Alan nodded slowly, thinking.
“And another thing,” Calum went on, “that’s just bullshit about Siobhan running off on purpose. There’s no way she’d do that. No way!”
Alan narrowed his eyes. “You know what? We’re kind of missing the point.”
“Are you kidding me? I’ll tell you the goddamned point—”
“No, just listen,” Alan interrupted. “Whatever really happened, it doesn’t matter because here’s the thing—Mac is going around deliberately trying to turn everyone away from your dad, from your family. Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s a mean bastard, that’s why. But so what? No one’s going to listen to that jerk.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Alan said. “People are listening to him. Everyone’s kind of jumpy right now, and Mac’s strutting around the place like he’s in charge. He’s got people convinced. He’s got them believing he’s actually on their side.”
Calum let out a dry chuckle laced with irony. “Yeah, right.”
But Alan didn’t join in the laughter. “I know it’s weird, and I hate to tell you this, but my mom, she…” He broke off and gave Calum a guarded look, then he went on, speaking hurriedly as though the words left a bad taste in his mouth. “She said I ought to keep away from you—from your whole family.”
Calum stared into his friend’s eyes and saw the truth of what he was saying. He swallowed then looked down at the ground, his eyes unfocused. For as long as he could remember, he’d thought of Alan’s house as a second home. Whenever his own house had felt cramped, he’d always known he’d get a warm welcome at Alan’s. He’d often stayed for meals, and when they’d been younger he’d slept over plenty of times, though that habit had faded in the last year when it felt like they’d outgrown it. Even so, Alan’s mom had always been kind to Calum, so if she, of all people, could turn against him and his family, then what chance did he have with everyone else?
Alan punched his arm again. “I’m not going to listen to her. She might be taken in by Mac’s bullshit, but I’m not. I came straight to tell you, didn’t I?”
Calum blinked and looked up. “Yeah. Thanks for letting me know. I’d better tell my mom.”
“Good idea, but go easy,” Alan said. “No point making it sound worse than it is. It’s just gossip really. You know how it goes around here.”
“Yeah, but it’s the last thing we need right now. My mom’s got enough to deal with.” Calum took a breath. “Anyhow, I’d better go and get the eggs. Mom will be wondering what’s taking me so long.”
“All right. I’ll see you later, yeah?”
Calum tried a smile. “Sure. I need to finish off the berry patch. Shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
“Cool. I’ll meet you at the tower.”
Calum nodded. The tower was their name for a pillar of rock they’d often climbed together. It was only just outside the settlement, but thanks to a ridge of rock, the scruffy gaggle of houses was hidden, and the only view was of the fern bank and the lowlands beyond. Calum liked to cling to the tower and look out over the landscape, imagining himself on a journey toward the far-off horizon.
“See you later,” Alan said, then he jogged back down the track.
“See you,” Calum called after him, then he set off up the hill once more, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slumped. None of this would’ve happened if Siobhan had followed the rules, he told himself, but the thought was unworthy, and he pushed it away. You’d better come home soon, Shiv. And Dad too. There’s going to be trouble. I just know it.
***
Calum was the first to arrive at the tower. He’d found three eggs nestling among the dried ferns in the crows’ coop, and that had pleased his mom, but after he’d told her what Mac was up to, she’d gone very quiet and pale, her eyes dimmed with hurt. Calum had tried to play it down, but he knew she’d taken it badly, and there’d been nothing he could say to make it right. He’d trudged outside and carried on with his digging, but after a few minutes he’d given up. He hadn’t the heart for it anymore; Mac and his lies had ruined everything. Instead, Calum had set off for the tower, his head down and his hands clenched into fists.
Now, the bleak pillar of rock suited his mood, and he stood alongside it, staring out over the lowlands, the brisk breeze stinging his cheeks. A gust of wind whipped his hair into his eyes, and he moved closer to the tower, seeking out a sheltered spot. But the cold air whirled around him from every direction, and even though he squatted on his haunches, there was no escape from the chill breeze.
He chewed on his lip. How long would it take for Alan to show up? Perhaps his friend wouldn’t come at all and the whole thing was a waste of time. After all, if Alan’s parents had found out his plans, they might’ve stopped him. Or maybe Alan had given in and decided to avoid him for the sake of a quiet life. You can’t rely on anyone, Calum thought bitterly, not anymore. He stared into the distance, seeing nothing, letting himself be battered by the wind, sitting as still as the stones that surrounded him.
Voices. Calum blinked and tilted his head, but the sound had faded, replaced by the shush and whisper of the wind. But he had heard voices, hadn’t he? It had sounded like two men having a conversation, but he might have been mistaken. Sometimes the breeze murmured and howled as it wound its way through the jagged outcrops of rock, and this wouldn’t be the first time he’d been misled by the strange acoustics of the place.
Calum stood slowly, straining his ears, but he stayed close to the tower, pressing his body against the rock. It was unusual for anyone from the settlement to venture up onto this part of the hill, and some instinct warned Calum to stay hidden, at least until he knew who was out there.
Somewhere beyond the ridge, a growl of humorless laughter carried on the breeze. The sound certainly came from a man, but it was cut short by a hissed command: “Quiet! Do you want the whole settlement to hear us?”
“All right, all right,” the first man replied. “Just trying to lighten the mood. Make’s the work go easier, don’t it?”
Calum narrowed his eyes. There were at least two men on the hillside then, but he hadn’t recognized their voices. He knew pretty much everyone in the settlement, but these men had spoken quietly, keeping their voices under control. And there was something in their tone, something hushed and urgent that he didn’t like.
Calum edged around the tower, staying close to the stone. He was out of sight, protected by the ridge, but if the men headed in his direction, he’d have no place to hide except behind the pillar of stone. Why should I care? he asked himself. He had every right to be on the hillside and nothing to fear from his neighbors in the settlement. So why was he clinging to the rock? Why not march over the ridge and see what was going on?
He took a step forward, but then the wind changed direction, carrying the voices toward him, and he heard something that made him freeze to the spot.
“You know, Connor won’t like this when he comes back. He won’t like this at all.”
“Huh! What makes you think he’s coming back?”
A chill raced across Calum’s skin, prickling the back of his neck. What the hell were they talking about? Why would his dad not be coming back? Why would someone even say such a thing?
The man who’d laughed before, now let out a wry chuckle. “I wouldn’t be so sure. He’s not as dumb as you make out. He’ll be back, and he’ll be furious when he finds out what we’ve done.”
“Never mind that, just keep your goddamned mouth shut like Mac said.”
Calum’s eyes stretched wide. Mac! What the hell is he up to? A fire stirred in Calum’s belly and he moved away from the tower, planting his feet carefully, creeping closer to the ridge. He could hear the men’s footsteps crunching on the loose shale on the other side. They were close now, but it sounded as though they were walking in parallel to the ridge, so unless they changed direction, they’d pass him by. Calum’s heart raced. All he had to do was climb the ridge, and he’d be able to pee
k over the top and look down on the men, then he’d know for sure what was going on. But he had to step slowly over the loose gravel. If he ran up the slope they’d hear him for sure.
He took a few more steps, moving in a half crouch. The men were so close he could hear their labored breathing.
“Christ, this is heavy,” one of them moaned. “Can’t we set it down for a second?”
“No way. Quit complaining and put your back into it.”
“It’s all right for you, I’m taking all the weight.”
“Oh, shut up. It’s all downhill from here. We’ll rest when we get to Mac’s place. Just keep moving.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”
Shale grated beneath the men’s boots, but already, the sound was fading as if the men were moving away.
Now or never, Calum told himself, and he took a deep breath and gathered his courage, covering the last few yards quickly then laying down on the ground near the top of the ridge and lifting his head to peer over the edge. Below him, two men were walking down the slope, heading toward the settlement. They were carrying something large between them, and its bulk made the men move awkwardly as if they were staggering beneath its weight. But the men’s bodies were blocking Calum’s view of the object, and he couldn’t see what it was. “Come on,” he whispered, “move out the way.”
Calum slid sideways across the slope, hoping for a better view while making sure to keep his head low. He screwed up his face in frustration. His moment was slipping away. But then the men turned to navigate around a boulder, and Calum gasped. The men were carrying a sturdy aluminum crate, and its sides were bright orange. It could contain only one thing: EVA suits.
Calum shook his head in disbelief. Once EVA suits had been taken outside the settlement, no one was allowed to bring them back; once used, no matter how well they’d been cleaned, they could still be contaminated with grunge. It was a rule everyone knew, and until now, Calum had never seen it broken. That guy was right about one thing, Calum thought, my dad will be furious.
Calum ran his tongue over his dry lips. He should stop these men before they made it to the settlement. But how? They hadn’t exactly sounded friendly, and there was no telling how they’d react to a confrontation, but he had to do something. He had to try.
Calum pushed himself up into a crouch, his leg muscles taut, then he scanned the slope between his position and the two men, picking out a line. If he moved fast, he could surprise them and then keep running. With any luck they’d drop the crate and come after him, then he could lead them back toward the settlement, leaving the crate safely behind. He took a breath.
“Psst!”
The call came from behind Calum, and he spun around, adopting a fighting stance, his fists ready. But when he saw who it was, he lowered his hands and squatted down. Alan was crouching behind a boulder, his face pale against the dark rock.
“What the hell are you doing?” Calum hissed. “You freaked me out.”
“Never mind me, what are you doing up there? Why are you hiding?”
Calum beckoned his friend. “Come here. But keep low, all right?”
“Okay, okay.” Alan looked unimpressed, but he scrambled up the slope to squat by Calum’s side. “What’s all the drama?”
Calum pointed to where the two men were rapidly descending the lower slope, picking up their pace as the terrain leveled. “Did you see those two guys on your way here? Did you see what they’re carrying?”
“No, I didn’t use that path, but so what?” Alan peered down at the distant men. “Probably just been gathering some ferns or dead vines for firewood—something like that.” He grinned. “What’s up? You think maybe they’ve found something good?”
“You’re way off,” Calum said. “That crate they’re lugging is orange. It’s full of suits. Has to be.”
Alan’s smile dropped instantly. “No way. You must’ve got it wrong.” He stared after the men. “You can’t be sure, not from here.”
“Don’t be an idiot, Al! They passed right by me. They were talking about it, saying how my dad would be mad if he knew what they were doing. They said it was Mac who told them what to do.”
“Wait a minute.” Alan stood, squinting in concentration. “The way that guy walks, I think I know who he is. Does that look like Danny to you?”
Calum stood slowly. “I don’t know. I only saw them from behind, and I was keeping out of sight. But you could be right.”
Alan grimaced. “Yeah, I’m right. That’s Danny. He sometimes comes by the house and talks with my dad. He gives me the creeps.” He gave Calum a meaningful look. “And you know who else Danny is buddies with? Mac.”
Calum pursed his lips. “That settles it. Mac’s starting something, and we have to stop those guys before they get back to the settlement. We’ve wasted too much time already.”
Alan ran a hand over his face. “No, that’s not smart. Could be dangerous.”
“So? It’s even more dangerous if we let them get away with those suits. They could contaminate lots of people.”
“Why?”
Calum exhaled loudly and threw his arms wide. “Because there could be grunge on the—”
“That’s not what I meant,” Alan interrupted. “I mean, why would they contaminate anyone? What would be the point?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they want to cause trouble—stir things up while my dad’s away. What does it matter?”
“It matters because despite what you think, Mac isn’t a total moron.”
Calum rolled his eyes. “What? You’re on his side now?” He shook his head in disgust. “If you won’t help me, I’ll go after them myself. I was just about to go down there when you showed up, but for some reason, I thought you’d lend a hand.”
“No need to be a jerk!” Alan snapped. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help, but we’ve got to be smart. So shut up for a second and let me talk.”
Calum scowled at his friend, but he didn’t reply.
“Are you going to listen?” Alan demanded.
“All right. Just spit it out. I can’t wait to hear it.”
Alan gave him an appraising look, then he began. “Okay, so there’s no good reason to start spreading grunge around the place. You’d have to be an idiot to even think about it. Grunge is no good as a weapon—you can’t choose who it latches onto. No, if you want to hurt someone or cause damage, there are easier ways. And anyway, if you put on a suit in the settlement, people are going to notice, don’t you think?”
“So what are the suits for? Why go to all the effort?”
“Somebody’s prepping,” Alan said. “They’re getting ready for something further down the line. Stockpiling the suits for their own use. And we know who’s behind it.”
“Mac?”
“Mac,” Alan agreed. “I told you about the way he’s been talking, and I say it’s all connected. First, he goes around spreading rumors about your dad, and he gets folks on his side. Meanwhile, he’s busy grabbing suits and supplies. I’m telling you, he has a plan.”
Calum’s jaw went slack. “Oh my God! What’s he doing to do?”
“I don’t know, but I have a pretty good idea what we can do about it.”
“We have to tell the council,” Calum said. “We have to tell everyone.”
Alan shook his head slowly. “Not yet. We don’t know anything, not for certain.”
“So what? If we tell the right people, they’ll do something about it.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Mac has friends on the council, and a lot of people think he’s great. If we go shouting our mouths off, we’ll wind up looking stupid, and he’ll find out about it. He’ll move his stash to a new hiding place, and then he’ll have won. End of story.”
“I get it,” Calum said. “You think we should find out where he’s hiding the suits.”
“Exactly. And we know where to start.”
Calum set his mouth in a grim line. “Let’s go.”
***
“Are you
sure about this?” Calum asked. “He might see us.” He shifted position. They’d been crouching behind the wall at the end of Mac’s garden for a while, and Calum’s leg muscles were starting to complain. The garden was long and narrow, and its unruly growth of vines and groundweed made for good cover while the friends kept watch on the front of Mac’s house, but the wall was low, little more than a mound of soil and rocks, and Calum needed to move and stretch his legs.
“It’s fine,” Alan replied. “We just have to wait for him to go out. Hang on, I’ll take a look.” Slowly, Alan raised his head enough to peer over the wall. “I just saw him move past the window. I think…shit!” He ducked down and gave Calum a look. “Man, that was close!”
“What happened?” Calum whispered. “Did he see you?”
“No way, but he came outside and looked this way. I thought he’d spot me for sure.” He giggled quietly.
Calum raised an eyebrow. “And that’s funny?”
“Relax. He didn’t see me at all. He just walked away like he’s in a world of his own.” Alan grinned. “You know what? This is the most fun I’ve had in a while.”
Calum studied his friend’s expression. Fun? he thought. This is serious. But Alan’s excitement was infectious, and Calum couldn’t help but smile. “I guess it is kind of crazy. Maybe we should do it more often.”
Alan stifled a chuckle, biting his knuckle, and Calum fought the urge to laugh along. The whole thing was ridiculous, like the games they’d played when they were kids, but the stakes were a hell of a lot higher. People could die, he reminded himself. We’ve got to keep it together.
“I’ll check if he’s gone,” Calum whispered, then he crawled on hands and knees to the end of the wall and peeked around the corner. Sure enough, Mac was moving away, heading toward the main square and striding purposefully like a man on a mission. Calum scowled after him, and his sense of fun vanished in an instant. Was Mac marching off to start more rumors and stir up more trouble? Was he still calling around the houses to spread his filthy lies about Siobhan?
I’ll pay you back for this, Mac, he thought, then he moved forward, looking from left to right. Mac’s house was on the edge of the settlement and there was no one else in sight. He turned back to Alan. “It’s all clear. Let’s go and take a look through his window.”
Colony B Box Set Page 24