World-Mart by Leigh Lane

faster.  It also moved more deviants than humans, which filled Virginia with a strange mix of discomfort and ease.  She could look around the shuttle without calling attention to herself, but at the same time, being surrounded by so many deviants at once elicited a programmed response from within her that she couldn’t just rationalize away.  She could feel heavy beads of sweat begin to trickle down her forehead and over the core of her body, and she started to shiver.
    A young deviant woman, also dressed in a sanitation associate’s uniform, turned to Virginia.  “Are you okay?” she asked, sincere concern in her crystalline blue eyes.
    Virginia nodded, although it was clear that she was beginning to panic.  She felt herself go dizzy, and she closed her eyes for a moment in attempt to regain her composure.
    “Try to slow down your breathing,” the woman said, her voice calming.
    Virginia nodded, although she struggled to catch her breath.  She felt like she was suffocating no matter how hard she worked to control her heavy lungs.
    The shuttle came to a stop in a smaller garage, and Virginia forced herself to her feet.  Still feeling uneasy and dizzy with overwhelm, she exited the shuttle and looked for the Line 70 Shuttle track.
    The young woman came up beside Virginia, setting down her heavy backpack.  “Are you lost?”
    Virginia showed her Anne’s directions.  “I’ve never been on this side of town before.”
    “I gathered,” she said.  She helped Virginia to the correct bench, shouldering her backpack, and then sat down with her.  “I’m Mary.”
    “Virginia.”
    They shook hands.
    “I know where you’re going.  I can take you there,” Mary said.
    Virginia smiled gratefully, although she could not wipe the desperation that still filled her thoughts.  “That’s very kind of you.”
    “I just happen to be on my way there, myself,” Mary said.  She patted her backpack.  “I have a present from Power-Corp.”
    The Line 70 Shuttle came in from the left, its brakes squealing as it slowed to a halt in front of them.  The doors opened, and Virginia, Mary, and three other deviants were the only people to board.  Strangely, the shuttle had no security associate.
    “Who’s your friend?” the only man on board asked Mary.  He was young, had dark, shaggy hair, and wore paint-spattered overalls.  His hands were covered with scars, and he carried a large bag.  It looked heavy.
    “This is Virginia,” Mary began.  “She’s new to this area.  Anne gave her directions from the hospital.”
    The young man nodded.  He smiled and extended his hand to Virginia.  “I’m Isaac.”
    Virginia shook his hand, surprised by his grip.  “So you both know Anne?” she asked.
    “We’re all colleagues,” Mary said.
    “Colleagues?”
    “Who is this woman?” Isaac asked, looking suspicious.
    “A casualty of war,” Mary replied, an answer that seemed to satisfy all but Virginia.
    Virginia looked around the shuttle car, suddenly realizing that she wa s the only one there who wa s not in on the secret.  “What war?”
    “Ray will explain everything,” Mary assured her.
    No one said another word as the shuttle slowed, coming to a stop at a small, private hub rather than in a garage.  The rain and hail both continued to come down relentlessly, and the p assengers braced themselves as the door opened.
    “This is our stop,” Mary said.
    All five deviants stepped out, immediately getting soaked by the cold rain.  They shielded their heads and faces from the hail, and all of them began to run down a muddy path carved through a tall, thick field of wild grass.
    Virginia had no idea what she was doing or where specifically she was going, but she ran along with the group, cold and shivering in the rain.  Hailstones the size of marbles pummeled the group, and the wind was painfully cold.  Visibility was low.  The group moved through the trail as quickly as they could.  Virginia felt a strange