Divided Worlds Trilogy 01 - Disconnect by Imran Siddiq Read Free Book Online Page A

you go into and the bits you avoid. What you do there is up to you.”
    “You’re going to leave me?”
    “I’m not going to hold your hand while you scavenge.”
    “I go where you go. I’m a fast learner.” Diego’s hand pressed on Zachary’s shoulder. “I won’t get in your way.”
    Zachary shook him off. “Do you see a bag on me? Huh? A trolley that I cart around? No? And you know why? Because I don’t like baggage. Nobody does around here. I hunt alone . Out here, it’s a bug-eat-bug world, and in the Wastelands, the bugs don’t ask for permission before ripping into your skin. The sooner we’re done, the better.”
    “So, it’s that way to the Wastelands, right?” The recruit’s cheek tensed before he marched past, swaggering side-to-side. No tools and no experience … he didn’t belong here.
    That sounded familiar. Zachary shook his head, realising that someone else had thought of him in the same manner. Rosa. She didn’t think that his sort belonged in Overworld. Outsiders. Unwelcome. However, her view made sense. She’d formed a guard for protection because she didn’t know him. Whether Diego was from District Four or Three, he was still an Underworlder, even if his flared jeans made him look silly.
    Zachary caught up to the recruit. Walking in awkward silence until the furore of noise diminished from the camps, they left the last line of huts. Terraced hills of hardened material cascaded downward to the Wastelands.
    “Why did you come here?” asked Zachary.
    “Money. Rent in District Four is costly. Forty Leo-coins a week.”
    “You came all this way just to make money?”
    The recruit’s eyes fluttered. “My mom can’t afford much, and my sister’s … not well. She’s … It’s complicated.”
    Not wanting to push the recruit’s story, Zachary climbed down the first set of hills. “I hate to tell you but making money around here is tough.”
    “Anything’s better than nothing.” Diego’s husky tone sounded well-taught. “I paid the stall thirty-Leos to give me some work.”
    Zachary pulled him back. “You paid them ?”
    “Whatever I make, I’ll send as much back to my family as I can.”
    “Fine. First thing you’ll need is a screwdriver or some pliers. I’ll take you to a trader if you don’t find any, but they aren’t cheap. And you’ll need a shorter coat unless you want to catch yourself on some nasty stuff.”
    Diego’s smile exposed well-aligned teeth. Indeed, the District Four Underworlders looked after themselves.
    “Have you scavenged long?” asked the recruit.
    Zachary’s boots scraped against the last wall to the lower level. “Since I was eight. My dad didn’t care what I did then. He does now. He wants me to pack this in and join him at the Far-Wall, but that’s not happening. Standing still in one spot. Digging. Forget it.” Demonstrating a stubborn side to a new face thrilled Zachary. He felt important. “After five days of learning, I was out on my own. I’ve snuck through more pipes than a rat.”
    Diego’s palm slapped over his nose and mouth.
    Zachary chuckled. “Not used to the smell, are you?”
    “It’s much cleaner where I come from.”
    “I bet it is.” He waved his hand in the air. “Time to start your first shift. Head down, eyes sharp, and keep me in sight.”
    “And the drop?”
    Zachary looked for particle-infested vapour under the ceiling’s glowing diodes. None of the lines of smoke indicating locations of impact were present. There hadn’t been a drop today.
    “When the turbines turn, get to me quick.”
    Caution marked Diego’s steps between the mounds of rubble. “I know you don’t want to be here, but thanks. I promise to return the favour when the time comes.”
    Zachary watched the recruit sink further into darkness until only a grey outline remained. Although he’d broken his rule of hunting alone, he was aware that an odd feeling had surfaced. Had he made a friend?
    Shut up. I hardly know the