"But the shelves are full."
"Yeah."He rubbed the back of his neck.
She stared at him."Isn't that a little strange to you?"
"No."He paused."I suppose."
The admission chilled her.She looked at him—really looked—and saw the truth in the way he scanned the street, kept her close, and subtly steered her away from the far end of town.
He wasn't like the others, but she suspected he acted the same repetitive way when she wasn't here.
"I'm different," he said.
She turned into him, stopping him from walking."What do you mean?"
"The others never change."His Adam's apple bobbed."There has to be a reason I can see how fucked up it is here when you're with me."
"Finn," she whispered."We could leave."
He shook his head."Come on, let's keep walking."
They wandered a little farther.Finn's steps slowed as they neared the edge of town.She had a wild urge to hold his hand and run toward where the black seam had opened.
Finn stopped abruptly and gently tugged her back."Not that way."
"Why not?"
His jaw tightened."Just...not today."
She didn't push.Not yet.But the unease in her chest grew.
They turned back toward the center of town.She watched the men as they passed—Boone mowing, Vaughn sweeping, Moe stacking.No one talked.No one questioned.No one changed direction or task.It was like watching a loop on repeat.
"Finn," she asked, "what's your job?"
He blinked."My what?"
"Your job.What do you do here for money?"
He opened his mouth, then closed it.His brow furrowed."I...wander."
"That isn't—"
"None of us gets paid.We don't use money."He shook his head, frustration tightening his shoulders."I walk around all day.Help if someone needs something.Fix things sometimes.But there's no job."
Goosebumps chilled her.The dread settled deeper.Back home, things were different.
"Finn," she whispered, "this isn't normal."
His jaw clenched."I know."
She slipped her hand into his again, needing the contact, needing him.He squeezed her fingers gently, his thumb brushing her knuckles.Her heart ached for him if this was all he knew.
Everstill was different.
The men were all the same.
And Finn...
