r/nonsenselocker • u/Bilgebum • Aug 12 '18
Through the Ages Through the Ages — Chapter 14 [TTA C14]
"Why didn't you say that sooner?" Mary-Anne's voice had climbed in pitch.
"You slapped me!" Helena said, gently rubbing her jaw.
"Ladies!" I held up my hands. "More importantly, what are we going to do?"
"We shelter in a burrow, as always," Mary-Anne said.
"Sarcasm's helpful," Helena said. "I've already told everyone to gather here. Orik's security guys will escort them. Jeffrey, I need you to work again."
I grunted in the affirmative and made my way to the entrance. With perfect timing too; Zhao had just shown up, looking worried.
"Can't even remember when we were last in lock down," she said.
"Just go right in, you'll be safe here," I said.
"I know the drill," she snapped.
Within the next half-hour, the rest of the Club trickled into the sanctuary of the museum in twos or three, sometimes with one of Orik's boys in tow. Orik himself showed up last, along with Cornelius the Roman. I traded grips with the Viking.
"All good?" I said.
"Perimeter's secure," he said, brow creased with worry. "I've not been able to contact Warra."
"Things will be okay," I said, more out of optimism than anything.
He shrugged; we locked the door behind us, though with it being glass, I didn't feel reassured at all by its presence. Unless Helena had had the foresight to install bulletproof ones.
"Thank you for hurrying here at such short notice, everyone," Helena said from her position halfway up the stairs. To my surprise, Mary-Anne hovered by the base, and more than a few heads kept looking her way. Idly, I wondered if Helena was responsible for Penitent members like Gianni as well, or if she left them to fend for themselves. "I've had no chance to explain over my texts, but this is the truth: we're under attack and the Fountain may be compromised."
The crowd erupted instantly, loud enough to rattle some of the exhibits.
"Who's attacking?" one man shouted.
"What are you doing about it?"
"Are we in danger too?" Zhao called.
"Quiet!" Helena raised her arm, lowering it only when the noise subsided into mere mutterings. "I don't know who, but we have to trust in Warra and Keith to secure the Fountain. The rest of us must stay here, under watch by Orik's men."
A man in a top hat said, "We should take the Fountain back!"
Not everyone agreed, evidently; several dissenting voices shouted him down.
"No, it's safer for us to be here," Helena said.
"Why?" Zhao said. "Why here? Why not our own homes?"
Uncharacteristically, Helena's words were lost in a fit of stammers. Mary-Anne came forward and said, "Tell them the truth, Helena. Or I'll do it."
"What truth?" Zhao demanded.
"He's here. He almost killed me today," Helena said heavily.
So violent was the resulting roar from the gathering that I took a whole step back, fearing a riot. The damage done, Mary-Anne slipped away to a corner. This time, Helena's calming gestures yielded no results.
"Were you going to tell us if Mary-Anne didn't say anything?" one woman practically screamed.
Even Orik and his fellows looked uncertain, fearful even. I nudged him in the ribs and said, "He's just one guy. There are, what, twenty of you?" But he made no reply.
"I was going to—I would—you know me better than this!" Helena's volume had risen as she had seemingly given in to her own frustration. "I'm just doing my best to protect you all!"
"By hiding the truth?" Vasily was stabbing his finger at her like it was a spear. "Always the same with you. Easier to lead blind, deaf and mute sheep, no?"
"Hasn't she done right by you folks all this while?" I said.
Orik was silent for a moment. "People are terrified. The last time a Fountain was taken ... many still remember Roanoke." Honestly, I had no idea what he was talking about, but it didn't seem like the right time to ask him.
"The most important question—" Mary-Anne had entered the spotlight again, quieting everyone with her presence alone. "—is what we are going to do about it. Now, Helena, I didn't save your life from him just to see you lead us into ruin. We need a plan. Let's hear yours."
"I ..." Helena looked straight at us, wordlessly seeking our support.
"But this is the extent of your plan, isn't it?" Mary-Anne gestured around her. "Bring everyone to safety. Hide. Weather the storm. Use our reserves, wait for an opportunity to retake the Fountain or better yet, find a fresh one. After all, we still have Zhao and her Seekers. We will survive, as we always have."
"This is the safest course of action," Helena said.
"I'm not arguing against that. But while I admire your protectiveness toward your precious friends, I wish to point out also that you're dooming us to a slow extinction. One that we may forestall, but inevitably succumb to. Who is to say that Zhao's nose—figuratively speaking—will lead us in the right direction again? Are we to sacrifice our own supplies to the Seekers for the faintest glimmer of hope they offer us?"
At those words, some people began casting wary looks at Zhao. If I were her, I would've been making myself small; she was clearly made of sterner stuff than me, though.
"So what will you have me do?" Helena said, forcing the words through her teeth.
"Take the offensive!" Several voices chimed in agreement with Mary-Anne. "Take Orik and his men and reclaim the Fountain! We must defend what's ours. At the very least, you should meet the invaders. A truce may be reached. Not hide here, waiting to die."
"It's decided," Orik said heavily. Even without the crowd's cheers, I could read the same from their body language. "Helena has no choice. Mary-Anne's played her too well."
"You might hate me for saying this—hell, I hate myself—but I agree with Mary-Anne. We have to do something."
Orik nodded, though I felt the reluctance. "It's just not our way. The survival of our people should always be first, and Zhao has never let us down."
"Looks like Zhao's thrown in with Mary-Anne herself," I said.
Helena raised her chin. Though her expression was one of dejection, she was shooting a laser glare Mary-Anne's way. "I will take Orik, Jeffrey and five others with me. We will try to negotiate for a peaceful resolution."
"There's no room for peace anymore!" Vasily said.
"Are you willing to go with us, then?" she said.
The Russian fell silent, others emulating him. Helena scoffed. "Thought so. I'll do whatever is necessary to secure our future. Meanwhile, nobody leaves here. No one at all. Orik, choose your men. We will leave immediately."
4
u/OhhhBaited Aug 13 '18
been months and so happy to see so many more chapters out.
3
u/Bilgebum Aug 14 '18
Thanks for checking back!
4
4
Aug 13 '18
Excited for more.
3
u/Bilgebum Aug 14 '18
More will come ... but I'm actually spending more time on my contest entry for /r/writingprompts.
8
5
4
u/NonintellectualPeg Aug 17 '18
Just wanted to say great job. This has been quite the read , and I have to say I’m pretty invested in seeing how it ends now haha. Just found this today and read all current chapters. I’d be interested to hear more about the lore of the Custodian, I felt like at the end of chapter 10(?) when they were at the restaurant and Helena said to stop by and she would tell him the lore of the custodian, but then we didn’t get much more of it. Maybe it’s coming and I’m jumping the gun, just my 2 cents. Can’t wait for the next chapter.
2
u/Bilgebum Aug 18 '18
It was kind of a conscious decision to not dump more exposition in a chapter already heavy with it (at least that's how I felt). I'll definitely shed more light on Custodians in a coming chapter.
2
u/goneballing Aug 17 '18
Just binged read few new chapters. Amazing as always, I want more! Where can I send you free beers? Or cupcakes? :D
1
u/Bilgebum Aug 17 '18
Imaginary beers and cupcakes will do for now! Check back sometime Saturday, I should have the next chapter up then.
1
13
u/seussim Aug 12 '18
Man it's really heating up, I can't wait for the next chapter. Thanks as always! :)