka looked up, peering at the image of a small boat adrift on stormy seas, painted in soft, muted tones. "You know Rembrandt?"
"Studied art history in high school," she said, glaring at a tall blonde with short hair stepping out of the shower. "That was longer than a few minutes, Maria."
"Don't see a workin' watch on ya, Grace."
"Sixty seconds equals a minute, dude," Grace scowled, watching the girl saunter off towards the festivities. "Just in case math isn't your strong point."
"Fuck you, Grace."
Linka suppressed a grin as Grace extended her middle finger. Clutching the towel and fresh clothes to her chest, she lent against Gi, dropping her head onto her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her silken hair against her skin. It was reassuring. Blessed familiarity in a world so strange and alien to her.
It was getting harder now to distinguish between her past and alternate future. The images continued rolling on in her mind, blurring and blending into one semi-cohesive consciousness.
The memories would hit her with startling clarity. The flashes — segments of her alternate life were coming through during daylight hours now — when she was awake. Some were confronting. More recent were the ones that took her breath away.
Limbs entwined. Hands sweeping bare skin. Moving together, escalating towards frenzied depths that left her flushed and trembling. The dreams gave her a complete insight into how things had developed over time, and how their relationship had come full circle in this future she would now avoid — should they make it home.
She glanced around, wondering where Wheeler was. She hadn't seen him since the partying had began. Peals of laughter could be heard throughout the corridors. Hushed babbles. Wolf whistles and jeers. More people had arrived throughout the day. The atmosphere was electric, but she wasn't interested in joining in.
The awareness struck her — that in her timeline, Wheeler would have been the life of the party. Front and center amongst the crowd; his loud Brooklyn drawl resonating over the rabble.
"Where's Kwame?" Gi asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Haven't seen hi —"
"Watching Blight and the others, I think." Linka sighed, eyeing the showers with longing, eager to get cleaned up with something other than a wet washcloth. "What will you do after this, Gi? Will you return to the Metro community?"
One look at Gi's face said it all. Reluctance; a sense of dread and resignation. "Yeah. Suppose so."
"You do not sound like you are looking forward to it."
"Why would I," Gi muttered. "I've seen funerals with more lively people."
"Why do you stay?" she pressed, genuinely curious. "If you do not —"
"Where else would I go?"
Linka recoiled. The response floored her. "You could move interstate, or head —"
"I have no one else. No idea if my family are even still alive," she said. Her hair fell over her face as she stared ahead, lost in thought. "I was stuck here after the power went down. Wheeler wanted nothing to do with us. Ma-Ti's life was a little too primitive. Wasn't really even a choice for me. Didn't even have to think about it. Kwame wanted to stay and continue fighting so I did too."
"Maybe you have served your time, Gi," Linka said. She smiled gently, sweeping Gi's hair aside and hugging her. "You have given enough. You deserve to have a quiet life, away from all this. Maybe it is time for you to move on. Start again?"
"Amen," Grace muttered under her breath. "Once the roads are safe again, I'm outta here."
"Will you keep your ring, Gi?"
She seemed to think about it. "Yeah. I think so," Gi replied, casting her eyes towards Ma-Ti who was approaching them — damp hair and a towel wrapped around his shoulders. "What about you, monkey man?"
"Hmm?"
"Your ring. You gonna hold on to it?"
"I will pass it on," Ma-Ti said. He smiled at Linka, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her in for a cuddle. "In all honesty, I want it as far away from me as possible."
"Getting too much?"
"Makes me ill. I had forced myself to forget. All those years, it took a toll on me. The grief and suffering…" He shrugged. "Now that our powers are back, I no longer wish to be burdened by it."
"If you're passing it on, I'd come up with a different sales pitch," Grace said. A shower became vacant and she pressed forward, throwing her towel over her shoulder and inadvertently whipping Gi's face in the process. "Yeah. I'm outta here."
"Ow," Gi grumbled. She rubbed her head, watching Grace close the shower stall behind her. "Reckon Blight will have any cameras lying around?"
"I doubt it," Ma-Ti said. "Tyreece said there are batteries in one of the storerooms. Some printers and televisions. You could try there, I guess."
"Might go snooping around later on," she said. "Might be time to replace that last photo we had as a team."
Linka smiled warmly. "Cannot hurt to look."
Gi raised her hand, peering at the bottle of raspberry shower gel clutched within. "Things you take for granted, huh."
"Mmm," Linka said. "I will need to borrow some of —"
"Oh God," Gi spluttered, cackling into her palm. She pointed and they all turned in the same direction, staring at two young men bolting towards them.
Linka's eyes widened as she realised they were naked. She stepped back in shock as they barrelled past amidst screams of laughter. "Bozhe moy, what —"
"If you've got it, flaunt it," Gi laughed. Ma-Ti covered her eyes and she struggled against him, doing her best to pry his fingers away in order to catch a glimpse. "Get off me, Ma-Ti."
"Your delicate eyes don't need to —"
"Yeah they do," Gi said, elbowing Ma-Ti in the ribs and shoving him playfully. "Moron."
Linka chuckled, pointing to the showers. "Your turn."
Gi grinned, walking quickly to an empty stall and disappearing inside. Linka smiled, glancing back towards the fun and frivolity going on around her, aware that Ma-Ti was watching her closely.
"How are you doing?"
"All right," she said. She leaned against the doorframe, eyes scanning for a familiar face. "Have you seen Wheeler?"
"Spotted him at the showers a little while ago. Said he was going to bed."
"Oh." Linka hung her head, unable to hide her disappointment. "All right."
"Want me to check where he is?"
"Nyet," she said quickly, giving him a dismissive wave. "It is fine. I do not wish to complicate things for him."
Ma-Ti passed his thumb over his ring, staring at a point above Linka's shoulder. "There's a silver long-haul truck towards the back of the compound. Under an awning. He's in there."
"Oh, I do not wish to burden him further, he —"
"He says it's fine." He squeezed her affectionately, readjusting his towel. "You are certainly not a burden."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." He gestured towards the showers. "Looks like you're next in line."
"Oh," she said, hurrying towards the empty stall. "Thank you."
"Have a good night," he called, giving her a wave and wandering towards the galley. "See you in the morning."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Sorry it's so late! Really busy couple of weeks. On the plus side, you'll have the next chapter within twenty-four hours, so keep an eye out for it...