Descending Road - WE AREN’T DRESSED by Dana W. Paxson

WE AREN’T DRESSED

1563 4D

Andrew stood up with Janny in his arms, and entered the liftcar. “Down one,” he said. The car plunged and settled; the door opened on the corridor, lit once again. Andrew looked out, seeing only the corridor. A fetid moisture hung in the now-still air.

They found Grendel and Ezzar peering out from a side opening. “We found the lift. It’s not far,” Andrew said. His empty stomach pulled at him.

“We nearly got killed,” Ezzar said. “Something put out the lights and came after Grendel. It filled the corridor.”

“It passed by us,” Andrew said. “Janny calls it Onnashak.”

“It’s gone now. Can you help me with him?” One under each shoulder, Ezzar and Andrew supported Grendel to the liftway.

“We’ve got to check on my shipment,” Ezzar grunted as they worked their way forward. “Look, we’ve got a load of guns, medicine, food and some other stuff headed for Blinker Zone. Elvin was supposed to set up the transfer. Now I’ve got to find someone from Blinker and hook them up with the goods before that train loads up again with waste and leaves. But first we’ve got to fix Grendel‘s leg.”

Andrew took in Ezzar‘s words with relief; she was opening up at last. He said, “I think this is my daughter Jan. She seems to know her sister’s name.”

“Don’t hope too much. Little kids know everything,” Ezzar said.

“I know. But…" Andrew‘s throat tightened again. He dragged his thoughts back. “What if the militia finds your stuff?”

Ezzar shook her head. “Then they’ll find it. They’ll leave it there and wait to see who shows up for it. If nobody does, they’ll take it off the train. But they won’t find it. They’re always too busy here.”

They reached the lift. When they got Grendel in, he said, “Four nine three.” The liftcar leaped upward. Grendel‘s grip tightened on Andrew‘s shoulder.

“We aren’t dressed for upcity,” Andrew said. Level 493 — a richer layer. He looked at the others in the car, then down at himself. Spattered with dried blood and gummy stains, skin sticky with sweat, hair matted, the four of them waited in silence for the hurtling car to slow and stop. He laughed; it was ridiculous.

“Clothes aren’t the real problem, not up there,” Ezzar said. “The police are. We’ve got to get in and back down this way before they spot us and come hunting.”

Story List	SURPRISE ME	Author Page
USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	WE AREN’T DRESSED 1563 4D Andrew stood up with Janny in his arms, and entered the liftcar. “Down one,” he said. The car plunged and settled; the door opened on the corridor, lit once again. Andrew looked out, seeing only the corridor. A fetid moisture hung in the now-still air. They found Grendel and Ezzar peering out from a side opening. “We found the lift. It’s not far,” Andrew said. His empty stomach pulled at him. “We nearly got killed,” Ezzar said. “Something put out the lights and came after Grendel. It filled the corridor.” “It passed by us,” Andrew said. “Janny calls it Onnashak.” “It’s gone now. Can you help me with him?” One under each shoulder, Ezzar and Andrew supported Grendel to the liftway. “We’ve got to check on my shipment,” Ezzar grunted as they worked their way forward. “Look, we’ve got a load of guns, medicine, food and some other stuff headed for Blinker Zone. Elvin was supposed to set up the transfer. Now I’ve got to find someone from Blinker and hook them up with the goods before that train loads up again with waste and leaves. But first we’ve got to fix Grendel‘s leg.” Andrew took in Ezzar‘s words with relief; she was opening up at last. He said, “I think this is my daughter Jan. She seems to know her sister’s name.” “Don’t hope too much. Little kids know everything,” Ezzar said. “I know. But…" Andrew‘s throat tightened again. He dragged his thoughts back. “What if the militia finds your stuff?” Ezzar shook her head. “Then they’ll find it. They’ll leave it there and wait to see who shows up for it. If nobody does, they’ll take it off the train. But they won’t find it. They’re always too busy here.” They reached the lift. When they got Grendel in, he said, “Four nine three.” The liftcar leaped upward. Grendel‘s grip tightened on Andrew‘s shoulder. “We aren’t dressed for upcity,” Andrew said. Level 493 — a richer layer. He looked at the others in the car, then down at himself. Spattered with dried blood and gummy stains, skin sticky with sweat, hair matted, the four of them waited in silence for the hurtling car to slow and stop. He laughed; it was ridiculous. “Clothes aren’t the real problem, not up there,” Ezzar said. “The police are. We’ve got to get in and back down this way before they spot us and come hunting.”