The Annihilation of Foreverland

with an unobstructed view of the Chimney. The smoke stack was leaking fumes. It was hardly noticeable, just a thin discolored wisp.
    Danny dozed off. It felt good to be so warm and alone. Sometimes when he felt that good, he forgot about the island. He thought about a time when he was sitting in the kitchen at home when a warm breeze made brightly colored curtains dance in the windowpane. It smelled like cut grass. And his mom was there with macaroni and cheese in a plastic bowl.
    It didn’t bother him that it probably wasn’t his memory. He enjoyed it, nonetheless.
    “Danny Boy?” A shadow passed over. “You all right, my boy?”
    Danny refused to open his eyes. He was sick of being Mr. Jones’s boy. “Yes, sir. Just enjoying the weather, that’s all.”
    “Okay.” Mr. Jones’s laugh was grating. “Well, your camp is going to the cafeteria. I thought maybe you’d be with them.”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “You’re not sick, are you?” Mr. Jones’s took a knee and his old-smelling hand landed on his forehead. It was soft, untouched by manual labor. “Perhaps you should get some rest in your room so you don’t get sunburned.”
    “Maybe I’ll do that.” It was best not to argue. “I’m waiting for Zin, though.”
    “Isn’t he in his room?”
    “He’s coming.” Danny lied.
    “Are you boys going to the game room?”
    “No, sir. I think we’ll do some exploring. Maybe hike over to the beach or something.”
    “That’s a fine idea, Danny Boy. A little exercise is good for you. Maybe you could grab an apple before you head off. You know what they say, an apple a day…”
    “Keeps the doctor away,” Danny finished.
    And Mr. Jones laughed. He grunted as he stood up but kept on laughing. “At a boy,” he said. “You’re a good boy, Danny Boy. A good one.”
    Mr. Jones smacked the grass off his hands. There was an awkward silence. Danny hadn’t opened his eyes. Mr. Jones finally said, “Well, I’m going to turn in for a nap and sleep for the both of us, my boy.” That was punctuated by a short laugh and Danny cringed. “If you need anything, ask one of the Investors and they’ll be in touch with me.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    And the shadow was gone.
    Mr. Jones was halfway across the Yard before a cart picked him up. It looked like Zin’s Investor (Danny was getting accustomed to the subtle differences in gray hair). A few minutes later, another cart pulled up to the dormitory and the Investor (he didn’t recognize this one) went inside.
    Zin’s curtains were closed. Only one other room had the curtains drawn: two to the left of Zin’s. Reed. He was sleeping, too. Or hiding.
    Danny could get at least one of them to go on a hike.
    Or a ride.

    “What are you doing?” Zin stopped short of the golf cart.
    Danny shoved him onto the seat. The Yard was mostly empty. He swung around to the driver’s seat and stomped on the accelerator. The cart jerked forward and Zin nearly fell off. He went around the dorm at full speed. Zin grabbed onto the roof.
    “Hold on!” Danny shouted. “We’re out of control, Zin! We’re out of control!”
    Zin’s eyes were wide open for the first time since they’d finished the last round. A smile had returned, too. Danny saw it. They made the next turn even faster and Zin held on to keep from sliding off. No one saw them hit a narrow path and disappear into the trees.
    Danny was breaking the rules. He was doing something bad. It felt gooood .
    The wooded turns were hard to manage at full speed. They sideswiped a couple branches, gouging the side of the cart. But the laughter never stopped. They drove past the Chimney where, luckily, no one was around and they got to the path on the other side without being seen. Several minutes later and a close call with a tree, Danny slammed the brakes. Zin nearly went over the dashboard.
    “There it is.” Danny huffed.
    The path ended a hundred yards away at steps leading to gigantic palms that framed doors at the top.
    “ Geezer Mansion ?” Zin said.
    Danny smiled wide. “Let’s storm it.”
    “Reed’s rubbing off on you . ”
    “What are they going to do? Ground us? Stick a needle in our head?”
    Zin thought about it, then was overcome with laughter. “Let’s ditch the cart and ambush these old bastards.”
    Danny started up the cart again. They each hung a foot over the edge as they approached the end of the path. Just before they hit the opening, he gunned it and they leaped out, rolling into the