Chapter 12

 

Flyer’s point of view

 

After Kevin’s emotional heart-to-heart with me, he began to shut himself off from the rest of us. Depression was ugly, especially in companions. He talked less and less, brooded a lot with his thoughts, and began to ignore the Dragon Faction resistance, along with hopes of escape. Once again, he moodily refused to come to a meeting for yet another escape plan. I attended though. I wanted to keep Kevin posted in case he changed his mind.

“Th’ plan this time is ter be causin’ a cave-in on purpose, yer ken?” Rembrandt declared.

Skyir took over: “We predict that when the cave-in happens, it will distract some of the guards for a few vital minutes. They always seem to come running whenever we try and dig everyone out. We’ll act as if some of us are buried and try and dig them out while another group slips past the guards.”

“Dis means,” Grapper added, “dat some of yers will get beatun up, but if it keeps workin’ you’ll all get your turn at escapin’.”

A few questions were asked, and then Grapper gave out instructions to all of us. The meeting was adjourned and I headed back to find Kevin.

 

Kevin’s point of view

 

As I slept, regaining essential energy, that hazy voice came back. Like before, I couldn’t recognise the voice. It was just like a spirit breathing words on the wind.

“You’re there again, aren’t you?”

Speaking in my mind, in my subconscious, I replied simply: “Yes.”

“I can feel it…. Where are you? I can’t see you.”

The voice was much clearer than before, resonating as if we were both standing in a large, spacious hall, but still not recognisable. Yet, judging from the reply, that other soul was just as confused as I was. Anyway, who cared? I felt depressed and desired to be alone, savouring the silence of sleep. “And I want it to stay silent,” I resolved harshly to myself.

“I don’t even know where I am. I can’t see you either, and I don’t want to hear you, quite frankly! Now go away!” I ordered.

“But… how are you talking to me?”

“How the hell should I know? Just be quiet; I can’t sleep with you chatting away in my head!”

“At least tell me who you are!”

“Forget it!” I snapped. “And shut up!!”

“Wait….. this is too confusing. Are you here in this room or not?”

My anger blazed. “STOP HOUNDING ME! Do you want me to force you away?”

That last question, I remember, was just a hollow threat. I had no idea if I could stop this voice in my head from speaking to me, whoever it was. Or whatever it was. Yet, at the time, I believed I could put a stop to it. I discovered later this had a lot to do with my abilities……..

I used all of my will power to manifest myself in the presence of this stranger. The figure looked human, but was only a shadow, a wraith in my vision, shrouded by blue, shimmering mist.

Growling, I began a slow march towards this figure, intent on frightening them or striking out at them if necessary. They backed off a little but as I got closer, they froze, apparently in terror.

I heard the figure gasp, the voice becoming ever more clear. It was male, human, but who? It didn’t concern me right now though.

I was within a metre now, as I raised my hands as if they were Great Gecko claws and thrust out to knock the person backwards.

In that same moment, the figure spoke in awe and terror:

“Oh my God! Ke-”

Too late. I tried to stop myself but my mind didn’t react fast enough to retract my arm.

I pulled back as the shadow-cloaked figure was pushed to the floor, but stopped short of their trajectory by hitting some obstacle in the way. Before I could react again, the whole thing had faded, and I jerked awake, the link between us seemingly severed.

Everything was as it should have been. Slaves not working were sleeping, eating, and talking as usual. My head reeled, as if I was weak from hunger. Yet, I knew it must have been that I had used up a lot of energy to manifest myself before that person. I needed more sleep then. I had discovered that I didn’t have to meditate to gain energy. Sleeping was just as effective.

That voice….. the prospect no longer angered me: it scared me. Mere moments before I hit that guy, he spoke with a intonation packed with …… recognition. And the last words I heard:

“Oh my God! Ke-”

Were they about to exclaim my name? Was that person someone I knew when I was alive? Wait, correction: when I was a living human.

It was confusing being dead but alive at the same time.

Anyway, I hoped time would reveal whoever that was, and how they spoke to me.

 

Flyer’s point of view

 

I had found Kevin, looking very confused and tired, but trying to convince him to help out with this plan was harder than I thought.

“Kevin, the leaders are pretty sure this one will work.” I stated.

“Then let them try it!” he snapped.

“We need as much help as we can, Kevin. The more we have helping both groups, the better chance we all have.”

“No!”

I paused. “Don’t you want to go home to your friends? Your wife?”

He scowled, “Yes! Wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, but,” I hesitated, feeling defeated already, “We could really use your strength, Kevin.”

I heard him sigh. I didn’t know what he was thinking. I thought my grief for my lost family was horrible, but to know his family and friends were still out there, waiting for him or believing him dead, must have been killing him. I knew I’d never see my parents again, but he knew that he still could somehow, and that possibility made him suffer more. They were out of his reach, and there was little he could do now.

“I’ll think about it, Flyer.”

I let a small grin creep over my snout.

“I’ll keep you posted. Tell me if you decide.”

“Will do, Lil’ Guy.”

 

***

 

 

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