Keepers by Brenda Cooper

Author:Brenda Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus Books

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Coryn felt more refreshed than she had expected to when she woke, and she hummed through breakfast and getting ready for her run. Namina served her and otherwise said nothing, and Coryn left it just like that, content with quiet.

Outside, the morning air felt crisp against her cheeks as she limbered up with a mile-long walk, keeping Namina behind her. In spite of how devastating it had felt to be alone after Imke left last night, she felt good this morning, happy to be out in the city. She picked up speed as she slid along the waterfront, heading north. Today was a long run day, and as soon as she had been running half an hour, she started to feel the steadiness in her body and to drift into her own thoughts while she managed the route almost on autopilot.

She left her AR gear hanging loose around her neck and exposed her senses to the city, experiencing the burned-coffee taste of a latte stand, the rich damp saltiness of the Sound, and the slight wind.

Clouds scudded over the sky, largely kept up and over the city by the weather dome. The forecast was dry, and the long beds of flowers and vegetables beside the path were damp from overnight watering. Here and there, Basics had weeded and deadheaded and harvested food, either to take home for free or to sell at the farmers’ markets that would open soon.

She had been one of those, but she wasn’t now.

Imke thought she was important.

Julianna thought she mattered enough to provide her with Namina. To be fair, also to demand that she answer questions.

Jake always smiled when he saw her.

Her sister needed her.

She had come close to winning races, and she was now listed on the boards as someone to watch going into every race.

She rounded a corner and took a hill, digging into it, focusing for a moment just on her running, her breathing, her form. She made small adjustments.

She had a race soon. Next week.

Her body worked great. She hadn’t done too much damage being Outside.

Imke. Imke thought she was lucky and important, and Imke had asked her what she wanted.

Blessing had suggested she was lucky but she might not stay that way. He had warned her to be careful.

Could she trust Imke? She wanted to.

She crested the hill and started down, Lake Washington glittering deep blue in the sun in front of her.

Julianna’s questions demanded answers. She had been trying to avoid them, but she was running out of time. Coryn pulled her AR gear up and set it so she could talk to it. She dictated, and ran, and dictated some more.

What flaws was she missing? Julianna would want Coryn to state the obvious, but she’d be pleased with an accurate surprise.

At the bottom of the long trail she joined up with the historic Burke Gilman trail. She felt so full of energy it was hard to stay at her training speed. Her feet wanted to push her faster.

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