Грань будущего

           Hopelesslywatchingallthethingsyouloveintheworldbeingcarriedawayonthewindwhileyoustandbypowerlesstopreventit.

           "I’m-well…"Ididn’tevenknowwhattosaytoherthistime,despitethepreviousloop.

           "Thisyourcleverwayofgettingthetwoofusoutofthere?"

           "Yeah.Iguess."

           "Good.Nowwhereexactlyarewe?"Ritaspunonherheelasshetookinhersurroundings.

           Westoodinawidespaceborderedononesidebythebarbed-wirebarricadeandachain-linkfenceontheotherthree.Weedssentshootsofgreenthroughthecracksintheconcretethatcoveredtheroughlyten-thousand-square-meterenclosure.

           "TheNo.3TrainingField."

           I’dmanagedtotakeusfromonetrainingfieldtoanother.Smooth.I’dbeenspendingtoomuchtimewithFerrell.Hisloveoftrainingborderedonseriousmentalillness,andithadstartedtoruboffonme.

           Ritaturnedbacktome."It’skindofbleak."

           "Sorry."

           "No,Iliketheemptinessofit."

           "Youhaveunusualtastes."

           "Isthatevenataste?TheplaceIgrewupwashopelesslyempty.Wedidn’thaveanyoceans,though.Theskyouthereis-it’ssobrilliant,"shesaid,herheadtiltedback.

           "Youlikeit?Thesky?"

           "Nottheskysomuchasthecolorofit.Thatshimmeringblue."

           "Thenwhy’syourJacketred?"

           Afewmomentsofsilencepassedbetweenusbeforeshespokeagain.

           "TheskyinPittsfieldissowashedout.Likethecolorofwaterafteryou’verinsedoutapaintbrushwithbluepaintinit.