Grandpa and Travis got in the car, and Travis drove. The car was quiet, being electric. He turned right from the driveway onto Windhurst and headed toward Rosa Road. They looked left and right. No signs of anyone alive at any of the places they passed, but some homes weren’t visible from the road. He’d have to explore another time.

Travis turned around and went down Windhurst Lane past Grandpa’s place. At the driveway for the next place, the Porter place, there was smoke coming from down the driveway.

Travis stopped. “Let’s check it out.”

“No. Forget them. I don’t care.”

“If there’s a fire, we need to know before it spreads to your place. If someone is living there, we should know.” Travis ignored Grandpa and drove cautiously to see a man and woman, backs to them, watching a controlled burn. Travis tooted the horn. The couple spun quickly. Travis got out as fast as he could, and said, “Hi. We’re from next door.”

Grandpa got out with a wary look on his face.

Travis walked toward them slowly, taking in the handsome man in his thirties. He was tall and slender but a good build with a hot face and ass. His beard and mustache were well-trimmed, and Travis almost came in his pants. Damn, the guy was hot, even though he had one eye. The woman was short and clearly younger, maybe early twenties? She was cute with a somewhat muscular body, considering she was a girl. She wore a long skirt, white blouse, and had a gold chain necklace.

Travis walked forward. “Do you folks own this place?”

The man wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and offered a hand to Travis. “Yeah, we’re the Porters. I’m Winston, and this is my younger sister, Angela.” She offered her hand. “So, you’re from next door?”

Travis nodded. “This is my grandpa, Ben Lee. I’m Travis Lee and just bicycled here from Seattle yesterday.” He stole a glance at Winston’s package, but the pants were too loose to reveal his equipment.

Grandpa crossed his arms and didn’t shake hands. “Where’s your father, the asshole?”

The small smile Winston had ran away. “My father and mother are dead from the N-Virus. So is my spouse, Pat. My other sister’s in the house. You can leave now.” He turned away, and Grandpa got back in the car.

Travis said, “I’m sorry. Grandpa and your dad didn’t get along too well, I guess. I’m sorry.”

Winston took a deep breath. “Yeah. I know. They hated each other. I thought everyone at your place was dead.”