Z for Zachariah

(May 24) Ann watches from her hidden spot as the stranger reaches the top of Burden Hill and finally sees her valley. At first, he is cautious, then excited—ripping leaves off a tree to make sure they’re real. He uses strange-looking devices that Ann realizes must be radiation detectors. After checking the area and finding it safe, he shouts in happiness and calls out, asking if anyone is there.

Ann is tempted to answer but stays hidden. She sees the stranger take off his helmet, revealing a long-haired, bearded man who looks pale and tired, but not dangerous. As he heads toward her house, Ann hurries back to the cave and watches from there. The man moves carefully, looking in windows before entering the house. When he finishes searching, he sets up a tent in the yard, gathers firewood, and cooks dinner using supplies from his cart. Ann, though still afraid, finds it comforting to know someone else is nearby.

(May 25) The next morning, Ann sees the stranger packing up his tent. Suddenly, a hen cackles, a rooster crows, and one of the cows moos. Surprised by these sounds, the man seems amazed to hear animals again. He checks his radiation counter, then arms himself with a small rifle and heads toward the chicken yard. Ann watches him shoot and take one of her chickens. Though she understands he must be hungry, she is shocked he used a gun instead of just catching the chicken. Next, he walks to the nearby store and church, then checks on the cows and the pond. He seems excited when he discovers the pond water is clean, tasting it for himself. After gathering canned food and spotting a rabbit, he returns to the house hot and sweaty.

Then the stranger makes a mistake. Wanting to cool off, he strips off his protective suit and goes for a swim—but in the wrong stream. Ann knows that Burden Creek is poisoned, likely from radiation or chemical weapons, and that everything living in it died. The man does not realize this and happily washes with soap, not noticing the signs of danger. Ann watches helplessly, unsure if the poisoned water will harm or even kill him. She wishes she could have warned him—but she still isn’t ready to reveal herself.