Broken Things by G. S. Wright

Author:G. S. Wright [Wright, G. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
Amazon: B00BAAGGC0
Goodreads: 17317628
Published: 2013-02-02T08:00:00+00:00

Part 3

1

Josh walked along next to Neil, for the first time in days feeling like he had hope. The world ignored them. Once a police car had driven by and Josh wanted to run, but Neil paid it no mind, and the officer didn’t even look their way. Once he was a mod like Neil his parents would take him back. They’d want a kid that was better than everyone else’s.

“It doesn’t matter that we escaped,” Neil explained, “They don’t want people to see us as real or as trouble-makers. And Kidsmith doesn’t have the resources like they used to, to track us down. Unless you get caught shoplifting they’re going to leave you alone.”

Neil turned into the driveway of a small rundown house with peeling paint. Soda cans, cigarette butts, and plastic bags were scattered amidst the thick weeds and patches of grass that masqueraded as a lawn. Josh followed as the boy lifted the garage door just high enough to slip under and let it fall noisily shut behind them. Boxes of electronics parts were everywhere. They filled the shelves and created a barely usable path through the two-car garage that only had room for one old car that looked almost as rundown as the house. Neil walked up to a door and knocked.

“Do you live here?” Josh asked.

“No, sometimes I stay here though.”

A moment later the door cracked open and an adult with dark frizzy hair and a thick scraggly beard peered out. “Neil,” the man said, “What’ve you been up to?”

“I got caught shoplifting,” Neil replied, “Took me in for parts. This kid busted me out.”

“Dude, that sucks. That’s twice now, isn’t it? Soon you’re not going to be able to go anywhere.”

Neil shrugged.

The man laughed, opening the door wide, and gestured for them to enter. They squeezed by his obstructive bulk. “Any friend of Neil’s is a friend of mine,” he said, “But if you try to steal anything, I’ll bust your case open.”

Josh nodded rapidly. “I won’t.”

The boys wove through the house path created by boxes, books, magazines, and computers (many in pieces) stacked in every available spot. Josh tried not to stare. It wasn’t anything like his home. His mother picked up everything, and everything had its place. He’d never been too good at picking up his own room and she constantly pestered him every time she’d peek in. Maybe that was something that had disappointed them.

“You guys hungry?” the man asked, “I’ve a cupboard full of cereal.”

The boys nodded eagerly, and with Neil taking the lead they helped themselves to overflowing bowls. The man sat down across from them, watching them eat. He introduced himself as Cody.

In between mouthfuls Josh said, “Neil says that you can ‘mod’ me.”

Cody smiled, and said with a shrug, “I suppose. I’ve done my share.”

“So, can you?”

“I don’t know,” he said, “I’ve got to see what’s under the hood. With your permission of course.”

“Yes!” Josh said eagerly, “Where do you have to look?”

Cody stood walked around behind him.

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