Chapter 29: …Come to an End
On the surface of Haven, at this time of day, Kaylee could have been watching the last rays of sun shimmering and fragmenting through the sterilization field into a trillion colors of beautiful warmth, all glittering into the deep blue twilight. Where she was walking, however, there was naught but the steady pale drone of the few functioning street lamps and general decay.
She and Malcolm walked through what would have passed for the more wealthy area of Haven, near the southern wall. There weren't any massive homes with gigantic yards; space was too valuable to allow any of that. Most of the wealthier citizens were happy enough with the high-rise condominiums that dotted the region as well as the expensive, high-quality, and rare merchandise shopping.
Kaylee stopped and held up a hand. Stretched across the road was a bundle of heavily insulated cable. As she looked it over, she could see frayed patches. Not an electrician, she couldn't tell whether or not the wires were live or dead. Looking around, she didn't see any light from the nearby street lamps, and she thought that live wires were supposed to dance and spark. She frowned and decided not to risk it. Maybe this is why people don't live here, she thought, there's no electricity.
They doubled back and took a different street; this one was filled with various rubble, spilled over from a massive garbage pile. A dumping site, she thought. Maybe worth a look later.
She could see rusted bits of metal scattered around in the trash heap, good enough to warrant a thorough search for salvage. She blinked. That is, she thought, if we end up staying here much longer. The corners of her mouth turned in a slight smile at the prospect.
Kaylee pursed her lips as she looked at the dozens of buildings around, all of them connecting to the surface and providing an equal opportunity for a random half-crazed Citizen to break through. From what Miguel had said, she knew that he had to have come through one of the condominiums. Unfortunately, it wasn't any more specific than that. She sighed, and the two entered the nearest one. Have to start the search somewhere, she thought.
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