Gone

Mary Terrafino is introduced at the local daycare, where she changes diapers, feeds, clothes, and entertains the children. Along with other caretakers, like her younger brother John, she’s drained and tired. The youngsters repeatedly ask for their parents, and Mary assures them they’ll be back and soothes them with toys and games. But she knows they’re running out of supplies, such as diapers.

Mary goes outside to find assistance. While searching for Sam, she finds Howard, Orc’s friend, who tells her Sam left. Mary is surprised, but she enlists Orc’s aid instead. Howard initially denies her requests, but Mary is tall, strong, and intimidating as she fights for the little kids’ rights. She argues that the babies will die if they don’t care for them, and Howard agrees to find her more babysitters and supplies.

Astrid, Sam, and Quinn wake to Edilio running a loud backhoe outside the resort; he digs under the barrier with the machine. They use shovels to help him dig, but the wall doesn’t end. Astrid states again it might be a continuous dome. Sam keeps digging to release anguish, but he finally relents. Quinn expresses hope that people outside the barrier will notice their plight soon.

Since Edilio’s parents work at the resort, he suggests they take a golf cart to explore faster. The group rides the golf cart along the highway until they run into the wall. Perdido Beach is surrounded by mountains and the ocean, nestled near the nuclear power plant, a desert, and a National Park. They were always barricaded. Astrid notices a mutated seagull with taloned feet rather than webbed like usual.

Sam suggests they avoid downtown since he doesn’t want to be bothered by others when he can’t help them until the mysteries are solved. They drive to the gas station, where Orc and his gang try to stop them, screaming for Sam’s help. Under Sam’s demand, Edilio hits the gas, but some of Orc’s crew race after them with weapons. Suddenly, Orc’s gang drives straight toward them in an SUV.

Orc, Howard, and Cookie drive Sam’s group off the road. Quinn jumps from the moving golf cart in terror, and Orc’s posse attacks him. Sam and Edilio jump to rescue Quinn, but Orc hits Edilio’s knee with his baseball bat. They scuffle until Astrid screams for order. She explains they’re looking for her brother Pete. Orc’s gang calls him “P-tard” (95), but Astrid demands they let them find Pete, knowing she intimidates Orc because she tutored him before.

Orc agrees to let them pass, but Howard reminds them to bring back something good for “Captain Orc” (98) because he’s the rightful leader. Howard insults Sam, saying that he acts brave and then runs; when others ask about Sam, Orc’s group says he chose his girlfriend. Sam denies Astrid is his girlfriend though he is secretly attracted to her. Howard tells them they run the “FAYZ,” the “Fallout Alley Youth Zone,” saying it’s “just a FAYZ,” (98) a play on “phase.” He insists they pay their taxes: the golf cart. Sam’s group agrees and continues on foot, with Sam wondering if Orc is a better leader.

Meanwhile, Lana awakens in the desert, grieving over Patrick. Yet Patrick appears alive and well. Lana thinks it’s a miracle. She tests a theory by placing her hand on her broken arm, which is showing signs of gangrene. She thinks of home and her love for her family and dog and heals herself too. Lana rises at last.

The power plant is still functioning due to its nuclear core power source, so the gate is locked. Sam climbs the fence and enters the guardhouse, where he finds an employee’s key card. Sam notices many guns in cases and thinks automatic weapons would beat Orc’s baseball bats. He chastises himself, hoping it hasn’t “gotten to that point” (108) for violence. Sam lets the others inside the compound.

Astrid explains the nuclear plant’s history to Edilio, a new student. Perdido Beach’s nickname “Fallout Alley” came after a meteorite hit one of the nuclear reactor towers 15 years ago. The meteorite pushed the uranium fuel a hundred feet into the earth, stopping radioactive fallout, so they filled the hole, paved it, and rebuilt the tower. The radiation was contained, though Quinn jokes their town motto is “What radiation?” (110). Astrid assures Edilio it’s not dangerous.

They find Pete huddled in the control room, playing his GameBoy. Astrid hugs him, though she initially has a disappointed expression. Pete says he’s hungry and clings to her. Astrid analyzes the control computers and realizes they are set to a default of red and pink zones, where radiation is strongest. The red and pink circles perfectly align with the translucent wall around the town, which is peculiar.