Beneath the Branches

By Hannah Risken

Nyx has spent her entire life in Severan, a traveling city with her best friend and crush Willow. Things go awry when a new boy, Roman, comes to town. A few months later Willow disappears. Both Nyx and Roman rush to find her, but when they managed to follow her, things aren't as they expected. Knocknoree isn't anything like Nyx's home. Now she must make a decision.

Should she stay with Willow?

Or leave?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hannah Risken
• Release date: Sep 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201891619

Hannah Risken

Enjoys too many hobbies to keep track of. Seriously the list will go on forever.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Day 9705

Empty old buildings clustered around a vast mountainscape. High on the northern face of the mountain, eloquent houses were carved into the stone, leading to a small clearing at the foothill. A half-built gate with branching iron arms framed the main entrance that led to the two neighboring cities. Each a thirty-minute walk, both had lost their charm a long time ago.

The last day of construction was rumored to be in four days. Maybe once it’s done, Roman would leave. Maybe for a few days or a few weeks just to explore, to see something new. Maybe he’d find a place and never come back.

Roman walked out of his dusty room that he knew all too well, to the kitchen that he knew where every scratch lay, for his evening meal. His uncle sat at the table in the dining area, lights dimmed low, his head bent. The table was long and well-used while at the same time could quickly become crowded. The two sat on opposite ends.

Will you be going to see your parents with me, asked Uncle Adam.

Roman’s blood spiked at the question. It was something that he had gotten tired of and wondered if any of his other relatives had noticed and were staying away. He didn’t want to be the only relative consoling Adam... again, eating at the table with a family member during an emotional episode, and trying to pretend he didn’t hear him. He had gotten used to his parent’s absence and was getting easier to forget, but he was stupid for not preparing an excuse. Uncle Adam asked again, to his chagrin. For 11 years his uncle forced the family to go. Over the years, one by one they all had stopped. Now the uncle focused his efforts on the son of his brother.

I think my parents would have wanted me to move on by now. stumbled Roman, trying to come up with a fast excuse.

Nevertheless, it was too late as the uncle said in a deadpan voice; We’ll be going first thing tomorrow.

Grumbling, he took his dinner and sat down in silence. At the moment it was just him and his uncle. The rest of his family came home slowly throughout his quiet dinner.  He barely noticed the noise level rising as he ate.

Katty, Roman and I are going, came Uncle Adam’s voice.

No, I am not, shot back Katy.

You haven’t gone to see either of them in a long time, shouted the uncle indignantly.

Please, the man was just an uncle to me, begged Katy.

I am your uncle too! Adam screeched.

IT’S NICE... that you still do... that you care. But it’s been years; get over it! Everyone has to move on, replied his cousin. How many times had Roman said that to his family?

With his dinner finished Roman went into his room for the rest of the evening.  Books that have been read thrice over were stacked neatly side by side on a shelf he had made himself. A framed picture of his old group of friends was shoved in a corner. The worn window boxed in the overview of his hometown. From this height, he could see the tops of the buildings that belonged to the lower part of the city and the Gate Entrance. He ignored the once breathtaking scenery, now dulled from overexposure, in favor of his current project for work. A simple cleaning of machinery that required being taken apart.

Hands greasy, he wiped them off as best as he could with a towel. Looking out he noticed the shifting scenery. Past the construction was a large silhouette that towered over the buildings. Leaning into the window, Roman tried to get a better look at the wondered what it was. Beyond the main gate, the thinning light revealed six pairs of long metallic legs emerging from the abyss. The rounded metal belly hovered 10 meters above the ground. It lurched through the construction zone, approaching quickly with its long strides. Stopping only a few meters from the gate, it lowered itself down. Every pair of knees creaked as it settled. Even as the questionable thing sat, it easily towered over the two-story entrance. To one side of the city was a long nasty gash, poorly patched. On top, it leveled out to a flat nose in the front, giving way to buildings with sprouting factory chimneys puffing out smoke in the rear.

On top of its flat surface were dozens of people milling about. All were ants compared to the enormous size of the walking metal city. Nyx made her way back to her house from her meeting. Monica and her husband Fierro chatted briefly with her, before continuing onwards. Not bothering to look at the new city that expanded in front of her. She will have enough time to look at it with Will. The only thing that occupied her mind was being able to relax.

By the time the city stopped and lowered itself she was inside, taking off her shoes. She had to buckle her knees from the stopped motion. Nyx changed into looser fitting clothes. In her living room she did her daily stretches. After working up a sweat she sat down on her sofa. Picking up the weekly theater pamphlet she saw that ‘Star Passion’ was playing again for the second time this month.

ONE MONTH LATER

The sun was dimly lit on its low perch, giving off the same rusty atmosphere. A day just like any other amongst these ancient abandoned cities. Buildings that punched holes in the clouds were scattered around the perimeter in wall-like fashion. And. like in so many other places, the buildings here were old and faded.

Nyx had gotten back from one of the large forking roads and dropped her large backpack. Taking out a journal she jotted notes down. She gave the open space one more look. They have gone a few days without seeing civilization. She turned to leave as a crumbling sound reverberated to her left. She couldn't see it and assumed that it was far into the thick clump of buildings; nothing to fear. A common occurrence. Too far to affect the open space for Severan to stay in. She made a note to block off the area ... if they decide to come this way.

Nyx shoved her notebook in her half-diminished backpack. Food previously stretched out the bag, but her feminine products had free range now. Lifting the green pack over her shoulder she journeyed home. Tufts of wild grass, in various stages of life, spurted out randomly in splotchy groups. Plain symmetrical buildings formed a wide and never-ending hall. Vines crept up the sides of the buildings. She started walking to give herself a break before jogging again. Birds chirped as she hiked back.

Only two miles away from Severan, something else caught her attention. Turning, there was a plot of swaying vegetation. Something that she had missed before. Bushes lined the border of the area with a single oak tree in the center. For a moment, it reminded her of a time from years ago. When she and Will stole each other's first kiss as kids; Under a willow tree, during one of their stays in one of the cities. A wood and glass gazebo encased the tree, top to bottom. Dripping branches enclosing it. Various vines of ivy and grapes crept around. That was a lifetime ago.

Nyx wasn’t the first one back when she made it to camp. Monica’s deep tan skin shone in the sunlight as she talked to Brandon in front of Severan. The mountainous metal city. Its six pairs of long legs bent in rest. They turned from Duran, their head scout, to her as she approached.

Monica, head shaking, said, There’s nothing where I looked. What about you?

There’s a decent open space for us to stop by, that branches out into other directions, huffed Nyx. She placed her hands on her head, elbows pointing upwards, stretching her lungs.

Duran extend his hand out for her reports. Nyx took deeper breaths before pulling out her notebook. All four of them headed to one of the entrances. From the rounded bottom edge, she could see the long-rusted patch on the belly of the moving city. A piece of its life that has been there before she was born. Attached to the side was a pair of long cylinders spanning from the floor to the top. Duran hit a button and a lift drifted down, doors gliding open. They got in one at a time and it lifted them up.

Severan’s big body zoomed past. The lift stopped and Nyx was the last one out as the doors closed leaving them on the outskirts of the city.

Having nothing else to do and tired from travel, she longed for bed. Her destination set; she came up to the creek that split the city. Stepping over a wooden bridge she came across the housing district. Duran could be seen passing each house.  Towards the control tower and factory chimneys; Sitting higher than the rest.  He was the one in charge of taking coordinates to the control tower for their next destination.

Houses stacked on top of each other, towering over Nyx. As much as she loves to be out and exploring there was nothing like going home. As she was about to open the door to her house, she saw Will walking in the other direction. Her attention to Roman, the new guy. What are the two talking about? Roman locked eyes with Nyx as she raised her hand to wave to Will. Despite how dog-tired Nyx was from two days of scouting she went to-

Good to see you back from your scouting, said Mr. Strout. Startled, she turned and waved to her long-time neighbors. The two older men sat on their bench outside their condo.

Ah thank you. Nyx smiled. She looked back to where Will was, but her friend was too far away now.

"We always pray for your safe return. There were so many disappearances when I was your age. I still hope to see Randy again. I just hope that he’s alright wherever he is, said the Mr. Strout on the right.

Plenty of people have stayed behind at a city. Those with loved that left without saying good-bye liked to come up with ludicrous reasons, from accusations of kidnapping to being spirited away by mystical beings. Nyx grew up on those tales.

Randy was a bitch. Who needs Randy? I’m all you need, rasped the ruder Mr. Strout with a flourish. The two were in that grandpa reminiscing mood.

Dearie don’t be jealous of someone you haven’t seen in decades. Besides, I’m allowed to fantasize, informed the kinder Mr. Strout as he gently caressed his husband’s shoulder with a withered tanned hand.

Nyx shook her head and laughed. The two grandpas were who use to babysit her. With a yawn she waved them off.  It was the morning, but her bed was calling her.

As she went into her house for some good sleep, sirens sounded throughout the mobile city. A warning to its people that it was about to move. In between the door with her body braced, Nyx watched the newbies quickly hang on to the closet nailed down object. After a solid minute of screeching sounds, the city lurched as the legs picked up the weight and moved forward. The small plume of smoke that oozed out of the tops of the chimneys gave a big puff. Those who weren't as steady lost their balance, falling on their behinds, as Severan tilted up. The newbies regained their legs slowly as they calibrated to the movement. The locals needed no readjusting and quickly went on with their day.

There was a thwack and Nyx fell forward, her door closing shut from the momentum. Mr. and Mr. Strout, who didn't move an inch, gasped and asked if she was alright. Brushing herself off she reassured them and went straight for bed, feeling rather foolish.

THE DAY AFTER THE NEXT Nyx woke up to the motion of Severan moving. The announcement of their arrival through the outside speaker greeted her, yet that didn't stop her from rolling over to get more sleep. After being woken up one more time by her alarm, she forced herself to get up.

People were milling about the tall buildings that cased them in. Severan sat on the edge of the plain, legs bent and smoke chimneys taking a break. A few sparse trees dotted the area. Down a small alleyway Nyx, Will, and the recruit, Roman, sat in front of a building. A wall with a painted engraving held their interest.

The buildings are crumbling, warned Nyx again. It was a section that was deemed dangerous. She looked up at the wall in front of them. Chipped paint depicted an angel.

I know, sighed Willow. She had coerced Nyx into letting her do this. It was a bad habit of her to disregard danger to find artwork. But Nyx knew that she can be enabling.

The weather was perfect, the sun just hot enough to warm them. Shadows waved peacefully. The women’s shoulders brushed one another before Nyx casually leaned forward to glance at Roman. He was a newcomer from that mountain village a few months back, and she didn't know how to feel about him. Regardless it was a fine work-free day. No need to stress over anything, and Nyx let her shoulder gently lean on Will again. Both watched her draw.

Are you sure that it’s not graffiti, Willow? asked Roman with genuine curiosity.

Will gave a soft chuckle and said, The picture is engraved. Meaning that whoever did this wanted to make sure that time couldn't easily erase it.

Have either of you explored any of the old buildings? asked Roman, looking around.

When we were younger, but after a while it gets boring, replied Nyx. He nodded in response. 

She listened closely to the sounds of the building that surrounded them. The creaks and moans of times long past. Or for any wildlife that could spring at them. A few more scratches on the paper and Will packed up her pencil and book. All three of them walked carefully back to the main camp clearing. A woman was yelling at Duran. Complaining about the long lift lines and no proper organization. It made Nyx appreciate that she was not head leader.

There are repairs that I should get started on, said Roman, breaking from the group. 

I should get this picture filed, added Will.  Roman seemed to have managed to squeeze himself into their lives.

NYX SPENT THE MAJORITY of the day at her house, catching up on chores, and reading. As darkness blocked the window she decided to go for her nightly stroll. Lamps lit Severan, illuminating everything on deck. Past the stretches of artificial light, the stars twinkled. She lived in the middle of the city and needed to walk a mile to the edge for a peek at whatever scenery laid beyond. Leaning on the railing she saw massive statues lurking on a speckled shelf the same height as Severan's top floor. Only a few meters of space separated her from the never-ending line of statues all clumped together, slowly passing by.

Excitement of something new, something she hadn’t felt in a long time, shot through her. Will should see this. Nyx took off in the direction of Will’s house.

It was unusually quiet, only the sound of Severan’s marching legs echoed. At Will’s, she saw a curtain wave. When her friend didn’t answer the knock, she used her spare key for a quick peek inside. Nothing but a dark living room with sketchbooks, loose paper, and pictures on the wall. Locking back up. she left to go look elsewhere.

She found her friend at the front of the city, frantically bobbing up and down clutching a camera at her side. A telescope was perched at the nose of Severan, and Roman stood by her side, holding a portable floodlight. The smallest pang of jealousy pinched her chest.

This has been going on for a while, exclaimed Will after Nyx greeted her. I was going to get you, but I got... distracted.

Nyx shrugged, knowing her friend all too well. Who brought the telescope?

I asked the control crew if we could use it. They said that it’ll be a good idea to keep a lookout for any debris, replied Roman. That same frustration started up in Nyx.

How are the photos going? asked Nyx.

Won’t know until we develop them. Will turned back to watching the passing statues. I knew that we’ll never come across something like this again. But I can’t waste all of my film here.

Roman used the flood light’s longer reach, to see further out. They just keep going, he said to no one in particular. The bright beam revealed more layers of statues. He swung the beam down to the abyss, outlines of what seemed like pieces of broken statues could be seen. None of the pieces big enough to tip any of the large legs. Sheesh, who had time to do all this?

Will took up a stance to stabilize herself and synchronize with the rhythm of Severan to time her pictures. The raise, pause, then the fall and pause. It was hard to get everything on both sides of the city. A few clicks and Will stopped watched the statues passed. She furiously jotted notes in her journal.

Is this normal? asked Roman.

No, this is- well not anything like this, replied Willow.

Something glittering caught their eyes and Nyx swung the floodlight over to one side. A statue stood ramrod stiff compared to the relaxed poses of the others. Its hand stretched out; gold dripped out from its palms. It oozed down onto the ground and spilled over the edge. Will took a quick picture of it before it passed.

Can the Severan move backward? asked Roman abruptly.

Kind of, but not very well. Plus, the path is narrow, said Will, popping up from her journal.

What if there is no end? Like we come across a wall or something.

If we can’t back up, we’ll just settle, shrugged Nyx, half-jokingly. Will looked at her with knitted eyebrows. In return, Nyx shrugged.

Roman pointed out that a wall sat on the smooth granite ledges that sprawled outwards into the crowd of marble silhouettes. A larger-than-life sculpture stood in front of the wall, arms stretched out, looming over all the smaller ones. The statues that stood behind it were just as tall intimidating. A few were close to the edge, some nearly spilling off. Nyx worried that Severan was going to bump into the limbs. One had its hand out pointing down, looking disinterested. Nyx aimed the floodlight over to the right with the giants. Its beam caught something in the distance past a few layers of them.

I feel like that one right there is judging us, said Roman, gesturing to one with its head hung low, but its face tilted to the onlookers.

I don’t blame it, I judge you too, replied Nyx.

He gave her a blank stare and said, Your sarcasm is not welcome here.

Who doesn’t want sarcasm to brighten up their day, mumbled Nyx.

She noticed that these statues seemed to be interested in whoever is walking this path. The city was at a perfect level to view these frozen people. As a kid she always imagined people were trapped inside any statue she saw.  If she stared at one long enough it would move ever so slightly. Once she even cried at the sight of a broken statue, after a neighbor kid told her that his sister was inside it.

A giant statue laid on its stomach hand sticking out over the ledge, palm facing upwards to the sky, dangerously close.

Give me your camera, snapped Nyx once Will was done with the telescope.

Alright, why? Will asked, handing it over.

Nyx took it and walked to the edge of Severan. She put the strap around her neck to secure it, keeping an eye in front of her.

Nyx don’t, shouted Will when she figured out what her stupid friend was intending.

With one hand holding the floodlight she leaned out and grabbed ahold of a finger and lifted. Halfway up she threw the light into the giant's palm to properly hoist herself. Will kept shouting to Nyx to come back as Nyx climbed up the arm. Once on the shoulder, she slid down to land to the platform.

She stepped into the thick crowd of marble. Will's shouts and Severan's engine softened as she went further in. There was an eerie quiet to the setting. Being surrounded by unrealistically large speechless figures made her feel small. Towering buildings were one thing, but the statues of humans were unnerving. Setting the light down she took the camera with both hands and tucked in her elbows to steady —a technique Will had taught her. From where she was, she took several shots. Picking up the floodlight her gaze lingered on the shadows off in the distance. The rows of statues just kept going.

Her curiosity waning, she stood still for a few seconds before shaking off that reverie. Turning she made her leave, but she saw something else. Eyeing the progress of Severan, she knew that with its slow speed she could easily outrun it. Nyx dodged stone feet and other broken off parts to reach her destination before Severan could.

Before her stood an archway spanning over the alley in which Severan made its march. Tall enough for even the factory towers to go under. Which was good, otherwise they would have to stop to tear it down, causing Will to fly into a tizzy. It wouldn’t be the first time that happened.

The bridge had a marble guard keeping watch over the entrance. This one was taller than Nyx but nowhere near as big as the others on this side. It was wrapped in a