Trans Liberty Riot Brigade by L.M. Pierce

Author:L.M. Pierce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NineStar Press

Junkie

The river swallows our tiger transport faster than I thought possible. We bob for a moment, then begin sinkin’. Water gushes through my shattered window and the force flushes me against Elenbar in the opposite seat.

“The water, I c—can’t get out!” I splutter through a mouthful of river. It tastes like mold spores and dirty dishwater.

“Go ta the back, bust through the back!”

We scramble over the seats, the water sloshin’ around our waists. We’re almost underwater already, the cold river envelopin’ us in the rushin’ sound of the current and the gushin’ water infiltratin’ our temporary air bubble. We scramble over boxes in the back, but this ain’t the way.

“Ele! We gotta let the car get full up!”

I can’t see her face, but imagine its ghost whiteness. We ain’t good swimmers. Almost drowned in the river by the Farm. It ain’t good, and it’s a mighty strong push to the surface because we’re sinkin’ fast. Maybe faster than lungs can hold air.

I hear a chokin’ sob. Realize it’s me. Water’s sloshin’ around my shoulders. Elenbar’s bony cold hand is in mine, and I squeeze it, hard. The world shrinks like we’re inside a leakin’ balloon, our air gettin’ smaller and tighter around us.

“Suck in that air! We’re going topside! Together!” She digs her nails into my palm.

I fumble for the hatch handle at the back and turn it, suckin’ hard at the last remnants of air. Water touches my earlobes. The handle isn’t turnin’. I let go of Elenbar. Then my free hand touches the bag. The familiar feel and crinkle of a cellophane-sealed brick of Flow. Might be Biff. Or—

The air’s gone, water swallows us up, and I kick at the back window. The whole pane pops out, obedient and whole. All’s dark except faint light far above. Too far. Elenbar’s foot slams my elbow as she shimmies past. My hand closes on, oh yah, it closes on the cellophane brick.

Because of course it does.

I tuck it in my pants. Then I’m kickin’, swimmin’, thrashin’ my face toward where distant sky must be. My lungs’re burnin’ because I ain’t a fish, this ain’t my home. Ain’t nothin’ but death. My hand brushes Elenbar’s kickin’ foot. I’m right under her.

The light comes closer but then dims. River tide tugs at my body. Giddiness surges from the back of my mind. I could let go. I could stop. Just let it all go. I’m tired. So faggin’ tired. The water thickens, and my arms slog through. Less and less, though. Less frantic. Air’s bubblin’ out my lips, can’t hold it in no more. But there’s a green glow; air’s somewhere up there. Close. I think.

Everythin’ gets bright like swimmin’ in silvery silk. I almost breathe in, suck full lungs of water, because it’s Ma. Slitherin’ in the river, hair streamin’ around her, robe ripplin’ like translucent fins. The hollow ribs, even the saggy tits, like a holy angelfish. Come to take…me. Take me. To wherever we go after this world. I reach for Ma, reach for her hand.

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