Scythe by Bauer Christina;

Author:Bauer, Christina; [Bauer, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 5482487
Publisher: Monster House Books, LLC

Chapter 13

Mom and I just slipped into the second dimension. It’s exhilarating and terrifying.

Who am I kidding? It’s mostly terrifying.

I check my smart watch. 8:00 am. There’s no time to find a secure spot to chat with Fritz. I glance over at Mom. She stands stock still, looking out over the ruined lab. If I chat with hologram-Fritz here, she’ll be fine. Mom doesn’t like that I work for the Scythe, but she won’t stop me, either.

Lifting my wrist, I type my emergency code into my smart watch. Come on, Fritz. I hit the dial button. Instantly, an alert flashes on the small screen.

CALLS BLOCKED.

I can’t say this is a surprise. It’s not like Fritz didn’t warn me that he was done using phone comms. Even so, I have other options. Using the tiny screen keypad, I send a text message to Happy Time Cleaning—that’s Fritz’s cover business.

Freelance 11 to HappyTimeCleaning: Need to talk. I have another emergency.

I stare at my smart watch like it’s Fritz’s face before me. All my emotion and focus pours into that little screen. At last, more text appears.

TYPING REPLY …

My shoulders loosen. Fritz is still taking my texts. This is good. All I need to do is get him to receive my hologram call. After that, we can fix this entire disaster. Fritz’s reply appears on the miniature screen.

HappyTimeCleaning to Freelance11: We talk face to face ONLY.

My insides twist with worry. That’s not the response I was hoping for. I peck out a quick response.

Freelance11 to HappyTimeCleaning: Please. I’m desperate.

This time, there’s no sign Fritz is writing a reply. Instead, another alert flashes on the watch face.

MESSAGES BLOCKED.

I stifle the urge to groan. Fritz won’t even take my texts. That means I have to haul my butt over to the Scythe’s lair, which is on the other side of Winter’s Run. If I race at full speed, I can get there in twenty minutes, tops. After that, I can cut another deal. Maybe Fritz wants a second magnetic enhancer.

Beside me, Mom wavers where she stands. “We’ve done well, Meimi. If Cole can help us, he’ll arrive soon.” A faraway look returns to her eyes. “Let’s head to the kitchen. Miss Edith should be here already.”

I wrap my arm around my mother’s shoulder. Her body feels so wispy next to mine. Already, her eyes are taking on that glazed look I know so well. Suddenly, I wish I’d asked her a million questions while she was clear-headed. Why does Mom feel so guilty about the lab accident with Dad? Are there any pictures of my father hidden somewhere? How did Mom find out Luci is still alive? Instead, Mom and I spent our time opening a drift void and flipping the factory into the second dimension.

Was it worth it?

I tilt my head, considering. Oh, yeah. That was totally worth it.

Working the drift with Mom is the best, pure and simple. Even if it does bring the Merciless down on our heads.

Helping to bolster Mom, I walk us both out of the laboratory and toward the kitchen.

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