Like it hasn’t been interesting enough?
They stowed his uniform, the jeans, the other T-shirt, and a pair of shorts and a top for her into a duffle bag.We’re acquiring a lot of stuff. We can’t carry much more.
“Let’s go meet your brother,” she said.
Chapter Nineteen
They pedaled down the roadway, weaving between sidewalk and road, avoiding obstacles. Nerves tightened his stomach the closer they got to their destination.
Chloe had asked what he would do after meeting Grav. Too murky to envision, the future would depend on how the reunion went, what the human-Progg situation was, and mostly, whatshewished to do. If forced to choose between her and Grav, he would pick her, but he prayed to Zok it didn’t come to that.
Something had shifted while they’d been at the big store. She smiled more. Touched him often. He’d almost swear she looked at him differently. Her voice had a softer tone.
As they approached a big quad landscaped with trees, she consulted her map. “This is Park Central Square. The Gillioz should be right around the corner.” She turned to peer behind her and then ahead. “Do you notice anything different about this street?”
“Like what?”
“There are no cars here. For like the past mile!”
“You’re right!” He hadn’t noticed until she’d mentioned it, but they’d been pedaling unobstructed down the middle of the street. While some roadways were less congested than others, all streets had some cars, but this one had none.
“Strange…but hey. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, right?” she said.
“What does that mean?”
She laughed. “Be happy with your good fortune.”
He was. Chloe was with him, and very soon, he’d reunite with his brother.
They turned onto another street devoid of vehicles, but this one had been barricaded to prevent autos from entering. She braked in front of a building and pointed at the marquee. He couldn’t read the big bold letters. “What does it say?”
“Survivor Meeting today. Five p.m.” She checked her watch. “We have forty minutes.” She looked at him. “Nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Me, too. Let’s go in. Maybe he’s here early.”
The doors were propped open, and they wheeled their bikes into a long hall. Lit only by sunlight, hemade out reddish-brown stone walls forming a faux-arch design along the length. An unlit crystal chandelier dangled from the high ceiling. Carpeting led to three open doors beneath a railed balcony at the far end of the hall.
“Looks like that’s where we go,” Chloe said. “Let’s leave Kevin and the bikes here and check out the theater.”
He peered through an open door into a dark auditorium, illuminated only by flickering lights at the far end of the huge room. Outside, an easel held a sign written in English.
“Bring a flashlight, come in, and sit in the front row,” she read aloud.
They each grabbed a light from a box under the easel, switched them on, and ventured inside. He swept the beam around. Rows and rows of seats descended to a stage. As they made their way down the aisle, he could see the glowing lights were candelabra.
“The flashlights were a good idea. I’d trip over my own feet without one,” she whispered.
“I can see quite well. I won’t let you fall.” He cupped her elbow. “Why are we whispering?”
“I don’t know,” she replied with a laugh, and then yelled out, “Hello? Anybody home?”
Nobody replied.
Upon reaching the stage, Chloe cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hello!” she yelled again. “Anybody there? Hello?” No answer. “I guess we’re the first.”
“Or the only,” he said glumly. “Maybe Grav and Laurel aren’t here at all.”
