The Adventures of Will Irving: Automaton Trouble

Chapter 33

It was nearly a two hour drive to the abandoned quarry where Will had been instructed to bring the plans. Will turned off of the main highway onto Forest River Road and continued driving until he finally slowed and turned onto a rough dirt road where a dilapidated sign read: "Colton Quartz, Co." Several minutes later, Will drove through an open gate and parked near one of several old buildings. He had arrived almost ten minutes early, and there were no signs of anyone else nearby.

Will checked his gun and put it back into his shoulder holster. He then grabbed a small briefcase that was sitting next to him on the seat and cautiously got out of the car. The summer sun was just setting, leaving the sky a mix of pinks, oranges, deep reds, and several shades of darkening blues. Will left his car door open and began to walk further into the compound. Suddenly, Will heard a voice.

"You're early!" the gruff voice loudly called out. "I like that!"

Will looked around, but he could not see anyone nearby. A moment later, he saw Atticus emerge from behind a building and begin walking toward him. Atticus continued walking until he stopped only a few paces away from Will.

"Put the plans on the ground, and stay where you are," the unseen voice ordered.

Will placed the briefcase on the dirt in front of him, and a moment later, Atticus picked up the briefcase and left in the direction from which he had come. Will waited patiently for a few minutes – which seemed more like hours – and was about to ask for his sister when Atticus reappeared, this time leading Emily by the hand.

"Will!" Emily shouted as soon as she saw her brother.

"Emmy!" Will shouted in return.

Atticus stopped and let go of Emily's hand, and she began to run toward Will. Will desperately wanted to run to his sister, but he remembered what the voice had said, and instead, he put his arms out in welcome. Upon reaching her brother, Emily flung herself into his arms, and he caught her and pulled her into a tight embrace, spinning slightly from the momentum of her leap. As the two siblings relished the moment of their reuniting, Atticus disappeared behind the building once more.

Will turned and carried Emily to the car where he placed her onto the seat and then got in next to her. She quickly nestled herself up against his shoulder, and he started the car and began the long drive home.

"Em," Will softly called after they had driven for nearly an hour in silence. "You awake?"

"Yeah," Emily quietly replied.

"Are you ok? Were you hurt?" Will asked.

"No...I'm ok," Emily replied. "They didn't hurt me."

"Are you hungry?" Will asked. "Do you wanna stop by Millie's?"

"I'm not really that hungry," Emily said. "They gave me dinner before we left. It was pretty good."

"What did you have?" Will inquired.

"Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables," Emily answered.

"Wow! That does sound pretty good!" Will exclaimed, and then he hesitated for a moment. "Hey, Em..."

"Yeah?" Emily responded.

"The man who was talking to me back at the quarry...did you see his face?" Will asked.

"No," Emily answered. "He was always wearing a dark mask...sorry."

"No worries," Will said. "I was just wondering."

They continued driving in silence for a while.

"Hey, Will?" Emily finally said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" Will responded.

"Can we still stop by Millie's?" Emily asked.

"For a shake?" Will asked with a knowing smile.

"Yeah," Emily replied, smiling.

"Sure thing!" Will said as he put his arm around his sister and gave her a squeeze.