I could hear Nancy vomit behind me, but as much as I wanted to do the same, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Bruce.
It all happened within seconds. One minute my stepfather was sitting under a tree, the next a pristine white skeleton. All traces of blood and flesh gone as if they had been consumed whole.
Then we both heard it at the same time.
“Clean-Up,” Nancy muttered quietly. She looked dazed by what she just saw.
“We’re far enough away. Let’s go see.” I wanted to get her out of there. I knew her researching and her actually seeing might make her change her mind about helping me. It made my power more real than anything else so far.
It terrified me, and gave me such a profound sense of guilt. Bruce was such a horrible person before he died. I never even thought about how I was violating him as a human being. I should have just let him die that day.
We walked from out of the willow’s protective branches, leaving Bruce behind.
Clean-Up was a group of seven skyscraper-sized hover-trucks. Two of them were storage vehicles, equipped with giant magnets that picked up all the trailers, scraps of metal, anything and everything that was magnetized and stored them inside their steel bellies. The third truck lowered itself to the ground and hundreds of ten-foot steel blades shredded the dirt below, loosening it for planting. The fourth, fifth and sixth hover-trucks carried the plants (in this case it was indeed oaks) and dropped each tree to the ground roots down until they were shoved deep into the tilled soil. The last truck carried a mixture of water and fertilizer, which was dumped on the freshly planted trees like a heavy rain, hardening the earth and securing the roots.
Twenty minutes later, Clean-Up had left and a forest of oaks stood in front of us. The trailer park was gone forever, just like Bruce.
Just like my mom.
“The quarantine should be down now.” Nancy’s voice sounded so quiet after the noise of Clean-Up.
It was like my home had never been. The wafting smell of wet foliage hit my nose as if it had been raining for days.
“Let’s get out of here.” I said just as quietly. I didn’t want to sound any louder than that. I just wanted to understand what was going on. I needed to figure it out.
Nancy seemed to feel the same way. She turned to me and gave me an encouraging smile. “Let’s go surprise my parents, shall we?”
I groaned despite myself. I had no idea how Nancy’s family would feel about letting a trailer girl stay with them even if it was just for a little while. But the truth of the matter was, I had no idea what I was going to do or where I was going to stay for the long haul. I was essentially homeless with no family, except…
…For some reason it hit me in that moment. Vice President Geoffrey Turner, the guy that my school was named after, the guy that everyone worshiped was my grandfather and the killer of my parents and everyone in this park. I didn’t know exactly how to feel about that.
“Um, Nancy?” I figured I should tell her everything. We were walking through the newly planted trees, the ground hard and wet. Pieces of clothing and non-magnetic items lay half-buried in the soil. Over time all of these things would deteriorate and disintegrate altogether from weather and abandonment, leaving no trace of their existence.
“Yeah?”
The sound of the Hover-Shuttle whizzed above our heads. The driver would never have to stop here again. I didn’t want to think about it.
“Um..” I didn’t know how to broach the topic.
“You don’t have to say anything, Chelsan, you’ve been through more in the last hour than most people will ever experience in eternity. When we get to my house you can rest and have alone time and then we can talk.”
I realized in that moment that Nancy had reached her limit of new information. I’d have to tell her about gramps later. And to be honest, I felt like I could sleep for days. “Okay, later.”
After about an hour of walking (I was suddenly very impressed with Nancy; she must have ran the whole way through trees, fields and foliage to get to me as fast as she did) we arrived at a Hover-Shuttle station. It was right next to the largest shopping mall in California. The entire structure was made of multi-colored plexiglass from the walls to the doors to the flooring. It consisted of five dome-shaped buildings making the whole place look like rolling hills of stained glass. Built on top of a canyon-sized crater, it was hard not to have a moment of vertigo when looking down through the colored plexiglass floor. The crater was a mile deep and with all its crags and fissures it was stunning to look at. The mall had been around for over two-hundred years and supposedly was one of the most structurally sound buildings ever made despite the fact that it was basically covering up a large hole in the earth.
There was always a loud humming at the mall from Hover-Service. Since all packaging was banned in 2070, Hover-Service took over everything. Basically, once you paid for an item (you did this by sticking your thumb on a scanner and typing in your seven digit pin number that was linked to your account), it was then sent in a large hover-box and delivered directly to your house. Hover-Service traveled in a lower air space than regular traffic so whenever you were near a large shopping area there was constantly a mass of boxes whizzing twenty feet above your head. It didn’t bother most people, but it still bugged me. I guess I didn’t shop enough to make it apart of my “sound” vocabulary.
“Uh, oh.” Nancy nudged her head toward the end of the cobble-stoned street.
Jill was there with her cronies. She hadn’t seen us yet and I didn’t plan on her getting the chance. “Let’s duck into the mall. I really can’t deal with her right now.”
“Good idea.”
Nancy grabbed my hand and led me through the first door we could find which happened to be a shoe store. Nancy dropped my hand and her eyes lit up, completely forgetting I was there. Shoes were Nancy’s thing. Her solution to everything was pretty much to buy a new pair of shoes. According to her, she had nearly a thousand pairs. I couldn’t even imagine how much space that would take up: probably the size of my trailer. Or not anymore… Uugh. I didn’t want to think about it.
Fortunately, the colorful melee of the shoe store was a distracting rainbow of eye candy. All the shoes were displayed on the same colored plexiglass that the mall was made from and it made it hard to differentiate between all the different types of footwear.
“Nancy, shoes later. We should get to the other Hover-Station on Fourth Street.”
“Right. Completely.” She was already focused on a particular pair of sandals. “Just let me check the price real quick.”
And before I could utter a word she was making a b-line to the shoes.
“Nancy.” I grumbled under my breath and joined her by the sandals. “Really? Can I remind you of the events that occurred in the last few hours?” I was tired and grumpy and frankly, I needed to bawl my head off.
“Which is why I need these, and I’m buying you a pair, too. Come on, Chelsan, for just one second let’s pretend everything is okay and normal.” Nancy’s voice was almost shaking and I suddenly knew she was way more affected by what happened than I first realized.
“Okay, but just get the sandals for you. I don’t need anything. And hurry up, Jill likes shoes, too, you know.” I thought I’d throw that in there for good measure. I really didn’t want to run into evil witch girl today. “You buy them, I’ll keep a look out.”
“Fine, but I’m buying you something today whether you want it or not.”
“Whatever. Just hurry.”
Nancy grabbed the display shoes and headed to the counter where, after she paid for the sandals, they would be sent for delivery to her house via Hover-Service. I waited near the doorway keeping my eyes out for any signs of Jill. So far, so good. I was going to have to have a serious talk with Nancy about appropriate timing in shoe buying later, but I knew I’d have to cut her a bit of slack. She did just watch my stepfather deteriorate and rot in front of her very eyes. I was still trying to process that very sam
e thing.
“Hey.”
I turned to the voice and the small tapping on my shoulder.
Oh boy.
There, standing in all his perfect glory was Ryan Vaughn. He combed his hand through his hair in an almost nervous gesture. Was he nervous? In front of me? Considering I still hadn’t uttered a word, I realized I was pretty anxious, too. Even after everything that happened today, Ryan still made butterflies do hang-gliding flips in my stomach. I didn’t know what that meant, but it made me feel like I needed to throw-up again.
“Hey,” I said all cool-like. At least I made something come out of my mouth.
“I saw you on the news. Are you okay? Where’s your dad?” I knew people would notice Bruce was gone! “I was really worried. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Then he touched my hair in an almost unconscious manner. I nearly died. I physically tingled all over. I really was going to vomit now.
He pulled back his hand as if he’d touched a hot burner. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… I’ll leave you alone.”
I wish I could control what my face looked like. Why did I always manage to make him think that I thought he was a leper?! It wasn’t this hard when he was tutoring me. Probably because I could just ask him questions about the homework and I was content to listen to him speak. We never did get too personal. And why did it always take me so long to respond! If the situation were reversed I would be in excruciating torment right now. Wait a minute, I was.
“No, don’t leave.” Do something! Grab his hand or arm or something! I fumbled my hand toward his hand and somehow managed to slap his arm. The crater underneath our feet seemed like a really good place to be right now. “Sorry. I’m just still… I don’t know.” I didn’t want to talk about what happened at the trailer park with him or with anyone. And in that moment, I was suddenly very grateful to Ryan. Even if it were for just a few seconds, he made me feel something other than anguish over my losses. At least Ryan torment was torturously good in some ways when I didn’t act like a complete moron.
“Well, you didn’t need to slap me though I probably deserve it.” He was smiling. It was a relieved, endearing smile that made his eyes sparkle. It made my insides rise in temperature about a hundred degrees.
It was infectious. I smiled back. “Sorry.”
Ryan placed his hands on my arms to grab my attention and force eye contact. “Do you need a place to stay?”
I was shocked I didn’t explode right there.
“Sorry, I.Q. boy, she’s staying with me.” Nancy arrived with a knowing smile and a quick look of good job to me.
Ryan released his hold on me and actually looked relieved. I wasn’t sure if I liked that response or not. Especially the part of him letting me go. “I just thought, well the news said… never mind. Nancy’s perfect.”
“What did the news say?” Nancy was concerned.
“Nothing. I’m just glad you could take care of her.”
He said it so sweetly even Nancy’s face fluttered a little. “Of course I’ll take care of her. Speaking of which, look at my clothes. I look like I just crawled out of the jungle. I need new ones.”
“No shopping, please,” I groaned. “I just want to go somewhere where there aren’t any humans.”
“Too late.” Ryan nodded his head toward a swarm of lights and cameras.
Before I could run in the opposite direction they were on us like the leeches they were.
“Chelsan! Chelsan! Is it true you’re staying with the Merryweathers?”
“Is Bill Merryweather your boyfriend?”
“Where is Mr. Merryweather?”
I looked at Ryan and Nancy in shock. Nancy looked surprised by the onslaught of reporters and their questions, but Ryan appeared more sheepish than caught unawares. He glanced down at me with what could only be described as embarrassment.
Nancy caught on pretty quick as well. “I guess this was what was in the news, Ryan?”
“I…” Ryan was at a loss for words.
“Coming through,” a familiar voice rang through the crowd of press.
And there was Bill, smashing his way forward to get to me. His face was wracked with concern and relief at seeing me. He shoved clear of the flock and hugged me fiercely. “You’re staying with me,” he announced in my ear.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ryan’s face fall. And even though I was grateful for Bill’s concern and friendship, I suddenly wanted to comfort Ryan and explain to him that Bill and I weren’t like that.
I pulled away from Bill. “Bill, thank you so much, but I’m staying with Nancy.”
Bill’s expression was one of awkwardness and disappointment. “But my parents already announced that you were staying with us.”
“She just lost everything she’s ever known and you’re concerned about what the press might think about you?” Ryan stepped forward and grabbed my hand, holding it firmly. There went my knees again, I was shocked I was still standing. Why did I fall apart every time he touched me?
“No. I didn’t… you’re right, of course, Nancy is a perfect choice.” In Bill’s effort to hide his horror of what he was just accused of, he didn’t even notice Ryan’s hand holding mine.
The press did though.
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“Did you break Bill Merryweather’s heart?”
“Bill, I know you didn’t mean it that way.” I wanted to repair the look of pain wracking Bill’s features.
“You guys better get out of here. Nancy, my hover-limo is out front. I’ll stall these guys.”
“Thanks, Bill.” I smiled as sincerely as I could and Bill tried his best to look reassuring.
“I’ll call you later,” he said, though there was doubt in his eyes.
“Come over later, stupid.” Nancy punched his shoulder and shook her head. “Just because she’s not staying at your house doesn’t mean you can’t see her.”
This seemed to brighten Bill back up to his normal self although at this point he couldn’t stop staring at Ryan clasping onto my hand possessively. “Seriously, get out of here. I’ll catch up to you later.”
“Thanks.” I said and we were off, running for the exit. I could hear Bill’s booming voice keeping the press at bay with ‘a surprise announcement from Merryweather Corporation,’ it was a much juicier news bite than a trailer girl surviving a tornado. I’d have to make up for humiliating him later.
Ryan was still holding my hand and it was starting to feel like the most natural thing in the world. And in my chemistry-induced stupor, I wondered if I could surgically attach my hand to his.
The mall doors practically flew off their hinges from the amount of force Nancy used to open them. She was in protective mode now and wanted to make sure I didn’t have to endure any more public scrutiny today. That and she kept muttering ‘this is all my fault, stupid shoes,’ under her breath, which meant she was guilting hardcore. Normally, I’d try and comfort her, but frankly, all I could focus on was Ryan’s hand in mine.
“Over here.” Nancy spotted the hover-limo first and Ryan and I followed her toward the thirty-foot black stretch monster parked a few yards away.
That’s when Jill and her clone Joan stepped in front of the passenger door, blocking our way into the limo.
“This is Bill’s limo, if you get in I’ll call the police.” Jill’s arms were crossed and her face glowed with superiority.
“We have his permission, Jill.” Nancy practically spit on Jill’s feet.
“We’ll just have to wait for him, won’t we?” Jill smiled. “Who knew that losing your trailer park would turn you to a life of crime?” Jill laughed, but Joan’s eyes widened slightly as if even she was a little surprised at Jill’s words.
It was impossible to believe that Jill could actually be that cruel. I underestimated her hatred for me. I could see in her eyes she was enjoying my pain, she was thriving on it.
“Get out of our way,” Ryan said with such venom that even Nancy and I were taken aback.
“Holding hands, I see. I never took you for a trash lover, Ryan. I’m just glad I never let you kiss me on our date,” Jill said the last part directly at me. And I admit it stung that Ryan went on a date with Jill. “You’re just sloppy seconds, trailer girl.”
Nancy apparently had had enough. “You heard the man, get out of our way!” She shoved Jill with some force.
Jill fell to the ground in horror and disbelief. Joan was helping her to her feet and from the look on her face she wanted to stay out of it.
“Come on.” Ryan opened the door of the limo and led me inside.
The Riser Saga Page 9
