My train wasn’t in the common district of Port’s transport dockyards. My father knew all the mainstream trains leaving from those docks. I couldn’t take the chance of one of his soldiers catching me there, either. They all knew me. So most of my savings I spent on securing discrete transportation to New City, a train my father would never find.
The leaves on the trees growing up through the destroyed houses rustled as the wind picked up; the scent of salt lingered in the air. The ride to New City would be bumpy if the wind continued to batter the shoreline. I was not excited to travel alone on the ocean, but the train ride would afford my weary body a few hours of sleep.
I stopped behind a rusted red truck with no tires or doors and sat down on the concrete pebbles and bits of sand. The breeze quieted, but the waves of the ocean nearby were loud. I listened closely in the murkiness as I waited for my contact.
An animal nearby lurked, his silver eyes staring from his crouched position in the shadows of stacked debris. The animal was slight, but I knew better than to test boundaries with the wildlife. They could be rabid, and then you were dead if you scuffled with them. Many had died a gruesome death by contracting rabies from an animal they thought sweet and defenseless.
A shooting star traced the night sky.
“I wish my ride would hurry the hell up,” I grumbled, keeping a suspicious eye on the critter.
A skittering on the pavement to my left.
My muscles tensed.
Then a sheep ambled in front of me in the dark.
It didn’t look my way as it carefully chose where to place its cloven hooves on the cracked concrete. The white fur was gray with dust, and an old scar ran down its ribs. One leg had fresh blood trailing down its fur from a gruesome cut.
The animal hidden in the debris didn’t even turn its silver eyes to the easy target. It kept watching me. I was the better meal, apparently.
A low whistle eventually captured my attention.
I squinted to the right, only the full moon above veiled by the rolling cloud cover.
Two blinks of light on the beach.
My ride was here.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Half my attention rested on the lurking animal and the other half on my contact. He was short and stout, his scruffy beard dark brown. I knew his head was bald, but tonight he wore a stocking cap over his skin to fight against the chill in the air. When I was far enough away from the stalking eyes of the animal, I turned completely on the sand and waved.
I called, “Hi, James. Thank you for coming on short notice.”
He smiled in greeting, showing his missing front tooth. “Anything for you, Poppy.”
I’d been there the day he lost his tooth. It wasn’t from a fight. Instead, he was kicked in the face by a horse, knocking him out completely. I still didn’t know why he had been trying to wrangle the beast to ride it. But my best guess was a bet made with his friends. He would do anything for money.
I pointed to the single train cabin silently hovering over the sand. “Are you sure this will make it to New City?”
The transport wasn’t new, but the blue, clean energy glowing from underneath the metal slats was steady. It kept the train afloat without wavering as the wind gusted again. I still found it humorous that the corporations had modeled our most common mode of transportation after ancient trains—like the kind of transport that had actually run on rails when the world was once beautiful. It was odd and symbolic of days past when the corporations only looked to the future.
James thumped me on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t put you in danger. This will get you there in plenty of time for your sign up at the Military House.”
I rubbed the shoulder he’d smacked. It was my injured one. “I really can’t thank you enough.”
His smile was sweet. “Never fear. James is always here to rescue a beautiful woman.”
I snorted and lifted my silver bracelet. “And to take her money.”
“That too.” He pressed his bracelet against mine.
I stated loudly, “Order: Transfer two thousand units. Name: James Bartell.”
“Order: Accept two thousand units. Name: Poppy Carvene.”
Our bracelets glowed white in the night before we lowered our arms. My side of the bargain was complete.
James checked his bracelet and nodded. “The transfer is good.” He swung his hand to the train. “She’s all yours for a one-way passage.”
I hesitated, staring at the transport. “Do I need to do anything?” Soldiers always took care of my needs. This was a new experience for me.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. I’ve already programmed the destination in.” He nudged his shoulder with mine. “Go get ‘em, Poppy. Make me proud.”
I turned and hugged him. “Thank you so much.”
He released me and wiggled the bill of my ball cap. “Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m not.” I straightened up fast.
He waved his hand to the waiting train.
My sneakers dug into the sand as I walked to the black metal stairs, the door already open. When I was at the top of them, I peered back.
“James, remember, my father will probably question you. Tell him I made you do this.”
His smile was amused, staring up at me from the beach. “And he’ll believe it too. Anyone who knows you would believe it.” He waved. “You’ll do just fine. I promise.”
I sucked in a large lungful of salty sea air and then stepped inside the train. The door was heavy to close, but it locked simply enough with a command. I waited only a second before stating, “Go.”
The only indication the train had started to move was the vibration of clean energy thrumming with heavy force under my feet. I lifted the blind covering the lone window and peered outside. The moon sparkled on the ocean’s surface thirty feet below as the train moved over the water.
I dropped my bag on one of the two chairs and grinned at the sandwich on the other seat. James had left me a treat. I pounced on the nourishment and moved behind the seats to the small, simple bed resting against the back wall. The only other part of the cabin was a lone bathroom at the front.