A knot forms on my insides as I approach. Zach is either here, or this is a dead end. No gray area. It’s a medium-size building, with a track heading out one door and going in another. Old rusty ride vehicles that look like sporty convertibles queue up on the track. The outside of the building depicts an earthquake scene from San Francisco, with bridges collapsing and people running in terror. A largeEarthquakemarquee covers the front.
There’s no sign of Zach.
I call out loud enough to be heard in the immediate area but not so loud as to attract outside attention. “Zach. You around, Zach?”
Nothing.
I reach for a flashlight from a backpack. Maybe he’s taking shelter inside.
The all too familiar click of a gun being cocked comes from behind me.
“Now you just hold on there. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
It’s the voice of elderly woman. She talks slowly and has the slightest drawl. I put my hands up as she instructs.
“Now turn around. Slowly.”
I turn to see a woman in blue jeans and an oil-stained shirt with the nameJoembroidered on it. Her long brown hair is speckled with gray and drawn back into a ponytail. She’s got a cocked rifle pointed right at me.
“I’m looking for a friend I lost. I don’t mean any harm.”
The woman eyes me suspiciously and keeps her gun aimed at my chest.
Behind me, rusty hinges groan in protest as the entrance to the dark ride opens. A familiar voice calls out. “Jo, it’s okay. He’s a friend.”
Jo lowers her gun immediately, and I turn toward the voice. I drop both packs, run over, and give Zach an enormous bear hug, holding back tears of joy.
Chapter Twenty
Like a Dream
ZACH
I was so worried I’d never see Aiden again. But I hoped he would remember Cedar Grove. Remember my story about it. The one conceivable place that would make sense to meet around here. And he remembered. He found me. And now he’s in my arms.
He didn’t hesitate. He just ran to me, and now the warmth of his body radiates as his arms hold me close, pressing me against him. His hands are trembling as he whispers into my ear, “I’m so glad I found you.”
I laugh from pure joy and whisper back, “Me too. I thought I might not see you again.”
He takes a deep breath and draws me in closer. This is the first time Aiden’s shown me this much deliberate affection. I don’t want this feeling to end.
Jo clears her throat loudly.
“Oh, sorry, Jo.” I pull out of the hug, my face burning. “Jo, this is Aiden. He’s the friend I told you about.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Jo raises a hand in a wave.
“Likewise.” Aiden returns the wave.
“When I got here yesterday, I bumped into her. She was part of the maintenance team, and she’s been living here since the Great Collapse.” I smile at Jo. “We—ah—kinda hit it off. Shared love of the place.”
Jo beams. “Can’t think of a place I’d rather be at the end of the world.” She raises her head and looks around, smiling.
Aiden studies Jo as if sizing her up. “How’d you keep people out? Seems like the militias have an iron grip on the area.”
“Ah-ha!” Jo yells. She takes a little remote control out of her pocket and presses a button. Faint sparking noises come from various directions. “Not bad, huh?”
Aiden looks confused, so I explain.
