Inhumanity

Chapter 26

As the minutes tick by the stress builds within me, I sit down in the ground and press my hands on the plush carpet of the first class apartment. A reminder, of the class system that Wilford wanted to impose even before we left the station. I swallow thickly. This is what I need to centre myself on. Our fight to destroy the walls he built up, to protect each and every spark who has been oppressed in this machine of class, authority, and fear for 7 long years. Suddenly, there's a jolt. Someone's pulled the brakes. The squeal of metal against metal, the taste of smoke that I can imagine, is bellowing outside and the bright sparks flying past the window like snowflakes.

But speed starts to build up again, but the brakes are still pushing back. From what I can assume, Wilford has gotten control of big Alice's engines and is pushing, whilst Ben retains control of snowpiercer and pulls the brakes. Two sides are fighting it out in the most basic way possible. But Ben, no matter how hard he tries, can not stop Alice's pushing. I feel a tear roll down my cheeks, and I wipe it away. After what feels like an age the we go over the hill, and the momentum takes us with it. Our resistance has been crushed once more.

I know before Layton even makes it to our carriage, Mel is not on board, and without her, we don't have the data to prove our point of survival outside of snowpiercer.  He enters, "we're going to detach snowpiercer and go back for Melanie," he states bluntly. Till throws her hands up. "What!" We all crowd around him. He shakes his head. "If we don't make a play for New Eden right now, that's it. It's gone. It is Wilford's world." He argues. Till looks to me. "We'd be leaving everyone at his mercy."
She says sadly. I realise what this means my brother and sister abandoned, back to square one. He points to Audrey, who's tied up. "We've got insurance." I tilt my head, "Oh, great. Audrey's the hostage? Are we bringing anyone we actually want?" Till snorts is disbelief. He steps back. "Yes, Ben, Alex, Boki. And Adam." My head snaps up."That is two engineers and a Breachman, and Ruth is meeting us at the aquarium now."

It's starting to sound like a skeleton crew, but at least it sounds like survival is plausible. "You're way off-book." I comment. He shrugs. "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry, but I'm all in right now." I let out a breath."I need to get in contact with my siblings and connect up the train. Leave them a message to  let them know in the system... can even do some light damage while I'm in there, " he frowns,"thought there would be risks. " I go to the door. "There are, but the more risk, the more reward." I tap the panel  "see you soon,"

And with that, I'm running down the corridor. Agriculture has screens that give me a gate into the system. I tear out the screen and start to mess with the wire. I grab a box cutter from the bench and expertly slice open my hand. I create a physical connection. Closing my eyes, I quickly compose a hidden message for them to find the next time one of them links up wirelessly or to charge. It's rushed, but I promise I'll be back for them, no matter what. I hear boots stomping down the grated floors. I strangle to unlink. No time to run, I suddenly realised that I lied. I won't be coming back because I'm not going to be leaving. I don't even think I'll going to be conscious or even Alice for much longer. Maybe this is the rightful punishment for leaving them all this time. My just reward.

Wilford leads them, his shirt blooded and stitched up haphazardly. I stand with my arms crossed. "Eve!" He shouts out. I straighten up. "I just have one question. Is Javi safe?" I ask bluntly. I have nothing to hide anymore. He leans against one of the work benches. "So you've chosen your side, after I gave you so many chances to reconsider? We'll suppose this price one thing. You're just another silly little girl. Javier is gone. "

I feel frozen in place, like time has stopped. Javi has been dead, and I didn't even know. Nothing changed. He turns to his guards and waves them on "terminate her," he says breezily. They charge at me, axes raised. I reach for the open wire, but as my hand touches it, a sharp pain explodes in my shoulder. I scream and collapse, but they continue reigning down blows. The sharp mental breath breaks my skin, and my blood washes over the floor, seeping through the grating.

They march on without looking back, and I am left alone. I feel cold and numb for the first time ever. I gasped for air that I couldn't use. In a haze, I do one last thing before my system truly stops. I link up to snowpiercer, my little sister, for one last time.

You were the only constant in my life for seven years, and you gave me hope. Please continue to share that hope with everyone on board. I'm so cold and exhausted. I'm so tired..
I lo-