Read The End of Magic (Young Adult Dystopian Fantasy) Page 25

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  They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Shreveport. There were shops that made clothing and happily outfitted Duncan with new boots and a once-piece green uniform. It was, like most ancient clothing, patched heavily, but Duncan sort of like the US Army patches above the left breast and the faded American flag on the right soldier. The old woman told him it had belonged, originally, to one of the original residents of the Base, as they called the underground installation where they had survived the Dark years after the Last War. He felt no small amount of pride in donning it.

  “You look good,” Jessica told him.

  There were cafes and restaurants where you could sit and have a prepared meal if you weren’t working. They had sandwiches, eggs cooked anyway you could imagine, and salad galore. They sat and gorged themselves on eggs, laughing and joking the entire time. It was, as far as Duncan was concerned, the happiest time of his life.

  After the sun set and the work day was done, Shreveport really came alive. The old open-air mall that served as the new city’s center was crammed with people, more people than he’d ever seen. Bands played and music filled the warm night air. There were jugglers and mimes, as well as puppet shows for the children and comedy shows for the adults. This was a happy people, he decided, so unlike the self-absorbed Magicians who, in general, only cared about their own personal happiness. Jessica and Duncan laughed and danced the night away.

  They slept under the stars in a field of lettuce, holding hands, and for the first time in his life, he was truly happy.