Iridescent: Chapter Thirty

Iridescent

Chapter Thirty

~Leavin’~

After the Fall

Chaud sat by himself on the roof. He gazed out on the tourist city as the sands of the desert started to reclaim what was its own. The desert winds pushed the sand into the streets of the city. Chaud was quiet, his hands folded under his chin as he thought to himself. He waited patiently for something but in the meantime he was alone with his thoughts.

The door to the roof opened and Zara walked out. She spotted Chaud on the edge of the roof and walked up to him. Zara lowered herself and sat down beside him. For a moment, they didn’t say anything. She simply watched Chaud for a moment. Zara smiled and shook her head.

“I can hear the gears grinding from here,” she said. Zara leaned back, “Trying to figure out the answers to the universe?”

Chaud looked over at her and smiled, “Ah, yes, the age old question: Just how angry are my folks going to be when I tell them what has happened?”

Zara looked at him, “I think they’d just be happy to see you and Amber alive.”

Chaud raised an eyebrow, “You don’t know my mother.”

“She can’t be that bad,” Zara said.

Chaud stared at her with disbelief. He just could believe what came out of Zara’s mouth. His mother was probably the most frightening person he knew. Granted she was nice when she wanted to be but if she found out you ate the last piece of cake…well…let’s just say you’d have to buy her a wedding cake if you ever wanted be on her good side again.

Zara narrowed her eyes at Chaud, “What the heck are you looking at me like that for?”

Chaud shook his head, “Sorry, its nothing.”

“How’s Amber?” Zara asked.

“She’s doing better than I thought she would,” Chaud answered.

Zara nodded, “You doing okay?”

Chaud smiled, “Doing a lot better than I thought I would.”

“Good,” Zara said and looked out over the view.

There was a moment of silence between them as they sat quietly. Chaud sat and watched Zara. He opened his mouth and was about to say something when the rooftop door opened.

 Tempi walked out and crossed her arms, “There you idiots are! Come on you two! Fang and his tagalong found the way out of here. Let’s go!”

“I want to kill her,” Zara muttered to Chaud.

Chaud whispered back, “Come on now; don’t be like that.”

Together they walked down to the lobby. They passed by a room where they kept Dante and his crew. There were a few men keeping guard to make sure that they didn’t try anything. After the battle went down the people who were sent away for their safety returned and made themselves at home at the resort.

Chaud and Zara followed Tempi outside. Fang stood off to one side with Shadow nearby.  Crow and Crane sat on a ledge while Puppetmaster sat in the sand with Shuppet in his lap. Amber sat close to him and talked to Shuppet as if she could understand. Miwa and Jekyll sat off by themselves separately.

Zara walked up to Fang, “You found the sub?”

“Surprisingly, right where he said it’d be,” Fang looked at Chaud.

Chaud smiled and shrugged, “And you ever doubted me?”

Fang glared at Chaud, “You’d be surprised on how much I don’t trust you.”

“Who’s coming?” Zara asked.

Tempi looked over, “Most of you guys. Crow and Crane are staying along with my crew. Someone needs to keep an eye on these civilians and keep them safe.”

Zara looked at her. She sensed that there was a deeper reason to why Tempi wanted to stay. “I hope you find them.”

Tempi looked at her, “You worry about your own business. Get the Tower back. I’ll worry about my own team.”

“Alright,” Zara backed off.

Chaud walked off toward his sister. She looked up at him, “Are we going soon?”

Chaud smiled and crouched down, “Soon.”

“Will we get to see mom and dad again?” Amber asked.

“We’ll see,” Chaud said, “We’ll just have to see on that one.”

“Can you teach me how to shoot a gun?” Amber smiled.

Chaud laughed nervously, “No.”

“But Chaud!” Amber cried, “Why?”

“Anyone who’s going, pack your bag and let’s get on the road!” Fang called.

Zara walked back into the resort to get the rest of her team. She listened as Chaud and Amber had another argument about why he wouldn’t teach her how to use a gun. Puppetmaster to took his leave. He walked beside Zara with a smile on his face. Zara looked at him with curiosity.

“What are you smiling about?” she asked.

Puppetmaster smiled and waved a hand, “Nothing, just something Shuppet said.”

Zara sighed, “You do realize they don’t say anything right?”

“That’s not what they say,” Puppetmaster laughed.

Zara rolled her eyes, “Are you coming with us to the mainland?”

“Well, someone needs to keep an eye on you,” Puppetmaster looked down at her.

Zara crossed her arms, “I can take care of myself.”

Puppetmaster leaned into her, “Without blowing buildings up?”

Zara looked at Puppetmaster with shock, “Did Chaud tell you!? I’m going to kill him! He said he wouldn’t tell anyone!”

Puppetmaster held her with one firm hand, “It wasn’t Chaud.”

“Then who?” Zara stopped, “Miwa!! That little—!”

“Come on now,” Puppetmaster pushed her along, “We need to get your things so we can get off the Island.”

“But he—”

“Come on,” Puppetmaster said, “Let’s go get ready.”

<<<>>> 

The ocean breeze blew in Zara’s face. They stood where the desert met with the ocean. She stood on the beach and breathed in the salty sandy air. A set of cliffs rose to the left of the beach. The rock eroded by the salt water to crate caves and caverns. She heard the crunch of footsteps behind her. Amber ran past her and ran to the water.

Amber splashed in the water. The white wolf, Wini, stood nearby and watched with a stoic expression. Chaud walked up behind Zara.

“We’re one step closer to getting off the Island,” Chaud said.

Zara jumped slightly. He was in her blind spot and hadn’t noticed him come up behind her. She turned and glared at him.

“Unfortunately, you might not be able to get off because I’ll shoot you,” Zara threatened.

“Do you really not hear me coming?” Chaud asked. Zara was about to answer but Chaud looked out at his sister, “Come on, Amber! Let’s get going!”

Zara looked behind her at the top of the rise. The bus was currently empty as all who were going were on their way down the hill to the beach. Crow and Crane stood by the bus waiting for everyone to leave. Tempi and the rest of her gang were back at the resort guarding it from anyone who thought it a good idea to attack. Dante and his crew were chained together by the ankles. The idea was that they could go free only after the submarine left the Island. Since their target would be out of their reach, they wouldn’t be a threat. They stood together in front of the two birds, Crow threatening them with a shotgun.

Zara waved at them and Crane waved back. Crow simply nodded. Amber ran up to her brother. She waved one last time to the wolf that had been with her. the wolf turned to her before turning around and walking away into the desert. Chaud took her by the hand and started walking to the network of caves. Miwa led the way, creating light for the others to see where they were walking. Fang brought up the rear. They followed the water as it flowed in and out of the caves. It reached an open cavern where there was a large pool of water.

“Wait here,” Chaud said to his followers.

He dove into the water with Miwa close on his heels. The others sat around the edge and waited. Zara sat on the ground and joined Amber in getting her feet wet. Several minutes passed and nothing happened. Amber leaned out to look into the reasonably clear water. Lights turned on in the water. Amber jumped up and stood by the edge. Zara remained sitting.

The submarine rose slowly to the surface, taking up the entire length of the cavern. It looked like a giant black stingray with its shape and without the tail. The hatch slid open and Chaud popped out.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Chaud smiled, “It’s my first time driving one of these.”

Zara smiled and rolled her eyes. To hide her smile, she stood up and walked on one of the wings to the hatch. Chaud offered his hand in assistance but he waved it away and dropped down into the sub. It was a lot larger than she thought. Though the top was reasonably flat there was defiantly more under the surface. Miwa met her when she landed.

“This way to the women’s cabins!” Miwa’s tail waved as he walked off.

Zara followed him. The rooms were small. It was expected in a submarine. There were two bunk beds on either side. Zara turned and saw that there were a few more rooms as well. There were four girls so they could have a room to themselves. The boys on the other hand might have to share. Zara threw her bag on the bed and walked out to explore.

There was a gym and a cafeteria, a medical bay where Dr. Jekyll would probably spend most of his time as the only doctor. The intercom crackled to life and Chaud’s voice came on.

“Hello, everyone. It’s a balmy 97°F today with a light brease. The ocean temperature 62.6°F but that will drop real fast as we descend into the depths of the ocean. Please turn off all electronic devises and return your tray tables to their original upright position. Thanks, this is your—oww!”

“This is you’re captain speaking,” Fang’s voice said, “It’s about time we get the heck out of here. Let’s get this thing running.”

“I was going to say that,” Chaud could be heard saying quietly.

“But you’re not the captain,” Fang stated.

“I led you here, I swam for it, I got the engine started and I’m driving it! I think I deserve to be captain,” Chaud argued.

“Not in a million years,” Fang said. Fang talked into the mike again, “Either way, you all might want to hold on to something.”

The sub started moving forward through the caves and out to the ocean. The initial start caused Zara to loose balance. She nearly knocked Amber over. They stood against the far wall and smiled. Amber looked up at Zara.

“Sorry I didn’t see you there,” Zara apologized.

“It’s alright,” Amber smiled, “I can’t wait to see mom and dad.”

Zara smiled, “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”

Amber looked up at her, “Do you think we can come back one day?”

Zara thought a moment, “We have to. No matter what, we have to make things right again.”

“Good,” Amber walked down the hallway, “because I would love to pass 6^th grade. I had my project ready and everything!”

Zara smiled and walked after her, “We’ll get right on that.”

Amber ran off to try to find her brother. Zara walked a few paces behind her watching her carefree attitude. They had to fix everything. Even if it was only to make the little girl happy again.