The Grid Runner

Chapter Two

         

         

Leaving his house early the next morning, Zan made his way through the usual pipes and tunnels of his local neighbourhood. He was on a mission to find the parts his da needed, and he would make things right by helping him with the repairs. The pained look in his da's eyes last night still ate away at him, but he knew they would have a good time fixing tech together. They always did.

Jumping between the walls of a narrow alleyway, Zan dropped down and looked over the edge of the platform. Dozens of huts, stalls and cylindrical units ran down the street below him, with a huge crowd of people moving between the shops. Gas lanterns hung along the length of the giant pipe that housed the market, here where the sun deflectors around the city didn't reach. The different ranges of talk, hustling and laughter reached him like a low roar, mixed with the constant hums of machinery.

Zan dropped down and made his way through the crowds, nodding hello's to a few familiar faces. Most people were dressed in the usual haggard, knitted cardigans or heavy jumpers, some with obvious holes or dark patches, like the smears on their faces. The older folk were all bent and crooked, and Zan wondered if it was from all the years of wearing heavy layers. But then that was the life up here in the cold Pipelands, the forgotten part of the city.

Perhaps it was the crowd, but something didn't feel right for Zan, to walk through them. He would much prefer to soar or swing over them all. Walking was just so slow.

He stopped by a fruit and vegetable stall and was reminded of the strawberries he brought back yesterday. They were another thing that would make his da feel better.

"Hey, Zan, over here," a voice called out.

Zan turned and found a familiar face breaking through the crowd.

Priya beamed at him, flashing her large teeth. She gave a small wave, shuffling over in her awkward, cute manner.

"Heya, Priya," Zan said. "How goes it?"

She curled her long hair behind her ears, smoothing the rough edges down. "Good, good. What you up to?"

"Looking for some parts for my da. You?"

"Just hanging out with Marcin and the others," she said. "Wanna say hi?"

Zan hesitated. He considered Marcin a friend – or atleast he used to when they were younger – but Herrik had never approved of Zan hanging out with street kids. Zan never knew what the problem was, they were good kids, they just happened to live on the streets. Up here in the Pipelands, everyone was the same, and everyone looked out for each other.

"Sure," Zan said, nodding for Priya to lead the way. A quick chat, then he'd get the parts he needed.

He followed her through the crowds. When they became separated, Priya reached back and took Zan's hand, quickly looking ahead as she reddened.

They found the others on the far end of the market, sitting on a stack of crates and barrels, looking out through a glassless window cut into the pipe. Somewhere nearby a large generator thrummed.

"Well if it isn't the Grid Runner," Marcin said, nodding to him. He was the same age as Zan, but his heavyset frame and bulky round shoulders made him look older. Zan guessed he'd found some hair gel recently, as his dark hair was shaped up into short spikes.

"Heyas, chief," Zan said. He nodded to the other kids.

Wes smiled and gave him a big nod, shaking his heavy blonde curls.

Gosaline hopped down and bounced over to him. "Long time, other big bro." She was only fourteen, but her small frame made her look about ten. Despite her meagre appearance, her bright red hair matched the fire in her.