The Anomaly Affliction

Twenty Four

I don't know how much time has passed, but the truck finally stops.

Now the plan gets at least ten times more risky. If I'm lucky, the driver will take the crates out of the truck without opening them, put them in a place where there are no people around, and then leave them, giving me a chance to climb out of this crate without being spotted.

And if one of those things doesn't happen, I'm fucked.

Taking me by surprise, my crate seems to get moved onto something. It feels like a different surface. And then I feel movement. I think the driver might be wheeling my crate along on a trolley. I hold my breath to stay as quiet as possible, and pray that he doesn't find me. Suddenly the crate is pushed forward, and lands on a different surface with a thud. I hit the side of my body on the crate. It's painful, but I have to stay silent. I just need to focus on getting out. I hear footsteps walking away from me. It sounds like the ground is gravelled. Other than the footsteps, I can't hear anything. When I hear the sound of the driver getting into the back of the truck, I decide I should climb out the crate. Even though I can't hear any people outside, I can't guarantee that I won't be seen. But I can't just sit in here and wait for someone to open the crate and find me. Then I'd be screwed for sure.

Bracing myself, I push the crate lid open, and quickly climb out, closing the lid behind me.

I seem to be in a large gravel courtyard. In front of me is a big grey building with a red stripe painted across it. Behind me is the road leading out of the courtyard - where I came from, I'm assuming. To my right is a car park, with rows of empty red trucks and vans, like at the warehouse. And to my left is a group of tall grey buildings. I don't know what this place is...then again, I've never been to the Crimson District before. That is where I am, isn't it? Vic said the warehouse was near the Crimson District...and all of the vehicles here are red.

I hear a noise and turn around with a start. The man who I presume is the driver of the truck is standing there, staring at me with a large crate in his arms.

"Can I help you, Miss?" he asks politely. He has the same slightly u-shaped mouth of every other adult in Nacoma.

Has he not suspected anything? Maybe he didn't see me get out the crate...I did climb out when I couldn't hear anything, after all.

"Um..."

What lie do I tell him? Why would an underweight, unvaccinated teenage girl be in a courtyard like this by herself?

"...I'm a bit lost," I tell him after a moment. "I think I took a wrong turn somewhere. I don't know how I ended up in here." And, to seem extra innocent, I add: "Sorry, am I in your way?"

"It's no trouble," the man says cheerily, putting the crate down on the floor. "Are you new to the Crimson District?"

"Uh, yeah," I say. "I'm staying at a friend's house for a couple of days." I force a smile onto my face. "Haven't seen her since she got vaccinated, you know?"

"Ah," he replies. "I remember visiting my friend for the first time after his vaccines. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but it was so nice to see him so happy. It made me even more excited for my own vaccines."

I smile through gritted teeth. "Yeah."

"So where does this friend of yours live?" the man asks. "I can give you directions."

Well I can't tell him that my made-up friend lives in the Amber District, but I can try and get as near as I can.

"Up top, right near the Amber District," I lie.

The man's smile broadens. "I'm afraid you're on the wrong side of the District. The best way to get there is to take the Sky Bus and get off at Crimson North."