Free New Reality: Truth by Michael Robertson Page A

that had clearly spoiled a lot of its contents, but there was still plenty left for them. Pulling his fringe from his forehead, the grit on the wind tapping his glasses, Jake nodded into the hole. "See, Tom, this is our reward for looking after all of those poor gamers. Stick that in your scientific pipe and smoke it."
    Tom shook his head. "Coincidence, Jake."
    Unable to suppress his grin, Jake said, "Karma."
    "Whatever. Any water?"
    The bottom row where the water should have been was completely empty. Jake sighed. "No."
    Grinding his jaw, Tom looked at the tower. "And you still think Rixon have nothing to do with this? When was the last time you came across a vending machine that had all of the water removed from it? They're fucking with us again!"
    Wishing he had an argument didn't make it a reality.
    Swiping his hand through the air as if he were batting away a fly, Tom said, "Anyway, just pass me anything without caffeine in it. I'm fed up with drinking Coke. It only makes me thirstier."
    Retrieving two cans of Tango, Jake walked over to Tom and handed him one.
    Guzzling the sweet, orange-flavored syrup so hard it burned his throat, Jake then belched half of it back up into his mouth. There was a slight kick of bile as he swallowed it back down again, but the taste was mostly unaffected.
    Finishing the can, Jake tossed it on the floor, the wind sending it skittering over the rubble. After watching it roll away, Jake burped, careful to keep the liquid in his stomach this time. "I feel like I could drink a swimming pool dry."
    "Take it slow, Jake."
    "All right, Mum."
    Tom raised his hands. "I'm just saying. You'll make yourself sick if you carry on drinking it that quickly."
    As if on cue, Jake's stomach rumbled, and he had to take several breaths to keep the liquid down. Turning his back on Tom so he could hide his discomfort, he then returned to the vending machine.
    When he came back, he had five chocolate bars fanned out in his right hand. "Pick a bar, any bar."
    The faintest smile cracked Tom's face.
    It was good to see his friend happy. Looking at the gloomy sky, which was getting darker by the minute, the glowing red letters on the phallic symbol of their oppressive master standing prominent on the horizon, Jake scratched his head and searched the floor. "It'll be night soon. We may as well lie down here until morning."
    While opening a chocolate bar, Tom glanced around. "I'll only do it if we take shifts on guard. One of us should always be awake from now on."
    "Okay, I understand. Now tell me what's been following us."
    The bags on Tom's long face pulled it to the ground as he stared at his friend. He said nothing.
    Shaking his head, Jake stretched his arms up in an attempt to force the lethargy from his aching body. "You look like you need it more, Tom. You sleep first."

    ***

    They were stopping for the evening. Should she seize the opportunity? She could end it all now. It had to happen sooner or later. If not tonight, how long could she drag it out?
    She watched them eat their chocolate and drink more fizzy drinks. She watched Tom lie down and fall asleep almost instantly. Rubbing her sore eyes, she watched Jake pace up and down.
    She watched him stand still.
    He sat down.
    Once he was horizontal, his eyes slowly shut.
    Her voice came out as a soft hiss. "Sweet dreams, Jake. Sweet dreams."

Chapter Twelve

    Jake's eyes flashed open. Shit! How long had he been asleep? Lifting his head from its awkward position, a crick in his neck stabbing into the bottom of his skull, he drew a sharp breath as he looked over at his friend. Tom was still snoozing. Good.
    It was as dark, dusty, and desolate, as it had been when he'd passed out. Relaxing his shoulders, he smiled to himself. Nothing had happened. Thank God.
    Pushing himself upright, his shoulders burning from the effort, Jake rolled them in large circles. It did little to ease his discomfort.
    The concrete slab he'd slept on had made his back so cold his spine had