Instantly, Collin jerked his head back inside, covered his face and sucked in an urgent breath. For a long moment, he held it. Then he let it out, lowered his trembling hands and leaned back out the window to look right. This time the houses and businesses looked in pretty good shape and a block away, he spotted the only remaining tower. It no longer stood tall. Instead, it leaned south, as though bowing in homage to the fallen city. But south was where Beth and Candy were. With renewed optimism, he hurried back to Max. "The one to the south is leaning, but it's there."

"Good. Check the phones, will ya? Maybe they're ringing and we can't hear them. Don't forget my cell phone ... though I doubt there are any cell towers still up. It takes one every three miles, you know. And see what you can do with the equipment in the studio."

At last, Collin grinned, "Aye, aye, Captain. Hey, want a soda?"

"Sure," Max answered. As he worked, he listened to Collin scoot rubbish aside, then open the refrigerator. Suddenly he noticed something on the floor. Half hidden beneath a chunk of plaster was a picture of Candy and the boys. Thoughtfully, he picked it up and dumped the broken glass out of the frame. He stared at them for a long moment, then closed his eyes and bowed his head. When he opened his eyes again, Collin stood in the doorway with two cans of soda.