They are on the train
When she reached the house Vine went to her room and tucked the
last of her things in her bag then took it and a long pox containing her sword
and bow out and hid them in an ally. There wouldn’t be any danger of anyone
taking them in that neighborhood trash was never picked up by anyone but the
trash company and they didn’t run at night. She then went back in and joined
the others waiting until most of the kids had been sent to bed before turning
to her father. “So are we going to talk about the announcement or continue to
pretend nothing is going on?”
Jeamthon said. “What is there to talk about? They adjust want to
determine what the toxins did and do to the people unlikely born on the out
side of the safe zone. What’s the problem?”
Vine said. “Well there are the millings of test results they
already have from the camps breading and gene manipulation programs to tell
them that. Why are they repelling the law made just six years ago to lock
people in to camps again?”
Jeamthon said. “They are just making sure everyone is safe. This is
necessary in the face of the increasing tensions. It will keep the mutinies
safe as well as the humans. No law was changed.”
Vine said. “You really don’t see it do you? You have been brain
washed for so long you don’t know how to think. You are talk about people just
like you Not some other species! However the government decided it had the
right to take away there rights, to declare they weren’t human. Biased on some
rules they never defined. Not once have they bothered to say what makes one a
mutant not human. Yet you can set there and see nothing wrong with it. How long
tell those rules are used to again justify other crimes? They all ready are valid
excuse for theft of property, and imprisonment without cause or representation.
How long tell murder gets brushed aside. After all there not human are they so
what”
“Vine!” Daved said. “That is more than enough. You are going too
far. We are all safe. No one is going to be dragging any one off.”
Vine shook her head. “Tell me that again when they make you all
line up and get tested. I bet anything there will be testing centers set up in
the schools by the end of the week and testing will not be an option. Any who
they determine as being not human will be loaded and trucked to the camps,
excuse me, examining centers. But they are not hulling people off. Can you tell
why a place would have three layers of solid fencing, seven feet high around
it? Sounds like it has something to hide right? Well all the facilities, new or
refurbished, have that type of fencing.”
Jeamthon looked from his dad to Vine and decided to try and change
the subject. “Vine are you going to do that easy on Poet tonight? As it doesn’t
need book I bet Miss Righler will expect it.”
Vine said. “Principal Marten said that nothing was due tomorrow.
But I have it done. You want it? It is in the blue notebook in my book bag over
there. Help yourself. It will give you a good idea of what not to say as she
doesn’t like my work, but it will also tell you more about Poet’s life than the
censored book did.”
Daved said. “Just why is there no homework anyway? I didn’t get the
full message.”
Vine said. “The e-readers needed to be updated and were popping up
messages saying so. They needed the readers to be able to update them.”
Daved said. “I had understood they would be doing it over break as
it would take a few days to get them all done. Sounds like wee need to look
into disabling pop up notifications on them.”
Vine said. “Well in truth it was just a little message on the
bottom but sound like a good reason to get them left in school. If all the
trackers stayed at school none would stand out. Also it would keep kids from
sleeping them into bags. The boarder is getting harder to cross and having a
tacking device with you won’t help any. There are going to be a lot more
heading east now that it is official.”
Daved said. “That is a bit of an over reaction. The facilities will
just be small towns. The walls are there to keep everyone safe. They are not
going to be any thing like the camps.”
Vine said. “Odd the only house I saw in the tour were for the
commanders and guards everyone else was housed in dormitories and there were
separate ones for child and adults. Sure doesn’t sound like any town, but
sounds just like the camps. It was not a refurbished camp so the labels on the
buildings were not left over. So when does your new job started? Will it be at
an old camp or a new one?”
Daved said. “I was waiting to make the announcement, but we will be
moving to Vergen over the break.”
Vine said. “So a new one, the one the tour was of actually. Hum how
is that going to work with our trip? I take it we will be moving after it? Or
were you just going to tell me that it couldn’t happen at the last minute?”
Jeamthon said. “So we are being forced across the country. That’s
you big promotion? No wonder you have been asking us how much we would like to
be some place warmer.”
Daved said. “I will be overseeing all the day today operations and
have a hand in making the regulations. There is nothing sinister about any of
it. Vine you will join us after the trip with your friends, I took it in to
account in making the plans. It will be a pay raise for me, better schools for
you. The house has a swimming pool and basket ball court. Now then I think it
is bed time.”
Vine laughed. “Anyone want to see where is taken us? I will go pull
up the footage on my computer just stop by my room and you can see it in the
morning.” She went up to her room and set it up to play the footage on a loop,
and password locked it so it couldn’t be shut off unless the computer was. Then
moved the monitor so it was in clear view of the door, which was open. That
done she climbed into bed into bed. No one said anything but she heard them
come by and look.
The next morning Vine got up and got her shower and went back to
her room. She closed her door to dress, putting on the eastern clothes she had left
out of her bag first then the school clothes. She then checked that the
computer was still running and left her room, leaving the door open behind her.
She went to the living room and picked up the school bag she had left there
last night then went into kitchen after and helped herself to a cup of coffee,
ignoring the look.
Daved said. “Your juice is waiting. Do you want some eggs?”
Vine said. “No time, I will just take a muffin and eat it on the
way. Amber you drink that for me. The coffee is all I have time for.”
Daved said. “What is the rush?”
Vine was so temped to say she had a train to catch. “I am meeting
the others so we can compare notes and check that we are up to date for out graffiti
checks.”
Daved frowned. “You know that is not legal. Are you trying to get
into trouble?”
Vine said. “Looking at walls is illegal now? What next breathing?”
Daved said. “You know full well what I meant. I think you and Jeamthon
should go back to walking together.”
Jeamthon said. “What? That’s not fair! I have my friends, friends I
won’t get to see at all soon and you want me to give up what time I have to
baby sit her? You do it!”
Daved said. “There is no reason she can’t walk with your friends as
well.”
Vine said. “Let me know who wins. I must be going now, they will be
waiting on me as it is.” She went out the door leavening them staring after
her.
Daved said. “Go after her.”
Jeamthon said. “I am not going to waste my morning chasing them
around town. I have my own plans. If you are so worried you chase her.”
Vine walked down the road far enough to be sure no one was fowling
then doubled back to where she had left her things. She tossed the book bag
down and took off the top layer of clothes, leavening them there as well. Then
staying to the alleys made her way to meet the others. They were all dressed in
clothes no one would expected to see school kids in. The graffiti patrols had
all so helped them learn what streets had the fewest crammers watching them.
They used that to get across town then merged into the commuters heading into
the train station.
Paul said. “All right you go to the platform and I will get the tickets.
No one ever saw the clothes I have on. they were bought out of town, with cash,
all so my hair color is to common to stand out. Making me the hardest to pick
out, my uncle’s card is going to be used all over town today. These are going
to be only one of at least sixty sets of tickets he will be buying, and I am
going to get seven. That family there will get the extra ones. I saw them
counting there coins.” The others looked at him oddly so he explained. “It is
only fair he pays for them as he cheated a lot of folks out their pay using the
fact they were easterners to donate it to the camps. Completely legal, but he
is going to find out not wise. Some guy gave me the made up card on the street.
Told me to use it well, I am not responsible but must say it is fitting he buy
our first tickets.”
Vine nodded. “Get them for Exter like we planed. Make them think we
just wanted a longer trip. Or was worried we wouldn’t get it. Davied is to
start a new job as a camp
admin
He got the tickets and they boarded the train. Keven said. “So how
long do you think we have?”
Vine said. “I was expecting it to take them tell noon to find us on
tape and a then a few more hours to find out what train we were on. But I think
we might have gained more time. Things are going to be a mess at school and so
there is a good chance it will be noon before anyone knows for sure we are
gone.”
Jul said. “What makes you think that?”
Vine said. “I took time to
go by there and there was all ready a good number of parents. I bet there were
more there by the time the first bell rang. Dealing with them will make attendance
reports late. I wonder just how many staff members are missing?”
Jul said. “I think more than they expected. I see a few here I know
from open houses at other schools, and if you spread that around to the other
trains I think it would be safe to say the schools are going to be a mess.”
Paul said. “I was wondering how folks traveled with guns when they
went on hunting trips.”
Vine said. “It is not a gun, but a bow. I don’t like to use guns,
they are to loud. Makes them harder to hide. But a bow? That is perfect for
killing at a distance as long as you have a place out of sight. Nothing to
shine and give you away. But yes the locked case with, the proper permits, make
it legal to have with me on a train. Sorry that is my early education poking
its noise out. Mare wanted a team of loyal killers. But she never quiet managed
it, they kept going rogue. Somehow training prisons to fight makes them less
obedient.”
Another touched his simmer case. “That it did, but she never did
learn. I was in the Mason run. 10-38-19.”
Vine said. “I was a pet lab rat, moved though all the camps.”
He said. “I saw the warnings but failed to believe them. I mean I
hoped they had learned. Just hope I make it before they close my bolt hole.
Having young ones limits chooses.”
Vine nodded. “Did you try Fox?”
“Not yet. I don’t want to unless I have to. He is going to have to
many as it is. I know a couple that weren’t on any wall so we should make it.”
Vine said. “Just don’t try any that were in the training. Seems
there is a carry over of leadership. Aldain news had a few videos of the camps.
One showed him in the role of inspected. Mare hasn’t been located on any tapes
but there are rumors of her.”
He nodded. “She’s there all right, we lived fairly close to Bilt. I
took a trip just before we started this way. She was going ion the gate. Near
did me in to see her. That was what convinced me. My wife wanted to leave
before.”
“That you should have, but it was harder for you to believe in
evil. That is why I fell for you Harvy.” Vine went oddly still and lost color.
“Who did you find to trade stories with?”
A girl said. “Mom if two you get all mushy again I am going to know
you!”
The lady laughed. “Vee now it is not like you know anyone on the
train.”
Vine said. “Don’t you hate those times when people come back
Sunny?”
“Viney? What how? I can’t. Of all the trains.”
“Small world. You are not going to believe this but I saw your
father a few weeks back. He was running an art store in Normal
Vine nodded. “We were roommates for a bad week once. At the end of
it I seem to vaguely remember something about no more men?”
She said. “You told me there was no way you were giving up men but
you might stay away from wine coffee and watermelon for the next year. I wonder
how Sall is.”
Vine smiled. “Oh you know Sall she always comes out fine.”
“That she did. Well I need to get these young under control. Can’t believe
I bumped into like this. Riverdale? We might just take a look. I would like for
the kids to see him. But um well does Mare”
Vine nodded. “I am going north so south will be your best bet. I do
not know if she has head yet or not, but go south. Mare has no power across the
boarder, in fact there are at least a dozen death warrants waiting on her
should she try it. Once you get to it there will be help. They can’t do much on
this side, but they will try. This address will link you to the ABN news
archive go to the last entries and you will get new news. That is enough of
risk. Fair winds.” Vine picked up her bag and moved a bit further down the car.
To the others she said. “Traveling with young kids is dangerous, and no need to
add to the danger by being with someone who has a high chance of being hunted
for. Which we will be. There is no one in the car now, but each time the door
opens there is a chance it is a solder who might remember to much at the wrong
time.”
Jul nodded. “She was not a fired are you sure she won’t tell where
we are headed?”
Vine said. “She will tell what she knows if she is in a place where
it will do her good. But they will know we are going for north when we don’t
show up in Meaterhorn. I expect them to be watching, and plan on being seen. It
is the least I can do. However I will be contorting the locations, not them.”
Paul said. “That is why you agreed to take us, even though we are
more hindrance than help. Good, now we can help others get across. I was
wondering if there would be away we could divert attention from parts of the
board for a time.”
Keven said. “Sounds like fun. Much better than simply running to
your grandfathers. If a bit dangerous and crazy.”
Vine shook her head. “You are all insane. I just told you we were
going to be make some insane risks and all you can say is it sounds like fun? I
can see I picked my traveling companions well.”
Chapter 8
Vine woke them as the train pulled into the station. “All right
time to change directs. Keven you take car of giving away the tickets. Try to
find regular travelers. I will go get then next set. I have a few pre-paid
cards sent by grandfather just for this.”
Paul said. “Good I had been wondering how we would mange that,
buying tickets with cash would be memorable, and when I check I learned that
prepaid card perches are tracked. I am going to leave the credit card on the
train. If it works when used down the road all the better for us.”
Vine said. “I am sorry. I just never though about explain where the
tickets would be come from until I saw your faces. Sounds good and I do hope
someone finds it and buys something with it. Someone else using it along this
route will further confuse the trackers.” They got the tickets and switched
trains. Around noon the next day they got off the train and handed out the tickets
again.
Jul said. “Why don’t we eat then get back on the road. They will
expect us to keep moving. Are still going north or do we go south from hear?”
Vine said. Well from here we can’t go strait north. The train we
were on went east ways to go north. So it is either South or West.”
Jul said. “West would fool them better. But I want to go South to
Phiber, if you don’t mind. I have always wanted to see it, and this is going to
be the best chance for years. Is it to far out of the way?” The guys laughed.
Vine said. “Well then I will get tickets to Jakson, they all have a
layover there and it would be unexpected for us. Now let’s eat find someplace
to eat, and stretch our legs some.”
They found a small diner not to far from the station and sat down.
They took there time over lunch acting like a bunch of kids. One old man said.
“What you all doing, you are not from around here?”
Keven said. “We are taking a time of to see as much of the country
as we can. Seen the coast, now want to see this side before we have to settle
down and work for real. My folks said we had better get it out of our systems
now so we will study and not waste time next year.”
“Nice to see some of you young’s taking your running around year
again. I was afraid that tradition was all died out. Make sure you go see Mount Fuagn
Vine said. “A hiking trip on it is in the plans sir. Did you get up
to hunt’s cave when you were there?”
“Not the last time, these old bones don’t climb so well. But made
there a few times in my younger days. It is well worth the hike, the books
don’t do it justice at all. One of them things you have to see. Like craters
out West and melten’s bowl. But that you won’t be seeing now.”
Vine said. “Sadly it doesn’t look like it. We were going to but are
now hearing that they are closing the boarders.”
The man nodded. “Ay that’s the news. Things are getting grim. Now
you kids don’t be fooling around and missing your train, this town isn’t one
you want to be sleeping over in.”
Jul said. “Thank you sir.” They finished there lunch and made there
way back to the station and headed south.”
It was early morning when they got into Philber, after getting rid
of there tickets they left the station and started wondering around town, just
taking in the sights.
Seeing an internet café that had computers for travelers to use
Vine said. “You all want to check you e-mail, and let your folks know how you
are? Those café computes are hard to track down and this is no where they would
ever think to look. I know that they are bound to be upset, been so long since
we checked in.”
Paul said. “Not to worried about them, but would be a good chance
to get caught up on the news. And I should send Mom a short note I suppose.”
They went in got some drinks and time on the computers, sitting so
they could see each Others. Making sure that there were no cameras on the computers
they logged into there accounts as well as the news sites. Vine was surprised
to be the one that had someone see her on. Daved popped up the chat box. ‘What
are you thinking! I told you could go during the break. Moving would not interfere
with your kids trip.’
Vine smiled, and typed back. ‘A weekend was no longer long enough.
We needed more, as your plan had us parting ways. All of us are fine and they
are sending e-mails now.’
Daved said. ‘You little rats. Come back now and all will be
forgiven. The longer you stay away the more trouble you are in. We will find
you, Exter is not that big.’
Vine said. ‘We expect to be found, eventually. But it won’t be that
easy. We are safe, I know what I am doning even if they are not used to life on
the road. I will keep them out of trouble. See it took you tell evening to get
alerts out. Bit of mess was it? Well we have a train to catch.’
Daved said. ‘Most of the staff at your school seems to have
vanished. They did not realize you all weren’t there. So we didn’t know tell
supper, and I didn’t find out tell the next day you had taken the others. Just
what are you thinking?’ Vine closed the window and logged off.
Paul said. “They seem to be sure we are in Exter. They must not
have gotten those other messages. Got you coffee finished? We had best go
before we miss our next train.”
Jul said. “Looks like they are setting up testing centers in the
schools, hope to have them all working next week. They are going out on the
coast.”
Keven said. “They are going to requiring more papers for train
tickets as well, a few days after the testing centers go online.”
Jul said. “I expected that. I want to get as for north then we will
start hiking.”
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