@@@@@ Maybe we're supposed to go all the way to 363
@@@@@
Maybe we're supposed to go all the way to the first landmark,I pointed outThe little dirt road
continued to wind in more or less the right direction, and I was terrified to leave itHow else
would I find my way back to civilization? Wasn't I going back?
I imagined the Seeker right at this moment, as the sun touched the dark, zigzagging line of the
western horizonWhat would she think when I didn't arrive in Tucson? A spasm of glee made
me laugh out loudMelanie also enjoyed the picture of the Seeker's furious irritationHow long
would it take her to go back to San Diego to see if this had all been a ploy to get rid of her? And
then what steps would she take when I wasn't there? When I wasn't anywhere?
I just couldn't picture very clearly whereI would be at that pointIt's wide enough for the car?let's follow it,Melanie insisted
I'm not sure we're supposed to go that way yet
It will be dark soon and we'll have to stopYou're wasting time!She was silently shouting in her
frustration
Or saving time, if I'm rightBesides, it'smytime, isn't it?
She didn't answer in wordsShe seemed to stretch inside my mind, reaching back toward the
convenient wash
I'm the one doing this, so I'm doing it my way
Melanie fumed wordlessly in response
Why don't you show me the rest of the lines?I suggestede could see if anything is visible
before night falls'll do that part myway
You're being childish
Again she refused to answerI continued toward the four sharp peaks, and she sulked
When the sun disappeared behind the hills, night washed across the landscape abruptly; one
minute the desert was sunset orange, and then it was blackI slowed, my hand fumbling around
the dashboard, searching for the switch for the headlights
Have you lost your mind?Melanie hissedo you have any idea how visible headlights would be
out here? Someone is sure to see
