The Merman and the Moon Forgotten by Kevin McGill

Author:Kevin McGill
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy, middle grade, magic, mermaid
Publisher: Kevin McGill
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Ten • The Truth

Having just been downgraded from hover, the truck tore through the first floor of a newly constructed highrise, two gated communities, and the Colorado City summer parade. The drum major grabbed her skittling baton and yelled after them, “Antique cars will just get someone killed!”

Nick didn’t care. He was just happy to put some distance between them and what Grand called trackers.

Eventually, they took the I-45 highway. Since the transportation industry could not afford hover technology, the old highway had been reserved for transport vehicles. Grand was able to zip quickly past the compact trains and eighteen wheelers.

Once they passed Dickinson Bridge, everyone’s leashes began to spark. They shook their wrists, trying to stop the electrical jolts, but it didn’t seem to help. BioFarm’s properties were moving outside of the assigned fifteen mile perimeter.

Grand followed the signs to Sion Park. Once there he smashed through the guard arm, ignoring the attendrone’s request of payment. With little visibility and a waning Moon to guide the way, they crept along an old service road for another hour. Finally, the truck drove into a forest clearing.

Grand launched from the cab, leaving on the remaining headlight. “This should do for now. Tried to be as unpredictable as I could,” he mumbled to no one in particular. He grabbed the mimes and let them fall like sacks of beef. “Everyone, out.”

A blue arc leapt from Brandy’s arm. “Ow! These really hurt!”

“Have to figure out how to turn those off,” said Nick.

“Don’t worry about that. I have a halter.” Daniel held a flat object, the shape of a dime. “Saved it for such a time. Brandy.”

“That’s high security stuff?” said Nick.

“Yes. I know,” said Daniel. “Brandy. Your leash, please.”

“But the cops don’t even have those. Where did you get it?”

Daniel didn’t respond. Instead, he held the halter until Brandy’s leash clicked and slid to the ground. “Who’s next?” Several more wrists raised into the air.

“Where did you get it, Daniel?” Nick repeated.

“I have my sources,” said Daniel.

Nick watched the leashes fall to the ground one by one, their read outs still projecting the refugees’ bio-rhythms and life expectancy. Everyone automatically rubbed their wrists, while exchanging looks of elation, concern, even wonder. Nick considered the leashes on the ground. He really didn’t understand what it meant to be the property of someone else.

“You and you.” Grand pointed to Tim and Xanthus. “You’ll be storing the bodies into the pressers. This is how it’s done.” Grand grabbed the pinky of the Sonya-mime and shoved it into the presser’s tip. He stepped on the presser and bounced his leg up and down like a one-footed jig. Xanthus’ mouth fell open as the Sonya-mime began to shrivel. It was like watching fruit dry.

Tim slowly put one shoe onto the presser. The Sonya-mime’s finger slipped out.

“Just shove it back in,” said Grand. “Try the tongue if it gives you trouble.”

Tim looked at his grandfather like he was seven kinds of insane. He went to his knees, grabbed the red fingernail of the comatose Sonya-mime, and slipped it into the presser.

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