Glitch

by Brenda Pandos

  “We live the same way, Abby.”

  I stared at him as the glow of the fire danced across his face. Maybe that was it. Maybe we didn’t need the EA after all and future-me knew it. I wished she’d just show up and tell me what do already.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  After a painful night of fitful sleep, I awoke to Memphis singing outside. Absentminded, I rolled over onto my arm and shards of pain zigzagged across my back. I moaned a few choice cuss words

  “Good morning, Sugar,” he said through the tent. “Do you drink coffee in Brighton?”

  “I need something stronger than coffee.” I unzipped the door and shot him daggers with my eyes.

  “Coffee fixes a multitude of things.” He poured the water through a strainer. “I’ll make more acorn water, too, if you need it.”

  Need it? After my compress dried out in the middle of the night, I laid on my back begging for Memphis to make me more. He slept through it all, snoring loud enough to attract the dead. Some guard he’d made against zombies.

  “Acorn water first, please.” I walked bowlegged to the closest rock and tried to sit. Miserable didn’t even begin to explain how I felt. “So what’s the plan for today?”

  “Get back on the road. Hit the homestead by noon, I suppose. Unless, if you want, we could take a detour to the Ritz.” He smiled devilishly.

  I blinked up at him. He was lucky I wasn’t holding a cup of hot coffee at that moment. “I’m not really in the mood for sight seeing today.”

  His face fell. “Okay.”

  “And the acorn water?”

  “Oh, right.” Memphis disappeared with an extra skip in his step.

  I waddled over to the fire and poured myself some coffee. Wrapped in a dish towel was a hunk of bread. I devoured the entire piece before I could stop myself.

  “Abby,” I mumbled to my Complement. “What are you putting me through?”

  Memphis appeared behind me from nowhere. “Talking to yourself?”

  “No.” I dropped the empty towel.

  “Don’t worry. I do it all the time.”

  He took the acorns and dumped them into the pot of water. Soon after, the water returned to a boil. Waiting for it to cool nearly drove me as mad as the weeping blisters wreaked havoc on my thighs.

  ~~|~~

  After a few hours, we arrived at a road that stretched out of sight in both directions. Not a soul was in sight.

  “Where are we?” I asked.

  “I shouldn’t say,” he said plainly. “Sorry, Sugar.”

  I clamped my lips shut. After everything, he still treated me like a spy.

  Memphis wrangled Cactus to the left. His hooves clopped against the aging asphalt where weeds had sprung through cracks. Up ahead were rows of trees—an orchard. After an hour, of passing farm after farm, Memphis turned down the dirt driveway. Up ahead stood an aging farmhouse and decrepit barn

  “We’re almost here,” Memphis announced.

  I scanned the perimeter. If there was a security gate or lookout, I never saw one. Where was everyone?

  Memphis pulled into the barn and stopped. Dusty cobwebs hung in sheets from the dingy corners. Holes littered the walls where boards had long past fallen and vines had sprung in their place. The only thing remotely nice was a fresh pile of hay with an abandoned pitchfork in the corner.

  “This is home?”

  “Yup.” Memphis jumped from the wagon and unhitched Cactus. Once he’d removed the horse’s bridle and harness, he tossed a pile of hay in the pasture and let him have at it.

  Then he moved to the wall and tugged on the corner. A hidden compartment hid hooks and various horse tack. Once he put Cactus’ things away, he turned to me with a quizzical frown.

  “You need help down? Or are you going to stare at me all day?”

  I blinked at him, astonished by the secret compartment. “Why is that hidden like that?”

  An easy-going grin crept on his lips. “Well, we can’t let anyone know we’re here, can we?” He pointed upward, reminding me of the satellites.

  “But we’re inside and as far as I know, they can’t look through walls.”

  He shrugged. “The EA could always decide to visit.”

  I absent-mindedly rubbed my bare wrist. No one in Brighton would ever speak their disdain so freely. Somehow, though I knew it wasn’t possible, I still felt they were listening, like this was still a test of my loyalty.

  Out in the pasture, three other horses I hadn’t noticed joined in on the hay feast. Memphis moved to the doorway and motioned I follow. I removed my acorn-water compress and climbed down, clutching it between my fingers. Under a covered walkway, we left the barn and entered the house through a side door. Dust and grime covered the trash littered kitchen, as if a tornado blew through and no one had bothered to clean up.

  “Wow,” I said as a bird fluttered out a broken window. “What happened?”

  Memphis put his fingertip to his lips. He led me around the corner and flipped on a light. Stairs led downward to a basement. He turned, and pulled out a strip of cloth.

  “I need to… you know,” he whispered.

  I knew what he meant and allowed him to cover my eyes. His fingers gripped mine and he led me slowly down each step. The air changed from a balmy heat to a wet chill. Once on level ground, he rapped three times, then two times on something hard. A cold rush of air hit my skin, sending goose bumps over my body.

  “Oh, hey Memphis. Who’s…” The guy stopped talking. He either was silenced by something Memphis did or out of shock to see me, like everyone else had.

  “Come on, Abby,” Memphis said close to my ear.

  His warm hand met the small of my back, sending chills up my spine. He led me into the frigid cavern. Something closed behind me. The faint echo of talking filled the cavern.

  Orange light seeped through the blindfold, and I counted the source of light as we walked further… four… five… six… How long would we have to go until he’d remove the blindfold? The gravel under my feet crunched against the rocky damp floor and my heart thumped hard. I’d feel so stupid if this had all been a trick. That they pretended to be on my side in order to lock me up underground where my parents would never find me and use me as a hostage against the EA.

  I stopped.

  “What’s wrong?” Memphis asked.

  “I… I want to see where we’re going.”

  “You can, in a second. We’re almost there.” He gently pressed against my back to encourage me to move. “Trust me.”

  Though his words were soothing, my heart continued to pound.

  “I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.” His warm breath brushed my neck, his lips terribly close to my ear.

  I tried to push the worry away and relax, wanting to believe him. My need for self-preservation had different ideas. I’d put all my faith in his people, and I honestly had no clue who they were. I’d done it to please my Complement, and even that was sketchy.

  “Future me,” I called out mentally, “Please stop this if I’m not doing the right thing.”

  I waited for another shove, a voice, something. Nothing followed. All I had was Memphis’ word as he continued to lead me further into the bowels of the earth. Too many twists and turns, and I’d lost count of the lights.

  “Memphis,” I started.

  The air changed. Slightly warmer again, the balminess returned. He removed the blindfold. My eyes adjusted to the sunlight filtering in. A vast blue sea swallowed the orange sun just beyond the cave entrance in the distance.

  I moved forward, stumbling to the edge of the opening, and inhaled the clean air. Below was water everywhere, a beautiful sparkling blue.

  “Come on.” Memphis took my hand.

  I started forward but the distance to the water below made me woozy. I backed into him.

  “Whoa, Sugar.” He grasped my shoulders. “I’ve got you.”

  “The ocean?” I asked, breathless.

  “No. It’s a lake.”
/>   “Oh.” I noted the disappointment in my voice.

  He pushed aside a wall of vines and revealed a stone stairway leading downward. Together we maneuvered the many small stone steps hidden under a canopy of leaves. Eventually, the last step ended on the tiny beach below. Everywhere I looked, familiar and unfamiliar guy faces turned to me. Some were in front of fires, some cooked, and others ate. Memphis pushed against the small of my back, urging me toward the closest tent.

  I peered upward, looking for the cave mouth we’d just been at, seeing nothing. Above, I couldn’t see the beach, let alone the tents dotting the tree line. Beyond the tents and trees, a gorgeous waterfall fell between two enormous cliffs to what I assumed was a hidden lagoon further back.

  “There you are.” Lana appeared from inside the closest hut. Her eyes fell on our hands, then to my makeshift skirt.

  I dropped Memphis’ hand.

  “What happened?” Lana asked; her features darkened.

  “Abby got poison oak. So…”

  Her eyes widened. “How did that happen?”

  I crossed my arms. “I must have brushed up against the leaves somehow…”

  Her eyes squinted, examining me, then Memphis. I could easily read what she’d suspected, considering the location of my infection.

  “I must have brushed up against the leaves when I peed,” I finished in my defense.

  “Did she wash? Did you make her the tea?” Lana interrupted.

  “Yes, Ma. I know what to do.”

  “Good.” She lifted her chin in approval. “I have a salve for you. I’ll go get it. Help yourselves to some food.”

  The guys around us intently watched on. Memphis turned to me, blocking the view of everyone gawking. “See? I told you it would work out.”

  Work out? I tried to smile, but felt like a fish in a fishbowl. This whole thing had been a disaster from the beginning.

  “Memphis.” I moved closer to him. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

  “Staring?” Memphis looked over his shoulder, and the guys suddenly fascinated themselves with whatever they’d been doing before we showed up. “What do you mean?”

  I wanted to mention the obvious, that his mom and I were the only women. “I feel like a freak wearing your shirt like a skirt.”

  “What? No. Don’t be silly.” Memphis put his arm over my shoulder “You’re new. They’re curious. That’s all.”

  Then I spotted another woman further down the beach and felt my shoulders sink in relief. She was Lana’s age and sat next to an older gentleman. They ate while two youngsters made sandcastles—twin boys. Then further down, another older woman took clothing from a clothes line. Another was cleaning fish while children ran around the tent. When their curious glances came my way, I looked down. Disappointment settled in when I didn’t spot Kaden. Why did I care so much?

  “Hey, Abby,” a familiar accented voice said from behind me.

  I swiveled around. “Hey.”

  Van scanned me up and down, admiring my makeshift skirt, then cracked a smile.

  “You’re finally here.” He tipped his head. “I was worried about you.”

  “We had to take a slight detour.” I gave Memphis a knowing look.

  “I bet yer hungry. I have some extra fish. Ya want some?” He reached his hand outward to me.

  “Thanks, but we have plenty.” Memphis’ arm on my shoulder tightened and he anchored me to his chest.

  “I wasn’t invitin’ you.” Van’s eyes twitched, challenging Memphis as he possessively gripped me. I pressed my elbow into his stomach as a warning. Sure we’d made a connection. This ownership display was a bit much, though.

  “Actually—” I wanted to say ‘yes’ just to piss Memphis off, but I worried I’d miss out on important news from Lana about Brighton.

  “She has a prior engagement,” Memphis cut in curtly.

  I shirked away from Memphis and kept a smile. “What I was going to say was I need to change first.”

  “Oh.” Van’s eyes twinkled.

  “Ma needs to talk to her first,” Memphis cut in.

  I exhaled. “Sorry, Van… maybe another time.”

  “Sure.”

  As Van sauntered off, Memphis hummed. I swiveled on him. “What was that about?”

  “You shouldn’t do that, Abby.”

  I perched my good hand on my hip. “Do what?”

  “Show guys attention like that.”

  I raised my brows. “Like how?”

  “Agreeing to eat together. It’ll just send the wrong message.”

  “And what message is that?”

  He leaned in closer. “That you’re easy.”

  My mouth almost flew open. “Easy?” It was as if agreeing to lunch meant I’d sleep with him, too.

  “Trust me.” His eyes darkened. “You need to stick by me to be safe.”

  I drew my head backward and blinked, astonished. What the heck did that mean? But worse, what had I gotten myself into? This place was supposed to protect me from the big, bad EA, not put me in harm’s way. The chilling truth I had joined a league of criminals stole through my bones.

  “Here you go.” Lana handed me a small glass jar filled with a cloudy oil, oblivious to the conversation. “Slather that on where the skin itches. After lunch, I’ll get you something more presentable to wear. Now let’s eat. I’m starving.” Lana turned on her heels toward the table.

  Presentable? I wanted to scream. Did she not remember I hadn’t exactly packed for the trip? My feet remained planted as I waited an extra second to gather my cool before following. I couldn’t stay here, not with all these unwritten rules and expectations.

  After dishing up a serving of fried fish and a husk of corn, I sat on rocks next to the fire. Ash from the charred cornhusk flaked into tiny pieces, sticking to my fingers. Even still, I chewed down every bite as if it were my last.

  “What’s happening at the outposts?” Memphis finally asked his mom.

  “All clear so far,” Lana said.

  “Kaden show up?”

  Lana exhaled. “No sign of him yet.”

  I watched the fire, keeping minimal eye contact; thinking of Kaden soured my stomach even more. I’d partly expected him to be here, ready to explain himself. And then when he wasn’t, I couldn’t believe it. After everything, he’d abandoned me. What was so important for him and Jewels to do anyway? I thought he’d at least want to check in on me. How else was I going to yell at him for doing this to me?

  “Abby,” Lana said abruptly while setting down her plate.

  I sucked in a quick breath and met her cool eyes.

  “There are rules in the colony, the first being that you’re not allowed anywhere without me or Memphis accompanying you. Understood?”

  I clamped my mouth shut and could only dwell on one thing. Kaden had abandoned me to a colony of criminals.

  “Understood?” she asked again.

  “Yes,” I said reluctantly.

  “Good, then after you’re healed, I’ll start your chore detail. For now, I think I’ve got a dress somewhere you can wear and you’ll sleep in my hut.” Her gaze lost clarity like she checked off some internal checklist. She rose and marched over to the tent. “Memphis, get the dishes.”

  I rubbed my chin, wiping away the butter that had drizzled down.

  “Are you coming?” Lana barked.

  Startled, I whipped my head around.

  Memphis reached for my plate. “Better get going. I’ve got it.”

  I gazed into his blue eyes. Was this my life now? Dealing with his demanding mother, avoiding interactions with people I couldn’t trust, and abiding by their rules? How could this be any better than Brighton? How could I want to lead these people? I clutched the plate tighter. Kaden had a ton of explaining to do, and I needed to see a real doctor.

  Memphis pried my hands from the plate. “You’d better get in there or she’ll yell louder.” He winked.

  His wink didn’t sit right with me. Finally, I let go,
wounded by reality. With a sigh, I stood and limped over, the jar of salve for my poison oak firmly in my hand. If my Complement insisted I stay, for reasons God only knew, then it had to get better and soon.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A week passed and all my preconceived notions of this criminal society were turned over and shook out. Under Lana’s controlling eye, the colony spun like a well oiled machine. The mornings were set aside for schooling for the younger children while the older boys caught fish and crawfish, cleaned them, and cooked or dried them. Others collected firewood, washed clothes, and kept the children occupied. For few hours in the afternoon, the guys played football or baseball on the beach. Some swam, but they weren’t aloud to use soap in the lake, which was weird. Something about keeping the fish away, so I’d assumed everyone took sponge baths like I did, though no amount of washing got rid of all the sand.

  The best part was all the charming young gentlemen who treated me like a queen. The guys would figure out my chores and complete them before I could even get started. Though I wanted to earn my keep, and Lana wasn’t amused, no amount of her scolding stopped them. I figured, until I had a doable escape plan, I could hang around a little bit longer, at least until Kaden returned.

  And as the days kept passing without word from Brighton, or anyone, I felt more and more antsy about what I should do. Other strange things happened as well. Fruits and veggies showed up when I hadn’t seen a garden. Eggs appeared out of thin air, along with bread and baked goods, yet no one had an oven. And I’d yet to meet Memphis’ Aunt who supposedly made a mean peach cobbler. And where were the Elders hiding? Things seemed a little too perfect. And when I joined in on a game on the beach to catch any bit of gossip, they’d hush up when I came near. Asking about Brighton when Memphis wasn’t in ear shot, gave me nothing but troubling shrugs.

  After another restless night, I awoke to giggling and sat up. Lana’s bed was empty. Splashing water on my face from the bowl and swishing the toothbrush in my mouth, I changed from my sleep clothes into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt—the first time since having my rash—and darted outside.