Nano Z Read Online Free PDF Page B

another identification card. It also had Bernard's face and name on it. “Galatea Systems” was printed on the card in big blue letters. From the look of it, it was a logo. According to the ID, Bernard was the chief engineer.
    “You want cheese!” yelled Mack from the kitchen.
    “Sure,” answered Amber as she secreted away Bernard Pierce’s wallet, into her hoodie pocket.
    Amber sat back down at the table next to Gustavo. She watched the television. It was either turned to the news or every channel became the news. Either way, that was what she was watching.
    There was video after video of meat puppet attacks. Some were taken with cell phones. Others were captured with legit news cameras. What was clear was that the creatures weren’t contained to just Texas or even the United States.
    No lettuce, tomato, onion or pickles. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers right? All Mack had to work with was some buns and cheese. He put them on some plates and carried them towards the dining room. Mack emerged from the kitchen with burgers in hand. Wedged under in his armpits were bottles of water. He saw Amber with her attention on the TV. Gustavo just stared ahead, silent. A little bit of drool started to dribble down his chin.
    “You seeing this?” asked Amber. Mack slid the plate with her burger on it, in front of her.
    “The news? Let me guess, it isn’t good.” Mack took a bite of his hamburger. “Eat. Who knows when you’ll have hot food again.”
    “It’s everywhere. How is that possible?”
    “No clue. Eat, I’m serious. We can’t linger,” insisted Mack with a mouth full of bun and burger.
    “It doesn’t look like anyone knows what they are. All they said was that people should stay inside.”
    Stay inside and you’re dead. All these peoples’ homes will only serve as comfortable coffins. I need to keep moving. Hopefully there’s someone left here in town. There’s no way I can keep looking after this kid.
    “What did you do before all this? Were you a fireman or a cop or something? I figure you must’ve been seeing how you used that ax.” Amber ripped her burger in half. While asking her questions she didn’t look up at the man she was addressing.
    “I was a prepress technician.”
    There was an awkward silence. Both Amber and Mack just ate their food. Gustavo didn’t chime in. Then Amber looked up at Mack.
    She has no idea what that is. Why should she? She’s fourteen. Mack wiped his mouth and swallowed the food inside it. “Back before everything was online, newspapers and magazines were big business. It was my job to prepare the page, make sure it looked good before getting printed.”
    “So, like what, font and stuff?”
    “Exactly.”
    “My mom used to love magazines. She had a pile of them on our living room table. I don’t know about what was written inside, but I loved the pictures. They were so…I dunno the right word.”
    “Vibrant, rich,” said Mack with a smile.
    “Look at you,” laughed Amber. “Mr. Grumpy all night. Then I talk about magazines and you’re all smiles.”
    “How about you? I assume you were in school. Where?” What are you doing Mack? Don’t ask her any questions. You might become attached.
    “Well I did used to go to East Boone Middle School. That was before I got suspended.”
    “For what?” Stop.
    “Clarissa, this girl in my class was always being bullied. For whatever reason, she wouldn’t stand up for herself. I kinda got sick of seeing her cry. So I decided to beat up the kids making fun of her.”
    “And you got suspended for that?” You’re hopeless.
    “Well… I kind of put one of them in the hospital.” There was a calmness in Amber’s voice which was a little disturbing.
    “Oh.” Mack was a little taken aback. The small teenage girl sitting across from him was more formidable and vicious than he thought. Part of him thought that was a good thing considering their circumstances. But her confession of her violent tendencies,