Chapter 6
“Sorry!” I said, feeling my face burn. I picked it up.
“Battery’s dead,” I said.
Rick shook his head. “Huh-uh. New battery. I had one in my desk and changed it.” He leaned forward. “Nothingelectronic works!”
I thought about it. Cars—I didn’t know much but, on consideration, had to admit they must have lots of electronics. I sighed. “Wow!”
“Yes.”
I thought, my mind bleak.
“So—what? Chaos? Dog-eat-dog?”
“You got it.”
“Wow.”
“In the cities. I want to get out of the city. You can come along if you like.” He grinned sardonically. “You might come in useful. Like I said, two are better than one.”
“So I’m welcome until we meet someone better,” I said sourly.
He looked at me for such a long time that I became uncomfortable.
“What?” I shouted.
“That was a nasty thing to say,” he said.
“Was it?” I replied, still angry. “But isn’t it true?”
“You think I’d do that, do you?”
“I don’t know!” I retorted.