The Walker

Daisy had rolled through the gap, and was now trying to lie as still as possible. As she had entered, she had noticed an eye on the ceiling, watching the door. It whirred and clicked, a small red light blinking next to its darkened lens. The eye swivelled on a stick which ran in to the ceiling above it. Cables stretched out from its rear, also heading upwards.

The thing had turned, clicking rapidly at her, but had slowed when she remained still. She moved an arm experimentally. It continued to ignore her, until she waggled her arm quickly.

It swivelled and the clicking began anew, so she stopped. Right, she thought; if I move slowly, it ignores me.

She began to move, first painstakingly bringing herself onto all fours, before slowly entering a low crouch. The eye remained focused at the door, red light blinking slowly. Daisy looked around her.

The eye was set in the corner of the chamber she had entered, to her right. Behind her was the door, this side better maintained and devoid of warning signs. Ahead and to her left, opposite the eye, was an opening, where she could see stairs heading upward; warm, yellow light shone from somewhere ahead. The wall to her right was blank, solid grey concrete.

Daisy tucked herself into the corner behind her, bracing her back against the wall. There was a metal box, what Walker would have called a control panel, just above her. She strained her arm, careful to keep the eye uninterested. She groped, feeling for the button, until her fingers brushed its rounded surface.

The eye was sure to notice when she pressed the button, but there was nothing for it. She pressed, and the blue pulse started, with the soft tone she had heard earlier. To her surprise, the eye didn’t swirl, but carried on staring at the door.

She held her breath and pressed again. The light turned solid, and the door began to grind. This time, however, the movement was sleek, and the door slid easily upwards. The light on the eye blinked faster, and she heard the same rapid clicking from before.

She peered through the opening and saw Walker, hurriedly extending his visor. He began to speak, but Daisy shushed him.

She pointed to the corner, where the eye hung, clicking and blinking furiously.

Walker cursed. “It’s a camera, they know we’re here.”

Daisy looked back at the camera, and felt the rock in her pocket. She stood and hefted it, launching it square at the camera. It struck the eye, cracking the black dome and sending it limp, still clicking.

“There,” she said, pleased with herself, “It can’t see us now.”

Walker strode past her, towards the light, “Too late, girl. Come on, quickly.”

He turned the corner and vanished, taking the stairs two at a time. Daisy began to follow, pausing only to look at the eye. The light was flashing furiously, and she could hear it trying desperately to turn and follow them.

Walker had paused, and looked down at her. “Girl, I’m giving you one last chance to leave, to go home, if you want.”

Daisy looked at him. He stood there, dusty cloak limp behind him, mud spattered jeans faded in the yellow light. His face was dark under the hat, but she could see the grim line of his mouth.

“Thanks, but I told you at Charlie’s; I’ve come too far now. We’ve come too far. I have nowhere to go, even if I wanted to.”

He stood there for a moment, rubbing his chin. Finally, he nodded. He went to turn, but she spoke again.

“Just one more thing, Walker. I need you to tell me why you gave me that book, all those years ago. Was there some reason, some actual point?”

Walker turned fully towards her, considering her with his grey gaze, rasping his chin with a calloused thumb.

“You needed it.”

“Nothing else?”

He continued to regard her, scratching his stubble. He spoke. “I suppose you reminded me of someone I used to know.”

“Okay,” she exhaled, “And will we make it? Will you be able to get me into the Order? You are Walker, after all.”

She tried a smile. Walker continued to look down at her. His cheek muscles rippled slightly, until he grinned.

“Of course. With the right knowledge, anything is possible.”

Daisy nodded, still slightly unsure, and headed up the stairs, into the light.