Chapter 25
___________
Lyra
The realization hit me like a tidal wave of adrenaline, and my body buzzed with joy.
Al?
Was he really Al?
The same Al from my youth, the one I”d fallen for, missed for years, and cried for?
It was.
He”d just told me that he was, hadn”t he? Or was I dreaming?
It had to be true because he was gazing at me with devotion as two blasted Mesothraxians pushed me further into the pod. The gloopy, syrup-like solution rose over my chest, and I dug deep for strength. I held no fear in my heart because I knew I was free - free from the burden of alcohol, free from the constraints of that damn drug, and now I had my savior close.
I smiled as I gazed at Al, telling him how much love I felt for him. He winked back and smirked. I could tell he felt just as euphoric, just as emotional.
”How touching,” said Mesothraxus, his menacing voice attempting to burst our romantic bubble. ”The two drunk love birds have finally found their alcoholic nest together. Too bad I”m about to chop it down. Dunk her deeper,” he cried, thrashing his arms about in anger.
I glared at Mesothraxus, confidence oozing from my soul. He couldn”t hurt me anymore. I knew the truth. I knew I was enough.
”You can dunk me, but you won”t end me,” I declared boldly as the Mesothraxians pushed me down. ”There”s nothing you can do to harm me because I don”t have alcohol in my system.”
”Whatever you say,” he said as he clicked his fingers and turned to Al, ready to fight.
The Mesothraxians forced me in, pushing me into the solution with all their strength. I guess, in a way, I should have expected to feel suffocated and drowned, but all I felt was pure happiness and a wave of bliss. The thing was, I knew they couldn”t damage me. No one could ever stifle my freedom again.
The only thing that worried me was the thought of Mom stuck in her pod while they extracted alcohol from her. When the time was right, I would break free and escape, not just for me, not just for Mom, but for all those people I still had to help on Earth.
I took a deep breath as I submerged in the pod and watched in awe as Al and Malantha fought against Mesothraxus despite having their wrists in shackles. It was a cruel battle, each blow exchanged with the determination of those who refused to be defeated by their circumstances. Despite their restraints, they fought fiercely, their movements fluid and calculated. Mesothraxus, towering over them, seemed invincible, but they didn”t falter.
I observed as if floating in another body, my heart swelling with pride and admiration for their bravery. I knew they would be victorious and defeat Mesothraxus because their spirits burned brighter than any chains could bind.
Flashes of the past filled my mind. Now it all made perfect sense - Al had disappeared because Mesothraxus had abducted him, not because he didn”t want to be with me. And now, he was outside, fighting for his life and mine. My heart had never felt so full of love.
Suddenly, Mesothraxus seized Al and flung him into the crowd. The impact echoed through the chamber, but Malantha wasted no time. With a primal scream, he launched himself at Mesothraxus, fists flying, determination etched on his face.
Mesothraxus retaliated, swinging wildly as the Mesothraxians joined in, raining down blows with their metal black poles. Despite the odds, Al and Malantha fought on, their resilience a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
The solution wasn”t affecting me - why would it? I was sober. I was free. Adrenaline coursed through me - I had to break free, to find the inner strength to join them in their battle against tyranny.
I glanced up, and hope filled my heart. The Mesothraxians outside the pod were enthralled with the fight. I had to take my chance and escape.
I kicked my feet and scrambled up the side, powering myself forward. But just as I was about to burst from the surface, a reptile hand squeezed my neck and hammered me into the side of the pod.
”Where do you think you”re going?” he said.
I couldn”t let him defeat me. I glanced out of the pod. Purple beings were watching me, urging me to fight back.
I had to do this.
I had to break free.
Using all the power in my core, I spun around, clenched the Mesothraxian”s wrist and bit his hand with all my might. He squealed like a pig as he shook his hand free. I reached up, held the edge of the pod, and pulled myself up.
As I sprung from the surface, the crowd gasped. Knowing the purple beings were watching spurred me on. I clambered over the side and stood on the rim, facing my audience. The purple beings stared at me with hope in their eyes. They must have seen thousands of humans get dunked and never break free.
”Fight with me,” I shouted. ”Fight against the Mesothraxians until you”re free. You don”t need to let these bullies control you anymore.”
They looked at each other and nodded. Seeing me escape must have given them aspiration. It was my actions that had won them over.
”Stop her,” shouted Mesothraxus, pointing at me.
”No, leave her,” shouted Al, struggling up after another battering. Mesothraxus turned to face Al and raised his arms in the air, ready to strike.
”I”m coming to help,” I cried, jumping from the pod.