by Peter Telep
And everyone looks at me like it’s my fault.
My cheeks grow warm.
Wexx drags himself from the couch, limps over on his Terminator-style leg, and gets in my face. “Doc, did you know about any of this?”
“Are you kidding? My father drugged me, too.” I glance over his shoulder at the others. “Guys, I’m telling you, this wasn’t my idea. My father said everyone was breaking the rules, so he did this.”
“Well, it’s kinda hard to just shut everything down,” Wexx snaps.
“I told them what happened,” Meeka says. “But they still think you’re involved.”
“And now we’re not sure what’s worse,” Wexx says. “Going back to good old Flora, where happiness got blown up with everything else, or staying here, stuck on drugs, stuck in this house, wondering if you guys will ever come back… because if you don’t, then what happens to us?”
“I don’t know.”
“Me and Steff are going back,” Meeka says.
Wexx turns and faces the group. “Maybe we should stay, and then after they leave, we’ll take off. Find our own place. Make our own lives. Without drugs, without rules, without any of this.”
“What about me?” Blink asks, sitting on the sofa with his knees pulled up to his chest. A pair of cheap sunglasses cover the scars around his eyes.
“You’ll be okay,” Wexx tells him.
“Really? Let me give you a head’s up on what it’s like to be me. I’m trapped in this body. I can’t see. Now I can’t jump. Even if I could, the mirage won’t last forever, and without the snowter trees we can’t get any more. Oh, and Zach says he can only treat radiation poisoning, not cure it… Dude, I am so out of here.”
Wexx purses his lips and faces Steffanie. “So what about you? What’s your deal? I get why Meeka’s going, maybe her and Doc, maybe there’s something there…”
I’m about to interrupt—
And so is Meeka…
But Steffanie gets there first: “Wexx, it’s just that we don’t belong here. We thought we did, but we don’t. All the food and clothes and stuff? They don’t make you happy, do they?”
“I like the Star Wars games,” Keane says. “Especially the one on my phone.”
Steffanie cuts him down with her gaze.
“Oh, come on, Steff,” he continues. “You can’t stand there and tell me you won’t miss stuff like pancakes? Ice cream? Pop Tarts? What about McDonald’s French fries? What about Coke and Doritos and, wait for it, pepperoni pizza? And what about all the movies? Music? Social media? And what about that beer? I know you and Meeka stole one of Tommy’s beers.”
“You did?” I ask Meeka, who smiles guiltily.
“And the mall?” Keane continues. “And Disney, right? The Magic Kingdom and Universal.”
“This is not our home,” Steffanie says. “It’ll never be. It’s like my body is telling me that.”
“So’s mine,” says Meeka.
“My body says I need a double cheeseburger.”
Now I tell Keane to shut up.
“So what’s your plan?” Wexx asks.
“We join Pace’s caravan,” Steffanie says. “We’re betting the food’s still at the old temple. We’ll lead them back to the supplies. We’ll use them to negotiate.”
“And then what?” Wexx asks.
“And then we go on. Unless you stay. Run away. Pretend to be something you’re not—”
“And if you get caught?” I ask Wexx. “Then what? They turn you into a science experiment.”
“Just like Wolverine,” Keane adds. “Only less cool.”
I flash Keane an ugly grin. “I’m trying to make a point.”
Keane winks. “So am I.”
Wexx faces the group. “We have a lot to talk about.”
I nod. “And not much time.”
“I can’t go back,” comes a voice from the behind us.
It’s Rose, standing in the hall with her sunken eyes and black beanie to cover her thinning hair. “I don’t care if I can’t jump. I don’t care if I’m stuck in this house forever. It’s still better than the city and watching all your friends die.”
Steffanie grabs her hands. “Don’t worry, no one’s forcing you. And if you stay, you know they’ll take good care of you. Just remember, you have to do what they say.”
“I will. And I know we don’t belong here. But I think I can be happy. At least for a little while.”
I can’t look at Rose anymore, but that doesn’t help. In my mind’s eye she’s back at the kitchen table, drawing those fantastic pictures of fortresses and women in gowns wearing fancy jewelry and crowns made out of flowers.
I remember leaning over her shoulder and asking about the drawings. She told me the fortress was a royal house in Larkspur before the withering. The women were princesses who lived there. Of course, after she saw Cinderella’s castle in a Disney commercial, she begged us to go…
Depressed, I sigh and head for the door while Meeka gives everyone reminders about getting picked up.
She joins me on the front porch, squeezes my hand, and says, “We’re going home.”
“Not all of us.”
“And that’s okay, right?”
“So how many you think?”
“I’m not sure. And I hate to say it, but Keane does a good job reminding me that some of those little things like a song or a peanut butter sandwich do make you happy.”
“But not happy enough?”
“I don’t know.”
And speak of the devil, the door creaks open behind us. “Hey, guys.”
“What’s up, dude?” We bump fists, just like I taught him.
He smiles but nervously flips the hair from his eyes. “So when I first got here, I thought wow, Earth sucks, right? But now I really love it.”
“I knew you would,” I tell him. “But you’re definitely not a hipster.”
“Yeah, and I’m not a Floran, either. Not anymore.”
Meeka and I look confused. Seeing this, he goes on:
“Guys, I don’t miss my persona. And carrying around my father’s immortal kills me. Maybe I just want to be… normal. Maybe I can go to high school and college, find some girl on The Bachelor and get married. Maybe I could have a whole life here, you know? And lots of people take drugs. Ask your doctor if Wrrambien is right for you. So that’s no big deal.”
Meeka seizes him by the arms. “Are you serious?”
He starts to choke up
“Then say it,” she shouts.
He opens his mouth, stutters, and then, finally, after a deep breath says, “Okay, I’m not leaving! I’m not!”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I should talk to Keane.
Get him to change his mind.
But I won’t.
Because I get where he’s coming from. When I was on Flora, all I wanted to do was go home. I didn’t want a wreath or a persona or any of it. Yep, I get that. And sure, we could use his help, but what’s in it for him? Save Julie?
I’m not sure if he even thinks of her as a friend anymore. I do know he really hates Flora—and the nightmares he has of doing terrible things to survive.
Plus, he nearly died helping me get back. Now here I am, the guy with the easy life on Earth, asking for more help.
I made a mistake.
I assumed he was coming because, well, he’s my friend. And that’s what hurts the most.
I thought the four of us would be a team. He knows that area around the Palladium inside and out, even better than the girls… but it’s all good. I won’t act all hurt and pissed off.
As Tommy would say, it’s time to put on my man pants and deal with this.
I’m just sad, I guess. Really sad.
Anyway, Meeka’s still grabbing Keane and now shaking him violently by the shoulders.
“Let him go,” I order her.
She shoves him away, and then backs off. She studies him a moment more, lowers her head, and starts to break down.
“Aw, Meeka, please,�
� Keane beg hers. “Please…”
“I get why you want to stay,” Meeka says. “I really do. But I thought your friends were more important than all this…”
Keane’s about to argue, but I shift in front of him. “Hey, man, it’s cool. You’ll be a great leader here.”
My eyes are sore.
Oh, wow. He’ll feel worse if I cry, too, so I hold back. But it’s never been harder. Tommy told me about the bond that forms between soldiers when they go “downrange” into a combat zone. It feels like that with Keane.
“It’s just… I don’t want to go, and then be mad at you the whole time,” he confesses.
I wave my hand. “You don’t have to say anything.”
“I know, but really, I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. Because there’s no way you’ll find love on The Bachelor. And why are you even watching that?”
He just shrugs and punches me in the arm—
And then he goes for the most awkward hug ever, coming from the left, the right, and then, finally, squeezing me until my ribs nearly break.
We glance up as Steffanie joins us. “What’s going on?”
“Ask him,” Meeka says, glaring at Keane through teary eyes.
I slip my arm around Meeka’s shoulder and lead her down the driveway. “It’s his choice.”
“Before you and Julie were around, we stuck together.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing.”
I reach for her other hand, but she jerks away. “I’ll let you know if Steff and I are still coming.”
She rushes back toward the house.
Steffanie glances sympathetically at me. “No worries, Doc. She can’t talk me out of it. I’m in.”
“Because you miss your ex-girlfriend.”
She blushes. “And because I can help.”
We watch Meeka slam the front door, and then I ask, “Can you talk to her?”
“I’ll try, but you know how she is.”
Keane joins us and tightens his lips. “I thought she’d be happy to get rid of me.”
Steffanie frowns. “Keane, even though you annoy the hell out of her, you’re still one of her closest friends.”
He nods. “And she’s one of mine.”
“She’s just hurt,” I say. “I’m sure she wants the best for you. We all do. But it’s hard to let go.”
Keane lowers his gaze and nods.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It’s eighteen hundred hours (which if you subtract twelve is six p.m. civilian time). Once you’re around Tommy long enough, you get used to doing that. He’s en route with the van to pick up the rumms. I still have no idea who’s coming.
Grace volunteered to drive us to the house in Chuluota so my father can boot up the quantum computer and do his diagnostic check on the engine.
I’m in the back seat, feeling miserable. I should be excited that we’re finally on our way, so why does it feel so wrong? I need to deliver Alina’s immortal. I need to find Julie and get her away from her maniac father.
But leaving Grace behind, along with Keane, is making me nauseous. And now Meeka’s threatening to stay. I tremble even more as I imagine that everyone bails, even my father. I’m going alone while they point fingers and say, “You idiot. Julie doesn’t want to be rescued. Why are you still believing in her?”
All this anxiety works its way to my mouth: “Mom, you can still change your mind.”
My father’s eyes are cannons swiveling around, coming to bear on me.
“It’s okay, Doc,” she says. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
My voice begins to fail. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do—because seeing you again will give me a reason to fight as long as I can.”
I want to say, “But what if I don’t come back?”
But I can’t.
So I just cry, which makes my nose run everywhere. It’s even worse when I don’t have tissues or toilet paper and just the bottom of my t-shirt.
We’re silent for the rest of the thirty minute drive. Grace pulls into the long driveway and comments on how secluded and pretty the house is, and maybe she’d like to live here for a while, if it’s okay with Dad.
“What the hell is that thing?” she asks as we walk into the living room.
“It’s a simultaneity vortex,” my father mutters, knowing she won’t get it. He aims straight for the computer station and drops into a chair.
“See that round thing in the center?” I ask Grace. “That’s the portal. We jump through it and boom we’re on Flora.”
She looks at the engine. Then at me. Then back at the engine. “You’re serious…”
“I never lied.”
And now she’s starting to believe, if only a little. “So which Star Wars figure are you?”
“Some random guy you never heard of…”
She grins and studies the machine. “So that thing looks sort of alien.”
“Mom, it’s just an engine. Anyway, I need to tell you some stuff, but I don’t want this to get all… you know…”
“I know. I love you, Doc.”
“I love you, too.”
She tears up. “I’ll wait. And you’ll come back.”
“Okay.”
Is she trying to convince herself now? And is she having second thoughts?
Just then, the front door opens, and in walks Tommy and Steffanie, each shouldering a military backpack and carrying long rifles cases in each hand.
Wait a second:
It’s just Tommy and Steffanie.
My stomach drops.
“Are you it?” I ask.
“Relax, Marine, the others are coming.”
I hustle outside to see who’s there as the engine whirs and the floor begins to vibrate.
Meeka’s hooked her arm around Blink’s and guides him up the driveway. Wow, he shaved his head and wears the Marine Corps cap Tommy gave him just like a sniper, with the bill pointing backwards.
“Blink, it’s Doc,” I say. “We’re almost home.”
“Not soon enough, bro.”
Meeka looks at me for a second and then shifts her gaze. I can’t tell if she’s still upset, and I’m about to ask if she’s coming when—
“Hey, Doc, give me a hand with these?”
The request comes from Keane. I rush over to the van and grab two heavy backpacks bulging with stuff.
“Dude, I’m like so happy to see you,” I tell him.
“Oh, wait, Doc, you don’t think…”
My shoulders slump.
“I just came to say goodbye,” he finishes.
I nod and keep smiling. “That’s cool.”
Of course it’s not cool. That’s a total lie, but I don’t want to make either of us feel any worse.
“So anyway, this is it. Wexx convinced the rest to stay.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Yeah, he’s taken charge.”
“I’m worried he’ll run.”
“He can try, but Tommy’s just hired a few more of his Marine Corps buddies for security.”
“I feel bad.”
“Don’t. I’ll get with Wexx. It’s better to chill and take our time… and just become normal.”
I shake my head. “You keep talking about normal. We’re already normal.”
“Not here.”
“You’re right, so you should definitely come home with us, where you’re normal.”
He smirks. “I see what you did there.”
“It’s not too late…”
“I know, but being here… I can finally sleep at night.”
Again, he reminds me just how easy my life’s been when compared to his.
I set down the backpacks and lift my arms. “Okay, this is a bro hug. Not too close. A little back slap. Not the weirdness you gave me before.”
“Got it.”
We do the hug (still a little awkward for him), grab the gear, and go inside, where we stare in awe at the engine a
s it hums and shakes and smells like burned toast…
In the next breath, that familiar, crackling energy dances across the central wreath in flashing white webs that darken into persona-green.
Behind the engine, shadows crawl and flicker across the walls and ceiling, forming weird patterns like you see on giant video screens at music awards shows.
Zach’s here as well, consulting with Tommy and my father at the computer station. I can’t hear what they’re saying.
Landry and Boonwalla drift over, and Landry has a sour look on his Jack Sparrow face. “Hey, kid,” he says. “Can you tell Tommy to cut us loose?”
“He will. So what’s the plan when you get home?”
“None of your business.”
“Hey, Doc, can you do me a favor?” Boonwalla asks. “Can you tell Tommy and your old man that if they’re looking for some guns, we’re available?”
Landry snorts in disbelief. “Who says we’re available?”
“I do. They got food, you idiot.”
“How much weight have you gained since we’ve been here? Twenty pounds? Thirty?”
“I’m thinking about helping my family—just like you.”
“All right, guys,” I say, stopping them before they go any further. “I’m sure we’ll need help.”
Landry grins crookedly.
He said he doesn’t trust us. Well, the feeling’s mutual…
Off to my left, Meeka’s hugging Keane and crying on his shoulder. I glance away and nearly bump into Steffanie.
“So he’s really not coming,” she says.
“That’s okay. He earned this.”
“I hope he’ll be okay.”
“He will,” I say.
“All right, people, one minute!” Tommy hollers.
Grace rushes over. “I’m scared for you.”
“Really? Been there, done that.”
She grabs my hands. “Then why are you trembling?”
“I’m all hyped up.”
“Give me one more hug.”
I do.
She lets me go and hurries away as Tommy motions for us to form a line at the staircase leading up to the wreath.
He moves Landry and Boonwalla to the front, cuts them loose, and then gives them ballistic vests with ceramic plates on the inside. “Put on these bullet bouncers and grab them helmets. And grab your pistols, too. But you don’t get your ammo back till we’re on the other side.”