Project Emergence

by Jamie Zakian

  Kami jumped back and Jesse rocked against the empty space.

  “Ah, for real,” Kami howled. “After everything.”

  With his jaw still caught open, Jesse turned to glare at Mr. Reyes.

  “Well” —Mr. Reyes lifted his hands up before they slapped against his sides— “I had to say something to get you two to dismount.”

  A burst of air flew from Kami’s mouth, her palm settling over her heart. “So we’re cool then?”

  “Yeah,” Mr. Reyes said with a smirk. “We’re cool.”

  “Awesome!” Kami jumped from the platform, the grated floor clattering beneath her shoes. “I’m out.” With a wave of her hand, she strutted down the hall.

  “Don’t forget,” Mr. Reyes called out, but Kami cut around the corner. “The list,” he mumbled to himself.

  Jesse eased off the platform. “I’ll remind her.” He turned to leave, and a strong hand clamped onto his shoulder.

  “You have something that belongs to me.”

  Guilt blasted through Jesse’s stare, which he quickly hid from Mr. Reyes. The handheld dug into his thigh. Surely, Mr. Reyes couldn’t see the device through his pocket.

  “You know.” Mr. Reyes released Jesse, stepping back. “Daniel was a friend of mine.”

  “You knew my father.”

  Mr. Reyes leaned against the tall machine behind him, a smile on his lips. “Yeah. All us rats in G-Sector know each other.”

  “I hate that term.”

  “But that’s what we are to them.” Mr. Reyes bobbed his head to the floors above, lifting his brow. “The lowest dregs of society. They expect us to be ignorant, to be thieves. I know you weren’t raised to steal so that means the girl put you up to it.”

  Jesse pulled the handheld from his pocket, trudging forward. “Hers broke.” He stared at the gadget in his hand, which might as well be a bar of gold at this point. “I thought if I could fix her tech … Here,” he raised his hand, “I’m sorry.”

  Mr. Reyes slapped Jesse on the arm, rocking his body. “Chicks, they scramble our brains.” He pushed Jesse’s hand inward. “Keep it. I have a spare.”

  Jesse drew the handheld close to his chest, biting back a smile. “Thanks, Mr. Reyes.” The urge to run was strong, but he managed a quick trot.

  “Hey,” Mr. Reyes called out, and Jesse turned. “Thank you for your help, Jesse.”

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Reyes.” After flashing a grin, Jesse spun on his toes and hurried down the corridor.

  ***

  Winslow’s body shook, and a tear fell from his eye. He gasped. The air was so thick it crammed into his throat, choking him. He had to fight. His lungs burned with every croaked breath, and the faint light of his handheld dimmed at his side, yet he refused to give in to despair. This couldn’t be his end.

  He struggled to lift the handheld, but his arm failed him. His eyelids were too heavy. The stiffness which solidified his every joint faded. Just as his eyes threatened to close, the lid of the cargo box burst open.

  Air catapulted into his lungs, gagging him. He coughed and wheezed, the overhead lights piercing his eyes. As he lifted his trembling hand, a black cloth covered his head.

  “Wh-wh …” He tried to speak, but the sting of his throat hindered all words. A cord wrapped around his wrists, pinching his hands together.

  “It’s your lucky day, Mr. Winslow,” a raspy voice said in his ear. “I was supposed to have killed you by now. I wanted to wait until lights-out, then shoot you from the air lock. It was going to be very poetic. Your body would fly back home, sealed forever in a tomb, but God told me to spare you.”

  “What are you talking about?” Winslow asked, his voice hoarse.

  “I never killed a man before.” The sinister words came from all sides, bringing chills. “I mean … many die from my deeds. To push a button is one thing, but to see the face up close. To get real blood on my actual hands. I was worried it would stain my soul, keep me from the gates of heaven.”

  Winslow swung his head from side to side, attempting to trace the voice that tormented him.

  “Did you see the smiley face, Mr. Winslow? I left it there to remind you that God is always watching.”

  The ranting grew louder. A man was beside him. Winslow could feel his electric presence.

  “After the gravity stimulator that I destroyed miraculously started, I went down to the engineering deck. A light shined through the portside window, and do you know what I saw when I looked up?”

  Silence hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity.

  “A smiley face,” the man exclaimed, and Winslow flinched.

  “I-I don’t understand.”

  “It was God, Mr. Winslow. He wants you alive. Now we’ll just have to wait and find out why.”

  Adrenaline surged through Winslow’s veins, and he swung his bound arms at the air around him. A strong hand connected with his throat, shoving him backward. His head slammed against the solid surface below, sending streaks of fire through his skull.

  “Two more hours; then you’ll get another gulp of air,” was the last thing he heard before the lid banged shut.

  ***

  Hand in hand, Joey and Rai stepped from his bedroom. Somewhere down the hall, music blasted. Bodies danced all around them, cheers flowed, but she was happy just holding Rai’s hand.

  Kami trotted around the corner, and Joey loosened her fingers. Rai gripped tighter. He obviously didn’t care who saw them, which brought a smile to her lips and caused her digits to lock even tighter with his.

  “You did it!” Joey said as Kami strolled toward them.

  “Yeah.” Kami leaned against the doorframe, watching the frenzy that animated the hall. “No thanks to Jesse. Did ya see him almost blow us all up?”

  “What?” Joey shook free from Rai’s clutch, turning to face Kami.

  “Weren’t you guys watching?”

  “Oh, yeah,” she said in a bit of a snort.

  Rai muttered random words, and she avoided his stare like the plague. Kami didn’t look very amused, so Joey squashed her smirk.

  “There was this thing, and I looked away for a second,” Joey said, which sounded like a plausible explanation to her. “But I was totally watching.”

  “Riveting stuff,” Rai said.

  “Sure,” Kami groaned, shaking her head. “Jesse’s right behind me so you two better practice that a few more times in your heads.”

  Joey sank against the wall. She glanced at Rai, who waved Kami off. Her feet rocked with every person that rounded the corner. After three people passed and still no Jesse, she wandered down the hall.

  “Joey!”

  She turned toward the deep voice, and Chuck lifted her in a tight hug. “I’m so glad I bumped into you,” he all but whispered into her neck. Once her feet hit the ground, she stumbled back as Chuck inched closer. He didn’t seem right. His usual laidback expression was now clouded by a hint of panic.

  “I could really use your help,” he said, casting his stare to the floor. “My father’s missing, and this bus is so big.”

  Lena walked to Chuck’s side. Her arms crossed, eyes narrowed, as if daring Joey to deny this request.

  “Wow, um … ” Joey looked over her shoulder to find Jesse standing behind her. “Oh, Jesse. You’re back.”

  “Who’s this?” Lena cut in front of Chuck and stood right at Jesse’s feet. “I’m Lena. Joey, is this your brother?” She glanced at Joey, who nodded, then darted her leer back to Jesse. “Why didn’t you tell me he was so cute?”

  “Ew.” Joey slinked beside Chuck. She stared at her brother’s face, so confident and cool. The hottest girl she ever saw was practically drooling over him, and he barely noticed. How did he do that?

  “Chuck’s dad is missing,” Lena said in a dramatic tone. “You guys have to help us look. It’s, like, an emergency.”

  Jesse’s stare flew to Joey, and she tensed. She shook her head and open
ed her mouth, but no words came out.

  “Yeah. I guess we can help,” Jesse said, and Lena latched onto his arm.

  “Yeah,” Joey echoed.

  Chuck ushered them toward the elevator, hitting the button. “We’ll check the second level.” He grabbed Joey’s hand, pulling her close. “You guys take the bottom, and we’ll meet back here.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Lena smirked.

  ***

  Kami crept to the edge of the hallway, standing behind Rai. His arms crossed, his shoulder crashing against the felt wall. As Joey stepped into the elevator under Chuck’s arm and without a single glance back, his lips tightened to a frown.

  She stepped beside him just in time to see Joey disappear with Chuck, and Lena drape herself over Jesse. “Looks like the jock and the cheerleader won this round.”

  A huff burst from Rai’s mouth, and he stormed into his room.

  When Kami turned to the door, it slid closed in her face. Her head dropped to the side. She shoved her hands in her pockets and trailed through the sea of smiling faces.

  ***

  After the elevator closed, Jesse glanced at Lena. “I guess we’ll wait for the next one.”

  “Actually.” Lena took Jesse by the hand, tugging him down the corridor. “There is this one place I haven’t checked yet.” She glanced around, a strand of golden hair brushing her cheek, then pulled him around a corner.

  “Shouldn’t we tell Mr. Reyes or something?”

  “He already knows, silly.” Lena slowed her stride. “It’s just up here.” She stopped at an unmarked door, entered a code on the keypad, and led Jesse inside.

  Once the door slid shut, darkness engulfed the room. Jesse bumped a hard surface, the clink of metal ringing out. Lights flickered on, glinting off a line of steel shelves.

  “This is a supply closet.”

  “Yeah.” Lena crept closer to Jesse, backing him into a shelf. “I guess Mr. Winslow’s not in here, huh.”

  Jesse’s throat sealed shut when Lena’s hands landed on his chest.

  “Don’t tell me you’re still freakin’ out, cowboy.” Her icy-blue eyes raised to his face and his breath burst out. As she leaned in for a kiss, he gripped onto her wrists.

  “Look, um …” He removed Lena’s hands from his body. “I’m sort of into someone else.”

  After releasing the soft skin in his clutch, he wormed away. “Good luck with your search.” He glanced back at Lena, whose mouth stood agape, then hurried out the door.

  His feet couldn’t carry him fast enough down the hall. It was like he had a sign on his back saying kiss me. This must be what all A-Sectors were like. This must be what Chuck was doing with his sister right now.

  A low growl erupted from Jesse’s mouth as he curved around a bend. He veered to the left, hit the elevator button, and cracked his knuckles.

  ***

  Joey snuck into the launch bay. The wide-open room with its rows of shining chairs seemed haunted when empty. A shiver jolted her shoulders, and Chuck’s hand glided down her arm.

  “It’s creepy, isn’t it?” Chuck took her by the hand, walking deeper into the room.

  “I think this whole level is empty.” Her voice echoed, and she shrank back.

  “That woman specialist is on the job, but I just thought … ” Chuck lowered his gaze to the floor. “I don’t know what I thought.”

  “It’ll be okay, Chuck.” Joey rubbed his arm, and he turned toward her. “That Sabrina lady is pretty hardcore. If anyone can find your dad, it’s her.” She hadn’t even noticed that her feet were moving until her back hit the wall. A gasp fled from her lungs as Chuck pressed against her.

  “You always make me feel so safe.” Chuck leaned his forearm on the wall, his fingers twirling into her hair. “Why is that?”

  “I-I …”

  “You’re just so sweet. And you smell like” —he leaned close to her neck, inhaling deeply— “flowers.”

  Chuck’s lips grazed her skin, and she pushed against his chest. “Chuck, I don’t think …” Her mind screamed no, but her body slanted closer to his. “I’m kinda …” Now, his lips were on her cheek, warm breath ricocheting beneath her flesh. “Chuck, I can’t.” His whole body covered every inch of space. She couldn’t move, think, breathe, her mind was a fuzzy tingle.

  “Hey!” Jesse stomped toward them, his face twisting in anger.

  Chuck remained in his position, cocking his head to the side. “What’s up, man?”

  Jesse grabbed Chuck’s arm, prying it off the wall. His eyes stayed locked on Chuck’s glare as he wrapped his fingers around Joey’s wrist. “We actually have somewhere to be.”

  Joey slid against the wall as Jesse yanked her to his side. She didn’t know whether to hit him or hug him for interrupting.

  Chuck lifted his hands, stepping back. “That’s cool.” His tone came out casual, but his cold leer hardened on Jesse.

  Jesse’s fingernails dug into Joey’s skin and he pulled her backward. “We’ll keep looking for your dad,” Jesse said, his kind gesture somehow coming off like a threat.

  “You do that,” Chuck hollered as they shuffled into the open elevator.

  Once the door slid shut, Jesse loosened his tight grip on Joey’s wrist.

  Joey wiggled her arm free. She rubbed the red indents on her skin, gazing up at Jesse. He’d never been so rough with her before, never left marks on her body. It brought the sting of tears to her eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” Jesse cradled the back of Joey’s hand, his finger gliding over her wrist. “I completely embarrassed you.”

  “It’s okay.” She rested her cheek against his chest, sinking into the familiar feeling that reminded her of home. “You kinda saved me. What is up with this bus?”

  “I know. It’s, like, space makes everyone want to kiss or something.”

  “Oh my God,” Joey snickered, peering up at her brother’s strong face. “I was totally thinking the same exact thing.”

  With a chuckle, Jesse drew her back into his embrace. “Maybe this is just what A-Sector people are like.”

  “I kissed Rai.”

  Jesse’s body sag beneath her, a boney chin falling onto her head.

  “Kami kissed me,” he said softly.

  “Oh man.” Joey giggled.

  The elevator pinged, and Jesse inched away from her before the door could creak open.

  “They’re cool, right?” Joey asked, strolling into the hall. “Kami and Rai.”

  “Yeah. They’re all right. A little different but all right.”

  Her hips swung, a little skip guiding her steps. “Rai’s so smart, and I love his hair.”

  “Okay, that’s enough,” Jesse grumbled. “Grossing me out.”

  “He let me touch his laptop,” she said with a little more enthusiasm than she wanted.

  “That better not be slang for something else.”

  “Jesse!” Joey whacked his arm, even though he tried to dodge. “Don’t be nasty.” She slowed her pace, gesturing to her hallway. “I’m gonna go get changed for dinner.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  Joey looked at her purple tank top and jeans covered in hearts and butterflies that she spent hours drawing. She pinched the bottom of her shirt, holding it out a tad. “I wore this to breakfast.” Her jaw hung open, and she glared. He really should’ve known better. “God.”

  Jesse shrank back, and she turned toward her room.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sabrina studied the ship’s blueprint on her tablet. Her feet shuffled in a near jog, but her eyes remained locked on the screen. This ship had storage closets the size of lead homes, and she had already checked them all with no sign of Winslow.

  After rounding a bend, she collided with a firm chest. She stumbled back, ready to bark, then slouched at the sight of Reyes.

  “You got the gravity back on.”

  Reyes crossed his arms, a grin slathered on hi
s face. “I accept.”

  “Excuse me!”

  “I figure that’s as close as you’re gonna get to apologizing. So, I accept.”

  A snicker flew from her lips. He couldn’t be more wrong. She fully intended on apologizing, then got busy. “I’m glad you’re over it ‘cause I could use your help.” She moved beside him, tilting her display in his direction. “I searched every inch of this bus.” A red line weaved through the onscreen map, tracing her steps into a jumble of loops. “Where else can I look?”

  “It could be possible that Winslow isn’t onboard anymore.”

  “What, you mean like he’s …”

  Reyes just stared, a trace of dread behind his eyes. “His implant is offline. That means he’s not within a ten-mile radius of this shuttle.”

  “Winslow has an implant?”

  “We all have implants, even you.” He turned her arm, pointing at the small red dot on her shoulder. “The shot you got at intake; it contained a micro RVM unit.”

  Sabrina yanked herself from his grasp. She didn’t want him touching her, not after this intrusion of privacy.

  “RVM,” she muttered, rubbing the tiny bump beneath her skin.

  “Routine vitals monitoring. It’s for your own safety.” Reyes reached out, but pulled back when he caught her icy glare. “If you were alone and suffered space fatigue, you’d die without treatment. We’re traveling at light speeds.”

  “Yeah, I get it.” Sabrina inched farther away. “But the moment we land, I’m carving it out.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Sabrina folded her thin tablet into a small square, tucking it into her vest. “Do you have Winslow’s last vitals report? It should have the exact time he went offline. Maybe we can track him on the cameras.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Reyes fished a handheld from his pocket, clicking on the power.

  “Got your handheld back too. I guess now you’re doing my job.”