VOLITION (Perception Trilogy, book 2) (24 page)

“Like telling a child there’s no Santa.”

“I suppose. Anyway, I made enough medication for her to last a
while.” He crossed his arms loosely.

This was all very interesting.

“Wouldn’t the money you could get from turning me in go a long
way to taking care of Hannah and the new baby?”

“It would. But like I said, we’re family now.”

I couldn’t believe that thin thread would be enough in the long
run. It had to be extremely tempting. “You and I are not family.”

“Your grandmother is my mother, so we’re like cousins or
something. Or maybe I’m your uncle.” He laughed. “That’s kind of kinky.”

I swatted his arm. “Not by blood.”

Taylor’s eyebrows shot up and he flashed me a flirtatious grin.
“That means I can still kiss you.”

I stood, and not because I wasn’t tempted to kiss Taylor Blake.
Because I needed a shower. “I’m not sure what to do with this information,” I
said. “You should know that Noah wants to leave tomorrow.”

“Christmas Day?”

“Yeah, well, he figures most people will be busy with family
and such. Better chance of sneaking away un-noticed.”

“Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know how we’re going to get where
we’re going.”

“Noah didn’t tell you?”

“I’m not sure he knows yet.”

“I know a place you can go. In Arizona. The old volcanic
mountain ranges have habitable caves.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’ve been doing some research myself. It’s tough for
satellite and cyberspace tracers to penetrate cave walls. Even GPS systems in
personal chips are blocked.”

“We should tell Noah,” I said.

“You tell him. And mention that we’re coming, too.”

My eyes must’ve betrayed my suspicion.

“Don’t worry. I have some money. Being a tech wiz has its
financial advantages.”

I didn’t doubt that. It wasn’t a good reason to trust him, though.

Chapter
33

Somehow Mary and Jabez located enough food on the black market
to put together an impressive Christmas dinner, including a ham roast. The
hefty cost was affordable thanks to the tidy sum taken in from Noah’s win,
which was why we had actual fresh salad, canned corn and pumpkin pie for dessert.

We carried in a large factory table and set it up in the middle
of the living room. Hannah and Rebecca decorated it with tree boughs they’d
found outside and candles Mary had produced. I set out the dishes and when we
were ready to eat, I helped Mary bring out the food.

We were a motley crew: An inner-city brother and sister duo,
three former commune/cult members and two fugitives. The rental period on Fred
had run out and he’d been returned.

I almost started dishing out, but Noah nudged me under the
table, signaling that the rest of them wanted to pray first. I bowed my head in
deference while Mary and Jabez recited a traditional pre-meal prayer. Everyone
else said
Amen
and I felt like the odd man out.

Jabez carved the roast in the candlelight. The room felt
festive and cozy and I decided to try to enjoy the moment.

“Thanks,” I said as Jabez laid the slice of meat on my plate. I
didn’t know if it was real meat, like we had on the commune, or lab-grown meat
like we ate back at Sol City. I was famished and decided I didn’t care.

Table chatter was non-existent as everyone dug in, thankful for
a good meal, something most of us never took for granted anymore.

“This is amazing,” Noah said, taking another spoonful of mashed
potatoes and gravy. “I feel like I died and gone to heaven.”

Mary smiled at him. “Thanks.”

I scowled and stared into my lap.

True to form, Taylor added to the obvious tension. “Zoe tells
me you’re planning on leaving tomorrow.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed, challenging me. “When did you talk to
him?”

“This afternoon. In the gym. He thinks we should go to Arizona.
Because of the caves.” I leveled my gaze on Taylor, angry that he chose this
moment to bring it up. I’d planned on talking to Noah after the meal.

“I’ve done some research,” Taylor said, seemingly oblivious to
the tension he repeatedly caused. “Cyber spies and satellite probes can’t
penetrate cave walls. There’s a whole system of caves in the desert. A great
place to get off the grid. Plus, it’s warm.”

“Warm’s a bonus,” I said lightly.

Noah set his fork down. “Even if we did decide to go to
Arizona, and I’m not saying we are, how would we get there from here without
getting stopped by the authorities?”

“I haven’t exactly worked that one out,” Taylor said.

Hannah sat back in her chair and held her stomach.

“Are you all right?” Taylor asked her.

“I’m not feeling that great.”

My stomach twisted. “Actually, I’m not feeling a hundred
percent, either.”

Rebecca smirked. “Maybe you and Hannah have come down with the
same thing.”

“Rebecca!” Hannah said.

Rebecca didn’t know that I knew Hannah felt ill because she was
in the first trimester of pregnancy.

I glared back at her. “I can assure you that we have not.”

Hannah covered her face with her hands, and I felt bad that I’d
lashed out.

“Dessert?” Mary said, diffusing the awkwardness.

Hannah was the only one who refused, making it easy for Mary to
cut the pie into six equal pieces.

“Jabez and I are going to Mass after dinner, if you want to come.”
Mary addressed us all but her eyes remained on Noah.

Noah nodded. “I’d like that.”

“But you’re not Catholic,” I said. Last thing I wanted was for
them to bond over religion. I remembered how Mary had kissed Noah earlier and I
didn’t want any more of that to happen before we left.

“It’s the same God,” Noah said. “I’m okay with it.”

“Can we go?” Hannah asked Taylor.

“Really? You want to go to a Catholic church?”

“Sure, why not? I think we need all the help we can get.
Besides, it’s Christmas Eve.”

The tenderness that spread across Taylor’s face as he studied
his sister squished my heart. It reminded me of my own lost brother. I missed
Liam so much.

“Sure,” Taylor said. He looked at Mary. “It’s only an hour,
right?” She nodded.

Rebecca huffed.

“Are you coming?” Hannah asked her.

“I guess so. It’s not like I’m going to stay here by myself.”

I swallowed. “I am.”

Noah stared at me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” I stood and tossed my napkin on the table. My heart
thrummed against my ribs, and I gave into the irrational anger I felt. “What
difference is it going to make if I’m alone or not? Nothing’s going to happen
here.”

I stormed out and down the hall, surprised when I heard
footsteps follow me. Noah grabbed my arm.

“What’s gotten into you? It’s Christmas Eve. Would it kill you
to be civil?”

“What do you care? It’s not like we’re together anymore.” I
shot daggers at him with my look. “I heard what you said to Mary this morning.
Why don’t you just go back to LA? I won’t hold it against you. You don’t owe me
anything anymore.”

Noah stared hard at me with a haunted glint in his eyes.
“There’s a price on my head, Zoe. I can’t go home without endangering my
family.”

When he said that, I knew he’d thought about it. I knew he
wished he could go, but he was trapped. Because of me. Because of what he’d
done for me.

“Then maybe I should.”

Noah’s eyes widened in alarm. “Go back to Sol City? No way. Not
after everything we’ve done to get you out of there. Are you nuts?”

“Yes, I am. I’m out of my mind, can’t you tell? You of all
people should know.”

“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.” Noah back stepped
with his hands up. Like he was surrendering. Like he was giving up. “We’ll talk
when I get back.”

Chapter
34

I busied myself with cleaning up the dishes while the others
got ready to go—vying for the bathroom, wrestling with jackets and boots,
waiting in the entrance for Rebecca, the reluctant Catholic Mass attendee. I
kept my head down and eyes averted. I didn’t want to catch anyone’s gaze,
especially Noah’s.

A swirl of energy sucked out of the room when they left. I
sighed, with a sense of relief. I needed some time alone in the quiet of the
empty factory. My own thoughts were enough to torment me. I didn’t need anyone
else’s judgmental glares and harsh words.

I thrust my hands in warm, soapy water, enjoying an odd sense
of comfort as the suds passed between my fingers. I scrubbed the pots and
counter-tops, dried dishes and put away left-over food like my life depended on
it.

When the kitchen and living area was cleaned up, I sat on the
sofa, facing the TV. I couldn’t bring myself to turn it on. I didn’t think I
could bear a warm-hearted Christmas tale, especially the family-centric ones.

I didn’t have a family anymore. I couldn’t even consider Noah
family.

The quiet grew loud. Creaking noises you didn’t really notice
when there were other people around. Just the normal sounds of a building
contracting in cold weather.

And it was bitterly cold. The others had to be desperate for
spiritual encouragement to face it.

The wind whipped against the windows, and I swore one of the
panes in the upper floor blew out, the echo of smashing glass reaching me.

I was completely spooked and moved slowly to the front entry
door to make sure it was locked. I checked the time and guessed the others
would be back in half an hour, forty-five minutes if you included time for them
to walk back from the church. That suddenly felt like forever.

My legs shivered with nervous jitters and I raced down the hall
to the gym. I’d pass the time beating the hell out of the kicking bag.

I shuddered to a stop at the doorway. The kicking bags hung in
the shadows, looking like bodies hanging by the neck from nooses. My heart stuttered.

“Lights on!”

I bent over to catch my breath. What was the matter with me?
There was nothing here that wasn’t present when the others were home. I tried
to pretend that Noah and Jabez were watching a boxing match on the TV in the
living area, that it was the middle of the day, that my time here was just a
continuation from my work out earlier in the afternoon.

I did a set of kicks and punches until I worked up a sweat. I
took a drink of water then stared at the ring. I’d always wanted to try out the
virtual trainer and since we were leaving tomorrow, now would be my only
chance. I turned on the panel and applied the sensors to my body the way I
remembered Noah doing it. I lifted the ropes and climbed into the ring.

“Mickey,” I said. “Novice.”

The virtual trainer appeared like magic in front of me, all
buff and ready to fight.

“Go easy on me, Mic,” I said.

He corrected my fighting stance, and I had to keep from
laughing. I wasn’t used to taking instructions from a hologram.

“Bend your knees,” he said. I almost couldn’t hear the robotic
tone in his voice. “Keep a spring in your legs”

I did as instructed and pulled my fists up close to my face. I
tested out a right jab, then a left. Mickey dodged.

“Come on, Mickey,” I said, with a lilt of laughter in my voice.
“Fight back.”

He threw an easy jab to my gut, his hand disappearing into my
body.

“Weird.” I wondered if I’d actually feel the hit if I increased
the program to intermediate. Did I actually want to feel his punches to my
stomach? Then I laughed. Jabez obviously had started Noah on intermediate.

Something caught my peripheral vision. I turned expecting to
see Jabez or Noah, or maybe even Taylor.

Not this. My breath hitched.

Grant’s sidekick, Mara the cyborg, stood in the doorway. The
light glinted off her cyborg forearms stretched out in front of her. She had a
gun pointed at me.

“Found you.”

I instinctively dropped to the mat, and rolled off the edge of
the ring just as the gun sounded.
I thought she was dead!

My heart pounded, and my breath accelerated like a little
rabbit’s. Someone turned me in.
Who had betrayed me?

“Lights off!” I shouted.

I held my breath, curled up under the ring. A small beam of
light from her ComRing skittered across the floor.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Then why had she shot at me?

“I’m here for your grandfather. He’s concerned about your
safety. He wants you to come home.”

The light beam grew closer, and I dug my heels into the floor
pushing myself deeper into the center of the underside of the ring.

“Zoe?” she said, her voice smooth like she was addressing a
small child.

I rolled the rest of the way to the opposite side of the ring.

Her soft steps grew closer. “You must know you can’t beat me.”

I exited the underside of the ring, just as her ComRing light
passed under it. Mara was on the other side. She didn’t know where I was for
certain. I crawled toward the door, staying away from the cone of light that
shone into the gym.

I was close enough to make a dash for it. Could I make it
through the door without getting shot?

“Your new hairdo looks good, by the way. Short and dark suits
you.”

I chanced it, dashing madly. The gun went off, and I flinched.
I turned left down the hall, away from the living area. I didn’t know when the
others would return and I couldn’t risk anyone getting hurt because of me.

I pushed through the first door into the kitchen. It was dark,
dusty and cold. I grabbed a carving knife from the knife rack and crouched down
behind the large, stainless steel freezer. My breath shot out in short, ghostly
puffs. I cupped my hands over my mouth.

The door squeaked as Mara entered the kitchen, her ComRing
light reflecting dully off the metal surfaces. She approached, almost
perpendicular to where I hid. I sprung to my feet and whipped the blade at her,
hitting a crease in the cyborg material just as the gun went off again. The
blade hit the circuitry creating a show of bluish zapping. She dropped the gun
and it slid under the cabinetry.