RoboNomics

Chapter 49 - 2016

"Andrea, where are you going?" 

Elizabeth follows me as I rush into the wide expanse of Dundas Square.

"Austin!" 

My gaze flits across the pillars and paving stones of the square. A couple of people run out of the Economic Relief Center with white boxes under their arms. I can smell the food from here. But I don't recognize any of those people.

"Austin!" My ribcage squeezes tight around my lungs.

Sirens scream as a truck in police colors bears down on the square. It backs up onto the curb and the square's sidewalk border. 

"Andrea!" Elizabeth calls over the sirens. "He's not here."

I stop my frantic search and whip around to face her. 

"What do you mean? He was just here. What do you know about it anyways?" 

I examine her face with sudden suspicion.

"Nothing! But look around you, Andrea. Everyone's gone." 

She glances at the police vehicle. Its doors swing open to reveal a platoon of patrol bots. They unfurl their lanky metal limbs one after the other, and enter the square in a line. 

"And we have to get out of here, too. Come on, I'll keep you safe until we find Austin."

"Look, I know that you have no one but yourself to worry about. And I realize that you think the best way to get through this is to cast your lot with those people. But we'll never be safe around them. You can do whatever you want. But I'm not going near them, okay?"

"No, Andrea. It's not okay. I'm not just going to let you wander the streets looking for him. Not while those things are around." 

She points to the bots. 

"Now come on." She grabs my hands and yanks at my arm. But I don't move. I'm rooted to the spot where I last saw Austin.

"Andrea, we don't have time for this." 

Elizabeth watches the bots approach. She adjusts her bandanna over her face and pulls her black hood up over her head. I'm still looking for my husband. 

But there's only the collapsed tent, the empty square, and the robots that walk with loud, long strides straight towards us. I look up into the face of the one in the front of the line. Its sharp metal features and silver eyes match the bot that followed Chris and I the day of the Queen's Park riot.

"Let's go!" Elizabeth cries. 

I relent. I let her lead me as we run from the square. As we exit onto Victoria Street, I look back over my shoulder at the dozens of identical bots as they sift through what's left of the tent. I shiver involuntarily at the sight.

(Continued in Chapter 50...)

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What do you think will happen next? COMMENT and let me know where you think Andrea will find Austin. And VOTE for this chapter if you liked it. It really helps me out here on the WP. :)