—
Emerson rented one of the tiny bungalows behind the diner and retreated into it with Riley. The thin blinds were drawn against the blazing sun and the air conditioner hummed to keep the temperature down to a crisp eighty-five degrees. A full-size bed with a sagging mattress took up most of the room. A small wooden table and two ladder-back chairs hugged one of the walls. The bathroom contained a vintage toilet, small sink, shower stall without a shower curtain, and two large roaches that were sneakers up.
Riley gingerly sat on one of the ladder-back chairs. Emerson stood in the corner, folded his arms across his chest, and closed his eyes.
“What are you doing?” Riley asked him.
“Communicating.”
“Communicating with whom?”
“The universe and beyond.”
“Are they talking back?”
“At the present moment you’re the only one talking back.”
Riley blew out a sigh and looked around. No television. No radio. No phone. No computer. No magazines or books.
“I haven’t got anything to do,” Riley said.
Emerson didn’t answer. He was at one with the universe.
The sun was low in the sky when Emerson opened his eyes and unfolded his arms.
“Did you talk to any aliens while you were in the zone?” Riley asked. “We seem to be in the neighborhood.”
“Nothing specific,” Emerson said, “but it was a refreshing trip.”
Riley thought it was a good thing one of them had had a refreshing trip. It for sure wasn’t her. She was terrified that if she closed her eyes a roach would crawl up her nose.
“Do you think they have room service here?” Riley asked.
“Doubtful, but I can fetch something from the diner. What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
Emerson returned with meatloaf sandwiches, a bag of chips, a box of wine, and a bag of Skittles.
“Impressive,” Riley said. “You even thought to get dessert.”
“It turns out that one of the campers is actually a bar and a convenience store.”
Riley peeled the wrapper off the meatloaf sandwich. “I’m worried about tonight. Do you think we can trust Xandy?”
“I trust she knows how to get into the restricted zone. Beyond that we’re on our own.”
“What are we going to do once we get into the restricted zone?”
“Look around.”
“That’s it? We’re just going to wander around and keep our eyes peeled for your gold?”
“More or less.”
“What’s the more?” Riley asked.
“The more is a question mark. It acknowledges the future unknown.”