Tom stopped and studied him for a long time. His smile was sad, but his eyes were filled with love. And with pride. He removed the boot sheath and handed it to Benny, who clipped it inside his own boot.
“Come on,?
? he said. “Let’s go back to the way station. Nix will be waiting. ”
“I don’t think Mountainside is home anymore. Not for me, and definitely not for Nix. ”
“We could go east,” said Tom. “Find out what’s on the other side of the Ruin. ”
“The jet,” Benny said.
“The jet,” Tom agreed.
Benny Imura looked back at the wrought-iron gates and at the words painted outside. He nodded to himself.
Together they walked through the gathering twilight back to the way station where Nix would be waiting for them. They walked side by side in the vast silence of the Rot and Ruin.