Simon lifted Tilly into the main hover while he avoided Nora’s eyes. “Have fun at Anna’s today, okay?”
“Okay,” Tilly said back, settling into the seat without a care.
Nora adjusted her shirt, not saying anything when Simon didn’t speak first. A heavy feeling came over her as she checked her supplies. She noticed that the main hover had already been loaded with some water and gas. Before she could climb in, Simon spoke. “Nora?”
She turned around to see Simon. He was next to her, close. A flush went through her. Simon reached for her and pulled her in his arms, holding her tight. Tears pricked behind her eyes as she held him back, her body shaking as she started to cry.
Nora leaned into him as his hand rubbed down her back, pressing her in further. “Oh, Nora. Everything will be fine. Be careful today. See your friend and talk. I just need a moment to process all of this. It was shocking to . . . we will talk later. But it’s okay.”
Nora’s body sagged as she took a jagged breath in. A shuddering sob escaped as Simon held her, firm and steady.Everything will be fine.She hugged him back, hard, and wiped the tears away. “Okay. Later then. We’ll just see Anna.”
Simon stepped back and touched one of the tears on her cheek. “Yes. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Okay.”
Nora got in the hover and left, looking back as they drove away.
Simon’s gaze matched hers across the desert, and it burned. Her heart ached and she looked forward, taking a deep breath. Before he was out of sight, she glanced back again, but he had already returned to his work on the smaller hover.
***
The ride to town didn't take long. Nora was happy for that, wanting to get back soon to talk with Simon. She replayed the hug in her mind.Everything will be okay.
Soon they parked outside the bakery. Nora lifted Tilly down. “Just a quick visit today, okay?”
“Okay!”
Anna looked up, her pale face draining of color as Nora walked into the bakery.“Oh. Nora.”
Nora’s footsteps paused over the threshold as the door swung shut behind her. Unease swirled in her gut at Anna’s concerned expression.What’s that look for?Immediately, her worries from earlier were forgotten. She reached to her side to pull Tilly back from running forward. “Hey Anna. What’s wrong? You okay?”
Anna just shook her head and walked around the counter, waving her hands in front of her. “You shouldn’t have . . . you should leave, Nora. Go. Fast . . . Paul . . .”
Nora’s mouth went dry. “Leave?” she echoed. “What’s happening?”
Anna nodded her head frantically and came closer, her hands outstretched as if to push Nora away. Her voice dropped to a high whisper. “Yes, go. Go!”
A deep voice traveled from the back room, where the baking ovens were. “She isn’t going anywhere, Anna. Get back here.”
Paul walked out toward them until he was behind the counter, a thundercloud of emotions on his face. He stood with his arms crossed, chest puffed out, almost looming over them even though he was across the room. “I know what you’ve been doing, Nora. Max stopped by last night, wanting to talk. He let slip that your new friend was something else. Said you got an android.”
Fear raced down Nora's spine.Max told?The greedy look in his eyes replayed in her memories. Nora took a step backwards.
“I’m sorry, Nora,” Anna said quickly, tears in her eyes.
Paul hissed at her, his voice echoing over the quiet bakery. “Be quiet Anna. I told you to get back here.”
Nora pushed Tilly behind her, edging toward the exit. “Max is wrong. I don’t have him . . . he’s gone, Paul. Fixed him up and he took off into the desert somewhere.”
Paul leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. “Like hell he is. I bet he’s just gone for a stroll like the last few times. Max told me he tried to convince you to bring him in yesterday, asked if we could try to persuade you since he knows you and Anna is close.”
“Max was wrong,” Nora choked out.
Paul took out a pistol from his waist and walked around the counter toward her, deceptive casualness in his step as he held the gun loosely. “I don’t need to convince you though. We’re just gonna keep you here and wait for him to come back. Max said that robot is sweet on you. He is worth a lot of money, Nora.”
“He’s gone, Paul!” Nora’s limbs trembled as she felt on her side toward her pocket. It was empty.Damn.Nora patted the other side just in case before drawing a quick breath in.Shit, gun in the hover still.The one time she might need it, and she was so preoccupied she forgot. Her eyes darted from side to side.I need to get away.
Paul walked closer still, his voice loud and harsh in the tiny storefront. “Bullshit. I can see you shaking. Can’t believe you came here all these weeks and hid something like that. I already talked with a few guys about what to do with that robot.” He took a few steps closer, footsteps punctuating his words. “They want to study him, figure out how to make some more again.”
