Free Infinity's Reach by Glen Robinson Page B

with the first rays of light that brightened up the fog around us. And I realized that the fog was heavier than ever. And that was when I knew what I had to do.
    I slipped out from under Infinity’s arm and stood up. My body was stiff from lying on the cold ground all night. I stretched and looked down at Infinity, still lying on the ground, sleeping peacefully.
    “Goodbye, Finn,” I said quietly. “And God be with you.”
    Having said that, I waded back into the water. I tried to remember the part of the island that we’d landed on, then set out from there. I waded for quite a few minutes through the cold water, then after a while leaned forward and began breast stroking in the direction I thought the sunken town of Despond lay. I turned over on my back and looked behind me. Already the island had disappeared into the fog. I waited for Infinity’s voice to come through the fog, calling me, wishing me to come back to her. And chances were I would have turned back at that point. I’m really a chicken at heart. But her voice never came, and I kept swimming back toward the town.
    Ten minutes of swimming brought me back to sunken rooftops, and another five minutes later I saw the church steeple where we’d hidden from the crazies two nights before. Now I had a choice. I could turn right and go back the way we’d come, up the hill onto the levee and try to find my way back to the backpacks. Or I could take the road that I’d seen coming out of the valley in the other direction.
    I treaded water for a full minute, trying to decide which direction I should take. Going back risked me running into the crazies again somewhere along the road. But I had no idea where the other road would take me, and I was tired of surprises. So in the end, scared out of my wits, I opted to go back the way we’d come.
    I climbed out of the water where the road had dropped in, just where we’d been two nights ago. And I was relieved to hear no animals or human voices. I slowly made my way back onto the levee and headed back the direction we’d come. By the time I got to the patch of brambles that we’d gotten lost in, my clothes had dried. The path seemed easier this time, which I imagined was because I didn’t have wild men chasing me now. I skirted the bramble patch and found the hill where we’d camped on the other side.
    By the time I’d started climbing the hill, the fog had begun lifting, and I was encouraged when I got to the top and sunshine shone on me. But I was also disappointed to learn that someone had taken the packs. I didn’t know what I do if I’d found them, perhaps return to Finn with them, for once playing the hero? But that scenario wasn’t going to happen, and so I decided to go back to Harmony.
    Now that the sun was out, I was encouraged, my clothes were dry and I had a pretty good idea how to find the town. It didn’t take me long to get there, and sure enough, Flo was still there as usual, selling her burgers. I’d forgotten how old and overweight she was, but considering where I’d been that morning, she looked pretty good to me.
    “Where’s your friend?” were the first words out of her mouth.
    “We decided to go separate ways,” I told her.
    “Oh, you did, did you? And you decided you wanted to come back and get another burger?”
    “Actually, Flo, I decided that life on the road wasn’t for me. I was wondering if you might consider a partner.”
    Flo frowned and looked down. “I don’t really need a partner.”
    I sighed. “That’s what I was afraid of. But to tell you the truth, Flo, I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
    Flo looked at me as if she were trying to determine my monetary worth. “I don’t take in strays, either, if you catch my drift. But I know that the road is a dangerous place, especially for a young girl like you. How about this: you can sleep in the back of my shed tonight and keep out anyone who might steal something. I’ll feed you today and tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m