The Dark Shore (Atlanteans) by Kevin Emerson Read Free Book Online

shoulder and rubbing at her neck.
    “Well, what about supplies?” I asked.
    “We got supplies,” said Leech, motioning to the cart.
    I saw a strange collection of items: a fuzzy pink blanket and pillow set, decorated with rainbows and horses, a dustcoated clear plastic case labeled BOCCIE , with colored balls inside, and even a box of white holiday lights. “What’s all this?”
    “They were supposed to be some comforts for our palatial flying machine,” said Lilly.
    “Don’t worry, Dad, we got some food,” said Leech, his obnoxious camp voice returning. “What was left of it, anyway.” He held up one can of stew and a box of dry millet noodles. “Which is why we were hurrying to the freezers.”
    “Fine,” I hissed, hating how Leech had called me Dad. Actually, I sounded more like my mom, the way she always used to get with us when we’d get too loud in the common kitchen. “But we need to get out of here, now.”
    “Why are you whispering?” Lilly asked.
    “Because there’s someone here!”
    This made Lilly whisper too. “What?”
    “No there’s not—” Leech began.
    “The body!” I hissed. “On the flagpole. It’s fresh. Flies, blood, all of it.”
    They both started glancing around.
    “We should still check the freezers,” whispered Leech. “It’s worth the risk if there’s food there. Come on.”
    “We don’t have time,” I said.
    “We haven’t run into anyone down here yet ,” Leech reasoned. “Whoever put up that body might be in some other part of town. Or maybe they don’t even know how to get in here. I mean, we used the roof.”
    “Leech is right,” said Lilly. “We should at least check those cases.”
    “It will only take a minute,” Leech added. “And I’d rather not starve out there.”
    “Fine,” I said. “Quickly.”
    Leech started pushing the cart, its wheels clattering. I grabbed the side. “That’s too loud.”
    He nodded and we left the cart, jogging quietly up the aisle, heads darting back and forth at each intersection.
    We reached the first aisle of tall glass cases. They were dark, some of the doors hanging open. Packages had spilled out in spots, crushed and crumbled, sometimes coated in a dark layer of dried mold.
    The next set of cases was lit in blue. The air tingled with electricity and the scent of moisture. The cases to our right were totally empty, the glass clear, but the set to our left was clouded with condensation and splintery patterns of ice crystals.
    We checked the first one. Frozen food boxes were stacked top to bottom. There were box meals, things I’d never heard of like NegaFat, Skinny!Skinny!, and a ridiculous line called Ms. Martina’s Pre-Rise Kitchen, showing a plump woman in an apron inviting you toward a warmly lit oven, like she wanted to stuff you inside and cook you. There were other things, too. Rice waffles, juice concentrate inserts for HydraPak water bottles in more flavors than I’d ever seen . . .
    “Oooh man,” said Leech. He popped open the next door down, releasing a cascade of cold fog. He yanked out a small round container. “Ice cream. Greenland Pastures creamery.” He yanked off the lid, shoved his finger in, and devoured a large scoop of dark chocolate. “Mmm . . . tastes kinda old, but not bad.”
    Lilly reached past Leech and grabbed a box of frozen burritos. She ripped open the box, pulled one out, and held it to her gills. The cold made her close her eyes and her mouth momentarily settled into a relaxed line.
    “Someone’s definitely been here,” said Leech. “Most of this stuff is relatively new. They had Greenland Pastures in EdenWest.”
    “Then let’s be fast,” I said.
    Lilly stepped past Leech and peered at the third case down. It was frosted opaque. She yanked on the handle. The door popped open in a hiss. Lilly stumbled back, then waved at the icy fog. “We should just get a day or two’s worth, whatever seems like it will keep best since it’s gonna thaw—GAH!”
    Lilly