Keystones: Altered Destinies by Alexander McKinney Page B

and still somehow thought that he was intruding on his time. “Relax. You helped me out. I thought I was going to die if you didn’t get me to the hospital. I’m appreciative. Now, why are you calling me?”
    Sebastian cracked his knuckles, betraying his nervous tension. “Because of the dogs.”
    Deklan’s lighter mood immediately vanished. Sebastian’s words served to confirm his suspicions. “There have been more attacks then?”
    “How’d you know?”
    “When I was in the ER, I was surrounded by people who had been attacked by animals. I don’t think there was a single ‘normal’ injury in there. People were complaining about scary experiences they’d had involving an animal or a new Keystone.”
    “I don’t know what to do about it,” said Sebastian.
    “Well, what you’ve been doing has been pretty admirable.”
    “Thank you.” Sebastian’s cheeks flushed at the praise.
    “Even so it’s a futile enterprise. We’re badly outnumbered, and this has only been the first couple of days. I think it’s going to get worse.”
    “Why?”
    Deklan gathered his thoughts. “The animals are going to get bolder. Right now they’re adjusting to a new reality where they aren’t as low in the pecking order as they used to be. Once they understand that instinctually, they’re going to become a more aggressive threat.”
    “You’re painting a bleak picture,” replied Sebastian.
    “Yes, but you’ve already started to figure this out, or you wouldn’t be calling me.”
    Sebastian nodded, not denying what Deklan was saying. “What are you doing about it?” he asked.
    “I’m going to Boa Vista in Brazil.”
    Sebastian put a hand to his forehead the way people do when they’re trying to remember something. “Isn’t that in the jungle?”
    “No, not since they completed an Elevator there. The city came out of its recession.”
    “An Elevator?” Comprehension lit in Sebastian’s eyes. “You’re going off planet?”
    “I think it’s the safest place to be right now.”
    “What if we fight back?”
    Deklan raised his eyebrows. “Have there been other concerned citizens helping out the way you have?”
    Sebastian’s eyes darted back and forth, unfocused as he thought back over the last day. “Not many, no.” He looked up again, relief on his face. “What about the military?”
    “It’s possible, but I wouldn’t bank on it.”
    “So you think I should go off planet too?”
    “I think it’s a good idea.”
    Sebastian tugged at one of his feathers. “How would I get to an Elevator?”
    “Fly. Just to be clear, I do mean by plane. It’s about forty-eight hundred kilometers or so.”
    Sebastian leaned back and crossed his arms. “I don’t think I can get on a plane anymore.”
    Deklan didn’t quite catch his meaning. “You don’t fit?”
    “That too. When I sit, my wings get in the way, or they need to be unfurled and off to the sides. Moreover, I’m claustrophobic.”
    “Find a cargo plane,” suggested Deklan. “I had to fly on one for a movie stunt. They’re roomy.”
    The wheels turned in Sebastian’s head before an answer came. When he spoke again, he sounded more sure of himself. “I’m going to get to an Elevator.”
    “Well, I’m headed to Terra Ring Two. If you make it up there, or down to Boa Vista, feel free to call me.”
    Deklan turned around to find his mother staring at him like a deer frozen in headlights. “Was all of that true?” she asked.
    He knew that he had to be careful not to panic her, but he couldn’t lie. She wouldn’t believe him this time. “I’m not sure how much you overheard, but the short answer is yes.”
    “You know Michael? You think civilization is going to end? You nearly died?” Her voice sped up with each question.
    Deklan inclined his head to the left and couched his response in the driest tone he could muster. “I’m distressed by the priorities indicated by the order of those questions, but yes, sort of, and no.”
    “Yes,