Chapter 3

Log. 26749.f.b

From what I’ve seen, after the fall of Comet Treiny, many things have changed. Most of the inorganic humans have turned themselves off and are waiting for the situation to improve in a safe place. Machines cannot charge the batteries and are shutting down. It’s... horrible, but perhaps it will give us a chance to fight the virus and save those who haven’t been infected yet. I wonder if we’ll ever find the memories of those who are gone.

With all their belongings ready to go, Séra got a good luck kiss and went to the assembly. She ignored all the evil eyes and repeated to herself all would be fine; she was a good engineer, she had always been useful to Sand City and, except for that one year as a teenager without supervision, she had never given the city any kind of trouble.

Séra adjusted her hat, then shoved her hands in her pocket. She was nervous, her fingers curled around one another in terror. It was bringing all the past she tried so hard to forget back. The evil glares directed at her and her aunt, how the people whispered about the woman who trapped children's souls into her abominations.

Koira, Séra’s aunt, got her first spark of attention when she presented a way to more efficiently distribute the water throughout the city, creating more paths for the aqueduct. But the woman had always been one of those people who aren’t satisfied in fixing one problem.

She was filled with joy when her friends would use her solar lanterns, nothing made her more proud then seeing her dripping system expand all over the tunnels, making those bare walls green and shiny with the bioluminescent moss.

And one day, she found an old photographic camera, discovered the film inside and, with the help of a merchant, built a dark room in her house, where she could develop the pictures. Seeing her daily life exposed on camera, children playing in the sand, the sunlight hitting the aqueduct in a rainbow, all those little moments suddenly became precious.

However, when she was about to take a picture of little Séra, her friends stopped her, said those things were dangerous. They could trap someone’s soul. At first, Koira was shocked, she laughed and said it was crazy, the pictures were no more than paper stained with light.

— But a child got sick. The redhead from one of your pictures.

Koira argued things were not connected, but no one would hear her, and the child's family was too afraid to let her check the boy. She even asked Séra to talk to her friends at school and try to discover what happened, and suddenly all the teens started pretending she didn’t exist.

Things got a bit better when the aqueduct started overflowing: she could solve that problem and prove herself innocent. She had gotten her hands into pressure measuring devices and created automated doors that would self-regulate according to the water pressure.

Although the parents of the sick child never let her see the kid again, her place in society was preserved, she was a useful person again, not a threat.

The worst, however, was yet to come. One night, people started screaming at her door, calling her a witch, the creator of abominations, and the mother of monsters. Koira told Séra to stay in the house and don’t leave for any reason; when she herself left, trying to talk to a gang at her door, she was dragged all the way to the city hall.

There, a man with a broken arm, accused her of trying to kill him with her abominations, and when one person said she had trapped the child’s soul into her machine, no one would listen to anything else. The accusations grew louder and more absurd by the second, and Koira wasn’t given a chance to even speak.

Her sentence was simple, she was to leave Sand City after removing her abominable machines from the aqueduct. She stalled as much as she could, found the letter the merchant gave her so long ago and made Séra memorise those coordinates.

— Oi, why do I have to stay? — She begged her aunt. — Lemme go with ya.

— Oh, my star, the journey is so dangerous and… — She wasn’t sure a safe heaven really existed. She was afraid of dying on the way. — I promise I’ll send you a letter as soon as I get there. And then, when you’re a bit older, you come and visit.

— Who will look after me? I… I ain’t an adult, my parents are gone, I can’t lose you!

— Séra, you’ll do perfectly fine. Keep building your bridges and taking apart broken engines. I asked Treiny’s parents to look after you, you’re friends, right? They’ll come here every other day to check on you.

They hugged one last time, and Koira left forever. The letter arrived, almost two years later, to an angry Séra, willing to do whatever it would take to get some respect in that city. And that was the result of making herself so indispensable.

She sat on one of the front chairs at the assembly, closer to the middle, where she would always sit. It was the easiest place to have opinions and suggestions heard, because one’s voice would echo through the round ceiling, and it was more likely for an Administrator to see one’s raised hand.

Although she was always present at the assemblies, that day she was nervous. Séra had the impression all eyes in that giant room were pointed at her, and breathing was more difficult by the second. She had never been this anxious before.

Séra was hoping to talk to someone at the end of the assembly, when the Administrators wanted no more than leave and go back to their business, it was hard work, and they would often allow people to borrow cheap equipment or explore safe areas of the tunnels — safe things — only to finish the meeting more quickly.

Her expectations were wrong. When one of the Administrators locked eyes with her, he raised his hand, demanding silence, and asked if she was really leaving.

The room went silent. All conversations stopped, all eyes locked on her, questions about to be made, demands, orders, Séra took a deep breath and hoped she wasn’t about to make a full of herself.

— I’ve decided to accompany Ganen of Tree City in her journey.

— And why would you do that? — Owna, the Administrator, asked.

— Because… because I want to.

— It doesn’t sound like a good excuse, love. — Owna approached her. — The people of Sand City are more important than the whims of a youngster. Are you willing to trade the life of every person who depends on you?

— Are you willing to trade the care we offered you after your aunt left you? — Treiny’s father, sitting on the row behind her, touched her shoulder.

— You left me alone! For a whole year! — She got away from him. — I was barely fifteen and you abandoned me. When you promised to help. You can’t demand anything from me.

— We had to make sure you were not like her! We needed to know we were safe. — He would continue, but Owna interrupted him.

— Miss Séra. You can’t leave.

— The city needs you, I need you.

— You have just invented an unbreakable washing plate, you are important for the city!

— What if the aqueducts break again?

She tried to answer, tried to raise her voice, she looked everywhere for the other engineers, but, truth be told, the more she worked the less they had to work. Until one of the zealots spoke.

— All this because of an outsider? — The man raised above all people, his golden beard divided in thin locks marked him as the closest to God. — A girl from that wretched Tree City? May the Sun have mercy on you, Miss Séra. Stop being ignorant and listen to those around you. Here you are needed, here you are useful, here you will endure and live forever. When the night comes, there’s no one to protect you outside.

— I am leaving. — she said, trembling, with tears flooding her eyes. — You can’t forbid me.

— We can, love. — Owna rested a hand on her shoulder, and her smile was too condescending. — You are too precious for the city. You can’t leave. You won’t.

She bit her lip, forbade herself from crying in front of them. They were her people, her family, her friends. They supported all she created, but all they wanted was a tool, not a person.

She struggled out of the crowd and found herself breathless and lost among the houses. Guilt burnt her heart, she didn’t want to leave her people behind, unattended, helpless, but she dreamt of living her life, travelling, learning, creating…

When she heard steps behind her, Séra ran. She just wanted to be home, where no one could scream and call her ungrateful.

Log. 26749.f.a

We ended up getting separated. I talked to the child's parents before I left, and they gave me a letter and a photo, proof for the organic humans in the underground city that I am not a Machine. Some organic humans have come with us, they are eager to help fight the virus, but I don't know for how long.

It had been almost a week since the fateful assembly-day, and Séra hadn’t left her house. Ganen didn’t mind going to the fair by herself, mostly people just ignored her. Treiny, surprisingly, was being useful, as he would talk to people and get the things they needed.

Until one strange-looking person called to them from a small caravan. Surrounded by the weirdest dogs Ganen had ever seen. Curious with a little bit of light on her past dark days, she walked up to the person and noticed they were selling all kinds of things — including a closed box of photographic films.

— Excuse me, you’re not from around here. — Treiny asked before Ganen could say anything. — Have you been permitted by the Administrators?

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

— Hello desert person! And, yes, very much of course I have just been permitted. Me and my alpacas. — He pointed at the weird looking dogs, with long fur and long necks, not much bigger than a goat.

— So they are not dogs. — She laughed. — Gosh, where are my manners? I’m Ganen of Tree City. — She offered her right hand.

— I’m Ennath of Mini Forest, home of all things small.

— Sounds adorable. Is it… north?

— Not really, it’s south, actually. — There was an awkward silence. — Quite some time from here.

— I see. — Ganen was about to ask the price of the films when Ennath spoke again.

— Mini Forest is new, we’re trying new names. It’s because the trees are low and it sorta looks like a forest for faeries and butterflies.

— Oh! That makes sense. Are you planning on staying long? — she asked.

— Eh, I don’t think so. The people here are a bit weird. — They pointed to Treiny, who was in silence, staring at two small, rubbery and cylindrical things. — See?

Ganen liked to think all people were smart in their own way, whether or not they liked technology, but seeing someone so concentrated in a pair of earphones was rather funny.

— Those are for music. — she explained. — Or to protect your ears from loud noises, if you don’t have a music device. Ennath, I don’t think you’ll be able to sell any of those things here, but I’d like to take the photo films with me. How much would you want for them?

— Twenty coins for each box.

Ganen almost choked at how expensive their were.

— I’d rather trade them. — Ennath explained. — We don’t use coins in my land. Do you have any carrots around here?

— I have turnips.

— It’s a deal! — Ennath make a little jump and a twirl, then landed on one foot. — Shall I accompany you or shall you bring them to me?

— I’ll bring them to you later. That’s alright?

— It’s perfect, Ganen of Tree City.

Once they had a deal, Ganen walked home with Treiny by her side. At first she had insisted there was no need for a body-guard, but it was easier shopping around with him. The man didn’t invite himself inside though, he said his goodbyes and left before Séra could show up at the door.

— You won’t believe what’s just happened. — Ganen put her bags on the table and got herself a chair. — There’s another stranger in town. And they’ve got photographic films.

— Are these the ones that trap souls? — Séra was curled up on her sofa, a manuscript in her hands.

— They just might be. I wouldn’t mind being trapped in a picture with you forever.

— That’s quite the claim, Miss Outsider. — A shy smile took over her lips and she raised her eyes. — Are they expensive?

— In coins, yes. In turnips, not so much. Can I trade some?

— Of course, our turnip fortune has no value if we don’t make the best of it.

Ganen laughed at that, and Séra, although she tried, couldn’t keep a straight face. She was glad Ganen decided to stay by her side.

— Can ya… if it ain’t much trouble, I mean, could ya save a film so I can have a picture with my aunt?

— Of course, hun. You don’t even have to ask. But we do need to plan our escape.

Séra made herself even smaller on the sofa and hid her face between her arms.

— You’re too tall to make yourself small, hun. — Ganen sat by her side and petted her back. What happened at the assembly had taken a toll on Séra. — We’ll work something out. I promise.

Log. 26603.k

I’m afraid. The Group and the inorganic humans around here have not been getting along. One group blames the other for everything that’s going on, and I’m tired of explaining no one should be blamed. I’m also concerned about the Programmer. People haven’t been responding very well to him. The fact that he is… different. It’s very difficult to differentiate an inorganic human from an artificial one, but it is possible. And I fear that some people have already found out.

Over those days, Ganen talked a lot with Ennath, she even convinced Séra of going with her to talk to the marchant. Séra loved the long-necked furry alpacas, they were docile and adorable, except when they spat on her face a few times.

Ennath told them all about the now named Mini Forest, which was close to the Forest, with the tallest trees they had ever seen. What also raised an interest in Séra, was that Ennath had some sort of caravan, where a corpse could fit right in.

She told them about her problem, and it wasn’t difficult to find those who kept an eye on her. People were following everywhere, making sure she wouldn’t leave.

— So, wait, the people are really imprisoning you here?

— Something like that. — Séra mumbled back. — The problem is, we gotta leave. We have… people to find. And tools!

— The cables you told me about, righty right? — Ennath had searched through all their bags and found nothing of use. — I can’t tell you I’ll give you a ride, because my caravan is mostly for me and my alpacas, but I could get you out of the city. I know how it is to feel trapped.

— We would still need a car outside, but being outside already helps. — Ganen exchanged a look with Séra, it wasn’t such a bad plan.

— I can help with that. — Treiny appeared from the corner.

— Have ya been following us?! — Séra confronted him, ready to fight. — And overhearing!

— Just to be sure no one would go crazy and, ya know, try to hurt you or something. — He looked away for a second. — But I mean it! The tunnels… I know a way.

— Oi, this is already treason-like talk. — She shushed him. — Let’s continue it at home, come.

They went to Séra’s house, and prepared their escape.

Nothing was more important for Ennath than his adorable alpacas, and the scandal they made when one was missing that late afternoon made the whole city look for it. The streets were worse than being lost in a sandstorm.

During the ruckus, Ganen, Séra, and Treiny put the Machine inside the caravan and left, Ganen’s task was to finish putting all their things into the car. She hid all the suspicious, tech stuff — her datapad, camera, films, cables, music device — and moved the rest as fast as she could. Ennath would be there at any minute.

Séra and Treiny went back in the house; some houses has entrances to the tunnel system, and Séra’s was one of them. They descended into the basement and ran straight to the door — although it was troublesome to find it earlier.

A thin wooden ladder led them into the tunnels and both whispered Silence to each other. Treiny pointed a way north and started running; Séra had no choice, but to follow. After the fourth turn, the woman had no idea where they were.

When she looked ahead again, Treiny was gone. Séra looked around, the first rule of being lost in a tunnel is staying in place, someone will find you. There was a path to the right, where she could hear the faint sound of the wind current; the path to the left, however, was completely dark and silent.

Voices were getting closer, though, and Séra did not want to be caught red-handed trying to escape. She cursed and ran to the left, hopefully she could hide in the shadows and then wait for Treiny to turn around and get her.

A group of zealots were walking through the tunnel and followed ahead. They seemed to be blessing the walls with Sun pictures, so that their god could protect the foundations of the Sand City. Maybe if that one man had kept quiet, Séra wouldn’t be in that mess.

— What are you doing? — Treiny suddenly mumbled, he was angry and a bit scared. — Give me your hand, come on, we gotta go.

— Yeah, sorry, I got lost.

— I noticed! Hurry up.

Holding hands with Treiny reminded her of lost moments in her past. They had been friends throughout their childhood, running around together, inventing the greatest stories to play, making the most awesome toys. They had built a bird which could actually fly for a few metres, if thrown with enough force.

As Treiny got popular, Séra hid in her lonely house waiting for support that would never come. As he became the golden boy, the awaited prince, she was the weird girl whose aunt created abominations. He became arrogant and their friendship was no more.

But as he pulled her around those dark tunnels, she was taken back to those few happy years they shared as children, and she thought that, perhaps, deep in his heart, the child she was friends with still lived.

He suddenly stopped and looked up, there was a hatch on the ceiling.

— Give me a hand. — he asked.

Séra cupped her hands and Treiny stepped up to the hatch. He opened it with little effort, and pulled himself up. After a second or two, he offered both his hands to Séra and told her to climb. They were at the garages and — hopefully — no one had seen them.

On the other side of the city, Ganen finished packing and hiding in the caravan. Ennath’s voice could still be heard as they called for their precious alpaca, the drama had caught almost everyone in Sand City to help.

She double checked everything, and locked the doors. Now she had to wait. She wanted to have brought some walkie-talkies, but since she left Tree City by herself, she didn’t imagine needing them.

When Ennath’s voice got closer, she ducked under a blanket and held her breath. She heard him thanking them about the alpaca, which was finally found, and then dozens of little feet started entering the caravan. Ganen protected her head and neck by instinct. It was rather crowded in there.

She heard the engine turning on, and the caravan started to move. Ganen crossed her fingers and hoped Séra was already outside.

She wasn’t. Treiny and Séra were getting into the garage, she opened the door with extra care as he kept guard.

— Get the one ya put solar panels on. — he whispered.

— What? No, that’s the best we’ve got.

— Séra! — he said a bit louder, a bit angry. — Who built that car?

— I did, but I can’t…

— It’s yours. Ya built it. Ya keep it. — He dared a glance inside the garage. — That’s our rule, right?

— It was. — She touched the car, it ran solely on solar power, the best for long distance travelling, and the wheels were well adapted for most kinds of terrain. — Promise me you’ll get my manuals at home and build another one?

— I promise.

Séra got in the driver’s seat, got the key hanging from the steering wheel, and turned it on. The electric engine had no sound, and she had the skills to drive it well. Avoiding the other cars was easy, and soon she had the vehicle out of the garage.

— I won’t be able to stop very far, the battery is not full.

— Do ya think it will take you far enough? — Treiny asked.

— I hope so. Come on.

Treiny got in, they still had to leave the city. Although the sound of the alpaca ruckus was still heard, they decided taking an alternate route would be better. They drove to the outskirts of Sand City, closer and closer to the wall.

There were four gates on the wall, North, South, East and West. The East Gate was the most used and where Ennath and Ganen would leave from. Séra and Treiny had to go West, they drove as far as possible, so that no one in the city would see them, but not too far as to risk going out of battery. After all, they had to meet the other two further South.

They drove on pins and needles, looking out for any curious eyes, after a few minutes, they made it to the gate in secret. Treiny would leave and open the gate, while Séra would continue her trip to the South. His hand weighted on the car handle, and he took a deep breath before opening his mouth:

— I’m sorry. — He couldn’t look her in the eyes. — I had no idea it could get this far, I’m sorry all this happened. I’m sorry we didn’t manage to keep being friends, I know I have some responsibility on that.

— Sand over the wall. — she shushed him. — I hate all the shit that’s happened, but it did and there’s nothing we can do about it now. Thank ya for helping us out. I’ll send ya a letter when we get there.

— Alright. Stop by whenever you’re around.

— I’ll think about that.

Treiny smiled, letting out the shyest of laughs. He nodded, then opened the door and ran to the gate. It was hard opening the strong doors by himself, that’s why they stopped by there in the morning and put extra oil on the hinges. All the help they could get.

Once the desert was ahead of Séra, she waved to the man one last time, then drove away.