Chapter 36

“Many things can happen out there, William,” Luke said. “Finding reason is weird like those flying fortresses because of changed or overruled gravity, while many Darks are like predators to common sense and... well, gravity. It all works out in the end, doesn't it? Senselessly. They want out but can't see behind their sick ego and wars. Anyhow, some of that is good.” Luke relaxed some more. “Instincts are a different breed and weapons. Ego is more... precarious if that's the word. Ah, I guess Anna is getting under my skin. You have them like any life, right? Darks are living creatures, whether we like it or not.”

William clumsily got back to the wall, where he tried to see that shadow again, acting as if he overcome the fear, but he did not. Something clasped it back instead. He couldn't find it again. The mist was far too thick and his trembling and itch ceased to exist, or it moved behind the cautious beats.

The noise lessened, escaping his beating heart, and his left hand clutched his right.

“Why are we here?” William asked after he calmed down.

“Shortcut.”

“Isn't this... the worst shortcut there is?”

“Do you know something better than I don't?” Luke asked amusingly. “Well, try it. You must've experienced a lot in your years. Teach this old fool.”

William took a seat aside and processed the approaching sight of the ocean. They exited the ground levels of this insanity at last, flying over New York City in not that long time frame and leaving the dreadful panorama behind.

Water was ahead, and sightseeing would be over, for the ocean was blue and wavering in eternal flow.

“Had fun?” Luke asked, sighing in relief that nothing terrible happened. He wasn't sure what to do if things got nasty.

William glanced at Luke, who rested as much as he wished. “I won't sleep well tonight.”

“Need a change of clothes?”

“...”

“What is it then? Was the sightseeing not up to your taste? Excuse us. We take no refunds,” Luke chuckled and opened his eyes wide, noticing that the water was all over the horizon.

One had to be always ready to die when traveling across the Zone. Luke was quite carefree for that in William's opinion. Luke knew more things than him. Zep was an expert in great travel, while the third partner was the reason he was able to sit without sweating too much.

In this way, they shouldn't deal with anything, while the fuel will last them just enough for this journey because this shortcut was their only way to make this work. They couldn't reach out for any Federation barracks, or hidden spots for refueling. So what if this was a mandatory road caused by their lack of options? Luke wished to acknowledge it, but couldn't tell it out loud.

Darks shouldn't be interested in this helicopter, but what if something was? Sensing any resemblance to reason in these things was hard.

“I am over that ground already.” William shook his head and glanced at his Emblem. It was safe and sound, if those words meant nervous, flowing like boiling water, and his emotions were still restless. “Now, if you are fine with it, I will accept your promise, Luke.”

“Eh. Fine. What do you want to know? By the way, I do know many things, but not everything. Am no teacher either, so don't have large expectations of me.”

“I know.” William bluntly said, which caused Luke to lose a little bit of his pride. “Federation is ahead, right?”

“Yes.”

“What is the reason for me and... you? It is weird how you got me. I know how it goes usually. Lived enough in an orphanage, surrounded by kids, young Walkers included. This... thing. The helicopter or your team sounds suspicious.”

“That is a lot of words, but all of them are reasonable. Frankly, hiding things from you isn't my intention, and you don't get it. It is also a lot of words for me, and my position goes as far as my mission. The mission I was tasked with involves, in some way, your parents, but you in specific is enough. Details are no...”

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“My parents? Both of them? Why?” William almost jumped from his seat, surprised to hear Luke mentioning them as a pair.

“What do you mean? Both of them were Walkers, boy.” Like William in many ways, Luke gave up mentioning little things, so he went ahead and talked with fewer worries about some locks. “Both were quite decent ones at that. Known at Rank 6 at that time, both were relatively young, full of vigor, and with quite some accomplishments under their names.”

“Rank 6? What are you talking about? WALKERS?! My mother!” William shouted, gripping his right arm until it started to bleed and Emblem revolved even more.

Nothing was escaping so far, though it wanted to do it so much more than usual, yet it couldn't. This time, it didn't dare. It didn't want to. There was a bad time for things over the horizon.

Luke shifted his eyes, scratched his chin, and reconsidered what to say next after he touched this sensitive subject without thinking. William almost lost himself.

"What happened to my parents? What is this mission? What does it mean?” William asked when his emotions and head were having a hard time dealing with it.

Although he grew up Outside, memories of his parents were limited and precious. He wanted to know them. See them. He had never seen or remembered their Emblems or anything similar. It was double true for his father, whom he had almost no recollection of, but the Mother?!

He felt love from their mere memories and knowledge that they were there, somewhere, hidden, or speaking. Perhaps it was his naivety, lack of memories, or rough ideas stemming from his last decade Outside. Children didn't remember much from when they were little. His surprise that his family was all Walkers was understandable. It sounded like a nonsense.

Their loss still lingered in his mind and body.

Luke got to his feet and walked to him until he stood over him. Hands behind his back, he needed no touch to remain in place. He had to give Vikor some face and recognize the present circumstances and fitting words.

“Your parents. Exactly. Why them and who and what it means? Many Walkers thought about it and couldn't believe it. You are an outsider to everyone. Little. You were there, alive, existing, and were five years old. They told or taught you nothing because of your age, or they did it anyway and you don't remember it. That is expected, until we... well, me and everything is different.”

“Is it because of the Federation? Were my parents from there? I never seen it. I would know, I think...”

“About that...” Luke hesitated. “It is complicated. Many people didn't even know that you existed, and rumors and some people probably knew about it. It wasn't as if it was clever or bad. It was... well, confidential. Viktor was a good man who served good causes, and very few would dare to hinder his path. But when he met your mother... well, that goes as far as your parents go... and lived, I suppose. There were some uproars, and your birth and stakes are close to those of your parents and others. There are still some connections left and it is rather sensitive. You will get why later. No by me. I am not fine with that sort of thing.”

William glanced at him stupidly, unsure what was true or doubtful. In truth, he had less issue with trusting him, because he didn't know his parents, and lying to him about it seemed excessive.

“That is about what I can tell you about this. Parts of it are classified. Someone would punish me if I went too far. I don't want that. A soldier has to be mindful of rules. Many things are well beyond me, so have some understanding. You will get it one day.” Luke tried to explain himself.

Confused by his words, but also his memories and context, William flexed his arms, and his eyes and mind both reached some limits. Both parents were Walkers. He was a Walker.

“You promised...” he mumbled. “My parents... me... you... Who, even? I feel like a puppy dragged to new owners.”

“Yes. I can still speak. Why not? Perhaps you need someone to speak about it to remember or get going. You weren't that young. Your mother or father were precious to you. Who would blame that on a child?”

Only one understandable question spread in William's mind. He asked exactly that.

“Are they alive?”

“Status is unknown,” Luke revealed, though a little hesitantly. “That was what I have been told ten years ago, where I wasn't part of that Incursion. Before that, I was in the same Division as your father, protecting regions around Montana. According to that Incursion and hell and... frankly, everything was obliterated. Not much was clear from that time. Your parents got lost in that mayhem. You too, obviously, and...”

William gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he listened to his honest words. It was something he wanted, yet the truth was here and his heart clenched. He waited and wanted to know more and Luke was giving it to him as a Walker of the Federation. Who else would know great information than him?

William didn't know if he should be happy or furious. Even if he spoke harshly, it helped him. He wondered how strong his parents were, and if they were like Luke talked, perhaps they got wounded and lost like many did that day. Still, something terrifying prevailed.

They never came back for him or showed up. Thus, now or before, William was unable to cope with it, as he was a child seeking survival and help in a terrible time.

He didn't even know his full name, let alone some great details about his parents. Things like their name, let alone Emblems, or faces, were blurry, or nowhere in his memory. Trauma and pain did the rest, similar to his crawling, transformations, and painful time from that debris.

“Don't be bitter about it too much, William. Although they went missing, they are as dead as they could be.” Luke added. It was his blunt style, which might be too direct, but he was fine with his words, even if it often led to some questionable situations.

“LUKE!” Anna suddenly shouted behind the cargo door. “That was insensible!”

William was a moment from shouting as well, and his Emblem nearly broke into dust, but he ignored the blood and clutched it tight.

“That is the reality,” Luke was close, so he gripped William's head when he tried to punch his guts. His single hand was enough to halt him and then, he shook him with his hands.