The Underground City (Book 3): Planet Urth, no. 3 Read online

  Sully’s assertiveness is refreshing. I can’t help but feel drawn to it. It wins me over immediately.

  “Fine, you and I will go back together, and as soon as we find out what is going on, we’ll catch up with you guys,” I twist and address our group. “We’re not going to take any chances; if we see anything dangerous we’ll turn the bike around and come back.”

  Will huffs. “I’m too tired to fight. If you two want to ride off like maniacs, be my guest.” His words are indifferent, but the concern in his features betrays him. To Sully he says, “I’ll help unload the bike as soon as you pull over.”

  “I don’t like this. Not one bit.” Jericho’s voice is a haunting wisp that traces the back of my neck and raises the fine hairs there.

  I turn gentle eyes on him. “We have to find out what we’re up against. Does anyone have a better idea, a suggestion even?” I ask without sarcasm. No one replies. The answer to my question is revealed. “We’ll be safe, Jericho I promise.” Then to June and Riley, I say, “I promise we’ll be careful, that if we even catch the faintest whiff of danger we’ll turn around and come back.”

  June lowers her eyes and refuses to meet my gaze. Riley smiles feebly, her expression fragile and fleeting. Seeing both of their reactions, Sully frowns then looks to Oliver. “Oliver, how about you? You okay with all this?” he asks.

  Oliver shrugs. “I don’t really have much of a say, do I?” he mumbles.

  Sully’s lips form a hard line, the gravity of Oliver’s words hitting him. I know the feeling all too well. I just experienced it myself, though silently. “You know that’s not how things are,” Sully says in a tone that’s gentler. Oliver huffs quietly, feigning interest in a piece of peeling rubber near the corner of the seat he leans against. Giving up on winning anyone over—especially Oliver—Sully refocuses everyone’s attention. “All right, I’m pulling over,” he announces as the camper slows and veers toward the shoulder of the road.

  As soon as we stop, he stands and stretches before stepping away from the driver’s seat. I want to shout at him to hurry up, that we don’t have time to waste working out the kinks in our backs and shoulders. Eventually, he makes his way to the rear of the camper where the motorcycle waits. Will shakes his head disapprovingly and sits with his arms folded across his chest. Sully doesn’t bother reminding him that he offered to help seconds ago. He pats Jericho’s shoulder instead. With Jericho’s help, he lowers it to the paved ground below.

  The sun is high overhead, the light glaring so that I must squint. A crisp breeze shakes the treetops on either side of the road as it hisses and sends colorful leaves twirling to the earth.

  “Here she is.” Sully regards the machine lovingly, referring to it as a female entity.

  Will makes his way to the door and leans against the frame. “This is absolute madness,” he grumbles.

  “Climb on and I’ll explain how she works if you’d like.” Sully invites Will to join us.

  “I know how it works. My family stayed with a guy once. He had one just like it. It was all he ever talked about.” Will’s voice borders on challenging as he looks at the motorcycle. “He never took it out, of course. No fuel, you know. But he talked about one day getting his hands on some, about taking it out on the road and leaving.”

  Sully’s eyes widen briefly, disinterest etching his features. “Well, that’s a lovely story, but, no offense, it doesn’t mean you know the first thing about how this bike works.”

  Will’s lips tighten over his teeth, and for a minute, I fear he’ll haul off and slug Sully. He doesn’t. Instead, he glares at me briefly.

  “Okay then,” Sully claps his hands together. “I’ll get on first, and then you, Avery.”

  He climbs on the motorcycle. The heavy bike wobbles under him, threatening to knock sideways. Sully grabs the handle again, trying to hold it upright.

  “What’s the matter, Sully, having trouble keeping the bike up?” Will asks acidly.

  “It’ll stay up when I’m moving,” Sully replies. I’m surprised he does so without arrogance. He does not match Will’s tone.

  My insides tremble. I’ve never heard Sully speak as he has. His tone, while calm, is deadly serious.

  Will’s hands are balled into fists and planted on his hips. He inhales to retort, but I speak first. “Okay, enough with the bickering,” I say with far more authority than I feel. “The longer we sit here squabbling the better chance Urthmen have of possibly catching up with us.”

  Both men lower their heads. Jericho chuckles softly from the doorway of the camper he leans against.

  “You’re right, Avery,” Will says and tries to earn my favor. “I just want to make sure you’re as safe as possible out there with him.” He shoots a look at Sully. Then he adds, “Not that I think safety is even a remote possibility back where you two are headed.”

  “We’ve been over this already. What other choice do we have?” I splay my arms out at my sides then let them drop to my thighs with a slap, not hiding my annoyance. I don’t wait for him—or anyone else—to answer. “None, that’s what other choice we have. If we’re being followed, we need to know so we can get off this road and find another way.”

  Will is quiet. He knows I’m right, despite whatever snide comments he’s made.

  “We have to go. Get this thing started. The sooner we go, the sooner we can get back here. The last thing I want is to traipse around after sunset.”

  “You heard her,” Will says to Sully. “Get it started.”

  Sully leans back, then slams his foot down on the pedal. There is a brief ripping noise and the bike rocks from the force of his thrust. The engine whines as it idles.

  “Get on!” Sully shouts over the buzz.

  I’ve lived through unimaginable ordeals, faced monstrous beasts, and almost lost my life more than once, yet the thought of straddling the motorcycle before me makes me want to run.

  “Come on!” Sully urges me.

  “What’re you waiting for?” Will yells over the bike.

  Pressing my lips together tightly, I turn to face him. “Nothing,” I say defiantly. “I’m going now.” On legs that suddenly feel shaky, I march over and toss one over the motorcycle then I slip my arms around Sully’s waist.

  Will shakes his head. He grins, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “See ya,” he says. He clamps his lips shut, the small muscles around his jaw flexing.

  Sully twists the throttle and the bike snarls, rumbling like an angry beast beneath me.

  “Hold on tight, beautiful!” he yells just before the bike bucks, lurching forward. He tests the brakes and we stop abruptly, my head slamming into his back.

  “Ouch!” I shout and touch my hand to my forehead

  “You okay?” Sully shouts over his shoulder.

  “I’m fine, just banged my head!” I reply as if he didn’t know.

  He tests the engine again and then slows to a stop more smoothly. He repeats these steps several more times before nudging the gear shift with his left foot and releasing the clutch in tiny increments. The gear catches and we fly away from the camper.

  Chilly wind howls through my hair, pulling it with such force it feels as if it’s being tugged by an unseen person behind me. I strain to keep my eyes open. The rush of air, debris and bugs makes them feel gritty. I lower my head and rest my cheek against Sully’s back. I hear the thunderous drumming of his heart; feel the warmth of his heated flesh beneath his T-shirt.

  I peek and stare beyond Sully’s sturdy body. The long stretch of road, bordered by dense woodlands on either side, looms dauntingly as we race back toward the roadblock. Well before we see it, however, we pull off the highway. He slows and guides the bike toward the shoulder of the highway. Cautiously, he moves us through a gap in the thicket so that we are in the forest, skirting the road. We move parallel to it until he cuts the engine. The bike teeters for a second, but he places both legs on the ground, balancing it. He turns so that I see his profile.

  “W
e need to go the rest of the way on foot,” he says. “We’re too close. They’ll hear the engine otherwise.”

  I nod in agreement then release the grip I have around his tight waist. Sliding off the bike, I follow him as he makes his way closer to the pileup. Before long, the heap of rusted metal comes into view. Once we’re close enough to clearly see the Urthmen, we stop.

  Peering through the bushes, I see several Urthmen scurrying like rodents as they scamper to and fro. They stare off in the distance, further down the road. I follow their line of vision and see what they see. Five pickup trucks approach quickly. When the vehicles stop, the doors of the first swing open. A being steps out, and I feel the blood drain from my face.

  “The General,” Sully hisses just before the human-turned-Urthman-lord begins a tirade.

  I nod but do not look away.

  “What happened here?” The General bellows, his voice echoing through the open space.

  “They got by, sir,” the trembling Urthman he addresses replies.

  “You incompetent moron!” The General shouts, spittle spraying in the Urthman’s face.

  “Incompa-what?” the Urthman tips his head to one side and asks, his demeanor so sincere it borders on pathetic.

  The General twists his upper body away from his subordinate, his upper lip snarled over his teeth. The Urthman’s shoulders slump forward in resignation. He never sees the sword as it is pulled from the sheath at The General’s hip. The blade catches the bright sunlight, casting a glare my way so that I must raise my hand to my brow. The act is quick, yet The General is quicker. The Urthman’s head tumbles to the pavement followed by his body.

  “I will not tolerate failure!” The General screams at the remaining onlookers. “Your mission was easy: block the road. That’s it. But you couldn’t even do that!”

  “Sir, we’re sorry,” an Urthman who seems dumb rather than brave speaks.

  I wait for The General to heft his blade again. I expect the Urthman who spoke to lose his head next. Shockingly, though, The General returns his sword to its cover, another point of interest capturing his attention. He makes his way past the groveling being and walks beyond the roadblock. He stares at the road, and immediately, what caught his eye becomes clear. Tire tracks, as plain as the nose on my face, carve a path through thick, sooty grime that coats the road, our tire tracks.

  “Oh no,” I breathe. “Oh my gosh, the tracks. He sees our tracks in the film.”

  Sully follows my line of vision until his eyes rest on the marks. “We’ve got to get out of here now,” he says and echoes my thoughts.

  Gripping my hand, he pulls me and we retrace our steps through the woods and run toward the motorcycle. Sully jumps on then I climb on behind him. Circling my arms around his waist, I interlace my fingers. He starts the bike and the engine growls to life. Dirt and small rocks kick up behind us as we tear out of the wooded area and back onto the highway.

  Once we are a safe distance from the Urthmen, from The General, I free one hand and slip my binoculars from my pants pocket. I chance a look over my shoulder, causing the front end of the motorcycle to jerk. The Urthmen are climbing into their cars and trucks. They’re mobilizing.

  “Go!” I scream, my voice smothered by the rushing wind.

  Still, the bike surges forward, speeding faster than I ever dreamed possible. The world rushes at me in a blur of green, gold and blue. Unprotected by safety belts, doors, or metal of any kind, a bolt of fear races down my spine. I replace my lenses to my pocket and return my arms to Sully’s waist.

  Sensing my fear, he presses a hand to mine. I am surprised when the small gesture sends a rush of warmth up my arm and across my chest, filling it with an odd sense of safety, of belonging. He is unlike anyone else I know. He’s confident, decisive, and in control. I am drawn to all three characteristics. They spark a feeling in me I’ve never experienced. I want to hold onto it, to savor it for as long as I can. I want to remain as I am, with the cool breeze roaring through me, the infinite sky unfurling overhead like a never-ending periwinkle canvas, and Sully’s warm back flush against my chest. Despite the horror behind us, the moment is exhilarating, perfect. I only hope we get to the camper and are able to figure out a way to lose the Urthmen before they kill us all. I want another moment like this. I want a chance at true happiness.

  Chapter 7

  The whine of the motorcycle is an incessant drone I’m only vaguely aware of. Leaning forward with my ear pressed between Sully’s shoulder blades, the beat of his heart drowns out the whirr of both the bike and the wind. I know I must force myself to look up, to face what lies ahead. My brain orders my body to react, but another part of me resists. Warmth and safety, as I experience it now, is rare, so rare I can’t recall the last time I felt as I do. Reluctantly, though, I lessen my grip and lift my head.

  The airstream is powerful and cold in comparison to the heat of Sully’s body as it lashes my face. I blink several times against the current as I try to look to the road ahead. I have no idea how Sully is withstanding it. He continues to impress me. I squint and force myself to look over his shoulder. My eyes sting and tear, but I see the road, and in the distance, I can make out the rear end of the camper. Clearly, he sees it too. He twists the throttle, pushing the engine harder. We dash forward. The air rushing at me feels like the pricks of innumerable needles and becomes painful. June is in that camper so I do not dare take my eyes off it.

  Small red lights glow, and the camper slows. “They see us!” Sully shouts. “They’re stopping!”

  When I see the vehicle come to a complete stop, a sick knot forms in my gut. The Urthmen are not far behind us. I wish Jericho would’ve held off until we were upon them. Waiting wastes precious time we do not have.

  We pull up alongside the camper and Sully cuts the engine. I leap from the back. He slides off, too, abandoning the bike. The driver’s side door opens. Jericho’s head pops out. “Hey you two. How was your ride?” he asks.

  “Get back inside!” I snap. I hate that I’ve spoken so curtly with him, but there isn’t time for explanations or apologies. The soles of my shoes slap the pavement as I race to door.

  “Go! Go!” I scream as soon as I set foot on the camper.

  “What the heck is going on?” Jericho asks.

  “Just drive!” Sully tells him and levels a steely gaze his way.

  Jericho doesn’t ask another question. He senses the urgency, the threat looming. Shoving the gearshift into “drive” and depressing the accelerator, he does as Sully says. The camper begins moving, begrudgingly picking up speed. I clutch the headrest of the seat nearest to keep from stumbling at the sudden movement.

  “What’s wrong, Avery? Is everything okay?” June appears at my side. Her pale brows gather, a deep frown creasing her face. Will is by her side. His eyes on me are a hot brand, searing my flesh with the weight of what can only be described as judgment.

  “Are we in danger?” Oliver asks in a panicked tone. He is behind June, his sister at his side.

  Riley twists her hands tightly. Her eyes are wide, questions lingering beyond them.

  Inhaling deeply, I decide not to mince words or lie. “They’re coming. The General and carloads of Urthmen are tailing us.”

  I watch as the children’s faces collapse, their hope for a better life falling along with their features. Before I can say anything to console them, another voice fills the camper.

  “What? How? How’s that possible?” Will shouts after hearing me.

  “The roads are filthy. Hardly anyone travels them. We’re leaving behind tracks in the inch-thick filth. That’s how,” I answer.

  “We’re leaving an obvious path,” Sully adds.

  Hearing us, Jericho stomps his foot down on the gas pedal. I expect the camper to lurch forward. When it doesn’t, my heart lodges in my throat. The vehicle is being pushed to its limits, but it isn’t moving fast at all, especially not when compared to the motorcycle.

  “Come on,” I say through my te
eth, as if my words can will the vehicle to speed up.

  “Can’t this thing go any faster?” Will asks so loudly his voice borders on shouting.

  “His foot’s to the floor! There’s nothing more he can do,” Sully matches his tone and replies. “It’s a house on wheels, not exactly designed for speed.”

  Diffusing the heated exchange with his smooth, deep voice, Jericho asks, “How far behind are they?”

  I look at Sully. “Uh, I don’t know if they left right after we did,” I say.

  “I’d guess they did,” Sully offers. “And if that’s the case, they could be on us any minute.”

  “Dammit!” Will shouts and pounds his fist against the seat cushion closest to him.

  June and Riley jump at his outburst, and Riley slips her hand into June’s. I look from them to the back window of the camper, expecting to see the grill of a vehicle, or worse, The General’s face framed by a windshield. I see neither but am far from relieved. They’re coming. It’s only a matter of time before they reach us.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” June whispers so softly that for a moment I wonder whether I imagined her words.

  When Riley sniffles and answers, “Me neither,” I realize I did not imagine it.

  The girls are huddled; their bodies so close tendrils of Junes hair coil around Riley’s. I wish there were something I could say, magic words that would ease their worries. The sad fact is there’s nothing I can say, and little I can do. We are out on the open road. What little safety and shelter the forest once offered us is a memory now, gone. And I’m fast learning I can’t protect her as easily as I thought I could. My throat clenches around the lump that’s formed there, the realization that I am failing her strangling me.

  “I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe,” I say to both of them. My voice is a hoarse whisper. My chest is tight.

  “I know you will.” June looks up at me, her light-blue eyes shining. “You always have.” She holds my gaze for several seconds. Belief gleams in their depths and radiates from her. Her faith sustains my waning confidence and reinforces my resolve. I vow in that moment that we will get to the underground city, that she will be safe and have a chance at leading a meaningful life, even if it means sacrificing myself to get her there.