Lost Atoms

Chapter 5

I read the message again in disbelief. They're tracking us. Or at the very least, Ezra. 

This can't be happening.

Navani's breath is hot on my neck as she reads the communication from my Networker. Cail is still gripping their stomach, and as for Zenith...

I reluctantly bring myself to look his way. Zenith's face is drained of colour, his mouth, slanted somewhere between uncertainty and shock. His head swivels back, facing the path we walked to get here, but his brother has already gone. There'll be no catching up with him by foot.

"Do you think they'll trace his truck?" Navani asks me quietly.

I try to swallow before I speak, but my efforts are hindered by a sudden dryness in my throat.

"Probably," I mutter, opening the water Ezra gave me. I drink half the bottle before stopping. Though the cool liquid is temporarily satisfying, it does little to soothe the sympathy I feel right now for Zenith. His stare is still fixed on the trail behind us.

A piercing screech above causes us all to jump as Navani grabs my arm, both hands gripping my bicep. I look up. It's another bird, but I don't recognize this one. Much larger than the one earlier, it soars overhead. Its black feathers along its body and magnificent wings shine in the sun, accentuated by a pristine white head and vibrant yellow beak.

It swoops gracefully, descending on a wooded park nearby. Its strong, outstretched legs, end in an array of spread talons, gripping a glistening silver-scaled fish.

A rustling of leaves in a tree above tells us we're not the only ones uneased by the massive bird. Navani squeezes my arm so tightly now that I can feel the beating of my own pulse beneath her fingers. Her ring digs uncomfortably into my skin.

Even Zenith turns his attention to the noise, the diagonal of his mouth opening slightly. The mysterious animal reveals itself, scurrying along a branch.

It's a rodent, I think. Bigger than the rats I've seen trying to sneak into the dome, and with sleek black fur. Small chips of wood and hay dangle from its great bushy tail. It makes an unusual rattling sound when it sees us, intermixed with high-pitched chirps.

"Squirrel," Cail says.

"I'm sorry?" The word isn't one I've heard.

"It's... not dangerous. At least, I don't think so."

Navani loosens her grip a bit, but I'm confused. Cail shouldn't know any more than me about the animals out here.

"Did you learn about it in a book, or something?" I ask.

"No," they say. Then, "Well, yes, technically. My mom's sketchbook."

Ah, the sketchbook. The one Cail has never let us see. The one possession inherited from their mother. "In her sketch, it's eating an acorn or something, so I don't think it will come after us."

The squirrel continues to holler at us, even more loudly. "Well, I'd rather not take that chance," I say. "Let's get a move on."

It's Zenith who speaks first. "Yes, please. If we're going to scavenge, we might as well start."

Avoidance. That's where his response is coming from. I do it too. In fact, I've been doing it since last night. I won't let myself think of home.

We tread through a landscape overgrown with tall grass. Any smooth patches of ground are peppered with small white and tan mushrooms. Their stems twist oddly from the ground and the umbrella-shaped caps lean to the side. My stomach rumbles as I notice them.