AARON Tones squawked again, sharp and uneven, then looped back on themselves. Fingers tapped the side of the phone until the noise finally died. Silence followed, but no one slept through it. Everyone was awake now. Nathan looked ready before the sound even stopped, eyes open and focused, like he had never laid down at all. Elliot hacked into his fist, coughing hard, clearing out whatever dust and stale air had settled into his chest while he slept. Feet swung over the edge of the drop-down bed, and he climbed down, boots touching the floor with purpose. Marcus stepped out of the restroom, phone already in his hand, eyes lit with something close to excitement. “Did you all hear that? Sounds like the government might finally be getting its act together.” Smile spread across his face. Real hope, not forced. That feeling tried to take hold. Relief always did. Letting the tension slide off, even for a moment, felt tempting. The same mistake had been made less than twenty-four hours earlier, and the cost of it was still fresh. My eyes moved to Elena. Her face had gone pale, almost gray. I suspected my own matched it. Fear showed differently on everyone, but it showed. Nathan caught my eye from across the Mobile Hauler. Head lifted just a fraction. Question asked without sound. Shared experience made it clear enough. The phone came up for a quick glance. Same message. Same empty promise. No proof. No change. My head shook once. “I don’t trust it.”Nathan’s voice stayed low, grounded, steady. Elliot dropped onto the couch beside him, coughing again into his hand before leaning back. “Why not?” Answer came before Nathan could take another breath. “The same thing happened to us. Whoever is doing this pulled my entire congregation into a death trap at the Haven Assembly Hall.” Marcus sat down next to Seraphina. Her brow tightened with concern, and his hand moved to hers without thought, like instinct had taken over. “You said it was a woman who tricked you into going there. This was an official government broadcast.” I watched Elena’s arms tightened around Lucas. Grip firmer than before, like letting go might make something worse. “Don’t think it was ever her sending that video.” Marcus turned slightly, looking back at her over the seat. “What do you mean?”“The video was fake. Miriam died in that hall like everyone else. Machines killed her. Same as the rest.” Her voice stayed soft, almost careful, as if the truth was still settling into place inside her. Marcus opened his mouth to speak, but space closed fast. “Roads are mostly clear. Supplies are solid. Enough to reach either the Lockwood Residence in Ravenport or your place in Sunreach State. Nobody’s hurt. We don’t need to gamble.” Marcus frowned. “That’s exactly why we need shelter. We’re a giant moving target. How long until the next group comes after us? Gary won’t be there next time.” “We’ve got guns now. We can protect ourselves.” Nathan again. Calm, but firm. Seraphina shifted in her seat. Marcus squeezed her hand a little tighter. There was history there, something unspoken. Some things stayed buried.“Even with the biggest guns,” Marcus replied, “numbers still matter. There are too many people out there who would take what we have without thinking twice. The fact we haven’t run into more bandits already feels like luck. Strength won’t come from staying alone. It comes from finding others who are still decent.” Elliot let out a short laugh. “Guess that’s what Gary was hoping for.” Nathan shook his head slowly. “Risk we don’t have to take. I’m with Aaron.” Marcus nodded once. “I get that. Here’s a compromise. Park on a side Residential Lane. I’ll scout ahead. Make sure it’s safe.” Breath held without realizing it. Waiting for someone to call for a vote. No one did. Nathan folded his arms and sank deeper into the couch. Dead cars and broken pavement slid past the front windscreen, the world outside moving while the decision sat heavy inside.Throat cleared. The phone came up again, navigation glowing faintly. “Two hours out of the way.” Marcus shook his head. “Only if we commit to Ravenport. Westhaven sits straight south. Same direction as Sunreach State.” Words formed, ready to push back, but a hand came up first. “Not saying Ravenport is off the table. No need to threaten leaving. We’re closer to your place anyway if Westhaven doesn’t work out. Truth is, none of us knows what we’ll find in Highland State or Sunreach State. We do know there are supplies and protection at the Westhaven Unity Dome.” Frustration tightened in my chest. First from being spoken over. Then from the real danger being brushed aside. “That’s the point,” motion went toward Nathan. “Nobody knows what’s waiting there. Could be safe. Could be another trap.” Marcus’s jaw set. Nathan spoke before anyone else could. “Decision’s made. We’re going to Westhaven.”Phone tapped. Tone rang out through the Mobile Hauler’s sound system. The vehicle shifted lanes, lining up for the next exit without hesitation. Breath slipped out, slow and heavy, like it had been held too long. I stood up from the dinette. I walked past Marcus and Seraphina without a word. The recliner waited beside my wife and son. Hand slid into mine. Elena didn’t look up. Lucas leaned against her side, still half-asleep, trusting without knowing why. My eyes stayed on the road ahead through the windscreen. Concrete stretched forward, empty and uncertain. Whatever waited at the end of it was already set in motion.