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The town had been drained of its life soo, that much was clear by the complete and total lack of upkeep of its businesses and horown used to over the past year, to the point that I didn’t feel the creeping sense of dread that caraveyards, or homes that had been chained and boarded up So not even California, which had run independently from the rest of the nation under the Federal Coalition, had been immune to the new normal of econo through

"People could be staying here," I said "They would stake it as their territory--"

"Look at the cars here," Cole said, "the a here awhile I haven’t seen any h the hotel’s s or around the periray Toyota"

I turned off the engine as he double-checked that Clancy was still out and still secured with zip ties He went to inspect the other cars to find a working one with gas, and I jumped down from the driver’s seat and all but ran around to the back to untie the tarp The three of theht

Cool rain streaked down my face and neck as I helped the others down froe, wonderful, indescribable smell that was unique to stor around Liam’s arht?"

Liam nodded and squeezed my shoulder as he passed by "Chubs--wait--dalasses, the kid couldn’t see a thing Chubs caught his toe on a pothole in the pavement and went down before Liaet his friend back on his feet, he led Chubs toward the edge of thelot and they disappeared around the corner By the lack of explanation and how quickly they were uess about what kind of business they were conducting

"Was it as special up front as it was in the back?" Vida asked, hopping down next to me Her joints popped as she stretched her arms and back

"No one’s killed each other," I said "Was it terrible back there?"

"Nah," Vida said with a shrug "A little uncomfortable and cold at some points You took a sharp turn somewhere and Grannie copped a feel by mistake He looks like he wants to die of sha to milk that shit for all it’s worth"

"Do you have to?" I asked pointedly

"Whatever He was ame of who could think up the worst nicknauess, you won?"

"It was Boy Scout, actually I mean, come on Even I couldn’t top Chubby Chubby Choo Choo I alive Chubs a good, long hug before we set off again