< previous page page_323 next page >

Page 323
as streaked by the black substance as her arms and hands.
"Get out of here, miss," came the voice behind her.
She turned to the man in a blue jacket and gray pants whose bushy brows were drawn down in anger. His hands were filled with a chain, lock, and keys.
"Gladly," she said, "but I've lost my way. Can you show me how to get out?"
"Yeah, come on." He began to walk back the way he had come.
She noted through the surrounding trees the low buildings around her, one atop a hill; the density of other large edifices; cars on the street along the fence. If she'd had any doubts before, these were evidence that she had reached the future. The beasts on the bank remained unmoving, and she guessed now that they were models of creatures that had once roamed here and left their bones behind.
Pulling off her uncomfortable bonnet and jamming it into the top of her tote bag, Abby followed the man, picking her way carefully along the grass abutting the pool. He asked, "How'd you get in? The gates were all locked."
Abby tried to look helplessly feminine. "I don't recall."
He opened the nearest gate. "Don't do it again," he warned. "It's illegal."
Abby hardly heard. Mike had mirrored their progress from outside the fence. Suddenly she was in his arms.

 
< previous page page_323 next page >