Surface R: Reunion

Part 04.4

::SEAN::

I don't know how much later it was before I managed to pull myself from fitful dreams I can't even recall, now I'm back into some semblance of wakefulness. I didn't sit up. I stayed very still, straining with my ears to hear any sound that might tell me where Thomas is—my ears aren't that great—I'd hardly ever had to rely on them before.

I fumed.

That was another thing these morons had to answer for. Connected to my machine, I had sense and abilities far beyond the range of normal human skills—my body was limiting and next to useless without my programs attached. But all the same, my ears did not pick up any sound.

I sat up cautiously. Thomas was not immediately in sight. I looked around the room and spotted a shadow moving up and down the corridor outside. Pacing was one of the ways techs dealt with stress or worry. Maybe other humans are the same—if Thomas was so occupied, then I had my chance. I scanned the room.

The Doctor's room, tidy as it was, did not display anything useful. I scanned the surroundings, then I see it. A box of what looks like tracking devices. I stole a look towards the door. The shadow was no where in sight.

This is it.

As noiselessly as possible, I crossed to the box, took a tracker from the top and returned to my seat. I settled down to examine my prize. It was the sort used to track animals from the central source but with a bit tinkering I could easily change it to be picked up from the central computers of the city. Provided, of course, I could keep it hidden from the others long enough to use it.

Footsteps approached quickly.

I pushed the device down among the pillows of the sofa and settled back, trying to look as though I'd just woken up.

"Okay, we're here. You can stop pretending you're scared of us."

Doctor Roland enters with Nina. A boy with blue hair similar to mine walked in between them.

"Are you okay?"

"Sure," The boy breathed deeply. "I'm used to long walks, but boy, that was longer than long."

Nina chuckled. "Thomas would agree." she looked around, then frowned. "Thomas?" she looks at me. "where is he?"

"I thought he was here." I shrugged.

The boy followed Nina's eyes and looks at me. "Who's that?"

"This is Sean Spring, we'll explain."

The boy blinked at me, dark blue eyes fastened on me curiously as he tried out my name. "Sean? Why's he wearing a suit—is he coming with us?"

"Only under protest." I said.

Our mystery companion's face radiated puzzlement—and dirt, I might add. He was probably the untidiest person I have ever seen. His hair looked like it's been cut by blunt scissors. And his clothes were torn on their edges. Honestly, he looked as if he'd just walked in off the surface.

"This is Cody," Nina introduced. "he's from the surface."

That just about confirmed it. It would also explain his skin tone. He's darker than anyone else in the room. Cody. No wonder that name seemed familiar—he could be one of those files from the list of children's name I read that were sent up years ago. Honestly, he looks like a savage.