The ARC 01: Tainted Read online

  ‘What’s going to happen to me?’ The words rush out and the daggered look she gives me makes me immediately regret saying them.

  ‘I’m getting to that,’ she snaps, her lips tightening and her cold steely eyes hardening. She clears her throat and looks down to dust her skirt before continuing. When she looks up the coldness in her eyes has lessened.

  ‘Firstly, we are going to allow you to record a video to say goodbye to your friends and family. It is of the utmost importance you do not describe any of what has happened to you. Otherwise we shall not be passing it along, and you will not get to say your goodbyes. Before making this video I need to explain to you that it is in your family and friend’s best interests if you tell them not to worry and not to come after you.

  ‘Any kind of agitation on the part of a friend or family member will be met with restraint of the individual, imprisonment or, in some cases, them being taken to the surface. I can assure you, if that happens, they will not survive.’ She looks at me sternly. This woman is not kidding; she means every word of what she says.

  I gulp, and nod my head. She stands stiffly and walks towards the door she must have entered through at the back of the room.

  ‘Follow me,’ she says firmly. I jump up and walk over to her. I can’t imagine anyone refusing. This woman is vicious and as much as I’m worried about where I’m going, I think I’m more frightened of staying here with her.

  She takes me through to the desolate grey room I recognise from Sebastian’s recording. Sitting in the middle of the room is a video camera on a tripod facing a chair. The camera is hooked up to a computer sitting on the table next to it.

  Maggie directs me to sit on the chair, so I quickly follow her instructions. I sit up straight and look up into the eye of a camera. I must look a mess. How will footage of me looking so obviously distressed reassure Quinn?

  ‘I recommend you direct your video to one person. It’s usually easiest that way,’ she says, as she plays around with the video camera.

  ‘Do you know who you want the video to go to?’ she asks.

  ‘Quinn Roberts,’ I murmur. ‘I live with her.’ She nods and a little red light appears on the front of the camera.

  I grip the edges of my chair and wonder where Quinn is right now. Would she still be in the waiting room? I imagine her sitting there, hoping I might return. Tears sting my eyes and I choke them back down.

  I tighten my grip on the cold metal chair. I feel like such an idiot. How did I not realise my results had come back tainted when she revealed the secret doorway? It was so obvious! Even before then I should’ve known.

  The red light on the camera goes off.

  ‘Elle,’ Maggie says. ‘Are you going to do a recording?’

  ‘Sorry. Yes. I was just trying to think what to say.’

  ‘Okay, are you ready now?’

  ‘I think so.’ The red light flicks on again.

  Here goes nothing.

  ‘Quinn. I’m so sorry I’m going away. Who would’ve thought that when I entered that room I wouldn’t be coming back out again?’

  I look over at Maggie who nods for me to continue.

  ‘You’ve been the best friend I could ever wish for. The best family I could ever wish for. You have been my guardian angel. You taught me to stand up for myself. But more than that, you always stood up for me when I didn’t know how. I will never be able to repay you for looking after me the way you have.’ I can feel tears welling in my eyes.

  ‘I’m going to miss you like you wouldn’t believe. I want you to be so happy and to continue living your life just as we did before. I’m going to be fine, so I don’t want you to worry. Please say goodbye to everyone for me. I love you so much. Stay safe.’

  Tears stream down my face as Maggie turns the camera off. I feel like I’ve traded Sebastian for Quinn. I’d been so caught up in the idea of rescuing Sebastian I hadn’t anticipated losing her. I never intended for this to be a choice between the two of them. I was so wrong. And now, recording this video, I feel like I’ve had to say my final goodbye.

  ‘What now?’ I ask, a hint of apprehension seeping into my voice.

  She ignores my question and bends down over the computer monitor. After a minute of her staring at the screen she stands.

  ‘Follow me,’ she orders.

  I silently follow the woman down hallway after hallway. Her heels clip clop along the hard floor as we walk. We reach a dead end and she presses a button on the wall, which lights up to the touch.

  Doors slide open in front of us and I have to stop myself from whimpering out loud. Another elevator. I’ve always avoided them like the plague and I’m already on a second for the day. But for once, my fear of the tiny space is overcome by my dread of where it’s taking me.

  I make my way into it and clutch my hands against the walls. It shudders to life causing my stomach to lurch again. I can feel the steady momentum of the lift moving upwards and I try not to think about its destination. But it’s unavoidable. The lift is going up so visions of the ravaged surface plague the forefront of my mind.

  Before I know it, the doors slide open again and we step out.

  We’re in a large bright room. Actually large is an understatement, and I doubt ‘room’ is the appropriate word to describe the enormous expanse I find myself in. It’s huge, bigger even than the plantation and the entrance cavern combined. The floor is concrete and way up high the ceiling looks like some kind of crinkled iron. I can’t quite tell as it’s so far above. The room is so vast and empty; it’s mind-boggling. Although, it’s not completely empty. In the distance I can see some sort of large glass machinery. Well, I think they’re machines, it’s hard to tell from so far away…

  My body shivers and I realise how cold it is in here. I huddle my arms tightly around my body.

  ‘Where are we?’ I ask, as I continue to peer around the room.

  ‘That is not your concern. Follow me,’ Maggie says briskly. She begins walking, but I stand my ground.

  ‘Where are you taking me?’ I ask, refusing to move one more step without knowing what she has planned for me. She turns to face me, her icy stare cutting right through me. She walks back and grabs my arm roughly, pulling it and dragging me behind her.

  ‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ she threatens, still holding my arm, her long, sharp nails biting into my skin.

  I stumble along after her as she drags me across the room. Nerves churn in my stomach, making me feel nauseated with fear. Where the hell is she taking me? What’s going to happen to me?

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea?

  I watch the shapes in the distance, trying to figure out what they are. Maggie is making straight for them, so it’s obvious they’ve got something to do with what’s about to happen to me. After walking for a few minutes, I begin to register what it is I’m seeing. What I’m being taken to. I look around the room, seeing it again with fresh eyes.

  I’m in a giant hangar and she’s taking me on a helicopter.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  ‘I don’t understand.’ I stare at Maggie blankly as she continues to pull me along. She refuses to acknowledge me though. There’s not even the slightest hint on her face she’s even heard my question.

  ‘How the hell do we have helicopters here?’ Again my question is met with silence. They look nothing like the flying machines I’ve seen in old pictures and movies, but I can tell what the smooth glass spheres are used for because of the slick metal propellers that rest on top of them. No, I’m definitely not imagining them.

  I shake my head, confused. It doesn’t make any sense. How did they get here? Why would they even have them? What’s the point?

  ‘Maggie please,’ I implore. ‘What are we doing here? Where am I being taken?’

  ‘Be quiet please!’ she spits harshly at me. She tugs my arm harder and I bite down on my lip to stop myself from yelping out in pain, as her nails dig further into my skin. I slacken my body and allow myself to be pulled
along. Despite my submission, she doesn’t loosen her grip.

  I close my eyes, trying to regain focus and control. With my eyes shut the steady, harsh clipping sound of Maggie’s heels against the concrete floor becomes magnified. I can feel my heart beating faster, like the frantic wings of a caged bird. The endless ropes of knots in my stomach seem to pull tighter and my once steady legs quiver pathetically beneath me.

  I try to ignore it all.

  Now is not the time to be worried or scared. I’ve chosen to do this and I’m supposed to be feeling determined and resolute. But as much as I want to, I feel nothing of that. What was I thinking?

  Panic grips my chest. I shouldn’t be here. They could be taking me anywhere.

  The beating of my heart intensifies. This has gone too far. I’m going to have to fess up. I need to tell her the truth.

  I stop abruptly and shake my arm loose of Maggie’s grip.

  ‘I faked the test! I’m not tainted!’ I cry out.

  Maggie turns to look at me and the corner of her lip curls back as she peers down her nose at me.

  ‘How stupid do you think I look?’ she snarls. She grabs a hold of my arm again and jerks me back into a walk.

  My heart beats faster.

  ‘But I’m telling the truth!’

  Her silence tells me everything. She doesn’t believe me—of course she doesn’t believe me. How many times would she have heard that one before?

  Do I try to run? The hangar is so vast and empty that I quickly push that idea aside. Where would I go?

  No. I’m in this now. I have to keep on going.

  My eyes stray up to the roof and I wonder whether the sky is just on the other side of that corrugated iron. If there’s a helicopter, it needs to get in and out somehow. I don’t know whether to dance with happiness or throw up with terror at the thought of seeing the sky.

  An older man greets us with a wave as we get closer to the first helicopter. He’s dressed in a dark navy jumpsuit that reminds me of the army getup you’d see in old action movies. His hair is greying and the corners of his eyes are crinkled from what looks like years of laughter.

  He looks over to me and winks, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I want to feel reassured by the gesture, but I’m too nervous, too suspicious. He doesn’t look like he has a cruel bone in his body. Surely he wouldn’t wink at me if I were about to be taken somewhere bad?

  I glance back at Maggie, who still firmly grips my arm. Her demeanour is completely ruthless, and in this moment, I feel quite certain I’d be in more danger with her than with this stranger.

  ‘Got another one for me Maggie?’ the man says as we approach, jumping down from inside the helicopter. ‘Surely this is some sort of record? Three in just a few weeks. I haven’t seen numbers like that in years!’

  ‘Yes Gord,’ she replies, looking almost bored by the whole business.

  ‘So this is happening?’ I ask. My voice is full of fear and apprehension, but there is also a hint of excitement. I think the adrenaline must’ve kicked in because the thought of seeing the sky again seems to be overriding any sense of self-preservation inside of me.

  ‘This one seems almost eager. Wish they’d all be more willing,’ Gord says to Maggie, talking like I’m not even here.

  I step back and look at them both.

  ‘Where are we going?’ I ask, raising my voice.

  Maggie looks to Gord. ‘You’ll find out more when you get there,’ she says. I watch her face closely, trying to see some hint of what she’s hiding, but she seems uncertain. Maybe she doesn’t even know?

  ‘Come on kiddo.’ Gord pats me on the shoulder and directs me towards the helicopter, effectively avoiding my question yet again.

  I don’t understand what all the secrecy is. It’s not like I can go tell anyone. My feet hesitate to take another step towards the helicopter as I realise, they’re taking me somewhere I don’t want to go.

  Gord looks so kind; I can’t imagine he’d take me somewhere bad. Over his shoulder I can see Maggie standing stiffly behind him. She, on the other hand, looks like she’d be quite happy to send me off for some torment and torture.

  The old man helps me into the helicopter and shows me where to sit. I’m up front with him, and Maggie thankfully isn’t coming.

  ‘Here you go kiddo.’ He passes me a headset. I can feel a stupid grin on my face. I must look like a crazed person. Grinning because I’m scared, grinning because I’m eager. I’m like some lamb being led to the slaughter and I’m beaming like an idiot.

  Gord begins swishing his fingers across the clear glass panel in front of him and it comes alive with digital swirling lights and indicators. I can hear the groaning of metal above as the helicopter blades start up.

  ‘Gotta give you points kid. Most adults are a crying mess at this point, let alone the kids. Pretty much everyone requires at least some sort of sedation to relax. Sometimes they send an official or two, but they probably knew you wouldn’t cause any problems.’ He gives me a look of encouragement. Uncomfortable with his kindness I look back at the dashboard his fingers dart across. There are so many buttons. Gord must be incredibly smart to know what they all mean.

  ‘You remind me a lot of the kid I had the other week. He was pretty brave, just like you,’ he says after a moment.

  My head whips around to look at him. He’s talking about Sebastian—he has to be.

  ‘You took the boy a few weeks ago?’ I ask urgently.

  ‘Yeah. What was his name?’ He looks thoughtful for a moment. ‘Ah I can’t remember. Well anyhow I took him. I think he was about as eager as you are.’ I’m hanging off of every word he says.

  ‘Was his name Sebastian?’ I say, hoping desperately it was.

  ‘Well now, that might have been his name, but I couldn’t be certain.’ I refuse to be deflated by his uncertainty. It had to have been Sebastian. No other boys have been taken; at least not that I know of. Plus Sebastian definitely would’ve been brave, no doubt about it. I just wish I could know for sure he is safe.

  The hangar becomes darker, it’s almost as though someone’s hit the dimmer switch in here and there’s a loud, whining, mechanical noise from outside of the helicopter. It’s not a promising sound, in fact, it down right scares me.

  ‘What’s happening?’ I yell, clutching my hands tightly around the straps across my chest.

  ‘That’d be Maggie opening up the roof,’ he replies calmly.

  ‘What?’ I throw my head back and look up through the glass body of the helicopter, up towards the receding roof. The crinkled iron slides back to reveal a gaping hole in the ceiling. The opening is dark though and I can’t see anything clearly. I lean forward to try and peer around the propellers.

  ‘Sit back kiddo. There’ll be plenty of clouds for you to look at once we’re flying.’

  I try to do as he says and sit back, but the word ‘cloud’ only makes me crane my neck back even further. I can’t seem to help myself. I’ve seen a million pictures and simulations of clouds, but can’t remember ever seeing them floating far above with my own two eyes. Part of me is desperate to see them, but a more sane part of me wonders how the hell we can fly in anything even remotely similar to what I’ve seen on the surface televisions.

  The helicopter vibrates slightly as it lifts off the ground. We’re going up. Up to see the sky I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d see again. My gut clenches slightly though as I think, but where am I being taken?

  I try to ignore the worry gnawing at my insides and only focus on the good. I’m going to see Sebastian again.

  I gasp as the helicopter leaves the confines of the hangar. The desolate and barren wasteland stretches out before me. It’s more terrible than it had ever seemed on the cameras. The ground is covered in a thick and dirty blanket of ice, with large, jagged cracks that snake across its endless surface. The few dead and mangled trees jut out harshly against the landscape, their limbs contorted in unnatural ways.

  The sky above is even
more distressing. Angry, menacing clouds roll and churn, like a fierce and ceaseless blanket that cloaks the world below. They loom over us, dark and threatening with ugly tinges of the deep purple Lysart is known for. Far in the distance there are bright flashes as violent forks of lightning descend on the forsaken earth.

  There is no life out here. No way anyone could survive.

  I take a peek at Gord’s face. What are we doing up here? He looks at ease as he guides the helicopter higher, but all I can think is that he’s going the wrong way.

  As we continue to climb higher, the clouds envelop us and I know I am right. Higher is definitely not better. The clouds up here pummel at the small glass bubble we fly in. Like a punching bag, we are tossed and shoved to and fro across the sky.

  I cower from the sight and, gripping my knees to my chest, I lower my head into them and refuse to open my eyes. Even with my eyes shut I can still feel my stomach drop with every dip the chopper takes, and I try not to whimper as my chair shudders when we take another blow.

  The battery continues for the better part of an hour, but eventually it lessens and the helicopter travels more smoothly. I’m still too frightened to open my eyes though, and I keep my head tucked firmly into my knees, with my teeth clenched so tightly you’d think they were superglued together.

  ‘It’s okay,’ Gord reassures me. ‘The worst is over now.’

  I slowly lift my head to take a look and am surprised when my eyes meet a searing light. I take several heavy blinks in an attempt to see better, and squint as I try to adjust to the brightness that surrounds me.

  My vision gradually clears, and when I realise what I can see I gasp and press my hands up against the glass. The vicious clouds no longer surround us and we’re wrapped in the bright, white luminescence of soft, fluffy clouds.

  I’m surrounded by the things of fairy tales and daydreams. The clouds you spend a lifetime imagining when asked what heaven looks like.

  My eyes dart up, down and all around as I watch the bulbous shapes emerge and then disappear as we move through them. They look so impressive and solid from the distance, but up close they are just wisps of air.