Read Online Divided Worlds Trilogy 01 - Disconnect by Imran Siddiq - Free Book Online

sections rose back to the ceiling, but Zachary read enough to bring goose bumps up all over his neck.
    “Districts One to Four to be evacuated.”

Chapter 8 - Delete
    Labourers from the Far-Wall mixed within the frantic crowd in the bartering camp. Even they hadn’t escaped the paper drop.
    Inside the stall, Shekhar’s head jerked like a wrenched bolt toward Zachary. “You’re back too? Is everyone striking because of some sick joke? Fine, give me your stuff and get out of here. I expect double off you all tomorrow.”
    Diego submitted the bag of marbles. Sparkles off the contents almost distracted Zachary from the object beside Shekhar’s heel. A decapitated human head. Letting other scavengers pass him, Zachary lowered his gaze a little. That had to be a part of Biro’s android. Light brown skin with curled black hair, and no eyes.
    Shekhar knocked a marble on the pedestal. “Either you got lucky, or Mister Connor’s taught you well. You’ll get your reward tomorrow, once I’ve assessed everything. Okay, everybody leave.” He bent down and picked up the head.
    Diego struggled for breath. “What is that?”
    Shekhar held it up. “An android.”
    “But, it looks …” began Diego, then shut his mouth.
    Shekhar shook the head. “Repulsive? But worth a lot if we get more of these.” Descending the barrel-steps, his voice trailed. “Try not to have nightmares.”
    Zachary stood behind the recruit. “Are you okay?”
    Diego’s tongue slithered over his lips. “Yeah. I … I didn’t think Overworld could do that. They’re not meant to – are they? There are laws.”
    “There’re probably laws about not doing paper drops. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Diego seized his arm. “You’re not a bad person. Thanks for today.”
    So used to being termed a boy, Zachary felt showered with responsibility from the recruit’s words. “We’re scavengers. Don’t get all sweet with me.”
    * * *
    Paper-fuelled fires within dugout pits lit the streets of Shantytown. Zachary ducked under the specks of tinged ash floating in the air. From afar he’d noticed the glow from the lantern inside his home.
    Two well-built men sat around the table, with Marcus leaned against the partition wall. A mound of paper rested on the stove. All nodded to acknowledge Zachary’s entry.
    Juan, his dad’s Far-Waller friend, rattled his knuckles on the table. As always his black hair looked slick. “It was never like this the last time.”
    This has happened before , thought Zachary, removing his coat.
    He accepted the “leave-the-room” signal from his dad, and moved to his bedroom. Stopping before he reached his bed, but out of sight of his dad, he listened.
    Marcus grumbled. “You make it sound like it happens all the time. Nine years ago, Juan. We had two days of papers dropping out of the ceiling. And what happened? Nothing. They dropped. They stopped.”
    “And you still think it’s because Overworlders don’t like the way we live?” asked Gavin, who slurred his words between his bulging lips. Always known for getting involved in a brawl, he’d often leave with the greater amount of injuries. “I don’t understand why it bothers them. We live down here, out of their way, never getting involved in their business. We make homes out of their waste, and clean the vents. They need us to stop the Base from becoming a stinking pot.”
    “This is just a sick joke of propaganda aimed at disrupting us,” added Marcus.
    “What if you’re wrong, Connor? What if they mean it this time?” said Juan.
    Marcus lowered his tone. “Think about it. Districts One to Four. How would you move everybody, and to where?”
    Zachary heard paper crumple.
    “No dates. No time. Nothing. District Five, if they’ve got any sense, will be locking down their borders. Gavin, you’ve been to Five. You know how proud they are. And don’t get me started on IOTA. Their ships. Their stock.”
    “Say what you want, I’m going to leave. I got three