by King, Sara
“Gimme that!” Anna snapped, jerking it out of the little girl’s hand and gathering up the rest of her cards. “You’ll corrupt his greatness with your ignorance.” She kicked the bottom of the cot. “Get your fat ass off my bed. Find your own.”
“Okay,” Molly said. She stood and moved to the other side of the room, where the quiet Aquafer lady had slept.
Anna watched her go, her face growing darker.
She’s not getting a rise out of Molly, Magali realized, leaning forward curiously. And it bugs the shit out of her.
For a long moment, the hut was silent as Molly started picking through the Aquafer’s stuff, setting it aside in a neat pile, humming.
“What’s wrong with you?” Anna demanded finally.
Maybe she’s not a sociopath, Magali thought, gleeful, but didn’t say it. She leaned back, enjoying her sister’s frustration.
“I’ve got a thyroid condition,” Molly said cheerily. Her eyes caught on Anna’s face, which was now darkening with bruises. She touched her own cheek to indicate the enormous black bruise spreading across Anna’s cheekbone from Gayle Hunter’s attack earlier that day. “What happened to your face?”
“You’re some sort of retard, aren’t you?”
Magali sighed. Glaring at her sister, she said, “Look, Molly. I’m sorry there’s no other girls in camp your age, but Anna’s not going to be nice, no matter how much you try. Really, she won’t stop. I’ve lived with her for eight years and she’s been insulting me for six of them. Just believe me when I say there’s no reason to hang around.”
“Let her stay,” Anna growled, carelessly throwing her handful of belongings down on the nightstand behind her. She slumped into her cot, glaring at the girl. “She’s just stupid.”
“Am not,” Molly said, sounding indignant for the first time since she’d stepped into the room. “My IQ is well above average.”
Oh no, Magali thought, moaning inwardly.
But Anna had already taken the bait. Her eyes got a predatory gleam when she said, “Really? What is it, cupcake?”
“One-thirty-five,” Molly said.
Anna threw back her head and laughed.
“What’s yours?” Molly demanded, crossing her pudgy arms.
Still howling with laughter, Anna lay down in her cot, rolled to face the wall, and yanked her covers over her body. She continued to laugh, but she said nothing more, no matter how many times Molly repeated her question.
Eventually, the little girl gave up and glanced at Magali, looking upset.
“Still wanna stay?” Magali asked her, lifting a brow.
“What’s her IQ?” the girl asked.
“Don’t tell her,” Anna warned over her shoulder, without rolling away from the wall. “It’ll make her head explode.”
Magali groaned and stood from her chair. “Let’s take a walk around camp, ok? Get some fresh air.”
Molly glanced at Magali, then said, “Okay.”
“I’m serious, Mag!”
“Yeah, whatever,” Magali said. “Molly, let’s go.”
She heard Anna sit up on her cot as they left, but when she glanced behind, she saw that her sister hadn’t followed them. Magali stopped near one of the camouflaged government porta-potties and turned to face the girl. “Listen, Molly, sorry to tell you this, but my sister’s smarter than you. She’s smarter than me. She’s smarter than the Director. She’s smarter than everybody in this damn camp.”
“Really?” Molly wrinkled her nose. “How smart?”
“She just is. And she’s mean. But she’s my sister, so I have to deal with her.” She tapped Molly’s skull and smiled. “You, on the other hand, are free to leave at any time.”
“I like her,” Molly said. “She’s funny.”
Magali peered at the girl.
Decided she had some sort of screw loose.
Reluctantly, she said, “You can’t mean that.”
“I like her,” Molly repeated.
Magali realized Anna was right. There was something wrong with the kid. Still, if that something allowed her to overlook what would make anyone else reach for a knife or run screaming…
Maybe she’s just what Anna needs. Magali had to fight down a jolt of excitement at the thought of her sister having a real live friend. “Fine. But promise me something.”
“What?” Molly asked, looking eager.
Magali tapped Molly’s chest. “When the stuff she says starts to hurt, leave, ok?”
“Okay,” Molly assured her cheerfully.
Magali stared. She’s an angel.
Then her eyes caught the dusty rows of aluminum huts and the razor-wire and guard towers looming just beyond, their denizens pacing back and forth with automatic rifles. Her gaze fell back to Molly’s enthusiastic face.
No, she realized. She’s just desperate.
Chapter 8
Fun in the Mounds
06:27:03 A: One-thirty-five. You’re just a hair below my retarded sister.
06:27:05 Anna Landborn engaged in eating while talking. Sister Magali Landborn still out of visual range. Assumed departed for Shrieker mounds.
06:27:05 A: If I had to guess, I’d say she’s somewhere between a dead fish and a doornail. Where’s that leave you?
06:27:10 (Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn has still not replied to initial inquiry. Retrying.)
06:27:10 F: What’s your IQ, Anna?
06:27:12 Anna laughs. Puts down spoon. Leans forward.
06:27:14 A: You’re gonna have to do better than that, you glorified lump of slag.
06:27:15 (Unit note: Anna Landborn appears adverse to relinquishing information regarding her Intelligence Quotient. Attempting alternative method of inquiry.)
06:27:17 F: Are you any good at word-games, Anna?
06:27:19 Anna laughs.
06:27:20 Anna still laughing.
06:27:25 Anna still laughing.
06:27:30 (Unit note: Anna Landborn did not respond. Retrying.)
06:27:30 F: Are you any good at—
06:27:32 A: Shut up.
06:27:32 Anna stops laughing. Lowers head into hand. Drums fingers against cheek.
06:27:35 Anna staring.
06:27:40 Anna staring.
06:27:45 (Unit note: Subject has directed a prolonged gaze at Unit Ferris. Danger pathways triggered. Overriding.)
06:27:34 A: You want to play a game, Molly?
06:27:38 F: What kind of game?
06:27:40 Anna smiling.
06:27:42 A: Hide and seek. In the mounds.
06:27:43 (Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn has suggested entering restricted area. AI units forbidden entrance to the Shrieker mounds. Shrieker emanations detrimental to AI programming. Attempting bypass.)
06:27:44 F: How about we play on the surface, instead? The Director said the two of us don’t have to go into the mounds. We’re too young for that. Let’s stay in the hut and play games.
06:27:48 Anna snorts.
06:27:49 A: And leave my retarded sister to get hit by the next Shriek? No, I don’t think so.
06:27:52 (Unit note: Subject rejected proposed alternative. Priority conflict. Attempting another bypass.)
06:27:52 F: What if we—
06:27:53 A: Can it, Tinman. Tell you what.
06:27:55 (Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn has used derogative ‘Tinman’ five times in reference to Unit Ferris. Has not applied same derogative to other individuals. Needs further review.)
06:27:55 Anna smiles. Leans forward. Taps her skull with a finger.
06:27:55 A: If you aren’t too chicken to go down into the mounds with me, Molly, I’ll tell you my IQ. Hell, I’ll play all the mind-games you want.
06:27:58 (Unit note: Primary program goal acknowledged by subject. Priority conflict. Program Watch Anna Landborn given priority. Overriding self-preservation protocols.)
06:27:58 F: Okay. But you have to promise.
06:27:50 A: Oh, I promise all right. We’ll play all sorts of games down there.
It’ll be so much fun.
06:28:03 F: Can we go now?
06:28:05 A: Sure. You betcha, you stupid heap.
06:28:07 (Unit note: Derogative ‘heap’ coincides with ‘tinman’ and ‘slag’ as possible robotic allusions. Possible undercover status compromised. Attempting confirmation.)
06:28:07 F: Is there something you don’t want to tell me, Anna?
06:28:09 Subject Anna Landborn’s heart rate remains steady. No pupil dilation. Breathing regular. No unconscious muscle contraction. No abnormal eye movement.
06:28:09 (Unit note: Anna Landborn failed confirmation.)
06:28:10 Anna shoves food away from her. Stands up.
06:28:12 A: Nope. How about we go play in the Shrieker mounds?
06:28:14 F: Sounds great!
06:28:16 A: I’ll bet it does. Come on, you retarded dumbbell. Let’s get this show on the road.
06:28:20 End Dialogue. Conversation participants: F- Ferris, assistant to the director, chip ID F001HG494W15LKM. A- Anna Landborn, Fortune colonist, universal ID 123CANDYCORN.
06:28:20 Ferris following Anna through cafeteria.
06:28:25 Ferris following Anna through cafeteria.
06:28:30 Ferris following Anna through cafeteria.
06:28:35 Ferris following Anna through egger’s yard.
06:28:40 Ferris following Anna through egger’s yard.
06:28:45 Ferris following Anna through egger’s yard.
06:28:50 Ferris following Anna through egger’s yard.
06:28:55 Ferris following Anna through outer Shrieker compound.
06:29:00 Ferris following Anna through outer Shrieker compound.
06:29:05 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mound, A Block.
06:29:05 (Unit note: Objective achieved. Retrying primary program query.)
06:29:05 Begin verbal record. Conversation participants: A- Anna Landborn, Fortune Colonist, universal ID 123CANDYCORN. F- Ferris, assistant to the director, chip ID F001HG494W15LKM.
06:29:05 F: We’re in the mounds, Anna. What’s your IQ?
06:29:10 Anna walking. Ferris following.
06:29:15 Anna walking. Ferris following.
06:29:20 Anna walking. Ferris following.
06:29:25 (Unit note: Subject has not responded to initial query. Retrying.)
06:29:25 F: We’re in the—
06:29:27 A: Shut up. Just shut up until we get to B Block.
06:29:32 (Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn proposed entering a doubly restricted area. Direct contact with Shriekers unavoidable. Secondary self-preservation protocols triggered. Priority conflict. Attempting bypass.)
06:29:32 F: Why don’t we play here? We’re safer if—
06:29:34 A: Did I tell you you could stop walking, butterball? No. Just follow me and keep your mouth shut until we get where we’re going.
06:29:38 (Unit note: Subject rejected proposed alternative. Subject leaving visual range. Priority conflict. Attempting another bypass.)
06:29:38 F: You promised.
06:29:40 Anna walking. Ferris unable to follow under secondary self-preservation protocols.
06:29:45 Anna out of visual range.
06:29:50 Anna out of visual range.
06:29:53 Anna appears in corridor ahead of Ferris.
06:29:54 A: You coming, Tinman?
06:29:57 F: I want to play here, Anna. It’s not safe in there.
06:30:02 A: You do want to know how smart I am, right Molly? The only way you’re ever going to find out is if you follow me all the way into the back of B Block. As soon as you’re there, I’ll tell you my IQ.
06:30:09 (Unit note: Primary program goal acknowledged by subject. Priority conflict. Program Watch Anna Landborn given priority. Overriding secondary self-preservation protocols.)
06:30:10 Ferris following Anna into Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:15 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:20 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:22 Shrieker noted ahead. Anna approaching.
06:30:255555 Ferrrrris follllowinng Annaaaaaaa. Ppppppppppppaassssssssing Shhhhhhrrrriiieeker……….
06:30:30 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:32 Anna stops. Turns to Ferris. Is smiling.
06:30:34 A: You enjoy that, Molly? You looked a little frazzled there for a minute. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it fried something.
06:30:36 F: I’m scared, Anna. Can’t we go back?
06:30:40 A: Nope, thunderbutt. Not if you wanna know my IQ. I got some really fun games planned. But only if you can get there.
06:30:45 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:50 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:55 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:30:57 Shrieker noted ahead. Anna approaching.
06:3111:00 Fffffeerrrriss fffoooooolllowinnnnnnnnng AAAAnnna…… PPPPaaaaaasssssinggg Ssshhrrriiiiiiiiieekeeeeerrrr..
006:3331:000222 Aaaannnaaa ssssttoopppped..
06:33333333311:0004 Aaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaa ssssssssssmmmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiilliiiinnnnnnnngggggg.
00000666:3311111:05 Fffeerrrisss ffoolllooowwwwwiiinnngg Aaaaannnnnaaaa ttttthhhrrrouuuuuugghhhhhh Sssshhhrrriiiiieeekkkkkerrrr mmmmooounds, BBBB BBBBllllooooccckkk……..
06:31:10 Ferris following Anna through Shrieker mounds, B Block.
06:31:14 Anna stops.
06:31:15 A: You still holding in there, dipshit? Damn. I thought you were a goner there for a sec.
06:31:17 F: I’m fine Anna, but I’m scared. We’re not supposed to be down here. Let’s go back to the surface to play. Something bad could happen.
06:31:21 A: You bet your ass it could, but you want to know my IQ, right Molly?
06:31:23 F: Yes, Anna.
06:31:25 A: Then you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Come on. Look, there’s another Shrieker. Let’s go take a closer look.
06:31:30 F: I don’t like this, Anna. I want to go back.
06:31:33 A: Go ahead and leave. But if you do, I’m never going to tell you my IQ.
06:31:35 (Unit note: Subject Anna Landborn proposes close inspection of Shrieker. Tertiary self-preservation protocols triggered. Priority conflict. Primary program goal acknowledged. Overriding tertiary self-preservation protocols.)
06:31:37 Ferris following Anna toward Shrieker.
06:31:39 (Unit note: Subject’s older sister, Magali Landborn, added to conversation, Dialogue attributed with a J.)
06:31:39 J: You want me to hold it down or what?
06:3331:41 AA: NNNah. Shhhhriekeeeeer’ll takeeeee carrrrrree of iiiiiiiit. Jjjjjjust heeeellllppppppp mme tttttthhhhrrrrooooow iiiiittttt iiiiiinnnn ttttthhhheee ppiittttt whhhhheeeeeeeeeennnnnnnn iiiiiiiitttttt’’’’sssss dddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaadddddddd.
006:::331111:4433 (((Uuuunniiiitttttttt nnnnnnooooooooooootttteee::::: Tttrrraaaapppp ddddddddeeeeeeettttttttteeeeeeeeeeecccccccccccctttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeedddddddd. Ooooooooooooovvvvvvvveeeeeeerrrrriiiiiiiiiiidddddddddinnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg pppppppprrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiimmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
* * *
“It looks a little shell-shocked.”
Anna shrugged. “Probably a fried circuit.”
Magali peered at the little girl. “You sure it’s a robot?”
Anna waved her hand in front of the little girl’s face. The hazel eyes never moved. “Yep. I’m sure.”
“How’d you know?” Magali asked.
Her sister glanced at her and snorted. Then she grabbed the robot’s shoulders and tugged it over backwards. It fell in the slime, stiff as a board.
“Careful,” Magali said. “You sure it’s not gonna hurt you?”
Anna rapped her knuckles against the girl’s forehead. The
robot didn’t blink. “Yep.” She started dragging it backwards, toward the pit Magali had dug that night.
“So why’d they send it?” Magali asked, bending to help her. “And who sent it?” She grabbed a stiff hand and pried the robot off the ground, grunting. “Damn it’s heavy.”
“Yeah,” Anna said. “That was one of the things that gave it away. The way it made my bed creak—I knew it was at least two hundred pounds. Even for a butterball, that’s over the top.”
Magali grunted and helped shove and slide the dead robot into the pit, keeping an eye on the Shrieker in the corner of the room, which she had placated with a pile of lakeweed while waiting for her sister.
Once the robot was in the hole, she cleared her throat and looked at Anna. “Why’d they send it, Anna?”
Her sister shrugged and picked up the shovel. Thrusting it at her, she said, “Fill it in.”
Magali took the shovel, frowning. “Who sent the robot, Anna?”
“Just fill in the damn hole,” Anna snapped.
Magali glanced at the Shrieker, which had stopped to look at them. Then, turning back to her sister, she handed the shovel back. “You do it,” she said. Then she turned and left.
Anna found her later in the breakroom, where Magali was drinking one of the now-ubiquitous strawberry sodas. Seeing Anna’s pout, Magali wanted to slap her. “You didn’t fill it in, did you?”
Anna dropped the shovel at Magali’s feet. “I told you to do it.”
It took all of Magali’s self-control to stay in her chair. She snorted. “It’s your funeral.” She closed her eyes and took a long, leisurely swallow of soda. When she opened her eyes, Anna was gone. The door back to camp was open.
“Come back here!” Magali snapped.
Anna ignored her. Narrowing her eyes, Magali put aside the soda and went after her.
* * *
gggggggggggggggggggg
(System Reboot)
10:15:21 Reestablished connection to camp computer. Time discrepancy noted. Date/time adjusted. Approximate missing record: 56h42m13s