AARON They went through the man’s pockets carefully. Fingers checked every fold of fabric, every seam. A knife came out first, worn smooth from use. A pistol followed, secured in a holster at his hip. Several loaded magazines were pulled from a cargo pocket, heavy and ready. Proof that this man had come prepared. Proof that his intentions were never good. Nathan walked back around to the front of the store. A calm, almost pleased smile rested on his face. The sight of it sent a chill through me. He looked like someone lost in a song only he could hear, enjoying it in his own quiet world. The ease of his expression did not match what had just happened. It unsettled me deeply. What he had done was violent and final, yet he wore that smile like it was an ordinary day.Still, there was a strange comfort in knowing he was on our side. My eyes lifted toward Marcus Hale and Elliot. While doing so, I caught movement in the Mobile Hauler’s window. Elena’s face appeared for just a second. My stomach tightened. I whispered a silent prayer to God that Lucas was not watching, that his eyes were somewhere else. Marcus and Elliot both looked drained of color. Marcus kept rubbing his hands together, unable to keep them still, like he was trying to wipe something invisible off his skin. “I think we should leave,” Marcus said. His voice carried the weight of shock. The way he spoke told me everything. Whatever had been happening across the country, whatever chaos had swallowed everyone else, this was the first time it had truly reached him. Up until now, it had stayed distant. Not anymore. Nathan stepped forward and pressed a medical pack into Marcus’s hands. “If you head out, try to stay together as long as you can. There’s a good chance these weren’t the only ones out here looking for easy prey.” Marcus stared down at the pack. For a moment, his fingers loosened I thought he might let it fall. Something shifted behind his eyes. A quiet change. He gave a small nod, like he had reached an agreement with himself after an argument no one else heard. “Alright,” Marcus said at last. “We’ll pack up and head out.” “Good,” Nathan replied. “Stay safe. Don’t stop unless you absolutely have to. Moving targets are harder to hit.” His smile stayed in place as he began pulling the rifle from his back. Marcus stepped away, shock clear on his face. “You’re not coming with us?” Nathan tilted his head slightly. The smile dipped, but did not disappear. “No. Someone needs to check on the deputies at the checkpoint and keep the shop going. People are scared right now. They need a place that feels safe. Somewhere they can stop and breathe for a minute.” “Aren’t you worried these two might have friends?” Elliot asked. Nathan extended the rifle toward the group without singling anyone out. Nathan stepped forward and took it. “You know how to use that?” Nathan nodded in answer. Nathan’s smile widened as he looked back at Elliot. “I wasn’t worried when these two showed up. I won’t be worried if more like them come. People usually run with others just like themselves. Judging by these two, I like my odds. I’ve never walked away from responsibility. Not once in my life. I’m not starting now.” “Why do you even care about a convenience store?” Elliot asked. “I don’t,” Nathan replied. “What I care about is good people like you getting what you need to survive. I’d rather see the world rebuilt by people like you than by people like them.” He gestured toward the bodies lying still on the pavement. Understanding settled in my chest while the others were still trying to process it. Nathan, our shield, our protector, was staying behind. The man was clearly unstable, maybe even dangerous in his own way. But he was our dangerous man. He had kept us alive. I could see why the others struggled to accept that he was not coming with us. The moment stretched too long, so I pushed the conversation forward. “If you’re okay with it, we’ll travel south with you for a while. We’ll have to break off before Sunreach State. Or you can come with us and stay at my in laws’ place. They have enough land to support that Mobile Hauler.” Marcus snapped out of whatever distant place his mind had gone. His eyes focused on me. After a brief pause, he nodded. “That’s the best plan I’ve heard so far.” “It’s the only plan we’ve heard so far,” Nathan muttered under his breath. We all turned back toward Nathan. “We appreciate everything you’ve done,” I said. “Happy to help,” he replied. That same unsettling smile stretched across his face. The men turned toward the Mobile Hauler. I fully expected to gather my family and move toward the Compact Cruiser. Then Nathan spoke again. “There is one more thing you could do for me before you leave.” We stopped. Looks passed between us. Marcus answered, “Sure.” There was hesitation in his voice, thin but present. Nathan jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I might look young again, but I was never the strongest guy. I could use some help with these two.” Silence followed. The meaning of his words settled over us slowly, heavily. “I’ll take the feet,” I said, stepping toward the body. The others followed without arguing. Together, we lifted the dead weight. It was heavier than it should have been. Arms strained. Breathing grew rough. We carried the body toward the dumpster behind the store. Every step felt longer than the last. Nathan whistled the entire time. The tune was cheerful, almost upbeat. It sounded like something from a television show from the 1950s, one I remembered watching as a kid on a classic streaming service. The contrast made my skin crawl. We reached the dumpster. With a final push, the body tipped over the edge and vanished into the dark below, joining the store owner already inside. The sound echoed as it landed. Standing there, listening to that happy tune still floating through the air, I could not tell what disturbed me more. The task we had just finished, or the calm, cheerful music that followed it.