CHAPTER 11:
DRAINS
The many underground passages of the island (though uninviting and hostile at first) have become home during the years. Being the main headquarters of the resistance, it was usually busy: much like the headquarters of our enemy. Today they were filled with junk from the recent storm. The world was truly suffering from the pollution of our species. To this day, the climate is so unpredictable that weather forecasts were abandoned decades ago. Tropical monsoons in the English winter, and snow in the summer months of Australia. Our ecosystem is falling apart: the world population at about 1 billion. Billions died in the melting of the polar ice caps, and 1/3 of the countries of the world flooded over.
I tried to avoid the depressing thoughts as I walked along the raised wooden platforms in the underground deserted sewage system. Walking to the main hall was tedious due to the flooded tunnels. I was walking on a huge long bench, like the platforms that were once used on the streets of Venice so tourists wouldn't have to walk in the flooded piazza. Or so I'm told. Venice went under almost a hundred years ago. Some one in the resistance was lucky to have a photo of it when his grandfather went there: he brought it in and it was passed around. I never got what the fuss was about. Venice was just a watery city with benefits. Sure: it had beautiful artwork. Deteriorating artwork. (A/N I have actually been to Venice, so I know what I'm talking about).
The platforms were also frustrating because when someone went passed me, I had to turn on the side so neither of us would knock the other in the storm water. Thank goodness not many people were passing me. However, after a few minutes of walking, I realised no one was going the other way. And when people did pass me, they were walking hurriedly as if they were late for something. Maybe they were: everyone was heading to the main hall after all. Perhaps everyone was at some sort of meeting: if they were, I needed to be there. I quickened my pace, eager to see what the fuss was all about.
When I got to the main hall, the lights were off, but I could tell that the room was packed, due to the hushed whispers and shushing travelling across to huge cavern. I cleared my throat, hoping someone would clue me in as to what everyone was doing.
Suddenly, everyone jumped out from nearly everywhere in the not-really-technically-a-room-but-lets-call-it-that-for-lack-of-a-better-word and shouted “SUPRISE!” in my face. I went into an uncontrollable fit of laughter when someone tried to turn on the lights all at one, and ended up blowing the one at the rear end of the 'room'. I straightened my face and saw everyone looking at me, arms open, and congratulating looks on their faces. Everyone in the resistance is here, I thought. That's why people were hurrying through the underground systems, and it explains why people who would normally say hi to me completely ignored me.
Wait, wait, wait. A SUPRISE party, for me? What did I do all of a sudden... oh. Right.
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth for a 'thank you, guys! Couldn't have done it without you!' speech, but I was interrupted by Eagle. She stepped out of the crowd and solemnly came to shake my hand and ruffle my hair affectionately. Everyone else in the room politely turned their heads and started partying: now that we had all the info we were waiting on the attack of the Blue trying to get it back- or just get back at us for setting fire to their fancy computer- we had time to party. And trust me, when they came, we would be more than ready.
Then Eagle broke into a smile and pulled me into a hug, murmuring “I am soo proud of you!!My little Angel-” she chuckled at her pun, “I knew you would be the best of us when I saw you kicked the sh*t out of that Blue rookie. He even received basic training, and you: zilch.”
She smiled her supportive smile and continued on to de-brief a few Arc-angels on the situation,a nd take a break from being Miss On-her-toes leader and mingle. You would be surprised at how much you don't know about your colleagues until you talk to them while they have a drink in their hands. Mind you, alcoholic substances were hard to come by theses days: companies stopped producing non-necessities and focused on keeping humanity alive. Due to this shortage, no drugs, cigarettes, toys, accessories, and many other well, things, that were non-essential.
I made my way over to the computer wall, lined with our Techies and computers. I still had to give them the info. They were busy doing computer stuff (I will never understand a computer). I walked over to a friend of mine, Antonia (or 'Ant') and gave her my memory stick. She nodded, and even offered a smile as she slotted it into the computer. Weird things were happening: Ant was smiling. She waved me away, but didn't need to because I was pushed back by all the other Techies swarming around her monitor to get a look at the info, or some sort of security code that was guarding it. Again, I will never understand a computer.
I smile to myself as I sift through the people in the crowd. I was going no where in particular when I bumped into Gabrielle. He smiled and pulled me aside and out of the room to the tunnels so we could talk away from the noise.
“Hey, congratz man! Beat us all to the prize!” he joked whilst wiggling his eyebrows. I ignored his remark and ploughed ahead with my own question.
“So, what now? I know most of the Angels are needed else ware now that the initial reason for the undercover work is either in our computers or-” I decided to add for good measure, “Melted in a fire.”
Gabrielle shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, indicating he didn't know.
“All I know is that security will be tightened.” He replied slowly, thinking about it.
I realised I didn't even know his name, and it was about time I asked.
“Hey, um, this mat be an awkward question, but what id your name? I've kinda just been calling you Gabrielle in my head.” I asked embarrassedly.
He just chuckled and said, “That is my name, Delphine.”
Oh. “Oh, I thought that was your undercover name. Ha ha , silly me!” I said, trying to not make a fool of myself by laughing it off.
He just smiled, and asked , “How old are you?”
I shrugged and decided to tell him the truth. He saved my life after all. “Old enough: it was 3 years since I was 15, so you do the maths” A playful smile flitted across my lips by the last part, and I moved to go back to the main room thinking this was my cue to leave. A muscled arm blocked my way.
“Oi, not so fast! I haven't asked you what I wanted to ask you yet.” Gabrielle pleaded.
Eager to join the party, I raised my eyebrows expectantly at him. He leaned against the wall and asked confidently, “What did he want?”.
I knew instantly who he was talking about: the Blue general.
I wasn't about to tell someone who I didn't know very well my entire history. I haven't trusted anyone but Eagle and Ant in 3 years.
Not wanting to say this out loud and be rude, I simply asked, “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
I put on my coldest stare and made my way back to the main room. I sensed him move behind me, so I added, “Make a grab for me and you'll be on you ass before you can blink.”
Pretty sure that was clear enough: I know scream 'Don't touch me! Damaged goods! Afraid of intimacy! Fun to chase after and 'fix''. Great. Exactly the message I was looking for. Just what I wanted. Couldn't have phrased it any better.
Definitely going overboard with the sarcasm, Delphie.
I wanted to socialise with my colleagues, but my mind was on other subjects. Why Andrew? What was wrong with Dan? There must be a reason. Maybe he was dead, or injured or something that would make the general not want to employ him. How could I have been so stupid as to think that Blue didn't know he existed? They have everyone's files. The general knew his Dad. He would know he had twins.
But wait. The general didn't have his files. That was good because it meant he was either alive and in hiding or dead and his body hadn't been discovered. I almost choked at that. No. Andrew was alive. That was my belief until someone who knew better came and smacked me around the face and told me I was delusional. But as far as I'm concerned, that hasn't happened yet.
Blue was looking for Andrew. Two could play that game. I'd completed my mission: everyone was happy. Eagle wouldn't mind if I went out for a few weeks. And if she did, well, there are other ways of getting out of this place than may seem. I walked to Eagle and asked for a few weeks of leave. I told her there were things I had to do. I emphasised the 'had'. Eagle knew there was no point arguing with me: I would get out eventually. She let me go.
Also I think she may have been a tiny bit drunk.
I walked along the wooden plank and thought. It was all happening very quickly. All these years and suddenly everything has to start happening now. Bad sign, my body told me. Bad things come when things go quickly. Like you only just find someone who you only realise later is the possible love of your life and then suddenly: Bam! Gone. Everything. Chaos. Dangerous living. Training. Living. Training. Livingtraininglivingtraining.....
And then it starts again and Bam! You're back to your room packing your bags. Ready to leave. Thinking about how things have gone quickly.
Its quite amazing how little I managed to accumulate over the years. Next to nothing. It all fit into a backpack.
I looked around my room one last time. Breathed its mouldy yet comforting scent in one more time. Made my bed one last time.
Who am I kidding? Was I really coming back here? To this? It was worth it. True. I told Eagle I would come back. True. Fighting for freedom was more important. True. Not coming back would brake all the rules I built around myself to protect me over the years. True. Not coming back would be completely and utterly selfish. True. Despite all these reasons, I'm following my heart by saying coming back here would be a mistake. True.