Sometimes it feels like it, but having somebody not of Antillioch tell Zack he’s not stupid goes a long way to helping some. “S’been happening for longer than I remember. Wouldn’t put it past that shitheel to have done this to me.”

It sucks, not just the head-fuckery, but the fact his brother did it, and the fact that as much as he tries to care about his brother, Abe just makes it harder and harder, especially lately, now Zack’s eyes have been opened, and he wants more for himself than just wandering the wastelands.

He tries a paradox. They definitely don’t taste like the onion rings they had in Alaska. “Want half my burger?” he offers, wishing he’d ordered something they could share.