The Spy

“Daddy, look!”
A girl jumped from the pile of junk and ran to the hole in the city wall.
“Elpis!”, a big man rushed after her.
The girl was leaping like a ball-hopper. The man was not so agile, but each movement showed his unique strength.
“What’s that?” Elpis stopped at her goal.
The bottom of the gray city wall was cracked. The hole looked big enough for the slim body of a ten-year-old girl to come through. The man froze. His thin lips stretched into a smile.
Mr. Anders dove into something which used to be an orange chair. The stench of junk was filling his nostrils, and it was flashing in his eyes because of the mottled carpet of trash. The chair’s frame jammed into his back, but Mr. Anders pushed in the chair even more. It was a right spot for eavesdropping. Maybe the Knight would not notice him.
For now, the man looked not caring about anything. His eyes were closed, and a dreamy smile was on his face.
“Daddy?” the girl’s voice rang like a bell.
“This is… the wind”, the Knight spoke so quietly that Mr. Anders could barely hear his words.
“What is the wind?” Mr. Anders thought.
“What is the wind?” Elpis echoed.
“It is… a movement in the air”.
“A movement? But Daddy! The air does not move!”
“It does not move in Dharma. But outside… it does,” the Knight stepped to the hole and crouched down. Elpis mimicked him.
Mr. Anders shivered. So, it was not a lie! The Knight indeed was one of those who sneaked out of Dharma. No wonder the city wardens promised a treasure for the information about him. Joy overcame Mr.Anders. He got this criminal! But at the same time, he felt a pinch of envy. This middle-aged man mottled with scars did something which hundreds of dharmians were only dreaming about. What did he find there, outside?
“And what is outside?” Elpis whispered.
The Knight hesitated. Mr. Anders pricked up his ears.
“Darkness,” the Knight stretched his arm to the hole. It was black and menacing. “No one turns the lights on when the day comes. There is no electricity - and no days”.
“Just… the night?”
Mr. Anders could say by her tone that the girl was fascinated like himself.
“No, daughter. Even in the night, the gray city lamps give us some light. Outside, the darkness is deeper. If you stayed your room in the night, closed all the windows and doors, and shutted your eyes, then it would be lighter than outside”.
“And how did you travel there?” Elpis squinted, looking at the darkness behind the hole. Her long black hair was flapping in the wind. For a moment, Mr. Anders felt sorry he could not join these two. He would like to feel this movement of air upon his skin. What must it be like?
The Knight сhuckled.
“You are a smart girl. I made a small flashlight of stuff which I had found here. It was bright enough to see in thirty feet.”
“And what did you see?” Elpis’ voice trembled.
Mr. Anders felt the same trembling in his heart. He had almost forgotten why he had come there. One of the biggest mysteries of Dharma was about to be open. What was there - outside?
“Your mother asked me the same question,” the Knight laughed and stood up. Elpis jumped on her feet.
“And what did you say?” she smiled.
“The same what I’m going to say to you.” The Knight walked away from the hole. Mr. Anders bent double in a desperate attempt to become invisible. The couple went so close he could notice a joyful flicker in Elpis’ purple eyes. To his luck, they were too involved in their talk to notice him.
“It is worthless to describe what is outside,” the Knight continued. “You have to see it with your own eyes.”
Elpis squeaked.
“Are you serious? We are going outside!” she turned her happy face to the Knight.
“Yes, daughter.”
Outside! They were going outside! Two thoughts were fighting in Mr. Anders’ mind. The first one was: the city wardens would be pleased. If they knew exactly when and where the Knight was going to slip away, they would catch him red-handed. At the same time… If Mr. Anders had a soul, he would sell it to join the Knight and Elpis in their mad trip.
“But when?” Elpis was jumping on one place.
“Not now,” the Knight shook his head. “You are too young. Maybe a couple of years later.”
“But Daddy!” the girl pouted.
“Come, Elpis. Let’s go home. Listen, daughter, your mom would not approve if I took you out too early.”
Their voices were getting lower: the family was going away, and soon Mr. Anders could not hear a word. He peeped out of the chair and saw their leaving silhouettes. Mr. Anders dashed after them. His metallic foot pierced a plastic bottle, but he did not hesitate. He had to catch up!
“What’s that, Daddy?” Elpis shrieked.
The Knight turned back. His menacing grimace turned into a puzzled frown.
“A cydog,” he crouched down. “What are you doing here, boy?”
Mr. Anders wagged his tail for dear life. It was best to pretend to be a non-speaking dummy. They would not trust him if they knew that Mr. Anders used to be a public servant.
“Is it a dog?” Elpis patted him on his back. Mr. Anders grinned. “His coat is so soft!”
“It is not just a dog. Look at his paws and head. They are made of metal. And his right eye? It is yellow and sparkles like the eyes of tripods. Let’s go, daughter. We have to get home as soon as possible”.
The Knight walked away, pulling Elpis after him. The girl waved goodbye to Mr. Anders and turned away. His tail moved a couple of times automatically, hitting the city floor. Mr. Anders felt suddenly lonely. He sat there for a moment, deep in thought. Then, the cyborg dog moved out.
He would not let his single chance go.