mostly dead. some have left.
i was the mother in ellen's dream. perhaps from there.
i know.
it's true.
no. no. i am so proud of you. caden starts to tear up.
i know, baby. i know. he looks at her tentatively. she's looking into his eyes directly, clearly, kindly. she smiles.
you're going to be fine. caden starts to weep so hard he chokes. strings of snot pour from his nose. the woman holds him, gently takes off his wig, and strokes his sparse hair. he looks out over her shoulder at the dark empty city at the far end of the warehouse. his rheumy eyes light up.