The Two Men Who Kill To Be Carbon

1. Time Travel-2

“I’ll send Filo,” said Zee annoyed.

“No, I’d really like you to go, understand?” said Till through the speaker. There was a pause. “Goodbye, boys.” The speaker went dead.

As soon as the Captain’s voice had disappeared, Zee was up and pushed his rifle sideways into the chest of the much larger Range. “Just try it again.” He held back and they stared at each other with hostile intent. “Both of you,” continued Zee. “Weak as piss.”

Without further words, the brothers were led by Range and Filo to a vehicle with a holding cage on the back. Bray, Sabienn and Stork were each helped in to the rear enclosure when Zee came along and clanged the door shut. A bemused Deep still stood on the ground outside.

“You,” said Zee to Deep. “Keep your walking shoes on. You’re with me.”

“That’s not orders,” said Filo.

“Shut it,” said Zee. He then pushed Deep still with his hands tied in the direction of the beach.

“No,” cried Sabienn, appalled at the turn of events. “He’s with us.”

His appeals fell on deaf ears as the three brothers in the cage viewed Deep staring back with defiant calm. “See you soon,” said Deep.

The vehicle’s batteries suddenly came to power and they were moving off. Sabienn’s fingers gripped through the cage wire as he watched his brother receding into the distance; being left behind next to a psychopath with a hacksaw and a catapult. “Call the Captain,” Sabienn called to the two privates in the front cabin. But the vehicle moved on up the dirt track beside the border.

“He’ll be fine,” said Bray beside him. As he spoke, his bound wrists delved clumsily into his pocket and he handed across the latest note received from Grey Cape. Sabienn remembered it had been handed to Bray two days ago but he had a turn with his condition and it went to his pocket.

With his bound hands, Sabienn received the paper carefully and viewed the note’s contents again but the words didn’t elicit any more clues than when he first read it. He read to himself one more time.

“Further notes. By now you would have received news that your father has ordered the death of you and your brothers. He has assigned your class-mates, the twins Cole and Shyne Dryde, who now call themselves the Hot Cold Coal and the Diamond. Your father has dubbed these men, who are in order number two and number one black wolf from your year, the two men who kill to be carbon. Be wary of them. I have seen them. They are hungry and capable. Your survival is not assured. All STL operatives have been ordered to stand down to allow the twins to seek you and kill you. This act will occur at the time of the junction of the moons on Mount Farewell. It is a time of killing. I am sorry to be the bearer of this news. Your prospects are slim.

On another note, I have a mission should you wish to accept. Your refusal would be understandable. In Trinkett, the divided city of the Minorans and Deer, there is a lawyer, Ors Layr. This man is the son of a Deerland lawyer now deceased who resided at Mission Cinnamon. This man owned a coffee mug with the words, “The World’s Greatest Dad” which it is believed has been passed to his son. No further details. Seek this object for a read. Once again, it’s deemed to be a solid lead in the finding of the missing stone. Once complete, proceed not to Trinkett as my last note but to Port Steer within the Province of Tory in Upper Deerland. My dog will find you. Good luck and safe travel.”

This time Sabienn didn’t make the mistake of letting the note out of his sight. He crushed it small and placed it on to his tongue. Once dissolved he allowed the paper to slip down his throat. His thoughts returned to the possible fate of Deep.

Seemingly calm, Bray piped up, “He’ll be OK. He’s indestructible.” Sabienn heard what Bray had said but didn’t want to question Bray’s confidence. And how what he said was just wrong. “It is a time of killing,” continued Bray. “That’s what he wrote. What does that mean?”

“Don’t know,” said Sabienn, still looking to the rear. “Bray, how’s your head?”

“I’m back,” said Bray.

“Then get your eyes up,” said Sabienn with urgency. “Stork, smell the air. Call anything, guys. This wasn’t the plan.”

“I’d like to be upbeat,” called Stork. “But all I smell is death. It’s wafting in over that wall. You sure you want to go there?”

“There’s one thing in our favour,” said Bray quietly holding up his plastic ties. “I’ll be able to get out of these.” Sabienn looked at the gap between Bray’s wrists and knew of his double-jointed advantage.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” replied Sabienn.

“I’m thinking as fast as I can,” said Bray.

The vehicle travelled another five minutes before parking in a compound close to the border wall. The three brothers were led by Range and Filo to a holding cell.

Sabienn looked around at the dimly lit holding place. It had a high ceiling and filthy walls and the open window with bars wasn’t allowing enough natural light in. And it certainly wasn’t allowing enough natural ventilation. His nasal passages were assaulted by a foul stench, compliments of a used toilet bucket in the corner.

As he looked around, he saw that they were not alone in the cell. A man and a woman sat on the floor near the bucket wearing stained and unwashed black cloaks. The male ate an apple and watched Sabienn survey him.

“I’d offer you some,” the man indicated his apple held within his filthy hand. “But I’m saving.” The female beside him then promptly turned to the bucket beside her, gripped its sides then threw up a clear liquid emission from her mouth into it. “For her,” he continued. .

Sabienn turned to his brothers before responding, “I think we’re good, thanks.” He noted that the man with the apple spoke in a heavy Deerland accent associated with the Province of Pine Cone.

The ties were quickly cut from around their wrists by Filo and the two guards moved out and the door clanged shut. “We need to speak with your Captain,” said Sabienn with urgency to the guards.

“Speak to me about what?” said a voice from up the corridor, moving towards them. A short squat human female came into view in a neat Deerland regular uniform. Her well-pressed military jacket seemed two sizes larger to capture the full folds of her womanhood. Her voice was the same as the one Sabienn heard on the speaker device as Captain Till.

“Your man,” said Sabienn gripping the bars to be closer to the officer. “Your corporal. He has our friend.”

“Report please,” said Till to Range and Filo, attending the officer to the side. Range moved in to whisper into Till’s ear and Till’s expression changed to one of concern. “That wasn’t my order,” continued Till. There was a pause as Till surveyed his charges in silence. “Filo, go. Find out what you can,” she said finally.

As Filo departed up the corridor, Till turned to Sabienn, “My apologies. Zee’s always been a worry.” Till offered a knowing glance to Range standing next to her and Range tidied his loose long dark hair in response. With an air of care, Till turned to address the woman sitting next to her bucket. “Pila, have you had time to reconsider?”

Wiping the moisture from her mouth, Pila replied. “I still want to see my lawyer. And I will please be addressed in my formal. Ms Blanch.” Sabienn noted her accent was not rustic Pine Cone as the gentleman beside her but more sophisticated Red Bat, noting in his mind the big distance of these Provinces of Upper Deerland.

“There’s no need to be this way,” replied Till feeling guarded by the request. “I’d just like you to see a doctor.”

“We want to see our lawyer too,” piped up Bray spritely. “There’s a Deerland Treaty to attend citizens of Hayddland. I can quote it for you.”

“No no,” replied Till. Her hands were in front as if she were being held up by robbers. “I’m aware of the understanding. Please, let’s not go there. But you people are not from here,” asked Till, as if she were a long-lost friend. “Are you all going to Mount Farewell?”

“Yes,” said Sabienn uncertainly, looking to Bray and Stork.

“I see,” said Till to Sabienn. “You’re here to kill someone but I’m sensing you don’t know why? And why Mount Farewell in particular?”

“It’s a cursed mountain,” said the man next to Pila.

“Harden up, Binn,” countered Pila, turning to her partner.

At that moment, Till’s device sounded and she took the call. After a brief muffled conversation, she closed it and returned to Sabienn. “We have your friend outside. Be nice now. I need to put the ties on you.” She looked to Pila. “All of you.”

Sabienn sensed that this was unusual, a sense which was picked up by Bray. “We still want a lawyer,” said Bray defiantly.

“Do you want to see your friend?” said Till quietly.

The three brothers paused and looked at one another. Even if this is a firing squad, we die together, thought Sabienn. If Deep is indeed out there.

“What’s in it for us?” called Pila.

“Trust me,” said Till. “It’s what you want.”

Sabienn succumbed and presented his hands through the bars for binding. He snatched a sly look to Bray who acknowledged to do his double-jointed thing with his ties. The Deerland couple were then tied with mumbles of protestation.

Filo returned and then with the aid of Till and Range, all prisoners were then led from their cell to walk the distance to the morning sun outside.

When the bound party and their guards walked through the guard house door to the sun outside, the brothers’ spirits lifted. There before them, in the bare courtyard nearby the vehicle he had been transported in, was Deep. His hands were still bound and he stood next to Zee, who had the look of a man who was about to be patted on the head.

Quickly Sabienn assessed the ground they stood within. The compound was enclosed and the men had guns. Running was not an option.

As if to underline her power over her captives, Till left them briefly to speak with the newcomer. Zee pushed Deep in the back to go and join the other prisoners.

Sabienn gave an audible breath of satisfaction having Deep walk back into their ranks even though he was bound like them. “What happened?” whispered Sabienn.

“We walked the beach to the transport for a bag of sugar,” said Deep looking back at Zee. “He threatened the airman showing I’d stowed in. Things were tense. I thought I was going to get a bullet.” As he spoke, Sabienn watched as Zee passed on to Till a bulging envelope which Till placed into her inner pocket. Deep continued, “So the airman gave him a bigger bag of sugar.”

“Seems to be how business is done here,” said Stork. “Good to have you back.”

Having placed the envelope in her pocket, Till turned to announce to her charges, “Good work, Zee. You’re in charge now. Stand down, fellows. I’ll be taking the prisoners for a walk up the wall.”

“Should’ve let me send their heads over,” said Zee looking towards the brothers.

With affection, Till patted Zee’s cheek, “When you grow up, you’ll be good at this.” Till then removed Zee’s rifle and checked its readiness before placing it to her own shoulder.

“I’ll come with you,” said Range pulling his own rifle to his shoulder.

“Stand down,” said Till. Once again she walked up to Range and patted his cheek. “Good boy. That’s an order.” She then turned to the six bound prisoners and waved her hand towards the gate. “Move, please.”

Sabienn’s senses were tingling. He looked around him searching for advantages and points of trust. He saw Range looking at them leave out the gate.

Slyly Sabienn got Bray’s attention. “Bray, see Range,” he whispered. Bray saw Range and seemed to have an understanding. As the group moved on, he held his bound wrists up so that Range could see but not Till. He slipped his wrists from the plastic tie and let it drop to the ground but kept his hands together to give the impression he was still bound. Sabienn saw Range’s face look dismayed but he just stood there.

“Keep moving, please,” called Till to Sabienn and the other captives.

As they moved westward away from the compound, Sabienn looked to the northern aspect of the wall they were trying to breach to get into Rotnadge-Minora. He saw the tell-tale marks of bullet holes and blood stains on the brick surface to show that previous people who had walked this way had come to grief.

“Keep going,” called Till, still keeping the rifle out in front of her and pushing them further on into the cleared zone adjacent to the wall. After a while they veered to the right, away from the wall and toward a line of trees planted to hold the soil. The Captain appeared to be preoccupied with what was ahead of them and allowed a lapse in judgement to move ahead of the group.