AARON Her smile was the warmest and most real I had ever seen. I had to stop myself from trying to talk her into coming to a local party meeting. I had spent so much time trying to build a team of possible candidates to back Fernandez that now, when I saw someone with natural charm, my first thought was how to use them. Seraphina pointed to the two packets in my hand. "What are those?" I looked down, having almost forgotten I was holding them. I held them up. "Oh. We were going to use these to pay you for some barbecue." As soon as I said it, I watched everyone. From Marcus's family to the other guests, they all either turned completely to look at the convenience store or jerked their heads that way before stopping themselves. Marcus used the handle of his spatula to scratch the back of his head. "Yeah," he said, stretching the word. "Food is free." Seraphina nodded. "So, you do not need those packets." I motioned toward the Mobile Hauler. "Well, if it is okay, I would like to give them to you so my wife and boy can use your restroom." Marcus's eyebrows went up. He put the spatula down and reached for the packets. "I believe that could be arranged." Seraphina's hand shot out and smacked the back of his hand. She scowled at him. "We are not going to charge people to use our restroom. Especially not a little boy." "And we know what happens to people who profit from others," the muscular man with short hair muttered. The man beside him nodded in agreement. Seraphina's smile grew even brighter, which I did not think was possible. "You keep those," she said to Elena. "You and your boy are more than welcome. Come on in." Elena thanked her and carried Lucas into the Mobile Hauler. His eyes were starting to open as she carried him up the sturdy steps. I waved to him. My boy's hand waved back sleepily before he disappeared inside. "Want a beer?" Marcus asked. "I will take a water, if you have it," I said. The man with black hair leaned over, reached into an ice chest, and pulled out a wet bottle of water. He tossed it to me. The bottle landed in my palms, but the water made it slip. I barely caught it with my other hand. The man with the nearly shaved head let out a short breath. "Guess you have already had enough beer." I smirked and sat at their table. "After everything we have seen, I am surprised I am not living inside a bottle right now." "Amen to that!" a woman at the nearby picnic table shouted. The man with black hair reached across the table, hand out. "Name is Elliot. This big guy here is Nathan."Nathan lifted his head but stayed quiet. I shook Elliot's hand firmly. I pulled up a seat just as Marcus came over with a plate holding three burgers. He pointed to a table by the wall of the Mobile Hauler. "Toppings are over there if you want them." "Appreciate it," I said. My gaze moved over the whole length of the vehicle. I used to think buying one was a waste. At any other time in history, it might have been. But the idea of having your own home that could move wherever was safest, that could support your family, now had a strong appeal. "Beautiful Mobile Hauler," I said. Nathan sat up a little straighter. I realized right away he likely took my words as a threat. He probably thought my admiring it meant I wanted to take it.Marcus smiled. "Yup. Usually just used her for vacations along the coast with the missus. Loved visiting the grandkids. But now... guess she gets to be part life-support system and part work horse." "Are you heading to get your grandkids?" I asked. Marcus nodded. "Yup. Had to stop here to recharge. Usually the battery lasts a long time, but it is packed full of supplies. Plus we ran into some bad traffic earlier. It used a lot of power." Nathan cleared his throat. Marcus smiled at him. "No worries, brother. This guy does not mean us any harm." I held my hands out. "Hey, I am just jealous. I wish I had been smart enough to get one before everything went to hell." Marcus smiled at the quiet compliment I had slipped into my words. "And how were you supposed to know the shit was about to hit the fan?" He looked back at the Mobile Hauler. "Probably could have made it all the way to Sunreach State without charging. Not worth the risk, though. The roads are not as clear as I would like.""Is that how you ended up here?" I asked. Marcus nodded. "Only easy charge station for a hundred miles we could find. Figured it was here or nowhere." I looked at the store. "So... um, the clerk." "Is fucking scary," Elliot said quickly. Everyone, even the people at the next table, nodded. I leaned forward like I was telling a secret. "Were you here when he did it?" Elliot nodded. "Damn near got some of it on me." A man from the picnic table spoke up. "Must have been a professional baseball player once. The way he swung that tire iron." The group went quiet. Then Nathan broke the silence. "I like the guy." Elliot rolled his eyes. "Of course you would." "What is not to like? He has helped us. With guys like him, you know exactly where you stand. Unlike with others." He said it, and I got the strong feeling he was talking about me. A moment passed and I began to feel tense. I looked at the group at the picnic table. "So, what are you all talking about over there?" A woman with golden brown hair answered. "Planning our next move. There is a convention center not too far from here. The government set up a relief program there for people displaced by the fighting. They turned it into the command post for an army division. That means plenty of protection and supplies." "That is a lot of information. How do you know all that?"