Dot, AndrAIa, Mouse, Matrix, and Ray were waiting in the diner when Enzo and
Keya returned. The little girl was shivering miserably, her black hair
dripping water down her back. Enzo, on the other hand, was quite happy.
Dot looked at Keya and frowned. Where did you take her, Enzo?
To the Data Slides, he replied. Dot, can you believe that Keya has
never been down one?
Thats certainly plausible, said Ray. She looks like a little drowned
web-rat.
Well, that was very responsible of you, Enzo, replied Dot. But I dont
know if she really liked it.
Still shivering, Keya forced a smile. I liked it, she said, with little
conviction.
Enzo led Keya to the humongous dog lying by the door. Frisket sniffed
Keya, his eyes mistrusting.
This is Frisket, said Enzo. Hes really friendly. He patted the dogs
head. See? You try it.
Keya looked at Frisket, then Enzo, then back at Frisket. She reached out
her hand to pet him.
Frisket let out a thundering bark and jumped up, baring his teeth at the
little girl. She screamed, causing everyone to leap from their seats.
Frisket! Down! yelled Matrix.
AndrAIa dragged Keya away from the dog. Oblivious, she continued to
scream.
Its all right, AndrAIa cooed. Its all right. Friskets not going to
hurt you. She shot a deadly glance at him, and he cowered.
I think shes traumatized for life now, mused Mouse grimly as she and Dot
went to aid AndrAIa.
Nothing helped. Each comforting little remark or gesture only made her
scream louder.
Ray and Matrix stayed back, sitting against the bar, letting the girls take
charge. But as nanos went by, the girls noticed they had no help and began
to pester the guys. Keya started crying.
Ray turned to Matrix. Why dont you go, mate? She likes you.
Matrix scowled, but walked over to Keya.
You can stop crying now.
Indeed, Keya did stop. But only long enough to glare at Matrix. Then she
resumed her fit.
Ugh, Im getting a migraine, muttered Dot. Just get her out of here.
Everyone turned to stare at Dot.
Where to? Mouse finally asked.
I dont know! Go get her an ice cream.
I want an ice cream! Enzo whined.
Matrix, go get Keya an ice cream, AndrAIa commanded.
But I want an ice cream! Enzo repeated.
Frisket started barking.
Do I have to? Matrix asked over the noise.
YES! came the unison reply.
Sighing, he picked up Keya and left the diner.
Later, Matrix and Keya sat in an ice cream parlor in the Kits Sector,
licking cones of micro-chip ice cream. Keya had calmed down during the
trip. She had made fun of Matrixs zipboard, then had the nerve to ask if
she could ride it. But I know how! she had kept repeating.
I cant believe this, Matrix said mostly to himself. Im sitting here,
eating ice cream with some bratty kid.
Keya stopped mid-lick. Dontcha like ice cream?
Impudent child, he thought. Oh, I like ice cream. But I havent eaten
any since I was a little sprite.
She giggled. You werent a little sprite never!
I was, too. And I was just as annoying as Enzo back there. Or you.
Keya laughed again. Youre funny.
Yeah? Well, youre a funny little girl yourself, Matrix replied.. Where
did you come from, anyway?
She shrugged.
You dont know?
Again, she shrugged.
Dont you have a mom or dad?
She nodded.
This is getting nowhere fast, he muttered.
What is?
Whats what?
Whats getting nowhere fast?
Matrix almost smiled. Yknow, kid, you ask too many questions.
Keya seemed offended. But you were asking questions!
You were, too.
No! You were!
So what if I was? You asked me if I like ice cream.
Thats only.. Keya held up her fingers and began to count them. Thats
only five questions!
Still almost smiling, Matrix shook his head. We should be getting back
now.
Keya climbed off her stool. Ill race ya!
No, Keya-
It was too late. Ignoring Matrix, the little girl ran out the door.
Irritated and sick of playing baby-sitter, Matrix plunked down some units
as payments on the counter. After mumbling Keep the change, he dashed out
the door.
He looked up and down the street. Keya was nowhere.
AndrAIas gonna delete me for this, he thought. He put his hands up to his
mouth and began to call out Keyas name.
A couple of stares, but no answer.
Where are you, you little bug? Matrix ran up the street, binomes jumping
out of his path. She was probably playing hide-and-go-seek.
He ran past an alley way. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a dark
shape slumped on the alley ground. He skidded to a stop. It couldnt be...
He started down the alley. What happened? He would be deleted for sure
if anything happened...
Matrix reached the figure. He gave a sigh of relief when he saw it wasnt,
thank the User, Keya.
Instead, it was a zero lying on the ground unconcious.
Another drunk, he muttered.
Then he heard footsteps approaching. The paramedics are on their way!
announced a shrill female voice.
Paramedics? For a lousy drunk? Matrix turned to the one who had spoken.
She frowned at him. A crowd was beginning to gather. Drunk? Ive been
working on my RNA long enough to tell a drunk from a victim. See here.
The one crouched down and pointed to a spot on the zero.
Two small holes were placed close together where the zeros neck would be,
if he had one. Bright red code fluid slowly dripped from them, rolling down
the zeros body to the ground. Something bit im, the one declared.
Hell be a typo demon in seconds. The thought suddenly jumped into
Matrixs mind.
He shook his head. He must be going crazy. He was believing in an
Enzo-story.
You okay? the one asked.
He stared blankly at her. Oh, yeah, I am.
She frowned. Well, if youre sure. She handed him a card. You can
contact me at the university if you ever aint.
Matrix stuck the card in his pocket and left the alley.
Matrix?
He looked up. Keya!
She was hovering on his zipboard just outside the alley, grinning. It was
much too large for her, but he had to admit she could ride it.
You didnt find me! she announced gleefully.
Nope, I didnt. Real cute. Now lets git.
He wanted to be angry with her, but he was just relieved she was all right.
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