Glitch

by Brenda Pandos

  Lana had her arms around Peter’s neck and her lips on his, celebrating his return. My heart skipped and I scanned the crowd of faces. None of them belonged to Kaden.

  “Looks like you’ll be getting a tent of your own.” Memphis joined me by my side.

  I couldn’t help that my posture sunk. So much for finding out about home. I looked away, locking eyes with Memphis. He held two fishing poles.

  He ticked his head in the direction of the stone stairs leading to the mysterious cave I’d only traversed while being blindfolded. I felt torn, drawn to the reunion on the beach, and yet wanting to get away from everything. Stepping forward, I strained for news of Brighton. All I could pick out was that the EA had stopped combing the countryside and everyone let out a relieved breath.

  My stomach dropped. They’d stopped looking for me? What about my parents? And Elle? Was I not that important after all? How could that be? I discovered time travel. I was the Oracle.

  Memphis tugged on my hand. “I have breakfast. Let’s go.”

  My lead feet stayed planted on the sand when the conversation turned to the colony. Lana said something quietly to Peter and her glare landed on me.

  Yes, I know. I’m nothing but a distraction AKA a spy for the EA, not to mention I never do any chores.

  I wanted to march right up to her and give her a few choice words.

  “Come on,” Memphis whispered and squeezed my hand, pulling me away from the beach.

  I rolled my eyes and conceded. Once we’d traversed the stone steps to the cave up above, I asked him, “You aren’t going to blindfold me, are you?”

  “Not unless you want me to,” he purred. The appearance of his dimples caused me to smile, too.

  “Goofball.” I hit him in the side.

  “Always, Sugar.”

  After maneuvering through the dank cave and the farm house basement, he took me past the orchard. Hidden behind thick rushes and reeds was a small pond. He dropped the basket onto the loamy bank and fished out a canteen, pouring us two cups of coffee.

  I took a swig and felt the warmth compete with the sweat dripping off my brow.

  “Now this is the life.” He relaxed onto the green grass and leaned his head into his hands.

  I stepped around the discarded fishing poles and sat on a nearby stump. Though the rash on my inner thighs had improved, the heat from the walk made them itch like crazy again.

  Wishing I’d worn my sundress instead of the blasted jeans, I took the opportunity to tug at the material while he wasn’t looking. “Why didn’t we just fish at camp?”

  Memphis cracked opened one eye as a sheepish smile spread on his lips. “I thought you’d like to be away from prying eyes for once…”

  He didn’t need to finish. My tough act would have crumpled the moment Lana mentioned no one at home cared to find me. I stared into the water, my thoughts lost to my parents, to home, and then finally settling on Kaden. Apparently his decoy worked.

  “And the scenery is more beautiful out here.” Memphis’ eyes lingered on me.

  I turned away from his burning gaze, feeling the implication behind his words, and shook my head. In no way was I beautiful. In fact, he could play dot-to-dot with the mosquito bites on my face if he wanted. He was totally delusional.

  “You wanted to fish, so let’s fish.” I pawed inside the basket for the bait.

  “We have all day to fish.” He patted the grass next to him. “Come here and relax. We can find animals in the clouds.”

  I pinched my eyes shut for a moment. Snuggling on the bank was taking things to a level I didn’t want to entertain. Yes, I liked him, but Kaden—though he irked me to no end—had gotten under my skin and until I figured out what weird attraction was going on between us, I wasn’t going to complicate matters by messing around with his brother. But to know Kaden was off with Jewels and hadn’t bothered to come home to check on me made me think otherwise. A little friendly cloud watching wasn’t the same as kissing.

  “I thought being in direct view of satellites was dangerous,” I said as a diversion to myself.

  Memphis sighed and sat up. “You know how much ground they’re monitoring? The trees are hiding us. Besides, you heard my dad. Brighton has given up on your search party.” He continued to rake his hand over the grass in a silent invitation, completely unaware he’d stabbed me with his words. My stomach churned. “You’re safe now.”

  Safe. He’d used that before; that I had to stay with him in order to be safe in his colony. Safe around his peers, which didn’t seem to be an issue whatsoever.

  I looked away. Any romantic notions I had, just faded in the wind. Was I that disposable to the EA? Elle wouldn’t give up. Heck, I hoped Landon wouldn’t either. Well, maybe he would if it was inconvenient to investigate. Was he afraid of zombies, too? Or did he know they weren’t real. Maybe he was just afraid. Maybe the EA told everyone I was dead.

  I pushed aside my worst fears and dangled my pole in front of Memphis’ face. If I didn’t do something distracting, I’d burst into tears. “Please bait my hook.”

  He flashed me his darling dimples, but didn’t move to assist. “Don’t feel bad about it.”

  “I don’t.” I swallowed down the lump building in my throat, and held out the worm filled case. “Just bait it already,” and change the damn subject.

  “Admit it. You’re relieved.”

  “There are other ways of surveillance, you know.” I pointed upward. “Maybe they’re gathering intel first.”

  He quirked up an eyebrow before lying down again. “If they came right now, would you visit me in prison?”

  I groaned. “That’s not funny.”

  “Bring me cookies?”

  “Stop.”

  “You’d miss me, admit it.”

  I smirked and forced myself to take a worm from the cup, withholding my urge to throw it at him. His charm and humor, though, fortified the gate on my emotions and I was thankful for that.

  The worm tightened and wriggled under my grip as I plunged the barb into its skin, but I held a silent victory dance. After today, I’d never admit I needed Memphis or any other guy, or a government. I wouldn’t be dependent on anyone, so I’d never feel this loss. I could do this on my own. I had to.

  Tossing the line into the water, I returned to the stump. The water rippled outward, eventually touching every part of the pond. The colony could think they were untouchable from the EA here, but I knew anytime the EA wanted, they could find us. They were just biding their time, that’s all.

  “My pole is right there. Toss in a line, will ya?”

  I smiled evilly and did just as he suggested—only I didn’t bait the hook.

  “What’d you do that for?” Memphis reached for the pole.

  “Following orders,” I said plainly.

  “What’s happened to you?” He shook his head and put a worm on his hook before casting the line, then he tugged my hand and forced me to sit next to him.

  I wanted to share my new found bravery. That I’d make lemonade from the lemons, but within a few moments of casting in his line, he started to snore softly.

  For the first time since my abduction, I wasn’t being watched. My heart thudded a quick disjointed beat as I pushed the end of my pole into the sand next to his. With Memphis out cold, I could go back to the farmhouse and take Cactus. Though I hadn’t ridden a horse in a long time, or even knew how to saddle one, I did watch Memphis… well, Van really… hook him up to the wagon. How hard could it be?

  Inside the basket, there was a fresh loaf of bread, a brown banana, and some jerky, which I pocketed. I’d also need a sleeping bag, matches, and something to cook with. Why did I leave my backpack in Lana’s tent?

  There had to be reserves at the farmhouse. We’d left everything in the wagon, which would be easy to borrow from. If I got to a spot where the EA could see me on the satellites, I’d be saved. Forget camping out. An open field beyond the orchards would be ideal.

  Guilt gripped my sto
mach as I snuck away. Memphis had been kind to me and kept his promise to Kaden. Leaving him could get him into trouble, but I couldn’t worry about that. I didn’t belong here. Returning to the barn felt half as long as the initial walk there. I bit my lip and looked for the horse.

  “Cactus,” I called, softly adding in a kissy noise.

  The horse wasn’t in the pasture. And to my dismay, the wagon wasn’t in the barn where we’d left it either. Other horses ran up to the fence and whinnied. I tossed them some hay before I found more tack on different hooks in the hidden compartment. Did I dare try to saddle one?

  Cringing, I shut the door. I’d wanted to get home, not break my neck. An abandoned messenger bag lay in the corner with a thick layer of dust. Inside, I found a blanket and a pot, and in the front flap, matches, a compass, a knife, and some rope. I celebrated at my find as an empty glass jar caught my eye, too. I filled it with fresh water from the spigot on the side of the house and high-tailed it out of there. I’d be home soon.

  I walked through the orchard toward the road with my borrowed bag, hoping no one would spot me. In the stillness of the day, uncertainty settled in. Returning meant I’d be expected to work for Brighton. Was Kaden right? Did they need me to control the future rebels? Was I making a mistake?

  “Time to chime in, Complement,” I whispered, scanning the apple trees on all sides of me.

  When no sparkles filled the air, I decided that my experience before had been a figment of my imagination.

  A red glistening apple caught my eye, and I filled up my messenger bag with as many as would fit, then took a bite of one. The tart tangy sweetness filled my mouth, zinging my taste buds. Mom always said food tasted better when you were truly hungry. The thought that I’d see her again tickled my tummy. Today maybe? My feet moved faster, anxious to get as far away as I could from the colony; to a place the EA could safely find me.

  Safe.

  My stomach pinched at the word.

  Once clear of all the trees, the sun’s heat warmed my skin. Yellow wheat bent in the wind and the field stretched on as far as I could see. The spiky tops tickled my fanned fingertips. How I’d get the EA’s attention, I wasn’t sure. A fire perhaps? The thought of accidentally burning down the nearby farmhouse and drawing attention to the colony came to mind. No. I had a better idea.

  Picking up a strong stick, I walked at least an hour to give ample distance from the colony. Filling the blanket with a few boulders, I tied the corners to the stick ends with the rope. Pulling the heavy contraption along the ground, the wheat pressed down in a pattern. Moving in a straight line, I walked several paces, then back tracked over my trail to the middle and moved over a few feet. Then I moved once more in a matching parallel line.

  Dropping the contraption, I stepped away, careful not to crush any more wheat down, and stared at the giant H I’d made. Next I formed an E, an L, then finished with a P. I worked over and over the letters, trying to make sure the grass had been pressed down sufficiently.

  Sweat poured from my head after I’d finished, stinging my eyes. I peered up toward the sky. How long would it take for them to see it? Were my letters large enough? I listened hard for propeller blades, as my heart pounded fast. The only thing that crossed over head the next hour was a murder of crows, cawing their disdain. Where was the EA?

  Maybe a fire was the only way to get their attention. But I knew what would happen if I lit one. Without a barrier, the flames would run the hills and keep going until it had nothing left to consume, or could turn and burn me to a crisp.

  “What are you doing, Abby?” I asked myself.

  Going to Brighton was a mistake. They’d told terrible lies to its citizens and, picked and chose who could procreate, and Kaden said they’d wanted me for bait. Could I just go home and ignore that?

  Apparently my Complement didn’t care anymore, or was unwilling or unable to show herself again. I untied the blanket and laid it in the middle of the E. Night would come and so would the cold. Would Memphis send a search party? My stomach ached for something other than an apple and I nibbled on a tiny corner of the bread. I wanted more, but something told me I should conserve my food.

  Reality hit hard. Going back to the colony was my only choice.

  A shuffle in the brush to my right grabbed my attention.

  “Kaden?” I asked.

  A woman dressed in dirty clothing moved slowly toward me. Her greasy hair and pale complexion troubled me. Had she been alone, trying to live off the land like I was about to do?

  “Hello?” I called out while standing.

  Her head jerked upward as if I’d startled her. I waved her over. Her pace increased, almost to a disjointed run. Oddly, her knees were locked. Then she growled; deep and murderous. Ice sluiced down my back. This wasn’t a woman, or at least not a living one.

  I dropped my arm and backed up; practically tripping over the rocks I’d left. My mind blanked. There were rules, laws. Ways to defend yourself against the undead. Numbness took over as the woman came closer. I was trapped, and I knew it. There was no where to hide in this field and I couldn’t run forever. Snippets of things in Brighton’s Citizen’s manual skipped through my mind.

  Don’t try to out run a zombie.

  Don’t make noise.

  Don’t attract attention.

  Use a stick and stab it in the eye.

  A stick!

  I bent over and tried to work free the knots on the ends, as the apple I’d eaten earlier roiled in my stomach. The putrid smell of rotting flesh momentarily stopped me. Another growl made me lurch forward with the stick in my hand. Only one end was free.

  This time a man came in the opposite direction. With my foot on the rope, I yanked the stick free just in time. They converged at once, grimy hands forward, mouths opened, mottled green faces with whitish eyes, their skin and clothes covered in dried blood.

  This was never in the films the EA showed us.

  I squealed at their disgustingness (unable to stop myself) and held my stick firm, taking swings at them. The man grabbed ahold and yanked in a tug of war. The stick slipped from my fingers causing me to lose my footing. I landed promptly on my butt. Scrambling backward like a crab, I tried to turn. He was on me, holding me down. His nasty worm-infested tongue licked his nonexistent lips.

  “No!” I screamed as his filthy breath wafted over me. I pushed against him with all my might.

  “Abby?”

  My eyes whipped opened as I pressed against Memphis’ chest.

  “Get off me!”

  “It’s okay. I’m here.” His hands still gripped me. “Wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”

  I beat off his arms and scrambled off the shore, running into the stump. With frantic eyes, I scanned the surroundings. The pond, the poles, and the basket were all here. No zombies.

  Memphis moved closer with concern pressed into his face. He kneeled down. “Are you okay?”

  I tried to catch my breath, clutching at my chest. The more I blinked, the more the nightmare faded.

  “I… I…” I choked out. “Was I sleeping?”

  “Yeah and then you started screaming. What were you dreaming about?”

  Tears seeped down my cheeks and I cursed at myself for crying in front of him, wiping them away with the back of my hand.

  “I don’t remember,” I said, too embarrassed to admit the zombies. Very real zombies.

  “One minute you were cuddling me, then you shrieked in my ear.” He wiggled his finger against the side of his head.

  You’d scream too if a zombie was about to eat you, I wanted to say, but didn’t.

  The pole tip bobbed a few times and swung to the side in a huge arc. I swallowed hard, watching it.

  “I think you’ve got a fish,” I said to stop him from staring at me like I was about to moan and eat his brains.

  Memphis turned around and lunged for the pole just before it took flight. He cranked the reel.

  Within moments, a fish flopped onto the sh
ore. He removed the hook from its jaw. The skin reminded me of the zombie’s again; slippery and a mottled green.

  “Hey, will you look at that?”

  “Nice work.” I smoothed my hand down my jeans, pushing the bad thoughts to the furthest part of my mind.

  “Pretty big for such a small pond.” Then his eyes lit up. “I think you’ve got one too.”

  He handed me my pole, but I refused to take it and hid my shaky hands in my pockets. He happily reeled in a second fish. Though mine wasn’t as big, it took a close second.

  Memphis chatted on about all the fish he’d caught here as a kid with his dad as he baited the lines and tossed them in again. The fish excitement dulled the horror of the nightmare until he chopped off their heads and sliced down their middles. I tried not to vomit remembering the man’s tongue had appeared the same. And for some odd reason, I couldn’t shake the smell. It lingered in the back of my throat: death and decay.

  Memphis rinsed them off and tossed the guts in the pond. Then without warning, he hugged me and kissed the top of my head. I recoiled, the fish smell renewing all my anxiety. A snap of a tree branch sent me scrambling. I lunged for the dirty knife on the shore.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  My mouth went dry and my fingers loosened their grip. The knife clattered against the rocks as our eyes locked. My heart flipped a small summersault.

  “Kaden?” Memphis’ voice was incredulous. “Where have you been?”

  “Hey, brother.” Kaden sucked in a deep breath and studied me before he finally looked at Memphis. A frown wore into his tired unshaven face. “I’ve been around.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Stuff.” Kaden set his pack on the sand and massaged his arm where a bandage tinged with dried blood was tied. “I heard screaming.”

  Memphis moved closer to me, almost protectively. “Abby had a nightmare.”

  Kaden’s eyebrow rose infinitesimally and I cowered under his stare. Then guilt hit me, although I didn’t know why, and I shirked off Memphis’ arm. “I’m fine. What happened to you?”

  Kaden palmed his hair and leaned against a nearby tree, closing his eyes. “Nothing. Just the wrong place at the wrong time.”