Leno's will (chapter 13)

“Since when did you start eavesdropping Mika?”                                  

“It’s not a habit I am proud of but it doesn’t change the fact that there are secrets you are hiding Leno. I am sorry to pry. Nothing bothers me so much but the fact that your past is of such significance that the likes of Gregor recognises you is something I can’t shake.”

“Well, all you had to do was some asking. This was not something I would have hid from you. None of us ever question into each other’s past. I can’t believe you have been acting weirdly all this time because of this”

“Well… I … uh,” stammered Mika. He bowed his head and took in a deep breath. “I am sorry; in fact I don’t want to know any more.”

Leno looked abashed. Mika had made such a fuss only a moment ago, now he didn’t care. He was about to make a retort when Gregor called everyone’s attention. They had arrived at the river of Nations again but this time they could see there was very little of it.

Over the past few days the river had thinned out as they had neared the border to Sinatra; now it was barely a river. The deepest part of it would have only come up to aunt Mara’s waist and she was a tiny little thing amongst humans.

“We will cross into Sinatra tomorrow morning. This time we should stock up on water; lots of it. Do not worry about food we will find loads,” informed Gregor.

“Are you sure? I mean I don’t see how there can be lots of food in a country where water is scarce.” Judi spoke as a matter-of-factly.

“Don’t worry. You will soon see for yourself,” chuckled Gregor.

As the group continued into the land of Sinatra Leno noticed many changes and the alarming rate in which they came into effect. Within a few miles into the country the climate became increasingly warmer with the lands being plain and stripped of any vegetation.

There were far more hills than they had ever seen with pits of sand becoming ever popular. Some of the sand was red and it was not because of blood Leno noted. Gregor was right though. There was plenty of food.

During the night the temperature dropped as if the land of Sinatra was a desert although Gregor warned everyone that the real desert was yet to be seen. Peculiarly, there happened to be much plant life during the night. Gregor explained how they had adapted to come out at night and thrive on moonlight. This was what he had meant as the limitless supply of food. They were not very tasty but there was enough.   

On a particularly warm day the group found themselves spread thin. As it happened when climbing the many hills that dotted the landscape the group often became like a long procession. The more enthusiastic travellers got over the hills faster than some of the older people whilst people like aunt Mara and Ivan waited behind for the last people. Leno, Mika and Judi were happily chatting away when old Timer Joe caught up to them.

“I see you young’uns are keeping up. Don’t leave old guys like me to slow ya down. Ha ha ha. It’s been too long, far too long. I remember the days when I used to climb hills with my brother.”

“You had a brother?” Judi enquired not too sharply. Leno thought as soon as everyone escaped they are all interested in each other’s pasts. Maybe that’s why even Mika became curious of mine.

“Yes I had a brother. He was two years older than me. He’d be sixty eight by now.”      

“I am so sorry Joe,” Judi patted Joe’s back. He shrugged her off.                                  

“Oi oi, don’t write him off just yet. How do know he’s dead. When I was caught by them blasted machines he escaped. He would have come back for me if it weren’t for the fact that he was carrying a little child. Would you believe that? He had a child in ‘is hands and he still managed to fight off three wardens and run for it. Ha ha ha. He was quite the devil you see. I reckon he is still alive. He will be somewhere.”

“He seems an interesting guy this brother of yours John Bearguard”. The foursome was startled to find that they were not alone. Gregor climbed up the hill with Lisa and Alisa in tow. “Would you care to tell me his name?”

“Well his name was an odd one. It was Clemet Madonald Bearguard. My pap was drunk the night he decided the name. He was so happy he couldn’t hold it in. I’ve no idea why my mom allowed such a name but there you go. Now what of it?”

“Well it just so happens he did survive. He is actually a member of the rebellion and he is one hell of a person. He is a force to be reckoned with. I recognised him when you told your story, everyone knows of his escape.” chuckled Gregor. Joe looked dumb struck. For once his face was not distorted with an exaggerated smile or full with glee from one of his bad jokes. He was genuinely happy. He looked as though he was going to well up but he controlled himself.

“Well then we best be going. I’d like to give him a good kick up his back side for letting me go all those years ago. Thirty six years, thirty whole six damned years and I find he has become some big shot in a rebellion. Ha ha ha. Isn’t fate a twisted thing?”

He stalked off with his walking stick.  Judi was more delighted than Joe was. She jumped up and down in excitement.

“Oh that’s so great. I can’t believe it. Isn’t it great guys?”

“Oh yeah, it sure is,” chimed Mika causing Judi to get more excited. Leno rolled his eyes and walked over to Gregor.

The rest of the day passed with the news spreading fast. Somehow everyone felt a little bit more relaxed about the rebellion knowing Joe’s brother was going to be there. They all liked Joe so they assumed his brother would be likeable. No one enquired Gregor as to any details concerning his personality though. Leno realised this and tried to press for details but Gregor simply brushed him off.

The next day came early as every day did for the travellers. Gregor aided by Ivan woke everyone up early. They made a small breakfast of dried plants and started out. The covered a longer distance than they had for a while since there was notably less hills. It made travelling easier since the hills were often steep or had loose sand which caused people to slip up. They were just about to camp for lunch when Tom pointed out something in the distance.

Leno narrowed his eyes to try and distinguish details. He saw heaps of earth piled all around the ground. The earth was a dark colour suggesting that it had been churned up out of the ground. It was definitely unnatural but what was such a thing doing out in the middle of such a place.

Lunch was a quiet matter that day. Everyone talked in hushed voices and gulped down their food in a hurry. Gregor wanted to go and scout but almost everyone objected. No one was going to let Gregor make any distance with them; they needed the strongest person with them.

Afterwards everyone began to edge closer to the site. For once everyone was huddled together. Leno tried to get to the front but Judi held his hand very firmly. Mika was at his side preventing any chances of him shrugging off Judi. Aunt Mara was prepared too. She herded the three to the centre of circle along with Alisa and Lisa. Tyson was already there.

“Ahhh, is baby Leno having his hand held for him, too afraid I see,” cackled Tyson.

“No not really, but I can see the scrawny rat has decided to hide in the middle. Don’t worry though, nothing out there would waste its time killing you,” replied Leno with a forced smile. He knew Tyson got annoyed whenever his taunting didn’t get to anyone. Tyson’s ears became red. For a moment it looked as though he was going to hit Leno but then Mika and Judi gave him a stare and he thought better of it.

Then Leno realised it. Judi was getting irritated. She scratched her head. As they edged closer to the heaps of earth Leno’s head began to throb again. What are you doing? You fool. Run away.

“Run away, run away!” yelled Judi. Everyone turned poised to attack but all they saw was Judi collapsing to the floor. Leno would have done the same but he braced himself. He knew now without a doubt that both he and Judi were being told to run away but why?

One of the heaps shifted and dislodged earth tumbled down as the head of a warden came into view. Its red eyes were flickering as it looked upon the backs of the humans.

“Identifying, identifying, identifying. Targets identified as humans. Gregor of the rebellion and essence identified. Kill, kill. Accessing highest protocol. Last energy drive. Kill!”

Gregor turned immediately and sent a rippling wave across the air towards the warden. Leno saw the machine crumple like paper and eventually he heard the explosion. But the wave was too strong. It dislodged earth from all the heaps.

Leno saw many wardens climb out. Most of them were damaged with some missing arms but they all responded like lightning. They all crashed their way out of the earth and glided towards the group. Leno heard screams from behind and running. He turned and shouted, “Don’t run. They will kill you more easily if you scatter.”

But it was too late; almost everyone had made a run for it. Leno ran to grab Mika and Judi but before he could get to them a warden advanced with its club. It swung directly at Judi. Aunt Mara grabbed her and ran left. Mika grabbed Leno and pulled him away. Before Leno had time to repeat himself the group was broken beyond repair.

As they ran around a heap of earth a machine wheeled toward them. It lowered its spear and was about to drive it through Mika when a cannon ball blasted it away. The machine fell with a thud before exploding. Old timer Joe rushed over. He threw his walking stick to Leno and gave Mika the lava spear.

“Why do you have this?” asked Mika dreading the obvious.

“Sam is dead,” Roared Joe, “and so we will be too if we don’t get out of here.”

Mika was speechless. Leno felt a pain in his chest. He had accepted the death of many before but Sam was someone he had spoken to less than an hour ago at lunch. He had smiled as he offered Leno some of his food. Damn those machines. They keep taking everyone away from me.

Joe escorted the boys past many heaps of earth blasting down two more machines in their way. They came to a clearing and saw most of the group assembled there. Gregor was guarding them whilst Ivan was heading back in with Drake in tow. Their faces lit up as they saw Joe, Leno and Mika appear. Gregor ushered them over.

Leno realised with dread that Judi and aunt Mara were still not there. He turned towards Mika who looked like he was about to faint. Gregor grabbed both of them. “Don’t think about doing anything stupid. Ivan is going to search for them. Stay here where I can guard you all.”

Old Timer Joe ran to catch up with Ivan but he turned with a smile. Aunt Mara and Judi approached from the earth unscathed. Joe continued to run. He gave aunt Mara and Judi a crushing hug when he reached them.

“God you had us worried there. Now off yer go. Tyson still has not been found. I will be going with Ivan and Drake.” He patted aunt Mara on the back beckoning her to hurry. She stood rooted to the spot. She traced over the assembled members and looked at Joe. He understood but he was not about to nice.

“Sam is gone Mara, now hurry!”

The waiting seemed to last an eternity. Sweat poured down Leno’s face. He felt helpless again. Just like when the burrows were blown up. There was nothing he could do. All these days of travelling had made him feel like a different person capable of making a change. Now at the moment of truth he stood huddled relying on the protection of a few people. If it weren’t for Ivan, Gregor, Joe, Drake and Sam what would happen to all of them? And to think Sam was dead!

More blasts were heard before Leno saw the approaching group. Ivan led the formation with Drake in the middle clutching Tyson. Joe bought up the rear. Tyson looked bone white. He clutched onto Drake but was not actually looking at him. His eyes saw into a different dimension as he held on for dear life. He was useless and frightened half to death already. Another blast was heard in the distance. At this Tyson jumped knocking Drake off his feet.

They rolled onto the floor. Ivan didn’t initially realise this but when he did he stopped and was about to turn back when he saw the machine gliding to them. Drake tried to pull Tyson onto his feet but Tyson refused. He pushed Drake away and curled into a ball.

The warden threw its club at Tyson. But Joe pounced in and grabbed the club. He lifted it and swung it around before sending it hurtling back at the machine. He did not miss his target. The warden stumbled off its feet and crashed to the floor not far from where Tyson was. Joe rushed over to him and pulled Tyson onto his feet.

“Curling into a ball won’t save yer ass boy. Now get moving!”

Drake took hold of Tyson and with Ivan’s help began to bring him back.

Leno’s head throbbed. He saw Old Timer Joe walking behind them. The bundled mass of machine moved. He shouted a wordless warning; one that never reached in time. Leno saw a triumphant smile on Joe’s face. He saw a look of accomplishment. It’s false; it always is thought Leno as the warden drove its spear through John Bearguard.