Chapter 23

On the Grandway, Jack identifies George Elgin and Larry Magruder pulling a tete bukka bearing a horribly burned Edward Youngblood. Before meeting them fully, Jack and Mary pass a battlefield strewn with Dezi’s dead and redheaded raiders, scorched ground, and wrecked vehicles—evidence of a devastating clash.

George and Larry explain the failed ambush: townsfolk and miners lay in ditches with a hidden weapons truck. The raiders arrived in the hundreds with guns from both worlds and advanced tech (heat rays, missiles labeled Dragonfire). Unreliable, rusted Dezi guns failed or exploded, killing Minny Washam. As defenders fought, freshly dyed redheaded Dezi children struck from behind—having slaughtered townspeople for blood to dye their hair—collapsing the defense. A teen with a flamethrower set Youngblood ablaze; George rolled him into a ditch and pulled him out.

Jack leads the survivors to Rosewood Hall to rest and possibly let Youngblood die in his bed. There they find Ryall Connors and Alice Stines wounded but alive. In a shocking reveal, Buzzy the Duster emerges damaged, exposing wires and lights—she is an android. Moments later, Buzzy is blasted in half by a bolt weapon, and Darrie, Youngblood’s last gilly-girl, runs out firing. Jack reflexively shoots and kills her.

They share Coca-Cola—Youngblood sips and lingers—but Larry soon announces the mayor is dead. The group palavers on the esplanade, passing gutted guard dogs and surveying the ruined town. Jack argues the raiders have moved on; Darrie was the last remnant in Dezi. Tensions flare with Ry, but Alice mediates.

Alice recounts the Oriza ambush on the Great Road: she let lead trucks pass to net more targets, then unleashed Riza plates that decapitated many teeners, but superior enemy firepower and armored crawlers crushed the defense. Feony Jacks died when his old gun exploded; Ry carried a wounded Alice to safety. Alice recalls a girl in a pink, zippered jacket leading the column—confirming Kinneston and the blonde passed through. As evening falls, the survivors regroup at Rosewood, gather food, and prepare to decide their next move.