Illumination
Chapter Nineteen

Two days passed in a similar fashion. Jack and the others were too terrified to ask anybody for lodging, so they slept in the buggy and ate rations. It was a bit unnerving after a while; only Bailey seemed to actually enjoy watching everyone sleep, which bugged Jack. The five of them stopped at public lodges to use the restroom, wash hands, and buy new ration packs, but soon, only the former privilege was available. The land got more and more barren and the darkness got even darker—if that was possible.

Jack ached all over from sitting in the cramped buggy. Maybe it was because it was especially packed where she was—but she was used to sitting in crowded college classes back at the colony. Most likely it was because of the company she kept and the heavy burden on her shoulders. Father is depending on me. Everyone else, too. Her shoulders straightened at this prospect. Forget Ben, and the solfects, and the doctor’s warning about the Apexes. Everything will be just fine. She almost believed it. Almost.

On a bright (well, as bright as it could be) day, at about four in the afternoon, they arrived. “We should be driving up to the edge of a canyon, according to the projection here,” Robin informed them over the whipping of the wind. Through it, Jack could see mists parting and flashes of navy blue rush by the buggy. “Gonna stop here. We can get out and walk.” He shut down the buggy and dimmed the lights, forcing Jack and the others to switch on their Illuminators. Beams of light pierced the ebony sky in shafts, like lighthouses at night.

Jack jumped out, happy to stretch her legs, and led Sierra up the left side of the canyon towards the edge, where it appeared to drop off. “Stay back,” she warned, crouching down. She could see Colony 186 looming below at about a fifty foot drop.

She couldn’t help but gasp at the sheer size of it. Unlike most colonies, which were medium-sized, 186 looked more like the Archives than a former housing district. It was a series of imposing, grey buildings lining the edge of the canyon, guarded in by walls and wire. Almost like a prison. “What are we supposed to do now?” she asked, standing back up and peering down at the dismal scene. “We’re here. Ben never told us where to go next.”

Sierra stood beside her, her arm brushing against Jack’s. “Is Dad in there? There’s no way we’ll be able to get him out.” She frowned, her face clouded behind the misty helmet visor.

“One step at a time, Sie,” Robin said, though he didn’t look too sure either. “I’m sure we’ll figure out...something.”

Liam and Bailey headed over, the former holding the latter’s pack because Bailey was busy switching out the ammo on her gun. “Should we look for a path down?” These words from the Brit sent a faded memory spinning through Jack’s mind. The snapping of a rope, the cold prickle of the air around her, a ripped-off sleeve, the pounding of her own heart, and the warm, dank smell of the Apex’s breath. She shivered and stepped away from the edge.

“Liam and Sierra, head down the left side of the canyon. Me, Robin, and Squeak will look to the right,” Bailey instructed, bouncing the compact gun back and forth, from hand to hand.

“There won’t be any need for that,” said a familiar, low voice behind them. Even before turning around, Jack knew who it was. “Hey there, Jack.”

It was Ben, this time in human form. He stood a few feet away from the buggy, his face hidden from the glare of her Illuminator. But Jack knew that he was frowning and that he was looking straight at her. Not at anyone else, but at her alone. He wasn’t wearing the traditional safety uniform, but instead was wearing a maroon trench coat over a utility uniform. Makes sense, considering he’s an imposter. “Please. I’m only human now,” he said, holding up his hands as Bailey levelled her gun at him.

“How did you replace us?!” Jack asked accusingly.

Ben pointed towards Liam. “He has something in his pack—a Sun fragment, I believe. Solfects are good at detecting such things.” He raised his hands even higher as Bailey stepped forward. “Don’t shoot! I only came so you could say hello to him.”

“Hello to wh—” Sierra started, then trailed off as another, much taller figure emerged from the darkness.

“Dad!” the three siblings cried, running forward and nearly knocking their father over in excitement. Ben’s companion smiled warmly and pulled them into a hug, his head barely reaching above theirs. Liam and Bailey nodded but thankfully stayed back from the group hug.

“I thought—” Robin began, but broke off again. Tears glistened in his eyes. “You’re okay! I thought you were dead.”

“I’m alright,” their father whispered, almost to himself. “I’m alright. You’re all okay too?” Here he bent down and examined them like they were six again. Ben took a few steps away from his captive and let the three siblings enjoy the moment.

“We’re fine, Dad, we’re fine,” Jack assured him, face half-buried in his shoulder. “We came all this way to replace you-”

“I know, Benjamin told me,” her father said with another smile. It faded along with the mist on his visor as he added, “He’s been good to me, you know. He’s treated me well so far. I’m not his prisoner.”

“What do you mean?” Sierra’s teary grin of relief also faded as she turned to look at the other boy, who stood a couple yards away, arms folded. “We saw him kidnap you in the Sector. He dragged you away and knocked Jack out!”

“Not exactly. I mean yes, but...I shouldn’t be the one explaining this. Ben?” Jack’s father gave them one last hug and stepped to the side, pointing towards his companion. Liam and Bailey also approached now that the “family time” was over, and soon Ben was forced to step back into the light.

“What’s going on, Ben? Why did you bring Mr. Amundsen here if not to torture us?” Liam asked, glaring at the newcomer.

“Torture you, no.” Ben almost chuckled at the prospect, yet held back, quite possibly out of fear. “He’s all yours. I swear.” As if to prove a point, he gestured for Jack’s father to step away, repeating the motion until his companion left his side. “The reason I brought you here...well...I haven’t been entirely truthful. But in a good way, I promise.” He frowned and wrapped his coat around his body tightly, as if to shield himself from the others.

“Explain. Why should we listen to you now that Father is back?” Sierra wrapped an arm around her dad, as if to prove a point using his existence. “We could just walk away now.”

“You could. But just listen.” Ben’s words were running together breathlessly. “Listen, please.” He sprinted past them to the edge of the canyon and dropped to his knees there. “I’m not the bad guy. They are.” Ben pointed down to 186 and looked back at them expectantly.

“Woah, woah, woah. You can’t just bring us to some abandoned, old complex and tell us that you’re not the bad guy. That’s not how it works,” Bailey argued, shouldering her gun.

“Sit down,” Ben said, more of a command than a request. The others did so reluctantly, leaning against the buggy, their Illuminators framing Ben in an almost accusing light. “I have a story. Listen.”

“Great. We don’t have time for this,”Bailey muttered under her breath, but said nothing more after a glare from the boy in front of her.

Ben took a deep breath and began.