Clone Two

by Patti Larsen

  “Besides,” Beckett says softly, handing the last of his dinner to Poppy who eats it without a word. “If it were the Crawlers, they would have attacked us by now. If they have the means to follow, with the stops we've made, wouldn't they have caught up?”

  Vander is nodding. “So that group of kids...”

  “Just a desperate pack of starving survivors looking for supplies.” Socrates sits back, a mournful look on his face. His dark eyes meet mine. “We'll all be like that, eventually. If someone doesn't do something to change it.”

  There's no doubt who he has in mind.

  ***

  Chapter Twelve

  Our third distraction of the day appears near sundown. It's not an obstacle but a city, rising from the horizon until it dominates the skyline. A worn sign reads “Albuquerque” so I know we're in New Mexico, still a long way from our destination but at least closer. It's almost nice to see the buildings appear, as though we're making progress at last.

  I rush forward to the locomotive, find Chime hovering over Ande's shoulder.

  “Do we stop?” Beckett almost runs into my back when I stop to speak, Socrates squeezing under one arm while Poppy wriggles under the other. Chime turns, scowls at the lot of us.

  “The engine is off limits.” Despite her snapping words both Socrates and Poppy ignore her, slipping in beside Ande who eagerly works the controls of the train.

  “I'd like to,” Ande answers me as though Chime hasn't spoken. “B-b-but we really don't know what k-k-kind of trouble we're riding into.” He glances over his shoulder, grinning again like such trouble is actually something fun he might consider if it's worth his while. “We c-c-can use all the s-s-supplies we can get.”

  Chime hesitates then nods at last. “We'll stop,” she says with more weight to her words than necessary. A show of strength when I know she's feeling weak.

  Ande whistles a cheery tune and fiddles with his dials and I grin behind my hand so Chime won't see it. I wonder if she's aware he always gets what he wants?

  There's still lots of light when we pull up to what looks like a central station of some kind, though time and probably Sick kids have done such a number on the place it's impossible to go inside. At least the track ahead looks empty. I gaze up the tracks, six wide, and wonder what we'll do if we encounter another in our way.

  Something to worry about if and when it happens, I suppose. In the meantime, we have supplies to gather.

  “Groups of four,” Chime barks as the kids jump down to the platform. “Don't go far and come back before full dark. If you find something, come back right away.”

  Three groups trot off, heads twisting side to side as they scan for trouble before disappearing around the wreck of the station. I glance at Beckett who is staring out over the mess and to the city beyond.

  “Shall we?” I feel the concrete unyielding under my boots as I land, turning to help the dog down. Beckett joins me, Socrates on one side, Vander on the other. I hold my arms up to Poppy but Beckett shakes his head.

  “No arguing.” He points at the puppies. Shine and Shade wiggle in excitement at their father below them, panting and yipping to be let down. “You have a responsibility, remember?”

  Poppy pouts. “They'll be fine.”

  But Beckett is relentless and for once I think he's about to win.

  “You wanted to keep them.” He faces her down, grim and as determined as she is. “They need your protection. You can't just abandon them when it's convenient for you.” He sounds like someone I know. Not the words but the tone. Where have I heard that voice before?

  The familiarity fades as Poppy stomps her foot and turns, running to the main car door and slamming it open. The puppies dart after her just as she slams it shut again as hard as she can, metal ringing.

  Beckett bursts into laughter, blue eyes full of humor as he meets my gaze. “I can't believe that worked.”

  She'll be furious for ages, I just know it, but I can't help but join him with a giggle.

  The city calls me as we round the wreckage and walk down the concrete steps to a patch of dusty asphalt. Cars pile in awkward heaps, destruction not limited to the station, it appears. These junk piles are old, long rusted together. What happened here when the Sick broke out? It's almost as though this part of the city was seized in some kind of madness.

  Perhaps it was. After all, one of the incarnations of the Sick are the Howls, half human, half animal-like creatures covered in a soft coat of fur, as though the primal inside emerged in answer to the Sick. Near mindless and starving for flesh, I've met Howls and hope I never again have the displeasure.

  Socrates points off to the right, toward what looks like a convenience store. It appears relatively unscathed, the windows intact at least. When he moves to check it out, we all follow, drifting after him, the dog quiet at my side. I'm alert but not worried. I know my companion will let us know the moment something dangerous is near. Still there is an eeriness to this place I didn't feel in Los Angeles. Yes, it has that feeling of abandonment, of decay. But I could sense others in the city we've left behind. This one feels emptier yet.

  I wait outside while Socrates and Vander break into the store through the glass door, the Bright tearing out the steel bars keeping them from reaching the interior. Beckett stays with me, eyes scanning the area while our two friends go inside and begin their looting.

  Socrates emerges with a disgusted look on his face. “Why lock up a place if it's empty?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “If you've been looted, just leave the front door open.” He kicks the door jam. “Stupid.”

  I laugh, I can't help it. Vander does too, then Beckett. The dog's tongue lolls out, his version of a grin until Socrates can't hold his irritation any longer. His teeth flash in the golden light of sunset and he shrugs.

  Dark is almost upon us and though I know it's likely we're safe enough here, I doubt Chime will be willing to risk stopping in view of the city if she can help it. Just in case. In this I'm with her. I follow the others, falling further behind as they chatter to each other, good humor still clinging to them though mine has left me. The dog paces at my side, brushing his shoulder against my hip with each stride.

  How many people used to live here? How many died because of the Sick and how many remain, twisted and turned into something nature itself surely doesn't recognize? I pause, glance back over my shoulder as the dog chuffs softly. One of Chime's groups is returning, also empty handed, quiet, heads hanging. I stop and wait for them.

  “Nothing?” I fall in step beside the boy whose fascination with the dog first broke the ice between us. He shrugs and reaches out to pet golden fur, now less afraid of my companion.

  “This place is empty.” He shudders a little. “Weird. Is it wrong to wish we ran into some Howls or Shambles or something? Just so it wasn't so...”

  “Silent?” I hug myself a little, the cracked pavement catching at my boot soles. “No,” I say. “This is wrong.”

  “Some of the kids say you're here to make it right again.” He pauses. “And some of them say the Crawlers must be after you because it's your fault.” His hazel eyes lift, meet mine and I wish desperately I knew his name. “Which one is it?”

  “I don't know.” Honesty does little for him. He finally shrugs and moves away, toward his friends who aren't speaking to me. I wonder what each of them thinks then realize it doesn't matter.

  My heart is heavy and as empty as the city behind me as we return and reboard the train, ready to move on.

  ***

  Chapter Thirteen

  The third barricade appears just after we're rolling again the next morning. I was right about Chime's choices. Last night, the moment we came aboard, myself and the small group I waited for the last to return, the train boss was eager to get moving.

  “No way I'm leaving us exposed to this place.” She tried to hide her shudder in a shrug but I saw the gooseflesh rise on her arms and knew she was as creeped out by this city as the rest of us. “Who k
nows what could come out of the dark once the sun is down.”

  Ande fired up the train, not arguing for a moment. None of us did. I stood there at the rail of the coal car as the light faded slowly in the west, the rest of the kids lining it too, looking out over the silent city, haunted now only by the whisper of the wind and the lonely souls of the dead.

  The sun was down by the time we pulled up again, a lantern held out the engine window our only light. But Chime refused to stop until we had a good few miles between us and Albuquerque.

  This time we all remained on board the train, Chime assigning a few of her people to stay up and stand guard over the rest of us. I rose early, replacing one of the watchers. And though I was sure the girl wanted to say no just in case Chime was angry with her for giving up her post, the poor thing looked dead on her feet.

  “I promise I won't tell,” I said. “She'll never know.” I pointed then to Chime's sleeping form on the other side of the car.

  It was all the girl needed.

  The moment the sun was up the train was too, Ande somehow wired into the dawn himself. I glanced in on him that morning, seeing him bright and chipper and wondering if he slept at all or was as resilient as the machine he loved.

  Finally, progress, and yet I feel like we've only begun moving at the right pace when the train chugs unhappily. The moment I feel the train slow I lean out the open doorway of my favorite car, where I've retreated once again with the dog at my side once I woke the girl and had her slip back into place before Chime could catch her napping. The smile she gave me was enough comfort for the loss of extra sleep.

  It's time I start making friends among the crew if I can, beyond Ande anyway. The more allies we have the better, in case Chime decides to change her mind down the road. And though I feel slightly guilty doing so, my kindness and caring toward her kids isn't fake, so I shove my guilt aside.

  The train rocks side to side coming around a slow bend, just enough I catch the glint of gaining sunlight on the massive pile of debris ahead. This one is much larger, and my stomach clenches with concern at the sight.

  Perhaps we could have rammed through the first two with some speed on, but this one? Derailing is a much more likely prospect than success.

  Beckett and the others are already talking to Chime when I return forward. Perhaps talking is the wrong word. She complains while Beckett argues with her.

  “If you're so worried about being followed,” he says, “just push the train up to full speed and go through that crap.” Beckett crosses his arms over his chest, eyes flickering to meet mine and back to her as I join them. “Every time we stop we take a risk.”

  Chime chews the inside of her mouth for a moment as if actually considering it before shaking her head, tightly curled black hair swaying under her bandana. “No, we keep going the way we have been.” Beckett starts to speak up, but she holds up one hand, looking tired. “Just go help the crew,” she says before walking away from all of us.

  I move to help, but Beckett shakes his head, scowling like he wants to go after her. “Just stay,” he says. “I'll take Vander, give you a break. He's stronger than both of us put together.” Beckett bends, kisses Poppy's cheek as the train slows further before he turns and leaps from the side with the rest of the clean-up detail.

  Poppy seems unsettled and takes my hand, leading me to sit with her and the puppies. At least we've been accepted into the group enough we don't have to sleep in the next car with Brick, though part of me wonders if we should remain apart after all.

  “Are you all right?” I stroke the soft fur of one of the sleeping puppies, black coat shining as Shade sighs in her sleep.

  “Everyone's so scared.” Poppy hugs herself, brown eyes meeting mine. “I'm used to it, kind of. But there was always somewhere to run and hide.” She drops her hands in her lap and starts to scratch the dog's head when he flops beside her and pokes her with his nose. “I feel like crying all the time,” she whispers. “You know?”

  I reach out for her, pull her to me as the dog adjusts himself so he can rest his head on her knee, big eyes looking up at us. “I know,” I say. “I wish I could just make this go away for you.”

  “Vander thinks you can.” Poppy snuffles and wipes at her nose with her sleeve as I look down and see the glittering drops of her tears resting on the golden fur of the dog's nose.

  What can I tell her when I have no idea myself? When I really fear the opposite is true. But she's looking for comfort, not honesty, so I do the best I can. “If he's correct,” I say, “you know I'll do everything I can to make it right.”

  She nods, sniffs some more. “I know,” she whispers. “I just wish we were in New York right now.”

  The pull of the statue, of my task, aches inside me like a wound forgotten too long, left to fester. “So do I.”

  Someone is shouting. Joined by more voices. The train is still moving, the crew running on ahead. I hug Poppy tightly once before going to see what's happening. She curls up with the puppies, not even fighting me.

  Not a good sign. I hate to think her spirit is being broken and I'm the cause.

  When I exit to the coal car, my breath catches in my throat. Beckett and the crew are running, but not away. Toward the train. He's yelling something I can't make out as Chime yells back. The debris pile is almost gone, two lonely cars left in the way. The sound of the train makes it impossible to pick out individual words. Why did they stop when they were so close?

  Terror on so many faces spins me sideways. I lean out, looking back down the length of the train even as Chime turns to do the same.

  And see them. Crawlers. It has to be. Their vehicles are large, like army trucks, sheathed in beaten steel. Heads poke out of gaps in the shielding, armored heads, but one bare.

  Cade. He's still distant, but I know it's him, blonde hair catching rising sunlight before him, glowing light a yellow torch. So they have been pursuing us after all. My fear is gone, the calm taking over before I can call it up, forcing me to analyze, to consider.

  If they are chasing us, how are they talking to those up ahead?

  I feel the train lurch forward suddenly and rush down the echoing latticework of the metal walkway toward the engine car. Ande is clearly putting on speed, huge puffs of steam erupting from the stack, the steady sound of the boiler behind us increasing in speed. I glance back through the glass portal and see four kids with shovels sweating over the furnace, their bodies shaking from the effort, fresh fear driving them on.

  The first of the crew leaps for the stairs, misses, falling to tumble to the ground, over and over. I watch, heart stopping as Beckett dives for the kid, spinning back to race to catch us, lost ground seeming impossible to cover. The rest of Chime's people board, shoving past me, panting their terror as they disappear into the sleeping car until only Vander, Beckett and the boy who fell remain.

  Vander slows, matches Beckett's speed before taking hold of the kid and racing forward. I've never seen anyone run so fast, nor lift and toss another person as easily. I'm there to catch the boy who sobs his relief into my shoulder until Chime pulls him free and shoves him toward the gaping door to the next car.

  The Bright falls back again as Beckett stumbles, but recovers. Grim-faced, arms and legs pumping, he races to catch us though I know he's lost without help. Vander hooks his arm through Beckett's and pulls him along, Beckett's eyes flying wide as they increase speed. I fear he will trip and fall from being forced to move so fast. But it's almost as if his feet fly over the ground instead of touching it when suddenly the pair are there next to the stairs and I'm reaching for Beckett. His hand grasps mine, slick with sweat. I refuse to let go, jerking hard until he stands beside me, panting, bent in half as he struggles for breath.

  Vander joins us a moment later, breathing normal, face composed as if nothing happened.

  “No choice now,” he says to Chime in his cultured voice. “We must trust the train.”

  I don't mention the risk of derailment, how easily tho
se two cars could shove us from the tracks in a squealing, sparking plunge to most certain death. Because he's right.

  No choice now.

  One glance behind us shows me the Crawler vehicles are losing their gain as the train slowly takes on speed, almost to the barrier. One of the soldiers stands tall at the front of the leading truck, what looks like a megaphone in his hands. But when he speaks, his voice isn't what I expect at all.

  “Return Clone Three,” the girl's voice says, distorted, but loud and clear. “If you do, I promise to let everyone else go.”

  ***

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chime has a firm grip on my arm, her intention clear before I can move or say anything.

  “Time to go.” She pushes against me, toward the empty stairs and the rapidly moving ground at the bottom of them as the train continues to build speed.

  Beckett's fist impacts her mouth, sending her staggering backward. I gape at him as though I've never seen him before and wonder if I really know him at all. He shakes, fury written all over him as his clenched fists rise before him.

  “Don't. Ever. Touch. Her.” Each word is crisp, concise. Deadly. Chime wipes at the blood on her mouth just as the entire train rattles, the echoing boom of an impact reaching us a moment later. Vander grabs me, holds me upright as I wobble, already dangerously close to the edge and I manage a squeeze of thanks to his hand before the voice speaks again.

  “That was your only warning. Return Clone Three now.”

  Return. As if they own me. Do they? I shake my head, not denying it, though I can see from Beckett's expression he takes it like I do.

  “Keep this damned train moving,” he growls at Chime as she pulls herself to her feet. “Or we're all dead.”

  She nods, turns and runs for the engine, for Ande. I hear screaming from inside the sleeping car, think of Poppy, turn to go to her, but she's already emerging, the dog with her, one puppy in her arms, the other clutched to Socrates's chest.