Joe didn't look like a wild boy at all. His face carried honesty. His shoulders held calm. There was a depth in his eyes that spoke of years far beyond his age. Whitney studied mother and son with careful eyes. She gave a small nod and spoke with kindness. "Welcome. I'm Jensen. This is my friend, Reed." Lisa shifted in her seat, her hands twisting nervously. "Ms. Jensen. Mr. Reed. It's good to meet you both." Bruno never sat down. As soon as they entered, he moved through the house and gathered every blade that could cut. He even locked away the kitchen knives. Then he stood behind the sofa, every muscle taut, his frame ready to strike at the smallest threat. He heard Lisa's polite greeting, but he did not answer. He stood in silence, his presence casting a long, heavy shadow. Whitney's eyes softened as she leaned forward. "How have you survived these past two years? I've heard the city has been unbearable." Lisa's lashes trembled. She brushed tears from her cheeks. "It was hell. Every day felt like living in a pit. The only reason we made it this far was because of my son's father." Whitney hesitated, her voice gentle. "And his father ... " Lisa gave a broken laugh. The sound cut her throat like glass. "He's gone. He died just two days ago. The boy's grandmother is gone too. Now it's only us." Her tone wavered as she continued. "When the fog rolled in, chaos broke everywhere. His father's moods snapped back and forth like storms. Then, four boys came at him with machetes. They were wild, beyond reason ... " Her words cracked. She covered her face and sobbed. Whitney's chest tightened. She slid a tissue across the table and spoke softly. "It's alright. You don't have to say more." She waited until the crying dulled, then said, "You may stay for now. I'll clear a room in the basement for you. But food is scarce. I can only share one day's worth. After that, you must find your own." Her hand reached toward the boy. She offered him a piece of candy, her smile gentle. "Think it over. If you're fine with the arrangement, I'll prepare the room." The boy accepted the candy, but he did not eat it. He turned the wrapper in his hand. He studied the flavor printed on it. Then he tucked it carefully into his pocket. Lisa's eyes shone with sudden relief. "We'll take it! Thank you, thank you so much!" She lunged forward, clasping Whitney's fingers tight. "You've already given us shelter. I can't ask for food too. I'll work. I'll find a way. I swear it." Whitney smiled faintly. "You're welcome." She seemed satisfied with Lisa's resolve. Her tone grew calm. "I can't hand you food outright. But I can show you where to search." Lisa's body leaned closer, her voice eager. "Please, tell me." Whitney's gaze shifted toward the window. "You saw the ruins when you came, didn't you?" Lisa nodded. "Yes. I saw them. It's a shame. Those homes were beautiful once." Whitney's voice held steady. "The ruins hide supplies. Food is buried there. Cans. Boxes. If you're willing to dig, you'll find enough. That's how we survive. Our storage is small. We live off what we pull from under the rubble." Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief. She thought how rare it was for anyone to speak so openly. Most clutched their secrets tight. Barely anyone would show off their wealth, especially in this kind of situation. Yet this girl spoke without fear.Lisa's lips parted. "You live this hard too? I thought people in this district had stores of food." Whitney let out a sigh, long and tired. "Wealth belonged to the world before disaster. Without him, I would have starved." Her hand lifted toward Bruno, who stood like a sentinel behind her. Lisa's gaze followed. His eyes locked on hers. They were cold and sharp, steady as stone. She forced a thin smile and opened her mouth to flatter him. His voice cut through like steel. "You claim hardship. You claim hunger. Yet you carry gas masks. How do you explain that?" Lisa's eyes did not shift. Her voice was clear. "We found them." Bruno's brow sank low. "Found them?" Whitney's voice carried surprise. "Where?" Lisa lifted her mask and showed the dark stains along its rim. "I pulled it off a corpse." Her breath came heavy. "It was chance. After leaving the city, I found bodies on the roadside. They had masks. They had a bag of crackers. Without that, Joe and I would never have made it here." Bruno's lips twisted, though no warmth reached his eyes. "Fortunate, then." Lisa lowered her head, pretending not to catch the sarcasm in his voice. "Yes. Our luck held. And then we crossed paths with you." Bruno ignored the flattery. His gaze cut past her and landed on the boy. "What's your name?" The boy's eyes flicked toward his mother. His answer came soft. "Joe." Bruno's gaze sharpened. "I know that. Tell me your full name."Joe glanced again at his mother. Lisa hurried to speak. "His name is ... "