Carlos showed up at 7 AM, an hour before the garage opened.
Adam found him sitting on the steps, his backpack at his feet, his hands shoved in his pockets. He was sixteen, maybe younger, with dark circles under his eyes and a thin scar on his jaw.
“You're early,” Adam said.
“Didn't want to be late.”
“Come on in.”
Adam unlocked the door, led him to the training bay. The same bay where Marcus had started, where Jenna had learned, where so many survivors had found a second chance.
“Ever worked on a car before?”
“No.”
“Ever held a wrench?”
“No.”
“Then we start from the beginning.”
---
The first day was slow.
Adam showed Carlos the basic tools. Wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers. How to change a tire, check the oil, jump-start a battery.
Carlos listened, nodded, asked few questions.
