Kings and Crowns: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 2) (21 page)

“It’s usually more experimental stuff. Things we’re not quite ready to test on humans.”

Alan shook his head. “Great, it’s not safe for humans so test it on animals.”

“It may sound cruel,” Humphrey said, “but it works. Without these animals, we would have never advanced as far as we have. Sacrifice the wild to save those more deserving. That’s Greene’s philosophy and I agree.”

Alan turned to Charlotte. “How do you feel about it? Do you agree?”

Her eyes shuttered. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Greene has accomplished amazing things with his tests,” she explained. “He’s saved so many lives and made countless people happier.”

“He’s also angered lots of people,” Alan said.

“That’s true, but he means well.” Her eyes sunk to the ground. “But sometimes I do question his methods.” She gestured to the animals. “I question this.”

“And you should,” Saul said, “because it’s wrong. It’s just as wrong as testing on me and Vince.”

“What?” Humphrey said. “But you volunteered.”

He shook his head. “No, we didn’t. He forced it on us. To Greene, we’re just lab rats.”

“Field rats,” Alan corrected.

“Whatever,” Saul said. “The point is, we’re not rats. We shouldn’t be tested on. These animals should not be tested on.”

“Wait,” Humphrey said. “So you didn’t come to the City to thank Mr. Greene?

“No way,” Saul said. “Not even close. We’re here to stop him. To kill him.”

Vince nudged him. “Saul don’t.”

He turned around, confused. “What?”

Humphrey stopped walking and looked down to his feet. “I betrayed Mr. Greene? I disobeyed orders to help the people trying to kill him?” His head rose as he realized what he had done. “I betrayed the Spire. I betrayed the City. I’m a traitor.”

“You’re not a traitor,” Ella said. “You did what you thought was right. What
is
right. Helping us was the right thing to do, and deep down you knew it.”

He backed away slowly. “No. I let my colleagues down. I let my family down. I’m a disgrace to everything Mr. Greene stands for.”

“Listen to yourself,” Saul said. “Greene’s brainwashed you. He’s not always right. You don’t have to listen to everything he says. You can think for yourself.”

Humphrey bumped into the rail of the catwalk and leaned his weight against it. “Simon’s won. There’s no place for me anymore. The Spire is my life.” His hands tightly grasped around the rail. “There’s nowhere left for me to go.”

“Come with us,” Charlotte said. “You helped us, now we can help you. These are good people. They’ll protect us. We can start a new life somewhere else.”

His eyes shifted to meet hers. “No.” He leaned by and flipped over the rail.

“Don’t!” Vince yelled leaping forward, but it was too late. Humphrey fell towards the deep abyss and was engulfed by the overwhelming darkness. Vince leaned over the rail, reaching down towards the falling body, knowing there was nothing he could do.

Saul shook his head with frustration. “Damn it! He was a good guy. Greene really messed with his head.”

“A lot of people around here are like that,” Charlotte said. “I used to be like that.”

“It’s a shame,” Vince said. “These people don’t deserve to be slaughtered by Simon.”

“Then let’s go up there and stop him,” Alan said. “Both Greene and Simon.”

“After we find Fred,” Ella reminded them.

As the words left her mouth, a faint screech came from down the path. It was weak and distant, but it was unmistakably the screech of a falcon.

“Fred?” Ella called out. “Is that you, girl?”

Another soft screech came from a few cells down. They trotted towards the cell with excitement. As they got closer, the screeches grew faster and louder. They turned to look in the cell, and saw the bird who had separated from them on the day of the rally. The bird who had saved Vince’s life from Barnabus. The bird who melted the hearts of the people in Snow Peak. It was Fred.

Alan went sprinting in the other direction. “I’ll go get Rupert!” he yelled as his voice faded.

They pressed against the bars, smiling and reaching out to hold her. She hopped across the cell and jumped into Ella’s arms. She embraced her, running her fingers through thick feathers, and then pulled back her hand. “Oh no.”

“What is it?” Vince asked.

Ella turned Fred’s body to reveal her missing wing. In its place was a small stump. “What did those monsters do to you, girl?” She held Fred up through the bars and kissed her forehead. When she placed her back down, Fred scurried up and pushed her body against the bars. “Okay girl,” Ella said. “I’m not going anywhere.” She picked her back up and turned to Charlotte. “Can you open this cell?”

“I should be able to, as long as they haven’t taken me out of the system yet. I’ll go find the control room.” She tapped the bars and walked off.

Vince stared at the falcon, quivering in Ella’s arms. “Why would they cut off her wing?”

Saul shook his head. “They’re probably testing some regenerative crap. And clearly it didn’t work. These people are sick in the head.”

“It’s not their fault,” Ella said. “It’s the only thing they’ve known. It sounds like Greene’s been in charge for a long time. Following his orders is all they know.”

“That’s no excuse,” Saul said angrily. “I’m sick of people following orders. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, these people need to think for themselves. Come up with their own thoughts. Make their own decisions. Greene’s not a god. He’s just a man.”

“He may be just a man,” Vince said, “but he’s still powerful.”

“
Was
powerful,” Saul corrected. “With the Crowns in the Spire, it looks like he’s about to lose his power.”

“And the power will fall into Simon’s hands,” Ella said. “Not much better. I’d say it’s even worse.”

Vince shook his head. “Simon says he doesn’t want power. He just wants Greene to lose his. He wants to give the people the choice to do what they want.”

“Right,” Saul said. “That’s exactly what they need, but I don’t think he’ll follow through. He’s had control of the Crowns for too long. He’s used to having power. I don’t think he’ll give it all up that easily.”

Ella looked back down to Fred. “I don’t see how any of this can end well. If Simon kills Greene, or if Greene kills Simon. If Simon keeps his power, or if he decides to give it away. Whatever happens, the City can’t survive, right?”

“If they both die,” Vince said. “That’s the only way. Then the City has a chance.”

Saul nodded. “Then we’ll just have to make sure that happens. Once Fred is out of this cell, we go up there and kill whoever is left. Then we get the hell out of here.”

The cell door clicked and Ella swung it open. Fred fluttered her wing and wobbled out of the cell, into Ella’s arms. As Ella caught her, they heard rapid footsteps. They turned to see Rupert, running in their direction, Alan trotting behind him. Fred jumped to the ground and ran with excitement. Rupert stumbled to the ground and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her beak. Fred let out a screech of joy as he showered her with love.

Rupert turned her body to get a closer look at her wing. “What happened? Her wing is gone.” He stared at them, but they gave no answer. “They cut off her wing?” His face turned red. “Why would they do that?”

They gathered around, channeling feelings of joy and anger. Joy that Fred was no longer alone. Anger that Greene had tormented her. Their next move, go up and make him pay.

FORTY

TULLY GLARED AT the double doors at the end of the hallway. Behind him, another distant beep rang from the elevator, followed by another loud mob. Again, he stepped into the shadows and waited. The crowd got louder as they passed by. Tully peeked out, and what he saw shocked him. Simon. It was the first time he had seen Simon up close. He was more intimidating in person than he was on television. He was bigger. More intense.

He watched them push through the double doors and disappear into the next room. He looked up and saw the sign hanging above the doors.
Victor Greene
. It was Greene’s office. He was probably in there at that very moment, with a mob full of angry Crowns, and they all wanted to kill him. Tully jumped forward and sprinted at the door, slamming through and bursting into the middle of the room.

Everyone stared at him in silence. He looked around, searching for Greene. He saw Crowns. He saw Simon. He saw bombs and guns. He saw dozens of troops in his squad lying dead in pools of blood. And then he saw Greene, lying on the floor, arms and legs bound. His face was bruised and swollen, and blood trickled from his nose.

“Who the hell are you?” Jonah said.

Simon looked up and down at his uniform. “He’s a soldier. One of Greene’s. Tie him up.”

Three men grabbed Tully from behind, and one kneed him in the gut. He fell to the ground like a ton of bricks, holding his stomach. Spit drooled from his mouth as he moaned with pain.

Simon watched him squirm on the ground and laughed. “Pathetic. You’ve never been hit in the stomach before? You’re a goddamn soldier!” He turned to Greene. “This is why you’ve failed. You’re weak, and it’s rubbed off on your soldiers. Everyone in the Spire is a coward because of you.” He shrugged and stepped closer. “But I guess that’s what happens. The strong survive, and the weak shrivel up and die.”

He kicked Greene in the stomach and turned back to Tully. His men had just finished tying and gagging him. “You’re weak, but you’re loyal. I’ll give you that. You knew we’d be up here, and you knew there were a lot of us, but you came anyway. By yourself too. You really must love this man. Either that or you’re just stupid. It doesn’t really matter, I suppose. Either way, you’re on the wrong side.” He approached Tully as he spoke. “Tell me, what’s your name? Wait, no, I change my mind. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. They say not to name animals that you know are going to die. It makes it harder when they do. Of course, my men would still kill you, I just wouldn’t be able to watch.” He beat on his chest. “My little old heart couldn’t take it.” He shook his head. “So no names, because I want to watch. It’s too much fun to miss. Don’t believe me? Here, let me show you.”

He drew his gun, pointed it at Greene’s head, and pulled the trigger. A burst of light flashed from the barrel and a loud pop filled the room. Greene’s head exploded in chunks of brain and skull. Blood spilled from his bottom half and stained the carpet in deep red.

Tully cried out in horror, muffled by his gag. He watched his leader, his boss, his friend, lie headless on the ground in front of him. The body still twitched. The arms and legs jerked up and down. Tears poured down Tully’s face. His chest ached, and he wanted to vomit.

Simon watched Tully’s reaction. “See? I told you it was fun. Getting a little worked up there, are you? Squeamish? No, I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of dead bodies. I guess you really did just love him.” He shrugged. “Sorry I called you stupid. I didn’t let Greene have any last words, but you seem like a smart guy. I think I’ll give you the privilege.” He pulled off Tully’s gag.

Tully shivered. “You’re a monster.”

“Don’t waste your last words on something so juvenile. I know, I’m a monster. Everyone’s been saying that lately.” He looked deep into Tully’s eyes. “I’ll give you one more shot. Last words? And make them count because I’m losing my patience.”

Tully glared back with a burning hatred. “You think you’re—”

Simon raised his gun. “Nope, changed my mind.” He pulled the trigger.

FORTY-ONE

VINCE. SAUL. CHARLOTTE. Rupert. Ella. Alan. Fred. They all stood in the elevator, waiting for the count on the display to reach
150
. Whatever awaited them would change things forever. By the end of the day, someone would die. Greene? Simon? Maybe both. Either way, they would find out soon.

Saul gripped one of the many guns on his body. “Good idea stopping off at the supply room.”

Vince examined his own gun. He carried only one modest handgun. “I wasn’t sure if we’d access without Humphrey, but it looks like Charlotte’s still in the system.”

“Another half day and they’d probably wipe me from the records,” She said.

Alan awkwardly held his gun. It was larger than he was comfortable with. “Let’s just hope that luck sticks around.”

“Do we have a plan?” Ella asked. “We can’t just go in firing. That’ll surely get us killed.”

“We don’t know who’s on top right now,” Vince said. “If it’s Greene, our plan is simple. There’s no negotiating with him. We pop in, shoot him, and get out as quickly as possible. But if Simon’s in charge, things are a little trickier. Saul and I have somewhat of a deal with him. We can request a private meeting, with just him and us. No troops. Once we’re alone, we take him out.”

Rupert looked down at Fred, who was nestled deep in his arms. He was the only one without weapons. “That sounds like a plan.”

“Rupert and Charlotte will stay back,” Vince continued. “Obviously, Rupert needs to look after Fred.”

“Why do I stay back?” Charlotte asked.

“Because of that broadcast you made. To Simon’s troops, you’re the one who blew our cover. You sabotaged our
mission
with Simon. If Simon is in control up there, if any of the Crowns recognize you, our plan is compromised. We need someone to watch the halls anyway, to make sure no one sneaks up on us.”

“I’m the only one who’s used a gun before,” she said. “You need me in that room.”

“I’ve used one before. I killed Barnabus.”

“But you seemed pretty shaken up by it. Both of you struggled with the bloodshed we saw on the wall. What makes you think this will be any different?”

“We’re trying to avoid bloodshed whenever possible. In order to do that, you can’t be in that room with us. Don’t worry. We’ll call if we need help.”

The elevator beeped and the doors opened to an empty hallway. Dead bodies were scattered along the sides, and blood smeared the walls and ceiling. The lights flickered, and the air was filled with dust and debris. They stepped out and walked down the corridor, staring at the carnage as they passed by. The silence was uncomfortable, but they were all afraid to break it.