CHAPTER FOUR
The next day, Shell was walking through the streets of Phoenix by himself, his hands jammed into his pockets, his suit-up watch reflecting the rays of the early morning sun. He passed several other walkers, the open doorway of a hipster cafe, and more than a few homeless people lying in the streets, but he paid no attention to any of it. He was too caught up in his thoughts, thinking about what happened yesterday, to pay attention to his surroundings; perhaps that put him at risk of being robbed or mugged, but this part of Phoenix was nicer than the other parts of the city, so he felt pretty safe. Plus, he didn’t look very rich or wealthy, so he doubted that any thief or robber would bother trying to rob him.
Yesterday, when Shell and the other Young Neos had returned to Bli
