Chapter 9.

“We need to get back into the Safe Zone.” I muttered as I stared at the dancing flickering flames.

Night had caught up with us and due to the arctic chill, and the fact the doctor did not have proper gear, we had no choice but to find shelter. Luckily we were not too far from an abandoned mine. The walls were cracking but it seemed that it was not in any danger from collapsing. Although the air was heavy it was a lot warmer than the subzero air outside.

“Why… Why would you want to return?” the doctor asked. His breath was short due to the low oxygen.

“Don’t talk. I don’t have any oxygen reserves and unlike me you can’t go into anaerobic mode.” I snapped back coldly.

I was uneasy. I did not like the fact that my life depended on keeping the doctor alive. The only way to prevent my blood from attacking his is by taking antisera that only the doctor knows how to make. Even if I killed him and took what he had it wouldn’t be enough to last me for more than a week. I have to figure out what is in the antisera…

“You shouldn’t think of me as an enemy Elya.” The doctor spoke again. Although this time he was breathing normally. “After all, I had no choice. You would have died. Plus we are of the same blood. So that makes you family now.” He gave me a smile.

“Didn’t I tell you not to speak?!” I snapped back harshly. His strange attitude was making me very irritated.

“I have to tell you Elya. Since I have Etherian blood within me I too have similar abilities as you, such as anaerobic breathing.” He gave me a weak smile. For a moment I thought I saw a glimmer of sadness within his eyes.

“Why do you believe in Annon so much? I realized he saved your life but why do you believe that he can save this world?” I asked him candidly.

The doctor was silent for a moment. The warm glow from the fire caused his eyes to twinkle.

“It seems that I’ve changed quite a bit after I woke up from the accident. I found it harder and harder to relate to my friends and family. All I saw was things that were wrong. We are being seduced but the technology. Yes, many people lived longer, healthier and peaceful lives however, that is all a façade. In reality we have no freedom. We are all selected based on our genetics and forced to live within domes, closed off from the outside world. We can’t think for ourselves, choose how to live we are even prescribed personalities! I can’t even remember why I wanted to be a doctor! What I realized was, we are their experiments; nothing more than white, sedated mice waiting for our next meal. Maybe it’s because I had new perspective after waking up… Maybe it was having their blood that made me realized what was going on, whatever the reasons may be, Annon not only saved my life, he freed me. I can see the truth and thus I will devote my life to his cause and will stop at nothing until we’ve rid this world of the Etherians!”

I did not say a word. Listening to his story strangely caused a pain within my heart. It was as if I was listening to my own story. Is this what Orlas was talking about when he gave me free will?

“Elya, why do you need to find Annon? I know it has something to do with that amulet…” Before the doctor could finish his sentence I cut in abruptly: “I have my reasons and my reasons alone to find Annon. And don’t expect sympathy from me remember, I AM an Etherian.”

That being said I stood up abruptly. “Where are you going?” he asked. Without turning around I replied: “I wan’t to make sure that we are not being followed.”

In truth, I needed to get out. Being next to this human was suffocating. Why does he infuriate me so much? It’s as if… As if he can tell what I’m thinking…

Once I was out side, a strong blast of frigged air filled my lungs. I looked up and saw the stars twinkling brilliantly underneath a clear, moonless, ebony sky.

I felt a pang within my heart, in actuality; his words struck a cord within me. I couldn’t say it to him but it is true. There is something wrong… Not just with this world… Why did we come here when we have a perfect… Suddenly I realized the answer to my own questions. “We came here because we could and it was something that the Council told us to do…”

I could see the puffs of air escaping from my lips as I spoke. I lifted my hand. It was no longer my own. However, in reality I had never used my biological hand since I was borne. Seeing the crude composite hand just made it easier to see the truth. We were their experiments! The doctor’s words flashed back within my mind. Yes, only I am not their experiment… I am their ultimate weapon… This was a fact I knew all along however, something changed in me and at that moment I did something that I didn’t realized I was capable of doing... I cried.

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By the time I returned to the fire pit, the doctor had already fallen asleep. He looked like a little boy huddled in a ball next to fire. I hate to admit it but there is a certain endearing quality to the soft spoken, frail man. I can see why Annon saved him… I’d probably have done the same.

I let out a long sigh and tended the fire. Suddenly, my head felt dizzy as a familiar voice invaded my mind:

Elya, I have been waiting for you. You must come to the city. There, within the highest tower we shall meet.

“Annon! Is that you?” I yelled back but there was no reply.

“What? What happened?” The doctor suddenly bolted upright.

“I’m sorry… I just… I just heard a strange voice.” I replied my head still feeling dizzy.

“It was Annon! What did he say you?” The doctor’s eyes were wide open with anticipation.

“He said to go to the city and that he will be waiting for me at the highest tower.” I looked up and noticed a surprised look upon the doctor’s face.

“The highest tower? The only tower I know is the Guardian tower. It’s a monument in the middle of the capital city dome in sector zero of the Safe Zone. But that monument is the ultimate symbol of the Etherian regime. It’s so heavily guarded how could he be there?”

“That voice was Annon’s I recognized it. It was the same voice I heard in Landor. We will go. It’ll be a two week hike to the Safe Zone. Will you make it?” I asked bluntly.

“Don’t worry Elya, remember we are of the same blood which means, I’m a lot tougher than what I you think!” The doctor gave me a reassuring smile.

When we stepped out of the mine, the crimson sun was just starting to peek out of the horizon.

This has indeed been a strange mission. But since I made a promise I will see it through.

With that thought in mind I began the arduous trek back across the wasteland to where I had started; back to the tower where all of this began.