FLOOR 21: Descent (The Tower Legacy) Read online

  Worst of all is that Abbott forces us to get there early so we can all sit in the front row. Typically, I prefer to cower in the back, where nobody can see me coming in or out of Reception Hall. Usually cause I’m late. The commander’s not what you’d call ‘down’ with that, so I end up corralled in the front line of chairs. It’s just feet from the altar and all of the Morale officers look like they’re staring at me every time my head bobs out of boredom. I’m barely able to focus, and I wrestle with my eyelids for most of the service. I’m not sure when it happens, but my eyes jump at the mention of . . . something . . . and then I’m all ears while Receiver Ennis’ voice rings out above the crowd.

  “When the Tower was erected, humanity was forced to flee into its upper halls. Our lives before the Builders erected this structure were not perfect. No, nothing in the Book of the Tower suggests such a thing. But did we have a civilization? A culture? Did we have food enough to eat and live without having to worry that there wouldn’t be enough for all?”

  He holds his hand up like he’s casting magic while his face contorts. “Once, we could easily buy food from stores found within minutes of our homes. It was a world of blue skies and green trees, clean water and fresh air. The Creep was nonexistent. It simply had no place in this world. What crime, what fatal sin did mankind commit that forced us into these halls? The Book of the Tower is almost entirely silent on this issue. There is only one story of that day, in the Book of Judgment, entitled ‘The Day of Aeons.’ From it, we know that this Tower once existed as it does today: a home for many. It housed families of all types and workers who spent their days in the outside world. It was not the only one of its kind. This we know, of course. One need only look beyond the edges of our rooftop to see, lingering in the distance, other towers rising out of the Darkness and cutting against the black skies of our world.

  “What happened in those places is beyond our knowledge. I imagine that, much like ours, they, too, were full of people and families simply living their lives. Yet, there came that day, that terrible day, the Day of Aeons. The Book of the Tower simply says that great grey beasts filled the skies and covered the world, fighting among each other and leaving destruction and hellfire in their wake. The grounds were filled with flame and people were consumed as the earth itself opened up beneath them. Entire buildings were obliterated as these great creatures fought with one another, and mankind, desperate for protection, fled within the walls of this very building. Who knows how long they lingered here? Days? Months?” His teeth lock together before he spits out his words. “They came here to die and awaited the day the grey monsters would also level this very building. Of course, we know what happened.”

  There’s a sigh and nod from the crowd as everyone shakes their head in agreement, like we were so lucky to get trapped in here. “In a flash of light, in the blinking of an eye, the creatures were gone. In their place was something else, a punishment for our crimes. Perhaps the Builders were being merciful. Perhaps the grey beasts would have ended our existence. Instead, they were replaced by the sweeping curtain of black emptiness that enveloped the world, crawling up the walls of the Tower until nothing remained of the earth below. What was left was our home, sitting in a sea of blackness. Then, slowly, the disease began to spread. The Creep. It ate its way through the lower floors, consuming man and woman, child and animal, until humanity was on the edge of extinction. It took people whole, swallowing them alive or tearing them apart before devouring them.”

  I’ve heard the story a thousand times, and even if I think most of it’s junk, this part’s always . . . hard. Just thinking back to the day the Creep flooded my floor . . . what could’ve happened to my mom if she’d been out in the halls, getting torn into pieces by this infection . . . even if we didn’t have what could be described as a good relationship back then, it just gets my stomach twisting until I feel like I'm about to toss my lunch. At least Receiver Ennis ends on the most positive note he can. “Humanity brought its doom upon itself. Yet, at the hour of its destruction, mankind was rescued by the Builders. The very people who once constructed this structure, as a place to house families and loved ones, had one final gift for the people. They summoned us here, to the floors we now call home. They taught us to use the garden we now tend, that has given us food to live. They set a safe boundary limit from where we could keep the Creep at bay. Floor 21, as you all know.”

  He smiles, but it’s faint, and I can tell he’s actually a little sad. “We could not ascend with them into the heavens because of our sins. Because, somehow, we brought this upon ourselves for our many crimes. Yet they provided us a way to survive and live until, one day, we have been purified of the evil within us all. And on that day? On that day we can all look to the skies, above the dark clouds where the Builders rose so many years ago, and we shall see them returning for us. Then we can leave this darkness and disease behind. Then we can finally be set free from this life of penance we live, having finally satisfied the debt we created through our sins. So, we look forward to that day with joy and anticipation, and each day we persevere until we become the people the Builders always hoped we would be. We do this by each small act we take, each kindness we show for one another, every day improving upon ourselves. Until Tower’s end.”

  “Until Tower’s end,” the congregation agrees together. Receiver Ennis lifts his hands and stretches them out over us.

  “Thank you for joining our service. Please do pay your respects to the Scavengers gathered with us today, who will soon be leaving to find food and supplies for all our sake’s. Go in peace.”

  Reception Hall becomes a loud, clattering mess as people knock and slide chairs around while they get up. My eyes are fighting to find the exit as a crowd tightens around us, their bodies pressing in until I’m barely able to breath. They’re reaching out and grabbing our shoulders, giving us best wishes and good lucks through crazy eyes. Crazy because they’re desperate for food and good news. Crazy because life in this place makes you insane, because you keep pinning your hope on the Builders that I don’t think are coming back, and I’m not even sure exist. Their voices are all one big jumble of shouting I can barely acknowledge. Meanwhile, Tommy’s soaking it up, flexing and bragging about how he’s going to score some big points for Floor 9 and promising to bring back steaks and computers for everyone. They all know it’s crap. I mean, big payloads like that are rare.

  Still, that’s probably not the point. When he says all this stuff, everyone just looks happy, like just being told everything’s going to be okay is enough. People need something to hope for, and Tommy, I dunno, he just has this way of making you think things are alright. He spots me being tossed around, and I guess he sees how uncomfortable I feel, because he finds this way to kinda shield me from the crowd when he turns his big shoulder. It opens up a quick gap in the sea of bodies, and he gives me this sideways grin as he motions to the door. I can’t stop myself from laughing at him as I slide out of the circle of people, like they couldn’t even see me, and start to sneak away to the exit. Then, when I’m just about to head out, I take one last look back. The big nerd’s there with a kid sitting on his shoulder while he points to the air, screaming, “SCAVENGERS!” The crowd goes nuts and practically pounces on him, but he just laughs so loud I can hear him even when I get out into the hall.

  Tommy. I don’t even know what I think about him anymore.

  Recording Fifteen

  Well, today’s the day.

  Mom watches me as I finish strapping my combat vest over my baseball uniform. The thing’s heavy, but Abbot’s ordered all of us to wear one. My waist is sucked in by the clip belt where we store extra ammo, and my limbs are strapped with forearm and leg guards. I’m a walking shield at this point, but before I go, I make sure to grab my bat off the wall. Mom smiles when I do. “They’re letting you take that?”

  “Well, that was kinda the agreement between me and Tower Authority,” I tell her. “Basically, I agree to all the rules, and they let me take the
bat.”

  “How about your hat?”

  My eyes go up to the brim of the cap sitting on my head. “That too, but I think I’ll switch it out for a helmet. I mean, safety, you know? Besides, I can always pack it up without any problem. I’ll pull it out at night or something.”

  “You know, you’ve really had me fooled, honey. Never knew you were so sentimental.”

  “Am I though?” I ask, touching the hat. “I mean, maybe. Just a little.”

  “Always knew under that tough exterior you still loved your family.”

  “Mom,” I sigh. “Come on, Mom, it’s just . . . things were complicated. You were complicated.”

  “I know, I know,” she says as she stretches her arms out. “Come here, though. I owe you one of these before you run off.”

  We bring it in for one last hug, but it’s weird being there. Mom and I had maybe a half dozen of these for a few years, while she was pretending to be crazy so that Tower Authority wouldn’t arrest her. After they stopped spying on us, I wouldn’t say we exactly got ‘close.’ I mean, bonding doesn’t come naturally to my family, so trust hasn’t been one of those things that comes easy to me. Just look at the incredible number of people that have decided not to be my friend. But the thing is, you kinda just have to stop caring about all that sometimes. I mean, I’m leaving. Like, for real leaving, and I’m not sure when I’m coming back. So, I just sink into her arms. The heat from her body blends with mine as my ears catch the whispers of her breath. Finally, she lets go, and I can see where streaks have formed paths down her face.

  “God, Mom, don’t,” I say as I suddenly feel my eyes flush. I walk past her and force myself to smile as I jump around. “Come on, mom! It’s so not that serious.”

  “You can say that all you want, but it’s dangerous, Jackie. I know you’ll be safe though.”

  A noise behind me catches my attention, and I see dad step into the room. “You’re wearing the hat?” he asks as his face ignites with a smile. “I was pretty proud of you the day you hit your first homer.”

  I lift my bat upward and laugh. “What can I say? I’m pretty great.”

  “Your mom and I always thought so,” he says as he pulls a small bag from his waist. “I wanted to give you something, Jacko,” he says as he holds it out. “Think of it like a last resort if you find yourself in trouble.”

  “Last resort? Like a secret weapon?”

  “You could say that,” he says as I take the bag from him. “Remember that formula we used to put down Sally?”

  “Oh, right. That anti-Creep stuff.”

  “Exactly. Well, I was able to sneak out as much as I could from the lab. Should be about three doses. Just one will be enough to rot out a whole wall of Creep, but don’t go wasting it. Use them only when you don’t have any other choice.”

  “Like if I get trapped or something?” I ask as I tuck the bag away. “Not that I’m planning on that.”

  “You better not be, champ. I’m expecting to see you home.”

  “Yeah, um, about that. I know the people on Floor 1 get to watch the Scavenging. Are you guys going to be able to keep up with me?”

  “Not completely, but I’ll make sure to tell your mom anything I hear. I mean, she’d kill me if I didn’t,” he says, winking past my shoulder.

  She chuckles as she says, “You got that right.”

  I tap the back of my heel with my bat before nodding to the door. “Well, I should probably be going. You’ve worked with Abbott, so you know he can be kind of a, well, you know. I mean, I don’t want to curse in front of you and mom or anything.”

  “I know, kiddo,” he says, closing the distance to me and waving mom in. For a moment I’m sandwiched between the two of them, but I mean, I don’t mind. It’s . . . weird, but nice. They let go after a second, and dad looks to the door. “Security’s waiting to take you up to Floor 1. You know, they let you stay in a room up there the night before you leave on the Scavenging.”

  “Really? Sweet,” I say as I move to the doorway. Mom and dad trail me before I turn to them one last time. “I, uh, don’t really know if there’s anything I should say or something. I dunno. I’m not really good with this.”

  Mom rests her hand on my dad’s shoulder. “We love you, Jackie.”

  It’s weird really hearing that since I didn’t have anyone tell me those words for something like five years. They’ve been pretty good about reminding me the last month that, yeah, they love me, but for some reason it just hits really hard right now. Like, it’s the first time I really feel it. I chuckle and look at the door, then back at them, but no matter how hard I try to talk, I keep feeling my words stick in the back of my throat. Finally, I grab the door handle and throw it open, like I’m having a surge of adrenaline. My skin’s buzzing, and I can feel my heart thumping so hard my chest hurts. “Yeah guys, uh, love you. Be back soon,” I say as I basically stumble into the hall. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see them waving at me one last time, and then the door’s clicking closed.

  The change in views couldn’t be more obnoxiously dramatic. I go from two parents in tears to staring at two Security members with faces that are basically badly carved pieces of stone. They point their guns down the hall, and I just trudge along, wiping at my face so I don’t look like the only person that just got done bawling. Nothing about the march is incredibly interesting, since I’ve made the walk up to Floor 1 before. None of the other first year cadets can say that, I don’t think, but I’m just thinking it’s going to be cool to sleep up there. Anyway, Floor 1’s just as clean and sparkling white as I remember. They don’t march me far before they stop me at a door. One of them waves their keycard in front of the lock – something we don’t have on my floor, since we use swipe cards instead – and the door slides open. For a second, I think they’re going to come inside with me, but they just motion for me to go in. Again, they do this with their guns, so it’s kinda like, hey guys, rude much? Anyway, I take the hint and step into a living room that’s loaded with couches, carpets, paintings, just the works.

  Thing is, none of that matters as much as the man standing there, staring at me. His silver eyes burn out of a narrow face set in his thin, gray goatee. His suit’s white, like every other outfit that people on this floor wear, but he’s got a cape falling behind him that’s tied across his neck with a gold chain.

  Pretty swank.

  “Jackie,” he says. His voice sounds as familiar as ever. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Recording Sixteen

  I kinda just freeze up for a second ‘cause I haven’t seen boss man here in like, forever. “Director Pygmalion,” I spit out way more formally than I intended. I mean, I’m just a little stunned at seeing him, which to be honest, is totally understandable.

  “Please,” he says as he holds a hand up. “Call me Edward. Oh, and join me, if you will. I’ve arranged for the rest of your team to arrive only after I’ve departed. That includes your Commander Abbott, of course.”

  “How’d you pull that off?” I ask as I drop into a chair. He laughs as he seats himself.

  “Jackie, please. Am I not the tower director? Do I not have some small measure of influence in this place?” He shakes his head as he smiles at me. “Never mind. Although I cannot simply do whatever I want, I certainly do wield a good bit of power. Not enough, but enough to arrange this moment.”

  “Right. So, what’s the business? Did you miss me?”

  “Of course, although that isn’t what brought me here.” His smile fades as his eyes drop away. “I suspect you know that.”

  “Well, I mean, not like the numero uno guy in the Tower just decides to drop by for no reason. I’m guessing that strange things are afoot on Floor 1.”

  “Indeed. Indeed, Jackie, there are.” He leans back while his eyes slice through his eyelids. “We both know your primary mission on this Scavenging.”

  “Sure, I mean, we’re supposed to find food for the Tower.”

  “Now, what is your sec
ond task? The one you, personally, requested?”

  “To find the first Scavenging team. But please don’t ask me about Mike, alright? It’s just everyone’s on my junk about that already, and I’d really prefer not to have that convo with some old dude.” Right after I let the words slip, I can feel my cheeks burning. “Uh, no offense.”

  “How could there be, Jackie? I am an old man,” he says with a laugh. “But no, my purpose here isn’t to bother you about Mike, though I do wish you luck in finding him. What I would like to know is what your third objective on this mission is?”

  “Oh, uh, to find a way to ground level. I mean, I think that’s like half the point? It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure I remember you saying you wanted to get Tower Authority onboard with, you know, getting out of here.”

  “Of course, and to a degree, I have convinced them that finding ground level is a worthy objective. At least, it’s a worthy objective for distracting the population at this precise moment, and they believe it would add a new layer of tension to the Scavenging. In that sense, the lockdown on Floor 1 has provided us a unique opportunity to make some attempt to leave this place. The truth is, though, that they have no desire to reach ground. Not truly. They are zealously committed to waiting out their time here in the Tower until the Builders return to take us into the skies, a day I do not believe shall ever come. Instead, we will die in the Tower, awaiting our supposed saviors. Perhaps that means I lack faith, or perhaps that simply confirms the fact that I know more about our world than they do.