Free We Had Flags (Toxic World Book 3) by Sean McLachlan Page A

her pistol jabbed into his side.
    “Ow!”
    “Sorry kiddo. Come on, pack your things.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re going to stay at Uncle Marcus and Aunt Rosie’s.”
    “Why?”
    “There’s trouble. Come on, I don’t have much time.”
    “What sort of trouble?”
    “Damn it, get up !”
    Pablo put on his shoes and pulled his emergency bag from under the bed. Mom always made sure he had an emergency bag. She said to only put the important stuff in it like a change of clothing, a waterproof sheet you could turn into a tent or poncho, a knife, a canteen, and enough pemmican and dried fruit and nuts to last you a couple of days. Pablo had slipped a couple of books into his emergency bag too. Adults had to run off into the wildlands for emergencies, but kids got to stay in New City.
    Mom dragged him outside. He’d slept longer than he thought and the sun was already low over New City, making the wall and watchtower all black against the light. The Burbs looked like they were going crazy. Everyone was running back and forth screaming at each other. The market was empty. All the traders had packed up their stuff and left.
    Mom pushed her way through the crowd, once knocking a guy over who didn’t get out of the way fast enough. She was pulling so hard on his arm Pablo felt like it was going to pop off.
    “Is the Righteous Horde coming back?” he asked.
    “Worse than that, kiddo.”
    “Worse?”
    “The Chinese are coming!”
    Pablo suddenly needed to pee real bad. The Chinese? Hadn’t they all been killed in the wars? They dropped Big Ones on cities and shot families and ate babies. He’d heard the stories old people told.
    If the Chinese were here, they were all going to die.
    They made it to the gate. Guards were pushing back panicked families and shouting, “Only citizens and associates! Calm down! Only citizens and associates through the gates. If you have children, hand them over to their designated caregiver and return to your homes!”
    Mom shoved her way to the front. Pablo got batted around by the crowd as she yanked him through.
    A guard stopped them.
    “Only citizens are allowed to carry guns in New City.”
    “Oh for fuck’s sake, Egan, do I look like a Chink to you?” She shoved past the guard.
    “Are they letting all the kids in?” Pablo asked. He was trying not to cry. Mom said only babies cried.
    “Of course they are, honey.”
    Beyond the gate the way was clearer. Pablo looked back at the wall and saw guards up there in Kevlar and helmets and all their big guns. Mr. Devon was giving orders and waving his M16 around. He looked really excited and happy like he always did when there was an attack. Mr. Devon was kind of crazy, but he sure took care of that weirdo who wanted to do stuff to Emily. It was good to have someone like Mr. Devon on the wall.
    They hurried over to Uncle Marcus and Aunt Rosie’s house. Aunt Rosie was waiting for them and gave him a big hug. Pablo saw a couple of other Burbs kids there too, including Greg Miller. Uncle Marcus wasn’t there because he was probably doing important stuff with The Doctor.
    A loud, deep thud outside told Pablo that they’d shut the gate.
    Pablo moved over to Greg. “Did everyone get in?”
    “They didn’t let my parents in! They let them in last time,” Greg said, his eyes brimming with tears.
    “There’s no attack, child,” Aunt Rosie said, stroking his hair. “This is just a precaution.”
    “Then why do you look so scared?” Greg asked. Aunt Rosie looked away.
    “Did all the kids get in?” Pablo asked.
    “Of course they did, hon,” Aunt Rosie reassured them.
    She went off to a five-year-old who was curled up in a corner crying. Aunt Rosie wrapped her arms around him and started singing him a song and rocking him back and forth.
    “Hong-gi didn’t get in,” Greg said.
    Pablo’s eyes went wide. “What?”
    “We passed by his farm when my parents were taking me here. Mr. Fartbag was making him help dig a pit to put all his