The Rise of Isaac, Books 1-3, page 52
Then the most terrible noise Oliver had ever heard reached his ears: Chip letting out a guttural scream of pure horror.
Oliver blinked and stood, the world seeming to slow. Another red flash of light made him duck and part of the rock face behind him exploded in a shower of rubble and dust. The cloud of debris gave them temporary cover so Oliver dragged Chip to his feet and forced him to run. He saw the others turning back towards them, noticing their absence.
"JUST GO!" Oliver roared, dragging Chip along as hard as he could by his uninjured arm, leaving a trail of blood behind them.
Marley ran back a couple of strides and scooped Chip into his arms, throwing him over his shoulder. The boy wailed and bawled.
Oliver glanced back and saw Rogan throw up an enormous shield and several soldiers fell down as they collided with it.
Quinn paused just ahead, waiting for Rogan to catch up then they sprinted up the hill. Xen struck his sword against the shield again and again and it was only just starting to flicker as they rounded a corner.
Oliver ploughed on, forcing his way through the deep snow. He caught up with May and momentarily gripped her arm as they fled into the Nosic Pass.
Billy had saved them all and he could never repay him.
26
The Red Trail
No one stopped running until they physically couldn't go on. They eventually paused, standing in silence apart from the sound of their heavy breathing. Snow began to fall around them and Oliver welcomed the cool flakes melting on his burning hot skin. The sky was starting to lighten behind the grey clouds that drifted over the land, signifying dawn.
Anna panted, leaning her hands on her knees. Oliver joined her as she returned upright, meeting her eyes as he checked she was alright.
"Billy. Havid," Hannah breathed.
"I know but Chip's gonna be next if we don't do somethin' quick," Marley said, laying the now unconscious boy in the snow.
Marley had ripped a piece of his shirt off and managed to tie a tight tourniquet around the boy's wrist as they ran. There was still a faint trail of blood leading back the way they had come, marking their route.
"Here, let me," Quinn said, green light igniting in her palm.
Marley flinched away from her.
Quinn's gaze flickered to Hector's as if she expected him to object but he said nothing, his dark gaze following her every move.
Marley stepped away, eyeing Quinn as she approached Chip. Quinn dropped to her knees beside him and propped his severed wrist on her knee. Rogan knelt next to her, watching her work.
She ran her palm over the torn skin and it knitted back together. It took a few minutes but, when it was done, a new growth of skin covered the stump. Chip's face was deathly white.
Quinn felt his forehead, frowning. "He's ice cold. He's lost a lot of blood."
"Will he make it?" Hannah asked desperately.
A look passed between her and Rogan. "I don't know."
She returned her hand to his forehead and shut her eyes as more and more green light seeped into his skin. Everyone watched in silence for what seemed like an age. Eventually, colour returned to his cheeks and lips.
Quinn panted a little, taking her hand away and resting her palms on her knees. Rogan knelt down beside the boy and placed a hand on his cheek. The snow around Chip's body melted a little.
"What did you do?" Hector asked in a low voice, keeping his distance.
"I brought his temperature up and warmed his clothes to keep it that way for longer," he said.
Chip's eyes flickered open and they danced about until they landed on Hannah. He lifted an arm to reach for her but had chosen the one that now ended in a clean stump. His eyes went wide and Hector dropped to his knees in a flash, pressing a hand to the boy's mouth just as he screamed.
Hannah joined his side and took Chip's remaining hand in her own. "Hush now. Shh."
Chip stilled and Hector removed his hand. Silent tears slipped from the boy's eyes as Hector manoeuvred him into a sitting position.
"I don't wanna rush you lot or anything but I really think we should move," Larkin said quietly.
"Just wait a sec," Hannah hissed, keeping her eyes on Chip.
Oliver met Larkin's eyes briefly, seeing his own unease reflected in his expression.
Chip's shoulders began to tremble and he stared off into the middle distance, his eyes glazed.
"What's wrong with him?" Hannah asked, shaking Chip gently.
"He's in shock," Quinn said quietly. "I cured his injuries but his mind is still processing what happened."
Hector stood, gripping the back of his head with a look of concern. He turned to Quinn. "What can we do?"
Her expression became taut as she looked from Hector to Chip, anxiously chewing on her lip.
They stood in silence for a moment before Hannah spoke. "I'll take him back to the city."
"What?" Marley growled. "Even if you somehow made it past Xen and his men the Queen has a death sentence on our heads."
"I could slip back into the slums, who'd notice? We can hideout there until you get back."
A moment of silence hung between them.
"I should go. I'm the strongest. I can carry him back," Marley said decisively.
Hannah raised an eyebrow at him. "You aren't suggesting I can't carry a little boy are you?"
From the size of her Oliver had no doubt that she could carry several boys if she wanted to.
"Hector?" Marley put it to him.
Hector surveyed them momentarily then nodded at Hannah. "You go. Take Chip back to Galice. We'll split whatever rations we have left."
"I have a full bag," Marley said. "I was already packed up when they attacked."
"I'm sorry but are we seriously going to continue on to the caves?" May cut in. They all turned to look at her and her cheeks flushed red but she didn't back down. "I mean, those men are trying to kill us, Chip's hurt, we've lost at least half of our equipment. Don't you think we should try and head back to the city to get some help?"
"May's right. Let's get off this bloody mountain before they catch us up. We've already left a trail leading them right to us," Larkin said, pointing at the trail of blood marking the way they had come.
Hector stepped forward, gripping his hunting knife. "You don't get it. Those men were sent to kill us by the Queen. There is no help back at the city," he said, pointing back over the mountains with the tip of his knife.
"Then why go on?" Oliver asked in dismay.
Hector looked at him. "Because the only chance in Vale we have of getting the Queen to let us live now is to rescue her damn prince."
"Isn't there another city we can go to?" Anna asked. "Preferably one that isn't ruled by a psychopath?"
"No. The Queen rules this part of the world. You could travel a hundred miles in every direction and still be under her rule," Hector said gruffly.
"Whatever we do, can we do it fast? They could come round that corner at any second," Larkin snapped, glancing warily behind them.
Hector nodded once. "Marley, split up the resources. Hannah take Chip back to the city but keep a low profile, don't let anyone know you're back."
Marley set to dividing the rations, making up a pack for Hannah and Chip. He passed it to her and she slung it over her back. She bent down and lifted Chip up over her shoulder. "I'll have to hide and wait for them to pass."
"Here, wait," Rogan said, strolling across the path toward a sheer rock face. He placed his hands flat on the stone and it began to crumble beyond his palms, orange light burning beneath them. The rock bent inwards until a small alcove appeared; it was the same height as him and three times as wide.
Rogan gestured to Hannah who carried Chip over to him. "Hide here. I'll conceal this area. When you hear them pass you can head back down the mountain."
Hannah nodded. "Thank you," she said earnestly, stepping into the small space.
"Wait. Take this." Hector undid his pack and retrieved an item wrapped in cloth. He hurried toward her and held it out.
"What is it?" she asked, taking the item and unravelling the material. She gasped as she revealed it.
It was a long, slender gun, with a small canister attached to it that glowed purple, lighting up Hannah's shocked face. "Where did you get this?"
"It doesn't matter. Just take it. If they find you, start shooting," Hector said and she nodded, a glint of determination in her eyes.
"We can leave a false trail," Quinn said, gazing at the blood that led back the way they had come. "They won't know Chip isn't with us."
Hannah nodded and Oliver gazed at Chip, the boy's blank eyes staring at a point somewhere over his shoulder. Rogan raised his hands and moulded snow and ice over the alcove until it was perfectly concealed. As he rejoined the group he sent a small gust of wind over the snow to cover the tracks that led to the wall.
Quinn scooped a handful of bloody snow into her palm and it began to glow red as she focused on it.
Blood dripped between her fingers as if the snow itself were bleeding and her gaze snapped up to meet Hector's.
Hector pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it and took a deep inhale before releasing a large puff of smoke. "Let's get moving."
27
Secret
Two Months Ago
Alison was sleeping peacefully on the sofa under a thin quilt that William had draped over her. He walked toward her and sat in the space between her arms and curled up knees, running a hand over her silky hair. She stirred beneath his touch and looked up at him. Her blue eyes burned into his own dark irises, making his throat dry.
She sat up and pulled her legs across one another, eyeing him warily. William couldn't help but laugh.
"I don't want you to be angry, Ali."
"Then why won't you let me out of here?" she asked, her tone firm but her demeanour had finally softened towards him. He sensed she was on the verge of letting her guard down at last.
"I had to keep you here until I could trust you." He took her hand and she let him keep it. He ran circles across the back of it with his thumb.
"Let me out, Will," Alison said as she leant her head on his shoulder.
William wrapped a tight arm around her and kissed her forcefully on the head. "Not yet," he whispered into her blonde locks.
She pulled away from him. "Why? Do you still not trust me?"
"It's not that, Ali." He leant in to kiss her but she turned her head away.
"But why? You brought me here, Will. How do you know you can't trust me if you won't even confide in me?"
"I know. I'm sorry. I brought you here for a reason not just because I, well, love you," he muttered.
She frowned at him, her eyes flitting back and forth between his own, searching for the truth. His breath caught as she leant forward and pressed her lips against his. He inhaled deeply as he gently kissed her back, not wanting her to draw away from him.
"Tell me the reason, Will," she muttered against his lips.
He pulled away from her and sighed, preparing to reveal the truth. "Isaac's upstairs."
Alison frowned. "What?"
"Let me explain," William implored.
She got to her feet and he followed. "How can he be? He's in Vale. You're lying," she spluttered, stepping away from him.
"I'm not. He came back, Ali." William's eyes lit with delight. "I helped him. You wouldn't believe what he brought with him."
She shook her head. "I don't believe you. It's not possible. He's dead. He went to Vale ten years ago he couldn't possibly be alive."
William saw panic expressed in her features. He took her hand. "Calm down. Shh." He pulled her into his chest and she didn't resist as he stroked her hair.
"It can't be true," she whispered.
"It is. He's sick but I've found a way to help him."
She didn't respond.
"Ali? Talk to me. Are you angry?"
She stepped backwards and looked up into his eyes. "I'm just in shock. Does he know I'm here?"
"I, uh, no."
"Why not?" Alison's brow furrowed, causing little crinkles to form on her forehead. William ran a finger over them and she moved her head away.
"There wasn't a good time. But I'm going to tell him today," he said truthfully. "We're going to do what we always said we would. You can be a part of it like you always wanted."
Alison looked at William with fear in her eyes. "That was when we were teenagers. We weren't serious. We were kids, Will. We didn't know what we wanted."
"That's not true. We knew we wanted him."
"Don't bring Oliver into this. That's different."
"It's not. We wanted him and we wanted to bring down the Gateways. I still do, don't you?"
Alison shook her head. "I didn't care after Oliver was born. After I moved to Earth everything changed for me."
"It was taken from you, Alison. You were forced to move to Earth. Forced to leave me," William said, his eyebrows lowering in frustration. "The Council tore our family apart."
Alison's eyes watered and tears slid down her cheeks. "I know," her voice broke. "I thought I'd never see you again. And when I heard that Isaac had- had killed you I fell apart. I was so lost Will and so alone."
"All these years, everything I did, everything I fought for was for you and Oliver. I devoted myself to finishing what we started. To getting Isaac to Vale. The things I did, Ali-"
She cut him off with a passionate kiss. It was the first time he felt her not holding back from him, letting herself reunite with him properly. He melted into his wife's embrace and all he felt was how fiercely he loved her. His heart pounded in his chest and the ache of the lost years between them burned through him.
She pulled away and nuzzled into his chest, breathing him in. He sunk down to the sofa, pulling her with him. He put an arm around her shoulders and she gripped his shirt and pulled her legs up to rest over his knees.
"Tell me everything. I want to know everything," she whispered against his neck.
"I will but it's best you see Isaac first. We can tell you together."
"Tell him now," she said, drawing away from him.
He couldn't resist the burning look in her eyes and leaned in to kiss her again. "Later," he said firmly.
***
William unlocked the basement door then relocked it after exiting. He stowed the key in his pocket and went up to the first floor. He knocked lightly on the door to Isaac's room.
"Come in," Isaac said from the other side.
William entered and saw Isaac laying in his bed looking deathly white and pale.
"Isaac, you look terrible," William said, pulling a chair closer to the bed and taking a seat.
"Ha. Yes, I imagine I do," he rasped.
William gripped his friend's wrist, feeling a rapid pulse beneath his fingers. "I've looked through all of Ganderfield's notes that I've acquired, there's nothing in them that can help you. I'll travel to Aleva soon and see if I can find more."
"Thank you. What would I do without you, Will?" Isaac said then started coughing uncontrollably.
William eased the fit with magic, rubbing a palm on Isaac's back as he doubled over.
"Let's just hope I can find out whatever he did to heal himself," William said, concern itching at him.
"I've no doubt that you will. I'm sorry we didn't plan for this," Isaac said sadly. His eyes were bloodshot and dark bags hung under them. His face was gaunt and his usually prominent cheekbones jutted out much too far.
William frowned at him. "We assumed we had avoided Dorian's mistakes, but that in turn was our mistake." He sighed. "I'll do my best to acquire his notes. I'll travel as soon as I can. Is Kogure-?"
"I sent him away for a few hours. His presence can be wearing and he enjoys the air in Brinatin." Isaac sighed as he settled down into his pillow.
William watched him quietly as he prepared to reveal the truth. The cry of a gull sounded beyond the window and the gentle crash of waves carried to them on the wind.
"There's something I need to tell you," William said and looked down at his feet. "It's, Alison. She's here. I brought her here from Earth. I hope you aren't angry."
Isaac didn't respond. William looked up and saw that he was asleep, his chest rising and falling peacefully.
William sighed. "Sleep well, my friend," he whispered, and quietly exited the room.
28
Snow
Oliver wasn't sure how much time had passed. They climbed steeply up the mountainside until the path became treacherously narrow. The only advantage to the effort it took to traverse the uneven ground was that it helped keep his mind from the battle back in the valley. He felt like he was going into shock but the continuous, repetitive movements of the climb held him together.
Mist rolled into the ravine below, hiding the sheer drop from sight. The path curved sharply to the right and moved further inland, sheltering them from the wind. They had climbed relentlessly with barely a moment's rest and Oliver could see exhaustion in the faces of his companions.
"I need to stop," Larkin panted.
Hector turned back but didn't halt. "We can't risk them catching up."
"How long have we been climbing?" May asked breathlessly.
Marley checked his watch which was filled with twisting dials and little cogs that spun in a blur of movement. "Almost an hour."
"Feels like longer," Larkin said, pressing a hand into his side.
Oliver couldn't help but agree with him. The steep ascent had taken a toll on his legs and his stomach grumbled angrily at him.
The pass had split off in several directions and Hector informed them that each route eventually led the same way. They had taken the most difficult path, hoping Xen would assume they took an easier route. For good measure, Quinn had laid a trail down the longest route for as far as she could manage, hiding her tracks as she returned.
"We should keep going," Marley insisted.
May bent over, rubbing her aching legs. Quinn knelt down and ran a palm over them and May sighed with relief.
"Anyone else?" Quinn offered.
The hunters backed away.
