Syn-En: Registration by Linda Andrews

Author:Linda Andrews [Andrews, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-07-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Nell slowed upon reaching the walkway. The pack of supplies shifted on her back, and her fingers dug into the first aid kit tucked under her arm.

Daylight streamed through the exposed dome several blocks behind her but the three-story row homes nearby cast long shadows over the rest of the neighborhood. Dim street lamps illuminated the yellow grass and drying bushes. Decaying leaves edged immaculate marble facades glowing in the spray of spotlights.

Zahar rushed down the clean walk, jumping over a fuzzy Padgow cleaning crimson dots off the white stone. Her brother sprawled on the stoop, holding a pale child in his muscular arms.

Blood filled the seams of the young boy’s lips, but his leg caught Nell’s attention.

“It’s broken.” She didn’t know if she could deal with broken. She’d expected sniffles, runny nose and a fever when she’d volunteered to help the boy.

“Obviously.” Elvis trotted beside her.

The jagged edges of white bone stuck out of the boy’s pale shin and his foot flopped nearly backward on the step.

“What if he’s severed an artery?” Or worse? How was she supposed to fix this? She wasn’t a doctor. She never even played one on TV.

That’s why you have me, Dear. Mom’s voice soothed inside Nell’s head. And he would have bled much, much more if he’d severed an artery. In fact, given that it has taken us two minutes to arrive, he would probably already have died.

Well, that’s something to be thankful for. Nell’s fingers relaxed on the first aid kit.

Elvis fumbled in his saddle bags for the diagnostic unit. “This has complete first aid and emergency protocols for Humans and Amarooks. It will tell you everything you need to know.”

“It will tell Mom.” Mom would tell Nell through her cerebral interface.

Zahar fell onto the stoop besides her brothers. She picked up the boy’s hand and held it in her lap. Her emerald green eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Can you help him?”

“Yes. Of course.” Nell clicked her jaw shut. That sounded like her speaking but Mom had told her brain what words to say. Dammit, Mom, I told you no hijacking my body. Not now, not ever.

Never again would she be trapped inside her head while some stupid program usurped her free will.

Dear, I can treat the child faster if I do not have to run everything through you.

The boy groaned. His muscles spasmed. The oldest brother laid the child on the porch as the seizure wracked his frail body.

Nell’s heart leapt into her throat. Jeez, the kid was sicker than she’d thought. Alright, Mom, do what you have to.

Thanks, Dear.

Blood dribbled from the boy’s fractured leg. A mophead scuttled forward, scrubbing up the blood and zapping the injury with a wayward tentacle.

“Hey!” Nell raised her hand to pull the Padgow back, but her arm flopped back at her side. She grit her teeth. She knew giving control over her body to a computer would return to bite her on the butt. Programs lacked empathy. Mom, those things sting like a son of a gun.

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