Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Region 14 was simultaneously spectacular and minimalistic. The entrance to theno, myapartment complex looked more like the entrance to a high-end hotel or downtown bank building. The buildings nearby were dozens of stories tall, and save for the occasionally recognizable logo, it was impossible to tell if they were now-defunct office buildings or residential.

The timer ticked down from five minutes.

And youre sure we shouldnt bother with an announcement? I asked.

What if one of the buildings comes down? Kinsley added nervously.

Sara shrugged. Despite her casual air, the tip of her foot tapped rapidly against the cement. So far, nothing like that has happened. Everyones aware that rapid changes may occur. They saw what happened to region thirteen.

What happened with region thirteen? I asked, more than a little annoyed with how much Id missed in a single day.

It was grim. Tyler sighed. The civilians tore each other to pieces, and they still barely filled the receptacle in time. Then things got weird. Really weird. Surprised the girl Sara elbowed Tyler. He rubbed his side, giving Kinsley a sheepish look. Guild Leader didnt fill you in.

I glared at Kinsley, who suddenly appeared completely invested in something on the other side of the street. It was obvious that Kinsley wasnt just being practical, she wanted to live here. Shed been pushing for it since Id awakened. Im sure she had her reasons. How weird are we talking?

Ill show you. Sara stepped out into the street, and pointed down it with her one good arm. The reflective glass of a nearby building was blocking my view. I wheeled myself down the ramp for a better look.

I breathed out in a hiss.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Up to a certain point, it was like any other downtown street. Cars parked next to meters, a food truck, and people going about their daily lives. There were far more vendors than was common for this part of town, their stalls strangely medieval looking in a way that didnt really match the setting. People were wearing armor and robes in the open now, which gave the strange feeling that we were adjacent to some sort of massive fantasy convention.

Around a dozen blocks away, it stopped. The midday light ceased as deep shadows overtook what I assumed to be region thirteen, as if the sun itself had abandoned it. There were silhouettes barely visible at this distance, tiny specks of peopleor things shaped like people, milling about.

What the hell? I muttered.

We dont know. Sara said, still transfixed on the darkness. From what weve seen, none of the surviving civilians are under visible duress. But they dont seem interested in leaving their region or even talking.

A few of ours were on the scene. Tyler said regretfully. But most walked away at the peak of the violence. Watching something like what happened there and being unable to do anythingwell, you can see how thatd be difficult. Cant say that I blame them.

Most?

A shadow flitted over Tylers face. Yes. Owen. A boy not much older than you. Our only surviving member from region thirteen. He had family there.

Past tense.

Yes. Tyler confirmed. He stayed until the end. Supposedly, the last thing he heard before the lights went out was a voice.

The overseer? Or something else.

Different voice. No ones heard from the Overseer yet, Sara said.

My wheelchair jostled as Iris arrived at my side, landing with both feet. Only after did she seem to notice the group that had formed, and her smile lessened somewhat.

You called? she signed.

I checked the timer. Less than a minute remained. Yup. Something might be happening soon. Figured you'd want to see. Where's Mom and Ellison?

The double doors behind me wooshed, and I turned to see my mother step out from Iriss wake. She looked glass-eyed and bleary, as if shed just woken from a deep sleep.

Hes not coming. I asked Iris. More statement than question.

Havent seen him since this morning. Iris confirmed.

She scrambled carefully up on my lap, eyes almost comically wide as her head swiveled back and forth.

Sister? I heard Sara whisper to Kinsley. Kinsley murmured an affirmative.

The first thing I noticed was a shift in temperature. It was almost always hot, but this was different. More humid somehow.

A single green sprout emerged from the crack in the sidewalk before me. Dozens more followed suit, thin green fingers scrambling for purchase. There was a resounding crack as the sidewalk itself shattered.

Someone grabbed the handles of my wheelchair and yanked me backwards before it tipped over. When I looked back, something gnarled and brown was emerging from the concrete, widening the hole as it grew.

People avoided the sidewalks and roads as more greenery emerged, wrapping itself around anything nearby, cars, meters, and drains. The unending orchard of trees sprouted gray-blue leaves and golden blossoms as they reached their apex of twenty to thirty feet.

I caught a flash of movement from above and looked up. Behind a nearby skyscraper, a massive trunk, expansive in diameter, extended above the building and up into the clouds.

Iris stared up at it in wonder.

Countless car alarms were going off, all at mixed intervals. Civilians and Users alike had stopped running from the chaos and were gawking at the scene, unsure what to make of it.

Ho-lee shit. Tyler said.

Its beautiful, My mother whispered.

Going to be a bitch to commute. Sara approached the tree that sprouted from the concrete before us. She poked it once. Then tentatively reached up to a thin, low-hanging branch, testing it. Eventually, she lifted her entire body in a one-handed pull-up, then dropped and landed with a grunt. Its strong.

I blinked. Regardless of how sturdy the tree was, there should have been some movement. But the branch hadnt budged. Whatever Id expectedmetal deep in the earth, some sort of oil analogue perhapsit hadnt been this. Not even close.

Iris! My sister dropped from my lap before I could stop her, approaching the tree as Sara had. Sara reached out to grab her, but Iris ducked away, giving the woman an apologetic smile. Before any of us could intervene, Iris touched the tree. Her palm was flush to the wood, her face a mask of concentration.

Ordinators Emulation ticked in the back of my mind.