CHAPTER FORTY - WAKE UP
Brian stared about the corridor of the Gerai base. It was eerily familiar and reminiscent of the last Gerai base he had ventured into. The corridors were lined with the same silver plates that gave it a sleek, organised atmosphere. A few panels were set in the walls but no they were all dark. The lights overhead were dimmed so that Brian had to squint to see anything properly in the poor illumination.
Howie nodded his head as he stared about him. “Pretty impressive compared to our base, but I bet for all it’s appearance it’s not been designed half as well as Darren’s. It might not look like much but it’s as solid as a rock.” He glanced behind him at the group of men who had chosen to accompany Howie, Brian and the others.
Paul stared about the corridors, smiling. “The power’s out,” he said. “Only the emergency systems are operational.” He seemed proud of his work. “It’s all thanks to Sammy.”
Brian smiled, but his face felt heavy and tired. His head was also beginning to hurt. A searing heat seemed to be digging into his skull. he tried to put it down to exhaustion and stress, but at the same moment he knew that it could be caused by Bri. The mind was not supposed to live in a time with its alter ego and Brian had a terrible feeling that the more malignant effects were beginning to take shape. He couldn’t worry about neurosis now though, he had lives to save.
“What’s the plan?” he asked Howie.
Howie turned back to the others. “Okay everyone, I want us to spread out and get control of this base. We need to know how many Gerai are in here.”
“There’s not many,” Paul replied. “Most of them should all be locked in various rooms about the place. “Sammy has all the codes for the computers, so if we find him then we can get the power back on. We can leave all the doors locked and use internal scanners to locate the Gerai before we decide what to do with them.”
Howie nodded. “Good idea. Paul, you look for Sammy.”
Brian’s eyes were darting nervously. “We have to find Bri,” he said to Howie. “I can find him in here. I know I can.” He could feel something pulling him towards the right turning in front of him. His instincts could easily guide him to his twin.
“That’s our job,” Howie said swiftly. He turned to address the others. “We’re going to look for Bri and get him out of here. The rest of you, you have to take the base but look out for B and Sammy as well.”
Brian’s legs were twitching. They wanted to move. He wanted to move on and find Bri quickly, but he had to wait while Howie sorted the people into groups, but then they were moving.
“Which way?” Howie asked.
Brian did not even answer him, he just began to run to the right. He heard Howie call out behind him, but he wasn’t listening. He didn’t even think that there could be Gerai roaming around. He turned left and then continued down another corridor, picking up speed with every pace.
“Brian, wait up!” Howie hissed after him, not daring to raise his voice too much in case it attracted the attention of Gerai.
Brian halted as he came to a turning. He concentrated, trying to decide which way was best. Hoiwe appeared behind him, breathing deeply.
“Brian - ”
“This way!” Brian called out as he suddenly felt something that dragged him towards the left. The corridor was sloping downwards and Brian’s speed was increasing. They were close now. He could feel it! He turned another corner and…
He found himself freezing on the spot as he saw the heap lying half way down the corridor. He knew who it was; he felt something painfully stabbing into his mind to let him know that this was his twin. Nausea was pulling violently at his stomach and he found himself swaying unsteadily so that he had to élan against the wall for support. He wanted to scream, but his voice appeared to have been snatched away from him. Nothing but a sore silence emerged from his strangled throat. He was trembling, a cold sweat building up all over his body. It suddenly occurred to him that he could be staring at his own death.
“Brian!” Howie gasped as he rounded the corner. “Don’t run off …” He paused as he noticed Brian’s pale cheeks. “What’s wrong?” he asked. He followed his gaze and his eyes fell upon the body. He glanced back at Brian. “That’s…?”
Brian nodded, still unable to make a sound. His legs felt heavy, as if lead had been tied to his feet. He slowly began to creep forwards, but his body screamed in protest with every step. He didn’t want to see this. His body and mind were terrified in case Bri wasn’t breathing anymore. His mind might shatter if it were forced to look upon a sight that it was never designed to see.
He was aware that his heart had accelerated so much that it might burst or pop any second. He had to move forwards though. He had to see.
The moment he reached Bri’s body his legs went weak and sent him stumbling onto the floor beside his friend. He couldn’t even speak or gasp out. He could feel his heart beat so painfully that it was vibrating inside of his throat, making him feel as if he might vomit at any second.
He realised that his eyes had grown moist. When he first met Bri he doubted it would have caused him any pain to see him crumpled like this, but now he had come to know him, not just as himself, but as a friend. He stared down at the body. Even though his mind was recoiling and shivering fearfully in his skull, he still couldn’t quite see the man on the floor as his own self. Bri was so different. Bri had become his companion.
His eyes quivered closed, his mind desperately reaching out into the darkness and the loneliness to find that mind that had been connected to his for so long now. It scrabbled frantically, like claws trying to find a handhold to climb up a sheer cliff face. There didn’t seem to be anything to hang on to.
“Brian?” a voice whispered.
It was Howie. Brian did not even turn round to greet his friend. He stayed motionless. He couldn’t believe that it was over like this. He shook his head in denial. Bri couldn’t be dead. He would have felt it more than he did now. Surely he would have known the instant Bri had ceased to breathe?
Howie placed a gentle hand upon Brian’s shoulder. His voice trembled slightly when he spoke. “I’m s-sorry.” Brian guessed that his voice shook because of the shock. It was unnatural to see two Brians in this way. “I… I…” He sighed slightly. He didn’t know what to say.
Brian realised he was crying. He felt tears sliding down his face. He wasn’t afraid of his own death, he was just saddened by this demise of his friend. He reached out and clutched Bri’s hand. It was cold and pale.
“Brian…” Howie said difficultly. “Come on, let’s go. let’s find B and Sammy.”
“B-but…” Brian stammered, his blue eyes fixed on Bri. “He can’t be…”
“You’re in shock,” Howie’s voice spoke softly. “Come on.” He took Brian’s arm as if to help him up, but Brian pushed him away.
“No. No, I’d have known. I would have felt it somehow,” he whispered. He squeezed Bri’s hand as if he could massage life back into him. He crawled forwards so that he was right next to Bri and peered into his pale, bruised face. He didn’t speak or urge and beg him to wake, instead he reached out with his mind, determined to find something. There seemed to be nothing there, nothing but blackness. It wasn’t terrifying though and Brian knew he would be very, very frightened if Bri truly had died. “He’s not dead,” he said. “He’s just unconscious.”
Howie leaned forward to peer over Brian’s shoulder. “Are you sure?” He sounded uncertain.
Brian nodded. He was sure. He smiled and the tears began to dry. “He’s all right. I can’t feel him though because he’s asleep, but he’s not dead.” His chest seemed to loosen slightly and his breath spluttered out of his mouth. He held out a shaking hand and placed it close to Bri’s mouth. He felt the slight flutter of his counterpart’s breathing. He laughed slightly, his chest swelling like a happy balloon out of relief. “He’s breathing.”
Howie reached out his own hand and pressed it against Bri’s neck, searching for a pulse. Brian saw Howie’s lips curl with relief as he found something. “He’s weak,” he said eventually. “His heart rate is uneven. We have to get him out of here and get him some medical help.”
Brian still held Bri’s hand tightly, trying to ease some warmth back into the cold fingers. “What do you think happened to him?”
Howie shook his head. “I don’t know. Can you tell? I mean, you said you could feel what he felt.” Brian had told Howie all about his strange connection with Bri on their way to the base.
Brian closed his eyes. He remembered that awful pain that had struck at him in every way. It had felt like he was being ripped apart. His hand brushed against Bri’s mouth where spittle mixed with blood leaked out over his chin. “I don’t know. I wasn’t paying much attention,” he confessed. He had been too busy soaking with Howie to let his thoughts dwell upon what Bri was doing. “There’s no gun wound here though.”
“It looks like he was physically attacked,” Howie guessed. “I don’t even know if moving him is a good idea. There could be internal injuries.”
Brian turned his head sharply to stare at Howie. “We can’t just leave him1 there could still be Gerai around!”
Howie held up a hand to try and clam Brian. “I have no intention of leaving him here. One of the men who accompanied us here though is a trained doctor. He’ll know best and he ahs medical scanners with him. I think I should go and find him while you stay here and keep an eye on Bri.” He chewed his lip slightly. “I don’t like to leave you here all alone, but I don’t have much choice. It’s better you stay here than wander about the base.”
Brian nodded. “Okay,” he said softly. “Please hurry, Howie. I’ll look after us both.” He tugged out the gun from his belt, checking to make sure that the power gauge was full. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
Howie nodded. “Just don’t tell Darren about this. He’s angry enough about you already!”
Brian smiled faintly. Darren was always angry, but at the same time he knew that the man trusted him. He had only met him for a short period last time, but he had liked him in spite of his quick temper. Howie reached out and clamped his hand on Brian’s shoulder. “Keep Bri with us,” he said. “If anybody can save him then I’ll bet it’s you. Don’t let him go. I’ll be as fast as I can.”
Brian nodded. “Go,” he said. “I’ll make sure he’s still here when you get back with the doctor. He stared back down at Bri. He wouldn’t let him die now. He had worked too hard to try and get Bri and B back together. He was close to that goal now. He would make Bri realise that B loved him.
He heard Howie’s footsteps as he began to run in search of a doctor. Brian turned his head just in time to see Howie round a bend in the corridor. “Hurry,” he whispered. “Please.” He glanced down at Bri. His face was like porcelain. He looked more like a doll than a living human.
He leaned close to Bri. He couldn’t see the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed because his life was so faint. He was still alive though, Brian knew he was, but Bri’s stillness still disturbed him. It was like he could die at any moment.
His eyes traced the bruises on Bri’s face. They were faint and there didn’t seem to be many of them. He didn’t look badly beaten and yet he looked so close to death. What could have hurt him so badly and left so few marks?
“Bri?” he said softly. The word was in vain because Bri did not stir or give any sign that he was aware of his twin’s presence. Brian bit his lip. He didn’t like being alone. Bri had been a part of his mind since he had arrived in this time. Instead of repelling each other’s minds like they were supposed to, they had fused together. Even the temporal remembrance seemed to have been slowed because of their unique connection. Brian had only been alone for a few hours each night when he was asleep. He had never been without him for this long though.
He peered into Bri’s face and then closed his eyes to concentrate. He had to make him wake up somehow.
Once again his mind found only blank emptiness as he stretched out, determined to find Bri. Their minds were connected, even in sleep and unconsciousness. There had to be a way fro him to find him in the depths of blackness! His eyes drifted close as they grew hot with concentration. Usually he just had to think about Bri to connect to him. Now though when he did that there seemed to be nothing, but there had to be something! His head stung as he strained.
‘Come on, come on. Where are you?’
He imagined himself inside the darkness and he began to search, refusing to give up and retreat.
‘Bri, wake up!’
There was something there… he could almost see it now…
‘Bri!’
Brian opened his eyes. He stared down at Bri and saw that his twin’s eyes were flickering. His heart was pounding hard. Had he done that? Had he somehow made him wake up? Or was it just a coincidence?
“Bri, are you all right?” he asked gently.
Bri’s eyes seemed to have difficulty in opening. When they did, they were small slits to keep out as much light as possible. “You?” he croaked.
Brian smiled. “Yeah me. I brought help.” Bri’s voice was grumpy as usual, but Brian was still pleased to hear it. He could feel his mind awakening groggily as well. His heart began to slow down to a steady beat of relief as his friend was restored.
Bris’ brow furrowed. “I thought I was going to die. Everything was cold. Then I thought I heard something and I woke up.”
“Howie and I found you in this corridor. We thought you were dead for a start, but I knew you weren’t.” He looked down and noticed that his hand was still wrapped around Bri’s. He coughed and moved it away from him.
Bri seemed to be thinking, as if trying to remember something. His eyes suddenly widened. “Sammy!” he whispered. He tried to sit up but stumbled slightly.
Brian reached towards him in alarm, his arms making sure that Bri did not fall back and hit his head against the wall. “Hey, take it easy!”
Bri clutched at Brian’ hands again. “Sammy,” he spluttered. “Sammy was here, I sent him after B. Where are they?”
“I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen them,” Brian said. “They’re alive?” he asked.
Bri nodded. “Something is wrong with B though. He’s acting really strange and violent. How long have I been here? Surely Sammy would be back by now?”
Brian gulped nervously. He was beginning to catch his twin’s fear. He could feel it coursing through his veins. For a moment there had been a surge of euphoria as Bri said they were alive, but the fear was now dissolving that hope. “I don’t know how long you’ve been here for,” he confessed.
Bri groaned. “We have to find them,” he said urgently. “Now.”
“Bri, wait. You’re hurt!” Brian said as he placed a hand upon his twin’s shoulder to restrain him. “We have to stay here. Howie will be back soon with help and there could still be Gerai around the place. We can’t go wandering off.”
“We have to go,” Bri said, ignoring Brian’s words. He pushed his hand away. “Help me up,” he commanded.
Brian found himself obeying even though he knew that he shouldn’t be helping him. Bri was hurt and needed help. “We can’t go,” Brian said as he watched Bri wobbling unsteadily beside him. He flinched slightly. He could feel a pain in his chest like a knife twisting and thrusting into him. He instinctively placed a hand on his side and then realised that Bri was doing the same thing, only his twin’s face was creased in pain.
“You’re hurt bad,” Brian whispered. “I can feel it.”
“I’ll live,” Bri replied through gritted teeth. “It doesn’t matter. We have to get to Sammy in case he’s in trouble.”
“Who attacked you?” Brian asked urgently as he rushed forwards to help his twin who was now wobbling unsteadily. His hands had begun to tremble as he pictured Sammy and b in the same state.
Bri shook his head but Brian caught the strong emotions of pain and fear crossing his mind. “It doesn’t matter,” he said hoarsely. “It doesn’t matter, but Sammy could be in trouble. We have to help. He ahs to be close by.” He bit his lip and glanced up the corridor. “This way,” he said as he began to limp forwards.
“Bri, the others are looking for them. They’ll find them. ”
Bri paused and turned. “Did any of them come this way?” he asked.
Brian bit his lip. “No,” he admitted helplessly.
Bri shrugged. “Well, he went this way. We’re closer to him and we can find him faster. B is around here somewhere as well and we’re the only ones who can help them, now come on!” he was limping away again.
Brian began to hurry after him. Something was terribly wrong. Bri knew something that he didn’t. “Maybe we should wait and - ”
Bri suddenly turned and glared angrily at him, his face had darkened. “They could be dying! We don’t have time to wait for the others! I know you understand me and you feel the same! We have to find them. We can’t just stand back and wait! Come on!!”
Brian’s heart lurched and he was suddenly rushing after his twin again. He turned his head slightly to look back where Howie had gone. There wasn’t any time, Bri was right. They had to find B and Sammy. All rational thinking was gone. Bri’s fear was inside of him again and there was something else as well. Bri was hiding something about his attacker and Brian wasn’t sure he wanted to know what.