The hydro-glider came to a halt. The people in first class exited first, and then the next row moved along. Ozzie and Reyna got up and followed the line to exit. When my straps finally unbuckled, I prepared to do the same.
Rhett placed his hand on my lower back and guided me out. It seemed as though he needed to always touch me. I assumed to be protective and, at other times, as if he wanted to confirm I was really there. No one since my mom regarded me with such care.
Ozzie and Reyna were already out, heading in different directions. We pretended not to know each other.
Bright lights shone from the station like the first break of dawn after the dim cabin lights.
“Avoid the cameras and stay with me,” Rhett said.
It didn’t matter if I avoided the cameras. As soon as I stepped off the hydro-glider and onto a platform, two seven-foot poles on either side of me scanned my chip automatically. My heart raced, thinking an alert sound would blast through the air, but nothing happened. I should trust Rhett’s team since they had done this before. Then a hologram of a woman appeared and greeted me.
Holograms of women and men’s voices echoed all around, disorienting me. Some were assisting with directions behind a counter. Others helped citizens purchase tickets, appearing next to the ticket machine.
When I stepped onto the walkway, cold wind pushed me forward, and the cool air stung my nose. Ocean water crashed along the road, spraying mist onto my face. Shivering, I zipped up the jacket Rhett had insisted I wear and readjusted my cap.
Salt drops sprinkled my tongue when I opened my mouth to yawn and I cringed at the awful taste. Rhett’s lips twitched, no doubt suppressing a laugh when he saw my expression. A soft animalistic growl escaped my throat, catching Rhett’s attention. Rhett halted and ever so slowly turned to me.
My stomach lurched when he grabbed my hand for the first time, leading me forward. I was just about to yank my hand back when drones, size of a tennis ball, hoovered too close for comfort, and security guards roamed about. Head down, I sped past them.
My heart collided against my ribcage, and I was afraid I would get caught. But when Rhett’s fingers intertwined with mine—the feel of his hands so natural, so familiar—distracted me.
As I continued along, gliders whizzed by, flying in an organized manner. Pedestrians strode through a tinted tunnel walkway mounted above me to get from one building to the next. In the daytime, the city illuminated like a mirage, or a collection of sparkling crystals clumped together.
In the heart of the city, Leviathan Hotel towered to the sky surrounded by skyscrapers, each with unique architecture. A Saturn-like ring encompassed every building—a monstrous solar panel—also used as landing gear for the gliders. Then my eyes were drawn to larger-than-life flat screens displayed throughout the streets—flashing advertisements and commercials for cosmetics, clothes, electronics, and much more.
I wanted to observe everything and enjoy the moment. After that day, I’d never get another chance to pretend to be a normal girl, living in a city like everyone else, strolling down the street, holding my boyfriend’s hand. I felt so alive, thrilled to be out and free.
Rhett released me and shoved his hands inside the pockets of his sweatshirt. “We’ve got ground to cover. Link your arm through mine and keep up.”
Rhett’s stride was long and swift, and he took off as if the concrete scorched his feet. I sprinted until my legs ached and my throat burned. He stopped somewhere less crowded, and reminded me I had a water container, a pack of crackers, and an apple in my backpack. He’d told me it was going to be a long day and the snacks would be our only meal. After I took a few sips of water, I was back on my feet.
“We’re almost there,” Rhett said. “When we get there, you can’t be seen. I’ll point to the truck you need to get in. Don’t come out to help. This group of people thinks I’m working for an organization that feeds the hungry, which is kind of true.”
“I thought the councils had a program that makes sure everyone is fed?”
“It’s true, but it’s not enough. And it’s complicated.”
Rhett withheld information from me. I understood why he would, but that made me more curious.
“And this person, you trust him?”
“I trust her. Her name is Cleo.” He pointed to my backpack. “I put a Taser in there just in case.”
A small neighborhood peppered with quaint shops and paved with gray, beige, and red cobblestones came into view. My mouth dropped when I saw buildings untouched by tsunami, built with wood and plaster, but the cracks and uneven painting of the structure showed their age. I wanted to explore, shop, and pretend I lived there.
I approached the back of a fragrant bakery and the aroma of fresh baked bread made me pause. When five big, black trucks—more like SUVs—drove up, Rhett pointed to the last one.
I climbed in quickly. Though the dark tinted window made the day seem like night, and no one could see me inside, I hunched low to shroud myself.
“Hello, Ava.”
Ozzie’s greeting startled me. His cute smile reflected from the driver’s seat in the rearview mirror. I hadn’t recognized him in his shaggy blond wig.
“Did you enjoy your walk?”
“I did.” I smiled, studying him. “You look good with blond hair, but I like your dark hair much better.”
“Thanks.” His cheeks colored pink.
“What’s going on?”
“Didn’t Rhett explain?”
“Not much. If we’re just getting food, why are we worried we’ll get caught? Why split up to go to the same place?”
“ISAN alerted the council guards about us. No doubt they did with you. The last time we were here, security almost took Rhett, but his contact Cleo basically bribed the guards. Who knows what will happen this time? They’ve come around several times. We also need gas. We’re lucky we have some at home, and Cleo finds a way to get it for us. We’re fortunate to have her help. She’s our unexpected angel. Some people are good that way. Stay here. I’m going to help load.”
Ozzie adjusted his wig, got out of the car, and slammed the door behind him. Rhett, Ozzie, Reyna, and others exchanged words with a pretty, young, red-haired woman who came out the back door.
Jealousy pricked sharply when she hugged Rhett and kissed his cheek. She must be Cleo. Her flirty smile and the way she caressed his arm made me cringe. I’d assumed he was trying to hide me from ISAN guards, but was he trying to hide me from her?
Ugh! I had to stop having these ridiculous petty thoughts.
Everyone got out of the trucks and loaded crates. Rhett began at the first truck, checking and inspecting, and stopped when he reached the third. He reached inside his bag, took out a pair of glasses and a hat. He put them on, but he flipped his hat backward—nerdy hot, but what was he doing?
Then five men, wearing all black with gold badges on their shoulders, headed straight for Rhett. They had come from the adjacent shop. My heart and stomach collided. Rhett and his friends took out their fake identification cards and showed them to the guards. One of the guards even scanned their chips.
Cleo and another girl brought out some pastries and paper mugs and flirted with the guards. Three guards followed Cleo and her friends inside the shop, but two remained behind to interrogate Rhett. They exchanged conversation, and then ...
One guard swung Rhett around and spread him flat against the truck. Ozzie and Reyna flinched, but they remained calm. I told myself to do the same, but it didn’t last long once the second guard opened the truck doors. Rhett waved his hand, alerting me to get out, I assumed. I had no identification on me and I certainly didn’t have a wig handy.
I dug my Taser out of my bag, opened the back door quietly, and slipped out. I sank into the tall grass behind the truck and watched the guard from there. When he’d checked every vehicle, he joined his friends inside. Rhett and his team loaded into the trucks, including me. I thought Ozzie would speed out of there, but he drove like nothing had ha
ppened.
“That was close.” Reyna took off her short, blonde wig and shifted to face Rhett, who sat in the back next to me. “What happened back there? What did you say to the guard to earn a pat down?”
“I told him he’s seen me for the past couple of months, so he didn’t need to see my card unless he had dementia or had a thing for me.”
“Rhett. What the hell? Don’t you ever do that again. You gave me a heart attack. I thought he was going to take you in.” Reyna shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Sometimes I want to sit on your head and crush that ego of yours.” She reached over to smack him but missed when Rhett jerked to the side.
Rhett leaned back comfortably and split his lips into a smug grin. “I had it handled. You worry too much.” Then he focused on me with an impish grin. “That was smart thinking back there.”
I shrugged and gave him the evil eye. “Well, I had no choice. Maybe if you didn’t let your fat ego get in the way, the guard wouldn’t have checked inside all the trucks, and I wouldn’t have had to get out. I had to do what I had to do. Whatever it takes.”
I flinched at the last words. Silence filled the truck for a heartbeat until ...
Reyna swung around and offered me a high-five hand. “Touché.”
From the corner of my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Rhett’s smile, and he leaned closer to me. His knee and elbow brushed up against mine. My heart raced from his innocent touch.
I cursed under my breath for liking it way more than I should. Ever so slowly, I broke away from him and pretended to adjust my hat.
The first truck dropped off crates at a church. Truck two and three unloaded at a facility before heading to their next destination, and truck four hung back to follow us. I pressed my forehead to the window, watching the sun dip lower into the sky.
“Are we going home now?” I yawned.
My body jerked slightly from the bumpy road. I pushed against Rhett's solid chest to stop from smacking into him. The curve of his pecks tightened under my hand.
“Sorry.” I excused myself and folded my fingers on the headrest in front of me.
Rhett just smiled. He didn’t say anything to annoy me or make me flush with heat.
“One more stop.” Ozzie kept his eyes straight ahead.
No gliders, no people traveled the broken street. There was only endless, tall grass beside the upturned cement, poking up through the cracks and swaying against the wind.
“But you can’t go far on this route in a ground vehicle,” I said. “There are potholes and debris. It’s dangerous.”
“We’re going to the other side of Abandoned City, to an area we call, Hope City.” Rhett placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “It was the first place we stayed when we got out of ISAN. We met Cleo on our way there, who was nice enough to give us shelter. She knows nothing about ISAN. I’d like to keep it that way to keep her safe. She arranged a meeting for us with a man named Zen. Not all drifters are Ozzie’s zombies. Like I said before, they are often good people who were wronged by the councils. That is how they see it, anyway. They want nothing to do with society and avoid technology. As a way to thank them for sheltering us, we take them community food and supplies each month. They don’t expect us to, but I need to. If it wasn’t for them, we would’ve been lost.”
“Why didn’t they go with you? Why didn’t you live together?” I asked.
“There are women and children. We didn’t want to risk their lives. It doesn’t matter. They wouldn’t have come anyway.”
My gaze drifted out the window again, focusing on the reflection of Rhett, Ozzie, and Reyna. What generous and wonderful people they were. Out of ISAN, they were able to do so much more, be so much more ...
Be someone important.
By the time I got to Hope City, clouds decorated the sky with orange and fiery red, like a dragon’s angry breath. I couldn’t peel my eyes away. I imagined the creature sweeping down to carry me away, and wished I could see the sun set every day.
Men from Hope City helped unload the two trucks. I had imagined them rough and uncivilized, but they dressed casually—pants and shirts—and were surprisingly well groomed.
A few had Tasers or guns tucked under their waistbands. My gut told me there was more than food and supplies in the crates. Weapons perhaps? And the men who rode in the other four trucks—who were they really?
Rhett got out to talk to an older man with gray hair. Zen, I assumed. The man gave Rhett some bottles I recognized from the medicine cabinet and a backpack, probably more medical supplies. Rhett patted the guys who’d helped load crates to our truck, then hopped into the back seat and we took off again.
People from Hope City seemed happy and content, as far as I could tell. I wondered what they did for entertainment and what their living conditions were like. Did they have electricity or running water?
“You can’t see it from here, but they live pretty comfortably. There’s even a school,” Rhett said, as if he read my mind. “Just beyond those gates is an area with less damage. There are trees, grass, and even small animals. I’ll take you one day, if you’re curious.”
I wanted to say yes, but ISAN could find me any day. Best to not make promises. Instead, I watched the people shrink as we drove away.
Rhett’s knee brushed against my leg, then his arm snaked behind my head. I bristled and the weight of his glances unsettled me, so I stared right back at him, only it gave me no reprieve. Our eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity, as time seemed to be nonexistent. I saw love, hope, and life ... until the car jerked.
I wanted to ask where we were headed, but I decided not to bombard them with questions. I’d asked enough for one day.
We took a detour off the street, over dead grass and gravel. Then about a mile later, the truck stopped behind a cluster of tall, abandoned buildings. The outer few had crumbled, but one in the middle looked steady and had an intact solar panel.
“You get one hour and that’s it.”
I’d never heard Ozzie talk sternly before, especially to Rhett.
“Those jets are in the back of the truck. Have fun, kids. The clock is ticking.”
The sound of Ozzie’s laughter made me wonder what they were up to.
Jets? I swallowed.
“Try not to fall too hard.” Reyna winked at me. “I hope you’re not as afraid of the dark as you are of heights.”
What were they talking about?
Rhett got out of the truck, took some stuff out of the back, and then opened my door. “You heard the boss, Ava. Leave your backpack and your hat here. We only need mine. Let’s go.”
When I got out of the truck, he led the way until we reached an elevator shaft.
I took a step back. “Seriously? We’re getting on this?”
“You’re not afraid to be alone with me inside a dark elevator, are you? Trust me, it’s all good.” He smirked.
I glared. “Fine.” I took a step inside when Rhett opened the door.
The elevator rattled on the way up. Rhett wasn’t edgy like the last time I’d seen him inside one. I, on the other hand, held my breath.
Spiders had marked their territory with intricate web designs on each corner. Paint flakes accumulated on the walls, showing the structure’s old age. It stunk of something rotting, but other than that, the building proved to be sturdy.
“I forgot to tell you—”
“Forgot to tell me what?” I jumped into Rhett’s arms and yelped when the elevator made a loud, screeching noise and rattled to a stop.
“That. It stops one flight short.” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s an old building. We’ll have to climb.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I pushed away from him. Our bodies had created too much heat and I became lightheaded.
Rhett squeezed his fingers through the narrow gap and pulled the doors open. Then he took out a flashlight from his back pocket to illuminate the stairs in front of us—rickety steps with only a skinny handrail to prevent a fall.
&n
bsp; “After you.” He gestured.
“Wow. Lucky me.”
“You are lucky.” He snickered.
I held onto the wrought iron banister and made my way up, keeping my eyes on the areas lit by the flashlight.
“Don’t look down, Ava.” Rhett’s words resonated in the shaft.
“Now I want to look down. Thanks for the reminder. Jerk.”
“Maybe we should’ve switched. Instead of me watching your fine ass, you could be concentrating on mine.”
My cheeks burned as I let out a short laugh. But ... He thinks I have a fine ass?
“Enjoy the view, because that’s the most you’ll see of it.”
Rhett kept quiet the rest of the way. When I reached the top, I found myself on a platform big enough to fit two people. He pushed a square metal door open, went through, then helped me out.
I gasped and covered my mouth. Driving within the Abandoned City, I’d had an idea of the damage, but seeing the whole picture, the gaping ruins and glimpse of former magnificence devastated me. In the center, the aftermath of meteors had left their mark—colossal craters.
As the sun faded, the outline of the destruction disappeared against the darkened sky.
“Wrong side.” Rhett shifted me with his hands on my shoulders.
I walked to the edge until panic surged in my throat.
No matter how many times I’d seen a view of the living city from the web and the sub-glider, nothing compared to that moment. The view stole my breath as I gazed upon endless twinkling pinpricks in the distance—colors from the city lights illuminated to life. A vast difference from the other side of the building. Two worlds. One from the past and one in the present.
Rhett set down his bags and steadied the flashlight on the ground. “This is what I wanted to show you. I asked Ozzie and Reyna for this favor. Happy Birthday. You’re eighteen today.”
“It’s my birthday?”
I had forgotten about it. My foster parents had never celebrated my birthday and it had been ignored in juvenile detention all those years. Eventually, it became nonexistent.