Radio Sphere by Devin terSteeg Read Free Book Online Page B

torch. The creeper sneaked behind me and helped me sit up. My eyes only closed for a moment, I swear. The torch dropped to the dust and before I knew it I was chewing the flesh of a bright red apple. I swallowed that apple meat, it shocked me conscious, I knew it was a mistake but I was lucky and the food was good. What was I thinking?
    It was delicious, like nothing I had ever tasted, and the inside was fairly and comfortably brown. I knew I shouldn’t have taken it, not from him, but I couldn’t hold out; it looked clean, he wasn’t lying about that, it was crisp and fresh like nothing I’d ever eaten.
    “This food has water in it?” I asked him.
    “Nature knows what it’s doing.”
    “I’m not comfortable with you here, with you following me.” I stood up and paced.
    “I’ve brought more food.”
    “How the hell did you follow me?” I knew I needed his food.
    “Transportation is a good way to get around.” He displayed a small, children’s bicycle. He smiled kindly despite his well—worn face.
    “What or who is Saraswati?! How did you know I would be here?” Perhaps you can imagine my frantic, confused tone.
    “Saraswati is my friend. She said you were here. She knows many things.”
    “Why did she tell you to come?”
    “To help. I just have food.” He lifted the bucket again, maybe 25… apples.
    “That’s a start… but you didn’t answer my question.”
    “Worried. It gets really sunny out here, away from the city, it gets fresh.”
    “Are you stalking me or what?” I blurted.
    “I wanted to apologize. In the subway. Nothing happened.”
    “Nothing happened… I know,” I calmed down and knew my only advantage was to keep control of myself.
    “I was just confused then and you look familiar. I was going to have a sister once, but she didn’t have a fat belly… she wouldn’t have.”
    “I do not have a fat belly!” I was scared, not thinking, everything went so fast, and I just reacted. I thought he was trying to attack me, on the train, wasn’t he?
    Beat—brains are known for their frailty with communication and understanding of social situations. Their brains are basically rotting, betraying them. I wondered if my initial impression of him was wrong?
    “But, not skinny either.”
    “You’re a jerk,” I mocked, “but since you have more of those abbles I may be able to stand you for a little while.” I realized he reminded me of Grandpa.
    “Aren’t you afraid?”
    “Yeah, sort of.” It would be better not to go it alone, Chad mentioned there were many dangers ahead. What if Chad is hurt and I need help rescuing him; my mind couldn’t help but worry only about him.
    “I mean the trucks, they growl and roar, never quiet, full of bees.”
    “You mean those troopers?”
    “They’re the old Coast Guardsmen. They work with the city buy are always outside of it. Can smell ‘em from here.”
    “What’s your name?”
    “George the 3rd king of the brown and wearer of hats.”
    “Could I call you just George?”
    “Or, just George it is.”
    “Whatever, we’re losing daylight.”
    “Let’s go.” George started to move, but I had to be sure I could trust him. I had to try to know him. I trailed behind him to keep him in view.
    “What’s your favorite movie?”
    “Movie?”
    “Yeah. Haven’t you seen any?” “Never. You?”
    “The Coastguard doesn’t scare me since they won’t be catching me,” because I thought I had nothing else, “and I’ve never seem you wear a hat.”
    “Are movies any good?”
    Chad was right, on some level, we won’t be living as long as our parents were able to. There will be only so much time we have and I have no idea how much that is. I had to find Chad. No matter what. I knew he was all I had, and I love him.
    * * *
    I just didn’t want to be alone. It had taken a while for the danger to dawn on me. I had no idea where Chad was, he could have been in a jail… or a grave. I didn’t think George would do anything to hurt