Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M etal clanked as the figure stepped out of an alcove in the wall of the tunnel. It had two sets of thin metal arms on its upper body, while its lower body consisted of two thick, segmented legs. Multi-faceted eyes opened and closed in a slow rhythm, and there was something disturbingly insectile about its appearance.

Sabrost had turned at the first sound, and now he snatched her arm and pushed her behind him as he stepped between her and the metal creature.

"I am the Guardian." The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"We are merely travelers, passing through this place," Sabrost said firmly, subtly encouraging her to move away.

"There are no travelers, only specimens." A whirring noise filled the tunnel as it turned its creepy eyes towards Sabrost. "You are Hsslak. You are not unique. You will not be added to the Collection."

"I can live with that," he muttered, urging her back a few more steps.

Then its eyes focused on her. She felt eerily exposed as it surveyed her, as if it was seeing deep inside her.

"I have no data on your species. You are suitable for the Collection."

"No, she's not," Sabrost growled. His spines stiffened in a formidable display.

The Guardian ignored him, its eyes still focused on her face. It started to move towards her, but Sabrost grabbed one of its metal arms. It turned one eye towards him.

"Do not interfere with the Guardian."

"I won't as long as you let us leave peacefully."

"All specimens must remain in the Collection." It started to move towards her again, even though Sabrost still gripped one of its arms.

"Run, Janet," Sabrost ordered.

"Escape is futile."

The Guardian's body rotated and something gleamed at the end of another arm before it plunged it into Sabrost's shoulder. He grunted, and to her horror, she saw blood glisten in the dim light as he lost his grip on its arm.

"Don't get close to it," he warned as she instinctively started to go to him.

The Guardian was still moving towards her, not quickly but as if nothing would stop it. She backed away, torn between running for her life and remaining at Sabrost's side. He was slightly behind the mechanical figure now, and it was no longer paying attention to him as it focused on her.

He dropped to his knees and when the Guardian took its next step, he grabbed one of the heavy metal legs. His muscles bulged with the effort and despite his wounded shoulder, he managed to knock it off balance. The Guardian collapsed to the ground, metal crashing against rock.

Sabrost struggled to his feet, and she saw him sway briefly before he gained control of his body. Giving the Guardian a wide berth, he hurried to her side.

"We need to go. Now."

She looked over his shoulder and saw the Guardian was already trying to stand. She grabbed his hand and they ran.

They fled up the tunnel for what seemed like miles. Her legs ached and her breath came in harsh pants as she struggled to keep going.

Behind her, she could hear the metallic clanking as the Guardian pursued them. It never faltered. It would never grow tired.

She stumbled over a rock and realized that the floor of the tunnel was no longer perfectly smooth. Had the Guardian been the one to maintain the rest of the tunnel? Were they outside its territory now?

She tripped again and lost her balance, but Sabrost caught her before she could fall and threw her over his good shoulder. As he continued to run, she could hear him panting for air and see the dark stain covering his other shoulder.

She strained her eyes into the darkness behind them, listening for the Guardian. She heard the scrape of metal against rock, maybe even the rock that she had stumbled over, but to her dismay, it didn't stop there. It continued its slow, inexorable pursuit.

"Up there," Sabrost gasped. "Light."

She twisted her head around to see what he was talking about, and her heart sank. The dim light in front and above them was very faint. She had hoped that they were heading for the surface, but she was afraid they were only about to enter another cavern. Would that be enough to stop the Guardian?

Sabrost grunted, then dropped her to her feet. The light was coming through an opening at the top of a pile of rocks.

"Climb," he ordered. She started to obey, then realized he wasn't following her.

"What are you doing?" she cried.

"My shoulder…" The dark stain had spread and his left arm was hanging uselessly at his side. "I will stay here and protect you."

"Fuck that." She scrambled back down the rocks towards him. "I'm not going to let you get away with some type of useless noble sacrifice. You think I can survive out there without you?"

"But…"

"I don't want to hear it. Would your Goddess want you to give up now? Don't you think She needs you? I know I need you."

He bowed his head, then to her relief, he started to climb. His process was painfully slow and awkward, and she could hear the metallic clanking getting louder. Frantically trying to come up with a way to help him, she removed her belt and slipped it under his arms. Ignoring his pained grunt, she pulled with all her strength while he pushed with his legs. It worked. He made it up over one rock, then another.

"The specimens must be returned to the Collection." The mechanical voice was frighteningly clear, and she looked down to see the Guardian at the base of the rock pile. A metal arm reached up to grasp a rock, and she realized to her horror that it intended to climb after them.

"Brace me," Sabrost ordered and she tightened her grip on the belt under his arms. He kicked at the rock beneath his foot, trying to dislodge it. His first effort had no effect, but the second time he managed to push it free. It tumbled downwards, and she heard it hit the Guardian, but she was too busy making sure that Sabrost didn't fall to watch.

As soon as he found a stable position, she looked down. One of the Guardian's middle arms hung at an awkward angle, and she grinned fiercely. It seemed only fitting after the damage it had done to Sabrost. But as they scrambled higher, the Guardian reached upwards again. She saw it begin to pull itself up just as they reached the opening at the top of the rocks.

"Go through," Sabrost urged.

"Not without you."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Climb through and brace me again. I'm going to try and make the rest of the rocks fall."

"But what if you go with them?"

His dark eyes were steady on her face. "You won't let me fall."

Her heart pounded so hard she felt sick, but she wiggled through the opening. There were more rocks on the other side, but they were huge boulders rather than the rubble they had climbed. She braced herself against one, tightening her grip on the rope under Sabrost's arms as he pushed his head and shoulders through the tight gap.

He started kicking again, and her arms shook with the effort of holding him steady. At first nothing happened, and her arms burned with the strain, but finally she heard rocks start to fall. First one, then another, then a thunderous roar as the pile collapsed. Sabrost started to fall with them, but she pulled on the rope with every ounce of strength she possessed. After an agonizing moment, the rest of his body slipped through the opening, and he collapsed on the boulder next to her.

"It worked!" Her relief was so great that it took several minutes before she finally noticed their surroundings. They weren't in another cavern after all. They had made it back to the surface at last. The light had been dim because the sun was setting, but even as she watched, stars began to appear above them.

"We're outside. We're free."

"I'm glad." Sabrost's voice was a mere thread, his face pale and tired, but he smiled at her.

"We need to do something about your arm." She spared a brief, wistful thought for the healing pools.

"I can hear water." He nodded to one side, and she followed the gesture. Even in the fading light, she could see a river rushing along below them.

She could see something else, she realized. More of the stone slabs that had been in the cavern were scattered down the hillside, but these were grouped in smaller units. Houses, she realized. Perhaps this is where the scientists who had worked underground had lived.

For a moment, she worried about what they might encounter, but then she dismissed the idea. They were outside, with a soft breeze swirling around them, carrying the scent of growing things. The remains of the houses looked sturdy and peaceful in the light of the setting sun, wildflowers growing along their walls. She felt safe.

"Come on then. Let's get you down this hill."

"In a minute. There's something I have to do first."

Sabrost reached up with his good arm and pulled her towards him. She went willingly as he guided her towards his mouth, and then he was kissing her. A kiss that started off soft, thankful, but grew increasingly urgent.

"I thought I was going to lose you," he whispered when at last they parted.

"You saved me. You saved both of us." Her smile felt shaky as she sat back up. "Now let's get that wound cleaned."