Chapter 5
I wake slowly. My eyes open to the quiet light of morning and I breathe out quietly. Sitting up, I find Pythia at the table drinking GreenFuel!, and staring out the window. A pair of birds flit by tweeting to each other. I make my way to the dresser, throwing on a simple navy blue t-shirt with a red and white star symbol on both sleeves, khaki cargo pants, and white socks. Pythia turns and makes a face at me. "I hate drinking this stuff. Algae tastes disgusting."
"But it makes good energy. Sorry. I would hate to drink algae." I stick my tongue out. Pythia wears a similar outfit to mine but with olive green cargo pants. The material is rougher than I'm used to but comfortable enough. "I can't wait until they get a real charging station in here. Let's go so I can get this taste out of my mouth."
A thought hits me and I pause. "What is it?" Pythia asks. "I didn't have a dream last night. Again. That never happens." Fear lances my heart. My mind jumps to the worst conclusion. What if there is something wrong with me? What if getting shot did something other than physical to me? What if- "Stop worrying." Pythia commands firmly. She walks over and looks into my face, rubbing a hand over my furrowed brow. "Try to enjoy the moment. When was the last time you were free of the burden of your power?"
My thoughts return to that hazy time. "When I was younger."
"See? It's been much too long. Relax. You'll regret getting preoccupied when you eventually have a vision again."
I sigh. "You're right." I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. Pythia gives a comically haughty laugh. "Ha. Ha. I'm always right. Come on."
We both walk to the door and I throw on a pair of boots and a jacket. As I bend over a twinge of pain hits me and I grimace. I'll be glad when my wound is fully healed. Richard and Jane exit their room right as we leave ours. "I hope you slept well." Richard greets.
"I'm starving!" Jane rubs her hands together and hurries down the stairs. We are all quick to follow.
"There were so many things on the menu! How was I supposed to know the 'Raging River' had alcohol in it? My data doesn't extend to Capitol food items." Pythia gripes.
Jane only chortles maniacally. "The title read 'drinks'! What else was supposed to be in it? You'd think with your 'gift' you would have known that." She says the word gift condescendingly. "Only a pansy..." I hear her murmur staring at the cobblestones. I'm starting to get a lot of mixed feelings from Jane. I don't understand what she has against me. I know the others have their orders a well. Why else would they be tagging along with us? They don't show their dislike, if it exists.
"From my experience alcohol is more trouble than it's worth." Richard chides.
"You always gotta be the father, don't you, Rich?" Jane grumbles back. "Oooooh!" She yells, running to a nearby stand with several people gathered around. I walk up trying to see the wares dodging a tail as I do. I can't see past anyone. "What is it?"
Jane hustles over looking for all the world like an eager child given a fat stack of money by her parents. Paper bags fill her arms and wide grin coats her face as she shuffles over. "I'm glad Susie is a friend of my second cousin's cousin or they would have all been sold out by the time we got through the line." Sometimes it's hard to follow what comes out of Jane's mouth.
"What are they?" Pythia, Richard, and I crowd her as she rips open one of the bags. Warm steam rises from what looks like misshapen pieces of bite size golden brown bread. "Dragon Tarts!" Jane exclaims, making a humming sound. "Try one! You'll like it!" She hands one over and I hold its warmth in my hands. This Jane is the polar opposite of the one just five minutes ago. I'm not sure what to think.
I take a bite and Pythia and Richard do the same. Jane stuffs a whole dragon tart in her mouth gobbling it down and quickly follows it with another. A sweet filling coats my mouth. It tastes like something in between strawberries and blueberries... almost like- "Rosa Viola Bacciferous!" Pythia curses. Oh no. The filling in my mouth and running down my throat comes alive. My eyes water. Magic burns me from the inside until I feel like throwing up. I lean against the wall moaning. The smell of raw fish swims around me. I feel it in my mouth and in my stomach. No, no, no, no, no. This is the worst it's ever been. I choke on the stench, leaning with my hand on my knees. I take in deep breaths as if that would stop myself from throwing up. My stomach feels like it'll leap out of my body. The fruity taste has been completely replaced by fish. I hate fish. "Drink this." Pythia hands me a cup. I chug it without thinking. The foul taste and smell dies down. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go near fish after this. The thought causes me to get queasy again.
My forgotten dragon tart lies on the ground. "What the fuck?" Jane's face is shocked. "That's not supposed to happen! You like the taste of fish?" She waves her hand in from of her nose to disperse the smell.
"It doesn't work on me." I explain. "Someone I'm going to meet in my future likes the taste of raw fish." The thought causes bile to crawl up my throat.
"So, doesn't that mean you could get the taste of something good?" Richard asks. "Why are you scared of Faerie Queene's Blight?"
Pythia replies. "It doesn't usually turn out that way. The berry interferes with Cass' magic somehow. It manages to choose the worst tasting substances. We ran into a water spirit. The smell of seaweed was awful." She glances at me sympathetically. "Anyway Queene's Blight doesn't work on me. It's a magic plant. Magic doesn't work on me at all. I do like the taste though."
Jane's confused face turns almost smug. "More for meeeeee...."
"Niiiiice!" Quen and Jim appear out of nowhere. "Dragon balls!" They immediately reach for the paper bag. Jane yanks it back. "Stop it, fools! You can't take them all!" The men protest profusely.
The rest of the group, except Richard, launches on the bag like a pack of wild dogs. "Let's go." Richard says irritably. He obviously doesn't approve of their behavior. We start to walk. A few people glance at me on our way by covering their noses. I grimace. Great.
We walk by the fountain from yesterday. My hand traces over the edge.
The others are debating where to go next. "I'm telling you. A hike through the forest would do us all some good." Quen insists. "You just want to go on another hunt." Jim's hand lands on his shoulder. "I still say we should go check out the new gadgets at the Depot." Jane rubs her hands together.
My attention strays from them when I feel a rough spot on the edge of the fountain. I stare down at a series of lines someone has dug into the stone. Why would anyone want to ruin this beautiful fountain? My finger traces the lines. As I stare at the figure the shapes start to merge into something more than a random act of vandalism. There is a rough outline of most of a circle traced around another object. The box at the tip of the rod makes it look like a hammer. My hand rubs a series of curved lines at the back of the hammer. Wings? I wonder what it means. What would make someone carve this? What importance does this symbol hold for them? (https://imgur.com/zwYdOuY [here is a link if you want a clearer picture])
"Cassandra!" Pythia calls. I turn back around. "We've decided to visit the Library. It's supposed to be the biggest for hundreds of miles." I follow the group as we walk down a side street. The orderly doors line the narrow stone streets. I doubt much of the original city is left. Many of the doors are painted wild colors and many have decorations of dragons or other creatures painting the walls. A door catches my eye. I'm surprised to see the same symbol from the fountain repeated around the door. If I hadn't seen it before I would have just thought it was a decoration. Everyone is already moving on. My eyes linger on the symbol. My curiosity has been stoked. I'll have to come back later and see if anyone knows what it means.
The monument before me is a century old. The sandy colored stone looks plain next to the large and beautifully carved stone bear. Half of the bear is one type of dark stone and half looks like the sandy stone of the monument. The clean lines make me wonder at the ingenuity of my ancestors. They didn't even have magic yet they managed to carve this bear!
"When the remnants of America's old government found this place they decided to carve a monument to history out of the rock this sculpture was placed on." The Librarian narrates. Her voice shows her age, yet the spring in her step defies it. I can tell the love she has for the old history. "My mother told me once stood in front of the local town hall. 'Spirit Bear,' she told me it was called. The locals who once lived here really had an affinity for nature so I was told." She stares out at the gently sloping mountains in the distance. I can almost see it through her eyes. The nearby river surrounded by trees, the sandy soil crunching under my feet, perhaps a bear peeking at me from behind a tree. I take in a deep breath of the cool air, walking up to the monument.
The first panel depicts a large house. The grand columns in front give it a sense of importance. Symbols I've seen before appear: the eagle, the stars, the woman holding a torch. I feel the reverence given here. "The old government was not perfect. History tells us that. But nothing is ever perfect." Richard speaks quietly.
The next panel is by far the biggest. Even I know what this one depicts. The fire, the fear, the unknown. "The Fall." Pythia points at an object in the sky. It leaves a fiery trail in it's wake. "What's that?"
The Librarian explains. "No one knows what really caused the Fall and the return of magic. But some speculate an asteroid, or other object caused it. In the aftermath no one cared what the true cause was. They only wanted a fix to the sudden influx of gods, magic users, and magical creatures. The government struggled to provide answers to the needs of the people. This was the tipping point that gave the Corporations the upper hand. With destruction around every corner, and government increasingly unable to do anything about it, the Corporations grouped together for a time. They sent the tatters of the Presidency and the President's most loyal followers into exile. There was nothing they could do to fight off the persecution from the Corporations. They had no choice but to use their stealth Technology and go into hiding. And here we are today. Over a century later."
The simplicity with which she states the facts makes them seem less monumental. I don't think words or a monument could describe the confusion of the Fall. The Corps have always been the avengers of a crippled society on the verge of total collapse. That too, is etched in this stone. Three Corporations in a counter clockwise position: Imagine, with its sparkling diamond, Erudite, with its depiction of an atom, and Valeyard, with its simple sword. Apart from the rest and above them all lies America. A lone, proud, eagle flies for this Corporation. "America had to lose a part of itself to rejoin the world." The Librarian's voice is weary. I can hear the sadness in her voice. "Mercenaries who reject our values fight for our cause. Refugees flood the Capitol. Records have been lost or hidden away. All in the name of order."
My eyes trace the faded symbols once again. Something in the middle of the group catches my attention. I reach out only to have my hand grabbed by the librarian. Chagrin fills me. She doesn't look angry. Her eyes too find the spot I was about to touch. "Curious, are you?" Her old voice resonates in me. Anger seeps into her tone. "Decades ago, a vandal, by the name of Massebah, drew a rose and a dagger in the middle there. He was sent from the city and monument was restored the best they could, but they couldn't remove it all..."
"What does it mean?" Richard asks. By the excitement in his eyes it seems he hasn't heard this before.
"There is an old rumor that a 'Leader' controls all of the Corporations including America. It all seems silly to me. People always want to believe some puppet master controls their every move. Just ask the Church of Endless Faith." By this time her arms are waving. I almost want to laugh with her. People will believe anything, won't they? The day is waning. I think this is the end of our tour.
"Where should we go to lunch?" Richard asks, politely. Two days have passed since we visited the library. I still haven't had a vision. I know I am far more concerned than Pythia. She said to enjoy the moment, and I am trying to.
"Anywhere with non-alcoholic drinks?" Pythia replies timidly. Jane scowls. "I know just the place!" Quen interjects. As the squabbling begins I look around the crowded street. I am more used to the many strange sights and sounds. A woman passes by with the lower body of a snake. It reminds me of the Lamia and my hand goes to my side. My gunshot wound is more or less healed now. The sight of the scar in the mirror everyday is more than enough to make me wish I was rid of the memory of my brush with death. The woman's tail swipes my shoes, and I take a few steps toward the nearest street vendor.
The colorful wares are not what catches my eye. I lift up one of the yellow spiky fruits. Pythia would know what it was called. As stealthily as I can I stare at a boy standing in the street a few feet away. He is unassuming, holding a sheave of flyers in his hands. I can't catch what is on them. My eyes widen as I see that the doorway behind him is an exact replica of the one by the fountain. The same symbol covers the rim. A old man walks by and slides a paper into her bag without glancing at the boy. What is going on here? Is it something illegal? My heart grows uncomfortable at the thought. Maybe I should report this activity.
I glance around, but no one else seems to notice this interaction. Normal people walk by on their way to where ever. "Are you looking for something?" I'm startled by the voice of the vendor owner. The man is staring at me with unreadable eyes. "Oh-" I set down the fruit and glance around the cart. Knick-knacks of all kinds adorn every surface. I grab a small treat. "How much for this?" I ask.
"One credit and an eagle." I hand over the blue paper note and the coin with an eagle. I fumble a little. Back in Erudite there was only credits. I've never had to use money myself either.
I quickly walk away staring back toward the others. I pop the treat into my mouth. Pythia looks to me and I give her a small smile. The others look annoyed at each other. I can tell Richard is about to step in. I'd better hurry. As I turn back a town guard, of all things, slips a sheet into his coat as he walks by. Gods, so the guards are in on it?
I have to know. My heart beats in my chest as I walk up to the boy like the others. He doesn't even look at me. I stop in front of him. Blue eyes meet mine in annoyance. "What're ya doin'?"
Now that I'm here I'm not sure I want to be. "Um. I just wanted to know what's on this-" I reach for the flyer. I catch sight of a date.
"Cassandra!" Pythia calls out to me. She looks concerned as she sees me talking to the boy. I look up to tell her one moment. The sound of running feet makes me whip back around. The edge of a shirt disappears around the corner. I make a split second decision and dash around the corner. "Wait!" I shout after him. I hear Pythia yell after me. The boy clutches his papers with a death grip. Not one flies behind him.
I chase after him through increasingly twisting streets, and fewer and fewer people. My breathing becomes labored after only a short time, and my mind races trying to figure out how to catch up to the boy. He is too fast for me to catch by running and he knows the streets too well. Any second now I could lose him. Think, think, think. The streets fly past me endlessly. After only a few more turns I have no clue how to return to the others. The thought doesn't disturb me. We'll find each other eventually. The stone echoes under my feet, and the sun seems to darken under the oppressive weight of blackened rooftops.
The obvious hits me and causes me to slow. My hand skims a filthy wall. The street seems to close in around me. I can see the future... I concentrate on the boy in my mind. I focus in my need to see him, to find him. Another street passes me by. This isn't working! The small footsteps have disappeared. No!
I think of the feeling I get when the insight hits me. It feels like my mind is detached from my body.
A wall rises up to meet my face. I fall flat on my ass. "Damn!" I growl in frustration. The griminess of my surroundings comes to my attention. A see a few heads poking out of flimsy doors and windows to look at me. My heart speeds up. Then it hits me.
The map is laid out before me like an open book. I start to jog, tracing the route with precision. I ignore my environment once again. The space around me widens and I hop over a short fence and into a small park. I start to sprint and just as I round the corner back into the streets, the boy slams into me. I fall to the ground once again with the boy on top of me. "What the-" The boy shouts, scrambling off of me. "Git away f'rm me!" He shouts. This time a couple flyers are left behind. His scared eyes meet mine and I cringe. He flees down another alley. I slowly stand shoving a flyer into my pocket.
My whole body starts to shake, and I'm suddenly on my knees. The pain shoots up my legs. Pain lances my stomach and my mouth turns dry within seconds. What's happening? My heart pounds in my ears.
Heavy footsteps near me. Three pairs of boots enter my field of vision. A meaty hand clutches my neck slamming my back into a tree. The men who lie before me remind me exactly like the grunts at Erudite. The breath of the one who holds me wafts out and smells like beer and cigs. I wilt under his touch. I don't even know if I can speak.
"What are you doing here, girl?" His free hand touches my cheek and I flinch. Oh gods, what did I get myself into? I open my mouth to speak and nothing comes out. The man's laugh is guttural. "What's got your tongue, kitty? Do you know where you are?" His fingers press into the hollow of my throat. The henchmen saunter forward, and he leans in close. "Are you lost?" He whispers. At the word lost his hand travels to the top of my now filthy jacket. The zipper is quickly undone. I squeeze my eyes shut. Is this one of my dreams?
I feel frozen. For some reason my mind chooses to focus on the feeling of the bark at my back. I feel guilty that I've ruined these clothes that were given to me. The others won't be happy with me.
A voice interrupts my inner monologue. "Rando. This one is mine." The voice is female, and smooth. She doesn't sound alarmed to find me pinned to a tree.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQEm4YaZFT
My eyes slide open. The woman is standing behind the men so I can't make anything out except for her eyes. For some reason they look like a cat's, bright yellow and with split pupils. The one I assume is Rando instantly drops me. I hit the ground rubbing my neck. "Bast." Rando's voice rumbles. "We didn't know."
"Yeah. Fo' real, lady." One of the henchmen mumbles quickly, and moves to stand behind Rando.
The woman, Bast, sounds annoyed. "Get out of here. Go terrorize someone else." The three flee like naughty children. My eyes follow them into the same alley the boy ran into.
A hand touches my face and I jump. I didn't even hear her approach. "And what have you been getting yourself into, hmm?" Her voice is nice. I turn quickly as a wet tongue licks my face. My eyes meet those of a black cat. They look identical to Bast's. The cat lets out a meow, and its fishy breath hits my face.
"It's you!" I exclaim. I start to stand, and Bast reaches out to help me. "Take it easy!"
I small laugh escapes me. I can't seem to control my legs enough to move. My mouth blurts out my thoughts. "I ate the Blight and got the taste of raw fish." I explain.
Bast's eyes twinkle in the waning light. "That's a neat trick. Maybe I'll try it sometime. Let's get you cleaned up, shall we?" In one smooth motion she lifts me up. Her small body betrays none of the strength carried in her limbs. "Wait!" I protest. Bast glances down at me. "I need to get back to my friends. And who are you?" As she walks forward exhaustion fills me.
"Not to worry." She soothes. "They will meet us in my home soon enough." The cat meows a couple of times beside Bast. "Yes. Yes." Her voice is calm unlike how I feel right now. I can't go with this woman. I try to get out of her arms and her voice turns sharp. "Stop that." I do. Her hand flattens my head to her shoulder. "You are worn out enough." My eyes droop. "Go to sleep." She keeps talking and I only manage to catch a few more words. The cat meows softly once more. "See? You'll be out in: 3, 2, 1...."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUDddmM0tG
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