AD7, Royal, and Oyintsa walked deeper into the populated areas of Bosstown. As they approached city center, things became cleaner and more organized. People walked the streets going here and there. They were polite and seemed to want the visitors to stay as long as they needed but were also occupied with business. They were not looking for handouts.
The hope was clear. They knew that the city could be something again. They had the will power to rebuild and defend. As they walked by the broken abandoned buildings, functioning shops started appearing. They had little to offer, but the best goods were displayed to draw travelers in.
AD7 had calmed down a bit and was taking things relatively well. There were a few little but definite bits she remembered about her city. Though her thoughts were so very outdated, she designed and built most of it with immense care. After a while, she was able to take the lead as they walked. She walked with purpose. Her pace suggested that she knew where she was going, most of the time.
She guided the others through the city square. There was still so much of the city she didn’t recognize, but that was understandable. Every now and then she would pause with a puzzled look, still a little unsure of where she was going.
“Where’re we going,” Royal asked first. She knew Oyintsa wanted to ask the question as well.
“This is the path I always take through the city,” AD7 answered, “or took.” She questioned the reality of it all. Almost fifty years of change happened in an instant for her. She was half hoping that all this would be revealed as a cruel joke. The city was the same but … not. Every time she turned the corner she wished things would be the way they were but; no. The world is the way it is now.
Royal and Oyintsa continued following AD7’s path. They had no idea where AD7 usually went when she came into town. They only knew that they were walking closer and closer to the Mech Fortress. Oyintsa in particular didn’t like this, but all reports said that there was nothing dangerous coming from the fortress these days. Besides, they had nothing better to do. Tirzah was also clear that she wanted them to help AD7 reclaim her life any way they could.
By now they had walked through the city square and the ruined buildings became more prominent again. All the same, AD7’s pace increased. She recognized all the buildings. They were run down, but everything was run down these days. She turned to a lot and stopped.
They were all confused but none more than AD7. The lot was empty. Only this lot was empty. There were small buildings all around, but the small building that would have filled this lot was not there. The lot was cleared and clean. Only the foundation remained. A concrete wall on the far side revealed just how large the lot was.
On the wall there was a poster with bounty. Apparently, families of rats moved into the area some time ago and were causing trouble. Oyintsa was excited about it, he liked to hunt, but they had little time to stay in this city.
“Well, um,” AD7 said a little embarrassed and still confused, “that was fun.”
“Yeah,” Royal chimed in. She turned around from the vacant lot, trying to help AD7 save face. This had to be very embarrassing for her. “Is anyone hungry,” she asked. Strangely, there was a relatively large noodle and sandwich restaurant right behind them. Its signs boasted “The best noodles and subs in Bosstown for the last forty seven years.”
“Yes,” AD7 said still thinking.
“Sure,” Oyintsa said as well.