Chapter 17 Summary

Tuesday, August 3, 2027. As the Lauren, Zahra and Harry walk along Highway 28, they are aware of a brush fire coming up from behind them. They move steadily all morning, trying to stay ahead of the flames. Zahra cries as they are walking, since she thinks of their neighborhood burning and of the Pyro addicts throwing her baby into the flames. When the three stop for the night, they stay close to the freeway in case the fire jumps the road. Zahra volunteers to stand first watch, so Lauren falls asleep. Lauren wakes later and hears Zahra and Harry making love. Lauren, who is as affected by people's physical sensations from sex as from injury, holds herself in rigid control until the two are done. She lays awake, angry that the two of them have jeopardized the group's safety by having sex on watch. A...