and I really can’t explain why I was released.”
Getty thought about what she said as he peered out to the winding and hilly highway. He remarked, “Maybe, someone was looking out for you, or maybe, they believed you didn’t kill anyone.”
“I guess,” Coraset closed her eyes and scooted down in the seat hoping Getty would understand she didn’t want talk anymore.
They drove through Barstow, a town once home to many US Army soldiers and other retired military personnel after over an hour of driving. The town that set on a hill was now empty. The desert was taking back its property. Every home and business had years of dust and dirt accumulated in it. Coraset could feel the emptiness, even though their drive through was quick.
When they reached Victorville, Getty stopped to get fuel. He pulled into a fuel station only meant for tractor trailers. Coraset and Rudy remained in the truck as Getty stretched his legs and refilled his thirsty ride. The place had only an Erato Constabulary Officer and another gas station attendant. Getty didn’t stay long, as his schedule was strict and must be adhered to.
When they drove through the pass between San Antonio Mount and the mountains that lead up to the Valley of Enchantment and Big Bear, the earth began to change. Trees and desert underbrush mixed together, but soon nature’s lush personality took over the landscape. The air wasn’t so dry and hot. The foliage was a welcome site.
Clearly seen from the freeway, s igns of a once vibrant community peeked through overgrown trees. Silence was the owner for most of the homes now. The truck kept moving, not slowing down enough for Coraset to catch any glimpse of anything specific.
Getty’s eyes pooled , feeling utterly overwhelmed at the silent accomplishment of man across the terrestrial. No matter how many times he drove this route, his heart never stopped aching for mankind. So much life, absolutely flushed away by something that could only be seen by a microscope.
Getty asked, “Do you think there are people still out there, Coraset?”
“ I’m sure there is.”
Getty wiped his face with his shirt sleeve and said, “I’m sorry, Coraset. I’m worse than an old lady, sitting over here blubbering. I just wish times were back the way it was. I missed those stupid mundane things that used to get me upset.”
“Like what, Getty?” Coraset asked curiously.
“I used to sit in traffic on this highway, and I used to wish everyone was gone so I could get to where I was going faster. I’d get so aggravated. Man, I never imagined my wish coming true like this. We were the only ones on this entire freeway, not a single car or truck on our way here. I should have wished to win the lottery instead.”
“Strange how there was better odds on nearly everyone dying,” Coraset remarked with a little chuckle.
Getty looked over at Coraset. He didn’t want to laugh, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t deny she was on the mark with that statement.
Soon, they saw Erato, old L.A., rising in the distance. The grey skyscrapers rose above the cement wall. Some buildings were completed with flags of the Federation on top. Others were halfway finished, the steel frames spiking into the air with no windows. The royal palace loomed in the center with a doomed white marble top.
“Wake up, Rudy,” Corase t said as she touched his hand.
She wasn’t sure they were going to make it through the checkpoint. The computer didn’t list any problems. She didn’t want to take a chance and get her old friend in trouble at the gate.
“Getty,” Coraset remarked as he kept a steady velocity on the highway around the walled city. “You can drop us outside the gate. If you’re caught with us, you’ll be in trouble, too.”
“They’re not looking for you, Coraset. We would have heard by now. I’ll get you in the gate. Get in the back with Rudy.”
“Are you sure about this?” Coraset’s nerves were on end.
“I’m not
Getty thought about what she said as he peered out to the winding and hilly highway. He remarked, “Maybe, someone was looking out for you, or maybe, they believed you didn’t kill anyone.”
“I guess,” Coraset closed her eyes and scooted down in the seat hoping Getty would understand she didn’t want talk anymore.
They drove through Barstow, a town once home to many US Army soldiers and other retired military personnel after over an hour of driving. The town that set on a hill was now empty. The desert was taking back its property. Every home and business had years of dust and dirt accumulated in it. Coraset could feel the emptiness, even though their drive through was quick.
When they reached Victorville, Getty stopped to get fuel. He pulled into a fuel station only meant for tractor trailers. Coraset and Rudy remained in the truck as Getty stretched his legs and refilled his thirsty ride. The place had only an Erato Constabulary Officer and another gas station attendant. Getty didn’t stay long, as his schedule was strict and must be adhered to.
When they drove through the pass between San Antonio Mount and the mountains that lead up to the Valley of Enchantment and Big Bear, the earth began to change. Trees and desert underbrush mixed together, but soon nature’s lush personality took over the landscape. The air wasn’t so dry and hot. The foliage was a welcome site.
Clearly seen from the freeway, s igns of a once vibrant community peeked through overgrown trees. Silence was the owner for most of the homes now. The truck kept moving, not slowing down enough for Coraset to catch any glimpse of anything specific.
Getty’s eyes pooled , feeling utterly overwhelmed at the silent accomplishment of man across the terrestrial. No matter how many times he drove this route, his heart never stopped aching for mankind. So much life, absolutely flushed away by something that could only be seen by a microscope.
Getty asked, “Do you think there are people still out there, Coraset?”
“ I’m sure there is.”
Getty wiped his face with his shirt sleeve and said, “I’m sorry, Coraset. I’m worse than an old lady, sitting over here blubbering. I just wish times were back the way it was. I missed those stupid mundane things that used to get me upset.”
“Like what, Getty?” Coraset asked curiously.
“I used to sit in traffic on this highway, and I used to wish everyone was gone so I could get to where I was going faster. I’d get so aggravated. Man, I never imagined my wish coming true like this. We were the only ones on this entire freeway, not a single car or truck on our way here. I should have wished to win the lottery instead.”
“Strange how there was better odds on nearly everyone dying,” Coraset remarked with a little chuckle.
Getty looked over at Coraset. He didn’t want to laugh, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t deny she was on the mark with that statement.
Soon, they saw Erato, old L.A., rising in the distance. The grey skyscrapers rose above the cement wall. Some buildings were completed with flags of the Federation on top. Others were halfway finished, the steel frames spiking into the air with no windows. The royal palace loomed in the center with a doomed white marble top.
“Wake up, Rudy,” Corase t said as she touched his hand.
She wasn’t sure they were going to make it through the checkpoint. The computer didn’t list any problems. She didn’t want to take a chance and get her old friend in trouble at the gate.
“Getty,” Coraset remarked as he kept a steady velocity on the highway around the walled city. “You can drop us outside the gate. If you’re caught with us, you’ll be in trouble, too.”
“They’re not looking for you, Coraset. We would have heard by now. I’ll get you in the gate. Get in the back with Rudy.”
“Are you sure about this?” Coraset’s nerves were on end.
“I’m not
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