Chapter 10 - Towards the centre

Faye was clearly sad to be separated from her only family, but Chris had reassured her that he would personally keep an eye on her grandfather and make sure he would receive all the help he could possibly need. Told her final goodbyes to her grandfather, we had gotten onto the vehicle and sped into the distance, towards the nearest train station.

The person who had introduced herself as our legal guardian was called Marnie Bridges. She was a young looking woman with long blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, and with a clear preference for bright colours. Before we parted Chris had rapidly explained to me that, not having any known living relative, as a minor I couldn't remain without one. Nevertheless, I knew the truth was that they wanted someone to keep an eye on me for safety reasons.

Marnie had indeed been a good choice. Except for the guard I had encountered when first entering the Perimeter, she was the first arch I had encountered who I could feel would be capable of subduing me. Although all the other people with whom I had interacted until now technically should have been archumans as well, I doubted they were actually considered as such according to this world standards, due to their being too weak. Marnie was clearly different: although her figure was quite slim and her attire was certainly not that of a warrior, her strength was perceptible.

Soon, we came to a stop.

<<Ok guys, we have arrived~>> said Marnie, gesturing us to get out of the car.

After having abandoned the vehicle, a person exited from a cubicle, approached us, exchanged a few words with Marnie, got in the car and sped away into the distance towards an unknown location. We were left there alone, in front of the railway.

As a matter of fact, what should have been a train station, was not a train station at all. There was nothing around us except for the small cubicle where only a single person could fit in, the meadows and people working in the fields. On the railway only a piece of junk on wheels was present. A terrible premonition suddenly hit me.

<<All aboard the train~>> Marnie said cheerfully, taking the confused Faye by hand and guiding her towards what I finally recognized as a handcar.

They took position on the piece of metal in the only two seats present. I quickly understood what this implied, but I had still a faint hope left in me.

<<Come on, you are a young, strong boy, aren't ya? Get to work~>>

Every slimmer of hope was shattered the moment Marnie uttered those words. She lowered her sunglasses, showing her deep blue eyes. Under her fixed gaze, I conceded defeat, put my hands on the rear of the handcar and started pushing. Slowly, we started moving and accumulating speed.

<<Couldn't we go to the other station? The one with the trains?>> asked Faye, sending an apprehensive look in my direction.

<<I'm sorry, but no trains scheduled for today~>> answered Marnie.

<<Well, then we could have waited…>>

<<No trains scheduled for tomorrow either~>> she cut short.

Faye fell silent. Clearly, Marnie intended on having me push the cart until we reached our destination. I wasn't sure what her reasons were, but I suspected it was a way to test me, maybe my discipline or my patience. The problem was, the neglected railway stretched towards the mountain range at the centre of the Perimeter and we were still on its outskirts. I'd have to push the cart for a really long time.

Unwilling to let this fact tear me down, in a surge of pride I put strength into my legs and started to march at a brisk pace. Faye showed a surprised expression at the sudden acceleration, while Marnie showed the usual unreadable smile. Soon afterwards I started sweating, but this certainly couldn't stop me.

After two or three hours, Marnie pulled out a bag from a compartment, one of the many present inside of it. It contained bread, jerky and water canteens.

<<Well, I'd say we could stop for now and…>>

<<I can still go on>> I interrupted her abruptly.

Marnie brows furrowed for an instant, before relaxing. She sent a slight nod in my direction and started eating together with Faye. Although everything had started as an imposition, I wanted now to take advantage of the present opportunity to test my stamina. For this reason, I continued pushing without eating or drinking.

Even when nighttime came, I refused to stop and continued pushing. Faye initially declared she wouldn't sleep until I stopped and recovered. Soon afterwards, she fell prey to drowsiness and fell asleep with her head resting on Marnie's lap, who instead stayed awake, staring at me without a word.

The following day repeated itself in an identical way, and the same the day after that. I continued to push, while my companions ate, drank and slept. We only made a small number of breaks at some of the various abandoned "stations" we encountered along the way, and only for physiological needs. At the dawn of the fourth day, Marnie decided to intervene.

<<Stop now. You're soon going to break if you continue>>

Her voice was now devoid of all the playfulness she had previously showed and had turned serious.

<<... I can still… go on…>> I retorted.

This opportunity had revealed itself as a blessing in disguise. I was both incredibly tired and incredibly energetic. I could feel my muscles squirm under my skin and my heart pump like crazy, but still felt energy arising from deep inside my being. I could clearly perceive my body refusing to give up, driven forward by my aura. I felt euphoric.

<<I told you to stop. I can't let you continue when you're this power-drunk. You are pushing yourself with aura, aren't you? This is not safe>>

<<... I want to… go on…>> I tried to insist.

At that point, Marnie forcefully pulled the brake. The handcar suddenly came to a halt. I ended up hitting it, bouncing against its rear and falling to the ground with my back on the floor. Faye let out a small cry, waking up due to the sudden stop.

I couldn't move: the impact had knocked the wind out of me and I remained lying out on the ground. Soon afterwards, Marnie came into my view, towering over me. Her expression was a mix of anger and concern.

<<You stupid idiot, you stop when I tell you to stop! Take a look at yourself!>>

It was only at that point that I became conscious of the fact that what I had been sweating, probably for a while, was blood.