Fan Fiction ❯ Human Alloy ❯ The Branches of a Tree ( Chapter 11 )

 

 

Once the dust and rubble had cleared, I was finally able to look up. I had practically been lying over Root and Gin in attempts to protect them. Miraculously I had lived. The building had fallen downward on top of itself; I was glad it was only five stories tall, but still it had done damage. Choking on the dust, covering my mouth and coughing, blinking, I was finally able to discern what was going on around me. Around the destruction and the platform we were still on, things were a bit chaotic. People where still running away from the wreck, most of them looking confused, some braving the devastation. I doubted if there were any survivors, other than us and we were as good as dead anyway.

 

Trembling, I stood, dusting myself off and gathering my bearings for a look around. The air was still hazy with dust but through the thin shroud I could distinguish the silhouettes of two huddled figures. With half a mind on my two friends that lay inert on the ground, now behind me, I wandered unsteadily toward who I found to be Cale and Jalene. Cale cradled his brother in his arms. The poor boy was unconscious, his eyes oddly faded. Cale looked to me, almost as white as his hair, his eyes white and frightened like a deer, frozen with terror. I sensed something odd, something pulling at me, at the back of my mind. It was like an inward call.

 

Kane stepped out of the gloom, the arm he had shielded himself with was scratched from flying rubble, his eyes curious. He stepped up to us, kneeling down for a better look at Jean. He gasped.

 

“What is it?” I asked softly, my voice quivering, as much as I tried to conceal it and regain my cool. I swallowed hard.

 

“A beacon. It's a distress signal,” Kane replied blandly, his mouth dry.

 

“Beacon? From where?” Kane didn't respond. “From where?” I repeated more firmly.

 

“Jalene.”

 

“Jalene? What?” I asked, confused.

 

“No time. We have to hide somewhere safe. We'll try the hideout, maybe the gardens. We have to leave now!” he shouted anxiously, snatching the unconscious body up and throwing it over his shoulders. I grabbed Cale's hand and pulled him up with me. People started to shout from below, pointing. We hit the stairs, running low as several guards aimed for us, shooting but missing by a long shot.

 

“Run!” I told one, smacking the gun from his hand as we flashed past. Kane was slowed by the extra weight but we managed to slip along an alley, emerging on a different street where people were gathered in confusion, chattering and fleeing nervously. Several people's voices rose to point us out as we dashed along, headed away from the wreck back to R.A.D.A.R. corporation, but no one was at the point of doing anything; they were too concerned with saving themselves to deal with us. That gave us an opportunity to head straight back into the central building. It really wasn't that far away, but because, when I had left with security, I was in a car, traffic had caught us up and we had to take several other streets just to reach our destination. The call drew stronger and my feet flew, dragging Cale along on his toes.

 

Suddenly a fear hit and I stopped, Cale crashing into me, not quick enough to hit his breaks.

 

“What is it?” Kane growled, his voice raised and panting.

 

“Root and Gin!” I cried, brows knit, eye streamlined as I remembered my forgotten friends. How could I? Cale held tight as I turned back, grabbing my waist to help keep me from running. I looked over my shoulder for Kane's response. He shook his head, his concern something of a reassurance.

 

“We can't. His signal's too strong. I don't know when they'll come.” Cale's sharp intake of breath suggested that he had realized something he hadn't thought of before, but whether he had or not wasn't shown for he said and did nothing other than pulling me back and instead leading me ahead, behind Kane. Jean's limp body flopped listlessly with every bouncing step Kane took. I heard a rumble in the distance but tried to pay it no mind as we ran flat out, helter-skelter for cover. The building was close now, the wide glass doors just within our reach. I heard a sickening crack and a suspended rush and roar as metal and concrete flew. Something down the street had collapsed—a building to be exact. It sounded close.

 

Fat droplets of tainted rain began to scatter the streets with an acidity of a battery. The storm was picking up. We reached the floors, fearing for the safety of the glass as we hit it head on, no slowing down whatsoever. People were rushing about, hectic to ascertain whatever they needed. A woman pointed, flinging her papers at us, stuttering and backing away.

 

“Tw-tw-twins!” she gasped. I rolled my eyes and we pushed past her offense, flying through a doorway and back down the familiar stairs that led to the cells. I was up to speed with Cale now, following at Kane's heels and trying to ignore how dead Jalene looked. We found the hall of doors and Kane hesitated a moment, panic-stricken.

 

“His call is stronger!” he sort of sang irritated, his voice much higher, eyes wandering to each door.

 

“Could we run to the garden?” I asked. I knew the door number that was back here that led to a place in my separate world.

 

“Maybe,” Kane said, sprinting off. “You know which one it is?” I nodded. “You have a key or something that will work?” Again I nodded. I had no key but I was hoping my `powers' could help.

Down the hall some, to the door.

 

“This looks familiar,” Cale observed scornfully. I nodded, taking a deep breath. A distant thump was heard. I looked around in the eerie silence. To our right, the way we had come, were a couple of guards with guns.

 

“Don't let them get away!” one shouted.

 

“Shoot! Bring them back, dead or alive!” another sounded. They were dressed in black with sunglasses, looking just like the FBI or someone along those lines. I rolled my eyes.

 

“Kane?” I asked softly, “please help me with those two.” There would be more following but we could take them down two at a time. I closed my eyes, summoning my strength, imagining one of the men freezing. I heard one thump to the ground, Kane's obviously. My target followed suit with a cardiac arrest. I opened my eyes. The human body was so easy to manipulate. Kane nodded, looking grim.

 

I took a deep breath, calming my already wrecked nerves, imagining myself as part of the door, finding the inner workings of the lock. The door clicked and I swung it open, revealing the darkness of the inside world. I hurried the others through, closing the door behind me, summoning a very warm flame to weld the door and lock together with the wall. No one could get through now.

 

“Where are we?” Kane asked quietly, his voice echoing slightly. I summoned a small light, the luminescence igniting the scene in proportion to some sort of flashlight. It was cool, it was damp and it was dark.

 

“A cave,” Cale said, his mouth dry, clinging to my arm and looking around. I nodded.

 

“Yes, a cave. We shouldn't be too far from the hideout. Once we're out of here, we just need to head to the south some, then west.” I stepped forward, the light in my right hand, my left hand finding Cale's. Kane stayed behind us, Jean still on his shoulders. He seemed weary but determined not to give up

 

The pale grey rock turned tan with calcium as rows of small stalactites and stalagmites formed. They were small for they hadn't had a long time to form. Water was running somewhere above and below us, through the wall, trickling out in cracks and forming small run offs and rivers. The path was relatively straight, with only a few lead offs, one of which we met in silence. I took the left path, and beyond that, the right path. Soon, a pale dusty daylight strained through the everlasting darkness to meet us. The sky was clouded as we stepped out on a small mountainside, loose rocks and rubble crumbling away beneath our feet.

 

“What should we do once we get to the hideout?” Cale asked me. He sounded as if he were on the verge of crying, so I squeezed his hand.

 

“We'll rest up and gather ourselves. Then we'll get some kind of plan and see if we can tell what's going on at the surface,” I replied, my voice soft, though it sounded much louder as it reverberated down the slope.

 

“Then let's go,” Kane grunted. He was much stronger than he looked. I heard an explosion, a huge crack of thunder above us from the outside world. It was odd to look up and see a light grey sky instead of black churning clouds. I vanquished the light from my hand, the blood that had soaked through my clothes was now mostly dried, a deathly reminder of how fragile humans were. At a slant I slowly proceeded down the slope, tugging Cale along gently and trying to lead Kane towards a flatter, more stable surface to avoid him tripping and falling and throwing Jean off his shoulders and onto the rocks below. We made it down a steep, winding path, the dust colored rock scenery changing only with the scrub brush that grew between the boulders.

 

“It's not too far,” I said, turning back to Kane. He looked fiercely determined and he nodded. “If we need to rest, we can.” He shook his head.

 

“No, I'll rest as soon as we get there.” I shrugged.

 

At the base of the sloping mountain side there was stubble grass, river rocks, and fallen braches. Small trees lined one side of a dry riverbed while everything else extended as grass, a mountain wall to either side. I stepped carefully across the eroded stones, slipping once but catching myself, Cale right behind me, holding on safely. Kane took several long strides before he had joined us. I wiped the perspiration from his brow with my thumb and he offered a weak smile in return. With a heavy sigh, I led onward. We wrapped around the rock side as it jutted outward, toward the plains we had crossed earlier, sticking close to the wall. To our left was a thick pine forest; its dark green seemed almost black in the distance, though it was only a few hundred meters away. There was little talk as we headed for our safe haven.

 

“What do you think is going on above ground?” Cale asked, face still pale, voice inquisitive. He looked spooked.

 

Kane huffed, panting deeply as he trekked on.

 

“Robots. They're attacking full force now. They've been programmed to destroy industry and whatnot. Nearly unstoppable. Their programs run continuously and have been written to override automatic shut downs and viruses and whatnot. So it wouldn't be very easy for anyone to stop them. Most of them are electricity absorbent; even excessive heat couldn't stop them unless it was cold fire, that is, thousands of degrees in temperature,” Kane said, attempting to catch his breath as he continued his journey.

 

“Robots? How is that? We programmed some of the rebel robots, unless the Berserkers and New Generation has been unleashed. I thought they weren't completed though,” I said, brows knit in a questionable concern.

 

“Well,” Kane started, hefting Jean into a better position on his shoulders, “I know some of the robots have been sabotaged, some of the Berserkers. Some of the New Generation has been stolen too, about two dozen robots, mostly of the canine and feline species.”

 

“What are they doing with them? I mean, do we know who did that? Or, how did you even find out?” I interrogated. We, that is, the rebel group, knew above hand what was going on, before the public. We knew second to everything that went on aside from the corporation's inside employees. Kane grinned as he responded.

 

“Well, R.A.D.A.R. defends its reputation, you know that. They hid the information on the stealing, kept it low. New Generation was hinted at as a better updated robot for a lower price, but even then, not many people knew anything about it. No one knew about Berserkers, but Mr. Quendenski was planning on selling them as New Generations, just more violent and prone to disobedience. That was talked about before, as you know. If anything got out about how some vandals got into R.A.D.A.R.'s underground laboratories and stole some prototype robots, the corporation would be in chaos for a while. Mr. Q feared sales would go down and their net profit would decrease, so he paid extra in hush money. I heard he had a few people swept too.”

 

I was in silent rumination.

 

“But how did you find out about this? Even the rebel faction didn't know, and Gin's the best there is!” The best there is. I was still thinking of her in present tense. For a second, the thought choked me up, but I shook that out of my mind. Kane barked a laugh which seemed unnatural, tense and nervous.

 

“There was nothing about it on file, save inventory, that was in the least bit accessible. Everything else was stored in memory. Human memory. I had to obtain it by word of mouth. You think robots can't get through the doors of their conference rooms? Well, Dua was able too. It was a risk, but he took it for me, with a little help from Mercy of course. She was more than willing. I had to remove Dua's memory chip, the active part they use as a brain, and Mercy slipped in under the table before they held conference.” Kane flashed another grin. It made me somewhat uneasy. “I got everything I needed there.”

 

“You sure you weren't invading anyone's mind while they slept?” I asked skeptically, blandly.

 

“Well, that too.” I shook my head.

 

“You know that risk. What if you killed someone?” I asked.

 

“What if I did?” A cold shiver ran an icy finger down my spine. The way he said it made me think he had. I wouldn't kill in cold blood—only if they were threatening me.

 

“Speaking of robots,” Cale said softly, trembling, “shouldn't Mercy at least be back at the base?”

 

“Yes, she should be, unless she decided to run off, which I'm hoping she hasn't,” I sighed. My grip had been unconsciously tightened, my knuckles nearly white. Taking notice, I loosened my hold, and Cale seemed to ease as well.

 

“She could be gathering information,” the white haired boy offered. I said nothing, the gravity of the situation was nearly overwhelming, but I tried not to think. If I avoided deep thought, I could escape forlorn, misery, concern, and worry for now.

 

We were near the entrance that led back into the orchard and through there, my garden and the hideout. The outline of the tunnel was faint in my field of vision. I pointed it out to both Cale and Kane. Kane adjusted his course, a zephyr billowing through his hair, tugging at our clothes before blowing back on us. We reached the tunnel, and on the other side of the thick stone walls was the orchard.

 

“I think I recognize this part,” Cale said. The fragrance of the blossoms riding on the wind was soothing, and the sunshine that shone here through the clouds warmed us. I felt oddly content, despite our predicament and I wanted to just collapse under the reverence of an apple tree and sleep forever, but we pressed on, by will alone.

 

Heads bowed, continuing like a tired horse at a plow, I beside Kane as he fell back, his pace strained under his weight. I offered to carry Jalene, but he declined.

 

“No,” Kane panted. “I've got him. Don't worry, just lead, I'm right behind you.” With a consoling look I took the position to guide, Cale still at hand. I stuck to the pastel grey mountain side which rose as the wall to our right. Watching the green chlorophyll grass pass by with every lilting step, I could have let myself run smack dab into the stone wall ahead but I didn't. This was the only truly identifiable part outside that would let anyone know where my garden was. It was stone alright, but it was cut blocks of pale grey stone, and it was several shades off from the surrounding mountain's tone. The archway was veered to our right a few paces. Crossing into my garden I couldn't wait to get home and settle down. It had been a long, nerve wearing week but we had made it this far. If anything else unexpected came up I was going to cry.

 

Opening the door that took us through my shower, I found my room, everything in order as it had been when we left it the other day. I was relieved.

 

“Finally,” Cale breathed reaching the door of my room and heading for the circle of white couches in the sitting room. He flopped down on the plush. I caught Kane's arm as he head out to join Cale.

 

“Leave Jalene in my room please,” I requested, my voice sad, eyes full of sorrow. He nodded. I helped Jean down from the blonde's shoulders and onto my bed. The room was shrouded in shadows, candle light, aquarium light and the small sunlight in the corner the only luminescent glow I had by which to see. Kane staggered out of the room, leaving my door open behind him. I drew my attention to Jalene, the poor boy. For the first time I noticed he was wounded. A direct shot had been fired, right through the middle of his heart. Paralyzed, my mind locked for several long seconds, I finally had the mind to check for a pulse or breathing, or something. Nothing. Tears already breeching their barriers, devastated from losing my friends, I let out a sob, hugging Jalene close to me as I choked, tears wetting the boy's shirt. Somewhere outside I heard the faint roll of thunder; the lightest trace of pattering rain meant it was pouring barrelfuls outside.

 

Fatigued, sick with worry, out of my mind with misery, I rolled over on my bed. I couldn't stay here, not with him beside me. Taking deep breaths, my vision still blinded with hot tears, I felt around for my door frame, clutching it as if I would fall if I let go. Choking, I fell through the door, weaving towards the plush couch, supporting myself on its back and trying to find my way for the kitchen. I ran into the counter, collapsing on it, breathlessly laying there, numb. I raised my head slowly as Kane offered me a glass of something alcoholic. I sobbed again, taking the beverage with hands that shook so badly I wasn't sure if I'd be able to drink it on my own. My heart was torn.

 

“Here ya go,” Kane said tenderly, rubbing my shoulder with one hand and helping me drink with the other. I gagged on the burning liquid but managed to down it all. Drunk… I need to be blind drunk. I set my glass down, gasping for the breath I couldn't find. I was suffocating on air. Kane poured me two more before I fell dizzily back into his arms.

 

He walked me over to the white couch, sitting me down in his lap. Cale slept soundlessly on the seat Root always sat at. The memories of my fallen friends brought lonesome tears to my eyes.

 

“Shh,” Kane whispered in my ear, his hands hooked around my waist. He tugged at the corner of my skirt. Blood was still dry on my legs, staining my boots. Only half aware of anything, I allowed Kane to remove my clothes without protest. He had stood me up and now I remained, naked and shivering as I waited for him. The room wasn't particularly cold but my heart was, or so it felt. Kane, without a word, returned from having left for a wet wash cloth. It had been soaked with water so hot you could see very faint traces of steam emitting from it. It burned to the touch at first but it felt nice enough after it cooled down slightly from the surrounding air. He wiped the blood from my legs, pushing me gently into the couch and laying me down. I vaguely wondered if Kane had used a soothing mind to lull Cale into slumber, and if so, would he do the same to me?

 

It felt good to stretch out and lay down, but it felt even better when Kane fondled me with the hot wet cloth. I groaned, shifting on the couch, eyes closed and worn out. I was stiff in his grasp before the cloth was starting to cool down, but my body was already so hot it was hard to tell.

 

“Nnnnng… mmmm,” I twitched, writhing under his hand as Kane continued to stroke me. I peered through heavily lidded eyes to meet his aqua green, mystified. I arched beneath him gasping, head back as he used his other hand to enter me, his knees on either side on my hips, my legs pressed against his sides, keeping us in place. With fingers that felt so good I couldn't help but rub against them, pushing myself against him and moaning. My hands found his back as he leaned into me, entering even deeper. I hissed, eyes half open as I bit his shoulder, muscles pressed firmly around him, rocking against him, whimpering against his flesh as he rubbed me so deep, so pleasurably. I was panting, groaning softly, my head dizzy as he pressed hard into me. I clasped my legs around his body, pressing him into me and moaning, tears lining my eyes as he bobbed against me.

 

“Ahhhh,” I protested, shuddering against him, his one hand massaging me inside, the other massaging me outside. Head to one side, mouth agape, I came into his clothed hand, his fingers continuing to work me. I whined eyes still shut as he continued to press into me, rubbing, prolonging my release by only a few short seconds. Falling limply against the couch, sweating slightly, body heated, hands still clutching Kane's shoulders, I managed to smile at him, though it seemed forced. I still wanted to cry. As he released me, running the cloth over me as he would if he were cleaning a baby, I shivered, tears rolling down my cheeks again, eyes closed, hands by my face. Kane threw the rag aside, snuggling up beside me, pulling me in an endearing hug as I cried against him, clinging for dear life. Soon I surrendered to sleep.

 

 

************************

 

 

I awoke to find a warm blanket had been spread over me, the smell of food filling the air. It was near evening. Standing, wrapping the blue woolen cloth around my shoulders, I gathered my clothes which had been folded and placed on the glass coffee table, and entered the kitchen to find Cale accompanied by Kane at the stove. They were cooking something. Soundlessly, I stepped back. They hadn't noticed me. Finding my way back to my room, avoiding what lay on my bed, I threw my cloths in a basket for washing, turning my bath water in the waterfall pool to warm. Slipping into the silent water, the cascade calming me with a hypnotizing voice, I allowed myself to soak. Still a little out of it, I washed, untangling my ribbons of hair and combing them out as I sat, dripping on the mist filled floor.

 

With a heavy heart, a sigh escaping, I towel dried myself, pulling my hair up, some of it dangling down from having slightly escaped; I pulled on a pair of black jeans and a white, sleeveless, collared silk shirt. I reunited with the two in the kitchen, sitting down at the table.

 

“Oh, good evening,” Cale greeted, flashing a smile I didn't return. Kane was silent. I was lost now. I couldn't use Jalene as we had hoped to. Instead I'd have to rely on Kane, but even then, as I had discussed several times before, the boy was unstable. It wouldn't take much before it'd be irreversible, and then what? We couldn't keep him loose. If we did, there'd be no plans of a future. In annoyance I got up, rummaging through a kitchen cupboard for an extra navigational, hologram bracelet. Finding one I slipped it on, twisting the little dial for sound, pressing the button to turn it on and switched it to channel 907. The news came back after a quick commercial; Kenny Brohan appeared with Linda Crawford by his side.

 

“Welcome back to news 907 I'm Kenny Brohan—”

 

“And I'm Linda Crawford—”

 

“And here's the update on project H.A.L.O.”

 

The screen switched to an image of Mars. It already looked pretty industrious. We'd only been building on it for a few years but even from this distance it was littered with green and silver dots. The green dots were agricultural farms, nothing actually green of course. It was how it was now, on Earth: buildings were used where various concocted powders and lord knows what else of minerals and artificial flavors to make what humans considered `food.' All the food was relatively well balanced, according to food experts, so that when people ate, they wouldn't gain weight. It caused some minor sickness but most people back then, when it was invented, would have happily given themselves to science just to be one pant size smaller.

 

“Our project here is nearly complete as more people are being shipped to this planet daily. People from every nation around the world have shuttles lined up for the five hour flight to the red planet,” Ken said behind the image as it circled over a group of buildings where people were situated. A McDonald's was already in sight. It looked like Earth, only, a rather strange, foreign Earth.

 

“We predict everyone transportable will be on Mars by the end of the week,” Linda said with some conclusion as the screen focused back on the reporters. She laced her fingers and smiled at Ken.

 

“That's right Linda. In fact, economic growth is expected to rise to nearly 200% within two days,” Kenny Brohan replied. They were planning on leaving the disabled behind with some caretakers who didn't care either way. Only the really important disabled people would be shipped to the other planet. Lord knows what we'd do without them.

 

“Almost done. I hope you're hungry Yue,” Cale said, glancing at me from his position at the stove. I said nothing, switching the hologram off. So everyone would be on Mars soon. Good, they can stay there. Kane set the table, a large bowl and a small one, before sitting down. Cale presented us with a large pan of stir-fry and a bowl of tapioca pearls, fruit and sweet milk.

 

“Any preference in drink?” he asked us. Neither of us said a thing. He shrugged, getting water for the three of us.

 

For the first time I had a mind to remember Mercy was still under system restore in Gin's room, unless something had happened or if she had been released.

 

“Excuse me,” I said monotonously as I stood. “I'll be only a moment, start without me.” I crossed the room from the kitchen, standing before Gin's doorway. I felt guilty for invading her personal space. With a deep breath I gently pulled open the door. Her room seemed small, though in fact it wasn't. She had a large imported stereo system near the door on the left. Around three walls was equipment, nearly all of it a matching black, of I don't even know what. It looked like monitors and printing machines and laser copiers and all the high tech stuff R.A.D.A.R. scientists used on the higher levels. Her bed was on the right hand side next to a low book shelf which too the entire length of that wall. Her bed was round with rumpled sheets and a large matching orange round pillow. Her sheets were red, as was the single lamp that hung above her red. It like shone a faint red white. Mercy sat in a corner in the back at a restoration machine near Gin's computer. I smiled upon seeing her.

 

Sighing sorrowfully, I crouched down, unplugging Jalene's fox, resetting her data and slipping her memory card back in. Once I hit the live button, there was whizzing and whirring, her body automatically checking her system and functions. He chirped like a car lock. Her eyes lit up and she stood, shaking her head.

 

“Ahh that felt good,” she buzzed, whimpering happily. I wanted to cry again but I held myself back. I hugged her instead, the cool plates shiny and smooth in my arms.

 

“Awww I love you too!” she squealed, offering an odd smile. I laughed.

 

“It's good to have you back Mercy,” I said, voice soft, wavering.

 

“Ok, what happened? I missed something. What went on outside exactly? I know you were there, it's on the camera I downloaded,” she asked, bombing me with questions.

 

“Can I explain later? I need to eat.” She nodded, chirping again and bounding out of the room. I found her again in the kitchen, paws on Kane's lap, her ears being rubbed.

 

I joined them at the table, finally serving myself a small portion. No one else had served themselves. I munched on the pea pods and the water chestnuts but I couldn't taste anything. Mercy asked what had happened and Kane was explaining in a flat voice.

 

“We were caught and held imprisoned. They took us up to R.A.D.A.R.'s capital square and were holding a prosecution.”

 

“The wheel?” Mercy interjected, her eyes never leaving Kane's. He nodded. Her fox ears swiveled back, laying flat, her eyes dimming and sad.

 

“We made it out alive, just in time to see Cale and Jean appear. They took vote on who should be executed then I set off the building,” Kane finished.

 

“You weren't planning on destroying those until later though, right?” Mercy inquired, ears slightly perked.

 

“Originally planned, yes,” I said with a sigh, losing interest in my food. Kane nodded in agreement. Apparently Root had told him quite a bit when he had asked to see him in his room.

 

Cale ate silently, yes down.

 

“Jalene…. Did he make it?” Mercy asked fearfully, more intrigued than anything. Kane half grinned painfully, unsure how to answer. I couldn't eat now. I swallowed hard, drinking water to clear my choked throat, wiping my eyes before I wept again. I breathed deeply to calm myself. There was a silence of acknowledged understanding.

 

“But He can fix that, can't He?” Mercy asked. Kane looked thoughtfully. Jean's fox had caught Cale's and my interest. He? Kane pondered a long second.

 

“I think so,” he finally said. “We'll make plans to see Him.” He patted Mercy's head. She nodded, dancing backwards and finding a decent corner to curl up in. She lay down, watching and listening.

 

“Who's He?” Cale asked politely, sticking a spoon in his tapioca. Kane grinned.

 

“You don't know? I thought you might have but I guess not. Hmmm….. I don't even know who He is exactly. In fact I've never even met Him,” the blond admitted.

 

“So then what do you know about Him, what does He do?” I asked, tending to my food again. It didn't need to go to waste.

 

“Well,” he began, unsure of how much to tell, “I can't say exactly. You know about Jalene, right?” We were skipping around the subject, saying it without actually saying it. Cale looked perplexed. I nodded. I did know, but I had no idea about the originator.

 

“Is that Him?” Kane nodded.

 

“We'll go to see Him. I've heard only where He <I>might</I> live. Do you have any idea where for sure?” I shook my head.

 

“I have no idea,” I replied. Cale chewed his spoon thoughtfully. I think he was catching on.

 

“Alright, the least we can do is look,” Kane said, finally turning to consume his own food. Silence permeated the room as we ate. We finished, the only sound was the clinking of silverware, plates, and cups.

 

“When do you think we should leave?” I asked Kane softly, red fox eyes watching us as we cleaned up.

 

“In a day or two. Tomorrow we'll rest and we'll pack the next day. It'll give us time to find out everything that's happening outside as well as replenish our health. I don't know about you but I'm exhausted.”

 

I nodded in agreement.

 

“But what about…. About Jean?” I asked with no way around saying his name. Kane paused, blowing streaks of green away from his face.

 

“I'll move him to another room.”

 

“We don't have an extra room,” I said hastily, then biting my tongue and wishing I hadn't said anything. “Please, use either then. I don't even know if I'll stay in my room.”

 

“You should. It'd feel more like home,” he insisted.

 

“No, it'd seem odd; foreign,” I pursued as I rinsed out a glass. Kane shrugged helplessly.

 

“Well we'll be on the couch so, if you really want to join us, sure.” I thought about it, but decided against it.

 

“No, leave Jean in my room. I'll sleep in Gin's I suppose. It's more comfortable than Root's anyway,” I sighed, drying my hands on a towel.

 

“Tell me about it,” Kane smirked, flicking water on me. I stuck my tongue out at him. I was glad we were able o be lighthearted now. It seemed like the three of us, or at least two of us, should be in mourning, but it was a little more easy going and I was content that it was.

 

With nothing else to do I propped myself on the couch. Cale had gone off somewhere.

 

“Yue, I'm going to take over Root's room for tonight, is that okay?” Kane asked.

 

“Yes, but please leave everything where it is,” I replied. I leaned over the back of the couch, arms dangling. “Kane, what will we do with Jalene?” He paused, looking over his shoulder.

 

“We'll take him with us.” I cocked an eyebrow in question. Slumping back down on the couch I groaned, stretching out. I was in the same seat I had been earlier. Still weary, I rolled over, dozing. Some time later, Cale joined me, sitting beside where I lay. I looked up at him, having rolled over in my half unconscious, curled up. He smiled gently at me. I stretched, yawning, and he pulled my head into his lap, undoing my hair and letting it fall down in slight waves, running his fingers through it. His grey and ginger eyes stared down at me through the dusky grey light that shone through the `window' in the ceiling.

 

Cale had just gotten out of the bath.

 

“Is Kane still in Root's room?” I asked lazily. He nodded. I rolled back over, stretching myself over Cale's lap comfortably, exhaling as I closed my eyes. He continued to caress my hair. I could imagine it was Jalene. Jalene. I had had no intention of feeling so deeply for him. Root had suggested me sway him by mind, but I didn't want to take the risk of damaging anything or seeing something I shouldn't, so I didn't. But by becoming physical with him, I had gotten somehow closer. Cale had borrowed some of my clothes, but that still didn't mask his fresh scent. I breathed deeply, and earthy rich scent with a hint or citrus tangerine and vanilla spice. I rested, breathing in his scent, shivering as his fingertips brushed through my hair. My weariness, despite that I was still alert, allowed me to fall into a shallow slumber.

 

 

************************

 

 

I awoke near dawn to faint scattered moans. Sleepily, I rubbed my eyes, taking a deep breath and rolling over. Kane was pleasuring Cale on the couch adjacent to me. Groaning, one hand to my head, clearing my eyes, I rolled back onto my stomach, stretching out as the other paused from having heard me. I sighed heavily into the white plush of the couch. I could still sleep a few more hours. As I awaited dreamland once more, I listened to the other two pick up their rendezvous. Scuffling, thumping, quiet moans, skin rubbing against skin. I moaned inwardly, feeling what Cale felt. I wanted to invade him so that I could feel everything, but I didn't want to dig too deep. Settling for just listening to them, I envisioned two bodies elsewhere going at it, sighing, moaning as Cale and Kane did. Soon I found my happiness and drifted off.

 

 

************************

 

 

It was morning, not all that much later since I had dozed back off. The sky was still an early grey, but Kane lay spread out over Cale, sound asleep. Cale snoozed beneath him, cradling his lover in an embrace I was almost jealous of. Yawning and reaching for the sky on my toes, I decided to make a quick breakfast, at least for myself. I found a bunch of grapes that looked like they wanted to be eaten, so that was my breakfast. Unsure of what to do the rest of the day, I wandered around aimlessly, draping myself of furniture, thinking about our predicament, the past and the future. I wondered if there'd ever be a chance to find my friend's bodies. The least I could do is make a grave to commemorate them. The turmoil above ground was too much to try and go out now. Giving up on trying to find something to do I wandered into my room. Jalene lay motionlessly on my bed, exactly how I had left him.

 

Worried all over again, brows knit, smiling at the thought of him, I approached the bed. He looked as if he could be sleeping despite his glassy eyes that I covered, unable to bear staring into his lifeless depths. He was still somewhat warm. It wasn't as though he had lost all body heat, just as though he were sleeping and it had lowered. I lay over him, half expecting his chest to rise and fall with breath, to hear his heart beating against my ear. The hole in his chest. Odd. The surrounding cloth was barely stained with blood. In a way, it didn't seem as if he was dead at all, just in some sort of strange hibernation. Straddling his hips, I took a closer look at his shirt where the bullet had entered. I summoned a small light, better to see by, to search for something that might say Jalene wasn't really dead. Was it possible to be shot in the heart be dead and possibly be resuscitated? I doubted it.

 

I pushed his shirt up. Beneath was his pale, creamy skin smooth, soft to the touch, and still oddly warm. I wondered if it was past the stage where the body became stiff and cold, where the organs and flesh began to release gases and decompose. I sickened at the thought. He seemed just as alive as he had been only the other day, and the only difference was the hole in his chest. That was the only difference. Lying beside him, one arm over him was almost like laying over his sleeping form. It frightened me to think that I was in the same bed as a dead man, and it was beyond my imagination to consider the things I might do to him. Tears flowed freely, but they were short-lived. There was a knock at the door.

 

“Come in,” I said, regaining my voice and sitting up, blinking. Kane was in the doorway.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Hi,” I replied weakly. Kane walked over to me, kneeling down beside the bed, watching me carefully. I bit my bottom lip, avoiding his gaze and swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

 

“It'll be okay,” he said softly, placing a tender hand on my knee. I looked forlornly at him, wishing it could be so.

 

“How will we get him to the Black Halo? Do you plan on carrying him?” I asked softly.

 

“That's what I've been thinking of. I talked it over with Mercy while you slept on Cale last night. She thinks we should have a makeshift sling or something for him, at least. She offered to steal a patient transporter but I told her it'd be too dangerous,” Kane explained while he played with the seam of my pants leg.

 

“It's a thought,” I said simply, hands clasped in my lap. I grabbed the hair brush from my headboard, having nothing better to do, and proceeded to carefully brush my hair.

 

“How will we get into the Black Halo even? It's pretty much impenetrable, not to mention as dark as a closet,” I stated, untangling a knot that had worked its way into my hair near my scalp. Talk about annoying. Kane sighed, standing and taking the brush away from me.

 

“I have no idea,” he said. “Come here and turn around.” I sat cross-legged on the floor as directed, Kane behind me, running the bristles through lavender streaked hair. I felt the presence of his body behind me, and if I leaned back I could feel him, standing on his knees, picking through that annoying tangle. I felt disheartened but I yearned for contact, for human companionship, and at the moment I was alone. If Cale had Kane and Jalene was dead. I couldn't exactly get my groove on with Mercy. Sure I could just imagine it: “Oh Yue! My microchips! How dare you!” I smiled at the bizarre thought. Kane coughed behind me. He had read my mind. I gave him an awkward slap on the ass.

 

“How dare you invade my privacy,” I chastised, when indeed I wanted him to. He grinned behind me.

 

“Oh, well I was hoping you'd have some other wild fantasy but if you have a fetish for robots, I won't stop you,” he chuckled pulling the knot loose and brushing it out, smooth and even with the rest of my hair.

 

I smiled.

 

“Mmm wouldn't you like to know?” I asked.

 

“I don't think I need to ask. Anyway, before I forget to mention, I think those cats can help us. You know; the wild cat creatures that have been running around; the rebel robots,” Kane said, stooping over to brush the rest of my hair. I purred, sidling up against him, in his lap. He was wearing jeans and I let his hair loose before he could say anything, my head on his shoulder, watching his expression. He looked quizzical, lips just parted. I wanted companionship.

 

“What, you want me now?” he asked quietly, one hand trailing down my front, resting on my belly, the other tilting my chin towards his face. He seemed serious. I whimpered, no longer sitting cross-legged. Kane smiled.

 

“I can't have you,” he whispered in my ear. Lines of worry traced my face.

 

“I know.” I felt breathless, my chest clutched and pained with heartache. My love was gone, and now I was being rejected once more by a friend.

 

“Just for now?” I asked so close to kissing him, breathing through my open mouth, eyes closed, arms behind his head, legs bent as I arched under his touch when he slipped his hand up my shirt. What a flirt. His right hand was tip toeing across my stomach, fingertips softly caressing bare flesh. His lips scarcely brushed against mine and I moaned. My body was heated, heart thumping, breath catching. Dammit I needed someone. I whined in protest when he nipped my shoulder, groaning as he kissed my neck. Inside me I flared with a heated lust. I wished so much Jean was touching me. I wished he was the one holding me, or I him. I felt so lonely. I regretted not taking him when I had the chance. I swallowed and Kane withdrew.

 

“Kane,” I complained. I didn't want him to stop. I exhaled as he stood, licking his lips.

 

“I think the cats could lead us on. They had to have come from somewhere. I've been thinking, maybe the Black Halo has something to do with this. It'd a wild guess by a long shot, but you never know,” Kane said, hands on his hips. I didn't turn to look at him.

 

“Also, I mentioned it to Cale. Half of it was his idea actually. He told me a while ago he passed that forest and saw the cat things hanging around it. He thinks they're able to get into the forest. Apparently if they can, we can.” Kane left the room. That night I tried to sleep in Gin's bed, but I couldn't. I was restless, tossing and turning, so finally, I got up to sleep on the couch, only to find Kane in another passionate, wild bout of love making with Cale. White hair hung over the back of the plush couch as Cale moaned, but he was cut off with kisses from Kane. I watched half heartedly from the doorway, unable to speak, breathing hard, my back to the frame. I blinked back tears, slumping to the floor as Kane allowed me to feel his lust. Immediately I was sprung, but what could I have done? My hand was my only friend, and Kane was unrelenting.