The Breeding Tree

by J. Andersen

  With gloved hands, it’s hard to get a handhold on the fence, but I’m afraid to take them off. Stepping on the crate, I reach as high as I can, yanking myself upward and trying not to squish Brody against the clanking metal. My toe presses into a crevice, and I hoist myself up a little higher. Again. I tell myself. A few more times and I can clear this fence.

  One more. My hand can almost reach the top of the fence. I shove my toe between the tiny criss-crossings and set my weight on it. But the squeak of a door breaks my concentration. Twisting to see, I catch a glimmer of light and a tall form creeping out from one of the doorways to my right.

  “Hey!” a deep voice breaks through the darkness. “What’re you doing?”

  Crap!

  Just then, my toe loses its grasp, and I slip. My fingers grip the metal, and somehow, I manage to hang on, but not before slamming my chest into the fence. Brody gives out a horrific screech.

  “Hey, you!” the man yells again, this time taking wide strides toward me. No taking my time or being careful now. I have to move. Brody crying or not. So I hoist us up with one last effort and swing my leg over the fence. For a second, I pause, sitting on the bar at the top of the fence before I turn and grind my toes into the crevices again. One or two steps down and we’re on solid ground just as the man reaches the fence. Brody screams again. “Stop!” the man yells.

  It’s like I’m suspended in time. I know I can’t stop, but everything swirls around me. All I can see is the man’s face pressed against the fence and his fingers like claws, sticking through the metal. It’s not a face I recognize other than the angry, determined look on it.

  “Get back here!”

  As I turn to run, Brody lets out another cry. The man’s eyes explode in disbelief, and he’s running toward the alleyway door yelling, “Stop her! Someone stop her! She’s got an infant with her!”

  Without hesitation, I turn and sprint—if that’s what you can call running with two supply bags and a crying child—as fast as I can to the end of that alley. Running solely on instinct, every turn I take is only a chance I’m headed in the right direction. As long as it’s farther from where I came, it’s better than nothing.

  At each twist and turn, I watch over my shoulder, but the man who saw me must have gotten lost in the maze of alleyways. It only took a few minutes of running before his voice faded into the distance as well.

  This particular passageway looks incredibly familiar, and I’m convinced I’ve traveled it before. About twenty minutes ago. I’ve lost all sense of direction, and for all I know, I could be headed straight by the police station or even back to the study center of The Institute. Neither would be a good thing. How did I get so turned around?

  Turn, run, run, run. Turn, run, run, run. Avoid people talking on the corner. Shush Brody every time he whimpers. At every intersecting alley, I carefully steal a look toward the street in an attempt to get my bearings. After what seems like hours, I recognize something under the light at the corner of the street. The café. At least I know where I am now, not that it does me any good. It’s not like I can walk toward the main street and head out of town.

  Keep your head, Kate! You can do this. I know I’m in for it when I realize how much I’m talking to myself. In my head, audibly, it doesn’t matter; it’s not a good sign. Think. This alleyway follows the block to the corner. I look to my right. There’s another fence for me to climb. Wonderful! Picturing the main street in my head, I can see the café and the length of the block past the library. Yes! The library. Once I reach the end of the alley, I should be in the wooded area of the park that butts up against the library’s western side. I can travel off the pathways and still know where I’m headed.

  This is a great plan. And if I can make it through the park without being seen, I can stop at Micah’s to warm up and rest.

  ***

  This time, I’m up and over the fence with no surprise visitors to draw attention to us. To calm myself, I talk to Brody. He’s whining again, and I’m sure he’s hungry. “Just a little further, little guy, and we can stop for a rest. I’ll get you something to eat and get a diaper on you, and we’ll be off again. Patting him as I walk seems to calm him a little, so I keep it up as we criss-cross through the park, avoiding all the paved paths.

  Walking to Micah’s house will require me to take the main sidewalk down the street for two blocks. With the possibility of soldiers marching through the streets at the same time. There’s a chance we might get caught, but at this point, I’m willing to take the risk. If I don’t risk it, the chance is guaranteed. I mull over an excuse in case we’re stopped by anyone, and as long as it’s not the military, who I’m sure by this time have an announcement out to be on the lookout for a young girl with a baby, we should be okay. “My parents were just assigned this newborn.” I practice in my head. “They asked me to watch him, and I had to walk to a friend’s house for some formula because we’re out, and the new shipment won’t come until tomorrow.” Yeah, that should work. I hope.

  Brody and I step out onto the street. “Be confident,” Micah once said to me, “and they’ll not suspect a thing.” So I do. I don’t try to hide at this point, but walk directly to my destination. I pass one or two people on the sidewalk who give me quick glances before turning back to their own business. I hold my breath each time and wait until I’ve passed them to exhale.

  Keeping my head down, I try to hurry, but hearing footsteps, I look up. Right into the face of a soldier. There are three more behind him all holding guns and standing in a straight line, waiting for more orders.

  “Stop right there, Miss.”

  I’m stone still on the sidewalk, pulling my coat tighter around me. Maybe they won’t notice the bulge of the baby underneath the thick wool.

  “What have you got there?” he asks, pointing to my coat with the butt of his gun.

  My brain races, trying to think of an excuse, but when Brody cries out again and squirms, there’s no denying I’m holding a child.

  “My baby brother,” I spurt out. Then the rest of my rehearsed speech comes to my lips. “My parents were just given this infant. They asked me to watch him while they went out, but I needed some formula because our shipment doesn’t come until tomorrow. I couldn’t leave him alone, so I brought him with me.”

  “Show me your ID.”

  Crap! This is it. Once he sees my ID and enters my number in his screening device, I’m done.

  It’s in my back pocket where I always keep it, but I feign digging through my coat to buy time. Add to that the fact that I have to hold a squirming Brody with one hand and root around with the other, and I’m fumbling as I search. Mr. Officer is not happy about it. His jaw clenches, and he shifts his rifle from one hand to the other.

  “Your ID, Miss.”

  “It was in my pocket earlier.” A quick glance around reveals an empty street, which means no one can help me even if they know I need help. I’m trying to stall just one more moment, but the look on the officer’s face is growing harsher by the second. Dipping my chin, I kiss Brody on the top of his head, knowing this will be the last moment we have together. Then I reach into my back pocket where I knew my ID has been all along and pull it out. “Here it is,” I say, holding it out to the man.

  He takes it and flips it over to see my picture. At the same time, his walkie-talkie goes off.

  “Unit twenty-four, come in.”

  He turns his head to the side and clicks the button on the device attached to his shoulder. “This is unit twenty-four.”

  “Report to one twenty-nine West Avenue. Assistance with entrance into a residence is required immediately.”

  “Yes, sir,” he says to the man giving instructions. Then he turns to the three soldiers standing behind him. “That’s the dissenter’s house. Move out.”

  They turn and head down the street while he hands me back my card without even examining
it. “Get home immediately, Miss. These streets aren’t safe for a young woman.”

  I nod silently and relax my tensed muscles. Slipping the card into my pocket, I wait until they’re out of sight before I can convince my legs to start moving again. More than anything, I want to turn around and go the other direction, but the only way out of here is to follow the soldiers.

  One more block to Micah’s place. “Almost there,” I whisper to Brody, who’s settled for the moment. But when I turn the block, my heart sinks. Of course, I should have known when he said it. One twenty-nine West Avenue. That’s Micah’s house.

  There aren’t many, but I can make out a few soldiers hovering around the Pennington house. Some carry flashlights. Another one or two are in the house, lights on. An unmarked car sits in the driveway. Two of the soldiers who questioned me are guarding the front door. I assume the other two are either out back or in the house.

  What if they find the lab? They’ll never let Micah out of custody.

  I should have known I couldn’t go there. That they’d be watching the house. What do I do now? My house is out of the question. Mom and Dad might notice if I come in carrying Brody. My dad knows about him but trying to explain it to my mother would be next to impossible. She’d return him immediately to be destroyed. No. As much as I long to say good-bye, I can’t. I have to find another way. Then a thought pops into my head. Maybe I can contact Dad. I pull the phone Micah gave me out of my pocket and dial Dad’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Daddy?” The sound of his voice brings the well of emotions I’d been pushing under to the surface. My voice quavers with the one word I’ve spoken.

  He hears it, too. “Katie-Did? What’s wrong? Where are you? Is everything okay?”

  “No. I’ve got him, Dad.” As if he knows I’m talking about him, Brody whimpers.

  Dad hears him. “Is that the baby? Is he okay? Where are you?”

  I speak fast, knowing there’s not much time. “Yes. It’s him. Stuff went all wrong at the lab, and I took him. I don’t know what to do.”

  The sound of shuffling feet and a door closing echoes in the background. “You can’t bring him here, Kate. Your mother’s home.”

  “I know. I just wanted to say good-bye.” By this time the tears have started, and I try to sniff them back.

  “Good-bye? Kate, wait.” He’s whispering so my mother doesn’t hear.

  “I have to get Brody to the Hidden City, Dad. I have to get out of here.”

  “Kate, where are you? Don’t go anywhere. I’ll come and get you.”

  “No, Daddy. You can’t. It’s too dangerous. They’ll come after you if you do.” More soldiers march up the street toward Micah’s house. I can’t talk anymore. If I do, Dad’ll convince me to stay, and I know that’s not an option. “I have to go.”

  “Kate. No. Wait.”

  “Good-bye. I love you.”

  “Katheri—” I don’t hear him finish my name because I’ve already hung up the phone. My face is streaked with tears that I wipe away with the back of my hand. Sniffing again, I glance around to get my bearings. I have to be fast. More than likely, Dad will come looking for me. Besides, I can’t be out much longer. Even though the deep frost of winter has broken, the frigid wind and light snow storms of early March can be just as cold. My fingers are going numb, my cheeks are burning, and I have to find a warm place to feed and change Brody.

  Only there’s no one I can trust.

  THIRTY EIGHT

  NO ONE TO TRUST

  AN IDEA POPS INTO my head, and before I have time to weigh the consequences, my feet are already putting my new plan into action. Maybe there is one person I can trust, even if I haven’t told her all the details. I know where she stands when it comes to all things associated with The Institute. She’ll listen. I’m sure of it.

  It’s another mile from Micah’s house, and the biting cold has already frozen my toes. Climbing up the front steps is physically painful. I hope she’s home. Alone. This is my only chance to get help before I have to confess everything to my parents. Before my cracked knuckles can bang on the door, it opens in front of me. She jumps back, surprised.

  “Kate, what are you doing here?”

  “Taryn, I need your help.”

  She backs into the house, letting me pass. “Kate, what happened? What is all this stuff?” she asks, pointing to my bundles.

  “Are your parents here?”

  She shakes her head. “Working late.”

  “I have something to show you, but you can’t freak out.”

  Her foot taps frantically. “I’m already freaking out. You’re acting all weird, Kate.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. But before I show you, I need you to promise you won’t say anything. Ever.”

  She rests her hands on her hips and twists her one eyebrow at me in question. “What are you talking about?”

  “I mean it, Taryn. This isn’t just some teenage-love-story-please-don’t-tell kind of secret. I need your word.” I’m holding Brody with one hand, still under my coat. He’s starting to squirm, but I won’t show Brody unless she promises me.

  “Fine, I won’t say anything. Now, what’s going on?”

  “The Institute has been lying to us our entire lives,” I say, pressing into her house as I unbutton my coat slowly. “But I’ve recently discovered something. They’ve been using unapproved DNA to create new embryos.”

  “What?”

  “That’s not all. Remember how I switched my third trimester disposal with you?”

  “Uh huh. It was supposed to be tonight.”

  “Well, the real reason I wanted to switch is because he’s my son. They used my DNA to create him.”

  “Kate, this is crazy! You’re talking nonsense.”

  “No, I’m not. And here’s my proof.” I set the bags on the floor in the dining room and slip my coat off and reveal Brody, still strapped to my chest with my scarf. “Taryn, meet my son.”

  Taryn lets out an audible gasp and presses her fingertips to her lips. Her eyes widen and she stumbles backward before catching herself on a chair. Gathering her composure, she creeps forward as if she’s afraid she might get hurt if she gets too close. “Kate, this is insane. You have to bring him back. Maybe they’ll overlook the infraction or … You have to take him back there.”

  I shake my head. “No. You don’t understand. He was set for disposal. They’ll kill him if I take him back. I won’t let that happen.”

  Her eyes are frenzied, and she keeps stepping closer to see then backs away. This must be a lot for her to take in all at once. I’ve at least had the past few weeks to get used to the idea. “But if he was supposed to be disposed, then there’s something wrong with him. He won’t survive either way. Why would you take him out and make him suffer? He’s not right, Kate.”

  “Because I don’t believe he’s truly unviable. I’ve seen things, Taryn. Wonderful people living with disabilities and diseases. He doesn’t have to be destroyed.”

  In her frantic state, she spouts the things we’ve heard all our lives. The things The Institute has taught us about the Unviable. “That’s the whole point. We’re trying to eradicate those things. By letting them live, it affects all of us. It’s not like people can’t live with medical problems. It’s that we don’t want to. Look at what you’ve done, Kate. He can’t live here. They’ll never let him. What are you going to do with a sick infant?” Her hand pushes back the hair that’s fallen out of her ponytail and comes to rest on her opposite shoulder like she’s half hugging herself.

  Maybe this was wrong. I shouldn’t have brought him here. It’s too much for her to handle. I should leave.

  I’m regretting my decision, when I look down at Brody. He’s breathing rapidly, but at least he’s breathing. I need to get him medical help as soon as I can. Then looking over his tiny ears and pout
ing lips boost my confidence that everything is going to work out. “I’m taking him to the Hidden City.”

  Taryn runs her finger and thumb over her eyebrows as if to press away the frustration. “Seriously? Kate, you know that place doesn’t exist. It’s a fairytale to keep the hopes of the sympathizers alive.”

  Of course she would think this. It’s what we’ve been taught since we were in diapers, but I know better. “It’s not.”

  “What? You’ve been there?” Her hands drop to her sides.

  “Yes, I’ve been there. With Micah. It’s where Brody belongs.” I run my fingertips over the thin, silky hair that covers his head. “Where I belong.”

  “Where you belong? What kind of crazy talk is that? So, what? Your plan is to just up and disappear to live in some underground cavern or something? Gee, that sounds like a great life, especially with a baby to take care of.” She takes a deep breath. “Listen to yourself, Kate.”

  “It’s not like that. Okay, look, I’m not going to argue with you.” So much for getting her help. “Can I just warm up and change and feed Brody? Then I’ll be on my way. Will you at least help me with that?”

  She exhales loudly. “Yeah, fine. I’ll help you with your crazy plan, and when you wake up and realize how insane this idea is, I’ll do my best to help you stay out of trouble, too.” She gives me a weak smile. “Because that’s the kind of gal I am. Just hurry before my parents get home.”

  I unwrap Brody and nuzzle him under my chin, feeling the warmth of his skin against my neck. “You realize they’re going to dispose of him when they find him.”

  I shoot her a fierce look. “Which is why they won’t find him.”

  Shrinking away from my protective mother glare, she heads toward the kitchen. “Do you need anything? You know, to feed him or something.”