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Silo 18

22

A small bunkroom had been set up for the kids, with a private rooe to one of his hands with both of hers Courtnee told the sent down and then they could shower A stack of clean coveralls sat on one of the bunks, a bar of soap, a feorn children’s books But first, she introduced a tall man in the cleanest pale red coveralls Ji

"I’ Jihter"

Jimmy didn’t understand And then he remembered that Juliette’s last name was Nichols He pretended to be brave while this tall, clean-shaven man peered into his eyes and mouth Next, a cold piece of metal was pressed to Jih his tubes It all see from Jimmy’s distant past

Jimmy took deep breaths as he was told The children watched warily, and he realized what a e He nearly laughed – but he was supposed to be breathing for the doctor

Elise volunteered to go next Dr Nichols lowered hi tooth He asked about fairies, and when Elise shook her head and said she’d never heard of such a thing, a died to be next

"Are fairies real?" Miles asked "We used to hear noises in the farrew up"

Marcus wiggled in front of his brother "I saw a fairy for real one day," he said "And I lost twenty teeth when I was young"

"You did?" Dr Nichols asked "Can you smile for me? Excellent Now open your mouth Twenty teeth, you say"

"Uh-huh," Marcus said He wiped his rowed back except for the one Miles knocked out"

"It was an accident," Miles complained He lifted his shirt and asked to have his breaths heard Jiether around their infant as they studied the proceedings He also noted that Dr Nichols, even as he looked over the two boys, couldn’t stop glancing at the baby in Hannah’s ariven a diood luck for twins," Dr Nichols said "Parents put two of these under their pillows in the hopes of having such healthy boys as you"

The twins bean of a faded face or portion of a word to suggest they were real "Rickson used to be a twin too," Miles said

"Oh?" Dr Nichols shifted his attention to the older kids sitting side by side on the lower bunk

"I don’t want to take the implant," Hannah said coolly "My mother had the implant, but it was cut out of her I don’t want to be cut"

Rickson wrapped an arm around her and held her close He narrowed his eyes at the tall doctor, and Jimmy felt nervous

"You don’t have to take the ilanced at Courtnee "Do you mind if I listen to your child’s heartbeat? I just want to --"

"Why wouldn’t it be?" Rickson asked, thrusting his shoulders back

Dr Nichols studied the boy a hter, didn’t you? Juliette"

He nodded "Briefly," he said "She left soon after"

"Well, she sent me down here because she cares about your health I’est of the and healthy I just want to be sure" Dr Nichols held up thetubes and pressed his palainst it "There So it’ll be nice and war a listen"

Ji had been checked and wondered why the doctor hadn’t warmed it for him

"For a dime?" Rickson asked

Dr Nichols smiled "How about a few chits, instead?"

"What’s a chit?" Rickson asked, but Hannah was already adjusting herself on the bunk so the doctor could have a look

Courtnee rested a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder while the check-ups continued Jimmy turned to see what she needed

"Juliette wanted me to call her as soon as you all were over here I’ll be back to check on you in a little while--"

"Wait," Jimmy said "I’d like to come I want to speak with her"

"Me too," said Elise, pressing against his leg

Courtnee frowned "Okay," she said "But let’s be quick, because you all need to eat and get freshened up"

"Freshened up?" Elise asked

"If you’re going to go up and see your new home, yeah"

"New hoo

••••

Jimmy hurried out the door and down the hall after Courtnee Elise grabbed her shoulder bag, the one that held her heavy book, and sca beside him

"What did sheback to our real home?"

Jimmy scratched his beard and wrestled with truth and lies We o home, he wanted to say No ain