At that Nora had to agree. “Well, we always knew Paul wasn’t good.”
“You’re right. I just thought . . .”
“I’m sorry, Anna.” The copper smell of blood turned her stomach.
“No, Nora. Don’t be sorry. I’m sorry. I’m the reason you came here. Reason you’re hurt now.” Then, under her breath, “I hate that man.”
Nora swallowed, her eyes swimming from pain. She didn’t answer out loud, but in her head.And Simon, if he comes, is going to be why your life changes forever.Tears started rolling down her cheeks.My Tilly. Please, Simon.
Chapter forty-seven
Simon
“We’realmostthere,Tilly,”Simon said as they got close, the town looming just ahead. The desert was silent in all directions. He eased off the throttle and had the hover idle a moment as he looked around. “I’m going to find you a safe place to hide. If it gets dangerous you run away. The drone will follow and I can find you again.”
“Is Mama going to be okay?” Tilly asked, her voice trembling.
She better be.Simon’s jaw clenched. “I’m going to go get her now.”
He scanned the area as he traveled closer to the town, wanting Tilly away enough to not be found but also close enough that he could get to her fast after getting Nora. The drone came down and hovered right in front of them both.
Simon settled on a rock outcropping a bit to the side of the town’s entrance. It was tall enough that you could not see the town behind it. There, he powered down the hover and lifted Tilly out before climbing down himself. He fiddled with the hover’s controls a minute, keeping it unlocked and easily accessible for Tilly to use. “This is how you turn it on, okay?”
“Okay.”
He showed her how to turn the little hover on and off, her tiny face intense in concentration. Tear tracks were down her cheeks where the dirt had washed away. Simon took out the jug of water and set it on the dirt next to her. He bent down and looked her in the eyes, his tone intense. “Tilly, can you stay here? And be very quiet?”
Tilly nodded and hugged herself. “Yes. I won’t move.” She sat down on a rock, pulling her legs up to her chest.
Simon was anxious to get to Nora but took an extra second to bend down and hug Tilly close as she sat there, looking just like Nora putting on a tough face. She trembled in his arms as he held her. “You were so brave in getting me so fast. I’m going to get her now. But I can’t be worried about you too.”
Tilly pointed to the town. “Okay. Just help Mama.”
He backed up and stood, taking the gun he took from the bedroom from his pocket. Then he double checked the bullets, just like he remembered Nora doing. Where is Nora’s gun now?The gun shook slightly in his hands as he put it in his pocket and covered it with his shirt, not wanting to open carry through the town.
Alright. Ready to go.He started to walk away but then looked at Tilly again, sitting on a rock, just looking back at him with those sad eyes. “I will be back for you, but just in case, you have this hover. If it is not safe, ride to the schoolhouse, okay?”
The drone came down low to rest on the ground next to her. Stella’s voice was firm and clear as she said, “We will watch her. And talk. We have many stories and songs for Tilly to listen to while we wait.”
Another drone hovered overhead, flashing deep green in the desert sun. And another raced across the midday sky. “We will be watching the whole area. No one will come close without us knowing.”
Tilly picked up a stick and held it in her hands. She stood up and waved it at him. “Okay. You’ll be back? With Mama?”
Simon nodded, his eyes flinty and already staring at the town in the distance. “I won’t stop until I am.”
***
Simon walked through the refuse-lined streets, determined, knowing the way to Anna’s shop well now. There was no pause in his step and no one stopped him to chat as he traveled through the segments on foot. He tried to not overtly rush, to avoid drawing any attention. As it was, his processors were stressed and nearly overheated from forcing every part of him to remain alert.
It was with relief that he was able to walk into the merchant district with only minimal interruptions. Soon he reached the entrance to the building with the sign saying“Bakery Delights.”
That relief was short-lived, however, as he was clearly expected by those within the building.
His eyes narrowed as he heard muffled shouts of, “He’s here!” coming from inside.
Simon took out Nora’s spare pistol from his pocket and held it in front of himself while his eyes flashed with fury.I'm here.
The street, which was busier on the other end of the merchant district, was deserted outside the bakeshop. Simon couldn’t tell how many of the other shop owners were in on Paul’s plan, or how many had a sixth sense for danger and kept inside now, shutters drawn tight. The grip on his pistol was firm.It doesn’t matter.
