CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Memphis and I traveled in silence over the grassy landscape, serenaded with the occasional snort of Cactus and the birds’ songs echoing in the trees. Nowhere in Brighton was there this sense of awe, something I’d equate to heaven. I could get used to this place.

“So what does a scout do, exactly?” I asked to make small talk.

“We guard and monitor the perimeter for intruders, and hunt and fish.”

“Your mom’s a scout, too?”

Memphis settled back on the springy seat, a sprig of grass between his front teeth. “Ma likes to stay close to Dad since Kaden and I are raised now. Plus she doesn’t do the girlie thing well.”

Girlie thing? My heart skipped a beat. Could that mean hot showers, toothpaste, and clothing that wasn’t starched to death? “Like?”

“You know… cooking, baking and knitting. All that frou-frou stuff.”

My shoulders immediately slumped. I did my fair share of cooking back home, but seriously… that wasn’t even close to my definition of frou-frou. Still, my mind lingered on the aspect of a working kitchen, with a stove and running water.

“Is that where we’re headed to now?” Please. Please. Please, my internal OCD clean-freak begged.

“Not anytime soon.”

“Why?” I cringed at the whine in my voice.

“Well, for one, you’re on probation, and two, you can’t ride a horse injured.”

I cradled my arm, insulted. If they’d accepted me, why was I put on probation? Did they expect me to leave? What would they do if I did?

Memphis put his arm around my shoulder. “Ah, don’t take it personal. They just want to be sure you’re legit.”

“Legit, yeah right.” I angled away from him. I’d made a blind decision to stay and they weren’t even welcoming me in, like they expected me to run away and tattle.

“I know you’re legit,” he said with a low voice. “Isn’t that what matters?”

Apparently, it didn’t matter what he thought. I’d need to please the higher-ups first, which scared me.

“You know, Memphis,” I rested my hand on his knee and squeezed, “I’d never tell anyone about your colony if that’s what this is all about.”

“Of course you won’t,” he said with a laugh. “Who would you tell?”

“Well…” True. It wasn’t like I could just hitch a ride home. I straightened my shoulders and smiled sweetly all the same. “Isn’t the reason for all this secrecy in case I run off?”

He yanked on the reins, slowing Cactus down. “It’s to make sure you’re not a spy.” I huffed at him and he chuckled. “Just kidding.”

I punched him in the arm.

“Actually, I need to go… piss.” He ticked his head to the left.

I faked a smile as I followed where he’d nodded; out toward the trees. Then, like clockwork the urge to pee hit me, too.

Memphis had already jumped down while Cactus nibbled on a patch of weeds nearby. I helped myself off the wagon and tumbled to the ground, landing on my butt.

“Whoa!”

Cactus startled and lunged forward.

“Abby!” Memphis took ahold of the reins before Cactus bolted and ran me over. He came next to me and lifted me up by my hips. “You’re just an accident waiting to happen, aren’t you?”

I pushed my lips together, swallowing down the pain throbbing in my wrist. Before any of this, I was very sure footed and had never injured nor broken anything. “I’m fine.” Removing myself from his grip, I dusted off my jeans. “Just give me a second.”

I stomped off into the bushes a few yards ahead, far enough away so if he decided to check on me I’d hear him. I squatted behind a fat tree next to a clump of leaves tipped in red and did my business only to realize I had nothing to wipe with. Inside my pack in the wagon was a little package of disposable tissues, totally illegal contraband in Brighton.

“Crap.” I wiggled my hinny to drip dry, missing the bidet back home.

After another struggle with the button on my jeans, I sauntered back, proud of myself. Maybe this adventure wasn’t so bad. Day two and I was adapting to whatever had been thrown at me and succeeding, mind you. I’d pass their so-called probation, then tell them my terms.

Memphis wasn’t at the wagon yet when I returned. I looked around terrified. Had I been right about the zombies?

“Memphis?” I called softly.

A crack in the brush jumpstarted my heart. I looked at my naked wrist to check how much time I had left of my life, then cursed at Kaden. Scanning the ground for a weapon, I picked up a sharp stick.

Rule 34.5: If you ever encounter a zombie, don’t run. Stab their head swiftly, aiming for the eye socket, with anything that’ll puncture their brain.

Memphis came from around a tree, zipping up his pants. “I guess you’re ready to—” He eyed the stick. “What are you doing?”

I lowered it, then tossed it into the bushes. My ears heated.

“Umm… protection.” I quickly pulled myself up onto the bench.

“Against me?”

My lips almost blurted out my unhealthy and unjustified fear, but instead I said, “Wild animals.”

He paused for a minute when a whisper of a smile hit his lips as he rounded the wagon. “If you’re afraid of animals, I’ll get you a bow. We could always use the extra meat.”

I stared straight ahead, repulsed at the idea of killing anything.

“That would be great.” My voice trembled, giving me away.

He took up the reins, snapping them to get the horse to go. The seat shook a few times in his silent laughter. I turned my head and ignored him, gazing through the trees, zoning out. Being prepared would be a good idea, but not if they expected me to kill innocent animals. Not to mention I’d need lessons first—after my arm healed, of course. Why did I think I could handle this zombie zone thing? The idea I’d lead them was laughable. I’d never be like Lana.

After a few minutes, we slowed and arrived at an ivy-covered trellis blocking our path.

“Hold on.” Memphis handed me the reins and jumped off.

He pushed open the trellis, swinging it wide on hinges, then took Cactus’ bridle and maneuvered him through the opening. Cactus continued walking as Memphis jogged behind the wagon and closed the gate.

“Uh, Cactus.” I tugged at the reins. “Slow up, buddy.”

The horse shook his head, only walking faster.

“I mean it. Stop.”

The horse began to trot, then gallop.

“Whoa, boy.” Memphis jumped onto the sideboard and took the reins from me. Cactus whinnied and snorted, shaking his head, but obeyed. “I guess he knows he can get away with whatever with you.”

“Ha ha.” I stuck out my tongue.

Memphis smirked.

One point for Cactus, zero for me.

~~|~~

As we neared a clearing, Memphis stopped the horse again. He jumped off the wagon and flipped over the tarp revealing the yellow underside. Then he pulled out two wide brimmed hats and a blanket, setting them on the seat. Once he sat down again, he put the blanket over our shoulders, encasing us in yellow.

“Sorry.” He scooted closer to me and plopped a hat on my head. “Cactus blends in, but we don’t.” He pointed upward. “Satellites, you know.”

My jaw dropped. Even here, the EA watched? Why? No one was supposed to be living here. The dead zone that wasn’t really dead. Could no one escape the EA’s snooping? Dread crept low in my belly, like I was doing something wrong and about to be caught.

With a sharp jerk, Cactus pulled us out into the clearing. The wind picked up, tugging at my hat. Yellow weeds bent with the current across the grassy knoll.

“Won’t they see the trail from the wheels?” I asked.

“Uhhh, yeah, but the grass will spring back up after a little bit. It’s not perfect but it works.”

Perfect. That’s what Brighton promised; a perfect world where everyone’s dirty little secrets were revealed—all but theirs. I rubbed the vacant spot on my wrist. If I had my DOD, how long would it say I had to live in this brave wild world?

“Oh, and just so you know,” Memphis said, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m supposed to blindfold you.”

“What?” I turned toward him and the bill of my hat bumped into his shoulder.

“It’s to keep our camp site a secret, but I’m not going to, not until we’re closer.”

I glowered. Their son takes me, then I’m labeled an EA spy. “Part of probation?”

Memphis shrugged a shoulder. “It’s to protect you incase you’re interrogated, actually.”

I exhaled hard. Did they truly believe the EA would interrogate me to the point of torture? That was ridiculous. This was about trust. I’d meant what I’d promised. I wouldn’t betray their existence or location. That was as long as they respected me and my wishes. Blindfolding was totally overkill.

“And I know you’re not going back anyway,” he continued. “You believe Kaden.”

I slyly glanced in his direction. Yes, I did believe him, though at the end of the day, Kaden’s word didn’t trump my decision making. A shove from the future was hard to deny.

“Don’t get me wrong, Memphis,” I clarified. “Everything is still very confusing, but like I promised, I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Easy promise to make when you’ve got no one to tell.” He smiled widely and I wanted to punch the smugness off his cocky face.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 584