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and stood. He bounced where he stood and he walked around Coraset a couple of times. She watched him, smiling. He took it off and sat back down on the floor.
    “I guess it’s good to go?” Coraset asked as she set her bag aside.
    “Yeah, it’s perfect. Coraset, I have another question.”
    “I bet you do,” she commented as she joined him on the floor.
    “You mentioned you had a stepdad. What does he do for the Federation?”
    “He’s a chemist.”
    “Alice teaches mathematics. I don’t think she likes it anymore.”
    “Why not,” she asked.
    “She says school isn’t the same like it was before the outbreak. It is regulated, very controlled, and there are no kids. She doesn’t like teaching adults. She says it’s more difficult.”
    “I can understand what she means. Some adults can’t be molded. We get stuck in our ways, and it’s hard to change. It’s almost impossible sometimes.”
    “I always tell her it’ll get better. One day, the world will have babies again, and she’ll be able to teach them like she used to.”
    “And what does she say?”
    “She tells me I’m being foolish and to grow up.”
    Coraset nodded, thinking the same thing.
    They remained inside the hut and tried to get some sleep. Sometimes they started talking, but most of the time, it was quiet between them. Coraset couldn’t wait to start her trek that evening. She was eager to get back to civilization. Rudy missed his sister, and that’s what he looked forward to the most. Being with his only family and starting over.
    The day continued on slowly. Way too slow for Rudy’s pace, but soon the sun was far in the west. Coraset stood. It was about that time, but there was one thing she wanted to do first.

C HAPTER F IVE
     
     
    The horrid, larger than life vultures jumped away from muscle man dead body when Coraset and Rudy approached. Dewey was sleeping inside the bus. Coraset kicked his hand, startling him awake. Rudy backed away, avoiding the stench of the dead body. Dewey crawled out looking like a fright with severely chapped lips and messier hair than the day before. Coraset eyed his bloody pants.
    “What you want, girly?” Dewey asked in a dry, rough voice.
    “We’re taking you to the shack.” Coraset revealed as she tossed the handcuff key to him.
    “Are you going to show me a good time?” His hands were shaking as he reached for the key.
    Coraset showed him the gun as an answer to his question. He unlocked his wrist, but he didn’t try to get up.
    “I can’t walk.”
    Coraset pointed to Rudy and said, “He’ll help you.”
    Rudy didn’t expect her to say that, but he came over to help him to his feet anyway. Dewey smelled horribly bad along with the dead body, and Rudy held his breath as they stumbled towards the road. Coraset followed them. Dewey hung his head, weak and tired, but he kept on going starving for the shelter at the end of the road.
    When they were inside, Rudy helped him down to the floor. Coraset gave Rudy zip ties to secure Dewey’s ankles and wrists in front of his body. He hesitated to do it, but Rudy did as he was told, remembering that this man and his friends did the same to him. Coraset held the gun square on him, waiting for Dewey to make the wrong move. He stared back at Coraset, parched, tired, and unwilling to fight back.
    “Why are you helping me?”
    “I’m not,” Coraset remarked as she reached for the satchel near the door. She shoved the gun in the bag and settled it on her shoulder.
    Rudy threw the strap of his bag across his chest, and he waited for Coraset at the door.
    “Where are you going?” Dewey looked to Coraset, to Rudy, and then back at her.
    She walked out without answering his question.
    Rudy said, “There is plenty to eat and drink in here. You should be good until the next bus arrives.”
    “When will that be?” He asked in a panicked voice.
    “I don’t know,” Rudy remarked .
    “Don’t leave me here by myself! Untie me! HEEEY!” Dewey yelled