Gone (Gone #1)(85)

"Like if someone installed a viru; in the software of the old universe."

"Right. It started small. Some changes in individuals. Petey. You. Caine. Kids more than adults because kids are less fully formed, they're easier to alter. Then, on that morning, something happened that tipped the balance. Or maybe several somethings"

"How do we get through that barrier, Astrid?"

She laid her hand over his. "Sam, Pm not sure there is a 'through/ When I say we're in a different universe, I mean we may not have any point of contact with the old universe. Maybe we're like soap bubbles that can drift together and join. But maybe we're like soap bubbles a billion miles apart"

"Then what's on the other side of the barrier?"

"Nothing," she said. "There is ro other side. The barrier may be the end of all that is, here ih this new universe."

"You're depressing me," he said, trying and failing to make it lighthearted.

She twined her fingers through lis."I could be wrong"

"I guess I'll find out in... what is today? In less than a week."

Astrid had no answer for that. They sat together and gazed out over the desert. In the distance a lone coyote trotted along, nose down to catch a seen: of prey. A pair of buzzards inscribed lazy circles against the sky.

After a while Sam turned toward Astrid and found her lips waiting. It felt easy and natural As easy and natural as something could feel that made Sam's heart threaten to break out of his chest.

They drew apart, saying nothing. They leaned against each other, both reveling in that simple physical contact. "You know what?" Sam said at last. "What?"

"I can't spend the next tour days in a permanent cringe" Sam said.

Astrid nodded, a movement he felt rather than saw.

"You make me brave, you know?" Sam said.

"I was just thinking that I don't want you to be brave anymore," Astrid said. "I want you to be with me. I want you to be safe and not go looking for tremble, just stay with me, stay close to me."

"Too late" he said with forced lightness. "If I blink out, where does that leave you and Lr tie Pete?"

"We can take care of ourselves," she lied.

"YouVe very contusing, you know that?" Sam said.

"Well, you're not as smart as I am, so you're easy to contuse "

He grinned. Then grew serious again. He stroked her hair with one hand. "The thing is, Astrid, I can spend the time being afraid, trying to find a way to escape. Or I can spend the time standing up. Maybe then, f I do disappear, maybe at least you and Little Pete .. "

"We could all just—" she began.

"Nah. We couldn't. We couldn't just hide out in the woods eating dehydrated camping food. We can't just hide."

Astrid's lip trembled and she brushed at a tear just forming.

"We have to go back. At least. I do. I have to stand up " As if to illustrate the point, Sam stood up. He took Astrid's hand and drew her after him. Together they walked back to the others.

"Edilio. Quinn. I have made a lot of mistakes. And maybe I'm making one now, too. But I'm tired of avoiding a light. And Pm tired of trying to run away. Pm very, very worried Pm going to get you all killed. So you guys all have to decide for yourselves whether you want togo with me. But I have to go back to Perdido Beach."

"We're going to fight Caine?" Qninn asked in alarm.

"About time," Edilio said.

"Welcome to McDonald's," Albert said, "How may I help you?"

"Hey, Albert" Mary said. She looked up at the menu, which had a number of items covered over with taped-on black construction paper. Salads had disappeared quickly. Milk shakes were gone because the machine had broken down.

Albert waited patiently and smiled at the little girl with Mary. Mary noticed and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I should introduce you. This is Isabella. Isabella, ihis is Albert"

"Welcome to McDonald's," Albert said.

"Isabella is new. A search learn just found her and brought her in."

"My mom and dad are gone"Isabella said. "I know. My parents are gone, too," Albert replied. "I guess a Big Mac and a Biggie fries for me," Mary said. "And a kid's meal for Isabella." "Chicken nuggets or hamburger?" "Nuggets"

"And would you like that Big Mac with a bagel bun, an English muffin bun, or on a waffle?"

"Waffle?"

Albert shrugged. "Sorry, Mary, but there's no fresh bread to be found anywhere* I'm using anything frozen I can get for buns. And of course there's no lettuce, but you know that"

"Still have special sauce?"

"I have about fifty gallons of Big Mac sauce. And as far as pickles, Tm good forever. Let me^ei your order started. I'd go with the bagel bun, I was you."

"Bagel, then."

Albert dropped a fresh basket of fries into hot oil. Then an order of nuggets in a second basket. He punched both timers. He moved with ease to the grill and slapped three patties down.

He laid out the bagel, squirted on some sauce, sprinkled onions, placed two pickle chips in the center of the bagel top.

He waited and watched Mary trying to cheer Isabella up in the dining area. The little girl was solemn and seemed on the edge of tears.