Matt took a deep breath, then dashed forward, sliding across the hood of a car and onto the cracked sidewalk that seemed to stretch on forever. The air mask was rubbing against his neck, irritating the skin, but he didn't need it now. He reached up and tugged on it for the hundredth time, trying to loosen the straps, and continued down the street. Even now he was impressed by the amount of damage nature could do in its slowest and most peaceful form. Natural growth had splintered the sidewalk, crippled the buildings, devoured cars and buses and painted everything else in a variety of green tones. The nearest street sign was partially obscured by a thick vine, but he managed to make out most of it. He was almost there.

He sighed. All he could think about was Amie Jane and what had become of her. Much had happened to him since the Apostate, but even with the shock of the event, the punishment that followed and the losses that came with it, he still couldn't shake his best friend from his mind. He hadn't heard a single thing from her. Granted, the power was off, and cell phones were a waste of space, but she still hadn't made contact. Rather than spend the weekend at their shared apartment, just off the University of Albany campus, Amie had decided to visit a long-time friend in Queens. It was a monster of a journey, but scrounging together what resources he could find, including a military satchel, an air mask, several bottles of water, pop-tarts (the only "unexpiring" food he could find), kneepads and a knife (which he had managed to lose two days ago), he had worked his way there, steering clear of Central Park for now, although Amie had mentioned visiting it. If she wasn't at her friend's apartment, he would check there.

Matt's eyes widened as he saw the crest of a tan-and-brown building in the distance. The apartment complex. He was less than a mile away. Double-checking his surroundings, he headed for the building at double pace, being careful to stay on the sidewalk. The olive drab satchel he had salvaged was bouncing lightly against his leg, reminding him that he was dangerously low on food. He would be able to find some at the flat. Hopefully he would find Amie too.