Ellie heaved the black stone into the trailer. Shadows stretched across the ejection zone. The sun dropped behind the Ring. She cranked the half track to life and made for home.

It was dark when she reached the cluster of trailers and RVs. Jamal and Paula were cooking and Hutch was working on an engine by lamplight. She pumped water to drink and wash, then found Luiz in his Airstream.

“Good batch today?” he asked from behind his paperback.

“Yup,” she said. Then, “It’s getting closer.”

“I know.”

“What happens when–”

“Don’t know,” he said. “Don’t worry.”

Ellie frowned. “Yeah.”

Chapter 4

Chapter 6