by Kris Moger
“Pa? Is this what Upperlords do? Drink and make a mess?”
His father twirled a decanter in his hand. “I’m afraid so. Well, at least, that’s what Georges does. I don’t know too much about the others except for rumours from cleaning staff and such.”
“Where do they get all the alcohol? I thought the original stash of booze ran out several years ago.”
“This is filth brewed by Upperlords, themselves.” He peered closer at the words scrawled across the label. “In fact, I think this might be Georges own stock. It is most often made by potatoes.”
“I’m sick of potatoes,” Teddy sighed and stared out the window at the wall of dirt.
“Me too,” agreed Henri, his chin resting on his hands.
“I get they are the staple of our lives because they are simple to grow in this underground prison, and they make flour...”
“Alcohol,” his father added.
“Soup,” Henri said.
Teddy put his head on his hands. “Okay, yes, you can use them for almost anything, but don’t you ever imagine what an apple pie would be like?”
Their brute blinked and stroked his chin. “What’s an apple?”
“It’s a round, crisp... thing... fruit.” He struggled to answer what he had only read about. “They’re good, or so I read.”
“You depend on too many books, my boy,” Pa said, patting him on the leg. “What is the point of craving something you only read about? All that does is make one pine for what they don’t own and hate what they need.”
“I could devour potato raw now,” Henri sighed, rubbing his stomach.
“Or fried. Tisha makes wonderful fried potatoes with a spiced portion of dried chicken mixed in. Not always easy to find spices, so she saves it for special occasions.”
“I like it when she shreds carrots in them too,” Teddy admitted as he gave in and realized he would inhale almost anything edible to stop his stomach from complaining.
“How we get chickens?” Henri asked. “They pets at first, like dogs and cats, or what?”
“My old teacher said when they planned out the domed city designed to save everyone and everything, they had different sections devoted to other animals, but they all collapsed aside from three greenhouses and the chicken farm,” Teddy explained, trying to ignore the knots convulsing his stomach. Fatigue and hunger made him a little punchy. “Some people eat them.”
“Chickens, yes we know, Ted,” Pa said. “You eat them yourself.”
“No, cats and dogs.” He yawned until his jaw cracked.
“Ah, yes. Mrs. Fish trapped a couple of mutts the other day and is going to try to breed them. She’s hoping to get into the meat market and make pelts out of the fur. She thought about trying to breed Critter and Stub, but apparently they’re getting too old.”
Somehow the idea nauseated Teddy. The dogs were not his favourite friends, but they loved the family. Plus, he read too many stories about people and their faithful pets, and always thought it wasn’t a good plan to eat the one you love.
Henri exhaled, his barrel chest deflating. “I want one when young. Wanted one to play with and be with. Didn’t have anyone else after Keme left and they... petable, kittens too, petable.” He made a motion as though he was stroking an animal.
“I think we’re all getting sleepy,” his father said, yawning too. “I’m going to raid her stores and see if I can’t come up with something to give us a little energy.”
“Henri, what happened to your family?” Teddy asked after his father went into another room.
The brute stared with bleary eyes before hugging himself. “Don’t think ever had any. I get I had beginning, baby me, but I shift from person to person. Then no one. Just me. Others died or disappeared, or stopped finding me useful.”
Teddy understood. “Yeah, never liked being shuffled about much.”
“You too, huh? They not parents?”
“Not my original parents,” Teddy admitted. “They’re the first people to stay, though, and they don’t ask anything of me. I help out of want, not their need.”
“Good people,” he said, staring after Pa. “Sensed that; good people.” He turned toward Teddy with hope lurking in his eyes. “They keep me?”
He whacked the brute in the shoulder. “I told you, we don’t own you; we hired you.”
Henri frowned at this.
“Yes, Henri, they will keep you for as long as you want.”
A grin blossomed on his face. “K.”
“How about some beets and eggs?” his father asked as he rejoined them with two plates piled high with food.
The aroma almost put Teddy on the floor as he salivated. “Beets? Oh, yes. I haven’t had beets in ages.” He got up and took the plates from his father and distributed them. Pa handed each one of them a fork, grinning.
“Let’s not concern ourselves with manners, boys. Dig in.”
Henri chuckled, and Teddy grinned, taking in a giant mouth full. The flavour was fantastic, sweet and juicy, and they devoured the lot in moments. Full, they sat back, rubbing their bellies.
“Is there some we can bring everyone else, some beets or something?” he asked, feeling a trace guilty knowing they were hungry back at Undercity.
His father was about to answer when a commotion at the door cut him off, and Georges burst in pushing a cart filled with sacks.
“All right, you thieves and scroungers. Here’s the deal.” She parked her load and flopped in a chair, whipping her hair out of her way. “I give you this food, and you take me to where you got this treasure.”
Teddy turned to his father. They needed the supplies, but taking an Upper to the mall was a risk.
His father sat back and pondered Georges.
“Come now, Tru, you don’t have much choice. I promise I will keep everything a secret. I want to understand what I’m getting myself into. You’re asking a lot of me.” She flourished a hand toward the cart.
“This is a risk. Purchases such as this get noticed, and people ask questions. I don’t own brutes. Never wanted ‘em; never needed ‘em. My sister deals with those issues. Now you ask me to take risks, and I believe I deserve to know what I’m letting myself in for.”
After a moment, Pa nodded. “Fine.”
“Pa.”
His father put up a hand. “I know, Teddy, but change doesn’t come without risk, and she’s right, we have no choice.”
“Good,” Georges clapped her hands together and rubbed them. “Now, let’s go before I rethink this or Duras comes back and squeals to my sister.”
She shoved the cart. “Henri, if you wouldn’t mind. My old back has had enough of experiencing hard labour.”
As Teddy held the door open, the brute passed with the mound of food—at least enough for a week if not two.
“Ma will love this.”
Pa shook hands with Georges. “Let’s hope so.”
``````````
“Carrots, carrots, carrots,” a happy Deb shouted as she danced about the cart when they got back. “And eggs, oh eggs. Ma? Scrambled? I adore them scrambled.” She ran over to Georges and attached herself to the Upper lord’s bony knees.
“Thank you, thank you. My tummy says thank you.”
Georges managed a crooked smile and detached her. “Yes, well, your tummy’s welcome. Um, erg, child.”
“Deb, her name is Deb,” their mother said, her voice testy. She was not pleased to see an Upperlord in their home, but the load of food made her more receptive despite herself.
“Yes, love, I’ll scramble the eggs.” She gave her a gentle, but firm shove toward the back rooms. “Now, wake your brother and sister. I’ll get this all going and we’ll feast.”
“Yah,” she cheered and dashed from the room.
“I thought Jolon was getting the stashes ready,” Teddy said to his father.
“He was,” Ma said. She put her hands on her hips and frowned at each one of them in turn. “I don’t know what you four are planning, but I sen
t him back to bed. What? Were you going to drop off the food and leave me a note? It’s a good thing Deb only sleeps for ten minutes at a time, or I would have woken up to an empty house.”
Pa swept her up in his arms despite her protests. “Tisha, my love, all will be well; you’ll see.” He wiped her cheek and gave her a kiss.
“Oh, yes, you brought an Upperlord into my house. Sorry, Georges, but I don’t have much use for your kind at the moment.”
She bowed. “Don’t fear, my dear, I don’t have much use for my kind at any time, so we both agree.”
Her words did not quite remove the disapproval from their mother’s countenance, but Georges did manage to elicit the hint of a grin. “Fine. You get ready, and I’ll make you some food.”
“We’ve eaten,” Teddy admitted though he regretted speaking as her attention went to him.
“Oh, you have? Eating with the posh Upperlords now? Well, I shall feed the others a humbler fare, shall I?”
“The meal was humble, Ma. Don’t be mad. Pa cooked, and we were so hungry.”
“Yes, and they didn’t even offer me any,” Georges said, sighing with a most sorrowful pout.
“Well, you sit, and I’ll show you what true food is like,” she said, offering Pa’s stool.
The Upperlord nodded, her braids wagging with the motion, and she perched on the seat, trying to tuck her legs underneath. “Would be delighted, my lady. Would be most delighted.”
Pa beckoned to Teddy, and they left the main space.
“Don’t worry about your Ma,” his father said as he chose an oxygen tank and stuck it in his stash. “She’ll be all right. She is a little weary, like the rest of us.”
“Can we leave them alone, Pa?”
“They’ll be fine, Ted, but we’ll haul the doors closed in case. I think I might even get Mrs. Fish’s brood over as well.” He handed his stash to Teddy.
“You finish putting this together, and I’ll go round her up. After, we’ll secure the gate to the bridge. Everyone will be snug until we come back.”
“So, we’re going?” Jolon asked when Teddy came back into the house. He was busy demolishing a large plate of eggs and mashed potatoes.
“Yeah,” he said, sitting on his chair. He took the cup of water his mother offered and downed it. “We’re going to fix the world. Not sure if I’m excited or terrified.”
“The canteens filled with enough water?”
“Yes, Ma.”
“You’re going to need several to keep going for a few days. You better take Henri to carry things.”
“Pa wants him to stay here and protect you.”
“Protect me... from what? With the bridge secure, no one can get in. You’re taking Henri and all his brawn, and that’s final.” She whirled around and took a tray of cookies from the oven. “Now, you get the blue container and fill it with these as soon as they’re cool. This is the best food to bring on these trips and I don’t want any of you starving either.”
Teddy did as his mother commanded and the others kept to themselves. He understood she was only worried, but it was not good to antagonize her further by making light of the situation. He let his father deal with his mother and the whole issue with Henri. The addition of Mrs. Fish did sound like better protection than Henri. She had a reputation for her solid constitution and accurate aim with a stick while her husband and sons preferred slings and rocks.
“Caden better?” Henri asked as he added his plate to the cleaning bucket.
Ma stroked his cheek. “Yes, dear, she is much better today. I think she’ll be on her feet soon.”
He held out a part of a yellow flower he had somehow plucked from Uppercity. “Found in crack. You give her?”
She took his offering with a gentle smile. “Thank you, Sweetie, you are so generous.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he blushed.
“Well, a brute with a sweetheart. What other wonders are in the world?” Georges asked as Teddy and Jolon made gagging gestures.
“Be kind,” their mother ordered as she left with a plate for Caden. “And mind the food or you’ll be eating burnt biscuits for the next few days.”
“So, this is your grand secret,” Georges said upon arriving at the mall. “Well, well. A whole new possible situation, a completely new city.” She sniffed the air. “Well, it’s breathable.” She sniffed again. “In fact, it is quite fresh.” “Fresh and invigorating,” Pa replied with his wacky grin. “Interesting, right?”
“There’s more,” Jolon piped in.
“Lots more,” Teddy added, and they both grinned.
“Yes,” Pa said with a disapproving shake of one crooked finger. “These little gophers snuck in the other night and went exploring farther than they should have. Well, go on grab courage and lead. Show us what you rats found.”
“Rat isn’t bad if you can get a hold of enough potato juice to drown your taste buds in,” Georges said with a slap to Henri’s shoulder.
He pulled at his ragged fleece shirt and sighed. “Good with onions if ya kin get em, onions.” Teddy shuddered.
“You ever eat ‘em?” Jolon asked, his face tinted green as they guided the others.
“No. Almost did, though. About a week or so after my parents died. The guy down the way ate them every day. He had a special way of catching them—traps he made himself out of bits of wire and other objects. He’d hang them from a rack he had secured to this little hovel he lived in. The place stunk and was disgusting to look at, and he’d build this fire under ‘em to singe the hair off and dry them out.”
“That’s gross,” Jolon said, shivering. “But I remember rubbish like that. I was nonstop scared, and I don’t even remember why I was alone. One day I had a mom and the next I didn’t. I scrounged for anything I could find. I tried bugs once and worms more than a few times. I guess that’s why I can’t seem to stop eating now.”
Putting an arm around his younger sibling, Teddy laughed. “You’re safe. It’s all good now. You and me, we’ve got family and,” he turned them around to get a view of the full expanse of the area, “all the potential of a new home. Imagine. This could be a place with food enough for everyone. Where families stay together and children grow up healthy.”
“You’re such a dreaming dope,” Jolon said, pushing him, but he grinned.
“Yeah, well, you’re a weird freak of nature.”
“Oh, funny, is that the best you can do?”
“Nope, but I’m not gonna waste my best on an annoying little brother like you,” he replied and whistled as he sauntered ahead.
“Hey, not too fast,” his father called out, as Jolon took off after Teddy. “We still don’t know what’s out here.”
“What’s out here?” Georges asked, her face glistening with sweat. “What could be out here?”
“Not much,” Pa said.
“Just goblins,” Jolon said.
“And trolls,” Teddy added.
“What trolls?” Henri asked with a worried expression.
“Boys, don’t be troublesome,” their father said. “We face enough real troubles down here without making up new ones. Relax, Georges, Henri. There shouldn’t be anything worse than snakes and rats, but we have found ratdogs and the odd alligator in the sewers. Can’t say if they are in these parts, but it never hurts to keep an eye out.”
“Lovely,” Georges groaned. “How about rest and food?” She scooped a tiny glass box from the ground. “I would not mind a moment to explore some of these stalls.”
“Oh, no, we haven’t even come near the best part yet,” said Jolon.
Teddy nudged him in the ribs.
“Ow, what?”
“Nuthin, except you’re babbling.” he said, trying to be subtle.
Pa patted him on the shoulder. “Calm, Teddy, we agreed to share everything with Georges.”
“Yes, it seems, your father wants to trust me.” She winked at him. “But don’t you do that. Don’t you follow his standards; you construct your own. It’s a good surviv
al trait in this world.”
“Thank you, Georges, for such terrible advice. I would like my children to grow up a little less jaded if you don’t mind.”
The Upperlord snorted. “Bad idea, Tru.”
Teddy wasn’t certain whether the woman was joking or not, but he figured it wasn’t important. He would go along with his father, but he would only trust so far.
“Fine,” he said, at length and gestured to their left. “We go down this hall, and there’s a door to our best find.”
“The sunrise room?” his father asked, his voice holding a hint of excitement.
“Sure, if you want. Works for me,” Jolon said. “Not bad at all.”
“Accurate,” Teddy said. “All right. Let’s go.”
A while later they sat in the same spot as last time, staring up at a blue sky.
“This is paradise,” Pa said in a tone of awe, and he agreed. “This is amazing,” Georges said, her gaze glued to the endless sky above. “This is more light than the entire Uppercity gets, except for the greenhouses. They’re well defended, though. Protective, greedy buggers don’t like to let anyone in.”
“Paradise needs a cleaning,” Teddy said, gesturing toward the tables and stalls. Faded pictures and signs curled away from the cement walls and pillars, and garbage lay scattered everywhere as though people left in a hurry.
“So this is a f... f... foo... food court,” Jolon said, pointing up to a sign hanging from a beam high above them.
“Good, Jol. Yes, this is where people came for food,” Pa said, turning a tray over in his hands. “This is good. This has some potential. Not certain what for, but I’ll get to that later.”
Jolon tugged on Teddy’s sleeve and motioned toward one of the booths. “Come on.”
“Check for cooking oil,” Pa said. “These places should have a good supply, enough to keep us going for quite a while.”
They rushed over to one of the stalls, and his brother flipped up a part of the disgusting counter to get in behind. It was a stinking mess of mould and grime.
“Looks like we have oil and lots of it like Pa thought,” Teddy said, searching through a couple of cupboards. He pulled out two hefty jugs and stuck them on the cleanest part of the filthy surface.