“I’m sorry doesn’t fix a damn thing.” Thomas straightens and crosses his arms. “You’ve got yourself in quite a predicament.”
I sigh and rub my face. “T-There wasn’t any other option Thomas… it would have been the other way around if I would’ve hesitated. Kill or be killed. Please understand that.”
“The loss of my brother isn’t something I care much about. The consequence will call for drastic actions.”
I take a step forward. “What sort of action? What can be worse than being hunted down by goddamn guardian wolves huh?!”
“The President has assigned a new Seeker Warden and has ordered random Guardians scouts to scavenge all areas outside the Preteritus Zone. That means your safety can be compromised.”
I can’t seem to give a reply. Allowing Guardians to run rampant without a Myrmidon can mean serious problems.
“How many Guardians?”
Thomas shrugs. “There’s no telling. The Head Myrmidon hasn’t said a word since the President gave that announcement. I’m not sure if he’s complied to the President’s wishes or is contemplating at the cost.”
“The cost being?”
Thomas narrows his eyes as his brows slump. “The safety of everyone. If this goes on the security systems will surely tighten up beyond measures”
“And.” I say with a gulp, “The safety of my children. Has there ever been a case where the Guardians can… you know?”
“Act without cause or reason?”
I nod.
“The Guardians only act through hunches. They’re genetically encoded that way by our Engineers… or so I think.”
His cluelessness gnaws my confidence to a thin string. I can’t trust his knowledge if he isn’t absolutely certain. That means I’ll have to remain vigilant at all times not only for my own safety, but my children’s.
“Keep sight of Sam and Rebecca.” I plea.
“Always.”
This tiresome life is getting to me. Already another year of running… and my goal is as far away as ever. I can’t see light in any direction I face. Should I give up? Or can there still be hope… no-no, I can’t hope, I can’t get entangled in fairytale beliefs. I must remain firm. I must focus on a plan to somehow erase myself. There isn’t any other way. I must act, I can’t just stand and wait for nothing.
The sheer amount of Guardians trailing my scent can be risky; I must do something to indefinitely remove my notoriety.
I cringe and tighten my jaw.
“Jake, you alright?”
I feel Thomas clutch my shoulder.
“I-I.”
“Look, just relax. Don’t fret.” Thomas says.
I take a breath to relax my beating heart.
“What are you thinking?” He asks.
“This might take more time than I anticipated for. I’ll have to talk to you once I acquire the necessary information I need.”
Thomas and I move pass the patch of barren fields towards the forest edge.
“How did Sam and Rebecca’s birthday go?”
“Sam’s birthday party was a success, however, Rebecca’s I wasn’t present for.” Thomas stops and I face him. His face grave and eyes wide-open.
“Everything alright?”
“Just a random message telling us that the Guardians have been dispatched outside the Preteritus perimeter. I can’t stick around right now. I’ll contact you after I get more information on their exact locations.” Thomas says uncertain.
I nod. “Ok, I’ll head to the Quebec Front and hide there for now.”
“Before you go, take this I.D.E card and C. Cell.” Thomas reaches into his pocket and hands me a card and a communication cell the size of a fingernail. “This should give you access to the all the archives you need. Dr. Harrison Brown, is quite the subject, check him out and his background while you worked here. The cell to warn you if any security happens to detect you.”
I gasp. “You’re telling me”
“I’m not telling you anything. You take that card and read the information yourself… seriously Jake, it’ll leave you speechless.”
“Then I’m heading to the Mainframe in the Nest. Divert their attention and tell them that you’ve seen footsteps trailing to this area here”
“Are you positive?”
I nod. “Yes, this place isn’t that important to me anymore. I’ll go to Monarch’s Reach.”
Thomas laughed quietly. “Ok, ok, I need to go now.”