“You’re not planning on escaping, are you?” Fabian asked. That’s when it dawned on him, like a switch had been flicked. “It’s why you wanted Spade to be its own territory. So that they couldn’t come for you, arrest you again.”
“Precisely.” I grinned, waving him off. “Send your eldest council member to fetch me food or a blanket. Something that he can see I’m here and locked up.”
Fabian eyed me skeptically. “I can’t let you go. You do know that, right?” He looked almost apologetic though I supposed it was because he’d gotten me into this mess. Truth was he was probably glad for it. He was now the commanding officer and had control over the medical and science facilities of The Republic of Cabal. I just hoped he’d be honorable in how he handled things. At least for now, the women in Spade were safe and could have children.
“I’m not asking for your help,” I assured him. “Just go fetch the elder.” He headed up the steps. My fingers smoothed over the bracelet, glad they hadn’t taken it away from me. Had they I don’t know what I’d have done. I sighed, glancing around the cell. It was cool and dark. There were no windows. Genesis’ prison had been a remarkable step up compared to Torv.
Several minutes passed before the elder appeared carrying a plastic bottle of water. “You had to send for me? Care to enlighten me as to why?” He asked. “I won’t be back down again,” he told me. “Though I will tell you one thing.” He laughed. “You did take a huge problem off my shoulders. Isaura was out of control and needed to be stopped.”
“So you should have given me a medal, not thrown me in prison.” I took the water from his hands and had a sip.
“If it were up to me…” his voice trailed off. “Alas, it’s not.” I sipped the water, his fascination almost frightening. “We had to make an example of what you’ve done, Olivia. We can’t allow high levels of our society to be assassinated. You understand why you’re here, don’t you? I do promise you that even though you’re in prison you will be fed and well cared for. We have no intention of torturing you or killing you any sooner. Consider it our thank you gift.”
“I should be delighted,” I muttered having another sip before closing the bottle and putting it down on the cot beside me. “I do have one other request.” I paused thinking it over. “Have Joshua and Janessa left already?”
The eldest responded, “Hours ago. Sorry you couldn’t say goodbye. If that was your request,” he shrugged, “you’ll have to think up something else.”
“Leave Spade alone.” My voice held warning, a threatening tone and I needed him to understand if they came after me or attacked Spade I’d do what needed to be done. We’d destroy the city of Torv and The Republic of Cabal if necessary.
“I promise we have no intention of interfering in matters north of Haven. We’ve never been close with Spade and have no reason to offer trade or befriend them.”
“Very well,” I answered as he retreated for the stairs. I could hear his heavy steps and waited until he was gone before focusing on the bracelet. It would take me back to 2225. It wasn’t the first place I wanted to go but I could do it. I could get back to Spade. I just needed to break out of prison.
CHAPTER 25
The moment I shifted through time it had been easier than the last. I’m not sure whether I was getting better at it or it just became something natural with the bracelet secured to my wrist. My eyes took a moment to adjust as a cloud of smoke and haze came down the stairs and enveloped the prison cell.
I cursed beneath my breath, my hands worked at the iron bars trying to get free. I hadn’t considered that I would be stuck in 2225 in prison! I opened my lips, prepared to scream out for help when a shadow moved through the smoke. “Hello? Is anyone else down here?” I asked certain I’d seen someone just outside my cell.
I felt the breeze of the body as the smoke swirled around him. “What are you doing in there?” he asked, coming up to the cell door, staring down at me curiously, he was almost a full foot taller than me.
“It’s a long story. One I don’t think either of us have time for. Is there a fire?” His voice was thick with a foreign accent. One I’d heard only once before in Haven. The man had the same dark skin and brown eyes. He looked familiar but it was impossible. “Can you help me, please?” I begged, my hands gripping the iron metal, relieved it hadn’t been hot. The fire wherever it was would be coming for us, that is if the smoke didn’t kill us first.
“Let me find the key,” he said disappearing into the fog laid cloud of smoke.
“Hello?” I called not hearing anything, had he left me here to die? What other option did I have? Return to present day and die in a cell slowly or die quickly now? From out of the smoke the man coughed and wheezed, the keys jingling in his hand as he tried the first and then the second until finally he found the one that unlocked the cage I had been trapped inside. “Thank you!” I breathed throwing my arms around him in an embrace. He seemed awkward, unmoving and I let go.
“You’re not infected, are you?” He asked with hesitation after I touched him.
“No. Vaccinated today.” I showed him the pierced skin and bruise that was now forming on my arm.
“Good, me, too.” He led me back up the stairs through the smoke. The building was on fire. “Come on,” he told me leading me along the first floor and towards the front exit. Flames hovered and licked the walls and I ducked, careful not to get burned as I maneuvered with the man towards the door. The fire terrified me, the heat radiating from all sides, scorching me as sweat dribbled down my forehead. The fire blazed brighter as I reached the open door, throwing myself outside, unsure how I didn’t catch on fire. He followed right behind, barely escaping the flames as he gasped for air.
“You okay?” I looked him over, glad to see neither of us had been burned.
“Not used to such excitement,” he admitted. “Come along now.” He led me down the street. “You’ll have to tell me how you got in that cell. The prison here hasn’t been used in years.”
I laughed nervously wondering how you tell someone you just met that you are actually from the future. “It’s a long story,” I smiled. “I need to head north home,” I explained. “Is there any way I might be able to borrow a vehicle?”
He eyed me skeptically. “Any chance I’d see this vehicle again?”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll walk it.” It’d be a long walk and there was nothing I could do to quicken it.
“I can lend you a horse, if you know how to ride?”
“Seriously?” I’d never seen a living horse let alone ridden on one! I’d seen a picture of one in a children’s book while we were learning the alphabet. I hadn’t been within miles of a horse. Was he kidding?
“Come on.” He led me off the main road and further through the town. Torv had changed. The city was bright and filled with excitement. The buildings were erected high and the paved roads glistened but the people, something about them was different. This world was filled with hope and promise. I hated to tell them what was coming. “Just promise me you’ll take good care of her.” He led me through town and to the farthest outskirts to a barn. Inside he took me through the stables and past several large animals. I’d never seen a horse up close and doubted anyone else had either. Had they eventually become extinct? I wasn’t sure.
“I promise,” I assured him. “How do I ride her?”
“She’s pretty good with newcomers. The tamest horse there is, Auburn.” He petted her gently. “Remember to share your water with her and some vegetables.” He handed me a canteen and pouch filled with food for the horse.