I fell partially unconscious, but I could still feel someone rummaging through my jacket. After a moment, there was the sound of paper being unfolded. I then heard Tahn laugh, the sound piercing the layers of the drug. I still felt strangely disconnected from reality, but now I had the strength to pry my eyes open. What I saw at that moment filled me with revulsion. Tahn was standing over a sleeping Suvan, running his hands greedily along her narrow body.
He was muttering to himself. “Oh, she is a pretty one.”
The anger inside me brushed away any lingering sleepiness I felt. Before Tahn even knew what was happening, I rose from my chair and struck him solidly in the side of the head. He moaned, crumpled over and slid off to the side. Suvan did not even react to this burst of violence but continued to sleep.
I pulled her roughly up from the chair. I then began walking Suvan around the room in a vain attempt to wake her up. Her toes dragged uselessly on the floor. After a couple of circuits around the room, I began to tire so I placed her back on a chair. I shook her shoulders and yelled in her face. To my relief, Suvan finally peeled opened her eyes.
She looked at me distastefully. “What is it?”
“Come, we must leave now!”
“What is your hurry?” she asked sleepily before shutting her eyes again. Immediately, a light snore gurgled past her throat.
Shaking my head, I decided to let her rest a few minutes more. I would spend the time packing some food so we could leave before Tahn awoke. Looking at the floor where had fallen, I saw to my astonishment that he had disappeared. A quick search of the room revealed nothing. Tahn had managed to leave without a trace. That was hardly surprising since he knew the building better than anyone. I moved quickly, filling our canteens with water and the backpack with whatever food I could find. On the dining table I found my map to the Rebel hideout and the note from Tai. I wondered if Tahn found any interest in either one. I then shook Suvan. This time she managed to stay awake, her eyes blurry with sleep.
“Where is Tahn?” she asked, looking over the room.
I answered, “I’m not sure what you remember, but he drugged the wine. It seems that he wanted us to stay here permanently. I was to be his slave while you were to be his wife.”
She made a face of disgust. “That old man? I would never.”
“I don’t think he was going to give us much choice in the matter. He may be old, but he also knows much about the Ancients. Who knows what he could have done? He could have killed me, so I wouldn’t be around to protect you. I suggest we leave before he comes back.”
Upon hearing this, Suvan stood straight up with a new blaze of energy. “There’s no time to waste.”
We left, taking the door to the stairs. The torch that Tahn used was gone. Instead we propped the door open and started to descend into the gloom below. The already dim natural light of the top floor was gone in just two flights of stairs. We were soon lost in near darkness. Luckily some minor light still filtered from under the doors on the landings. It wasn't much, but it was enough for us to slowly make our way down to the first floor.
“Should we take the tunnels?” I asked.
“If we don't have a light, then we will be lost down there.”
“But I fear the number of Mutans on the surface. It is still day after all.”
“Not for long. But we shall have to find somewhere to hide until night comes. I will feel even safer when we leave this accursed city.”
We reached the first floor without incident, neither seeing or hearing any sign of Tahn. I tried the door and to my relief, it opened easily enough. The stench of death hit me square in the face, almost causing me to retch. Here there was a long corridor that led to the left and right. Along the walls were steel doors set every ten or so feet. The floor was set with gray tile that had a thin film of dust. In this dust there were wheel tracks that looked to have been made with the same cart I had used above.
Suvan was covering her nose with a hand. "What is this place?" she asked.
“I don't know,” I replied. “From what I’ve already seen, I bet it isn't very pleasant.”
Trying the handle of the nearest door, it swung open noiselessly. Inside was a small room with two levels of shelves on each side of the wall. The shelves had white sheets covering objects of differing sizes. Directly across from the door there was also a large unbroken window that was streaked with dirt. Metal bars covered the outside. The remaining daylight filtered dimly through the glass. A rubble-filled street could be seen.
Plucking up my courage, I entered the room and approached a shelf. Suvan remained in the doorway, watching me with large eyes. I gritted my teeth and grabbed a corner of the sheet. With a quick yank, the cloth fell to the floor. What was revealed was a monstrous creature that looked like a childish version of a Mutan. I was reminded of the little groping hands of the Mutan birthing room. Perhaps this one was not strong enough to live. The misshapen eyes stared lifelessly at me. I pulled another sheet free and my eyes were greeted by yet another Mutan child. I couldn't make any sense of why Tahn would keep such things.
Turning my attention back to Suvan, I saw that she was looking sick. I said gently, “Come on, let's go.”
Taking her by the hand, we continued on, looking for a way out of this madhouse. At the end of the hallway there were two doors hung together. They had small windows set at eye level. The panes were yellow with age but were still transparent. I peered through and saw a large room with a metallic table in the middle of the floor. On top of this slab there was a motionless human-like creature. Around this were two smaller tables with knives, rust-stained saws, and jars filled with dark liquids. It was the scene right out of a nightmare. However there was another door on the far side of the room. I didn't know where it lead, but I wasn't about to find out.
“What's in there?” Suvan asked in a low voice full of fear.
“I don't want to know,” I replied through clenched teeth. I didn't want to let on how scared I actually was. "Let's go the other way."
As I turned, the double door down the other side of the hall swung open. It was Tahn. Behind him was a horde of Mutans, their blades held at the ready. With a wave of his hand, the creatures rushed down the hall towards us with a fearsome cry.
Shoving Suvan through the doors behind me, I reached into my pocket and took out the pistol. There wasn't enough time to take careful aim but I was bound to hit something the way they were bunched together. With a flick of the trigger, the gun fired. With a satisfying bang, the lead Mutan fell like a rag. But this did not stop the others who continued on with their frontal assault.
I pulled the trigger three more times, each shot easily finding a target. The Mutans fell over their dead compatriots into a mass of sprawling bodies. I took this chance to duck behind the doors. Except for the corpse, the room was empty. But the door on the other side was open. With two strides, I was through. It was some type of supply room filled with boxes and hardware. Suvan was cowering in the corner, her eyes wide with fear. I quickly shut the door behind me, looking for a way to block it from further entry since there was no lock.
“Help me out!” I shouted at Suvan.
She rose from her stupor and we began piling up boxes against the door.
“This won't hold them,” she hissed.
“We can’t go through them,” I shot back.
“What’s that?” Suvan suddenly said as she pointed to a grating on the wall.
The stacked boxes against the door began to rock back and forth. The Mutans were trying to push their way through. Leaving Suvan to steady our barricade of boxes, I quickly went over to the grate. It was just large enough for a person to crawl through. I saw that the screws on each corner were rusted with age. With a hard yank, I pulled the ancient metal free from the wall, breaking the screws in the process. A small tunnel of sorts led into the darkness.
“Get in there!” I shouted
to Suvan.
She was busy pushing against the boxes, but failing against the bulk of the massed Mutans. The door started to reluctantly open, revealing a clawing gray hand. I impatiently reached over and physically pushed her towards the open grate. Suvan took the hint and disappeared into the tunnel. I followed behind, pulling the grate in with me. It closed just as the Mutans broke open the door and rushed into the room.
I waited in the shadows, my pistol in hand. The foul beasts screamed in rage when they found that we had somehow disappeared. Boxes and equipment were tossed aside as they vainly searched for us. I took this moment and slowly crept backwards into the gloom of the narrow tunnel.
Chapter 19