Breaking out of Eden.

Going To Egypt

We were standing on a landing field in the middle of the night. We had picked today because of the cloud and fog that made it almost impossible to see.

The plane was small and very old. So old in fact that it couldn't be picked up by the high tech radars the Serpent had in their control towers that were programmed to find planes.

"Ready?" I looked at Matt, he was carrying a small backpack and wearing a baseball cap low over his eyes. He looked like any hitch hiker you would see walking down the freeway, not the leader of a rebel group.

Maia was on my other side, standing slightly apart from the rest of the group. I had convinced her last night that I was actually her friend and not some freak, well I had to modify her memory a bit but she was either going to tell everyone or have a heart attack, I had to do something.

Now that I knew my time was limited I didn't want to waste any time, I would go to Cairo, find the file then unlock the next world. Funny, when you put it like that it kind of sounds like a bad version of super Mario bros...

"Ready?" I looked towards the plane where the loud engine had just come spluttering into life. Matt and Maia were both already walking towards it. I took one last look at the hazy yellow glow in the distance that was Calvery. I would miss it, after all it had been my home for so long now I had almost forgotten the rolling hill and glens of Ireland. Almost.

Adam and Becka pulled me into a bear hug. Since their parents deaths I wasn't as close to them as before but I still loved them like family. Adam ruffled my hair, "stay safe kiddo."

I rolled my eyes at his name for me, Adam was only three years older than me at twenty two. "I'll be fine, Adam you don't have to worry about me."

He smiled, "but for some reason I will anyway." He gave me a one armed hug before handing me to a teary eyed Becka, "don't go."

Seeing Becks like this pulled at my heartstrings, "I have to go Becks.You know that."

she crossed her arms stubbornly, "No I don't know why you have to go because nobody will tell me a bloody thing!"

"I'm sorry, it's a mission for Exodus." I looked to Adam for help.

"Becks she really can't say any more," when she gave him a hopeful look he said, "I can't tell you anything either because I don't know myself."

A tear escaped her eyes as she pulled me into her arm for a hug, 'just come back."

I pulled away to look at Becka's freckled, tear stained face."Why do you think I wouldn't?" I asked, curious.

Becka pushed her honey blond fringe out of her face and shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself, "I don't know. Just a feeling I guess."

I shivered, why would Becka have a feeling about me not coming back. Does she know about the Genesis Files? No, she can't no one outside of the Morning Star knows and we swore that we wouldn't tell anyone...I guess I screwed that up pretty badly.

I could see the plane getting into position and with one final goodbye to everyone on the runway I ran for the plane that would take me to the Egypt, to the Genesis file and ten further into the other worlds.

***

Several long hours later found myself, Matt and Maia standing on a sandy runway in the hot, uncomfortable midday sun.

Cairo was a very old looking city with broken tarmac and poor public transport.

I suppose it was beautiful in a wild kind of way, the city seemed to melt into the sand dunes that surrounded it and with the pyramids just on the outskirts and fast flowing river Nile running along its edge it looked strangely free.

The people, though somewhat undernourished had a free open air about them. They reminded me of the people who lived in Bael street, in fact the entire city looked and smelled a bit like the 'slum' in Calvary

A small red rusty truck pulled up outside the terminal and I swear I nearly had a heart attack. Standing just outside the small building was Matt. but Matt was also standing beside me. It took me a moment to remember from the meeting that this must be Johnny, Matt's twin.

Matt looked up and smiled, he lifted his backpack and walked towards the exit, "come on, theres our ride." Maia and I followed him and we met Johnny just outside the door.

"So this is Valery." Johnny looked me up and down and I could feel the heat crepping up into my face and it was only partly to do with the heat. Johnny looked away from me to smile at Matt, "I approve."

Matt just laughted and gave his brother a hug, "I missed you Johnny."

"Same here."

Both brothers walked toward the trick leaving Maia and myself to hurry behind them. It was strange how much the two looked like each other. They both even smiled the same, it was odd.

When all of us were in the car and driving down an uneven road that lead to the heart of the city.

As we drove by I could see the silk markets people bartering on the streets, each would stop and wave at Johnny as he passed. "What is it that you do here exactly?"

Johnny looked back t fro a moment, "we give aid. Outside of Eden," the way he said Eden made it sound like it was a curse. "We don't need all the secrecy and 'agents'. We act as a government, keeping people in order."

I smiled, "What's so funny?" He asked.

"Nothing, it just this," I motioned around. "it seems better than Eden."

"It is." it was Matts voice that said that. "Mum and Dad took us, all of here once. It is one of the few happy memories I have."

My smile faded, "I'm sorry I didn't mean..." I trailed off not knowing what to say.

"It's fine, he mustered up a sad smile, it's a happy place for me and Johnny. The lucky bugger he is got to go here and I was sent to Eden. But," he looked at me, "there are some perks." He gave me his dimpled smile that made my heart flutter in my chest.

Before I could say anything else a crumbling brick building came into view. The streets that surrounded it seemed brighter somehow, happier. The people talked to one another, smiled more often. Children played and laughed as if without a care in the world, as it should be.

There was a sign over the entrance. Johnny stopped the truck and got out. Motioning for us to follow. He gestured towards the building, "Welcome to Exodus."