Remnants — Episode 16

Bobby pulled into Santa Fe just before noon. Kyra’s dissolution replayed in his mind repeatedly as he drove south. He’d slept in the pick-up bed several nights on country roads off the interstate’s access road, managing to avoid people. That would not be possible here, but he needed to stock up on supplies before venturing further.

Where to from here? He thought it unwise to continue on major highways. It was just a matter of time before he met up with others. Perhaps the wrong others. Tragedy always brought out both the best and worst in humanity. For a while, he preferred his own company.

Maybe he could find solitary shelter here.

On the outskirts of town, a smaller suburb of Santa Fe, he supposed, Bobby drove slowly and watched both sides of the road, wary of ambush. Houses mixed with storefronts in a casual blend, but many structures were blackened. A major fire had passed through the area, consuming some buildings but leaving others undamaged. Desert sand had swept onto once well-maintained lawns, starting to pile up along the curbs.

That’s how quickly civilization can just fade away, Bobby thought.

He drove behind one half-ruined convenience store. Mom and Pop don’t work here anymore, he figured. The truck gave a dusty wheeze as he shut off the ignition, and the door creaked as he stepped outside.