The Solid Hold (The IQ Testing Book 4) Read online

  Nephella blocks Marsilla, sneering over her hair roots, being taller and meaner. “You are not winning, here. I am winning, here. And, I don’t like you manipulating my mama, Marsilla…”

  Marsilla back steps then looks up, viewing Nephella. “I am only seeking justice for a pair of runaways, running away from their assigned outer township. That’s my job, the newbie legal technician. So, I’m doing my job. And, I’d suggest that you start doing your job…”

  “I’m runner up mayor, when the time comes.” Nephella leans into Marsilla. “So, don’t get in my way, puppy.” Her cell rings then she spins around, accessing her cell.

  Marsilla giggles, walking towards the closed door. She exits into the sunlight, slowly walking towards the open bridge. She halts. Marsilla narrows hr eyelashes, staring at the picnic area. She grabs her cell, zooming onto the two individuals in the far corner, the wall barrier corner. She whispers. “What are you, two doing over there?” Marsilla giggles, stretches her cell towards Rincon and Duchie.

  12: 18 pm

  ground level picnic table.

  Duchie coughs then covers her mouth, saying. “Ketona!? Where are you?”

  12:19 pm

  map room balcony

  Marsilla gasps, whispering. “Ketona is there with them.” She narrows her eyelashes, not being able to see the far distance with her natural eye sight then giggles. She drops to her knee then lies on her stomach, stretching her cell towards the picnic corner of the barrier wall, getting a good recording both the actions and words of Duchie and Rincon. She can’t hear the talking conversation, being too far from the transmitter of the cell.

  But, she will listen, later.

  12:20 pm.

  picnic table

  Rincon sits, cutting up the food, leans into Duchie. He whispers. “Act normal, Duchie! Ketona is behind us. Don’t look behind your back, either, in case of spies. She’s inside the farm on the other side of the barrier wall. Ketona…”

  Duchie picks at the food, staring at the concrete bricks of the outside patio. “How’s that possible? How’s she communicating with us? I can hear her voice. My cell’s not operating, either with contact from Ketona...”

  I giggle and smile. “I created a new invention, using magnets. The magnet allows me to scatters the electrons inside the e-field.”

  Rincon says, looking at his eating plate. “Good for you, Ketona. Bad for Hatch and Jara. You helped Hatch and Jara escape from Dandine with your new invention. I’m not surprised and pleased, Ketona. We visited their house, not finding them present. The mayor’s looking for them. Are they living with you, in Burrville? Don’t answer. Your silent is answering it for me.”

  I gasp.

  Rincon says, looking at his eating plate. “You do realize that no person can exit out the barrier wall, if alive, even with permission from their mama and daddy and the mayor. Hatch and Jara are labeled as fugitives. Don’t answer!”

  I gasp.

  Rincon chews then swallows, looking at his eating plate. “The mayor is looking...hunting them down for a robbery in Montag. Hatch and Jara have accused of stealing cookies from the local bakery, since they’re lose and fancy free from Dandine. Don’t comment!”

  I gasp.

  “I bet that you, Buffo, Hatch, and Jara raided Montag. Our friend Lamis didn’t give your identities away, Ketona. However, she had to tattle on both Hatch and Jara. Therefore, Hatch and Jara must turn themselves into the mayor.”

  I gasp.

  Rincon chews then swallows, looking at his eating plate. “The mayor wants to know how Hatch and Jara escaped from the line-up of posted me-chee soldiers. And, how come they didn’t get electrocuted, walking through an e-field? I guess Hatch gets credited with creating your invention, Ketona. I’m sorry. But, they must whisper and tattle about these particular unbelievable mind-blowing events, directly to the mayor. Bring both Hatch and Jara, here, tomorrow night, around eight pm, after sunset. They must be presented to the mayor. They didn’t a choice, but they have a chance…”

  I gasp.

  Rincon says, looking at his eating plate. “Don’t comment! Just, do it! Good bye, Ketona!”

  12:26 pm

  map room

  Nephella says and nods. “Yes, ma’am! On my way,” she exits the map room.

  Marsilla lies over the rough concrete, scratching and tearing her new golden colored leather jumper. Her arms and hands are outstretched over the concrete, holding her cell in the air. The cell points in the far distance.

  Nephella narrows her eyelashes, seeing Rincon and Duchie at the picnic table. They’re eating lunch as Marsilla spies on them. Nephella shakes her curls, lighting the cigar. The cigar smoke burns in white, creating the pleasure odor, reminding of her grandfather.

  Interesting enough, the odor is not activating the sinuses of Marsilla, since she really is enjoying her nosy spying on both Rincon and Duchie.

  Nephella giggles, walking towards open bridge then veers besides Marsilla. She swings her leg, touching then kicking Marsilla’s cell from the hands.

  Marsilla withdraws her hands, shouting. “Hey!”

  The cell falls down 104 floors, not bouncing on the concrete below.

  Nephella laughs and sways the cigar around the pure air waves, polluting the pathway of the bridge for her amusement and Marsilla’s misery. She shouts. “Hay’s for horses, honey.”

  12: 31 pm.

  Burrville

  barrier wall of Colfax and Burrville

  I exhale, jerking out the magnet strip. I view the dirt. “Good bye, Rincon. Great, just great! Hatch and Jara are fugitives and must be presented to the mayor, tattling their secrets. They don’t have any secrets. They didn’t escape from Dandine. I helped them escape. I should be facing the mayor, not Hatch and Jara. And, Buffo and Hatch stole the cookies, not Jara. Why didn’t Rincon propose that solution?”

  I stand, exhaling and walking to the flier. I load into the straps then fly away from the barrier wall, feeling defeat.

  Chapter 4

  Saturday

  Burrville

  birthday party

  7:22 pm. hot. sunset. 98% humidity. no rain. no clouds. 92°F

  I exhale then inhale from the swift dance movements with Buffo, sitting in the wall corner on top of the high stool. I watch the party attendees enjoy the fun day and afternoon.

  Buffo walks up the stairs towards the food table for drinks and a plate of food.

  The converted barn is colored in bright silver tones on the floor, where the me-chees painted the interior room. The walls and ceiling are covered in black glittering paint. The ceiling drops hundreds upon hundreds twirling color five-pointed stars and disc-shaped space star vessels.

  The three pre-teen girls, who are teenage girls, now, priss and prance around in their individual party dresses, smiling and giggling with the young teens, older adults, and elderly grandparents.

  My party surprise is a big success. Every neighbor within forty miles has arrived to enjoy the fun festival, too. Since, the pre-teen girls invited all their school friends, too.

  There is plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment. Some of the neighbors brought along games and activities, also.

  Buffo’s family members are still feeling the aftereffects of the common cold, sitting inside torn ugly chairs or lounging on the ratty sofas. But, all seem to be enjoying both the new guests and the food items.

  The me-chee machines are tucked away inside my farm house for the evening.

  Hatch and Jara dance cheek-to-cheek, smiling and whispering into each other’s face.

  I exhale with sadness. I haven’t told them about surrendering to the mayor, yet. I didn’t want to ruin the day, the afternoon, or the evening, until after sunset.

  Buffo returns, extending his arm. He holds two drinks.

  I exhale, leeching onto his arm, slowly standing then strolling with Buffo.

  We pad outside into the late afternoon.

  Buffo exhales, smiling and nodding. He hands her the dr
ink. She grabs it. He says. “You did a great job with the party, sweetheart. Everyone is both surprised and happy.”

  “Good!” I view the dirt, scooting my cowgirl boots along the field, making lots of dust tornados. I feel sadness.

  He smiles and nods. “My nieces are so happy, dancing around and showing off their new fancy party dresses. You did a good thing, sweetheart!”

  “Good!” I view the dull sky of white clouds and bright stars, dragging my boots along the dirt, stirring up more dust tornados. I feel depressed.

  He smiles and nods. “My grandparents and aunts are very appreciative of your hard work and kindness to their daughters, darling.”

  “Good!” I view the miles of orange dirt, quiet and still in the evening air.

  There’s no planting or plowing on Saturday, usually. Since, Buffo’s family was recovering from the sickness virus. The me-chee machines finished the plowing and planting, yesterday. They worked until midnight.

  I worked until midnight, supervising them, too.

  The crops are ready for the big rain. I sniff, smelling the moisture in the air. The big rainstorm is coming. I feel gloomy.

  Buffo halts, viewing her. “What’s wrong, Ketona? The party’s great. The planting’s done. The day’s hot and sunny, almost over with. And, tomorrow’s the big rain storm. That’s the end of our farming duties, until the end of the summertime. We’re freed up to go and do anything…”

  I view him. “The mayor has declared Hatch and Jara as fugitives. They must be presented in front of the mayor for escaping from Dandine.”

  Buffo drops the drinks and his mouth. “How? When? Where?”

  I exhale. “Tonight, at eight or so!”

  He growls. “Ah, naw! Hatch is not going, neither is Jara. The mayor can’t have them.”

  I exhale, crossing my arms. I nod, whispering. “I agree. But, I have no choice…”

  He growls. “You and me got no stake, here. Hatch is not going…”

  “Buffo, we were all at the bakery shop in Montag, last week for fun. The mayor had visited Montag, discovering our visitation, yesterday. And, Lamis was threatened by the mayor. She only tattled about Jara and Hatch, not us.”

  “Why would Lamis do that?”

  I shake my curls. “Lamis had no choice.”

  “She could’ve…”

  “Lied…”

  Buffo views the dirt. “No. Lying is not right. It’s wrong.”

  “I agree.”

  He views her, tilting his skull. “How do you know all of this?”

  “Hatch doesn’t know.”

  “How do you know all of this, too, Ketona?”

  I raise my cell. “Duchie brought me my personal cell from my house. She lives with my parent. Then, Rincon called me…”

  “Rincon, he can’t do that.”

  “He did.”

  He growls. “Rincon lies. He works for the mayor. I don’t trust him.”

  I exhale, shaking my curls. “I trust him and you and Duchie, too. He contacted me. I flew the flier towards the wall barrier of Colfax and Burrville. I ripped part of the barrier wall then mostly listened to him. The mayor is hunting for Hatch and Jara. They can’t run. They have no place to hide…”

  “They ain’t hiding. They live here…”

  “And, the consequences for your grandparents, your nieces, your aunts?”

  He nods. “What is going to happen to them?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone has ever escaped from one of the outer townships, before.” I exhale. “Look, Hatch and Jara must be presented to the mayor. I guess that I will tell…”

  He exhales. “I will…”

  I view the single tall tree, saying. “This is so sad and bad. Hatch and Jara are fitting into the farm live with the other teens with ease…”

  He nods, cuddling her. “Let’s pull them aside and tell them the bad news. Okay!?”

  I nod.

  Tree

  We walk to the tall single tree, standing inside the miles of field crops.

  Hatch stands from the dirt, wiping off the soil. He laughs, bouncing into Buffo. He slaps Buffo on the bicep then slurps the drink. “Great party!”

  I exhale. “You and Jara did a great job with the decorations and such…”

  Buffo releases Ketona, grabbing and dragging Hatch towards the middle of the field. “I gotta tell ya something, buddy. Okay!?”

  Hatch smiles. “I love living, here, much better than Dookie Town. When can I drive my own farm tractor? I wanna help out, too, not sit around the house all day and night, doing nothing…”

  Buffo exhales. “We need to discuss that, too…”

  They stand in the middle of the field.

  I walk towards the tree.

  The tree stands high and tall with beautiful healthy overstory limbs and tons of green leaves. The slight breeze rustles the leaves and branches.

  I step over bend kneecaps and lying back muscles, finding a tiny spot in the grass near Jara.

  Jara narrows her eyelashes at Buffo and Hatch, leaning into Ketona, whispers. “What are they talking about?”

  “Life…farming and life.” I say and view Buffo and Hatch, also.

  Hatch leans into Buffo, not moving.

  Buffo has told the decree from the mayor. Since, he doesn’t want his blood family relative hurt, either.

  Hatch nods, giving Buffo a hug. He spins around, bowing his chin.

  I stand, feeling the butterflies invade my stomach then my knees wobble. I slide down into the dirt, not moving.

  Jara stands, gigging and smiling. She dashes to Hatch, cuddling into his arms.

  Hatch whispers into her eardrums then she pulls back, shaking her curls. He man-pulls her closer, nodding and whispering into her face.

  She struggles to get free then sobs with tears, shaking her curls.

  Buffo races to Ketona, pulling her from the dirt. “We gotta get them to the exit point, before Jara runs away. Where is it?” He cuddles Ketona, dashing towards the two-seater flier.

  Hatch and Jara slowly walk to another two-seater flier. Hatch dresses in the farm uniform along with Jara. Jara sobs and cries, dressing in her orange farm uniform. Then, he holds the flier as Jara straps inside.

  Riding on a tractor or flying around the air, you wear the farm uniform, keeping the electromagnetic particles away from your face and body. You are only safe inside the house, which is reinforced with protective electrons.

  Buffo and I strap inside the flier then lift off from the dirt.

  Hatch and Jara lift off from the dirt, flying behind Buffo and Ketona.

  7:49 pm.

  barrier wall of Colfax and Burrville

  I finger the wall corner, when Buffo lands the flier.

  Hatch pulls Jara from the flier. She is sobbing and crying. “Why? Why’s this happening to us? Why aren’t Ketona and Buffo coming with us?”

  Hatch says. “They didn’t do anything wrong. We escaped from Dandine. We just tell the truth and then we go back. Right, Buffo!?”

  Buffo exhales, nodding. “Yeah, ya go back to Dandine.”

  “I don’t wanna go back to Dookie Town. I wanna live in Colfax with my parents.”

  Hatch exhales, hugging Jara. “Honey, we can’t. The mayor has declared us fugitives. We have to go and tell the mayor our story. That’s all. Then, we go…”

  “…back there. No. I won’t go.” Jara sobs, shaking her curls.

  I exhale, walking to the barrier wall. I jerk out the three magnet strip then stab them into the wall, feeling both sad and worried.

  The hole opens, when the new face appears. The new face says. “Hey, ya’ll!”

  “Rincon!?” I frown with puzzlement.

  Rincon slaps his finger into his lips. “Sh, ya’ll! We’ll the rescue party. Come on through, Hatch and Jara, now, before we all get caught…”

  Buffo asks. “Where’re they going?”

  Rincon says. “No time for chit-chat!”

  Hatch shoves Jara through
the opening. She jumps across the electromagnet field, without harm, wearing her jumpsuit, hat, gloves, and scarf. Hatch jumps inside, too.

  Rincon winks at Ketona, saying. “Remember, they didn’t a choice, but they have a chance.”

  I exhale, jerking the magnets from the wall.

  The wall opening closes.

  I stand, walking back to the second flier, flying it back home.

  Chapter 5

  8:11 pm

  Barn

  I land the second flier, removing the equipment. I feel so terrible and worried. I exhale, walking towards Buffo.

  We hug each other, exhaling, not talking. We walk back towards the tree, finding it empty. So, we walk towards the barn, finding it crowded and quiet.

  I gasp, standing inside the archway.

  Hatch and Jara are on the screen plasma. They’re sitting with their backs to each other. Their hands are tied behind their backs, too. They sit in the middle of an open floor. They wear golden jumpsuits, which have turned into a golden color, after crossing the e-field into Colfax from Burrville.

  Jara is crying. Hatch is sneering.

  The smirking mayor walks around the couple in the middle of an open floor.

  One of the plasma screens beams from the ceiling, showing the hair roots of Hatch and Jara along with the mayor’s. The second plasma screen is seen sideways, showing the side view of Hatch and Jara with their hands tied, along with the mayor’s smirk.

  I gasp, again.

  Then, the sideways image enlarges, showing Nephella in the corner of the room. She sits inside a glass desk, holding her pen knife, cleaning her fingernails.

  Rincon is opposite of Nephella in a second glass desk, facing and studying both Hatch.

  Duchie sits inside a glass desk in the opposite wall corner of Nephella, staring at Jara.

  Marsilla stands in the opposite corner of Duchie, crossing her arms, smiling in front of her glass desk.

  The mayor walks around the couple, saying with a sneer. “You are the thieves of merchandise. The disruptors of property. The stealers of metal. The destroyers of justice. You are convicted as criminals in the land of Colfax. Your final punishment will depend upon your cooperation in this inquiry, here, now…”