Population Control: The Found Man

  “Why do you have to fight me on this? Can’t you just grant a dead woman’s wish?” she pleaded, as her hand outstretched towards him. He didn’t take it.

  “What, you think I’ll just accept your plan? That the end justifies the means? Knowing what you will be going through… That I will be ok with it, since it all works out?” he said, as he rose from his chair and pointed at her “For you to say that, after everything you’ve just said, well it’s just callous and cruel.”

  She recoiled at his words, slowly rising from the chair on the other side of the table as she stared at him. “Callous and cruel… Sounds like I fit the role perfectly then.”

  Garthing idiot. Always bad with words.

  He started clenching his hand “I was talking about me. How could I live with myself if I agree to this?”

  “You won’t remem-”

  He rose up and slammed his fist onto the table “You’re wrong! Deep down, I’ll always know. An ache in my quiet moments. A reoccurring dream I could almost grasp, like smoke slipping through my fingers, telling me that I had the world, now I have nothing." He looked down at his fist, trembling. His vision becoming blurry.

  “Meanwhile, I’m counting down the days, knowing the success of my child will literally be the death of me.” She said in a cool, calm voice.

  “Of course! Why would I agree to this?!”

  “Because the alternative is unbearable…” she trailed off.

  It was nearly imperceptible, but he heard it, the slight quiver in her voice. He looked up at her, her cheeks were flushed and moist as he stared into her eyes, those big brown pools were reflecting his visage back at him.

  He sighed and his shoulders sunk as he slowly descended into the chair, putting his face in his hands. “No, you’re right…”

  He heard her come around the table, felt arms wrap around his neck. Her wet cheeks touching the top of his head as hair fell into his face. He knew that what she was saying was tearing her apart, and yet, she was right. Even though they both knew the horrible truth behind it, neither of them could voice what they were dancing around, trying to make the other feel better about their role to play...

  Dying was always easier than living.

  Chapter 1

  A high-pitched shriek pierced the darkness, so he instinctively flinched forward before he could even see. Something hard was there to meet him, and gave way, not breaking his momentum. The blinding light and sensation of weightlessness forced him to close his eyes, right before he hit the ground. Pain shot through his leg as he rolled, colliding with something less hard and more moist.

  He had no idea what was happening- nor where he was- so he paused, gathering his wits for a moment.

  “Psst! Hey! Are you ok?!” A fierce whisper came from somewhere close.

  Someone was moaning, it took him a moment to realize that he was the culprit. Take it slow, quick movements can make things worse.

  The pins and needles sensation in his nerves didn’t help entice him to get up, yet he did. He sat up and opened his eyes, instantly getting vertigo, so he shut them and bowed his head. A metallic odor wafted, exacerbating the queasiness he found himself afflicted with. He tentatively ran his wet hands around his body, probing for injuries.

  Sore, but not maimed.

  The dim light was enough to show glistening on his hands, blood was covering them. His pulse was starting to race as he said, “I think I’m hurt; can you call an ambulance?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but we have to get you out of here!” said a feminine voice, tinged with hysteria.

  His eyes traveled to the sound of her voice. The room was brighter over there, where the harsh light was coming out of a device on the floor, pointed up to some kind of…

  Coffin? Bed? Capsule? Capsule.

  Whatever it was, it was standing erect above him, on a pile of rubble. As his eyes adjusted to the lighting, he realized that he was in the center of a building, the entire thing was hallowed out, stretching up into darkness.

  The debris underfoot was undoubtedly from collapsed floors, so he really couldn’t tell how high up he was. The light made things even more puzzling, it illuminated where the windows would be, if there were any. Instead, they were filled with dirt, as if the entire building had sunken underground, and recently, since the dirt in the windows was still crumbling.

  “Hey, quit gawking and get over here!” said the woman. His eyes were finally drawn to her, she was in the shadows of an alcove directly below the capsule, huddling.

  “I’m bleeding, I’m not sure that I should move.”

  “That isn’t you blood, and if you want to keep it that way, start moving!”

  The woman’s ominous words made his heart race further, so he tried getting up and ended up putting his hand on someone’s leg.

  “Sorry, I-” His sticky hand moved the leg when he pulled back… It wasn’t attached to anyone, just ending in a bloody stump at the hip!

  He couldn’t move, think, he just sat there for what seemed like an eternity. Something moved his head, heat rose on the spot of his face that was pushed. He looked down at the rubble that bounced onto his leg.

  “Move!”

  He snapped out of it and stood up at her command, only to stumble forward as pain shot up his ankle. He fell down into the dirt and debris, coughing as the dust stirred.

  “Garthing fool!” said the woman, finally moving into the light and coming to his side. She had chestnut, scraggly hair, halfway in a bun. Her firm grip would have been more supporting if her frame wasn’t so delicate, or more welcome if her grip wasn’t so fearfully tight.

  She stopped and gasped as she let go, then looked him up and down “You’re a… man?!”

  What kind of stupid question is that at a time like this?!

  “Last time I checked... What happened, an earthquake?” he said while wiping his hands on his clothes, trying desperately to not think of what he just saw.

  She just stood there and stared at him; slack jawed.

  “What?” he said, becoming uncomfortable with the way she was looking at him “If you have something to say-” She covered his mouth, her face turning pale. What is her deal?

  Then he heard it, something was ticking in a high rhythm, getting louder at every passing moment.

  “We’ve got to leave!” She said as she tugged his arm sharply.

  “What is that, a bomb?”

  “Silence and perambulate!” she said as she picked up the light, helping him move. He hoped along with her help as she pointed the light all around them. He caught a glimpse of what appeared to be another body, on the other side of the capsule they just left, just before the light flicked away.

  The rubble and debris surrounding them was, oddly enough, not in the way. An entire swath of walkway was cleared, which was convenient enough with all the shambling he was rushed into doing.

  “Pretty sure I sprained my ankle, can we slow down?”

  “Do you wish to shuffle off this mortal coil so quickly?!” She huffed at him “Unfortunate, since your worth is incalculable.”

  “What are you talking about? What’s going on? Who was that back there, and why are we-”

  “Save your breath and keep moving!” She said, her breath was shuddering as they moved along.

  Am I really that heavy?

  The ticking was getting even louder, no. Closer. Whatever it was, it sounded like it was right behind them. They turned a corner, and he could see a light, it was coming from above, shining through a doorway as if it led directly to heaven, while he was stuck down here in this hell. They would have to climb to reach, since it was a dead end otherwise.

  “Perilously close!” she said, slapping something on his back “If we can get to Na-”

  His support disappeared, forcing him to fall forward before catching himself on some debris. The light tumbled, spinning wildly before settling on the woman.

  “Ouch! Why-” he turned around to see her. She was standing there for a moment, before blood gushed out of her mouth as she started levitating.

  A moment later her head was gone, replaced with a set of mandibles as they chewed on her corpse. He watched in horror as the rest of her was replaced the same way, blood gushed as the creature crunched away at her, bit by bit.

  It was larger than a bear, with eye stalks protruded out the sides of its head. Scythe like appendages were attached to its upper torso’s chitin, its lower half curved down into a thick red carapace, with a multitude of legs that bent upwards into the air, then bent back down to the earth. The half praying mantis, half millipede monstrosity seemed like it was too preoccupied to notice him.

  The crunching was drowned out by his pounding heart as he watched her be devoured, he couldn’t help, couldn’t run, couldn’t move!

  A breeze brushed against him from above, the creature stopped chewing as its eyestalks moved around. Those deep, black pits focused in on him, making him reel backwards. A sharp pain shot up his foot as he put weight on it, causing him to stumble.

  He crawled backwards as the monster ticked its way closer, closer, yet closer still. It stepped over the light, blocking it and leaving him in darkness. His breathing was coming in short and shallow, as its eyes were the only thing he saw, reflecting the light from above.

  His clothes started lifting him up, making the pit of his stomach drop as he started rising with them. He closed his eyes and braced for pain, expecting to die the same way that she did…

  Any moment now.

  Nothing. Then, everything was so bright.

  Oh thank God, I skipped the pain and went straight to the pearly gates.

  He tried opening his eyes, but the light was so bright that it was difficult. Then his feet touched ground, he felt the sharp pain in his foot again, almost making him fall.

  “I’m not dead?” he whispered. He was able to squint a little with his arm up. A hellish screech came from below, and the ticking started up again before it made a thudding sound in the dirt, getting closer. He didn’t know how he got up there, and didn’t need to know, he bolted. Through the pain he ran, stumbled, shuffled, any and all possible means of locomotion. His energy taking him as far and as fast as it possibly could, down the light enveloped hallway.

  He tripped as he burst through to the outside, tumbling around in the dirt and forest debris. His lungs were on fire as he gasped for air, lying where he stopped moving. After a moment, he tried to quiet his breathing, to see if he could hear the thing following him.

  One minute passed.

  Two.

  Nothing. He sighed and loosened his muscles, turning over to lay on his back for a second. Something pressed into him, so sat up quickly, looking at the spot, empty. He reached behind his back, something was there. Probing it quickly, he determined that it wasn’t organic and pulled it off.

  “What is this?” He turned the thing around over, it was just a small metallic pad. He couldn’t figure out how to use it, or even what it did, much less how it was attached to him. So he put it in his pocket and looked around.

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  The foliage was thick; trees, bushes, brush, there wasn’t much room to move without forcing your way through. That is, in every area other than one direction, where everything was cleared, as if a huge boulder with blades barreled through not long ago. He looked up through the canopy of the treetops, a small mountain was there, completely covering the building that he was in.

  So I was, and wasn’t, underground… How does that happen? Obviously this was no ordinary earthquake, no bomb either… But what?

  Fresh air, grass, overripe bark, all of the earthy smells and colors of the forest, with vivid randomly colored vines entwined in-between everything.

  That’s not normal. He started hobbling in the only direction he could easily go, through the tunnel in the trees. Having said that, he was using a stick to help him move along.

  He wasn’t traveling for long, before the sun lumbered down the horizon. He tried desperately sorting through his thoughts, his mind hazy.

  What was that thing?! And, where am I?! Somewhere in the Amazon? No, a building in the center of it? No, I’ve never heard of anything like this.

  It felt like little progress had been made at this pace, before the only light waned to nothing. Luckily the moon’s rays, gently cascaded through the canopy. Then he realized he didn’t hear any of the normal things you do in the evening, chirping crickets, rustling leaves, nothing. He stopped to listen intently, holding his breath yet unable to stop the pounding in his chest.

  The hair on the back of his neck started rising, as he felt like he was being watched. He looked around, focusing hard, the moonlight wasn’t effective for discerning the shapes.

  I doubt whatever that thing was, just up and died, I need to keep moving. Images of that scene conjured in his mind. He shook his head, that was enough to get him moving again.

  He tried desperately to think back to the last thing he remembered doing, nothing came to mind though… Not only that, but he also couldn’t remember really, anything, not even who he was.

  “What is going on?” he said, as he scratched his beard. When his hand came back, some red was reflecting off it in the moonlight. His heart skipped a beat, and then he started wiping it off on some plants, to no avail, slightly dried blood didn’t come off so easily.

  He took some deep breaths to calm himself… which seemed to do the trick. The thought of where the blood came from brought that woman to his mind. She died for me, and I didn’t even get her name… A real man wouldn’t have let it end that way.

  He turned around and started going back the way he came, then stopped. I can’t go back… My death wouldn’t achieve anything, and that’s surely all that I would do. He thought, as he turned around once again.

  Who’s to say that there aren’t more of those monsters there.

  He really didn’t want to continue walking in the dark like this, but the thought of that creature coming upon him in the middle of the night wasn’t anything he wanted to take a chance on.

  Eventually, the path he had been taking converged into a new path. The brush was less substantial, not like it was torn away, more like it had been partially kept at bay in two directions. Now, the first time he’d been given a real choice “Which way should I go?”

  He looked up at the night sky… “It seems a little brighter that way.”

  Once he made his decision to go the way that seemed slightly brighter in the night sky, he continued his hobbling up the newly opened path. Unfortunately, what little breeze there was, wasn’t enough to combat the stifling heat.

  The path arced upwards, which was more difficult to climb, but he figured that the view might be the only thing that could keep him alive. Sure, he could survive in the wilderness, but there was a man-eating monster out here; couple that with a man and his pet ‘sprained ankle’, his chances were slimmer than his memory.

  Hobbling his way up the slope, sweat dripped down his face, and into his eyes before he had made it to the top. His heart leapt at what he saw.

  “Whoa…”

  A city, enormous, even from this distance. He sank to his knees while staring at the metropolis, the feeling of relief was palpable as he let out a large sigh. It was bright, the distant lights were like a beacon for him to follow. Yet it was still far off into the distance, it would take him a while to make it at this rate.

  He didn’t know what was going on, where he was, or even WHO he was, but he did know one thing for certain. Cities were safer than the wilderness… For the most part. He only waited long enough to catch his breath, before rising on shaky legs and making his way down the crest of the hill, the view of the city getting obstructed by vegetation until it was no longer visible. The sky was still slightly brighter towards the city, so he kept traveling through the night, laboring on and on.

  His ankle was killing him, he didn’t know how much further along he could go. Yet on he went, continuing his trek downwards, his pace slowed the flatter the road got. Road! That’s when he realized the path he’d been following was exactly that. The constant piles of debris strewn about were ancient cars.

  “Must be near some up-and-coming civilization.” he tried to rationalize to himself. One that just leaves cars on the unused road? He shook his head at how stupid that sounded, even in his head.

  His eyelids were heavy. Why were they so heavy? Not used to such exertion and too afraid to sleep in the open, he picked the closest ‘car’ he could see and surveyed the thing. It seemed fully enclosed, incased in the shrubbery, so he ripped some brush away and tried to open the door, just to have the handle break off in his grip and the door fall off its hinges.

  The thudding noise it made as it hit the ground was a lot more ominous than it had any right to be.

  He took a step back, listening to see if anything moved inside. When he felt that there was an adequate amount of time for whatever was living in it to come out, he grabbed a few sticks and made an arrow on the ground, pointing in the direction that the city was. Then he eased his way through the empty space of the car, feet first.

  Rust, mildew, moss, plant life, the complete concoction of odors helped cover the bloody iron smell emanating from his body. His eyelids, too heavy to hold open much longer, he closed for a second, before a bright light caught his attention. It was in the sky, over in the direction that he came from. He got up and started scrambling out of the car, as the lights descended out of view. He barely escaped the car before the same lights ascended, then whisked away in another direction, not towards the city. “If I had just waited, I could have been rescued?!” He kicked the dirt in a fit.

  After a few minutes of exclamation, he calmed down a bit and crawled back into the car, too exhausted to do anything more today.

  + + +

  Nakia was tired, she wasn’t even sure why she stuck around anymore. She’d been going through the motions for so long, trudging along, and for what? Because that’s all she could think of doing. Sure, she was initially excited about what was happening now, well, after the feeling of anger and guilt subsided at what she had failed to do, what she was hired for. It took them most of the day to find the location.

  Kneeling, she collected a sample of Madeline, at least what they could find of her, and placed the container on her belt. Her hand fidgeted as it was near her waist, unconsciously grasping for the other cylindrical container she had stashed there. To occupy her unsteady hand, she tied her dark, sleek hair, back into a ponytail. The added benefit being that it was out of her face.

  “-that’s new.” said a voice from behind her, just now becoming close enough to be audible.

  “Yeah, I’ve never even heard of something like this, do you think-”

  “Banish the thought.”

  The voices reached her before their footfalls did.

  “Iska is farther in, yet in no better condition. Her body barely had any warmth to it, so doesn’t look like the culprit could have gone too far off… You ready?” said Channary, her voice distinctive when not a distorted echo.

  Nakia could tell that they were addressing her, so she stood up and looked over her shoulder as one of them stepped forward. Her eyes strained to bring the complete form into view, since Channary’s skin blended into the dark so well. Frankly her white tracksuit looked as if it was moving of its own volition. Her jet-black hair only visible as it blocked part of her suit.

  Yes, let’s get this over with.

  “No, we should rest first, build up our strength. Whoever it is, they are alone and most likely unaware of us yet.” said Nakia. She turned around and walked back to the wall, rising to the entrance of the ruins. Outside was only slightly brighter than inside.

  She looked down at the trail left by the individual in question.

  Her anticipation was rising, the promise of this day’s end was at hand. Surely, they could end this tonight, but she couldn’t hold out much longer. Her hand started fidgeting, as an overwhelming sense of dread started rearing its ugly head.

  Channary quickened her pace until she was in step “That all sounds like a perfectly good reason to strike now.”

  “Watch your tone when speaking to a superior, Channary.” said Manami.

  Nakia’s number two was as ornery as ever, as she caught up. The petite woman barely made any sound as she joined the formation on Nakia’s other side.

  All this infighting isn’t helping my mental state.

  Picky as usual.

  Her hair stood up as a shiver ran down her spine. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she pressed on as if everything was fine “It’s all right Manami, it’s a legitimate statement.”

  Without looking, she held out her hand and started ticking her fingers as they walked “We have no idea why that Manti-Pede attacked Iska and Madeline. We don’t know if this woman was somehow controlling them, or any other mitigating factors could be in play for that matter. Our mission, while compromised, isn’t over yet.” Suppressing the urge to sigh, she drove her point home “I’d rather not find out what we’re dealing with in the middle of the night. We’ll be better prepared in the daylight.”

  Channary was silent for a moment, before nodding “It could go sour quickly... Forgive me for second guessing you, Nakia.” she stopped in her tracks long enough to give the customary bow.

  Nakia turned her head and nodded slightly, as was protocol. She could see with her peripheral vision, that her number two had a bit more pep in her step, knowing that Manami was relishing the fact that she got an appropriate rebuke in.

  That girl has a habit of getting too big for her station. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing... She shook her head.

  No, she isn’t True-borne, so getting above her station... “Manami, set up the perimeter.”

  She didn’t watch, but she could tell from the stiff movement that Manami had been knocked down a peg or two. Being assigned grunt work will do that. A few moments passed before the Aegis bubbled out, enveloping them in its. The glow emanating from the shield subsequently lit everything within.

  Channary moved next to Manami “Who do you think it is? All the other research parties shouldn’t even be on this side of the city…” she said, as she started loosening her clothes.

  Always trying to lighten the mood, that one. It’s one of her best traits.

  Jealous?

  She felt herself going into a cold sweat. I still have time.

  Do you?

  She shook her head to try and push it back, refocusing on the others conversation.

  “-why Madeline and Iska were killed, stumbling onto someone that shouldn’t be here.” said Manami.

  Nakia looked over at the two, Channary was already in her skivvies as they were eating from their sustenance canisters.

  Her heart started racing as she tried holding on, just a bit longer.

  “If that’s the case, why wasn’t there anything there when we got there?” said Channary.

  “They moved.”

  “A whole laboratory… in a matter of hours?”

  “It’s possible.” Manami shrugged.

  Nakia nodded, trying to act natural, trying to fit in. She wanted to get involved, she wanted to partake in the conversation, honestly… But she was on the verge of breaking down, memories of the past rising to the surface.

  I can’t deal with it right now.

  But you must.

  Not if I can help it!

  You can’t.

  The scenery started shifting around her, into something all too familiar. Her heartbeat was being drowned out by the faint scream that she knew wasn’t real. She felt small, helpless, to what was to befall her, as a tall, blurry figure towered over her. She couldn’t breathe as it looked at her, forming into the very thing that ruined her life. Unable to look at it, she tried to close her eyes, but to no avail. Somehow, she could still see, the only part of it in focus were its lips, which were starting to form the words.

  “No!” The words sprang from her lips like an explosion, and just like an explosion, the scenery blew away, placing her back in the confines of the Aegis III’s glow.

  “Nakia?” Her head jerked to the sound, Manami and Channary were looking at her, the shock at her outburst evident.

  It took her only a moment to gather herself and say “No… more conjecture and theories, we will find the truth when we rise at zero six hundred hours.”

  Channery and Manami looked at each other in befuddlement. Nakia turned around and took a couple of steps away, not even bothering to sterilize herself before she brought out her Lyft and placed it on the ground. Lying down, she faced the shimmering blue wall and tried to calm herself a bit more.

  She heard the two head to the other side of the sphere and start whispering to each other, saying, “Do you think they know that we’re following them?”

  “Whoever’s involved in this couldn’t possibly believe that they would get by without repercussions. Yet since they aren’t going through any trouble to hide their tracks, I would say they’re clueless to our presence.” said Manami.

  “I don’t know. Two people this far out, there’s no way-”

  She ignored them as she discreetly pulled the cylinder out of her belt, bringing it up to her tongue.

  You can’t ignore me for… Just as her thoughts started drifting back to that darker place again, the voice stopped.

  She exhaled softly as she retreated into her thoughts, staring at the faint blue shimmer of the shield wall. Finally able to think normally she tried reflecting over the days events, for a little while at least.

  ‘Already botched the job, Nakia?’ She could just hear the words of her guardian spewing forth, the disappointment evident in her tone. How could you possibly hold me responsible for this turn of events? Next time I tell somebody not to wander off, do you think they could listen!?

  Her stomach rumbled, yet she had no appetite. She noticed how quiet it had gotten, then realized the others had stopped whispering. That’s right, we have an early day tomorrow... She didn’t even have the energy to sigh in exasperation at this point.

  I just want this trip to be over, I don’t even know why I’m trying anymore… Her mood lightened. Ah, the other half must be kicking in now. A familiar face materialized into her thoughts, a face she hadn’t seen in a long time. The real reason why she was really doing all of this, emerged to the surface of her thoughts. The corner of her mouth tilted up, unbidden.

  It was only momentary, as it faded while it fought against the dark thoughts. Trying its best to regain a foothold, the threat of consuming her once again became a reality. Her blood almost started to boil at the memories of what she’d lost. Then they were replaced, refined, if you will, into a fine point of cold hatred.

  The Supreme Leader has a lot to answer for. Were her final conscious thoughts as stage three kicked in.

  + - -

  The dust particles danced in the artificial light, a vortex which only exacerbated her sinus issues, forcing another sneeze, and thus repeating the vicious cycle. Leaving the maelstrom behind as she exited the room, a familiar voice greeted her.

  “Claire. Still sticking your nose in the wrong places, eh? Take it from me, those sniffles will be the best thing that happens to that nose if you don’t stop.”

  Claire lifted her eyes. Judith stood there, flipping her blonde hair as if her point was so well articulated that she obviously had to be recorded, her HoF actively running. The smile on her face was so far from warm that it sent shivers Claire's spine. As soon as she was satisfied with her recording, she turned it off, dropping her smile at the same time.

  Claire pulled herself together and turned way, almost ignoring her ‘Rival’ “Warnings, while appreciated, are unnecessary. I won’t be deterred.”

  She paused her walking when she felt pressure on her shoulder, it was Judith’s hand “You have someone you can talk to, you know? Mei was important to you, but-”

  Shrugging her shoulders to remove the hand, she continued walking away. The sound of her footsteps echoing off the cavernous walls. Don’t be a complete jerk, Claire. Pausing at the thought, a “Thanks.” escaped her lips, then she continued walking.

  There’s got to be something in Mei’s files… But something that isn’t in Chinese? No. Mei was always careful with her information, and she hadn’t authorized anyone to access it before she disappeared... First, I’ll have to find somebody who can hack in, then I’ll need someone else who can translate.

  Her hands flew up to her head “Get a grip, Claire.” she sighed, bringing her hands down from her head, this time before any of her glorious hair could be disturbed. She found that during her musings, she had subconsciously made her way to Mei’s old office... Why don’t I know anybody outside of the ‘Prying Eye’ who can do this?!

  She had gone to the archives to find any trace that her mentor might have left behind, anything that could give her a lead. She leaned against Mei’s door “Some reporter. What good is it having access to files others can’t, if I can’t even read them.”

  “What? You’re going to let a little thing like linguistics and authorization stop you now?”

  Claire’s eyes narrowed at the unfamiliar voice, turning to see who said that…