that sun monster out of your head, but I’ve had memory problems on occasion so I use them sparingly. I think it is because I have an old brain. You know, memory can be a problem anyway for older people. They might work just fine for you.”
“Or the memory problem is a dangerous side effect.”
“I think it’s worth the risk if we can get pass the borders of the city without experiencing the kind of headaches that thing can devise that make migraines appear like child’s play, don’t you?”
“How was she able to get the inhibitors? We haven’t been-
Seth interrupted him smiling like a contented father, “Do you remember what John said about autistics, how their brains are different from normal brains. I don’t know what part of the brain it is that controls emotion but theirs is underdeveloped in that area and maybe that is the key to why that thing can’t get into her head. She told me they already tried to change her and it didn’t work. Anyway she is able to travel unhindered. She’s been outside the city.”
Harold was astonished. It didn’t seem possible anyone could do that. He probably would have reacted the same way if Seth told him Amy had a third eye.
“I gave her John’s directions for the Edwards Research Laboratory south of here and she said it was basically a cinch getting in. There were no guards and the security alarms and cameras weren’t functioning and she found the codes to the backup lock mechanisms.”
“She couldn’t have walked there. It has got to be what… twenty miles.”
Seth shook his head. His smile growing even wider, “She is full of lots of talent, Harry. Her father was a mechanic and a master criminal on the side. He taught her how to start vehicles without a key or key fob. She talks about him as if he was a hero to her. He glows in her presence. She said he didn’t treat her like any dumb girl, that he respected her. It is one of the few times she has spoken more than a sentence to me and with such enthusiasm you wouldn’t know it was her speaking. Anyway, it turns out a lot of people have abandoned their vehicles with a full or half tank of gas in them. She’s had her pick throughout the city. I guess religious freaks don’t have much use for transportation or gas once they’ve been reborn. Did you notice you don’t hear many planes or helicopters flying overhead?”
“I don’t think I’d fly if I knew that thing was up there.”
“That’s a point I hadn’t considered.”
“But if she can drive away from here free and clear why doesn’t she do that? What’s keeping her here…you?”
“Nah, I don’t think so. She has been roaming in and out long before we met.”
“Then what is it? I know if I could be gone, I’d be gone.”
“I can’t say, and there’s no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth. She’s here to help us. We can get out of this city and I think now is the time we did that.”
“You mean she’s willing to help you. All this was planned before I came, wasn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter. The point is you’re here and now all three of us can go together.”
“You sound like you wish we’d left yesterday.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that a week ago but events have changed. There isn’t as much noise out there and the word is Jacob’s armed revolution is faltering. I still have old friends in among his group who update me now and again. Morale is bad and there have been desertions. The sunbies will have control of the city soon, you can bet on that. Most everyone is dead or changed. We might not have the choice to leave if we don’t do it soon.”
“But there might be others we can take with us. There’s John and Rosa for one. I think I should try to find them.”
“I thought you’d say that. You’re a good lad, Harry.”
“Just give me a little time. Two days maybe.”
“You have my blessing, but any more time than that would be dangerous. Amy can be ready in hours supplying us with a fully
“Or the memory problem is a dangerous side effect.”
“I think it’s worth the risk if we can get pass the borders of the city without experiencing the kind of headaches that thing can devise that make migraines appear like child’s play, don’t you?”
“How was she able to get the inhibitors? We haven’t been-
Seth interrupted him smiling like a contented father, “Do you remember what John said about autistics, how their brains are different from normal brains. I don’t know what part of the brain it is that controls emotion but theirs is underdeveloped in that area and maybe that is the key to why that thing can’t get into her head. She told me they already tried to change her and it didn’t work. Anyway she is able to travel unhindered. She’s been outside the city.”
Harold was astonished. It didn’t seem possible anyone could do that. He probably would have reacted the same way if Seth told him Amy had a third eye.
“I gave her John’s directions for the Edwards Research Laboratory south of here and she said it was basically a cinch getting in. There were no guards and the security alarms and cameras weren’t functioning and she found the codes to the backup lock mechanisms.”
“She couldn’t have walked there. It has got to be what… twenty miles.”
Seth shook his head. His smile growing even wider, “She is full of lots of talent, Harry. Her father was a mechanic and a master criminal on the side. He taught her how to start vehicles without a key or key fob. She talks about him as if he was a hero to her. He glows in her presence. She said he didn’t treat her like any dumb girl, that he respected her. It is one of the few times she has spoken more than a sentence to me and with such enthusiasm you wouldn’t know it was her speaking. Anyway, it turns out a lot of people have abandoned their vehicles with a full or half tank of gas in them. She’s had her pick throughout the city. I guess religious freaks don’t have much use for transportation or gas once they’ve been reborn. Did you notice you don’t hear many planes or helicopters flying overhead?”
“I don’t think I’d fly if I knew that thing was up there.”
“That’s a point I hadn’t considered.”
“But if she can drive away from here free and clear why doesn’t she do that? What’s keeping her here…you?”
“Nah, I don’t think so. She has been roaming in and out long before we met.”
“Then what is it? I know if I could be gone, I’d be gone.”
“I can’t say, and there’s no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth. She’s here to help us. We can get out of this city and I think now is the time we did that.”
“You mean she’s willing to help you. All this was planned before I came, wasn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter. The point is you’re here and now all three of us can go together.”
“You sound like you wish we’d left yesterday.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that a week ago but events have changed. There isn’t as much noise out there and the word is Jacob’s armed revolution is faltering. I still have old friends in among his group who update me now and again. Morale is bad and there have been desertions. The sunbies will have control of the city soon, you can bet on that. Most everyone is dead or changed. We might not have the choice to leave if we don’t do it soon.”
“But there might be others we can take with us. There’s John and Rosa for one. I think I should try to find them.”
“I thought you’d say that. You’re a good lad, Harry.”
“Just give me a little time. Two days maybe.”
“You have my blessing, but any more time than that would be dangerous. Amy can be ready in hours supplying us with a fully
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