The Merman and the Moon Forgotten - By Kevin McGill Page 0,29

mind. Then, he raised his chin high. “I believe you, Nikolas. It will be a feat to convince the Council of Teine of your testimony, but not unheard of. Now—” Grand bent down and put the steward’s horn under his arm. “—will you come home? Will you arise and take your place among the clouds?”

Nick looked back at his grandfather. He stood like some giant among the planets. A dusty Jupiter clung to his shoulder, slowly falling apart among the folds of his trench coat.

Phffitt, phfitt. Phfitt . . .

Nick’s gaze turned toward Moon. According to Grand, it was the ghost of an ancient, magical planet called Mon. Maybe this would explain Nick’s obsession with the lunar colonies? Maybe Grand’s fantastic version of Moon had been home all along.

Or maybe Grand was completely insane.

Phfitt. Phfitt, phfitt . . .

Then again, a fairy tale world might not be so bad. Those Grimm fairy tale stories always seemed uncomplicated. You know, big bad wolf, three little pigs, make sure you build your house out of brick, kinda story. If that’s what life on the moon was really like, then that’s where he belonged, right? A simple life.

Nick smiled at that idea.

Phfitt. Phfitt, phfitt . . . Phfitt. Phfitt, phfitt . . .

“Yeah!” Nick shouted. “Yes. Yes. Let’s totally do that—let’s go to magical moons and bridge clouds and stuff. I’m in!”

Tim rolled his eyes.

Grand laughed. “Very good, Nikolas. Knew you’d be up for it. Now, we have very little time to lose. Must return your friends to the refugee camp and then make for the gateway.” Grand turned to the hovertruck.

Nick’s smile slid away. He looked back to the Kobayashi brothers and the Wendell sisters, and then down to the leashes scattered at their feet. Caroline’s readout blinked: Life expectancy: 17. Haley’s: 18. What would become of them after Nick and Tim zoomed off to some fantastic world?

“If I go, they go,” said Nick.

“What?” Grand stopped in midstride. “All of them?”

“We’re a package deal. I won’t leave them behind.”

“Our mission is far too dangerous, lad,” Grand said. “I cannot allow it.”

“You don’t know how they treat refugee kids,” Nick crossed his arms. “They’re tagged, Grand. A refugee can’t be more than fifteen miles away from the refugee camp before they’re shocked by leashes, like a dog. The farther away, the worse it gets.”

“Isn’t it for their safety?”

“Not even,” Nick’s voice rose. “The Geneva virus is out of control at the refugee camps. Most of the refugees die before they’re eighteen. BioFarms counts on it ‘cause they have a contract with the government. Cheaper to harvest organs than to grow them yourself. Leashes make sure the refugees don’t run away with their precious property. It’s not right, Grand.”

“I have seen darkness in my time, but this is unheard of,” Grand said. “Surely the U.S. government wouldn’t allow it. Its own citizens?”

Haley sneered, “BioFarms foots the bill, and the U.S. looks the other away. It’s considered bioethically responsible to pass your organs on, so a few fancy lawyers have their own souls removed, and then draft up the legal papers. BioFarms can leash us, brand us, chip us, or whatever else they feel is necessary to protect their assets.”

“They come with us,” said Nick.

“You’re serious, Nikolas. Aren’t you?” said Caroline.

“Yes. I am. This could be your home.” Nick turned back around to Grand. “Sorry, Grand, but we’re a package deal.”

Grand nodded slowly. “It is so. But their very lives are in your hands, Nikolas. You are responsible.”

“Yeah, of course,” Nick realized how non-committal that sounded. “I mean—yes—responsible—I’m responsible.”

“Nikolas? Responsible? OK. I’m done.” Tim stepped in between Grand and Nick. “When did everyone take a swan dive into the Kool-aid? I’m sorry, Grand. I’m sure you think we’re just kids who’d believe any crazy story about tethered worlds and cities that speak to stewards or something, but we don’t. The trackers are just genetic mutations. You’re using nano-technology for the dust. And you OD’d on some illegal substance playing World of Witches and Wizards.”

“Grand isn’t crazy.” Nick rounded on Tim. “He’s Grand. I believe him.”

“That’s a no-brainer. Of course you do. ‘Cause you’re like, the most naïve person on the planet. Grand is senile. Look around. Do you think anyone else believes Earth and Moon were lassoed together? By magic? Like some old bedtime story?”

“I do.” Caroline poked her hand up.

Xanthus straightened. “There’ll definitely be pain involved if someone tries to stop me.”

“Really?” Tim said. “Caroline? Xanthus? Really?”

“Did you see those things?” Brandy pointed toward