The Tomb--A Novel

  He let go of her. “Not likely.”

  “You scared me!”

  He rubbed his stomach. “I’d say we’re even.”

  She glanced at the doorway.

  “I’m alone.” He reached above her head to the top shelf, pulled down a pair of black boots like his, and dropped them at her feet. “Put these on.”

  “Why?” She held out a hand toward the door. “Is anyone on the ship?”

  Seth tilted his head. “Come and see.”

  Kiva sat down and stared at the boots. “And what, they’re just going to magically fit me?”

  “The clothes fit, right?”

  She glanced down at the pants and shirt.

  “No magic,” said Seth. “The Krakatoa has about any size there is, and your mom knew yours.”

  Kiva slipped her stockinged feet into the boots and stared at the laces. She had only ever worn sandals. She scowled. And technically, she’d never even worn those.

  Seth knelt in front of her and tied the first. “They missed a few lessons in Alexandria.”

  She felt like a child as he tied and tightened the other.

  He stood up. “Took me the better part of an afternoon to nail tying my stupid boots.”

  She wiggled her toes, which had a bit of extra room. Close enough. She took a few steps in the hard soles. Not especially comfortable, but she felt less vulnerable than when she only wore socks.

  Seth asked, “Ready?”

  Kiva picked up the knife and hesitated a moment before following.

  Seth brushed his hand by the privacy button when he reached the door. “Apparently you need a refresher course on how to lock a—”

  Kiva smacked him on the shoulder.

  Seth grinned down at her. “Come on. You are about to see your first airship.” He led her down the corridor away from the bridge.

  “It’s not really my first,” Kiva said. “I mean, I was running around Krakatoa before torpor, right?”

  He didn’t turn around. “Do you remember much about that?”

  “No.” She stared at his back as they walked. “Do you?”

  He stopped abruptly.

  She bumped into his back. “Sorry.”

  He faced her. “There are flashes from when I was little, I guess. They faded even more after I came out of torpor. Now the flashes … are of Alexandria.”

  “Do they ever stop?” she asked.

  He raised his eyebrows. “I’ll let you know.”

  She wondered what he saw in those memories.

  He jabbed a thumb to his right. “Come on.” The airlock, a thick-bordered door, stood before them. “This is where the shuttle hooks up to the airship.” Seth stepped over the high threshold and through.

  She didn’t follow.

  He turned back. “Trust me, I already checked it out. It’s safe.”

  Kiva still hesitated.

  “I promise.” Seth held out his hand.

  Everything in her wanted to take hold. Not let go.

  But did she need him to keep her safe?

  No. At least, she hoped not.

  Maybe he had a few extra years in the real world, but they had been raised the same. Whatever he could do, she should be able to do as well.

  She simply needed time to prove that to him. And to herself.

  Kiva secured the knife in her waistband, brushed past his outstretched hand, and entered the short passage to the airship Pinatubo.

  Their footsteps clanged on the metal floor of the first long hallway.

  Kiva let Seth go past her and followed him into a control room ten times the size of the one on the Tomb.

  Kiva gazed at roughly a dozen black leather chairs and twice as many massive monitors that lay flat on the wall, not on tables like the Tomb. “Is it on autopilot?”

  Seth sat down in the biggest chair near the center of the bank of monitors. “Yep, first thing I checked when I came on board. And still in a steady trajectory, from what I could figure out.”

  She sat in the chair nearest him, stiff leather creaking. “You didn’t see anyone?”

  “Nope.”

  “But someone must have activated the tractor beam, right?”

  “Not necessarily. Except for the airship names painted on the outside, the shuttles for all the airships are identical, and a lot of things are automated. I think that when the Tomb came into range, the Pinatubo recognized it as one of her own shuttles returning home. The tractor beam automatically activated.” Seth tapped the screen. “This is the main control panel. We can deactivate the tractor beam when we’re ready to leave.”

  Tension left Kiva’s shoulders.

  They hadn’t been caught in some nefarious spider’s web after all. Just an automatic program. She made a mental note to check out that part of the schematics when she got back on the Tomb. “Where is everyone?”

  “I don’t know. But let’s go find out.” He stood up. “Feel like exploring?”

  Kiva nodded. “Can we find the HCU we need?”

  “We can look around, but it would be quicker to find whoever is managing things. I’d love to ask them what they’ve heard from other ships. But first I want to check some other stuff out.” Seth headed out the door and down a wide corridor. He acted as if he knew exactly where to go.

  She walked fast to keep up. “Is this like the Krakatoa?”

  “So far, identical.” Seth pointed. “This way.”

  Kiva stopped in front of the biggest door panel she had ever seen. “What’s in here?”

  “If it’s the same as Krakatoa, and I’d bet anything it is…” Seth pushed a button and the panel slid to the side. He breathed out. “Torpor chambers.”

  Kiva stared into the massive room that seemed never-ending, unable to keep her mouth from falling open.

  A wide aisle stretched before them. Identical clear upright cases lined either side, each several inches taller than Seth. Each big enough to fit a fairly large human.

  She became aware of Seth watching her and quickly closed her mouth. She wanted to stare, but she also didn’t. Despite knowing the truth, she wasn’t ready to see it. Not yet.

  Her gaze drifted upward to the ceiling, which appeared to be at least forty feet over her head. She jumped when Seth touched her hand.

  He said, “We can check out the rest of the ship.”

  Relieved, she followed him back into the corridor. “Where to?”

  “This way.” As they walked toward the end of the corridor, he said, “I want to see what they did with their Versa Space.” They hit a T and he turned left.

  “Their what?” Kiva glanced down the empty hallway to the right before following.

  “Versa Space. Each of the ships is identical, but they were given some freedom. The people chosen for each were experts in their fields, geniuses.”

  She glanced at him. “Because they had to prepare for a life in space?”

  “Exactly. But Trask was no slacker either. He wanted to make it possible for these great minds to keep discovering things, experimenting and inventing, even within the confines of the ship. He made sure each had a Versa Space, a gigantic room that they could use as they wanted.”

  “What’s the Versa Space on the Krakatoa used for?” asked Kiva.

  Seth took the next right. “It’s where the virtual reality is set up. Our torpor chambers are in there, as well as the ones for our parents and the other adults who live in Alexandria. Much easier to monitor all of us, and unhook us from the VR if we’re in one room.”

  “Do you know what other ships did with their Versa Space?”

  “Nope.” Seth stopped. “That’s why I want to check it out.” He pointed. “Right up here.” The hallway ended in a sloping ramp that circled all the way up to what appeared to be another. “Race you!” He took off, running up the ramp, his boots clomping.

  “Wait!” With a laugh, Kiva gave chase. How natural that felt. All those times they played tag as children. By the river instead of on a spaceship, but still. The familiarity s
ent a warmth all through her. But she was quickly out of breath and had to walk, still smiling when she reached Seth at the top.

  “You’re as slow as ever.” He grinned.

  Kiva bent over and set her hands on her knees, catching her breath. Was that the first time he had referenced their childhood? Their time together before all of this?

  “Over here.” Seth led her to a set of double doors, nearly identical to the ones on the hall of torpor chambers.

  “What if it’s something bad?” she asked.

  His forehead wrinkled. “Why would it be bad?”

  She glanced around. “What if it’s why there isn’t anyone here?”

  “Relax.” Seth set a hand on her arm. “I’m pretty sure most of them are in torpor. Just like on our ship.”

  She wanted to ask what would happen if they weren’t, but he pushed open the doors and stepped inside. “Oh, no way!”

  Kiva clapped a hand over her open mouth.

  Seth threw both fists into the air, then turned to her, a huge grin on his face. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  11

  Kiva’s eyes widened as she slowly rotated, unable to believe her eyes. She stood on a hill of grass, looking down at an orchard of fruit trees about seventy yards away.

  Seth had run and already reached them. “Apples!” He plucked a juicy red one and bit into it. “Delicious!” He disappeared between the trunks.

  “Wait!” Kiva tripped over her boots, then plopped down. She untied her boots and slipped off her socks. The grass was soft and warm under her bare feet. She walked in circles, her face up toward the sun. The sun! “How is this possible?”

  Seth popped out from between the trees. “It’s a greenhouse program, has to be!” He held the bottom of his shirt up, the resulting pouch a pile of red and yellow. “There are pears too!”

  To their left lay a field of tall, amber stalks. Kiva pointed. “What’s that?”

  Seth turned. “I think it’s wheat.” He frowned.

  She jogged closer to him. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just realized. If they have wheat, then they can make bread. And real noodles. This is amazing.” He jogged up and dumped his find by Kiva’s boots, then headed for the field.

  Kiva followed him, striding slowly into the wheat. Her hands brushed the stiff stalks as the sun shone warm on her face. A breeze came up, blowing her hair out behind her. She stopped, closed her eyes, and held her face up to the light and warmth.

  This reminded her of Alexandria, even though that hadn’t been real. This, this was far closer to being so. She smiled. “I don’t want to leave.” Kiva opened her eyes.

  Seth gazed at her, but not like he studied the console or a problem to be solved. He watched her as if … he liked what he saw. But he looked away. “We can’t stay.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “But this place is so…”

  “Beautiful.” He glanced at her when he said the word. He cleared his throat. “We should go.”

  “But why?” Kiva raised her arms to the sides. “We could gather more fruit.” Something sparkled a short way beyond the wheat field. “Look!” She began to run toward it.

  “Kiva! Wait!” Seth followed.

  “Race you!” She pumped her arms, muscles responding like they’d been waiting for the exercise. As she got closer, she realized that the sparkle was the sun reflecting off a pristine lake. At the shore, she yanked the bottoms of her pants up to her knees, then splashed in. The refreshing water cooled her hot feet. She turned, laughing. “It feels wonderful!”

  Seth stood on the bank, smiling at her.

  “What?” She put her hands on her hips. “Do not even tell me to get out.”

  He sat down and unlaced his boots. Then he pulled his shirt off, splashed past her, and dove in. A few strong strokes sent him nearly to the middle, before he turned around and headed toward her.

  “Don’t get me wet!” She backpedaled, going deeper and getting wetter.

  He stopped in front of her and stood up, dripping, a goofy smile on his face. He shook his head, drops from his hair splattering her.

  She shrieked and covered her face, then dropped her hands. She grinned. “Where did you learn to swim?”

  “The Krakatoa.”

  “There’s a pool?”

  Apparently done with the lake, Seth headed back to shore. He grabbed his shirt and wiped his face. “There’s a lot of things on the Krakatoa.”

  A sudden chill sent goose bumps down Kiva’s arms. She glanced skyward. A cloud passed over the sun.

  “We really should go.” Seth headed up the bank without waiting for her.

  Kiva didn’t get it.

  One moment he was the Seth of old, her friend, someone she could actually stand to be around. But then, like a light, he switched back to the new Seth.

  She started to wade out, but was still waist deep when her foot snagged on something below the surface. “Hey, wait. I’m caught on something.”

  Seth turned around.

  Kicking didn’t free her foot.

  “Can you see what it is?” Seth sounded annoyed. “Probably some roots from the trees.”

  “No.” She reached into the water and her hand brushed something soft and slimy. The cobras in the jar came to mind. She gasped and jerked her leg. Her foot didn’t move, so her momentum sent her backward into the water.

  Her head went under.

  Kiva stood up, sputtering.

  Seth laughed.

  “Great.” She coughed and spit out some water. “Thanks for the help.”

  “Hold on.” He started back down the bank.

  “Don’t bother.” She leaned over, foot still immobile under the surface. “I can do it myself.”

  “Fine.” He sighed and sat down. “I’d like to leave sometime today, though.”

  She shivered.

  Well, she was already wet. Might as well find out what she was caught on. She took a breath and plunged her head under the water, blinking until her vision cleared enough to see her foot.

  A long, ragged end of a rope ensnared Kiva’s ankle.

  Thankfully, she didn’t see anything slimy. Hopefully she could drag the rope ashore and cut herself free.

  Kiva surfaced for a moment to catch her breath.

  Seth was lying back on the grass, eyes shut.

  Fine. She didn’t need him anyway.

  Mustering new determination, she yanked on the rope and reeled it closer. She took a quick breath and ducked back under, blinking until she could see clearly.

  Next to her foot floated pale bloated hands, bound at the wrists by the other end of the rope.

  She lurched and started to flee.

  But the rope tightened and tripped her up. She fell sideways into the lake and found herself staring right into the dark, dull, sightless eyes of a corpse.

  Kiva screamed, a silent yawn that filled her mouth and throat and lungs with water.

  Hands grasped for any purchase.

  Arms churned the water, trying to escape.

  Her face surfaced for a second, enough to choke, but not enough to gasp any air before being dragged down again.

  She kicked and splashed, inadvertently moving deeper, farther from salvation.

  Suddenly, strong arms lifted her up out of the water and she coughed, spitting up water as she gasped for air.

  “I’ve got you, Keeves.” Seth carried her toward shore.

  The rope around her ankle became taut, and dragged the body along in the water behind them.

  Kiva wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as she hacked more water up and began to cry.

  At the shore, he laid her on the grass, then grabbed the knife.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, tears leaking out. “Please don’t cut me!”

  Seth sliced the rope and freed her foot.

  Kiva lay there on the grass, her clothes and hair soaking wet.

  On his knees, Seth leaned over her. “Are you okay?”

  Still crying, she roll
ed her head from side to side. “I want to go. I want to go now.”

  “We will.” He set a hand on her arm. “Wait here.”

  She sat up and wiped her eyes with the back of her wet hand. Useless.

  He gaped at the corpse floating a few feet offshore, the rope drifting along beside it.

  Kiva got to her feet and hugged herself. Her hands shook so hard that she made fists in an attempt to stop. Water dripped off her hair and down her back. She shivered.

  Seth tried to block her view.

  “Is it a man?” She started to move closer.

  He held up a hand. “Just stay there.”

  Kiva swallowed. She didn’t want to be frightened of everything in this new world. Not even death. She stepped closer.

  He held his arm out to stop her going any farther, but she saw the dead man was bald and a little chubby. She asked, “How long do you think he’s been dead?”

  Seth wiped his knife on the grass. “I don’t know.”

  She couldn’t stop gawking. “Why was he tied up? Who did that?”

  Seth took a step sideways so that he was directly in front of her. “We’re leaving before we find out.” He held her shoulders and turned her around, then gave her a slight push.

  Seth grabbed their boots and let Kiva exit in front of him. Once they were out in the corridor, Seth shut the doors.

  They were both breathing hard and dripping water onto the floor. He held out her socks and boots.

  “Who do you think he was?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He pointed. “Get your boots on.”

  She sat down to put them on, wondering how to ask Seth to help tie them.

  But he knelt before her to lace them up without being asked.

  She watched him. “Thank you.” She wasn’t sure if she meant for tying her shoes or for freeing her from a dead body. She was grateful for both.

  Seth said nothing as he tightened the lace on the second boot and scooted back to put his own back on.

  Kiva pulled her drenched pants back down from where they were still rolled. “Do you think there are more bodies?”

  Seth’s gaze snapped to hers. “In the lake?”

  Suddenly, she didn’t want an answer. “Never mind.”

  He stood up. “Let’s go.”

  They walked back down the circular ramp, neither in any mood to race as they had on the way up.