Criminal Destiny Read Online Free PDF

shouts. It’s like a guy who’s been fed bread and water his whole life suddenly stumbling into a humongous feast with every kind of food and drink imaginable.
    I’m a clone; my whole life up to now has been a big lie; the people I considered my parents are scientists; I’m on the run from purple commandos; my chances of having any kind of future seem uncertain and very slim—I get all that. But I take a moment to drink it in. A city. A real city.
    I’ve spent thirteen years longing for this kind of place. Dreaming about it. And finally, here I am.
    We get bumped around a lot because we’re staring up at tall buildings instead of walking. There are muttered comments about “stupid kids” and “tourists,” which makes no sense, because this is definitely not a vacation. Tori is nearly flattened by a little old lady who looks like somebody’s grandmother. I take a briefcase in the side from a passing businessman.
    I’m not Tori; I ram my shoulder into his chest. Then I stand there defiantly, waiting for him to give me a hard time about it.
    He doesn’t. He just takes his lumps and keeps on going. Maybe this is how you get along here—by standing up for your space.
    â€œEverybody’s so mean ,” Tori complains.
    â€œI don’t think they are,” Eli muses. “They’re just busy. They’ve got places they have to go and things they need to do.”
    He’s right. People are running for buses, getting into cars and taxis, rushing in and out of stores and office buildings. At least half of them seem to be late, and moving with urgent purpose. Nobody rushes like that in Happy Valley, where anyplace you have to get to is no more than a few minutes away and the last traffic jam was never.
    â€œIn Serenity, it only seemed like people had busy lives,” Amber observes. “Their only real job was watching us.”
    â€œAm I supposed to be flattered?” I rumble.
    â€œLet’s get off the main street,” Eli suggests.
    We round the first corner, and turn again down a narrow lane that cuts behind the bus station. At last, quiet—and a chance to stand still without being buffeted from all sides. It’s not quite like being back in Serenity, of course. There’s a buzz to Denver that never completely goes away. The only buzz in Happy Valley is from the bugs.
    It takes us a minute to realize that we’re not alone in the alley. About thirty feet away are two guys, and at first, I can’t quite figure out what they’re doing. For starters, they’re a mismatched pair—one guy well dressed and groomed, theother scruffy and unshaven.
    Then I catch sight of a glint of metal—a knife !
    Scruffy has the suit guy up against the wall and is holding the knife to his back.
    My heart starts pounding so hard that it echoes in my ears. It’s terrifying, and yet I’ve never been so excited in my life. This is a robbery, a real-life crime!
    â€œHey!” Suddenly, Amber is running toward the two men. “You stop that!”
    Scruffy wheels and now the knife is pointing at Amber.
    Eli and Tori are frozen with horror. I have to admit I’m pretty freaked out myself. But Amber is ready to take on the world.
    Scruffy takes a threatening step toward her. “Back off, little girl!”
    â€œYou back off!” she spits at him.
    Believe it or not, the first sign of fear comes from the criminal. “You think I won’t cut you because you’re a kid?” His voice comes out a little high.
    Amber doesn’t seem frightened at all. She starts lecturing the crook in what sounds eerily like her mother’s teacher voice. “You don’t even know who you’re robbing. This is a crime against yourself!”
    We’re all pretty scared, especially the victim, who’spressed up to the wall, unsure if his mugging is still on.
    Scruffy’s eyes widen even farther. “Now