Pretty Boy Psycho

I fall into a tree as everyone finally stops. My shirt sticks to me, icky with sweat. No breaths left. Made it. Made it. Made it. Gonna die of exhaustion but here I am with everyone else. Unable to stand up though. Sink onto my knees while everyone else groups round Clover. Think I’m gonna vomit.

“You have five hours to see if you can find out any information on the Harlington boy,” says Clover.

I want to raise my hand and say, he’s here. Would that mean I accomplished a mission?

“Stay in your groups. Do not, I repeat, do not abandon your fellow comrades or lose them in the middle of Lundune. You keep an eye on each other and come back together that is a direct order. Five hours from now. Go.”

Charlie, Lee, and Tanya are off in a shot. I need a drink of water before I go anywhere.

Danny steps over to me. “Did you hear any of what Clover said?”

I nod. “Five hours to get information on the Harlington kid. Stick together.”

“Right so we best get going.”

“Please may I have some water first?”

Danny throws me our pack. “Do what you like.”

Everyone’s left the area even Clover. They’ve gone into Lundune seeking me. I hope no one works out who I am. What if someone say for instance Charlie goes snooping in my home district? One of the neighbours might tell him, “oh Alex yeah I know him, blond hair, proper blond not your average dirty shade.” Then he’ll figure out where I really came from and I’ll get dragged home.

“Get up you two,” musters Danny.

“We’ve gotta whole five hours.” Geordie sits cross legged on the floor running his hands through fallen leaves. “Besides I couldn’t care less about Alex Harlington. He probably got kidnapped by Thunders for a ransom. His parents will get a telegram any day now: Pay up or else we’ll mail your precious son’s head to ya.”

Danny shrugs and slumps down beside us. “Sooo, what’s the plan?”

“We tell Clover we went into Lundune and found no leads. No one will find out any information anyway. She’s only sent us in there to see if we can work together outside a classroom environment.”

“We should show willing.” I slide my comb through my hair

“Why?” Geordie glares at me with a real mean look.

I lower my comb. Tuck my hair behind my ears. “I don’t want to get kicked out.”

“Like I don’t wanna do pointless exercises.”

I place the water canteen beside Geordie and head for the gates. “We can at least pretend to look.” I smile at Danny once I reach the gates; he seems the mellower of the two. “Come on, sitting out here for five hours will be boring.”

“As opposed to wandering aimlessly round people with the affliction,” says Geordie. “You’re on your own.”

On my own fair enough. At least I’ll be able to say I tried. I take several steps through the gates. Air gets heavy. Is this trying? Without team mates I’m incapable of working as a team. I’d be better off sitting doing nothing with a team rather than doing something without. This alley is as dark and creepy when I first ventured onto it. Now I’m inside Lundune may as well carry on walking my lonely road. Will have to make sure I stir clear of Kensington.

I jump as a body comes up behind me. “You must make an awful thief.” Phew it’s only Danny. “You’re right sitting round in the woods for a whole five hours would be boring.”

“We can scout round. See how grey everyone’s gotten,” puts in Geordie.

“Are you going to visit Jim?” says Danny.

“No. He’s a drunk living like he’s caught the affliction. Wanna see your mindless mum?”

“She could have drifted anywhere.”

“Right. It’s just you and me that matter.”

“Geordie you do know I could develop the affliction at any time.”

“Ya won’t.”

“You know I could so ought to be prepared for that.”

“And I couldn’t?”

“I doubt it. People like you and Corey tend to be safe. You know they only let me into Cloud High, so you’d join willingly.”

Is the affliction all anyone ever talks about? I drift further away from my comrades as they have a debate about who is most likely to develop the affliction. End up out the alley before them. There’s Mister Hans across the way, selling his fake elixirs. His crowd is smaller today. Wanting to hear a friendly voice I approach him. Yay he smiles at me. No one’s done that in forevers.

“Pretty boy want an elixir?”

I hold up my hands. “I’m completely healthy.”

“And training to be a Cloudy I see.” Mister Hans looks over my shoulder at Danny and Geordie. “Quite a rabble of your lot came by here.”

“Yeah we’re stragglers. Our mission’s kind a pointless. We’re supposed to be finding the Harlington boy. Have you seen him?” Please play along.

“Can’t say he’s been by here.”

“He’ll be in a gutter.” Geordie makes this hand gesture which I think means follow me.

I keep hanging round Mister Hans’s cart. Tap at one of his faint yellow elixirs.

“That one’s bound to graduate.” Mister Hans pushes a green elixir to me. “He’s one of those types people follow. Why you not following him?”

I tap out a tune using both elixirs. Bop my head along to the tinkling sounds. I ought to follow him. Will follow him in a moment. One more moment tapping at Mister Hans’s vials. The moment is over fast. My companions turn into a new street. I hurry after them almost tripping over myself in the process of catching up.

We roam the streets with our blue contrasting with grey. Citizens avoid us as though we’re the ones with an illness. Being healthy is abnormal. Cloudys are different so city dwellers fear them even though their organisation protects them from threats such as Thunders.

I’m always a few paces behind Geordie and Danny knowing they’d rather me be someone else’s problem. We seem to be walking randomly and never stop to ask people if they’ve seen any sightings of me. End up sat on the kerb for a rest. These boots do a fab job seen as I’m blister free. They look snazzy too in their striking blue colour.

A group of kids come drifting down the road. A couple of them gaze at us despite having a lot of grey covering their skin. I wave at them then break away from my comrades to talk with them. “Hi there.” A few of them stagger away from me. They’re still alive, together, walking as friends. While my two comrades are busy in deep conversation I sweep up our pack then hold bread rolls out to the kids. “Here you can take some.”

“Corey!” yells Geordie.

“Ignore him. I think he’s cranky because we have about four hours and thirty minutes to kill.” I push a bread roll into the nearest kid’s hand. Is that a twitch of a smile on her face?

Ouch, Geordie slaps me round the back of the head. “What are ya doing?”

“Handing out food to starving little kids.”

“There’s no point. They’re already dead.”

“I thought Cloudys were all about helping unfortunates.” I step away from Geordie so I’m practically in the group of greying kids. So sad. I carry on handing out our bread rolls.

“You’re crazy,” says Geordie as the girl I first gave a bread roll hangs off my arm.

“Don’t worry I didn’t forget you.” I toss a couple of bread rolls to Geordie and Danny then give the girl our canteen. “Where you guys from?”

“Can’t remember,” murmurs the girl.

“You gotta place now?”

“Can’t remember.”

“Well it’s great you’re with your friends. Real special. Stick together yeah?”

The girl shakes the canteen then drops it on the floor. She starts wandering without giving me a look. For a moment she understood me, was just distant and forgot what happened easily. “Bye then. Be careful.” I wave them off.

“I can’t believe you gave away our food.” Geordie flexes his bread roll in his hand.

“I saved you some. There’s only four hours until we get to go back to Cloud High and use the refectory.”

“Err guys.” Danny’s hand slips onto his sabre. What’s he staring at? I look down the road. See a man in a grey cloak. My heart jolts then flutters. Thunder. Geordie shoves past me as he goes to stand with Danny; drawing his sword out with a metallic whirr.

I stand still even though I’m desperate to move. “We need to run.”

“No time. There’s only one of him and three of us. We can take him. Cover us,” says Geordie.

I cower behind those two unable to move my hand onto my sword. Remember cold steel against the back of my neck. Shudder. He’s getting ever closer. How can they stand there, sort of calm, ready to attack? I need to cover them. Right sword. Get hold of it now. He’s here.

“Little Clouds,” snickers Sad. Him again. My head tells me to stand my ground with my comrades, but my mouth screams and legs take me down the road. I run hard skittering round the nearest corner.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I was supposed to be covering my team mates and ran away. Coward. Coward. Coward. Even now I’m shrinking behind a crumbling down building, unable to look at what’s happening.

As I sink further against the building into a crouch, Charlie rushes over. “I heard a scream. Is something wrong?”

I point out towards the road.

Charlie does what I’m incapable of; he looks around the corner. Keeps watching as he motions Tanya and Lee to join him. They were hiding too but purposely, ready for action.

“Get off. I mean it,” I hear Danny yell. He’s losing his cool.

“What’s happening?” Tanya says in a low tone as she looks into her blade.

“They got Geordie,” whispers Charlie.

They. I thought there was only one. This is ba-a-a-d.

“Plan?” asks Lee.

“Fetch Danny. Clear out of this area.” After Charlie’s words those three move.

Fetch Danny. What about Geordie? Need to see what’s happening. Can’t move. Have too. I crawl to the edge of the street. Sad has hold of Geordie while his female associate takes a swing at Danny, cracking him round the head. Danny blacks out, falls. Lee grabs hold of him, so he doesn’t bash onto the road while Charlie and Tanya stand in front of them, sabres poised to defend from the female Thunder while her partner drags Geordie off.

Tanya spurts forward, set to skewer someone. Charlie gets hold of her arm, yanks her back. “They’d kill us. We get Danny out of here. Report the incident. Job done.”

Charlie’s being rational. Salvaging what he can. I watch as Danny starts to come to, and Charlie’s team coax him down the street. I think he only goes with them because he’s dazed. Danny’s safe. Geordie’s getting taken by those two Thunders. Why would they want him and leave the rest of us? No time to ponder that question. Clover said do not abandon or lose fellow comrades in the middle of Lundune. We can’t go back without Geordie meaning he needs fetching and Danny’s in no fit state. Besides looks as though Charlie will make sure he gets back to the woods to meet Clover. No, I can’t possibly go after Geordie. I might get captured too.

Might.

I pull up my hood. I need to get off my knees and help. Should have helped to begin with rather than running off. My hands shake. Manage to get up. I run. This time towards danger instead of away from it. Charlie and his friends are too busy with Danny to notice me running along the road. I skid into a creepy alley. Stumble to a stop. There they are dragging Geordie along with them. Feeling too close to them I back off, cup a hand round my mouth and nose, and hold my breath. Hug my cloak against myself as I watch them moving.

Explosions take place inside as I will my outer self to keep calm. All I want to do is jump up and down and scream. I should turn back, find Master Clover, and let her deal with Geordie’s abduction. What if he gets killed? I’d regret going back forever. But what can I do?

“How much commission do you think we’ll get for bringing in this trainee?”

“Doesn’t matter to me Yuki,” grunts Sad as he shoves Geordie along.

Keep moving forwards is what I can do, follow in the shadows, stay quiet, be careful, think about Geordie instead of my nerves. Must be scary to be forced on your way by someone bigger than you. At least I’ve got my freedom. Geordie seems to be keeping his cool. Being compliant. He’s probably had training for this type of situation. I wish Jess were here; she’d know what to do. Problem is she’s not here and never will be again. I’ll have to do the thinking. Thinking. I press my hand tight to my mouth suppressing nervous giggles that would rather be choked sobs. No tears today.

Where are we going? There’s shacks and hovels about. No movement comes from within them. I expect they were abandoned decades ago. Shells. The further we walk the sparser these shacks get. Sad’s strides become shorter, meaning I have to walk slower. Yuki runs on ahead. There are no shacks left. I need cover. If Sad sees me I’m in mega huge trouble. Over-turned cart! I crawl underneath it. Ooo there’s old road debris under here.

Geordie jerks to a stop refusing to be compliant any more. Kicks Sad in the shin while trying to tug away from him. Sad snarls in his ear, too quiet for me to hear what the words are, and vice grips onto his arm. No escape. Even still Geordie continues to thrash about. “I ain’t going to Spindle Tower,” he says loudly but without shouting. What is Spindle Tower? Sounds sinister.

For his courage Geordie’s rewarded by being belted in the eye. I stay hidden watching abuse take off.

“You’ll do as you’re told. Belong to General Midnight now, Lucky.” Sad shoves Geordie along using both his hands to push him, so Geordie gets a second of freedom. In that second he tries to run around Sad. Sad catches him round the neck, spins him round, and squeezes.

My stomach knots as Sad rolls up Geordie’s sleeve and scores a knife down skin, splitting it to reveal inner flesh glistening with blood. Scared for what will become of Geordie I grip my short sword. He’ll be killed or seriously maimed if I lay on my stomach watching. Sad’s back is to me.

Quietly I crawl out from underneath the cart. Pad over to Sad. He doesn’t even notice when I’m right behind him. I hold my breath. He won’t ever let Geordie go. Will torment him then hand him over to General Midnight even if I plead for mercy.

Don’t leave your comrades in Lundune.

I jam the short sword into Sad’s back, right in the middle. He takes in a hiss of breath as his grip relaxes on Geordie’s neck. Knowing we’re near to loads more Thunders I pull my sword from Sad’s back. As I do he drops to his knees struggling to breathe then knocks to his left. Falls onto his side. Blood bubbles from his mouth.

Geordie stares right at me.

There’s no time to be shocked. “We better run.” I grab his wrist. Run around Sad’s almost dead body, past the cart, towards the shacks. I daren’t look back in case I see Thunders chasing us. What if General Midnight herself decides to come after us? She’s obviously super interested in Geordie’s ultra awesome blue black hair.

“Do you know the way to our meet up point from here?” I wait a while for an answer. None comes. “Me neither. We can put some distance between us and wherever Sad was taking you. Lose ourselves. That shouldn’t be difficult to do with so many ruined buildings about. Plenty of hiding places.” Still no words. At least he’s letting me hold his wrist.

We run in silence for a good long while. When we come to an area of the city which is habitable, with people bargaining for scraps of food off street vendors, I slow down. See some steps leading down to an old tube station. I aid Geordie down them. There’s quite a few people sat round this station. Candles shine in lamps lighting our way. Weaving in and out of people sat in groups, I find us a quiet spot.

“Are you alri-i-i...” I trail off. His eye is growing black. Of course, he’s not alright. His arm’s bleeding too. I take off my cloak. Use my sword to tear off a strip which I securely wrap round Geordie’s arm. “Better?” He’s probably a long way from better. I sit and pat the floor.

“Y-y-you came after me,” stutters Geordie.

“Master Clover said we shouldn’t abandon our comrades in Lundune.” I pat the floor again. This time Geordie sits. Takes lots of deep breaths. I think he’s watching me. I look straight ahead at a discoloured yellowy used to be white wall, with graffiti painted onto it. Proper street art graffiti of a... err a... it’s hard to make out because it’s faded. An angel! He’s lost most of his colour but could be handsome again with a touch up.

“You came after me. You.”

I nod. Wipe my sword clean on the remainder of my cloak. I hope I’ll be issued with a new cloak. If not I’ve gotta couple of my own, hung up in the wardrobe, in my room. My room. I long to be there by myself not having to think about what to do next. “Do you know where we are?”

“Trafalgar Square. How can you not know that?” grumbles Geordie as he wraps his arms round his legs and rests his head on a knee.

“Do you need a drink?”

Geordie grunts. Closes his eyes. I don’t think he’s sleeping. Looks like he’s trying to block out his surroundings. I want to search for some water only that’d mean leaving Geordie by himself and I’m not prepared to do that.

“Should we try to get to the meet up point or are you too tired?”

Grunt. I’m going to take that as: We’re staying here.

While we sit in a boring silence I entertain myself by people watching. Most people down here are sat in family or friendship groups. The affliction hasn’t taken them yet. They chatter to each other. Some even smile.

“Do you think a person could be happy living in a disused tube station? I mean truly happy.”

Velvet blue eyes flash open. “Doubt it... What?”

Oops I’m totes staring at his irises. “Your eyes are blue. Yellow is my favourite colour, but I’ve never met anyone with yellow eyes except maybe a cat.”

Geordie levers himself up. “Let’s get to the meet up point before you weird me out.”

I follow Geordie to the edge of the platform. “Isn’t the exit that way?” I point at the ceiling.

“I wanna travel by tube.” Geordie jumps onto the disused track.

“Should we be walking along there?”

“Why not? Scared a train will run ya over?” snorts Geordie as he starts journeying his way along the tracks.

I suppose the line has been dead forevers. I climb down onto the tracks. “Won’t you get lost?”

“No. Me and Danny used to walk the tracks all the time before shit happened.” Geordie picks up his pace. “Quit invading my space.”

Oh, he sped up to get away from me. I hang back several paces. “Sorry. I feared getting lost. It’s dark down here.”

“You can come closer just leave a bit a space.”

I walk slightly faster until there’s adequate space between us. After a few seconds of walking with a gap I reach out and tap Geordie’s shoulder.

He spins. “What?”

I hold my sword out to him seen as his got dropped. “If a monster sprung out at us you’d be more use than me at protecting us.”

“Really? You were the one who stuck through Captain Sad’s back. Killed him.” Despite this comment he takes my sword.

“Exactly through the back. I was a coward. He didn’t even know I was there.” Killed him. No guilt comes not after he put a sword to my neck and abducted Geordie.

We carry on along the track in silence. Geordie seems to be brooding. His arm is probably aching. We walk and walk and walk. Occasionally we jump onto platforms to switch tracks. Geordie’s so clever knowing his way round in the dark.

When we finally come out of a station to the world above I sit outside the station wanting a quick breather. Geordie doesn’t complain at me, he lingers around, pressing at his black eye, making himself wince.

Well gives me ten minutes at least. “Ready? I’m sick of this stupid city.”

I nod and follow, not wanting to get on his nerves.

Mister Hans is packing away his handcart for the day. He pauses his packing to wave at us.

I wave back. “Did you see any trainees come this way?”

“In drips and drabs. Have you boys been scrapping?” Mister Hans nods his head at Geordie’s black eye. “Hermmm I’ve the perfect remedy for black eyes.”

“Shove your potions, quack.” Geordie stalks past Mister Hans’ cart, purposely shunting into it on his way.

“Geordie, wait up!” I run after him. “You okay?”

“Yeah I’m great. Some sociopath slashed my arm open, and I got rescued by the biggest cowardly loser in Cloud High, but I’ve never been happier.”

“Tell them you saved yourself if you like. Can say you found me on your way back. I wouldn’t mind.”

Off Geordie bulldozes, in don’t mess with me mode, down the tunnel like path. When he gets to the end he thrusts open the gate, storms out of it so I have a job keeping up. Whirlwinds his way to where everyone is gathered amongst the trees; Master Clover included. Falls short behind a rotting tree observing our form. Well he’s mostly observing Danny who is sat almost amongst Charlie’s circle of friends.

“Are you most certain you don’t want any more water?” Charlie picks through the supplies he has left in his pack. “We have an emergency spare canteen.”

Beside me Geordie gives a low, big wow, type snort.

“Once you get taken to Spindle Tower you don’t come out,” mumbles Danny. His eyes have gone super empty as though staring into a tunnel before adjusting to pitch darkness.

“Good riddance,” laughs Max. “I was sick of him hanging round being miserable.”

“You could hang out with us.” Collette swings round a tree close to Danny.

Danny holds up a hand. Closes distant eyes. Crosses his fingers. Shakes his head. Without a word Geordie saunters right through everyone and slumps next to his best friend. Sensing someone sitting next to him Danny slowly opens his eyes. Geordie holds up a hand with crossed fingers. They uncross fingers in unison then clasp hands.

Danny’s eyes take on a shimmer of emotion. “You’re here alive. How?”

“Exactly what I’d like to know.” Clover’s stern gaze falls onto Geordie. She just can’t let them have a moment. So mean.

“Your arm is bleeding.” Danny stares at my makeshift bandage.

“Was bleeding. Sad’s a heavy handed bastard.”

“Which field agent rescued you?” demands Clover, she looks round the woods expecting a field agent to show up.

“Not a field agent.” Geordie points at the tree I’m stood behind. “Corey West came after me.”

“No way,” says Danny.

No way indeed. Am I getting acknowledgement here? I stay rooted behind the tree. Awkward.

“Yeah way. Crept after us and stabbed Sad from behind when he was distracted slashing my arm.”

Clover takes strides over to me with flexing fingers as though wanting to throttle me. “Of all the irresponsible things to do. You could have both been killed.”

“But you said don’t leave fellow comrades alone in Lundune.”

“I meant if you had a petty argument not if one of you got attacked by Thunders. Give me strength.” Clover massages her temples. “Everyone wait here.” She sweeps off into Lundune.

Safe with Danny, Geordie allows himself to get tired. Leans into a tree dozing with his injured arm hugged against his stomach. I sit by myself. Whatever I do ends up being wrong. No one told me we had to report serious incidents when out on a field trip. I manage a short smile at Geordie and Danny sat together. In the end going after Geordie turned out fine. No one died unless you count Sad.

“Geordie. Danny,” snaps Clover on her return. “Two field agents are waiting by the gates to give you a ride to Cloud High. When you arrive make sure you report straight to Master Hugo to get your injuries seen to. You may both have tomorrow off to gather yourselves from today’s incident.”

Both, but there’s three of us. Obviously I don’t count as part of the team; was only a tag along. I’m made to run all the way to Cloud High. I say run. I don’t manage to keep up for long. End up slowing to a walk and get left behind. No one comes to see if I’m alright. They leave me to my own devices. Clover probably hopes I’ll give up and go away. Problem is I’ve nowhere else to go.

It’s very dark when I finally arrive at Cloud High. My stomach growls and mouth is dry but I don’t bother going to see if there’s any food left in the refectory. I take myself to my room. Crawl into bed. When morning comes I stay in bed unable to face weapons practise or anything or anybody. I try really hard to be myself yet wherever I go the result is always the same. What I’d pay to have Geordie and Danny as friends. They’re way too cool to be associated with me. Perhaps I’m just one of those kids who is doomed to get picked on. Kensington Palace, Cloud High, it’s all the same. I miss Clover’s classes too. Doesn’t matter. No one will realise I’m absent.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I pull a blanket over my head to muffle the sound. Some horrid bully probably wants me to open the door, so they can laugh at my expense. When my bully gets bored of banging I push the blanket off my head. A note has been slid underneath my door. Fabulous verbal abuse on paper. This is new for me. Curious I crawl out of bed and across the floor to read these insults.

Hey Corey

Thanks for helping Geordie yesterday. I’m dead grateful. He is too. Hope he wasn’t too difficult with you. He can be a pain when in a bad mood. Ignore Clover calling you irresponsible. She’s a real cow.

From Danny

Saved. These friendly words bat away pieces of the dark depression that consumes my soul, stopping it from stretching to the core of me. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to get up and go to class. I think I could. I read the note through again then tac it to the wall above my desk so whenever the depression starts stretching I can look at Danny’s writing to ward it off.