Dead Girl Running by Ann M. Noser

Author:Ann M. Noser [Noser, Ann M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620079706
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2015-10-26T07:00:00+00:00

ur eyes lock, the empty parking lot a vast space between us. I hold my breath. Why is Franco here? Is he going to yell at me now?

Footsteps shake the metal ramp of the Incinerator as the Handlers approach.

In the distance, Franco backs away from the overhead light, ducking under a cloak of darkness. The trance lifted, I step out of the way of the Handlers rolling out the transport carts. The unruly wheels catch and swivel on the ramp. The Handlers curse and shake the carts as they attempt to load the truck.

“Oops. Sorry about the language.” The shorter one catches my eye. “But when I took this job, I was told it was easy.” He smiles.

Suddenly, he’s a real person. He’s not the New Order; he’s just an employee. He probably has a family and, under other circumstances, I might learn he is kind, or funny, or good with children. However, right now, he is the enemy, and my job is to stall for time. I’m a little fuzzy on the details of the war Gus is fighting. All I know is I’ll always be on his side. No matter what.

I smile back at him, hoping it doesn’t look pained or fake. “I’m new at this, too, but it seemed to me that the other racks worked better.” I stand out of the way and make no offer to help as the Handlers struggle through repeated trips up and down the ramp.

Trying not to be obvious, I sneak glances into the dark edge of the parking lot, searching for Franco. Is he still out there? I hope he doesn’t launch into another environmental tirade and start screaming at me, too.

After the last cart has been loaded, the shorter Handler clears his throat. “When will your Supervisor be ready to go?”

“I’ll ask him.” I casually stroll back to the main Incinerator room.

Gus is still fussing with his tool chest. He glances up. “Anything interesting out there?”

Just Franco. “The truck’s all loaded. The Handlers are asking if you’re ready to leave.”

“Why’d they have to move up the schedule?” Gus’s shoulders slump. “Oh, well. I guess I can’t stall any longer.”

I stare at Gus, willing him to tell me what’s really going on here. He could at least give me a hint.

I help him push the tool chest outside, making it look more difficult than it is to move in an effort to fool the Handlers. We carefully ease it down the delivery ramp and onto the truck. Then Gus stands at the opening, tapping his hand on his side. If I didn’t know how relaxed he normally is, I wouldn’t think anything of it.

I take one more glance toward the spot where Franco stood. Nothing but black sky.

A loud crack and wheeze interrupts the quiet night.

“What the heck?” The shorter Handler steps in front of me and grabs the weapon attached to his utility belt.

I peek over his shoulder as a shower of gold-colored sparks fly through the air.

Alarms wail from within the Incinerator facility.

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