Page 35 of Us Dark Few

11

You hide from devils in your sleep.

I smile at them in greeting.

Khalani closed her eyes, the barest hint of a smile etching across her face as cool air brushed her skin like a feather. Strands of loose hair whipped around her cheeks in a show of freedom.

If she squeezed her eyes hard enough, she could imagine the wind blowing her away from Braderhelm forever. Destination unknown. She just wanted to find a place where living didn’t have to be so hard.

Did that exist before the Great Collapse?

The transport whizzed through the dark tunnels of Apollo. The only light emitted from magnetic lines the vehicles sailed over, the soft, green glow a welcome sight. Khalani, Serene, and several prisoners, including Dana, filled three transports as they made their way to the Apollo City Center.

A rush of energy pulsated through her as the tunnel opened, revealing the city of Apollo.

It must have taken years of construction to carve out the massive cavern. The stone ceiling was over 100 feet tall, anchored by twentymassive pillars. Electric grids wrapped around the pillars, lighting the whole city.

Homes and businesses were built into the stone walls surrounding the cavern, reaching all the way to the ceiling, with magnetic elevators providing access. The nicer homes were built on levels twenty-five and above. Khalani lived on level two.

Used to live, she corrected herself.

Only one elevator led to Genesis, heavily protected and under constant surveillance. Anyone who ventured near the Genesis elevator without approval was shot.

The transports slowed as they made their way to the City Center. Apollo citizens milled about in long dusty robes, heading to work or trading goods. They passed the Food Distribution Center, Khalani’s old workplace.

The building was diminutive, box-like with sharp, grey edges, and looked more akin to a morgue. A line of people waited outside in ragged clothes.

No one conversed. No one smiled. Not dissimilar from the prisoners in Braderhelm.

They rolled to a stop in front of the Council Chambers—the seat of the Governor and the Apollo Council. It was by far the most beautiful building in Apollo. Hundreds of white steps led up to the entrance. The towering structure radiated wealth, with pointy spires reaching toward the cavernous ceiling.

The building was made of pure marble and decorated with stained-glass windows—a shining beacon of hope for the city. It was on those marble steps where her parents and so many others lost their lives.

“Get moving!” a guard yelled, waiting for her to exit the transport.

She tore her eyes away from the steps and jumped onto the cobblestone road. One of the guards thrust a broom into her chest. As she stumbled back, a hand pressed firmly on her shoulder to steady her. She looked to her left and Serene nodded, a reminder that she wasn’t alone.

Khalani let out a deep breath, attempting to calm herself as tension speared through her nerves. She wasn’t sure how Charles, Winnie’s friend, would be able to communicate with her with six guards around and in front of the Council Chambers, no less.

Was the mission dead on arrival?

“You will be divided into two groups. The first group will clean the first street level in the Work Quarters, and the other group will clean the Trading District until we complete the full circle. I better not see a speck of dirt on the roads, or you’ll be beaten in the streets. Get to it,” the lead guard ordered, smacking the baton to emphasize the threat.

Three guards stayed with their group, casually holding guns strapped to their bodies as they walked along the street. The buildings in the Work Quarters were drab, rusted, and dirty, a complete 180 from the Council Chambers. People walked to their respective jobs, giving them a wide berth and wary glances.

A couple of hours passed. She continued to cast subtle glances around while sweeping dirt from the cobblestones into the raggedy bin. Charles had yet to approach her, and they were losing time.

“Attention!” a guard yelled.

Khalani froze, but the guards weren’t looking at her. They were staring at a man she’d never met in real life. He’d only resided in her dreams when she imagined thrusting a knife through his sternum.

The Governor of Apollo.

Alexander Huxley was an imposing man in his late 50s, with short, ash-colored hair speckled with gray. What was striking about him was his unnaturally flawless appearance. His face was impeccably symmetrical, chiseled to perfection, and had a captivating glow that made it difficult to look away.

He had a strong jawline, the clearest skin, and a row of straight, white teeth. The Governor wore a pristine white robe with the symbol of Apollo—a bright sun—stitched in gold on the front. The robe, combined with his incredible features, gave him the appearance of an avenging angel, there to save his constituents.

Khalani viewed him as an angel of death.

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