Chapter 4
The healer wraps another ReadyBandage around my abdomen. Pressing his hand over my covered wound his hand starts to glow with a soft golden light. Warmth spreads out from it and I feel his magic flow into my body speeding up the healing process in my cells.
Pythia stares out the window still as a statue. I can just barely glimpse the movement of flying vehicles and people. Several story buildings are spread out into the distance. "See anything interesting?" The healers soft voice pulls me out of my reverie.
I stare back at his wide smiling face. "We haven't had a chance to look around yet." I give a small smile. Excitement is already starting to run through me at already starting to run through me at the thought of exploring. "What happens next? Why were we brought here?"
The healer grins at me. "All of that will be answered later. I hear you have a meeting with the Presidents in your future. Too bad they'll be out for a few days." I take all of that in. I want to ask more questions, but the door opens to Richard.
"We all done here? The Capitol is waiting." I leap off of the table, my hands going in wonder to my gunshot wound. There is no pain whatsoever. "Take it easy." The healer warns. "If you aren't rough with it you should be completely healed in a few days." I walk briskly to the door. "Thank you!" I exclaim.
Pythia walks slowly over from the window. Her face is like stone. Confusion overtakes me. What's wrong? My eyes drift to Pythia's hands now clean. A flash of insight hits me and I close my eyes leaning against the door frame. "Are you alright?" Richard's hand goes to my shoulder. I look over at Pythia. Some of the fog has cleared from her face as she looks to me. "What is it?" Pythia asks. A slow sadness comes over me. "You chose to take a life, and it will weigh heavily on your soul. Be prepared to defend those you care for again. Next time you will be asked to kill one of your own. And the choice will not be so easy." The room is deathly silent. "He wants to talk to you, P." I nod to the healer and quickly leave the room.
As we exit I glance at Richard who looks uncomfortable. I tend to do that to people. I let out a sigh. I tend to do that to myself. My good feelings seem to have evaporated. "It comes and goes. I won't be predicting your future anytime soon."
"That's not what I was thinking!" He protests. I can't tell if that's a lie.
"Heeeeeey, kid!" Jane's boisterous voice exclaims from down the hall. Jim and Quen follow behind her. All three look happy to be back in friendly territory. I'm relieved for the distraction. "Hello." I reply in greeting.
"What happens now?" I ask. Quen explains. His eyes light up in a brighter amber. "Now we take you on an amazing tour. Might as well do something while we wait for the Presidents to get back."
"You'll be talking to them about what you want to do next." Jim continues. "You can stay here in the Capitol as long as you want. We'll set you and your friend up with a place to stay and everything you'll need. The Capitol is no stranger to runaways." His eyes stray to Jane, and mine trace the hint of a tattoo peeking at her collarbone. "Or you can move on if you choose." A long pause. Unease flows through me. Of course they didn't rescue Pythia and I out of charity. Everyone always needs something from me. I wait for their excuse. Richard looks me in the eyes. "We won't lie and say we wouldn't be disappointed if you chose not to help us." His voice becomes forceful. "Every able man and woman is needed to restore the true law and order of the land."
"I will hold it against you. Don't be a coward. " Heat hits my face. Jane interrupts. "Chaos reigns, kid. It's up to us to choose to fight it. It's only a matter of time before the Capitol is found and our job gets ten times harder." A mix of emotions overwhelms me. It is strange to hear an earnest expression where there was once only demands.
Pythia's calm voice speaks up from behind me. Her tone is upbeat and I feel relief. "I don't believe we have thanked you, yet." She steps up to my right side wrapping her arm around my shoulders. "So... thank you."
"Thank you." I repeat graciously.
Richard smiles widely. "You're quite welcome." He drawls. "It's nice to finally meet both of you properly. I'm Richard. Commander of Patrol 50-Star."
Jane speaks up. "You already know me." She spreads her hands up in the air. "Master Spy. Strong enough to wrestle a were-bear." Her face turns vicious. "With enough strength of will to root out traitors-"
"Okay! Okay!" Jim calls out loudly. "That's enough out of you, Vigil." I'm glad he interrupted Jane. I thought with us on somewhat the same side things would be different. "I'm Jim. But I'm sure you knew that already." He snaps his fingers and sparks fly. A laugh almost escapes me. "Mage. Comic relief. I've got a good one! Three doctors walk into a bar-"
"Nope!" Quen interrupts. "Not another one of your 'jokes.'" He punches Jim lightly in the arm. Jim glares dramatically back. "I'm Quen. Resident werewolf. I suppose if Jim is comic relief that makes me... exposition?" He chuckles rubbing the back of his head.
"Good one, Quen. Can we get going now? The day is already almost through!" Jim says irritably.
"Hold it!" Richards commanding, yet soft, voice growls. "You could try to be more polite." He turns to Pythia and I looking at us expectantly. Oh. "Hi, I'm Cassandra." I blush. "Pythia." Pythia acknowledges simply. She gives a small wave, smiling.
"You'll probably want to take a rest after everything that's happened today." Richard says. "We'll take you straight to where you'll be staying if you'd like." I glance at Pythia then at Richard. "That would be great." I say appreciatively.
The chilly air brushes past me as we walk outside. I squint at the sudden light, and look observe the street. Buildings several stories tall line the street left and right. The ones closest are the tallest and most well kept. I can only assume these are the government buildings. People young and old, organic and otherwise, roam the street in various types of dress. "This way." Jane says walking to the left and the group follows her. I glance at Pythia and we both smile at the same time.
Almost immidiately we enter a small plaza with a fountain in the middle. Children are running around it and their giggles and laughter is infectious. They splash each other and I can't help, but wish I could join in. The water looks great even with the cold air. It must be nearing late spring by now. I'm amazed to think I can go outside now if I want. Maybe there will be snow soon. I'd like to see snow.
I grip Pythia's hand and tug her along. I want to go faster. I want to see everything! We quickly pass the fountain. As we get closer I see elaborate ornamentation around the edge. Numerous stars and eagles dress the edge. There are also a few strange statues of a woman in a dress with a crown on her head. One of her arms is extended holding what looks like a torch. A medium size dragon statue, roaring into the air with water coming out of its mouth, adorns the very top. Before I can wonder Jane explains. "Those are symbols of the United States of America before the Fall. The eagle and stars were the old American symbols, and for whatever reason they seemed to like that woman, there. Don't ask me why."
"And the dragon?" I ask.
Jane chuckles and points at the tops of the buildings. The upper stories of every building are either burnt or otherwise destroyed. I look back. The highest is the building we came out of which is a little less than ten stories tall. Looking at them all makes me realize how run down they look compared to the sleek Erudite skyscrapers. It reminds me of old videos from a hundred years ago Pythia and I managed to watch. I shudder just thinking about Erudite.
"Legend has it that a dragon appeared during the Fall and destroyed most of the town. Not long after that the old government fled here and set up shop."
Richard leads the group onward. His head turns back over his shoulder. "I keep telling you you should go to one of the history lectures at the library, Jane." He admonishes. "Everyone should know where they came from. Then there is no chance of repeating past mistakes."610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N4FhErTl5
"And I keep telling you I don't care about that garbage. The now is what matters!" Richard just shakes his head.
"How big was the dragon? What color was it?" Pythia asks curiously. Jane and Richard both send pointed looks at each other. Silence. Jim and Quen both crack up. "What color was it? Bet no has ever asked that question before." Jim snickers. I smile widely at Pythia.
As we walk further down the street the amount of people grows more and more. The street widens and in the distance I can hear the sound of many chattering voices at once. Peeking around the corner is color and movement and excitement stirs in me. "What is it?" I ask. Quen gives a loud whoop and I jump in surprise. Suddenly he transforms into the biggest animal I've ever seen. His ripped clothes lie fallen on the ground. I try not to think about what will happen when he transforms again later. I stare with wide eyes as he runs off barking toward the noise. I would almost mistake him for a large grey-black dog if not for his glowing eyes and the purpose in his gait. Jim runs with him, laughing, in hot pursuit. "C'mon!" Jane shouts and speeds up to almost a jog. I rush to keep up.
A powerful howl sounds up ahead. Another different voice joins the first. As we all round the corner a wall of music and voices and other cacophonous sounds run over each other until I can barely tell one from the next. My eyes find two huge wolves staring at each other. Jim jabbers on beside them. The smaller light brown and sand colored wolf stares right at me. A shiver runs down my spine. The sight is unusual and beautiful at the same time. Both of the wolves transform and I look away quickly, blushing. A flash of light draws my eyes back over and I see Jim pulling clothes out of thin air and handing them over. No one around them even bats an eye. Pythia is giving me a wry grin. The three of them run off in the opposite direction we are walking. "Where are they going?" I ask.
"That was Matron Matilda." Jane replies. At my blank look she continues. "They both grew up in an orphanage. That's probably where they are going now. To catch up with their family. Quen and Jim are like brothers." There is something begrudging in her voice. My thoughts fly to what could have been. If only I was taken to an orphanage instead of left to fend on the street. My heart squeezes and Pythia reaches out holding me close. I instantly feel better. "The is no use thinking of what could have been." Pythia murmurs. "Only what could be." I finish.
The sound of flapping wings brings my eyes skyward and my mouth gapes when I see a woman with white wings on her back fly past. A messenger bag, almost overflowing with letters and packages, hangs at her waist. "Follow me." Richard directs. We walk through a market. Booths of all shapes and sizes, and wares of all types crowd the huge plaza. I look to my right and observe two older women haggling over some old electronics. Pythia's eyes light up when she sees the old wiring and she turns to me. "That's an old camera. Records say it used to be expensive. See the huge thing on the front? That's to magnify the picture."
Even I can hear the wonder in my voice. "Really? That can't be! It's so huge. Didn't they have camera implants?"
Richard joins in. "Those weren't invented yet. We don't have much use for them now, but at least some of the parts are still good."
"Finally something valuable from history." Jane says. Richard gives her a look. "Sometimes I think we were meant for each other then you go and say or do something like that." The tension from the history between them is palpable. "Let's go." I insist, grabbing Pythia's hand and walking ahead.
We pass one of the performers dotting the square. Some of them are using their powers, or magic, or showing off in some way. Others simply speak or play music. The duo before us is a female vampire and a creature I've never seen before. The creature looks like a lion. Short horns top its head, and large brown wings float on its back. Golden coins lie at its feet and the vampire beside it shouts in an Asian language at the people gathered around. "I heard there was a Pixiu in town. I didn't think the rumors were true." Richard's voice is awed. I glance over to see him staring in fascination at the Pixiu. "They bring wealth and good luck." Pythia explains.
We start to walk away. Slowly this time. All of us stare back at the creature. A family passes us. I can't help but stare at the cybernetic parents. Both have had limbs replaced with metal parts and half of the mother's face has been transformed, her eye changed into a silver orb with a glowing blue center. I'm not used to seeing so many enhanced people all at once. Erudite rarely let me meet new people. A girl and a boy follow behind them both eating ice cream. The girl holds a balloon in one hand, and stares intently at her treat. Insight flashes through me, and I stumble forward catching the balloon just as it flies away from the distracted child. She looks up at me with wide eyes and I feel my face turn red. I quickly hand over the balloon. "Thank you!" The girl shouts back at me as she chases after her parents. her eyes catch on something on my shirt, and I follow her eyes, confused at what she was looking at. I spot the matted blood there and my heart is in my throat once more. It's time to make it to our destination. No more distractions.
I run after the others who have wandered on. I can only take everything in as we pass and hope I will have another chance to see it all. I don't think I could ever leave this place. It's wonderful.
We finally make it to an unassuming building. The simple door is painted a faded red. At least it will be easy to find. We enter a dim entryway. The entire first floor looks like it has been turned into several restaurants. Each has their own unique and colorful sign. THE LUCK DRAGON (All enhanced welcome). Retro Rhonda's Recipe. Siren Serenade (No we don't have a real siren!! Would you like to lose your life?!). "You can have your pick later, kid." Jane says. She leads us up a flight of stairs. We only go up to the second floor to my surprise. "We need to be able to get downstairs fast in case someone knows you are here." Richard explains. When I glance at Pythia in concern he continues, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen. It's just a precaution."
Richard opens up one of the first rooms along the hall. 102. It's a simple place, but I think I would have been more uncomfortable had it been elaborate just for Pythia and I. Two beds, two dressers, a large window, a table and set of chairs, and a simple bathroom are all that adorn the room. The beds look comfortable and I walk up, and touch the soft blue fabric, careful not to get any dirt on it. A painting takes up almost the whole wall at the head of the beds. It depicts and idyllic scene. Rolling hills, fluffy clouds, and waving grain grace the picture. An impressively beautiful farmhouse rests over the farmland, protecting the cattle that roam the pasture, and the lone rider that huddles over them. The sun burns brightly and I can feel the warmth radiating out.
"There are clothes in the dressers for you. We'll have dinner after you clean up. We are staying right next door." Richard describes pointing right across the hall at a door. 103. "Come by if you have any questions." Pythia and I nod and watch as the two of them leave, shutting the door.
The silence is tense in the moments after. I'm left staring at the door a mix of emotions overwhelming me. A deep breath streams out of my body and with it everything else. I shudder and hot tears start to run like a river down my face. Warm arms embrace me and I let it all out. I can't even describe what I'm feeling. I feel Pythia's own sobs as well and her tears mix with my own. "What has happened, Pythia?" I blubber. "I can't make sense of it. Where do we go from here?"
Pythia's voice usually so sure sounds just as confused as my own. "I don't know, Cassandra. I don't know." She strokes my hair. It is then I'm reminded that she is actually younger then I. In some ways I know more of the world than she. "All we can do is try and figure it out as best we can." There is a long silence and we just hold each other. Our tears slowly stop and I let out a breath trying to get a hold on myself again. Pythia starts again, "About what happened today. With that woman." Her voice shakes and my heart stops. "I chose to kill her, Cass."
I speak up hurriedly. "No, P!" I deny. "She was going to kill me. She almost did kill me! There was so much happening. How-" Pythia interrupts me leaning back and looking into my desperate face. Her face is determined, somber, and guilt ridden all at once. "You can't do that, Cassandra. Don't fall into that trap. You can't save me from this. I killed Director Vindhlér." I open my mouth and she forges on before I can speak. My throat is tight and I don't think I could have uttered a word in that moment anyway. "I could have stopped." Her eyes look over my shoulder and I know what she is seeing. My mind goes back also and another tear escapes me. "I could have stopped, Cass, but I didn't. You were in danger, or dying, but it wasn't about that. All the hate I had came over me. All the loathing at what she did to you, and to me, and to everyone she ever wronged defeated me. She didn't have to die. You predicted it. You told all of us what would happen. I didn't listen and neither did she. But Vindhlér had the veil of ignorance clouding her vision. I knew better." Her voice cracks. "I should have known better." I embrace her again and we rock back and forth. Each comforting the other. Dusk settles, and with it the end of the era of familiarity.
"We walk into the unknown, Pythia." I whisper, as if the night itself could hear me. "I'm glad I have you to walk through it with me. We'll get through this together." An irrational fear flits through me. "Pythia?" I ask.
"Yes?" She responds. "I'm scared to be alone." I say, embarrassed, pulling back and looking at the bathroom. "I am too." Pythia relates slowly. "Why don't we go together. Let's not keep the others waiting." I smile tentatively up at her. We walk into the shower together. It feels good to get out of these disgusting clothes.
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