Secrets in the Mist Page 12

  “Swerve right and go for that break in the trees,” Captain Gresley shouted. “I’ll hold them back.”

  Cass almost stopped short. How was she going to deploy her glider while holding the box?

  A branch caught her foot, and Cass sprawled forward, brambles scratching up her exposed arms, chest, and face. The box spun, then toppled into the growth.

  “Gales,” Cass sputtered. Her whole body tingled with adrenaline as another shot was fired, this time to her left.

  She stretched forward but couldn’t quite reach the box. She took a breath, then plunged deeper amongst the branches. Tiny barbs sliced through her skin. Her eyes watered, but she reached forward and down until she touched the edge of the box.

  “Cass!” she heard the captain call nearby.

  I can’t lose this. That’s why we are here!

  With one last plunge, Cass grabbed hold of the wooden treasure and tore away from the bush. Her mask shifted across her face.

  No, no, no!

  She clutched the box with one hand and shoved the mask back in place. Did any spores get in? How would she know?

  She reached the break in the woods a little behind Lucas. She stopped for a moment, panting, with sweat, blood, and dirt covering her face and hair. She needed to quickly secure the box so she could deploy her glider once she reached the hill ahead.

  The corset around her waist functioned not only as part of her wardrobe but had a utility belt and loops. If she loosened the belt, she could place the box in there and doubly secure it with the straps from her glider pack.

  Behind her, she could hear another gunshot and the captain and Bert crashing through the trees. They yelled something, but she was focused on what she was doing. If she lost the one thing they were sent to retrieve for the Staggs family, the whole trip was for nothing.

  It took a moment to loosen the belt and her straps. She sucked in her middle, shoved the box in between the belt and her corset, then brought the crisscross straps from her glider pack over.

  As she tightened the last loop, she finally heard what Captain Gresley and Bert were shouting.

  “Turned! Turned! Cass, run!”

  Cass looked up just as a handful of Turned emerged from the trees, heading straight for her.

  Before Cass could pull her revolver, Captain Gresley leveled a bullet toward the closest Turned, a corpse that had once been a tall, lanky man. The bullet hit the Turned in the shoulder and detonated in a fiery ball, spreading rapidly across the body.

  Three more rushed around their burning comrade right for Cass.

  She drew her revolver and aimed for the closet Turned, a young woman with stringy blond hair.

  Her revolver clicked. Nothing.

  What?

  Captain Gresley took out the young woman, but the two others continued to rush forward.

  “Cass!”

  Cass aimed again. Another click. She knew she wasn’t out of bullets—she had checked back at the house. What was going on?

  She looked up. She tried to take a step back, but her legs began to shake. She could see their eyes, a greyish haze over what was once brown. The nearest Turned had a tear along his lip, with putrid skin running up his cheek.

  He reached out with bony fingers. Turned couldn’t think, couldn’t feel. All they did was consume and devour.

  Devour her.

  A large blur materialized into her field of vision, and with outstretched arms, tackled the two Turned to the ground.

  Captain Gresley straddled the first Turned and punched it. “I’m out of bullets,” he yelled as he swung his leg around and kicked the second Turned away.

  “Something’s wrong with my revolver.” Cass gestured in frustration.

  “Then get a stick or something!”

  Right. She picked up the first thick stick she spotted and ran into the fray. With a powerful swing, she caught the second Turned along the head. Seeing the captain fight brought heat and strength back into her body, but deep in her mind was a little girl cowering in fright.

  The Turned stumbled forward. Then, with stiff movement, it turned its head and looked back at Cass. It jerked around and went for her with outstretched hands.

  She was ready this time and rounded with a full swing the moment the Turned was in range.

  The stick hit the Turned with a sickening crunch.

  Then she heard a shout. It was full and clear, and it took a moment to register that there was no muffling of a mask.

  Cass spun around. Captain Gresley was on the ground beside the Turned he had been fighting, breathing laboriously.

  With his mask off.

  He slowly turned his head until his gaze was on Cass.

  She stood there frozen, her eyes on Captain Gresley, the two Turned he had taken out on either side of him.

  “Cass, run!” His face suddenly twisted up in a gruesome manner. He arched his head back and let out a bloodcurdling cry.

  She needed to run, but her body refused to move.

  His eyes rolled up into his head, and he began convulsing.

  “Captain!” Cass screamed as her body finally thawed. She took a step toward him. His whole body was now shaking. “You can’t do this. Please. You can’t Turn on me!”

  Her voice seemed to bring back a measure of recognition. For a moment, he focused on her. “Cass . . .” Sweat poured down his face and across the mask half hanging from his head. “You need. . . to run.”

  “I . . . I can’t!”

  “You have to—” There was an unearthly cry. The captain’s eyes went out of focus, and his body began twisting and contorting again, the spores within him violently taking over as they consumed his mind and insides.

  Cass’s vision went in and out as nausea swept over her. Chilly sweat spread across her skin. From her darkening vision, she watched the captain become motionless, except for the slight twitch of his fingers.

  The need to retch grew stronger inside of her. He was Turning. And the moment the spores took over, he would come after her. But her legs were like rubber, barely holding up her body.

  Someone yelled her name, but it was like hearing through water.

  “Cass!” the voice yelled again.

  The fingers stopped moving.

  He was gone. His body was only a husk now.

  A hand grabbed her arm. “What are you doing? You need to get out of here! Now!” Bert pulled her away.

  Cass stumbled back.

  “Move it, Cass. That’s an order!”

  Yes. Move.

  Survive.

  With that thought, Cass spun around and ran for the mountain. Trees flew by as she dashed through the foliage, leaping over dead logs and dodging bushes. Ahead, she could see Lucas fighting his way through the bramble and trees toward the hill they would use for takeoff. Wait, where was Bert? Wasn’t he with her a moment ago?

  No time to think.

  Cass redoubled her effort, ignoring the scathing cut across her face as tree limbs whipped her cheek and the branches caught her hair. Nothing mattered if she didn’t get to the hill.

  There was a shot behind her, and for a split second, she faltered. Who was Bert shooting? Was it . . . ?

  Don’t think. Only act.

  The moment she cleared the trees, Cass stopped, tested the wind, then headed up the hill. There was a breeze. That, combined with the updraft, should allow them to escape.

  Lucas was already deploying his glider. The canvas wings spread out behind him, and he pulled down his goggles around his eyes. As Cass reached the top of the hill, he started running down.

  Cass turned and followed suit. Lucas caught the updraft and began his ascension as Bert burst out of the woods.

  She locked the glider in place, brought out the guiding poles, then began her own run.

  Three Turned appeared at the edge of the forest, right behind Bert.

  Cass almost stumbled at the sight but then caught her legs and continued on. Come on Bert, she yelled silently as he dashed up the hill, already
preparing his goggles. Move faster!

  The pack became heavy, then the air caught beneath her and her straps tightened, lifting her up. Cass found the updraft and began to circle the invisible funnel, using the heated air to lift her higher. Down below, the Turned began to shuffle up the hill after Bert.

  Then he appeared at the edge of the forest, his tunic torn, his mask dangling from one ear.

  Captain Gresley.

  His head twitched to one side, then he glanced up.

  The paralyzing fear began to wash over her again.

  Cass gripped the guiding poles and raised her head.

  She focused on breathing in and out through the mask and feeling the air currents. If she wasn’t careful, she could find herself plummeting back down into that hellish landscape.

  Up and around, she let the thermal carry her, lifting higher and higher with each air wave until minutes later, she broke through the Mist’s surface. Cass scanned the horizon and spotted the Daedalus a couple miles away, still docked at Duskward. She would need to reach a higher elevation, then glide toward the ship.

  Lucas was already halfway there, his glider appearing like wings above him as he maneuvered his way across the sky toward the Daedalus.

  Cass chanced a glimpse back. Where was Bert?

  The sun broke through the layer of clouds above, sending warm, pure rays across the surface of the Mist. Cass shut her eyes against the glaring light, then opened them again seconds later.

  Bert still hadn’t broken through.

  Her heart began to beat faster. All she could imagine was the three Turned rushing up the hill and grabbing him by the leg, pulling him back down. And Captain Gresley moving in.

  Cass steered the glider toward the ship. As she approached the Daedalus, numbness stole over her.

  Lucas landed first and collapsed his glider back into his pack. Cass came in next, pulling up on the glider once she was over the deck, stalling so she could land. She did so lightly on both feet, then like an automaton, she began to stow away her glider.

  “Where’s the captain? And Bert?” Jeremiah rushed up to them.

  Cass heard him, but her mouth refused to work.

  Another crewmember was asking about Oliver.

  Cass felt like she was inside a barrel, hiding, and watching everything around her through a peephole.

  “Cass? Lucas?”

  By now a deathly hush descended across the Daedalus. Those who had been working came to a stop and stared at the two divers, while other crewmembers gathered cautiously around.

  Lucas stood, unmoving. “The Turned,” he finally said and pulled his gas mask down.

  His words stirred Cass. She pulled down her gas mask as well. “We were overwhelmed.” Her voice shook. “They got Oliver first. Then Captain Gresley took a stand to give the rest of us enough time to reach the hill. They got him, too.” She pushed her goggles up across her forehead, then quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  Patterson came bursting from the stairway that led to the galley. “What in tarnation is going on?” He wiped his hands across his apron as he looked around. He spotted Cass first and stomped over to her. “What’d you get yourself into this time, little lady? If I don’t patch up that cut, it’s gonna leave a scar.”

  Cass reached up and felt her cheek. There was a stinging sensation along her cheekbone.

  “Yes.” He quickly assessed at Lucas. “You look good.” Then he looked around. “Where are the rest of the divers? And the captain?”

  “They’re not coming back.” Lucas’s voice was flat, and Cass fought back her tears.

  Suddenly someone shouted and pointed toward the horizon. “Another glider!”

  Cass followed his finger. Sure enough, small enough to be a bird, was a dark speck against the rolling grey-green Mist. As she watched, it caught another updraft and went soaring up, then began to coast its way to the ship.

  Something broke loose inside of her at the sight. Bert had survived. It felt like a small win against all the losses of that day. As if to illuminate that hope, the sun seemed to shine brighter.

  “It’s Bert!” came the shout. “He made it!”

  The others let out hoots and hollers as Bert reached the deck and came down for a landing. Just as his legs hit the deck, he fell forward. All became deathly quiet as Jeremiah and a couple others dashed forward and caught him by the arms. There was a deep gash along his right leg, soaked in blood.

  “Make way.” Patterson moved through the men to Bert. He bent down and furrowed his brow. “It’s not broken, but I need to clean that wound and stitch it up.” He straightened and looked back at Cass. “After that, you’re next. The rest of you”—he waved a hand—“give the divers some space. Go back to your jobs. The Daedalus still needs us. We will discuss what we need to tonight.”

  Why couldn’t she stop crying? Cass rubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her tunic, but tears continued to flow. Grief hung over the Daedalus like a funeral shroud. No one spoke, no one looked each other in the eye. Each crewmember was caught up in his own thoughts and sorrow.

  Cass hid in the corner near the engine, feigning work. The shadows felt like a warm blanket, allowing her to grieve in silence.

  After half an hour, Will walked in. As the one in charge of the engine and machinery used to bring up items from the Mist, she should have known he would have eventually appeared. At least she’d had a little bit of time to herself.

  “Cass?” he said quietly.

  She wiped her face again to make sure there was no trace of tears and stood. The engine hummed gently next to her, and the air was warm with a hint of oil.

  He studied her for a moment, then reached for the belt around his waist and pulled out a wrench. “Here,” he said abruptly. “Why don’t you check on the bolts for me?”

  The bolts? She almost laughed at the thought. Why would the bolts need checking? She took the wrench, and Will spoke. “There will be a memorial for Oliver and Captain Gresley tonight. Not sure if you heard about it. Until then, I’ll let the others know you’re working in here.”

  He headed for the door when Cass called out. “Will, wait!” She looked down at the wrench and back up at him. “Thank you.”

  He cleared his throat. “You know, Captain Gresley would have done that for anyone.”

  “Done what?”

  “Given his life. He was always giving himself to others. That’s just who he was. Anyway”—Will turned—“I’ll see you tonight.”

  Cass stared at the doorway after he left. That’s just who he was. She lowered her head, grief swelling up again. She wished she could have gotten to know the captain more. He was unlike any other person she’d ever met. And now he was gone.

  Eventually, even though she knew they didn’t need it, she checked the bolts, then drew out a cleaning cloth and made sure the machinery was clean, and then tidied up the area. By the time evening came, she felt like she had a semblance of control back. At least her tears had stopped.

  The bell rang out. Cass tucked the tools away, hung the cleaning cloth from her belt, and emerged from the engine room. The rest of the crew gathered on the main deck. The sun was setting, lighting the sky above with deep colors and a cool wind blew over the ship.

  Patterson walked up the steps to the top deck, then came to a stop at the rail. His silver hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and his spectacles glinted in the dying light. Bert joined him a minute later. With Captain Gresley gone, Bert had become the temporary captain until they could reach Decadenn and relay the news of his brother’s death to Eli Gresley. Jeremiah went around and began to light the lanterns as the sky grew darker.

  “Comrades,” Patterson began after a moment of silence. Jeremiah lit the last lantern and came to stand beside Cass. “This isn’t the first time we’ve come to the deck to say goodbye to those we’ve lost, and it won’t be the last. But this time, we’ve lost more than a crewmember. Our captain gave his life so that our comrades could make it back home to
the Daedalus.”

  Home. The word reverberated inside Cass’s mind as Patterson continued to speak not only about Captain Gresley but of Oliver as well. Her mind replayed those last few minutes, how the captain took down the Turned so that she could escape. So she could make it home. Yes. The Daedalus was her home. But Captain Gresley did not come back with her . . .

  Cass rubbed her face with the edge of her tunic and looked away at the last few rays of sun spreading across the sky. It was a bittersweet thought. Her parents gave their lives so she could survive, and Captain Gresley gave his life so she could go home. Her new home.

  But what would happen now? What would happen when they arrived in Decadenn and spoke to Captain Gresley’s brother?

  Cass tuned back in as Patterson raised his hands and looked up into the burgeoning night sky.

  “Elaeros, we pray that the memory of our fallen comrades will never leave our hearts, and that the sacrifice they offered never be forgotten. Into your hands we commend their souls, and we commit their bodies to your will, may they not linger here in this world.” His words hung in the air as silence descended upon the ship.

  “Amen,” Bert finally said quietly next to Patterson.

  “Amen,” the rest of the crew murmured.

  Cass paused. “Amen,” she whispered, still mulling over Patterson’s words. She knew when a person became a Turned, it was only the body left behind. So where did the soul go? Were they with Elaeros now? In the sky, in His dwelling place? Were her parents as well? She looked up. Stars dotted the blackening expanse.

  There is more to Elaeros than we can possibly understand.

  Captain Gresley’s words to her months ago when he caught her staring out across the Mist.

  We live in a broken world, but we are not overcome by it.

  That she understood. She placed a hand over her heart. And like Patterson said, she would not forget her comrades. She would not forget Captain Gresley and the price he paid so she could live.

  They arrived in Decadenn two weeks later. The crew somberly exited the Daedalus to restock their supplies and to take some time off. Two had departed with packs in hand, ready to find other job opportunities. There were whispers amongst a handful of others who were thinking about doing the same thing.