New Keepers. Jayne Bauling

one-piece. That’s when my uneasiness hardens into knowledge.

      “No. Give it back.” I start forward, aware of people’s surprise. “We can’t trust these people.”

      “What do you mean?” Silver objects. “They’re just –”

      “Jabz is right.” The only one not surprised is Lizwi, and she speaks urgently. “Meyi knows it too. That’s what he’s been trying to tell me –”

      “Wait,” Leoli starts.

      “They’ve been Rinsed!” I’m shouting, I don’t know why, and it’s stupid, because it brings the security pair rushing forward.

      “They can’t have,” Halo protests. “I mean, these are Ricochet and –”

      “They have.” Lizwi is pushing Meyi towards the door. “Watch them. Hey, Ricochet and Leoli, how’s little Ricleo? Where’s your child?”

      No response from either that I can see, but I’m not paying too much attention.

      “We need to go,” I’m telling everyone. “The texter, can we have it back –”

      “That’s enough.”

      The security officers are coming at me and Lizwi.

      The man isn’t expecting my fist. The Sprawll’s inhabitants have been docile since that last attempted uprising. Probably his uniform is enough to make people behave. He wouldn’t last long in the Margins.

      “Go, go, go!” I’m yelling at everyone as he goes down, because the woman is raising her hands, with something in each, probably sprays to calm or immobilise us.

      I catch a last glimpse of Ricochet and Leoli. They’re watching us stampede towards the door.