Dimension Drift

by Christina Bauer

  My body numbs as a new awareness creeps through me. I always wondered why Mom fell apart after Luci. I mean, my sister was just living her own dream with Josiah. But if Mom suspected Luci was taken by the government, that would explain a lot.

  I push the idea aside. Luci and Josiah are just travelling around or something. They’re fine; nothing else is acceptable.

  Thorne focuses his big brown eyes on me, breaking me out of my thoughts. “I’d like to do some security enhancements to the factory while I’m here.”

  I rub my neck and think things through. This guy can conjure nanobots that fly through the freaking floor. If he were going to hurt me or Mom, he would have done it by now. “Sure. I need to take off for school now, though.” Just saying the word school sends fresh waves of adrenaline churning through me. “Mrs Littlefield will arrive any second to help watch Mom.”

  All the color seems to drain from Thorne’s face. “You’re going to school alone? Where are your guards?”

  “Guards? This is a Learning Squirrel High School. The only thing you need to guard me from is bad information.” I try to smile, but the intense look on Thorne’s face kills that grin.

  “Guards,” he repeats.

  “Look, you can spend the morning searching for Luci and doing some upgrades, but after that you need to go.” The guy may be handsome, but he’s also from another world and covered in nanobots. The safest route is for him to find Luci somewhere else.

  No response.

  “So once you’re done, you’ll leave, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Good.” With that settled, my thoughts turn to school. I’m so late that Thorne’s ideas of security are the least of my worries. Scooping up my backpack from the floor, I make a beeline for the back door. Thorne stays in the kitchen. I decide that’s a good thing.

  Maybe.

  Chapter Four

  Once outside, I race my butt off through the back alleys and side streets that connect my rundown factory building with Winter’s Run, the main town nearby. It’s like most places these days—boarded-up buildings and streets filled with trash. The government doesn’t do much to support undeserving districts. Anyone worthy is in New Boston, living under the plasma dome. That invisible force field protects from weather, acid rain, smog…you name it. Areas like Winter’s Run are left to their own devices.

  My school is on the outskirts of Winter’s Run. I’m a sweaty mess by the time I reach the familiar muddy field and its patchwork of double-wide trailers. I pause by the massive plastic sign that reads “Learning Squirrel High School.” Private companies run all the schools in the Authority. In my case, Learning Squirrel is the creation of the Derne-Ashe Corporation, makers of borderline skeevy amusement parks everywhere.

  I guess Derne-Ashe figured they had a trailer park and a few dead trees nearby, so why not make the school into a camping theme? Mostly, Learning Squirrel feeds us garbage about how awesome the government is, why Mother Hope is the best President and person ever, and why we need to buy more Derne-Ashe products. Oh, and there’s lots of training on how to find valuable things in junkyards so we can turn these treasures in. We’re expected to pay the government back for this amazing educational experience.

  Total waste of my time.

  I hide behind the wall-size sign and scan the grounds for any sign of my best friends, Chloe and Zoe. It’s the break after second period, so they’re bound to be roaming around the muddy patches between double-wides, along with the rest of the students. The school calls this recess, but it’s really a shakedown for more money. Outside of a dome, most folks make money in reclamation work. In other words, picking through trash dumps and junkyards in search of useful stuff that was thrown away during the United Americas days. Kids do reclamation when they’re not in school. Once here, school puts stalls in the main yard, so traders set up shop. Students turn in what they’ve found on weekends or whatever. In return, kids get vouchers for water, heat, food or—yay—more school. Recess ends when we meet our reclamation quota.

  Honestly, it’s not a school so much as an elaborate blackmail scheme. When a kid skips school, the Authority loses money, so the government comes down hard. You can be only a few minutes late to class and get chucked into prison.

  My throat tightens with worry. Right now, I’m a whole lot more than a few minutes late.

  From my hiding spot behind the sign, I inspect the schoolyard more closely. All the students are clustered around the largest stall. It’s the one sporting a poster of our school’s founder, Mister Derne, or Mister D for short. He’s a pale white guy with slicked-back hair and a too-bright smile. For some reason, he’s always wearing a knit sweater, button-down shirt, and pleated pants. His ears stick out a little bit, and he always wears thick glasses with thicker frames. It gives his face the look of a newt or something else that lives at night and has bugged-out eyes.

  Like I said, skeevy.

  My best friends are in line at the Derne stall, which means they’re waiting to trade in stuff they found for school supplies. Chloe’s the one who spots me in my hiding place behind the sign. Like always, Chloe wears denim overalls. Her gift is for fixing anything mechanical. Meanwhile, Zoe looks like a movie star from the era when there were even movies or stars. Now we have state-sponsored local talent contests. It’s as awful as it sounds.

  Zoe saunters across the muddy yard. Somehow she manages to wear a long white coat that avoids any mud stains. She looks around to ensure no one is near, and then speaks in a hushed voice. “You’re late.”

  “I know. You wouldn’t believe the morning I had.”

  “I can’t wait to hear all about it.” Zoe air-kisses my cheeks. She’s got golden-blonde hair and wears huge sunglasses despite the fact that it’s overcast. “Happy birthday, darling.”

  I grin. “Thanks, Zoe.”

  Chloe stomps through the mud to stand beside us. We’re a good distance from the other students, but we can’t really hang out by the school sign for too long. Unlike the factory, Merciless guards patrol the school’s perimeter. You can tell these warriors because they wear perfectly white body armor that contrasts with their ruined faces. Scraggly, burned, scarred. These folks look like they belong on a pirate ship from old times, not marching around a kid’s school. But that’s the Authority for you.

  “Don’t worry about a thing,” says Chloe. “It wasn’t easy, but I was able to hack into the scheduling system.” She looks around, making sure none of the Merciless are watching. Then Chloe pulls the edge of a handheld from her top overall pocket.

  I gasp. “You’ve been working on that handheld for ages.” Zoe was the one who scrounged up all the pieces from different junkyards. Since then, Chloe’s been slowly reassembling it. “You said the battery was about dead,” I continue. “You had just enough juice to hack into the storage systems in New Boston. You need to get fresh supplies.”

  Chloe and Zoe are in a similar situation to mine, only in their cases, they’re living off the grid to protect their father. He has late stage cancer. Normally, the Authority would have him declared an undesirable and terminated. The sisters have their own business repairing old electronics. You know, dishwashers and microwaves, some of them from hundreds of years ago. They have a steady stable of clients but a long list of odd parts that they need.

  Zoe sniffs. “I have a line on another battery.” The way she says those words, it comes out as more of a question, though. Zoe is a terrible liar. There’s no other battery coming.

  I shake my head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Hey, happy birthday,” says Chloe. “Consider this hack as your gift.”

  I’m terrible at shows of affection, so I just offer my buddies a fist-bump, which they both return. “Most appreciated, guys.”

  “Oh, I was meaning to ask you,” says Chloe. “That magnetic enhancer we were working on…Have you had a chance to test it out?” While Zoe’s golden-blonde hair hangs in a straight line to her shoulders, Chloe’s is a frizz
y mess held back with a scrunchie. I love them both to pieces.

  “Yes,” I reply. “I used it this morning.”

  “Ooh, did it work?” asks Chloe.

  “It worked too well, really. Long story short, I need to see the Scythe.”

  Chloe wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “That guy is such a dick.”

  “Language,” says Zoe.

  “No kidding.” I wave them closer. Sure, we’re far away from the school and other students, but the Merciless are still on patrol. Pairs of white-armored guards still march along the edge of the muddy grounds. Phase rifles are slung over their shoulders. Maybe it’s just me, but all their ruined faces seem to be staring right in my direction. “We need to huddle.”

  Both my friends step in closer. “What happened?” asks Zoe.

  “Well…” I rock on my heels, unsure where to start. In the end, I decide to get right to the punch line. “I kinda-sorta slipped the factory into two-dimensional space-time.”

  Chloe winces. “That’s a major science crime. You’ve got until noon before it’s scanned and reported.”

  The Guardians of Light and Purity live in (what else) a high-tech tower under the Boston dome. It’s called the Guardian’s Sanctuary for the Supremely Deserving, but we just call it Guard Central.

  “That’s why I need to get out of here and see the Scythe. He has friends in the relay stations who can bury what I did before it gets anywhere near Guard Central.” I check my watch. 10:00 a.m. “I only have a few hours to convince him to bury what I did.”

  “You sure he can hide it?” asks Zoe.

  “Positive. I may have committed a few science crimes before.”

  “Meimi!” gasps Zoe.

  Chloe winks. “And I may have helped her commit one or two of those crimes.”

  Zoe repositions her sunglasses and exhales a long sigh. “In that case, I’m not shocked.”

  Chloe turns to me. In the space of a few seconds, she somehow managed to get a mud streak on her cheek. “So how do you plan on getting out of here?”

  “Third period is history with Lead Camper Dave.”

  Chloe’s eyes widen. “Oh, Lead Camper Dave. He hates you.”

  “Yeah, well. I do like mouthing off to him.” The man’s a douchebag.

  “And Lead Camper Dave likes suspending you,” says Zoe. “Do I even want to know why he never reports you?”

  I flash them my palms. “Definitely not.”

  Although, it sure is tempting. I’d love to blab to Chloe and Zoe that Lead Camper Dave has a gambling problem and happens to owe a ton of money to the Scythe. When it’s necessary, I ask the Scythe to make Lead Camper Dave shut up. It always works. But I don’t say anything about that. It’s best to keep Chloe and Zoe as separate from the Scythe as possible.

  Chloe waves her sister off. “Who cares about Lead Camper Dave? I want to know more about this two-dimensional space time thing. What happened?”

  At that moment, one of the Merciless steps forward. This guard is a woman. Half her face seems melted, and she wears a patch over one eye. “Break it up,” she orders. To make her point even more clear, she cocks her phase rifle. Those things melt your face off, which is probably what happened to this guard in the first place.

  “We’re leaving,” I say.

  The guard points the phase rifle straight at my throat. “Where have you been all morning?”

  I shift my weight from foot to foot. “I…uh…”

  Damn, I sound really guilty.

  “Thought so.” While still holding the rifle at me with her left hand, the guard activates a comm unit on her right wrist. “I’ve got an educational crime here.” She lowers her right arm. “You’re in deep trouble.”

  My heart pounds so hard, I can feel my pulse in my throat. Educational criminals can be arrested as enemies of the state.

  I watch in horror as Chloe taps the Merciless guard on the shoulder. Oh, no. She’s already done a ton for me. I can’t have her getting hauled off as an accomplice. I open my mouth, ready to say something, anything. No words come out. Chloe, however, is a bundle of news.

  “Didn’t you see the notice?” asks Chloe. “This is Meimi Archer, and she was authorized for extra reclamation work this morning. The Authority found a new cache of transistors. Some tech company from hundreds of years ago. They needed extra help with the cleanup.”

  Finally, I’m able to find my voice. “We couldn’t salvage much, you know. Only some glass and metal. I’ve been at it since dawn.”

  The guard checks her wrist again. The comm units also have small screens. “Show me reclamation authorizations for Meimi Archer, October 1st, 2612.” Lights from the unit cast flickering shadows on her face. My insides twist with worry so much, I think I might throw up. Finally, the guard lowers her arm. “Checks out.” The look on her face says she knows I’m somehow lying. She speaks into the comm unit again. “Cancel that last order. For now.” She takes a half step closer, and the chilly muzzle of the phase blaster presses against my throat. “But I’m watching you.”

  “I have to get to class now.” For some reason, my feet don’t actually move to walk away.

  Zoe whips off her sunglasses. “Thank you for serving and protecting us.” She then grips my arm and drags me off. As we stop off through the mud, one thought echoes through my mind.

  That was way too close.

  Chapter Five

  History class is in one of the double-wides in the back of the old trailer park. The interior has been cleaned out, so it’s basically an empty space that fits about twenty students, tops. An array of mismatched desks and chairs covers the floor. After slipping inside, Chloe, Zoe, and I manage catch some seats at the back of the room just as our teacher steps in.

  “Hello, my Learning Squirrels!”

  The class replies in a monotone. “Hello, Lead Camper Dave.”

  Okay, Lead Camper Dave is one weird guy. All the teachers have to wear a brown onesie uniform with a red scarf at their throat, but no one owns that look like Lead Camper Dave. He’s a young and somewhat paunchy guy, so he really should not be rocking the onesie look at all. But Dave is the only Lead Camper at our school, so he’s both our teacher and school principal. Those used to be separate jobs, but there was more cost cutting last year, and Lead Camper Dave’s position was created. Nothing like putting a brain-dead creep in management.

  “Welcome to another amazing day at Learning Squirrel High School.” Lead Camper Dave starts writing his name on the chalkboard. Everyone knows his name, but the guy does it anyway. I think he just likes writing the “Lead Camper” part. As for the chalkboard, the thing is chipped and hangs at an odd angle, but Lead Camper Dave doesn’t care. “Today we’re going to learn about what makes people like you pathetic. Who can tell me why you’re inferior? No one?” He rolls his eyes. “Why do I even ask?”

  Lead Camper Dave then writes the word genetics on the board. “You all are less than true citizens because you’re inferior on a DNA level. Otherwise, you’d have money and live in the Boston dome. And even though you are all losers, the glorious government of the Authority still takes care of you. Anyone know who you’re protected from? No one?” He writes another name on the chalkboard. “Sir Kensington, the evil leader of United Europe.” Lead Camper Dave tightens his neckerchief. “Sir Kensington—you may also know him as the Black Lord—is a criminal who won’t rest until every last citizen of the Authority is dead. That’s why you should all be thankful to Mother Hope and the Righteous Command and Ultimate Authority; our leaders keep us strong by weeding out undesirables from our population. I’m talking about those who are poor or sick, the true enemies of the state.”

  I exchange angry glares with Chloe and Zoe. All three of us hate these speeches about how anyone who is poor or sick is undesirable. Plus, in my opinion, Sir Kensington looks like a normal guy. He wears gray business suits, has ebony-colored skin, and doesn’t believe in capital punishment. I’d love to live in New Europe.

  A kn
ock sounds on the double-wide door. Lead Camper Dave gasps while slapping his palms against his cheeks. “Let’s see who’s here, campers!” He turns to the door. “Is that you, Camper Susan?”

  “Mercenaries of Righteous Enforcement.”

  Oh, no. The merciless are here.

  The door swings open, and sure enough, a Merciless guard steps onto the threshold. She’s the same one who threatened me earlier. Every nerve in my body goes on alert.

  “How can we help you?” asks Lead Camper Dave. The guy is now visibly shaking. Even other minions of the Authority fear the Merciless.

  The guard hitches her thumb over her shoulder. “Outside.” She turns about and stalks out of the double-wide.

  All the color drains from Lead Camper Dave’s face. “I’ll be right back, class.” He whips opens the door and rushes outside. It closes behind him with a long squeal.

  The air in the classroom seems to turn leaden around us. Everyone stiffens in their seats. The Merciless don’t go pounding on doors for no reason.

  Is someone going to be taken?

  Chloe and Zoe shoot me nervous looks. I know what they are thinking. If someone’s going to be grabbed this morning, I’m the most likely candidate.

  Low voices sounds outside, and then Lead Camper Dave opens the door once more. He’s smiling, but that doesn’t mean some student isn’t about to be dragged off. Lead Camper Dave is kind of a sick guy that way.

  “I have great news, campers. The Merciless have delivered a new student to be added to our class. His name is Thorne Oxblood.” He motions to the still-open door. “Come in, Thorne.”

  My eyes widen. Wait, what?

  Sure enough, Thorne Oxblood—as in the exact same guy I found in my kitchen this morning—steps into the classroom. He’s still wearing jeans and a black T-shirt, but there’s no mistaking the guy. He’s got a brush cut and way too many muscles. Thorne crosses the room like he owns the place and takes the seat right across from me.

  My face burns red. I can’t tell if it’s because Thorne is setting off my sense of self-preservation or if it’s because he looks really ripped in that T-shirt.