Maybe she had watched too many holos— or read too many stories. Whatever the reason, she had expected red and blue lights. Instead the Gurkha contingent pulled up in a black armored drone. No lights, no sirens. A silent specter descending over their building.
Then the door buzzed.
Dad should’ve been home hours ago, Kara swallowed the hard lump in her throat. Deep down she knew her mother wouldn’t answer, that she’d have to peel away from the viewscreen and make the long walk to the door herself. But she couldn’t. Not yet. She didn’t want confirmation of what her gut already knew was true.
Knock knock!
She turned from the window viewscreen. Her mother was sprawled on the dusty couch as usual. The red and green lights of the neuro on her left temple were solid, indicating she was lost in some holo fantasy, unable to detect audio or visual signals from the outside world. Any responsible parent would at least set their device to augmented reality rather than full immersion while home alone with their eight year old child. But it had been a long time since Guri Aland’s neuro lights flashed red and green.
Knock knock knock!
Adjusting the fit of her too-large nighty, Kara jumped down from the window ledge. She set her jaw and shuffled through the garbage to the door. Taking a deep breath, she deactivated the lock and it slid open revealing two muscular giants.
“Is Guri Aland home?”
Kara shook her head.
“You’re here alone?”
“No.” Kara peeped, “She’s here. She’s just…busy.”
The guards exchanged skeptical looks, one of them peered into the room from the threshold, his face wrinkled in disdain.
The other continued, “Sorry kid. We need to speak with her.”
Kara stepped back from the door and gestured to the coach. Immediate recognition flashed across the first guard’s face. “C’mon partner. Let’s get this over with.”
The two of them entered the room, both striding past Kara, one headed to the coach and the other to the window viewscreen where Kara had watched their arrival.
“Mrs. Aland?” The first officer tapped Guri’s shoulder. When she didn’t respond, he repeated himself louder and shook her forcibly. She jumped out of her holo fantasy with a start. “What the fuc-,” she stopped herself and slapped indignance on her face, “Just who do you think you are? I’m a woman! Home alone with my daughter! And…and you two…brutes just…just…”
He cut off her tirade with a swift hand gesture, “We’re Gurkha ma’am, I think you know that. My badge number is 0356 and my partner here is 0578.”
“That’s better! You should announce yourself when entering a home. What do you want?”
0356 continued, “Are you aware of the time, ma’am?”
Clearly checking her neuro’s HUD, she hesitated, “I do indeed. It’s…22:50.” She glanced over at Kara, who quickly lowered her head and made circles on the floor with her big toe. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
Without raising her head, Kara whispered, “I’m waiting for daddy.”
Guri’s anger flared up, putting on a show for the two guards, “I put you to bed, not daddy. You should have been asleep hours ago! Now go!”
Kara wiped her nose, her lowered hair hid the tears, but the dripping betrayed her. She already knew what these guards were gonna say. But she wanted to hear it. She refused to move.
“I said bed! Now!”
0578 put his arm around Kara and asked her to show him her room. She didn’t want to leave, but took his kindness as the best available option. Grabbing hold of his big finger, she led him down the hallway.
0356 continued, “Ma’am there’s been an accident tonight. A carp attack on the sky train. Your husband was…”
Kara allowed 0578 to guide her down the hall. When they got to the door, he moved to close it and head back to the living area. “My dad’s dead, isn’t he?”
He stopped, unsure of what to do. How do you lie at such a time? How do you tell the truth?
“I think it’s best for your mom to tell you.”
“She won’t talk to me.” Kara looked up, revealing her puffy eyes and red cheeks, “But I know. You don’t have to tell me. I know.”
0578 squatted down, “You loved your dad a lot huh?” He watched Kara nod slightly, “Sounds like he was a good father.”
Kara didn’t respond. She just hugged herself.
“Your mom.” 0578 looked down the hallway, “She a good mom?”
Kara hugged herself tighter.
Sighing, 0578 stood up. “Try and get some rest kid.” He closed the door and went back to the living room.
Kara waited for the sound of the front door to close before she headed back out to the living area. Her mom was once again immersed in her holo, but she could see fresh tears on her face. That was something.
Heading back to the window viewscreen, she watched as the guards walked back to their drone. She waited for it to take off, but after a few minutes it still hadn’t moved. She chewed at her fingernails, a bad habit her dad had said.
After a few minutes, 0578 exited the drone again. 0356 chased after him. Both were yelling. Kara didn’t know what they were saying, but she felt a measure of hope without knowing why. 0356 threw his hands in the air while 0578 strode back to the building.
A few minutes later, a soft knock came to her door. This time, Kara opened it without hesitation.
“C’mon kid. I’m getting you outta here.”
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