From the Zone to the Golden Ball

This flow follows the escalating expedition that brings Redrick and Arthur to the Golden Ball and forces Redrick to confront the limits of individual survival.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Old Map

The Old Map Buzzard’s Offer Buzzard Burbridge claims to know a route to the Golden Ball and offers Redrick a map of the hazards. His promise of a great reward appeals to Redrick, who has spent a lifetime measuring security in money. An Uneasy Partnership Redrick agrees to take Arthur Burbridge, although the young man’s inexperience makes him a liability. The journey begins as a bargain, but Redrick’s decision soon carries consequences beyond the promised payment.

A Trial by Heat

A Trial by Heat The False Safety A patch of apparently ordinary ground becomes a burning hazard. When Arthur panics and runs, Redrick drags him down and holds him against the ground until the heat passes. Survival at a Cost Both men reach the edge of the trap alive, but their bodies and equipment are damaged. Redrick tells himself that he saved Arthur as a necessary tool for reaching the goal, even as his actions suggest a more complicated attachment.

The Quarry’s Price

The Quarry’s Price Arrival at the Artifact Redrick and Arthur reach the quarry and see the Golden Ball. Arthur rushes toward it with the confidence of someone who believes his wish can repair the damage in his life. A Wish Without a Witness An unseen force kills Arthur before he can make a request. Redrick remains at the quarry, confronted by the deaths and compromises that brought him there, and must decide what to ask for without relying on another person’s desire.

Before the final expedition

Early in the final expedition

At the climax of the novel