Primordial earth, p.17
Primordial Earth, page 17
He nodded, his expression softening. “Just be careful.”
“She’s just a girl. Let me tend to her,” Olivia admonished. She turned toward Rogue with a tray of food and medical supplies in her hands. “Here. You must be hungry, and you are hurt.”
Rogue stared at the woman, a strange feeling nagging at the back of her mind. A sense of familiarity. That hair. Those eyes. The nose. “Wait. Do I know you?”
Olivia frowned. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“But you look…” Rogue’s mind jumped back to the night she’d wandered about in the rain. The night she’d seen ghostly figures from her past. Hallucinations. “You look just like her.”
“Like who?” Ric said, still hovering over Olivia. “You’d better not be playing games, girl.”
“No, I’m not playing, I…” Rogue reached out one trembling hand. “Mom?”
Olivia dropped the tray to the ground with a clatter. The contents burst across the floor in a spray of glass and silverware. She stepped forward, crunching across the debris. “It can’t be. You’re gone. I looked everywhere for you after the Shift.”
“What are you talking about, Olivia?” Ric demanded.
Olivia ignored him, her brow furrowed. “You’re all grown up, but how is that possible? How are you here?”
“What are you talking about? Who is she?” Ric cried out.
“My daughter.”
Ric’s jaw dropped. “It can’t be.”
“It has to be. Look at her. Look at us,” Olivia said.
Ric stared at them, his gaze jumping from one to the other. “I…sure, there’s a resemblance, but…” He pointed at Rogue. “Prove it. Prove that this is not just another one of your fantastical stories.”
“That’s my mother, Olivia Reid, married to Charles Reid, and my name is Lillian. My true name,” Rogue said, her own suspicions confirmed. It was her mother, she was sure of it. Older, yes. Grayer, yes. But still her.
“Lillian,” Olivia cried, closing the distance. She wrapped her arms around Rogue and pulled her close to her chest.
Rogue buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, breathing in her warm scent. She even smells familiar. I can’t believe this is happening. I found her. I found her at last.
Epilogue
Later that night, Rogue sat on a bench outside Olivia’s home. Her mother sat next to her, and they both gazed up at the stars in wonder.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I never get tired of looking at the heavens here,” Olivia said. “It looks so different from home. No smog or pollution.”
“Does it really look that different?” Rogue asked, gazing at the vast tapestry of silver lights twinkling against a cobalt blue background. Streaks of white, gold, and purple were smeared across as if by a painter’s hand. “I can’t remember.”
“I don’t blame you. You were so young when it all happened. Only five,” Olivia murmured.
“I know,” Rogue said, swallowing on the knot that formed in her throat. “I was so scared. I didn’t know what was happening.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Olivia said. “I looked for you, you know. I looked everywhere.”
“Everywhere except Prime Hotel,” Rogue said.
“I was there, but I arrived too late. The gates were closed, and the corpses of those who’d tried to storm them served as a warning to the rest of us,” Olivia said.
“I didn’t know,” Rogue admitted.
“There is much neither of us knows,” Olivia said.
“What happened to Dad?” Rogue asked.
“I don’t know. I never found him either, but I think he got left on the other side when it all happened.”
“Yeah? So he’s in the future?” Rogue asked, wondering how his life had turned out after losing both wife and child in one fell swoop.
“I think so. He was still at work, and that part of the city stayed behind during the Shift,” Olivia said. “I hope he’s happy wherever he is now.”
“Me too, but what about you? What happened that day?” Rogue asked.
“I was on my way to have lunch with your father when I got stuck in traffic,” Olivia said.
“What a strange coincidence,” Rogue mused.
“I call it fate. I was meant to be here, just like we were meant to find each other again,” Olivia said.
“Maybe,” Rogue said, her lips twisting at the thought of a higher hand dictating their every move.
“You’re cynical for one so young,” Olivia said.
“I’ve had to be,” Rogue answered with a sigh.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Olivia asked with timeless patience.
“Not now. I’ll tell you tomorrow. I just want to savor this moment,” Rogue said, reaching out to take her mother’s hand. Their fingers intertwined, and the beauty of the night enfolded them in its warm embrace.
“I love you, Lillian,” Olivia whispered.
“I love you too, Mom,” Rogue replied.
The words sent a warm glow fizzing through Rogue’s veins. The warmth of a mother’s love. It filled a hole that she hadn’t even known was there. For the first time in twenty years, she felt whole again.
Primordial Earth - Book 2
Chapter 1 - Moran
Moran leaned against the rough wooden table with both hands gripping the edges. On top lay a crude blueprint of Prime City. The paper was handmade, the ink blotchy, and the edges creased. Still, every line was painstakingly drawn, and the measurements were precise. She’d made sure of that.
Around her were gathered a few members of the Rebel Faction. Bruce Copeland, her right-hand man, Patti Fry, her trusted advisor, Steven Yingling, a mole inside the Watch, and Kat Mewes, mistress to General Sikes and their latest recruit.
She pointed at a building not far from the Prime Hotel. “Right. My informant tells me that the last harvest has been stored there while awaiting processing and distribution.”
“Informant?” Kat asked, her dark eyes boring into Moran’s. “Who is this informant?”
“That’s for me to know, Kat,” Moran replied, her tones clipped. She disliked being interrupted.
“How do we know we can trust this informant of yours?” Kat persisted.
Moran straightened up and pinned Kat to the spot with a sharp gaze. To her satisfaction, the woman began to squirm. “Are you questioning my judgment, Kat?”
“No, of course not,” Kat said with haste, her cheeks flushed.
“Good. Then let’s get back to business,” Moran said, leaning forward once more. “The harvest will only remain there for two more nights before it’s removed and distributed. Once that happens, it’s over. None of us will ever set eyes on that food again.”
“So, we need to make our move now,” Patti mused, her head bobbing as she studied the map. Streaks of silver adorned her thick, auburn hair, but she was still a handsome woman. And a tough one too.
“Exactly,” Moran confirmed. “We’ll have to strike tomorrow night.”
“How much are we talking here?” Patti asked.
“We can’t take everything. We have nowhere to hide such a large amount of food and no way to transport it either. The best we can do is a fifth,” Moran said.
“A fifth,” Kat exclaimed. “It seems rather stupid to risk our lives for a few bags of fruit and vegetables.”
“Trust me, Kat. A fifth is enough. It will keep the Rebel Faction going for most of the year, freeing us up for more important work,” Moran explained. “Besides, this won’t be the last harvest. There will be one more around the end of the fall.”
“And if we steal too much, the rest of Prime will starve. Senator Douglas will take what he needs and blame the shortage on us,” Patti said. “As it is, we donate some of our stores to the poorest of the poor.”
“Whatever,” Kat said with a shrug. “But what about meat?”
“The meat stores are running low. The hunting parties haven’t been out for weeks under Douglas’ orders. There’s no point in raiding them now.”
“That’s too bad. For you, of course,” Kat said, wrinkling her nose.
“Yes, I’m sure the rules don’t apply to you,” Bruce said with raised eyebrows. “You must live quite well, being the General’s mistress, and all.”
Kat smoothed her hands over her tiny waist. “Perhaps, but this figure is not the result of overindulgence.”
“I imagine you work very hard,” Patti said, rolling her eyes.
Kat bared her teeth. “At least, I still have what it takes to attract a man like Sikes, unlike most.”
Patti grumbled something underneath her breath, and Moran decided to step in before an argument broke out. The two women were not the best of friends. “The Rebel Faction will just have to make do with dried fish for now. We still have a stash stored away.”
“Ugh, I’m so tired of fish,” Steven exclaimed.
“Yeah, right. The Watch eats better than the rest of us, so who are you to complain?” Bruce asked in a friendly fashion.
Steven laughed and rubbed his belly. “You have a point. It’s the reason I joined.”
“You had soup last night, didn’t you?” Bruce said. “With real meat in it.”
Steven nodded. “And bread rolls too.”
“Bread rolls!” Patti cried.
Steven smirked. “The soft kind.”
“That’s not fair,” Patti said. “The last time I laid eyes on a bread roll was over a month ago. And it was full of twigs and seeds. I nearly broke a tooth.”
Steven shrugged. “We all know where the good flour goes.”
“To the upper class, and the Watch,” Kat said, examining her nails for minute flaws.
“Exactly.” Patti ground her teeth, her fury plain for all to see.
“All right, everyone. That’s enough talk about food,” Moran said, raising both hands in the air. “Can we get back to business, please?”
“Fine,” Patti grumbled, folding her arms.
“Fair enough. It’s making me hungry anyway,” Bruce said, pointing at the map. “So, what do you need?”
“A team of your best fighters,” Moran said.
“How many?” Bruce asked.
“At least twenty, fully equipped with weapons and backpacks. We’ll need wheelbarrows too,” Moran said.
“Won’t that make a lot of noise?” Kat asked.
“Yes, that’s why we have to make sure the Watch is far away,” Moran said. “That’s where you come in, Steven. We need to know the guard’s schedule.”
“I’m on it.”
“We’ll also need a distraction,” Moran said. “I’ll arrange for that.”
“And I’ll ready our stores,” Patti said.
“Perfect. We’ll convene again tomorrow at sunset to go over the details. For now, you all know what to do,” Moran said.
“Except me,” Kat said. “What am I supposed to do?”
“You keep the General and his men as far away from those stores as possible,” Moran said. “That’s your job.”
Kat shrugged. “That’s easy enough.”
“Then, I’ll see you all soon. Dismissed,” Moran said, watching as Kat sauntered out of the room, her luscious hips swaying from side to side. Though she was in her mid-thirties already, the woman was untouched by time and a rare beauty by any standards. “Do you think we can trust her?”
Patti shook her head. “I don’t know. She could be a spy for Sikes and Douglas. Or, she could be sincere in her desire to see them burn. Either way, I don’t like her.”
“Most likely, she’s simply bored and looking for excitement. But, we can use her for now,” Moran said. “Just to be on the safe side, though, arrange for a back-up team and an alternative escape route during the raid.”
“Will do,” Patti said, gathering up the map and putting it away.
Moran slumped into the nearest chair, allowing herself to relax for the first time that day. Being the Rebel Faction leader wasn’t easy, and many a night, she wished she could simply disappear. Fade into the darkness and never return.
“You miss her, don’t you?” Patti asked.
“Who, Rogue?” Moran said. “Of course, I miss her. It feels as if a part of me has been torn away, leaving a gaping hole in my heart.”
“It’s never easy, losing a child,” Patti said, her face crinkling with remembered grief. “I still think about my Tobias every day.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry, Patti,” Moran said. “Why don’t you make us a cup of tea? It will fortify us both.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Patti said, grabbing the kettle.
While she bustled about, Moran stared into the hearth, her eyes following the flickering flames’ patterns. In them, she saw Rogue, her daughter in all but blood. Petite, feisty, and beautiful. But that wasn’t what made her so special. It was her heart. Her boundless love and innocence despite everything she’d suffered. Yet, the girl was no fool.
Patti was right. It was hard to lose a child, but Rogue wasn’t lost. She was out there somewhere, wandering the vast wilderness. Moran knew it, just like she knew she’d see Rogue again. Where are you, Daughter? Hurry back, for I miss you sorely.
Chapter 2
Dark blue curtains fluttered in the breeze, and Rogue stirred beneath the cool sheets. A broad beam of golden light shone through the gap and fell across her bed. She stretched, allowing each muscle to reawaken beneath the warmth of the sun. Her leg felt much better, and it was good to be alive. Young, strong, and healthy.
The previous day’s events rushed back, and her eyes snapped open wide. It all seemed like a dream now. A wondrous, unbelievable dream. One moment, she was being held captive as a Prime spy, and the next she was reunited with her long lost mother. Who says miracles don’t exist?
Suddenly, her bedroom door opened, and Olivia’s head popped around the corner. “Good morning, sleepyhead. Did you sleep well?”
Rogue grinned. Speak of the devil. “Yes, thank you. I could get used to such luxury.”
Olivia frowned. “Luxury? You call a bed luxury?”
“Where I come from, yes,” Rogue said.
“I’d like to hear more about this…past life of yours,” Olivia said with a frown.
A sense of unease stirred within Rogue at the words. She wasn’t exactly proud of everything she’d done in the past, no matter how necessary. Would her mother understand? “Uh, sure.”
“Come to breakfast, and we’ll talk about it,” Olivia added.
“Okay, I’ll be right out,” Rogue replied, slipping out of bed. “Is there somewhere I can wash up?”
“Of course. The bathroom’s right down the hall next to the toilet. I put a few things out for you, including your clothes. I washed them last night after you went to bed.”
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to,” Rogue protested.
“Oh, it was no bother,” Olivia said, waving a hand. “Now, hurry up, or your food will get cold.”
“I’ll be right there, Mom.” The word felt strange to Rogue, and she rolled it around on her tongue. After their reunion, everything had seemed perfect. Now, however, she felt weird and out of place. Guess I’ll just have to get used to it.
Dressed in an old t-shirt Olivia had loaned her, she made her way to the toilet. It was a strange affair, one she’d used the night before after a quick tutorial. Unlike the smelly outhouses and bucket systems of Prime city, this was a compost toilet. It looked like a wooden box with a built-in seat, and it automatically separated the urine and solid waste. One rinsed the funnel with a cup of water from the washbasin and sprinkled sawdust over the rest from a nearby bucket after use.
“We pipe water from the river, and a filtration system renders it drinkable, but we don’t like to waste. Therefore, we use compost toilets. Besides, it produces an excellent fertilizer for the crops,” Olivia had explained.
“You use it on your food?” Rogue had asked with a shudder.
“Only after it has been composted properly,” Olivia said. “Don’t you do the same at Prime?”
Rogue thought about it for a while. All that waste had to be disposed of somehow and using it for manure made sense. “Probably. I never worked in the fields, however, so I’m not sure.”
“What did you do?” her mom asked.
“Uh, other…stuff,” Rogue had said, avoiding the subject.
Her mom had accepted the vague answer the night before, but now it was clear she wanted to learn more about her daughter’s past. Could she handle it, though? The idea that her daughter was a thief? Even worse, a murderer? It’s not your fault. You didn’t kill those people in the market on purpose.
Rogue shook her head. Maybe not, but the Quetzalcoatlus attacked because of her. In a way, it was her fault. Knowingly or not.
Shaking off the morbid thoughts, Rogue ducked into the bathroom next door. There she halted in shocked surprise. She hadn’t seen such a place in forever. Maybe before the Shift, but definitely not after. It contained a shower, a washbasin, a full-length mirror, a rack of towels, and a wooden bench.
On the bench lay a toothbrush, a hairbrush, a couple of hairbands, and her clothes. For a moment, Rogue forgot about her worries, eager for the chance to freshen up. She reached for the toothbrush but stopped when her mom appeared again.
“Hey, sweetie. There’s no hot water. The past few rainy days drained the battery banks, and the solar panels haven’t had a chance to recharge yet.”
“You mean there’s water in the shower?” Rogue asked. “Actual, running water?”
“Well, yeah, but it’s cold,” Olivia said.
“I don’t care,” Rogue cried. “I’m jumping in.”
“What about your food?” Olivia protested.
“I don’t mind cold food either,” Rogue said with a wide grin.
“Okay,” Olivia said with a shrug. “I’ll wait.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, before I go. We make our own toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. It’s over there,” Olivia said, pointing at the washbasin.
After a brief but invigorating shower, Rogue brushed her teeth using a dab of powder from a little pot. It was different from what she was used to. In Prime, they used wood ashes or charcoal to clean their teeth, but Olivia’s mixture tasted like salt and peppermint. A decided improvement.
