the sound i heard from the radiator was an illusion i guess. i had to put on socks and my flannel jams. then i dreamed, something about r. like i was awake, but i can't recall. i woke up hot and congested. i pray i'm not sick. at spider bridge i met somebody i haven't seen since mister died who had the virus after three years. penny moans when i move. i hope she's not hurting. i hear some small explosions, a racing engine, a siren, a ringing in my ear and then what passes as silence, the steady engine of the punctuated city, whooshing, and again the radiator, ticking this time maybe for real.