by Tara Brown
He lays his gun down with shaking hands and runs away from the city, heading for the woods.
“All right then.” I walk for the small door, the one Joey and Kyle and everyone I love went through.
The city isn’t what I expected, and yet it’s what I assume it will be now that Liam is here.
It’s smoky and loud and there are people running and screaming.
The see me and scream louder. I don't know why. Passing by a truck that’s crashed into a sign, I pause and study myself in the side mirror, recoiling at the bright-blue lights that shine from my eyes. “Oh shit! They're real! That's not easy to hide.” I want the bots to stop doing it, but they have their reasons, ones they don't want me to know. It’s like we’re sharing my body. I’m not sure how to feel about that.
I just want my sister and this is the best way.
Turning and letting go of the worry over my eyes, I run up the street, attempting to go the way I recall them going. Crowds of screaming people are everywhere as I dodge the bullets fired at me.
I weave and sprint and hide and sneak until I finally reach the house that is theirs.
I open the door, shouting, “Guys!”
No one answers.
Not sure what to do now, I glimpse back at the porch. Then I eye the plateau I stood on as I watched them. I need to get higher.
I turn and run, jumping and grabbing the troughs on the porch roof to swing my body up in a circle and land on the rooftop. Then I race upward, leaping until I reach the very peak of the roof and spin in a slow circle, scanning and searching.
My ears listen, my eyes sharpen, and my brain rapidly computes everything it hears until one thing resounds in me. “Gus!” Joey shouts, she’s annoyed. He’s trying to herd her, it’s her normal Gus-herding shout.
My eyes dart to the spot where her voice is coming from. She’s outside the city on the far side, the north side. I run and leap, sprinting and getting shot but not slowing down as my wound heals.
My legs push and my feet dig in as I sprint hard. My hands grasp for fence tops as I sail over them or car hoods as I launch myself into the air, running as fast as I can for the sound of my sister.
When I get to the north gate I scale the beam they have in place to support it and launch myself over the top, landing hard with a thud. My gun is up on the crowd in front of me. Kyle has a confused expression as his eyes dart between me and Liam and Lee.
Miles folds his arms.
Lee bites her lip.
Erin gives her sister a glare like I haven’t seen from her before.
And Liam claps his hands as if this is the best moment in his life.
“What the fuck, Liam? Lee? Anyone want to explain to our friends and family what big liars you are?”
“LOU!” Joey shouts and runs at me with the other Littles behind her, Furgus hot on their trail, and Mr. Milson on his.
My arms ache to hold my sister, but my body doesn’t work like that anymore. It’s a machine now. A well-oiled machine. The girls cling to me but my gun doesn’t come down.
“Your eyes, Lou?” Liam narrows his gaze. “What’s happening with your eyes?”
“I don't know, asshat. What’s happening with you being a dictator and lying to my friend and making her suck like you?”
“No one lied to anyone. We told them we were bringing them to you,” Lee defends him.
“So your little note you left, threatening them was nothing? Just a joke? You thought that was funny, Lee? Threaten Joey and Julia and Lissie?”
“What the hell, Leelee?” Erin shoves her sister. “Did you do this? I told you this guy was weird.”
“He said—he said she needed to wake up and that she had to feel scared enough to do it. We were bringing you guys to Canada.” Her voice cracks under her sister’s scrutiny. “Liam told Lou about Canada. He knew she would go there.”
“After you came here and forced bots on all the humans and killed the ones who fought you on this.” I narrow my eyes on him and her. “You tried to send me to Canada on purpose so I wouldn't come here.”
“What?” Erin shoves Lee again. “Not cool, Lee.”
“What is going on, Lou?” Miles is lost.
“He wants to change everyone to be like Lou. And I suspect him. And I also suspect Lee.” Kyle walks toward me slowly, making eye contact as if trying to charm me or calm me.
“This isn’t the place to have this conversation, Lou. You know that. Your sister is at risk. We need to move on. These humans and their city are a lost cause. Come to Canada. Meet me there and we will talk. I give you my word, we will only talk and I will not try to trick you again.” Liam’s eyes do that dazzling thing. “Or test you. I don't need to, you passed with flying colors.” He’s proud of me.
Did I walk right into what he wanted me to do?
My brain registers the conversation and the way he said it all and I back up a step, scared of how much of this is masterminded and desperate to be away from him. “Come on.” I wave at my friends and family. “We’re leaving.”
“Will you come to Canada?” he asks, not moving.
“You already know the answer to that.” I play his game, not as well.
“See you in a few days, Lou.” He turns and walks to his helicopter where Harold is sitting. He waves at me when our eyes meet. I flip him off, making him laugh.
Lee goes with Liam, hurting me. And Erin.
She does exactly what she said she wouldn't do: she leaves her sister behind.
“Leelee,” Erin’s voice cracks the same as hers had but Lee doesn't turn back, she doesn't even glance at us. She walks away.
“Come on.” I grab Erin’s arm. “We’ll get her back.”
“I’m gonna kill him,” she growls.
“That's the plan,” I whisper as Harold starts the helicopter and the door’s closed.
We turn, leaning on each other and leaving the humans to die or kneel, Liam’s sick plan.
Of course I won’t help them, not with my sister here. I have to get the Littles and my dog to safety. And Kyle. And everyone else.
Liam wins this one.
Something he knew all along would happen.
Kyle pulls me in, forcing me to lower my gun. He kisses the side of my face and I don't melt into him. I can’t. I don't melt anymore. The feelings are there but the weakness of them prevents me from lowering my guard.
“Lou, you okay?” he asks.
“No.” I shake my head, trying to ignore the sounds of screaming and shooting. “We have to get the Littles out of here.” I begin to hike through the forest, directly for the road where the bike is. A promise is a promise.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Lou, come on.” Miles gives me a skeptical head tilt, similar to the one Furgus is currently giving me.
“Just get in.” I sigh and turn back to the lady who loaned me the bike, Michelin. “I forgot to mention, the nanobot blood in you only works if he has the old nanobots in him. If he’s had surgery or a vaccine or a flu shot in the last couple of years, he’s probably good. Otherwise, he might not make it.”
“That's sort of important information. Maybe start with that for the next person.” She laughs. “He doesn't want it anyway. I asked him and he said, ‘Hell no.’ He thinks it’s aliens. Crazy old fart.” She leans in and hugs me, making feelings burst to the surface. “You kids be careful.”
“Come with us,” I whisper before I think. It’s old me, the Lou I was before the bots. This lady smells like home-cooked meals and warm baths and firelight. She reminds me of before. I want more of that. It keeps me here when my body and brain try to take over.
“I can’t. He won’t leave. Where ya headed? If anything happens to him, I’ll come find ya.” We buzz and hum the same, I know she feels it. She’s drawn to me the way I am to her.
“Cashmere, Washington,” I whisper back. “There’s a bunch of farms and orchards there, all abandoned. A lady named Leah will know how to find me.”
“Then I will s
ee you again, Lou.” She smiles.
“I can’t wait, Michelin.” I step back, already missing her hug as I turn and head for the chopper.
Kyle’s eyes haunt my steps and movements.
“What?” I scowl as I get in and close the door.
“What did they do to you?”
“Nothing.” I gaze back at everyone in the back of the massive chopper. “You guys buckle in and hang on to Gus.” I start the chopper to everyone’s surprise.
“Why’s Lee with him?”
“I don't know.” It’s a lie. I suspect I know the answer. There’s a chance he has her brainwashed or controls her nanobots. I’m not certain so better not to say.
We lift off and I start toward Washington. “I’ll be bummed when this thing runs out of fuel,” I joke.
“How’d you learn to fly it?” Kyle’s green eyes narrow.
“Oh, it’s not me.” I can’t help but grin. “The tiny robots are flying us,” I mutter so no one else hears.
“Are you for real?” He leans in, seeming worried, like me flying is better than the genius little robots.
“They’re great at it, we’re good. You’re fine.” I laugh, it's a little bitter but it’s all I really have to give.
I don't know how to get to Washington from the sky, so I have to follow the highway, the entire way there. It’s not as the crow flies and it takes us longer, though eventually we land in the IGA parking lot. The only place in town I’ve been.
“Where are we?” Erin asks.
“Cashmere. It’s in Washington. Close to Canada,” I offer a lie. It’s not entirely a lie, but the reason for us being here is. I don't care that it’s close to Canada. I care that there’s a lady named Leah who was his friend. I need her.
We hop out, me lifting my gun and preparing for whatever the small town has to offer now.
A tumbleweed rolls past in the hot sun but no heartbeats are nearby. “Wait here, kill anything that moves,” I say back to Kyle and head for the grocery store. Inside it smells worse than any of the places I’ve been with old food. My eyes water as I scan the store. The shelves are empty and the rotten food is all that’s left. The people didn't raid their stores straightaway? How odd.
The beef jerky packets on the floor make me smile but they hurt my heart too. It’s not strong like it would have been before, but it stings nonetheless.
I pick them up and head out of the store.
“Hey!” a guy shouts at me as I walk out. “You with the military?” He marches toward me from across the parking lot.
“No, I stole their chopper,” I say and keep walking.
“Is the military done?” He sounds disappointed. “Are we losing this battle? Is it just us?”
“Nope. The military is weakened, but there are still some soldiers and the president’s apparently in Boulder. I was there, I didn't see him.” I stop walking and wait for him. I don't want him near the kids.
“How many have survived?” He’s jumpy.
“Not many.” I shake my head, realizing he might not have seen many others. “Some people are saying ten percent.”
“Holy shit, ten percent died?” His jaw drops. “That’s like—”
“No, lived. Ten percent lived.” I try to sound soft when I say it.
“Oh my God.” He staggers back, covering his mouth with his hands, shaking and hugging himself. “Oh my God. In this town that's, like, three hundred people.” He shudders. “Oh my God.”
“I’m sorry. Have you been hiding the whole time?”
“Yeah.” He needs a minute before he can speak again. “I was at my camp.” He inhales weirdly as though he’s trying not to cry. “I had enough supplies to last about five months, but I hunted a lot. I managed to stay a bit longer. I came down a couple of months ago, but I haven’t seen too many people and no one seems to know anything. Who are you?”
“Lou. My cousin told me our friend Leah was still alive. Leah and Davis.” I smile, trying to be friendly. “She’s at some farm. I don't know which one.”
“Leah and Davis are okay?” He lifts his eyebrows. “If they’re at a farm, it’ll be his dad’s old place. You’re going to fly that way”—he points—“and it’ll be one of the places that backs up against the sage hills and mountains. Tell her Jimmy says he’s coming for a visit, maybe tomorrow.”
“I will, thanks.” I step back. “So no one else is around?”
“I haven’t seen many people but I’ve smelled wood smoke a few times. I figured people stayed at their camps, but now I’m thinking they never made it to the camps. Damn hillbillies, always overestimating how they’d do in the apocalypse. Like guns are the only thing you need.” He sighs. “I should get home. Guess I’ll see ya tomorrow at the Davis family farm.” He turns, shoulders down, and saunters off.
Grimacing, I head back to the chopper, handing the beef jerky to Joey. “Feed the dog.”
“Can we eat it too?” Her eyes are wide staring at it.
“No. We’ll be in the orchards in a minute. You can get some fruit. Let Gus have that. He likes jerky.”
“What did he want?” Miles asks, continuing to watch Jimmy walk away.
“He thought we were military. Gave me directions though.”
“Where are we going?”
“A friend’s.” I grin at Kyle. I have a lot of explaining to do, but I only intend on doing it once. The story is too long.
I lift off and make my way toward the orchards and mountains.
After two minutes of flying, I put the chopper down in a field near the house with the most wood smoke that backs against the mountains. It’s a hot day so if they’re burning wood, they’re cooking with it.
A man comes rushing out, gun in hand.
“Why do people draw guns on military helicopters? We have missiles, live ones.” Kyle shakes his head in disbelief.
“They’re scared,” Sasha defends the man.
“Yeah, and people don’t know if the helicopter is our military or if it’s foreign,” Jamie says. None of us tell her the side says US Military. We’re all too tired.
I hop out, ducking, and run toward him, empty handed. “Is this where Leah and Davis are?” I shout.
“No.” He holds the gun on me. “Who are you?” He’s older and Sasha’s right—he’s fearful.
“A friend. I don’t know where Davis’ dad’s place is.”
“Two over.” He points to the left. “You military?”
“No, just able to fly so I stole it. We’re friends of theirs. Friend of a friend.”
“You hear anything from the military? Or the government? Or just other people?”
“There was a free city but it got attacked. I don't know how the president is, if there’s anyone left there. We ran from there during the fighting, craziness. Seems like small towns where people can grow their food are doing the best.”
“That's how life was until two hundred years ago. Why not go back to that?”
“Can we park this here for a minute?” I point my thumb back over my shoulder. “Lifting off again to go two farms seems silly.”
“I guess.” He shrugs. “But don't leave it all night, come get it later.” He backs up and heads inside.
“They’re this way.” I point.
“Who is this, Lou? What’s going on?” Kyle jogs after me. “What has gotten into you? You’re acting weird. So detached and confident and crazy. You haven’t even hugged your sister yet!” He grabs my arm, spinning me around. “Or snuggled your dog. Or kissed your boyfriend. And you’re flying helicopters and bringing us to Washington and talking to people. Who are you?” He leans in. “And your eyes were glowing back at the city, when you were angry. You were glowing. What’s going on? The truth.”
“Yeah, we need some answers, Lou. We’re following blindly here and Lee left us. Something’s up.” Miles stands behind him like they’re ganging up on me.
“It’s a long story and I only want to tell it once.” I point in the direction we’re about to walk.
“And I have to tell her, though I don't know her or anything about her, beyond her being a key to the puzzle I’m working on. Can we do a Q and A session when I’m done telling the story?”
“Fine,” Kyle says after a moment. “Okay.” He takes my hand in his and slides his fingers between mine. “Let’s go meet Leah.”
I wait for the Littles and Furgus to catch up. Kyle’s right, I haven’t even snuggled any of them. I pull my hand free from him and wrap my arms around the girls. Joey starts crying, not making noise but shaking as she clings to me. Lissie cries too. Julia stares up at me, analyzing the differences.
Gus rubs us all, leaning on me.
“Okay.” I squeeze them after a couple of minutes. “And I’ll let you listen if you want to hear the story. Okay?”
Julia shakes her head. “We don't want to hear, Lou. We all agreed, we just want to play for a bit longer.” She’s wise for her tender age.
“Okay.” I kiss the tops of their heads, smelling their hair. “Let’s go.” Joey takes one of my hands and Kyle takes the other and we walk as a group to the second farmhouse.
A little girl in tall rubber boots comes running over. “Your dog is huge!” she shouts. “Can I ride him?”
“Magoo!” a beautiful lady comes rushing out of the house. “Sorry, she’s a little too friendly.” She grabs her stray child by the arm. “What did I say about talking to people?”
“Not to. But they have kids and a dog.” She points.
“That's true.” The lady laughs.
“You must be Leah.” I smile and understand right away. She hums like we do.
“Do I know you?” She stands, tucking her child into her body. A beast of a man comes strolling out, carrying a shotgun.
“No, but we a have a friend in common.” I nod. “Liam.”
She presses her lips together to make a line, hinting maybe her heart’s broken. “He sent you here?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don't know. Maybe.” I glance back at my crowd and then her. “I have a story to tell you, and I would love if you’d tell me his story, Liam’s, as much of it as you know, and then we’ll see if we can’t answer each other’s questions.”
