160

Two miles and two hours later you reach the opposite side of the lake. Half an hour further on, the convoy makes a rest stop and takes stock of its surroundings. Traces of a paved road that disappears towards the west are found, and Cutter Jacks, who lived only a few miles from Lake Lewisville before ‘The Day’, identifies it as the remains of State Highway 407. ‘This’ll get us back on course,’ he says confidently. ‘Follow this baby and we’ll make Interstate 35 in under an hour.’

Twenty minutes later, Interstate 35 appears in the distance, its long, concrete body lying bleached and quaking beneath the fiery sun. The road you are following passes beneath it but, as you draw closer, you notice a ramp coiling away to your right, giving access to the freeway.

A few hundred yards beyond the ramp you see another. It leads to the ruins of a once prestigious building—the North Texas State University.

If you wish to search the university, turn to 82.

If you decide to lead the convoy onto Interstate 35, turn to 22.