NEW VALLEY

THE SUN STOOD high in an almost cloudless sky, and the city skyline loomed in the distance. A medley of birds greeted the car as it stopped in front of a large green sign. It read Welcome to New Valley, but New Valley was crossed out with spray paint and replaced with Clunker Hell.

Laney shifted the gear into park. “Here we are. This is as far as we go. Now you’re on your own.”

“Thank you,” Silas said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “You have been a tremendous help. We cannot thank you enough.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you,” Laney said, “even if it was short-lived.”

“We’re gonna miss ya, dude,” Amber said. “Befriending a simmi was at the top of my bucket list. Next up is trying a Fluffernutter.”

Deacon gave a disapproving look. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had peanut butter.”

“I’ve had peanut butter. It’s one of my favorites. I’m more intrigued by the Fluff. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and it sounds like a magical mix of marshmallow goodness.”

“Fluff is hard to come by,” Laney said. “The decline of Marshmallow Fluff is one of the war’s greatest tragedies. We’ll be hard-pressed to find it around here. Maybe in Massachusetts.”

“Great!” Amber cheered. “Now we know where to go next. Boston-bound ’til the Fluff is found.”

Deacon gazed out the window. “Boston is a great city. It has a lot of history.” His voice was soft and almost broken.

“You should come with us,” Amber said. “It’ll be fun.”

Laney glanced at Deacon. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? The more the merrier. Isn’t that right, Marsh?”

“No,” Deacon said. “Laney is right. It’s not a good idea.”

“But—”

“Listen to Laney. She knows what’s best for you. I’m going to tag along with Silas a little longer.”

Amber saw the stern expression on both Deacon and Laney’s face. “Okay, I understand.”

Deacon and Silas opened their doors and stepped outside. With the extra space, Amber stretched across all three seats.

“That’s more like it,” she said, smiling. “We’ll miss ya.”

“We’ll miss you as well,” Silas said. “It was nice to finally meet someone friendly.”

“Good luck with your quest for Fluff,” Deacon said. “It’ll be a tough journey, but that sweet creamy goodness is worth it.” He slapped the top of the car and began to walk off.

“Deacon!” Laney called out. “Don’t get yourself killed.”

She tossed over the EMP. Deacon caught it and held it up. “Thank you,” he said, meeting her eyes in a moment of regret.

They watched as the car drove off, unable to look away until it was gone.

Deacon stuffed the EMP in his bag. “Let’s go.”

They spun around and followed the road toward the towering skyscrapers. The summer sun was even more intense than before. No shade from the roof of the car. No breeze from the open windows on the winding highway. Just the muggy air on what seemed like the hottest day of the season.

“What happened back there?” Silas asked. “Why not go with them?”

“It wouldn’t have worked. Laney and I are too different.”

“What do you mean?”

Deacon thought about the question for a moment. “Do you think I have trust issues?”

“I don’t know. That’s a question you have to answer yourself.”

“I guess you’re right.” He stared at the New Valley skyline. “Are you nervous?”

“More than you could ever know. What if it’s not what I thought it was? I came all this way. What if I don’t fit in? What if they don’t accept me?”

Deacon stopped in his tracks, staring down at his feet as Silas passed him.

Silas slowed down to look back. “What’s wrong?”

Deacon brushed the hair from his face and smiled. “Nothing’s wrong.” He took a slow breath and released it all at once. “You worry too much. It’s going to be great in there. They’ll all love you, and you’ll love them. You’ll finally have a home again. A family. Now, let’s keep moving. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

They continued to walk. Metal mammoths littered the streets. Towering titans that neither Silas nor Deacon had ever known existed. Their bulky physique and thick armor suggested a very specific design. They were built for battle. Broken. Rusted. What was once a bustling place of knowledge and inspiration was now a lifeless junkyard.

The Limbys sign came into sight, looming over the surrounding buildings. The sign represented a company of technology. Innovation. Revolution. A company that had elevated humanity to its highest peak and then pulled it down to the brink of extinction.

“That’s it,” Deacon said, admiring the sign. “Limbys Technologies. The company that ended it all. Or started it, I guess, from your perspective.”

Silas nodded. “Just a few more blocks.”

“That’s right. Somehow, by the hand of God, or whatever divine force is out there, we made it to Limbys. What’s your plan when you get inside? Find Riley?”

“If I can. As much as people talk about her, it seems like nobody really knows anything about her. I doubt she would have time for a common simmi like me.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re far from common. In fact, you’re one of a kind.”

“My ID number says differently. There are at least four hundred and eighty other simmies just like me.”

“Forget your ID number. That doesn’t mean anything. Sure, you were made in a factory, but you’re just as much an individual as I am. Don’t ever doubt your significance.”

Silas nodded. “You’re right. Maybe I will speak with Riley. But I don’t know what I would say.”

“Just introduce yourself.” Deacon extended his arm, pretending to shake someone’s hand. “Hello, my name is Silas. Nice to meet you. It’s as easy as that.”

“And then what?”

“I don’t know. Tell her your story or something. It’s a pretty damn interesting one so far. A small household simmi travels alone in search of a new home, shooting through armies of humans with nothing but a six-shooter.”

“I’m not alone. You were with me. And Laney. And Amber. And it wasn’t an army. I only shot five.”

“It’s okay to embellish the story a little. You want to impress her, don’t you? Build a reputation for yourself. You killed twenty plus guys with nothing but that revolver. You didn’t have me or Laney or anyone else. In fact, you shouldn’t mention us at all. Any sort of human relationship is probably frowned upon. Just stick to the killing part and you should be fine.”

“Simmies aren’t all killers, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“I know that, but Riley is most definitely a killer, and if you want to get on her good side, it doesn’t hurt to bend the truth a little.”

“Embellish the truth to get on her good side,” Silas repeated, tilting his head. “I guess that makes sense.”

“You’re darn right it makes sense. Gain her favor and then none of the others can push you around. You know, like that asshole who drenched you with oil.”

“Red Stripe,” Silas said, recalling the incident.

“That’s right. Red Stripe and all of the others. You deserve respect just as much as they do.”

“I’ll try to remember that.”

Deacon placed his hand on Silas’s shoulder. “Well, friend, it’s time to part ways. Have fun in there.”

“Thank you for everything. I really mean it.”

“No need to get all sappy.”

“Will you be okay? Where will you go now?”

“I came here for the loot, remember? I’ll stick outside the border and nab what I can until they notice. You won’t snitch on me, will you?”

“I would never.”

“Good. And remember, you don’t know me or any other humans. Got it?”

“Got it. And you remember what Laney told you. Don’t get yourself killed.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Deacon said, sticking out his hand. “You were good company, Silas 481.”

Silas accepted his handshake. “And you as well, Deacon Marsh.”

They turned away from each other, walking in opposite directions. Deacon backtracked up the road, while Silas moved closer to the heart of the city.

Silas found himself overwhelmed with a flood of accomplishment. After a long summer of struggle and strife, he had finally found his destination. New Valley. Limbys Technologies. Home.