Nikolas and Company: The Merman and The Moon Forgotten by Kevin McGill Page A

The farther away, the worse
it gets.”
    “Isn’t it for their safety?”
    “Not even,” Nick’s voice rose. “The
Geneva virus is out of control at the refugee camps. Most of the
refugees die before they’re eighteen. BioFarms counts on it ‘cause
they have a contract with the government. Cheaper to harvest organs
than to grow them yourself. Leashes make sure the refugees don’t
run away with their precious property. It’s not right,
Grand.”
    “I have seen darkness in my time, but
this is unheard of,” Grand said. “Surely the U.S. government
wouldn’t allow it. Its own citizens?”
    Haley sneered, “BioFarms foots the
bill, and the U.S. looks the other away. It’s considered
bioethically responsible to pass your organs on, so a few fancy
lawyers have their own souls removed, and then draft up the legal
papers. BioFarms can leash us, brand us, chip us, or whatever else
they feel is necessary to protect their assets.”
    “They come with us,” said
Nick.
    “You’re serious, Nikolas. Aren’t you?”
said Caroline.
    “Yes. I am. This could be your home.”
Nick turned back around to Grand. “Sorry, Grand, but we’re a
package deal.”
    Grand nodded slowly. “It is
so. But their very lives are in your hands, Nikolas. You are
responsible.”
    “Yeah, of course,” Nick realized how
non-committal that sounded. “I mean—yes—responsible—I’m
responsible.”
    “Nikolas? Responsible? OK. I’m done.”
Tim stepped in between Grand and Nick. “When did everyone take a
swan dive into the Kool-aid? I’m sorry, Grand. I’m sure you think
we’re just kids who’d believe any crazy story about tethered worlds
and cities that speak to stewards or something, but we don’t. The
trackers are just genetic mutations. You’re using nano-technology
for the dust. And you OD’d on some illegal substance playing World
of Witches and Wizards.”
    “Grand isn’t crazy.” Nick
rounded on Tim. “He’s Grand. I believe him.”
    “That’s a no-brainer. Of course you do.
‘Cause you’re like, the most naïve person on the planet. Grand is
senile. Look around. Do you think anyone else believes Earth and
Moon were lassoed together? By magic? Like some old bedtime
story?”
    “I do.” Caroline poked her hand
up.
    Xanthus straightened. “There’ll
definitely be pain involved if someone tries to stop
me.”
    “Really?” Tim said. “Caroline? Xanthus?
Really?”
    “Did you see those things?” Brandy
pointed toward Colorado City. “They ain’t from around
here.”
    “Where would we live?” Caroline said.
“Do you rent your own house?”
    “I own my own house. In fact, I own
Oxbar Estates and all the property that resides therein. Over three
hundred acres of land, just outside of Huron.”
    “Does it have a dining room? Like in
the old movies?”
    “Yes. Five, to be exact. Six floors.
And a kitchen the size of a tavern.”
    “ So—” Brandy waved her hand.
“—are there balls and dances and stuff?”
    “Coaches studded with diamonds driven
by a flock of geese will escort you to the finest balls in the
valley.”
    Brandy grabbed Caroline’s hand, trying
not to squeal herself into a cardiac arrest.
    “I must warn you, though. Mon carries
its own danger,” Grand said.
    “It isn’t the danger—” Haley’s hand
unconsciously moved over her naked wrist. “—It’s that we can’t
protect ourselves from it.”
    “You will be given the latitude and
freedom that comes with youth at your age,” said Grand. “I will
make you all wards of the House of Lyons.”
    Haley turned to Brandy and Caroline.
“Then, we’re going. At least, the Wendells are.”
    “Come on,” said Tim. “Just like that?
Daniel?”
    Daniel shifted his cane. “Science could
only profit from such a trip. Yes, I will go.”
    “Wha—?” Tim looked shell-shocked. “Oh.
I get it. You’re all under the Nick spell.”
    “Excuse me?” Haley scrunched her
face.
    “Yeah. This has nothing to do with the
Geneva virus or