I don’t fight—what’s the use? Just let Henry
and this other kid lead the way, down the stairwell and across the
commons to a hatch that stands open. Where they took Dylan,
I think, and I tell myself that it’ll be okay once I’m with him
again. Everything will work itself out once we’re together.
Only that’s not part of the plan. Beyond the
hatch is another stairwell, this one leading down into the bowels
of the ship, down below the comm center and further, until I’m sure
we’re in the very earth itself, the bottom deck of the ship that I
know has to have settled into the ground over the past twenty
years, the way it rains here. And this ship is so huge, so
deserted. I’ve never felt so alone.
On the bottom deck, they lead me to a door
protected by thick steel beams that slide awa
