I do not write this lightly, and it is to be omitted from all public copies. But I saw something that day, in the void, when I first made the discovery. And it was weeping.

  -The Will of Johannes Idunn, introduction

  Gasping, Evelyn awoke from a torturous dream. The uniform she had slept in was plastered in sweat. Calming herself down, she looked around the pitch-black room. Had she woken up before the buzzer?

  Maybe. But she had been home.

  And had told Will everything.

  Well, not everything, she thought, holding her head in disappointment. The scab on her left palm rubbed against her eye, but she didn’t care. Why bother when it was permanent?

  Certain parts of yesterday were still a blur. She remembered her old room, the roof. Will’s surprise when she had told him. Can’t blame, she thought. Let’s just hope he’s got the wits to keep his gob shut.

  She rolled over on her side, facing the room. Immortality still didn’t feel like her. She wanted to be that young girl again. With Mom and Dad, Baldrian, and Marigold. Marigold… Evelyn hadn’t thought of her in a while. Threatened by tears, she curled into a ball.

  I am all that remains now, she thought coldly. And for what?

  Couldn’t that damn bell ring soon? She turned around again, trying desperately to distract herself.

  How would they escape? Last night’s mission had planted a seed of an idea in the back of her head, but it seemed bonkers. Too many unknowns and moving parts. She would have to think more-

  “Evelyn?” Will muttered beneath her. “Are you awake already?”

  She took a deep breath. “Yeah, mate. Couldn’t sleep.”

  His reply was groggy. “Me neither. Though I suppose that is permissible today. The refinery calls, after all.”

  “Yeah.”

  He shuffled in his bunk. “Evelyn, are you alright?” he said slowly, “In light of yesterday, I…”

  Not again. “I’m… fine. Or I will be, once I get some grub in me.”

  “Truly? I assume it to be quite upsetting, seeing your old-”

  “I said I’m fine.” He just did not know when to shut up.

  “I am aware. You always say that, but I can tell something is bothering you.”

  “Will,” she said authoritatively. “Please.” Her voice broke, and she caught a sob from escaping. Her heart felt frayed, a hair’s breadth away from breaking

  “Alright, my apologies,” he said after a while. “I appreciate you opening up yesterday, Evelyn.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” she said, seeking back to that familiar numbness. “Have you thought anymore about… y’know.”

  “Yes,” he whispered back. “It has to be done during a mission, I surmise.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed, wiping her suddenly runny nose. “Reckon I’ve got a bit of an idea.”

  Before Will could inquire further, the buzzer blared and the door swung open.

  “Bloody hell,” Evelyn said, instinctively covering her eyes from the sudden flood of light. “Never getting used to that.”

  She could hear Vanham down the hall, shouting at the new recruits. “Up, up, you numpties! Scran’s in five, then it’s off to the refinery! Any stragglers’ll be chucked into the sea!”

  Evelyn sat up. “He sound angrier than usual?”

  “Possibly. Though he might be playing it up for the new recruits.”

  The burly englishman peered through their door. “You know the deal. And don’t forget your knives.”

  “Yes, Lieutenant!” Will replied.

  Vanham stared at Evelyn.

  She squinted as she gave a mocking salute. “Aye aye cap’n.”

  Vanham shook his head and left.

  “I suppose we can discuss the plan later” Will whispered as he stood up and gave his suit a sniff.

  “You smell like shit, mate.” she told him, helpfully.

  “I am quite aware of that. And quite aware of your stink as well.”

  “Well that’s no way to talk to a lady, Thought you’da learned better manners on that hoighty toighty boat.”

  He gave a nod of admittance. “Etiquette was not my strongest subject at the academy, it’s true.”

  “Academy, eh? Didn’t know it was that bad over there.”

  “Are there none on Vercingetorix?”

  “Schools and universities, yeah. A single semester costs more than two years of a water subscription.”

  He seemed surprised. “I thought they were all free?”

  She sidled down from her bunk, stretching. “No? Who told you that, mate?”

  Will washed his face in their little aluminium sink. “Social sciences at the academy. Idunn made schooling free everywhere.”

  She chuckled. “Right,” she said mockingly, “as part of his wish to improve the lives of every living soul.”

  “Indeed,” Will said, seeming uncertain.

  Are they only taught bullshit on Fairhair?

  Deanna leaned into the doorway. “You two coming along?”

  “We don’t have all day,” Tariq said from down the hall.

  Will hastily strapped on his belt. “Yes, yes.”

  “Dunno why they’re forcing us to wear these,” Evelyn said as she buckled her own belt. It was very worn, with a rip in one of the first notches. There weren’t any notches for her size either, so she made do with tying the thin leather together in a crude knot.

  Will raised an eyebrow at her knotwork. “It is a status marker of sorts. I have only seen three people wear them.”

  “Does everyone get them after a week?” Deanna asked as they walked down the hallway together.

  “I think so.” Will said, grim.

  “Strange, last night was the first time I saw them.”

  “Guess it’s a cause for celebration, then,” Tariq said dryly. “We happy few.”

  It felt weird to see the mess hall so full of people again. Some pairs talked amongst each other, while others stewed in anxious silence.

  Half these people won’t be here tomorrow night, she thought. Best to keep to herself.

  The kitchen bell rang, and people swarmed to the counter. Will led the way, and they were nearly at the front of the line. Looking behind, Evelyn could see Kitsch and Brannaghan forcing their way through to the front, Brannghan giving a harsh look to anyone who resisted. The pair wore their knives too, though they took more pride in it than Evelyn did. Was that why no one stopped them?

  They did stop once they reached Tariq, who gave them a stern look. “Having your way with the new recruits already?”

  The line shuffled forward. Evelyn could smell the pancakes.

  “We’ve been here the longest, we should eat first.” Brannaghan said, eying Tariq. He was a lot taller than Tariq, but seemed small in the soldier’s presence. He still carried a considerable bruise under his eyes, which Evelyn considered with a smile. She always took pride in her handiwork.

  Tariq pointed at Will. “He’s been here the longest. Do you see him forcing his way through that line?”

  Brannaghan sized Tariq up. “Why do you even care? You’ve got the knife too.”

  “I do,” Tariq agreed, “but I’m also a corporal in the 101st Elysian battalion.”

  “Was”, Deanna whispered.

  “And I vowed to help those mortals who can’t help themselves,” Tariq continued. “So leave them alone, get back in line, and wait your turn.”

  Brannaghan looked to Kitsch for support, but he simply shrugged and walked to the back. Brannaghan grumbled, reluctantly following his partner.

  There was no bacon today, so Evelyn had to content herself with pancakes.

  “Evi,” Deanna said as they sat down at a table, “All I see you eat is pancakes and bacon, how are you not fat?”

  She snickered. “Gee, thanks love.” Is this how I tell her? No. She shrugged instead. “High metabolism, I guess.”

  The American didn’t seem to accept that. “And you too Tariq, I’ve never seen you eat anything healthy. How do you stay… y’know, like that?” Evelyn smirked. Deanna wasn’t exactly maintaining eye contact with him.

  “It’s the immortality,” he said nonchalantly. “Locks my body in the state it was in when I first took the serum.”

  “So you never have to take a shit? Sick!” An eager voice said from the table next to theirs.

  He was one of the strangest men Evelyn had ever seen. Gaunt and dishevelled, his salt and pepper-beard stretched across his chin like sparse grass. He was missing all of his lower front teeth, and his sunken cheeks were pockmarked with scars. Yet he had one of the sweetest voices she had ever heard.

  “I mean, I assume so if you took a shit before you took the serum, right?”

  Tariq gave him an odd look. “Uhm, no. It doesn’t work like that.”

  “Oh.” The disappointed man said.

  Tariq turned back to his food.

  “It’s a good question.” Deanna said. “Like, do you have to eat and stuff? I was never told how immortality works.”

  Tariq sighed. “For good reason. You’re not supposed to know.”

  She leaned in towards him. “So?...”

  Evelyn leaned forward too. Maybe his condition worked differently to hers?

  Tariq studied the table, lacking his usual confidence. “Never told this to mortals before… But no, I don’t. Starvation, dehydration, nothing like that can kill me. I still feel the hunger, though.”

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

  Deanna looked at his now empty plate. It had been stacked with toast only moments before. “Have you ever starved?”

  The question wasn’t for her, but Evelyn’s mind gave a silent answer. Memories of rougher days rose unbidden. Of loss, starving herself in a desperate attempt to escape it all.

  Tariq looked at Deanna, then Evelyn for a moment. His eyes narrowed once they met hers, and Evelyn found a strange camaraderie in them.

  “Yes,” he said. And so have you, she heard in his tone.

  There’s no way he doesn’t know, Evelyn thought with a shot of panic. Did she have to tell them? Yes, of course. It was integral to the plan, after all. She looked around, the amount of people making her oddly uncomfortable. Can’t tell ‘em here.

  Deanna didn’t press further. Eventually, Vanham entered the mess to do his duty - intimidating and making examples of the few new recruits who acted up.

  Evelyn watched closely as one unusually tall woman was immobilized for not saluting Vanham. Right as the guard pressed on his little screen, something on her wristband lit up. The ensuing stiffness seemed to run like electricity from the wristband, immobilizing her left arm before the rest of her body.

  Once the punishment was over, the woman rubbed at the skin under the colorful band, confirming Evelyn’s suspicion. Could this work?

  She considered it as they got up for their half-hour break. How do I tell them?

  Tariq looked around the mess hall, then Will. “Where’s your vending machine?”

  Will patiently chewed the last of his salad before responding. “I do not know. I believe you can use the one in the Second Brigade mess, however.”

  Tariq nodded. “I’m gonna head there before refinery duty.”

  Deanna lit up. “Is that what the money was for? What does it have?”

  Will put a hand to his chin. “Beer, cigarettes, candy. Dried and canned food.”

  That piqued Evelyn’s interest. “Anything we can bring on a mission?”

  Deanna gave her a weird look. “You wanna bring beer on a mission?”

  “No, food. I don’t wanna be sozzled in the field.”

  “Well, “ Deanna shrugged, “There’s a lot of food in a beer.”

  Will rose, then patted Evelyn on the shoulder. “She has passed out enough times on these missions already, I do not think alcohol would make much of a difference on our record.”

  Evelyn rolled her eyes, but had to chuckle. She considered saying something about Will’s hand placement too, but found that she didn’t mind it there.

  Deanna, Tariq and Will headed out to the vending machine, but Evelyn needed a shower. A big warm bath would’ve been best, but she hadn’t had one of those in a century or more.

  Sadly, she had one more stop to make. In the main hall, between First and Second Brigade, helicopters were brought to the flight deck on lifts. She could make out a few morose, pink-clad figures following them up. Second brigade, no doubt, loading up for a mission. Evelyn wondered why she hadn’t seen any of them before now, but it wasn’t too surprising on a ship this size. Hell, the main hall was likely larger than the little village near her old…

  No.

  She looked at the helicopters instead. She’d never thought about it, but it seemed the Corps used two different types - one to get them there, one to get them out. The smaller crafts were being loaded up now, with the larger ones - for extraction, she assumed- stood cold.

  One was being worked on by a lanky, jovial type. He looked up at her as she passed by, then waved her over.

  “Hello!” Avidan said, wiping his grease-dark hands on a towel, “You’re Will’s partner, right?”

  She walked over reluctantly. “Uh, yeah.”

  He took and shook her hand, generously sharing his grease stains. “It’s always nice to see you people outside of the helicopters! They always look so sad when they hop in, you know, though I suppose that makes sense for someone in your line of work.”

  “Mhm,” she replied, wiping the grease on her jumpsuit.

  “Oh, I never did catch your name, what was it again?”

  “Evelyn.”

  “Nice to meet you!” he said, shaking her hand again, “I’m Avidan!”

  “I’m aware.” Evelyn had never gotten a good look at his face, but it seemed she hadn’t missed much. It was exceedingly normal, and looked like it had been forced to grow inside a straw.

  She tapped her foot. “So, why did you wave me over?”

  “Oh,” he shrugged, eyes darting randomly as he spoke, “I just wanted to say hi. And I know it’s not my business, and I really shouldn’t pry, but you looked so darn sad on the deck yesterday, I just wanted to see how you were doing! I mean, you finally got your knife - congrats on the week in the corps by the way! - so I thought you’d be all happy and proud like that immortal fella!”

  She blinked, processing the brief flurry of words. “I’m fine,” she said instinctually, before pausing.

  She’d never talked to this man. Why did he care? “And thanks,” she said, resting her hand on the knife, “I just find it hard to stay chipper after these missions.”

  He sat down on the bottom of the helicopter’s doorway. “Oh I totally get that, it does not look fun! I see why so many of you try to escape, y’know.”

  “Uhh, yeah,” she said quickly. Was he trying to bait her into talking about her plans?

  “I’m not supposed to say this,” he said loudly,” but I really feel for all of you.” He looked down, and lost some of his pep. “It’s hard, y’know. Flying someone out, then not being called back to extract them.”

  “I can imagine,” Evelyn lied.

  He looked up at her and nodded. There was a candidness in his eyes that reminded her of Magnus. “It’s been happening a lot more recently. I don’t know why, but… Just be careful out there, okay?”

  She nodded.

  He pointed a stern finger at her. “And take care of Will! I don’t want to fly you two out and not fly back.”

  “I’ll try, mate. Though he’s doing most of the caring.”

  “You were lucky to get him,” Avidan said wistfully.

  Maybe I was, she thought.

  “He ever tell you about Andrius? Now there was a swell guy, tried to act all tough and uncaring, but he was really the biggest softie you could-” Avidan saw something behind her and stood up straight. “Lieutenant, sir,” he saluted.

  Evelyn turned around to find a lumbering Vanham marching towards her. Wonderful, she thought as she tried her best to salute. As much as she hated him, she had to stay on his good side - if he even had one.

  He took one look at her, then sniffed the air. “This is how you spend your break, is it?”

  She nodded, trying to seem nice for once. “Yes, Lieutenant. I’ve always been fascinated by machines like this.”

  He narrowed his judgmental eyes at her, then looked at Avidan. “You. What’s your name?”

  “A-a-Avidan, sir! Pilot Simon Avidan, sir!”

  Vanham nodded. “Do you usually fraternize with these poor sods?”

  Avidan quickly shook his head, then nodded.”O-occasionally, sir! They seem so s-s-sad sir, after the missions!”

  Vanham snorted. “You takin’ the mick? These are criminals, pilot.” He pointed a long finger at her. “This one killed her own brother. You feel sympathy for her?”

  Evelyn tightened and fought to control herself, for once reaching for the memory of her brother.

  Avidan looked at her differently now, but he held firm. “Yes, Lieutenant, they are. Isn’t this their chance for redemption?”

  “Redemption,” he repeated mockingly, shaking his head.

  Avidan held his head high. “Yes, Lieutenant, You say so yourself in that speech when new ones arrive.”

  Vanham scoffed, crossing his arms. “The Captain’s words. I just get paid to say them.”

  “You’ll have to forgive me, Lieutenant, but they aren’t all bad people. ” The thin man saw someone in the corner of his eye, then pointed at them. “Like him, for example. Will doesn’t seem guilty of much.”

  “Lieutenant,” Will said with a salute as he approached Evelyn’s side.

  “Speaking of killing your sibling…” Vanham sneered.

  Will’s reaction felt familiar. He looked down at the ground, tightened his fists, and shook his head. “What is the matter, Lieutenant?” he asked.

  “What’s the matter?” Vanham repeated. “This todger feels sympathy,” he pointed at Avidan, “for you two. Murderers.” His eyes narrowed at Will, and a flush crept up his neck. “And you… Acting so posh and refined, so innocent, when you TOOK HER FROM-” He lowered his voice, then breathed a rageful sigh.

  The large man, seeming lessened after the outburst, regained his posture and looked around. “You,” he spat, pointing at Avidan, “since you like them so much, you’re now their permanent pilot. Now get out of my sight, all of you.”

  Avidan awkwardly cleared his throat. “Lieutenant, I still have some final checks to-”

  “GET OUT!” Vanham shouted, showering Avidan in spittle. The three of them hustled away, leaving the Lieutenant to stew in his anger. Evelyn wondered what he was gonna do with the helicopters.

  “Who shat in his cereal?” Deanna asked as she walked towards them, carrying a grocery bag.

  Tariq hefted a large bag of chips under his arm. “We could hear him from the other mess hall.”

  There wasn’t much around to stop sound from travelling in the cargo hold, it seemed. Where can I even explain the plan, then?

  “He had an outburst,” Will said tersely.

  “But hey, on the bright side,” Avidan said, “I’m their permanent pilot now!” He gave Will’s shoulder a light punch, then shook his hand. “Stronger than I thought… anyway, now we can chat all the time!”

  “Indeed,” Will said with a half-hearted smile. He looked at Vanham as he stomped away. “Though I think you should return to your helicopter now, friend.”

  Avidan beamed. “Right! Awesome! Wonderful, I’ll see you two tomorrow!” He walked a few steps, then turned around and waved at Evelyn. “And nice meeting you!”

  “Likewise,” she mumbled.

  “You’re very pretty…” he mumbled as he walked away.

  Deanna snickered. “Did he just call you pretty?”

  “I guess,” she shrugged, though she couldn’t imagine how she currently looked. Any mirrors she encountered were likely to shatter the moment they saw her, she imagined.

  Will, who had looked shaken only seconds ago, gave Deanna a smile. “So, what did you end up buying?”

  She opened the paper bag, which soured Will’s look. Evelyn counted eight cans of beer, a tin of beans, some canned sausages, and a whole cucumber.

  Evelyn cocked her head. “Did you…?”

  “You spent your entire wage on beer?” Will asked, confused.

  Deanna beamed. “Yup, and a little food. Gonna have a fun night for once.”

  Evelyn raised an eyebrow at the cucumber.

  Will was baffled. “You plan to be hung over on a mission?”

  “No, that’s what the cucumber is for,” she said as if it was an obvious fact. “A couple cucumber slices in water stops any hangover before it begins.”

  “Would you not be better served celebrating tomorrow night? In the wake of a completed mission?”

  Evelyn looked around. They were alone in their part of the hold. Should she tell them here? Yes. They need to know the plan. She spoke softly. “You might not be here tomorrow night.”

  Will frowned. “Evelyn, have you lost your hope?”

  She shook her head. How could you lose something you never really had? “No, I haven’t,” she said. “But I might have a plan to get out. If it works out, we won’t be here tomorrow night.”

  No one reacted. Had Vanham suddenly appeared behind her again?

  “Alright,” Will said, thinking deeply.

  “What’re you thinking, Evi?” Deanna whispered.

  She looked around again, feeling extremely suspect. Four inmates huddled together and whispering in a corner? They were bound to get strung up soon. “I’ve got a plan. The beginnings of one, anyhow. I know why we can escape, but I’m not entirely sure on the ‘how’ of it. We do need to be on a mission together, but i dunno how we’d do that.”

  Will nodded. “I believe we could ask Melvin.”

  Deanna nodded sagely, but Tariq looked like someone had told him guns weren’t cool. “You’re all trusting her? She just admitted to not having a plan!”

  “Speak quietly,” Will hissed. “If you wish to remain here, by all means, do so.”

  Tariq shook his head.“Where are you even gonna go? The huge seawall? The entire desolate continent?”

  Will considered, hand to his chin. “Depending on where we are, we could attempt to reach Boudicca, possibly Vercingetorix?”

  Evelyn scratched her head. She hadn’t considered what she would do after the escape. “Why there?” she asked.

  “So we could tell journalists about what really happens here. Put an end to the unjust suffering of our comrades.”

  Evelyn nearly burst out laughing. “Journalists, mate? What would they do? They only spew the shit Idunn shuffles to ‘em.”

  Will masked his confusion. Were they that brainwashed on that boat?

  “W-well,” he stammered, looking at Tariq. “What about that cure you mentioned?”

  Tariq drew a hand through his hair. “What about it?”

  “If it is produced anywhere, it must be Fairhair.”

  Deanna seemed intrigued. “Why?”

  Will dragged a hand through his hair. “My… I know someone who worked at the Idunn offices there. It houses the only remaining Idunn laboratory.”

  Silence spread. Within it, Evelyn found herself longing for that cure. A solution to all her problems…

  “Alright,” Tariq conceded. “What then? Presuming we even manage to get there, what do you do?”

  Will looked at the ground. “I save my sister.”

  “Did she get taken?” Deanna asked tenderly.

  Will slouched, suddenly not seeming as tall. “No, no. She had just achieved a position at Idunn, and I drove her to her Ascension ceremony. It was beautiful,” he said wistfully, “seeing someone become immortal before my very eyes.”

  “She became immortal, just like that?” Deanna asked.

  “No.” Will forced the word out. “It takes a few hours. And within that dreadful period…” he shook his head and wiped a tear. “I managed to crash our car. I recovered with only a few scrapes and contusions, but she…” he looked at the ceiling, so incredibly far above. “She fell into a coma.”

  “And then the immortality set in?” Tariq ventured.

  Will nodded. “All because of me, and she can never return…”

  “Unless we get that cure.” Evelyn whispered. Like that’ll ever happen.

  He turned, and in his eyes she saw herself from many years back. She wanted so badly to tell him it was impossible. That she had hoped for the same thing a few years back… Well, constantly, really, but that nothing had ever come of it. Still, what was there to gain from putting him down? If this was the motivation he needed to join an attempt, then she would damn well confirm it.

  Deanna thought hard, eyes darting around to look for anyone watching.

  “I will escape,” Will said, wiping away a tear. “And save her.”

  “Same,” Evelyn whispered. She looked down at her wristband. “I can’t survive another month here.”

  “Thank you,” Will said before turning to the others. “You are all welcome to follow along, but I will not pressure you to join me in searching for the cure.”

  For a moment, the only sounds came from the noisy air vent above them.

  Tariq nodded slowly. “I need to hear the plan first. I’m not trusting the word of some random ratty-haired criminal before I risk getting thrown to the gargoyles.”

  “You what?” Evelyn reacted, a bit too loudly. “I’m not some-”

  Two loud blares sounded - refinery duty was in five minutes.

  Will flinched at the sound, then looked around at their little group. “So, we are all in agreement?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “I don’t feel safe explaining the plan here on the ship”, Evelyn said. “I’d need to do it on a mission.”

  “How are we gonna escape together though?” Deanna asked.

  Will scratched his forehead. “Evelyn and I will speak with Melvin. I believe I have the proper excuse.”