“Raino, you do understand that we need to run? That I’ve started a war?”
The old man reaches for Kaarina’s shoulder. “I understand. We all do.”
A careful smile lights up her face. The Yeti stares at the old man, gives him a nod. Finally, the Unchipped leader steps aside and turns to talk with his people. Markus also smiles and nods, then heads over to greet the blue suits he recognizes. Some of them hug each other. A ripple of chuckles and laughter cuts the crisp night air.
“Excuse me? Don’t leave a Yankee hanging. What did the grandpa say?”
Kaarina hugs Raino and then lets the man follow in Markus’s footsteps back into the blue crowd. She wraps her arm around Sanna and gives her a squeeze, careful not to scrunch Mister Bun-Bun. The girl giggles happily. A number of the Unchipped walk out of the houses, carrying clothing, packages of crispbread and bottled water.
She looks down at her warm and sturdy winter boots, the ones the Chipped gave her back at the pharmacy. No duct tape, no rips, or tears appear on their black surface. She moves her fingers inside the comfy gloves that the Unchipped gifted her, as soon as she had entered the playground and their lives.
Warm. Dry. Not alone. How did she end up here, among allies and friends?
“Hello? You know I don’t speak Swedish, Kay. What did the old guy say?”
Kaarina lifts her chin and gazes up at the night sky. Snowflakes continue to melt against her face but now the sensation is pleasant. Friendly chatting fills the playground while people introduce themselves.
Jaana. Hannu. Kimmo. Raino. Niina. Mikko. Joonatan. Vilja… She’ll make sure to learn their names, and hopefully their life stories as well. Not because it’ll help her to survive and run away from Doctor Solomon. Not because it’s the right thing to do. She’ll get to know these people, Chipped and Unchipped. Because together, they’ll be stronger. Happier.
“Kay-Kay, I swear—"
“Okay, okay, Bill. I just needed a minute. I haven’t forgotten you. How could anyone ever forget about you when you’re such a pain in the ass?” Her smile gives her away. Above all, Kaarina’s most grateful for the chatty Californian that lives inside her head. The one that has stayed by her side all these years. Even at times when she didn’t deserve it.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Love you too, Kay-Kay. What did the old man say?”
“He said they’re done living in a box. That it’s time to return.”
“Return where?”
“Into the real world.”
EPILOGUE
“Why don’t you come back to bed? You’ve been sulking out here in the dark for hours.”
William doesn’t need to turn around to know that Miguel is leaning on the doorframe, his dark figure wrapped in a fluffy white robe. If he turned around, he’d see Miguel’s eyes drilling into him, muscular arms crossed on his chest, one foot folded behind his fit figure to press against the open balcony door.
Instead of looking at Miguel, Bill stares at the silhouette of the mountains, rising all around them. In the middle of the enormous valley sleeps City of California. The mansion is built high enough on the mountain side for them to see the neon-green glow of the tiles, billboards, and buildings. Right now, the reflection is barely visible. It’s four a.m.. The Chipped will be dozing under the influence of their mandatory sleeping pills for three more hours.
“You’re not going to hear from her until the morning. I’m sure she’s okay. And there’s nothing you can do anyway.”
“It’s midday in City of Finland. She’s not answering my tapping. Something’s going on.”
Miguel sighs, walks across the balcony, and leans his arms against the cool metal railing. “She’s a grown woman, Bill. Not some hormone-driven, brainless teenager. I’m sure she’ll let you in once the time is right.”
“I don’t trust that moose she travels with. The Unchipped are so fucking different over there.”
“Different how?”
“It’s all so morbid. And dark. All the freaking time. They basically don’t have a pot to piss in. Who wouldn’t lose their minds in that kind of a place?”
“And the moose she travels with?”
“Like a rabid animal. Victim of his caveman instincts and shit.”
Miguel turns his head to hide his amusement. “Reminds me of someone we both know…”
“Whatever, Micky. Go back inside and pound sand. Up your ass.”
A clink sounds from downstairs and Miguel leans over the railing. His upper body hanging over the metal edge, he taps whoever is tiptoeing downstairs right underneath them. His voice cuts the silence. “Eat that last slice of cheesecake, Arturo, and I’ll skin you alive, make a purse, sell it on the black market, and feed what’s left to the coyotes.”
The kitchen light turns off. The only sound remaining is the sound of the crickets. Their chirping is a constant now. Long gone is the winter, and the feeling of crisp air caressing his skin after the sun goes down. Southern California is unbearably hot these days. And not just because of the wildfires.
Miguel’s feet pat softly against the balcony tiles. Before he goes back inside, he turns around and says, “A new trailer arrived today. Parked by the orange trees, at the southeast edge of the farm.”
Bill curses under his breath but doesn’t turn around to face Miguel. “Of course it did.”
“Should I send Maria or Phil to take care of it?”
“No, I’ll do it.”
Miguel scoffs loudly. “You? When’s the last time you held a gun?”
“I said I’ll take care of it. I’ll go out there tomorrow or the day after.”
“And meanwhile?”
“Let them be. Who the fuck cares? They’ll eat, what, a few oranges and an avocado a day? Besides, taking care of them is like playing with a boomerang.”
He can almost hear Miguel frown behind him.
“They’ll just keep coming, Micky. Jesus on a bike! Go eat your granola or watch a chick-flick or something. Leave me alone.”
But he stays, leaning against the white silk curtains that dance slowly in the night air.
“Stop shaking your stupid head
