Only Cottonwood had a red X spray-painted over it, with "SAVVYTOWN" sloppily painted above. And 219 was also X-ed out, replaced with "VARIABLE."
"Welcome to Savvytown," Tracy read aloud. "Population variable. What do you think that means?"
'That we have to be careful. Fallows and his men came through here. But then so did Flex and his friends."
Season had wandered ahead and climbed a small hill. "Look. Jesus, look at that." She was jumping up and down pointing.
The others climbed up after her and followed her waving hand.
"Lights, for God's sake. Electricity!"
It was true. Another two or three miles down the road was a cluster of homes and trailers, all glowing with the bright steady gleam of electrical lights.
"I didn't think I'd ever see a real bulb again," Molly sighed. "This must be Paradise."
"Let's find out," Eric said, starting down the hill.
"Wait a second," Rydell said, his voice tense, his tone deliberate. "I want to say something first. Something important."
"Let it go," Molly suggested.
"I can't. We haven't talked about it, but it's been on all our minds. I mean, what happened back there with that girl." He hesitated, took a deep breath as if each word cost him an exorbitant amount of energy. "Anyway, Eric. I don't know about the others, but up until now, I've followed you because I respected you. Admired your courage and know-how. Sure, I wanted to help you get your family back. But even if we hadn't been going after them, I'd probably have followed you. No questions asked." He looked Eric in the eyes, forced himself to keep them there, though it was like looking straight into the sun. "But I can't understand what you did back there. Giving them the girl that way."
"C'mon, Rydell," Tracy said. "He explained that. You saw the gun. Fourteen semi-automatic shots could have wiped us out."
"Maybe. I'm no hero. I want to live as much as any of you. But all I know now is that I feel dirty. As much a part of what happened to her as the men actually doing it."
"Make your point," Eric said quietly.
"Okay. From here on I follow you for only one reason. To rescue Annie and your son. I go for their sake now, not yours. Is that clear?"
Eric's smile was thin and hard. "That's all I ever wanted. Now, let's go check this Savvytown out."