Synthetica
Page 32
It was enough. There were only three entries in the CID. He clicked on the top one, and felt a sense of satisfaction. The girl in the photograph had the same pink hair, the same shaped face. It was her. He read through the information shown on the screen, devouring everything he could. He would find out everything he could about this girl – where she lived, what she ate, who she talked to. And then he would destroy her.
Something else occurred to him. The boy she was with today - he had been one of his Civitas targets. He typed the boy's name into the CID and brought up his photo, so they both stared out at him from the screen side by side.
“Anais Finch.” The name seemed to roll off his tongue and he smiled behind his mask.
Anais Finch.
He was coming for her next.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Back in 2009, I had an idea for a book. It wasn't this one.
That book (a dystopian tale about a girl addicted to sex, who lived in a town that was covered by a glass globe due to a nuclear war that had ravaged the world outside) never really worked out – I can't think why. But it did teach me a few important lessons that would stick with me through the years, until I finally got my act together and wrote my first full novel, which is the one you've (hopefully) just read.
The first, is that no matter how crazy the story sounded, no matter how I often I thought out loud about various plots and subplots, heroes and villains, Alan would always be there to hear me out. I've lost count of the number of times I've suddenly blurted out a random question about computer hacking or superhero powers or what effect living under a glass globe might have on the economy; only to be greeted with patience and understanding, as thought it's the most natural thing in the world to have your partner turn to you and say, 'if you created a computer program that could be downloaded directly to your brain, what would the effects on society be?' And so, I can only say to Alan – thank you. Thank you for constantly pushing onwards and upwards, and for your complete faith in me, even when I had no faith in myself.
The next lesson I learnt was that people are always willing to help if you ask for it. Back when I was struggling to write that awful dystopian story, my friend Laura became my writing buddy and pushed me to write, write, write and write some more. Unfortunately, there is no handy cafe near me now, where I can go to write and have a good catch up with old friends. But thanks to the magic of the internet, my beta readers have still helped and encouraged me every step of the way on my journey to write this novel. So, to Sarah, Fiona, Hannah and Laura – thanks for cheering me on and forcing me to stick (more or less) to my deadlines. You guys rock!
Lastly, I found out both through attempting to write that novel, as well as starting and abandoning countless others, that the only way a book gets written is through hard work and determination. But I would never have had the perseverance to continue with this novel, if it hadn't have been to all the wonderful members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Without your constant help and encouragement, as well as putting up with my monthly neurotic ramblings, there is no way I ever would have had to the courage to finish this. To each and every one of you – thank you!
My last fun fact for you is that I was raised on a dairy farm. To this day, I can't drive past a field of cows without looking to see what breed they are, what they're eating, how healthy they look, whether they're in calf or not etc...but despite this obsession with cows, being raised on a farm also gave me another blessing – a lot of time to think. I have come up with hundreds upon hundreds of story and novel ideas while milking cows and feeding calves. A large majority of them will never see the light of day, but I still find working on my parent's farm incredibly liberating while I'm dreaming up a new novel idea. And so, last but by no means least, I'd like to thank my mum and dad.
My parents never once stopped me from reading a book – which imparted a lifelong love of reading and, obviously, a strong inclination to write. They have always put up with my crazy ideas (whether writing related or not), despite the worry I probably constantly cause them. So, to mum and dad, all I can say is thank you. For everything.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Pattinson graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BA Hons in Publishing Media. Born and raised in the north of England, she shares a love for anything to do with tea, cake, bread and butter, rain, the dark, lakes, fells and Lord of the Rings. She now lives in Norfolk with her partner in crime, and is currently working on several new projects, including the sequel to Synthetica.
Find out more at www.rachelpattinson.blogspot.co.uk
Or follow her on Twitter: @REPattinson1