Chapter 22: Homebody
I stared at myself in the mirror. Several days had passed and nothing new had developed in my dad’s case. I knew nothing would happen unless I helped. But I knew they were watching me, so I had to take some precautions.
As I got out the bathroom, I could smell bacon sizzling in the kitchen. My mouth instantly began to water. I threw on a hoodie and strode down the stairs.
“Good morning, dear,” Grandma said as she cracked an egg into a skillet. She had moved in to look after me after dad was detained. I visited him every day but there had been no progress in proving his innocence. It was frustrating to see him so free in the detention center, as if they were daring him to try to escape.
“Stop looking so pensive, Pene. Have some breakfast.” She slid a plate over to me. It had more calories heaped on it than I’d eat in a day. But I knew better than to tell her. She’d just smile and tell me to eat my meal; she was used to cooking for my father instead of a teenage girl. The outside door opened and Lacey walked in.
“Don’t they knock in your house, dear?” Grandma asked, but her smile showed that she liked Lacey’s company. Before Lacey sat down, a plate of food was pushed before her.
“Is someone else eating with me? There’s enough food to feed me for a week on this plate,” Lacey said. Grandmas kept smiling but didn’t respond. Lacey took a mouthful and then turned to me.
“I had company on my way over here today.” She nodded to the door.
“That’s nice, dear. Was it a bee or bird?” my grandma asked without taking her eyes off the stove.
“Bird. Probably a pigeon. Looked dirty too.” Since dad’s detention, the drones had become extremely interested in my whereabouts and that of my friends. Sometimes when I went out I could see half a dozen of them flying around, tracking my progress. I guess ‘presumed innocent’ had changed to ‘presumed guilty’. Or maybe they hoped I would do something to prove my dad’s guilt.
“I’m glad you’re here. I really need to get out of the house,” I said.
“Can I help you with your makeup?” Lacey asked.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Fifteen minutes later, I looked back into the mirror.
“Not a bad job,” I said, admiring my work.
“Well, you’ll never be as good as the real thing but you’d pass from a distance.” I grinned at her comment. Lacey would always be Lacey. I adjusted my wig and pulled the ball cap over my head. Sunglasses, makeup (Lacey tended to be much paler than me), swapped clothes, and I was ready to go for a stroll.
“You’re the best, Lacey. You realize that you could get into some real trouble if you’re caught pretending to be me. And I’m not talking with your mother,” I said.
“I’m a big girl, Pene. What they did to your dad is wrong. If you think you can find a way to help his case, then let your best friend help you. That’s what besties do.” Her smile warmed me and I hugged her tight.
“I’ll be back in three hours. Think you can stay indoors for that long?” I asked.
“I brought some homework.” She raised her tablet. I looked at her in confusion. “Oh, I didn’t say I’d work on it, just said I brought it.” She leaned back in a chair. The blind was half open so you could tell someone was sitting there.
“Be careful out there.” Grandma kissed me on the head. “Don’t do anything that will get you in trouble.” Too late for that, I thought. I waved goodbye and headed out the door. The sun was bright in my eyes and the sunglasses served their purpose for two reasons. I made every effort not to look at the drones circling the house. Maybe it was a childish belief but I felt that the more interest I showed them, the more suspicious I appeared. Casual and cool was my motto. As I walked out into the street, I looked at the window reflection of the house across the street. Six drones flew over the roof. One at each corner, one at the front and one high up in the backyard. Two of them started to float towards me. A window opened from my house and Lacey poured water into a pot. Both drones hovered and then turned back to my house, interested in her movements. The window closed back up. A bird drone from the front of my neighbor’s house picked up in step behind me about twenty feet off the ground.
Okay, one is better than six.
I started walking towards a nearby commercial street. It was Saturday morning and there would be lots of people shopping in the stores. I stole a look to my right and noticed a camera. I avoided looking in that direction; my disguise wouldn’t hold up under close scrutiny. I saw a family walking ahead of me and I quickened my pace, trying to join their group. We stopped at a street corner while waiting for a car to pass. The drone floated high ahead, looking back at me, not even trying to conceal its intent. Further ahead, the walkway turned and there was a concrete overpass that allowed pedestrians to cross over the busy traffic of a four-lane street. This would be a blind spot for the drone, which would meet us on the other side. Three teenagers joined the family and myself as we stepped into the tunnel. It was well-lit and only about hundred feet in length. As we walked through, two teenage girls started walking towards me. I stepped behind the family and pulled out a sweatshirt.
I immediately whipped out my wig, replaced my look with red hair and put on a blue hat. I switched glasses, and as the girls passed me, I switched directions and fell into step behind them. They were talking intently, and if they knew I was following them, they didn’t look back. I headed to the same entrance I had entered as the family exited the other end. This was the tricky part. I backtracked to a clothing store I had passed earlier and stepped inside.
From my vantage point, I could see the end of the tunnel with the family I had walked with heading down the street. I looked up and could make out a small bird circling widely around. After a few seconds it immediately headed to the other exit. I positioned my back to the store window and pretended to be looking at jewelry in a display. The mirror looked back outside and I could see the drone at the window looking in. Act casual — don’t run away. Hide in plain sight. Two seconds passed. Then five; it felt like minutes. The drone was still there, looking in. Did it have some way to analyze my body structure, to see through my disguise?
A group of teenagers, girls and guys, ran by the store laughing, and when I looked in the mirror again, the drone was gone. I needed to get as far as possible from this area. I walked slowly out the store and headed towards my original destination.
Twenty minutes later the bus let me off in front of the school. Most of the sports teams had already headed to the locker room. I kept my Lacey disguise on and headed inside the school. A couple of boys bumped into me as they were charging off the field. Cameras watched from several vantage points but as boys passed between me and the camera, I slipped into their locker room. There was steam coming from the showers. I blushed at the idea of seeing the flash of a guy’s butt. Distracted, I ran straight into the chest of a large adult.
“No girls — can’t you read?” The man looked down at me. He must be one of the coaches.
“Need to see my brother,” I stammered. “Is Austin here?”
“I thought his sister was younger.” The coach thumbed towards the back. “Pretty boy is back drying his hair. Give him your message and get out,” he commanded. I slipped past the coach and headed to the sound of blowing air. There were two boys. One gave me an odd look and left. The second boy was Austin but his back was turned away from me and he only had a towel wrapped around his midsection.
“Austin?” I asked. He turned and didn’t look pleased to see me.
“Who are you?” he asked, momentarily not recognizing me. I took off the hat and wig. “Pene! What are you doing here?” His shock almost made him his drop his towel. He regained his composure and grabbed a t-shirt from a hook on the wall. “Did anyone see you come in here?”
“A few,” I answered. “I told the coach I was your sister.”
“I’m sure he believed that. Did the drones follow you here?” He pointed outside.
“No, I took precautions. Right now they think I’m studying for test at home.” Austin stepped behind a partition and threw his towel over the corner. I turned my head while he put on his pants. He came around the corner seconds later.
“So why are you here? Not to see me play?” I shrugged. I didn’t even know what sport he was in, just that he would be here.
“You know my dad is charged? His trial is in three days.”
Austin nodded. “I know. I’m really sorry.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t imagine that his sentence will get overturned?”
“It’s his word against the other tech users. They can’t prove my dad did it but they can supposedly prove that no else but him has.” Austin turned but I couldn’t read his expression. I could read his body posture, though.
“So why are you coming to me?”
I gulped. What I had to ask of him wasn’t easy or fair. “Can you track the whereabouts of anyone in the city?” I answered his question with a question.
“Yes. You already saw that. Who do you want me to track?”
“Not just who, but when. Can you go back to the time that the merchant Lou was charged? If your tracking system showed he was somewhere other than where the footage put him, it might show my dad was right.” Austin shifted his weight and bowed his head, looking uncomfortable with the request.
“You’re asking me to show that I’ve hacked into the justice mainframe. Either way they won’t believe me or they’ll sentence me. It’s not fair what you’re asking me, Pene. I’ve saved you from the drones! I showed you a part of my life that no one else knows. If I provide the footage, my family will be punished!” His face was conflicted, like he was fighting an inner battle.
“I know, Austin. You’re my last hope. Without your proof, my dad will lose twenty-five years and possibly his life.” I turned away, my eyes starting to well up. I barely knew him but he had the key to my dad’s life. I had no choice but to ask him. “Please,” I begged.
“No. I don’t know your dad. I have everything to lose. You’re not being fair!”
“So you aren’t going to even try!” I glared. “You’re just like everyone else. Selfish and afraid. I can’t wait to get away from this city and everyone in it.” My words were mean but I didn’t care. I just needed someone to lash out at. I moved to leave but Austin stopped me.
“This is much bigger than your dad. If we show others that we live in a big fishbowl where everyone is tracked, it could start riots. People could get hurt or die. Are you ready for the consequences?”
I was silent for a moment, considering his question.
“Austin, the truth hurts but it’s still the truth. If lies bring this city down, so be it.”