The Mechanic [BL]

[94]

Chapter 94 – Boundaries (8)

The wall that stretched along the US-Mexico border had collapsed in several places in the dead zone, so radioactive that it hadn't been repaired for years, so that anyone wishing to travel unnoticed between the two countries often has to risk their lives by crossing this dead zone.

The wall, a dozen metres high, stretched like a thin line across the earth against the grey sky, dividing the two countries. All that remained of the destroyed part was a few fragments, like a gaping hole left by a knocked-out tooth.

They managed to cross the border without encountering any further anomalies. After a short break they travelled for another four hours or so, passing the iconic wall of the radiation zone and arriving at what looked like a dilapidated hospital at around eight in the morning.

Inside, the hospital was well-equipped, brightly lit and smelled of sterile water. Someone had been waiting for them after receiving Anya's message and sprayed them with a yellowish liquid for ten minutes before instructing them to take off their suits.

The moment Zhang Xun took off his helmet he realised how good it was to be able to breathe fresh air.

All the sealed radiation-protected bags brought across, and any weapons that weren't in the sealed bags had to be buried together and all their clothes had to be changed.

Zhang Xun took a shower in the room provided for him, watching the water swirl around his feet with the foam of the shower gel, feeling the hot water slide down his skin while in a sense of dumbfounded unreality.

They had really crossed the United States, even passed through the highly radioactive zone and had reached Mexico.

In just over a month, home was already as far away as if they were on another planet.

However, they had survived. He didn't know if their survival was also Adam and Eden's intention, but at this point, to worry about such things would only add to their worries and to fight against the gods would mean being played for fools.

They could only do what they could.

Zhang Xun knew there was more to be done and he had to be in good spirits. He looked in the mirror and shaved off the stubble that had grown on his chin, patted his cheeks hard and pulled on the cotton top and jeans he had prepared in the room. As he rubbed his hair, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Zhang Xun opened the door, only to be surprised to see Enoch standing outside, with that familiar, heart-warming smile.

"Good morning." Enoch said.

Zhang Xun blinked, realising that Enoch was back to normal. That certain, indefinable vividness in his eyes, in his words and between his movements had returned, something was subtly different from the man he had been before in the dead zone.

"Why are you still here?" Zhang Xun asked, somewhat numbly. For some reason, he felt a sense of relief at seeing Enoch back to his original form and even wanted to smile a little.

"They sent Cindy off to Feathered Serpent City in an aircraft first. I stayed to wait for you."

In English, the word "you" could mean you singular or it could mean you plural. Zhang Xun wasn't sure which one Enoch was talking about.

Enoch suddenly blinked and asked, "Can I come in?"

Zhang Xun thought about it and there was no reason not to let him in, so he sidled away. The robot walked into the room with even steps, turned its head neatly and finally looked at Zhang Xun again, with a smile that seemed innocent in the morning light.