On The Surface

Chapter 7

Cole Cooper lived in a small, blue house with a neatly trimmed yard. It held no ornaments, in stark contrast to Lurette's. She parked the truck and they walked together to the front door. Lurette knocked. It was opened by a girl around Kayla's age. Her red hair was coiled into little springs all over her head and her green eyes sparkled when she smiled.

"Hi Miss Lurette," she said as she held open the door.

They filed inside and Lurette made the introductions. The girl's name was Abby.

"These two are lookin' for your dad,"

Abby looked at them curiously. "I think he's out back. I'll go get him."

Jason fished in his pocket for the piece of paper Dr. Cooper had given him. In addition to the phone number, it contained a brief note to Cole, asking for his help. Abby returned with her father and Jason handed him the paper.

Cole scanned it and asked "What can I do for you?"

"We need to get to the CDC in Atlanta. There's a terrible virus in Atlantis. If we don't find a cure, a lot of people could die," Jason said.

"Atlanta isn't safe these days. You can't go in there alone."

"We have to reach the CDC! We have to!" Kayla nearly shouted.

"Calm down, now. I didn't say we couldn't go, I said you shouldn't go alone. Most of Atlanta is run by gangs now. The streets there are dangerous."

"It doesn't matter, we have to get there,"

"I understand. Why don't you guys hang out with Abby for a bit, while I make a few phone calls."

Kayla took a breath and calmed herself. He was going to help them.

Jason turned to Lurette. "Thank you for everything."

"Yes, thank you. Especially for the shower,"Kayla grinned.

Lurette looked embarrassed and brushed off their thanks, headed out the front door, climbed in her truck and left.

"Are you guys hungry?" Abby asked.

Jason and Kayla laughed as they assured her Lurette had fed them enough to last quite some time.

"Well, I'm starving. Come on in the kitchen while I fix a sandwich."

They followed her through the living room and dining room and into the kitchen. They sat down at the butcher block table, as Abby began to pull food out of the fridge.

"Would y'all like a Coke?"

Kayla and Jason exchanged a look. They'd never had a soda. It wasn't available in Atlantis.

"Yes."

"Please."

"What kind?"

They shrugged. She handed them both a red aluminum can. They looked at it for a moment, trying to figure out how to open it. Abby popped hers open and they followed suit. They each took a sip. Kayla thought it was really sweet, but good. She loved the way the bubbles tickled her throat. Abby watched them, a curious expression on her face.

"Haven't you ever had a Coke?" she asked.

They shook their heads.

"There's no junk food in Atlantis," Kayla explained. "It's too expensive to ship."

Abby finished making her sandwich and lead them on to the back deck. The sun was going down over the pine trees, painting the sky pink and orange and turning the clouds purple. Kayla slid down in her chair and stretched her feet out in front of her. Jason fidgeted. Abby noticed and offered to show him her father's video games.