The Forgotten Colony

by J.B. Ryder

Zach couldn't help but wonder if another country had finally nuked America.

"Please, Zach. You left me behind once," said Ryker. "Don't do it again."

He was eating a sandwich that didn't taste like the Tin Man took a shit in it!

Zach put on a show-you-agree-without-getting-yourself-fired smile as his bullshit meter climbed into the red zone.

"If I had nothing to lose, I'd have nothing to fight for."

Coughing up blood? Crying blood? That sounded a lot worse than "not feeling well." That sounded like dying.

Everyone else is floating with the stars now.

As the airlock shut between them this time, no tears were shed. They weren't slamming their fists against the divide, begging for it to open. They only exchanged a brief nod as Zach mouthed, "See you on the other side."