Ethan was getting real tired of dealing with end-of-the-world bullshit. Sure, stepping in usually didn't cost him much—but sometimes, even a small favor could spiral into a mess.
Like that time with the girls holed up in the Walmart. He'd helped them kill the bastards who'd raped them. No big deal, really. But the aftermath had left a sour taste in his mouth.
Still, when he saw the bruises on that mother and daughter—saw the way they looked at him, equal parts hope and terror—he sighed. He wasn't heartless. Not yet.
"Sean," he said, voice flat. "Go in there and kill the three men."
"Got it." Sean nodded, then turned and kicked the door in with a single, brutal stomp. He stepped inside without another word.
Ethan led the rest of the group toward the next house.
This one had its door wide open. Looked like a fight had broken out—furniture overturned, blood smeared across the floor. But the freezer inside was still stocked with beef.
