Adam didnt get a chance to absorb what Audley was saying. A sharp pain pierced his knee. Like a burning dagger, the green stream slowly penetrated his muscles and tendons. He couldnt stay on his feet, falling to the floor to Roberts hysterical laughter. Despite the pain and fear of the unknown, anger took over and Adam struck Audley again. He put all his strength into the blow. If he was going to die, let this man who wanted his wife, who had made him the victim of deceit and some diabolical act, let him get what he deserved a blow full of spite and contempt.
The hum, the noise of the siren, the explosions and crackling of sparks, the cries of the dying, the screams of the still living, even Audleys hoarse laughter, all blended into one symphony of chaos. Adam could feel the strength leaving his body, the very life itself being sucked out by the green tongue of this cursed substance. All attempts to get away from it had come to nothing.
His eyes were beginning to darken when a different kind of crackling sound was heard behind him. A chair flew into the air, and then an unknown force pulled him. As he crossed the circle outlined by white sparks, Adam felt he couldnt breathe. He was enveloped in cold, blue and airlessness, but the pain of the substances torture had ceased. It was as if its outgrowth had been frightened by the desolate space and decided to leave the old victim and go straight to the new one.
It was hard to realize what was happening. Some force was carrying him God knows where through the dark blue vortex. What was waiting for him on the other side, and whether there was a back side at all there were many questions in his mind, but none of them were answered. Before he passed out from lack of air, Adam noticed Audley being sucked into the vortex. Then he was turned around and saw nothing else.
Chapter 5: Awakening
The bare treetops creaked as they leaned against each other under the force of the wind. Sparse snowflakes fell from a sky covered with heavy gray clouds. His head ached terribly, and his wooden muscles and joints refused to bend. His body was so cold that his insides, dried out and exhausted, didnt seem to function at all.
Im not dead? With a muffled groan, the quiet words came out.
A drop of melted water dripped into his half-open mouth through the leaky respirator. The first small gulp was a sharp pain. The spasm it produced made it impossible to inhale and Adam coughed. Someone had heard him. From the side of his head came the crunch of twigs, followed by the sound of cautious footsteps. The respirator left his face with the strangers help, giving his flesh a pleasant sensation of freedom. Something cold and metallic touched his lips and poured the life-giving liquid into his mouth. Each sip made it easier, but it didnt fully satisfy the urge.
More, please! More!
Adam tried with all his might to reach for the distant flask, but his hands would not obey, continuing to lie dead weight on the cold ground.
Whats wrong with my body, why wont it obey?
Well find out, a womans voice said tensely. Its a wonder you can breathe and talk at all. Id advise you to do less of both. Your rotten body might not hold up, and Id have to dig a hole, and I dont really want to do that. Its frozen.
Above him stood a middle-aged woman with long, curly dark hair gathered in a ponytail. The fine lines near her eyes betrayed a slight feisty nature, and the brown depths of her gaze high intelligence. She studied him, stood for a few seconds in confusion, but then, as if making a decision for herself, took off her cloak and threw it over the man lying in front of her.
Youll last an hour, and thats all we need, she added without much enthusiasm.
What? Adam didnt hear the last word. Oh, an hour Yeah, just an hour.
His eyes were blurred, his thoughts confused, and a wild weakness weighing him down. Through the dream he felt the freshness of the moss on which his hands were stretched, the gusts of wind ruffling his hair, and the heavy breathing of his savior pulling his heavy body by the straps. Then warmth, the pleasant smell of pine, the crackle of the fire, the prick in his arm, and lightness, such a pleasant lightness.
When he woke up, he couldnt tell exactly how long he had slept. He felt much better, which was saying a lot. He was in a full bed with blankets and pillows. A fireplace was burning in the room, casting rare sparks on the tempered glass. Along the walls were an empty desk and a couple of unremarkable cabinets, and the floor was covered by a fluffy rug yellowed with old age. Adam raised himself slightly and only then noticed the dog by the bed, watching his every move.
Well, hello. Whats your name? the dog didnt move. Uh, okay. Youre not very social, are you? Again, no response.
The sound of footsteps came from the door, and the dog stood up, wagged his tail, and took his place at the door. Not five seconds later, the same dark-haired woman whose silhouette, though hazy, still wandered in the memory as a bright star of salvation, entered the room. The animal wagged its tail even more vigorously, began to paw and nuzzle at its mistress, unconsciously obstructing her passage.
All right, calm down, Alpha. Give me the road, the woman said, stroking the dog behind the ear, then looked up at her guest. You look pretty good for a recently dead man, even your skin color is almost normal. Surprisingly you recover very quickly, do you want to tell me what the secret is?
I dont know what you mean, Adam said, sitting up higher. I wish I knew where I was.
You are in my home, she said calmly, sitting down on a chair by the bed. Im Maria Fleur, Maria, she introduced herself. And this is my dog Alpha, she scratched her pet behind the ear. She closed her eyes and rumbled with pleasure. Now its your turn. Who are you, where did you come from, how did you get to the relic forest?
Whered you go?
Into the relict forest, you fool! The landladys tone changed, and a small antique revolver rested on her knee. You know, it is not customary in our land to answer a question with a question. But Ill give you another try and ask you again, «Who are you?»
Adam had never been in a situation like this before, and he had never been threatened with a gun before. There was no fear, only a strange incomprehension of what was happening.
My name is Adam Perket. Im an engineer at the Center for Robotic Technology and Innovation. I live in the suburb of Le Mans, the gated community of Grory, 15 Legionnaires Street. Personal number: 13.79.61.02 series W. What else do you want to know?
Are you kidding me?! Marias face twisted with indignation. Apparently, this was not the answer she had expected. Her hand gripped the revolver tighter. Tell me who you are! Are you a Kred or a member of the Order of Truth? Or are you a member of the Free? I dont think so, they dont come here, she thought for a moment. Where did you get those strange clothes, and what were you doing covered in moss under a fucking pine tree in my forest, are you a mutant?
Me?
No, me! What do you think?!
The situation was becoming a stalemate. Adam felt like he was being asked something he had no clue about. What was this woman even saying? What mutants, Creeds, what moss, after all! He couldnt be covered in moss that much was clear to everyone. Hed been on the trial yes! Thats where Audley had gone mad and then the funnel Thats right, hed been in some kind of funnel!
If youll excuse me, Adam said politely after hed finished digging through his vague memories. What day is it today?
Wednesday, Maria replied gruffly, without removing her finger from the trigger of the revolver.
Ive only been here one day?
I wish! Itll soon be two weeks since youve been using my goods. You were dead when I found you. I cleaned you up, got you out. By the way, you owe me now!
Two weeks?! Well, dont worry, Maria, I have a bank account and good insurance. Ill be sure to repay you.
Are you blessed or something? Maria furrowed her eyebrows. What account, what bank, are you kidding or do you think Im an idiot?
No, he wasnt joking, but her surprise didnt seem like a joke either. Something had changed in the time hed been unconscious, or maybe hed been rescued by a madwoman whod gotten far away from civilization and forgotten all about its benefits.
Okay, Adam thought, gathering his thoughts together, and decided it was worth trying to clear the tension and try to start the conversation again. Lets say you dont know what a bank is and you find my idea strange. Thats all okay. I suggest we calm down and talk. Okay? Maria lowered her revolver in response. «Good, thats much better,» the man exhaled. According to you, Ive been here for at least two weeks and probably a little more under the pine tree. Ive seen snow, so it must be winter, and Ive missed a lot
Its August, you fool! Maria interrupted his musings.
How was August?
As always by calendar.
Well, was it snowing, or am I imagining things?
Well, the snow is falling, so why be surprised? The landlady shrugged her shoulders. Its been thirty years since the weather has surprised us, we cant change the calendar every week! I dont understand, were you born, under that pine tree?
All right, well, youve got that kind of weather Adam stretched out thoughtfully, almost accepting the idea that the woman in front of him was crazy. Is there anything else I need to know?
Whats to know?! Dont mess with my head. Ive already told the Coppers about you, theyll come for you soon. Theyll give you a quick explanation of whats here and how.
Whos coming for me?
Capers.
Ahhhh Adam, rolled his eyes and leaned back on the pillow.
Dont you know the Capers?
I know, of course, theyre the ones who used to take bets at stadiums.
Taking what?
The conversation was not going well at all. Adam felt as if he were talking to a man who hadnt just fled to the wilderness, but who didnt know the civilized world at all. It didnt add up here, either. The strange womans house was modern, and the furniture was old, of course, but it wasnt junk. The inconsistency of the facts began to press between my eyes.
The bets were taken on a victory or some specific event, he started to get excited and explain, but by the eyes of the listener quickly realized that it was pointless and almost immediately gave up. You dont understand me. Well, tell me then, who are these Capers?
Youre very strange, you know that? Maria said, practically resting her head on her left shoulder, squinting. Not knowing Capers in these parts is like not drinking or breathing water. She laughed and waved her hand away for some reason. Apparently she didnt believe in her guests naive ignorance. Yes, you amuse me thats good! Other people dont come here very often, which makes it boring. Its just the two of us, me and Alpha. Its not an easy life, you know, but its a sin to complain, other people have it no better. We live on the edge of a relic forest. It feeds and warms us. Sometimes she gives us presents. In general, I like to talk. But only when I havent seen people for a long time. And in other situations, Im not very good with people. Its not my thing. Im closer to nature, you know.
Maria talked nonstop. Yes, she liked to talk, and when she realized that she would be listened to, she began to pour out everything that had accumulated, important and not so important. At first Adam tried to catch the meaning of her words, then tried not to get lost in the themes and descriptions of events, but after that he gave up trying everything, deciding just to listen. She talked about many things: the place she lived in, how she found Alpha, the two lovers, diseases, mushrooms and herbs, thieves, animals and plants, she talked about Capers too. As Adam realized, the Capers were a sort of hobby club, quite popular in these parts. The head of the club was one Marcus Armless. There was even a legend about his life and death, resurrection, acquisition of higher powers, and other nonsense that only children or fools could believe in. This Marcus and the people from his club had complete power in this area. They even had their own laws. The rest of the people living here either worked with them or tried to stay neutral. But there were rival clubs. These included bandits, cannibals, Creeds, sectarians of the Order of Truth, blood slaves, and another five similar crazy names. With every second of listening to this nonsense, the flames of indignation and discontent grew hotter inside. How long he had been here remained unclear. There was no communication, the nearest town was not clear, and he urgently needed to tell Annet that he was alive and would return to her soon. Instead of solving important questions, he sat on the bed and listened to a lecture on breeding rabbits in the wild.
In winter, they can even eat their own feces, but thats if its really bad with food.
Maria, Adam finally decided to interrupt her. Im not interested in hearing about rabbits. I have a lot to do and every minute is precious to me. Where can I find a connection?
Youre at it again! Theres no connection here, there hasnt been for a long time. Im telling you important things, you should listen. Maybe my words will save your life someday.
Adam covered his face with his palms and shook his head.
No, this can no longer be tolerated Lowering his palms, he looked up at the woman and, holding back with all his might, asked a question. Here, are you serious now! Do you seriously want me to forget about normal life, and believe everything you say? Capers, Creeds, hares, relic forests, mutants, purple and red grass these are all fairy tales, and youre a grown woman, it would seem!
He shook his head in emotion, threw back the blanket, and didnt recognize his legs. They were as thin as canes. Skin covered the bones and small clusters of muscle. Nevertheless, he stood up. It was a laborious action, and he shook, but he could not delay any longer.
Where do you think youre going? Maria took up her revolver again.
Im sorry, but I cant take it anymore. Besides, youre out of ammunition, an empty drum. I should be finding out if my familys okay, not lying here listening to your nonsense. Nevertheless, Im very grateful to you. When I get to civilization, Ill repay you for your kindness, I wont be in debt. Well, now I have to go, goodbye!
Adam threw on his jacket, cast a parting glance at the confused woman and her dog, then left the room. She yelled something after him, but he couldnt hear. He had to go, find the connection and figure this out.
Finding his way out of the house was not difficult. He opened the massive old oak door and found himself outside. A chill immediately struck him in the face. Heavy gray clouds floated in the sky, driven by a faint wind. Behind the house was the forest, the familiar green grass beneath his feet.
Well, where are the mutants or plants of all the colors of the rainbow? The man cursed aloud and, wrapping himself tightly, began his journey to civilization.
The logic of the decision was simple: civilization was everywhere, which meant that wherever you went, youd come to a house or a town where there would be some kind of communication. The area was unfamiliar to Adam, but the architecture of the only building he could see, the house of the crazy Maria Fleur, told him that he was not far from where he lived. Yes, of course, the typical designs were built all over the North Atlantic Alliance, but there was something native and familiar about her house and the hills that were visible everywhere.