Nova Metropolis

Michelle continues driving the bus for a couple hours without further incidents. They pass a bunch of smaller towns, some reduced to basically piles of wood and rubble while others have buildings still standing. James had gone to sleep and Annie is enjoying the view, making occasional conversation with Michelle about landmarks or anything remarkable.

Michelle gets her attention: Look, almost there!
She gestures to the left. Annie looks in the direction. An undefined shape is visible in the far distance. Michelle takes an exit onto another highway towards it. After not too long, the undefined shape turns into the unmistakable skyline of a large city.

They pass a huge sign with completely washed-out colors that still faintly reads Welcome to Nova Metropolis. Quickly, they find themselves the city outskirts. Many of the single family homes in the area are still standing, some of them even in remarkably good condition. The city center ahead of them is made up of skyscrapers that mostly look like the day they were abandoned.

The highway ends and transitions into a large road. Michelle decelerates the bus.
Why are you going so slow?
Im going exactly speed limit - 50 km/h.
50? That's faster than the speed limit in Sunside Cove yet this feels so slow...
Michelle chuckles.
This is what it feels like coming off the highway. Jack was right about the wind. Under normal circumstances, a bus like this one would struggle to reach 100, we were doing 120.

The buildings around them get taller and taller. The mix of smaller and medium-sized houses turns into blocks of five-story buildings which in turn turn into blocks of even taller buildings until the sides are lined with skyscrapers with facades of glass, concrete, and steel towering over the road. Annie points them out:
Looks like this was all abandoned just recently. Not even a smashed window.
Over there.
Okay, one smashed window.
I mean you're right. Barely any damage – and surprisingly little sand, I thought we'd find a bunch of half-buried ruins.
Michelle pulls up at a bus stop and parks the bus.
Time to wake up the guys.

Over a small meal, they decide to explore the time capsule that is Nova Metropolis. Well, all of them but Jack.
Michelle says: I thought sleep was for the weak?
I'm just gonna own that one today.
He throws himself onto his bed, not even making an effort to lay down in a comfortable position. His words are muffled through the mattres: Good night.

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