The Key to Fear - Kristin Cast Page 0,1
headset and visor.
A holographic image appeared near the foot of her bed, carrying the same three-dimensional weight, three-dimensional realness, as the little girl in the simulation. Elodie stared down, half expecting the small heel of the hologram’s pointed shoes to leave a divot in the plush carpeting. Elodie blinked up at the woman, whose short hair barely dusted her sharp chin as she glanced down at Elodie and claimed that cool voice. “Simulations such as these are necessary to illustrate the flaws in the medical systems of the past. The virus, Cerberus, originated in a hospital, and spread quickly to those in uninfected facilities because of inadequate to nonexistent containment protocols. Would you like to further review the points learned within the lesson fifteen simulation?” With her hands gently clasped in front of the white pencil skirt she always wore, the hologram blinked down expectantly.
A sob stuck in the back of Elodie’s throat.
“Elodie, do you wish to review this lesson or proceed to the practice exam?” With a warm smile she tucked her hair behind her ear and cocked her head slightly. Although her hair was the same deep brown as Elodie’s and her skin the same rich tan, the hologram (newly nicknamed Holly by the citizens of Westfall) looked empty. At least she did to Elodie. Everyone else had marveled at how lifelike she appeared. This spokesperson for the Key Corp had always been smart, but she had also always been a voice—only a voice. Now, with her most recent update, she was a person. A person with a name. The face of the Key Corp and, in the same moment, absolutely no one, nothing but lights that were beamed from projectors the size of pinheads that had been planted throughout almost every home, building, street, and bridge throughout Westfall.
Elodie swallowed past the lump in her throat and brushed her damp hair back as she stood. She was glad she’d taken a shower before beginning her lesson, as the line of nervous sweat dampening her brow was indistinguishable from her wet hair. “I’m done for today. I don’t want to be late.”
Holly nodded. “I’ve bookmarked your place, so we can pick back up whenever you’re ready. Don’t forget, your final exam for this quarter is in four weeks.”
“I know. Thanks, Holly.”
Holly’s Key Corp–red blouse shimmered as she waved politely. “See you at the MediCenter, Elodie,” she said. Her image blurred and then vanished as quickly and soundlessly as she’d appeared.
Elodie checked the time on her Key Corp–issued cuff. She was still ahead of schedule. She was always ahead of schedule. Tardiness was the one thing she had complete control over.
Elodie glanced over her room to ensure everything was in its proper place. A few of the smooth river rocks she’d collected on the banks of the Columbia were askew. She hurried over to the window to straighten them before taking another final look around. Satisfied, she stuffed her damp hair into a beanie, hefted her clear backpack onto her shoulders, and jogged down the stairs into the kitchen.
Gwen perched on the edge of a barstool at the expansive center island, her finger poised over the illuminated surface of her holopad. “Did my daughter just come downstairs, or was that a herd of wild beasts?”
Elodie’s lips stretched into an automatic smile. “Morning, Mother,” she chirped, diverting her attention to the smoothie waiting for her on the counter. She lifted the straw. Beige clumps slid off the metal and into the lumpy mixture in the glass.
“Don’t play with your food, dear,” Gwen said without looking up.
“This isn’t my usual. This is …” Elodie wrinkled her nose, “… something else.”
With a sigh, Gwen tented her hands and cast Elodie a concerned glance. “I noticed you were getting a little bigger around, you know, this region.” Gwen extended a finger and drew a circle in front of her daughter, encompassing every inch of her not hidden by the kitchen island. “Seems I’ve been indulging you.” Her laughter was like glass breaking. “So I decided straight protein, no fruit sugars or nut butters, was the way to go.”
Elodie’s fingers flew to her collar. “Thanks.” She squeaked as she rubbed the stiff fabric of her scrub top between her thumb and forefinger.
“You have that horrid hat on again.” Gwen brushed back her own bangs from her unlined forehead and fluffed the curled lengths of her artificially blonde hair. “Is something the matter?”
Elodie stiffened. She’d hidden her damp hair for a reason. This morning’s interaction with