Black Sun by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 30

There were two ways of getting to Crossgates, and Abigail debated momentarily on which route to take. I-87 was within view, but also elevated so as to pass over Schoolhouse Road and Western Avenue. This brought their choices down to Western Avenue, then onto the Northway. Had there been an on-ramp, they could have taken advantage of walking on higher ground and, perhaps, staying out of sight. However, as with their journey to Albany, they had become aware that regardless of what they did, there would always be risks.

“Well,” Abigail said. “I guess we’re going to have to walk up Western Ave. and go on the Northway. That should get us there pretty quickly.”

Rising to their feet, they started down Schoolhouse Road and shortly arrived at Western Avenue. Now, Crossgates could be easily seen across the Northway and would only take a few more minutes to reach the eastern access road. Ryan stood, briefly gazing at the large structure, stretching on into the distance. Because of its multitudes of people, Albany was a place he regularly shied away from, choosing instead to remain on the outskirts of Troy. This was enough, that is, until his wife asked for a divorce, and it was that event that drove him into the city, into the back room of a three-story tenement building that seemed close to collapse. However, without people Albany seemed far less intimidating and, in fact, the eerie quiet brought him an odd sense of comfort.

Crossing Western Avenue, they walked a short distance up the Northway and reaching the off-ramp entered the east access road of the mall. As they passed under the I-87 overpass, Ryan stopped to, again, take in the mall’s construction. “What is it?” Abigail asked.

“Oh, nothing,” he replied. “It’s just that when I was an architect, the firm I worked for designed this mall.” Abigail wasn’t too surprised, but was fascinated nonetheless. “Seriously,” she said. “You designed this place?” Ryan was quick to correct her.

“Well, no, I wasn’t on the design team, but I did get to see the blueprints for it.”

Now, Abigail was curious and asked about his previous career. “So, what kinds of things did you design?” He took a moment to consider her question, but in light of how the world had drastically changed, he decided it would be best to put the matter behind him.

“Well,” he began. “There were a lot of things, but I don’t think any of its important anymore. Let’s just get what we need and get back, okay?”

As they continued toward the mall, Abigail felt a sadness come over him and realized how much he missed his former life. But there was no going back, and as difficult as things would be what they had, more than anything else, was each other. They would continue to draw their strength from the other, connected not simply through the intertwining of their bodies but something deeper, something that neither could define.