Zerostrata by Andersen Prunty

Author:Andersen Prunty [Andersen Prunty]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-07-31T15:05:34+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Name

I woke up to a group of kids throwing rocks at the demol-ished Zerostrata. I peeked my head out from the shelter and one of the rocks glanced off my forehead.

“Ow,” I groaned.

A savage looking child, wearing only a loincloth, stared down at me and said, “Serves you right, you dirty bum. We’re taking this neighborhood back! Taking it back from people like you!”

He turned and ran off and I crouched there on the lawn, half-in and half-out of Zerostrata, thinking, “But I live here.”

I turned around to grab my shoes. Startled, I noticed Dr. Blast crouching in the back corner. He was eating a delicious-looking banana, staring at me.

“So how did it go?”

“It went great, I think.”

“That’s good. Have you noticed that things have changed?”

“Yes. They certainly have.”

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Zerostrata

“And do you think they have changed for the better?”

“Oh, definitely, everyone seems so much happier.”

“Good. Well, I gotta go.” Then he reached down and started digging in the lawn.

“You know, that could take days. I could probably get someone to give you a ride back to the office.”

“Not necessary. Sometimes I like to dig. I’m rather good at it. Also, I find it soothing, relaxing... and it provides me with a very good workout.”

“Okay then, go right ahead. I won’t disturb you.”

I left him to his digging and went into the house to get something to eat.

Walking to the refrigerator, I noticed Mother had left another message scrawled on it. It looked like I had received another call. Actually, studying the scrawls, it looked like I had received two calls.

This is what the first one said:

DAMN BUGGER I SEEN YOU FILTHY STUPID STAY

AWAY MEEN IT

The second one was a little more concise. It simply said:

THE COMMANDER CALLED

I didn’t know who the hell The Commander was but if I was ever meant to find out then I would, given time.

I couldn’t wait for the day to pass. I don’t know why I didn’t just go to the girl’s house and knock on her door. I felt embarrassed I didn’t even know her name but that wasn’t the only reason. I knew who else lived there. I knew, without a doubt, it was my cranky old woman caller and there was something about her that greatly disturbed me. She had warned me to stay away. She had forbidden me to come near her and I didn’t feel like testing those waters just yet.

75

Andersen Prunty

I sat down at the table and ate a bowl of cereal, slowly, not really having much else to do.

It was sunny outside and I liked the way the light glinted on the dew clinging to the wrought iron gate. I liked the way the white clouds swirled over the trees across the road. I liked where I was.

There was a commotion from various rooms around the house. I thought about inspecting it but didn’t think there was much of a need. What it sounded like was assorted things being broken. Not in rapid succession. It didn’t sound like anyone had gone on a rampage or anything.

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