Mom stepped forward, grabbed another towel from behind the counter, effectively blocking my view of the officer. “I’ll be fine as long as you’re fine. Run. Now. Before it’s too late.”

I pressed my forehead against hers for a second and then spun.

I ran through the kitchen, dodging the stupid bot. When I got to the back door, I didn’t stop. The sun blinded me, but I kept running. My feet hammered the pavement. People on the street stared at me, but I didn’t care. I moved as fast as I could without giving away what I was to everyone I passed.

I wove around buildings and traffic, not stopping until I was miles away. My breath came in gasps as I slowed to a stop. My legs were burning from the effort. I was still bone tired from last night, and I needed a second.

What do I do now? Where should I go? Where can I hide?

I collapsed on a transit stop’s bench. I needed to get off the street. There were cameras everywhere. The quicker I got off the grid the better. Using the city’s system was a no-go. Too much surveillance and too easy for SpaceTech to stop the bus or trail or pod and hold me until they got there. But I couldn’t hide if I was on foot either. Running was too slow. The cameras would easily track me, but I didn’t have transport.

Wait. I didn’t, but Roan did. He got a beat-up Tykson with a few hundred thousand miles last year. He didn’t use it much, but as far as I knew, it was still running. I quickly dialed him.

Roan’s semitranslucent image popped up in front of my face. “What’s up?”

“I need help.”

A little crease formed between his eyes. “Is that blood on your face?”

I swallowed, but I didn’t need to say anything else.

“Send me your location. I’ll be there in five.” His image cut off, but I glimpsed his helmet in his hand.

At least one thing was going right today.

Time seemed to move painfully slow as I waited for him. Two of my knuckles were split open and bleeding. I sucked on them to stop the sting. Perv’s face was harder than it looked.

I couldn’t stop my knees from bouncing together as I waited for Roan. I was so screwed. I’d broken some rich guy’s nose and dislocated his shoulder. This was so bad. I ran my hands over my face, smearing blood—

Oh God. That wasn’t just my blood I’d sucked off my knuckles.

I stumbled to the nearest alley and threw up.

Once I was done heaving my guts out, I moved behind a dumpster, I could still see the street to watch for Roan, but I was less visible.