24-04-11 10 It was lunchtime, but neither of them was powerfully hungry. Jahns nibbled on a cornbar while shewalked, priding herself on eating on the climb like a porter. They continued to pass thesetradesmen, and Jahnss esteem of their profession grew and g...

24-04-11 9 Jahnss walking stick made a conspicuous ring as it impacted each metal step. It soon became ametronome for their descent, timing the music of the stairwell, which was crowded and vibratingwith the energy of a recent cleaning. All the traffic seeme...

24-04-11 Part 2 Proper Gauge 8 Her knitting needles rested in a leather pouch in pairs, two matching sticks of wood, side by side likethe delicate bones of the wrist wrapped in dried and ancient flesh. Wood and leather. Artifacts likeclues handed down from g...

24-04-11 7 Holston was a dozen paces up the hill, still marveling at the bright grass at his feet and the brilliantsky above, when the first pang lurched in his stomach. It was a writhing cramp, something likeintense hunger. At first, he worried he was going...

24-04-11 6 Present Time The first year without her, Holston had waited, buying into her insanity, distrusting the sight of her onthat hill, hoping shed come back. Hed spent the first anniversary of her death scrubbing the holdingcell clean, washing the yello...

24-04-11 5 Three Years Earlier I want to go out. I want to go out. Iwanttogoout. Holston arrived at the cafeteria in a sprint. His radio was still squawking, Deputy Marnes yellingsomething about Allison. Holston hadnt even taken the time to respond, had just...

24-04-11 4 Present Time Holston sat on the lone steel bench in the airlock, his brain numb from lack of sleep and the surety ofwhat lay before him. Nelson, the head of the cleaning lab, knelt in front of him and worked a leg ofthe white hazard suit over Hols...

24-04-11 3 Three years earlier Youve gotta be kidding me, Allison said. Honey, listen to this. You wont believe this. Did youknow there was more than one uprising? Holston looked up from the folder spread across his lap. Around him, scattered piles of paperc...

24-04-11 2 The view from the holding cell wasnt as blurry as it had been in the cafeteria, and Holston spent hisfinal day in the silo puzzling over this. Could it be that the camera on that side was shielded againstthe toxic wind? Did each cleaner, condemned...

24-04-11 Part 1 Holston 1 The children were playing while Holston climbed to his death; he could hear them squealing as onlyhappy children do. While they thundered about frantically above, Holston took his time, each stepmethodical and ponderous, as he wound...