Volucris_Emmergence Page 12

  “Of losing you, well certainly Lordes, he doesn’t want to lose you again., I heard him and Ethan talking the night before we came to you, they didn’t know I was listening, but Lordes said his biggest failure had been losing your mother. Hhe regrets it every day and now he has a chance to save you and the thought of you not agreeing to come with us, he said it would be like losing Iliana all over again, he couldn’t stand it.”

  “Oh.” Mo was shocked at this revelation, she had not allowed herself to think about that side of her Father., Hher Grandmother had told her to be careful about her feelings for him and she had, which in turn had meant she had not thought about how much she may mean to him.

  “But why not tell me that then, rather than just sneaking about disabling my phone?”

  “I don’t know, I asked Ethan the same question. Tthey thought it was the best way of doing things, I don’t think either of them are great communicators, I wouldn’t mention it either, or I’ll get in trouble too.”

  “Who's to say I would suddenly up and leave anyway, do they not trust my own judgement, I left her to start with didn’t I and that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”

  “They don’t know you Mo, none of us really do, I think we are starting to get to know each other better which is why I knew I could tell you. I think you know the dangers and know what Rebecca faces, if you really want to call her use my holo.”

  Mo looked up, a small smile crossing her face, her anger of just a few moments ago, already easing. Sshe felt she should rant and rave at both Ethan and Lordes, but did it really matter, she guessed they were only acting in her own interests, even if they had gone about it in a weird way, and she certainly didn’t want to grass up Benji, he had been good enough to tell her. Was she going to call her Grandmother, did she really want or need to know she was ok?, Mmaybe she should trust Lordes more, that he had told her she would be safe, maybe she should listen and believe him.

  Benji passed over his holo. “It’s not got much juice left but if you want to use it, go ahead.”

  “Don’t you want to call anyone?”

  “Got no-one to call., I’m knackered, I will be asleep as soon as I close my eyes, you go ahead.”

  Mo looked at the holo again, she knew her Grandmother’s number, that wasn’t a problem, her Grandmother had made her memorise it in case of emergencies. She turned to Benji but he was already asleep, snoring gently., Sshe was tired too, but this chance to talk to her Grandmother, she knew she had to try it, could be the last chance she got for she didn’t know how long. She could see that Benji was right, there was not much battery left on the holo, she decided to make a voice call to save as much as she could.

  She typed in the number and cradled the holo next to her cheek listening to it ringing out. It kept ringing over and over. S sheShe almost gave up when it crackled alive.

  “Hello!” Said a panicked voice on the other end of the line.

  “Grandma? It’s me.”

  “Oh love, oh thank goodness, why haven’t you called before, I have been so worried, everything is so dreadful.”

  “I’m sorry, my phone wasn’t working and so much has happened I have lost track of time.” Mo didn’t want to tell her about Lordes disabling her phone, she didn’t want to worry her Grandmother even more.

  “It’s fine, it’s fine, I’m speaking to you now thank goodness, this holo won’t last long though there is no power anywhere.”

  “I know, it’s ok, I have the same problem here., Wwe are almost at Ety, that’s an Island the Volucris live on.”

  “Yes, I have heard of it, I never went but I know the Volucris love it, they see it as their true home, you will be safe there, no-one without wings can get to it.” There was relief flooding through Rebecca’s voice as she realised Mo was almost safe.

  “How are you? Are you at the commune yet?”

  “I’m fine love, fine.”

  “You said it was all so dreadful, what do you mean, are you ok?

  “It is dreadful love, not many people left from the virus now, no police or army, no power, no supplies, but we are fine, surviving. We have picked up a few people on the way so there is a group of us, we should reach the commune in a few days, I’m just so glad to hear you are ok., Tthey are treating you alright aren’t they?”

  “Yes fine, it’s just been Ethan and Benji. I get on best with Benji, he is a real friend already so don’t worry, I have someone to talk to and Ethan is ok I guess.”

  “And Lordes?”

  “Hardly seen him, he has been busy trying to get as many Volucris as he can back to Ety, I guess we will catch up more on the island.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Don’t worry Grandma I’m fine, I promise, my wings are growing, nearly through the skin now.”

  “Good, I’m pleased to hear that, you keep sticking to that diet now ok.”

  “Yeah, I will. , I’m scared for you, you sound so tired, you sure you are ok?”

  “Yes love, it’s just been a long journey., Llook this holo is about to go, I know there is no power on Ety so I guess this will have to be goodbye.”

  “For now, as soon as I can fly back from Ety I will come and find you, I promise.”

  “Ok love, but if you don’t it’s ok.” There was resignation in her voice, Mo could hear it.

  “Of course I will, I love you, you are my family.” Mo was desperate to let her know that no matter what, she would see her again.

  Rebecca’s voice started to crack. “I know my darling girl and you are mine too, but you are going to go through so many changes and I don’t want you to waste time trying to find me. , Aas long as I know you are safe then I will be fine, you just live your life now, become the best that you can, ok.”

  Tears streamed down Mo’s face, she knew this was her Grandmother letting her go, telling her it was ok to leave her.

  “It’s not ok, I will find you, I will! I love you.”

  “I love you t....

  The line went dead Mo sobbed into it, “No! Grandma.” She held it close to her crying profusely, she knew these could be the last words she ever heard her speak, she wouldn’t let it, she would get strong, grow her wings and find her, she promised herself. She eventually fell asleep with the holo still cradled next to her cheek.

  Chapter 23

  Mo opened one eye, she was staring at the dying fire, she felt stiff, really stiff, she started to get up but stopped, her whole being ached. A bottle appeared in front of her filled with blood.

  “Feeling a little sore?”

  She looked up, it was Ethan, she wasn’t sure what to say to him, should she shout at him for what he had done to her holo? She looked at the blood and thought first things first. She sipped it gently and could feel its healing power flooding through her. , Aas her aching eased she sat up, she eyed Ethan suspiciously, he was packing things up seemingly oblivious to what she was feeling. She looked around for Benji, he was no-where to be seen.

  “Where is Benji?” sShe asked.

  “Just outside the cave getting ready to leave.”

  “Ok, just give me a minute.”

  Ethan nodded and left the cave., Tthe one thing about sharing a cave with two guys was having to wake up with them there, no chance to wash her face or go to the bathroom. She wondered if things would be like this on Ety. Wwould there be shelters or even rooms she could escape to, , would they all live in the trees? She began to worry and she wanted to talk this over with her Grandmother, she was always great at allaying her fears, but she couldn’t talk to her and she didn’t know if she ever would again. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, there was no point in going over her loss again or worrying about things she could not control. She was in a much better position than most people, didn’t Grandma say that there were not many people left now, that the virus had taken them? She wondered about her friends and Lizzie, were any of them still alive? She shook her head and got up, there was no point dwelling on these dark thoughts. She used some of
the water they had brought with them to wash her face and body a little then headed out of the cave to try and find a private area to go to the loo.

  Once the trio were all ready, they stood at the entrance to the cave. What they had not seen in the dark was a very steep and narrow incline that headed up the mountain. Ethan explained that the jumping off point for Ety was at the top of this. It looked like a hard climb and at points they would literally be scaling the rock face. They set off. , Eeven though Mo’s morning blood had strengthened her aching muscles, it had done nothing for her sore wing. It was already aching and putting on the back pack was agony, but she refused to show her feelings to Ethan although Benji was wiser to her suffering and offered to take her pack, but she flatly refused, she was not going to be shown to be any weaker than them.

  Through the morning, they climbed again through dense forest until they came to a rock face, it wasn’t as sheer as Mo had first thought from a distance and there was a clear way up. But there were no ropes and she knew it would be climbing using her bare hands.

  “You can eat and drink what you have left in your packs, once at the top we will be ready to jump off.” Ethan explained.

  You did not have to tell Mo twice to take off her pack, she was so relieved to get it away from her wings. Sshe turned her back to Ethan to place it down and take out some much-needed food and water, but no sooner had she done this and Ethan was yanking her back up.

  “What have you done!”

  The panic in his voice scared Mo, “What have I done, what is it?”

  “Your back is covered in blood, take off your top.”

  She had never seen Ethan so concerned or was it anger, it was hard to tell.

  She did as he said and as she peeled off the sticky t-shirt she could feel and see the reason for his anxiety. Her white t-shirt was now red and pink and her wing was incredibly sore.

  “How long has it been like this?” Ethan was angry and Mo could not help feeling intimidated.

  “Since the start of the walk, but we have finished now right, so it will be ok.”

  “No, it won’t. Hhow could you be so stupid? Tthis could affect its growth. Llook at the state of you, why didn’t you say something?.” Ethan was practically screaming at Mo as she shrank against the rock wall not fully understanding his vehement outburst.

  “I don’t know, I didn’t want to slow us down.”

  “For someone with such heritage I cannot believe how stupid you have been!”

  Finally Benji stepped in, “hey calm down feathers, this is all new to us, how are we supposed to know what the right thing to do is.”

  “Look at her,” he swung Mo round looking at her bleeding and sore wing. “You are right, you have no idea.” He ran his fingers through his hair, he was so angry, starting to pace up and down the small shelf they were on.

  “I’ve had it with both of you.” He pointed up, “just get up there ok, the path is clear, just get up.” With that he stepped backwards and dropped off the shelf. Both Benji and Mo gasped, leaning as far as they could looking over the sheer cliff face and then a rush of wings as Ethan soared past them and up. Mo looked across at Benji, he had a huge grin across his face clearly as impressed as ever at this sight. She wanted to curl up and cry., Oonce Ethan was out of sight Benji looked down at Mo, he felt her pain, to be dressed down like that by such a large Volucris was tough, he could see her eyes glazing over.

  “Hey, come on, don’t let him get to you, you know the real reason he is mad.”

  “Because I am stupid!” Mo sobbed out.

  “No, because he knows he is in a whole heap of trouble with the big guy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He should have noticed Mo, and he knows it too, it’s not your fault or mine, we are not Volucris yet, and I think Lordes is going to go ape when he finds out he has not been looking after his little girl properly!”

  “Ape?”

  “Yeah, you know.” Benji started making monkey noises and running around like an ape. Mo burst out laughing and they both laughed at another ridiculous situation.

  “Right, I’m going to sort out your wings with the rest of this miracle cream, then we will eat and drink the rest of the food and then set off up this rock ok?”

  “Yeah ok, do you think I have ruined my wings?.”

  “I don’t know, but I do think Ethan can be a bit OTT sometimes so don’t worry ok, we’ll patch them up now and I’m sure they have more healing stuff on Ety.”

  “But what if I have ruined them and they don’t grow, do you think they will still want me?” Mo’s anxiety rose. Sshe, like Benji, had been getting used to the idea of having wings, of flying, she had also been getting used to having a Father now and what if she had jeopardised all that, what if she didn’t have wings, would Lordes want her anymore?

  Benji looked at her with an almost incredulous look on his face. “Really? Who wouldn’t want you, well apart from the fact you clearly have some anxiety issues!”

  Mo gave a half smile. “Anyway, if they don’t want you, I do, we can take over this world as king and queen ha!” Benji grabbed a nearby stick and held it aloft. Mo burst out laughing again realising her anxiety was getting the better of her.

  Mo felt better thanks to Benji’s kindness and humour. He lathered the cream on her back which felt wonderful., Benji mentioned that both wings were the same size, it just looked like the skin had rubbed off making it look worse than it was. Mo was relieved now that she had started to accept what she was, she didn’t want it to go, and the thought that she may have inadvertently stunted her new wings made her cringe with worry. She realised that part of that worry was not wanting to let Lordes down, she wanted his praise not the scorn she had just experienced with Ethan. Whatever relationship she had started to build up with Ethan was now ebbing away, in one foul swoop he had changed the way she thought about him. He was no longer the quiet, brooding but ultimately kind Volucris, he was angry and brutal and someone she did not want to have anything to do with.

  They finished their food and water and Mo decided wisely to put her pack on her front this time making sure the straps did not touch her wings and they both started to climb. Neither of them had a fear of heights and even though in places it was a bit of a scramble, they managed the steep climb well. IIt took them another 2 hours to reach the top and once there they collapsed in a heap of exhaustion. Benji was the first to get up and look around. , Tthey had climbed on top of quite a large plateau, there were a few shrubs but no trees and on the far side they could see and hear the ocean falling away to the horizon. There was quite a stiff breeze but it was still very warm in the blazing sunshine. Benji helped Mo up and they walked to the edge of the cliff, down below the waves crashed against the rocks for as far as theiry eyes could see in either direction. Mo looked behind her back to the land, the view was stunning. Ddense rain forest covered most of the land but in the far distance she could see the road they had come in on and further on, smoke emanating from a large city. She wondered once more how many survivors there would be once the virus had done its work, if indeed there would be any. Once she left would she ever come back, would Volucris catch the virus too? A stab of pain hit her as she thought of her grandmother trying to survive alone. As if he had read her thoughts Benji spoke up,

  “She will be ok you know, the people she is with they are tough, I met a couple of the guys, all should have been Volucris but they had their wings cut away before they grew. Some of them even knew her.”

  “Really, did Lordes tell you that?”

  “Nah! Lordes don’t tell you anything. I overheard them talking one night when they thought I was running.”

  “Quite the little spy aren’t you.”

  Benji smiled, “I guess, it’s been a long time since I trusted anyone so I like to know what’s happening, what people are really saying that you don’t want to hear.”

  “You find out anything else?”

  “Some things, but you’ve got to earn my tr
ust first before I tell you everything.”

  With these words Benji flashed his lovely smile at her and winked. Mo wasn’t sure if he was joking or not but she was sure that out of all the Volucris she had met so far it was only Benji she could really trust.

  They walked back towards the edge of the cliff. Oon the side of the ocean Benji spotted something a little further on, they both jogged over to it. There were two what looked like chairs with leather bindings attached and some large water skins. Benji grabbed the skins and opened one up, he peered in and then put the skin to his lips, water drizzled down his throat as he drank greedily. “You think these were left for us?.” HhHe asked. Mo picked up the other skin, opened it and drank too as blood trickled down her chin, she grinned and replied. “Yyep!”

  “I could do with some of the good stuff, swap?”

  They swapped their water and blood skins over, both revelling in the feeling the blood gave them., Mo was surprised how much she liked it now, she even enjoyed the flavour, looking forward to every drop.

  “Where do you think everyone is?” Mo asked.

  “Up” Benji responded as she followed his gaze upwards. High in the sky she could see a dozen or so shapes, you could mistake them for large birds if you didn’t know better, they were circling each other until one broke ranks followed by the others falling out of the sky. The lead shape got larger and larger and Mo could not believe the speed within which it was approaching. , Iit went low down towards the ocean then started to climb the edge of the sea cliff until with a flurry of golden wings, there was Lordes, Mo’s father, standing in front of her.

  Mo smiled, not sure how to react again, should she hug him? He walked briskly towards her without any smile upon his face, straight away turning her around so he could inspect her back.

  “Ethan told me about your wings.”

  This was not the welcome she was expecting. , Iit had been a couple of weeks since they had last spoken and not even a hello or how are you? Benji had shrunk into the back ground and as Mo looked up she could see the rest of the Volucris landing around them. She could feel the power of their wings as they landed, it seemed as strong as the wind that was buffeting the sea below. There were 7 men and 5 women, all huge with the most impressive wings of all different colours,. sSome dark like Ethan’s and others white and one which looked almost blue. They all wore similar clothing - simple skin hides. The women’s hides tied around their neck and waist covering their fronts but leaving their wings free, they all wore trousers but most of the men were bare chested. They were all looking at her as Lordes examined her back and Mo felt mortified, she bowed her head not wanting to look in the eyes of any of them.