Arika hurried to grab the bandages. Her hands trembled as she wrapped one around her arm and another around her leg, even though there were no wounds—but she had to keep up the charade. It was an automatic, almost superstitious act, as if that could protect her from the echo of what she had just dreamed.
She took a deep breath. She closed her eyes for a moment.
Then she walked to the door.
She turned the doorknob carefully. The wood creaked softly as it opened. Standing before her, in the pale light of dawn, was Reize
—Arika? —she said softly.
Before she could say anything else, Arika hugged her tightly.
Reize blinked, surprised by the intensity of the gesture, but soon wrapped her arms around Arika's back, enveloping her in a warm embrace.
—You had another nightmare, didn't you? —she murmured in a calm voice—. It's okay. I'm here.
Arika didn't respond right away. She just pressed her face against Reize's neck, feeling the steady heartbeat of someone who was still alive.
—Thank you… —she whispered finally, barely audible.
Reize stroked her hair gently, as if soothing a frightened child.
—You don't have to carry all this alone, you know? —she said, with a faint smile—. You have me.
Arika nodded slowly, and though she said nothing more, her eyes—wet but steady—spoke for her.
Reize watched her for a moment longer before asking softly:
—Are you feeling a little calmer now?
Arika took a deep breath and nodded with a faint smile. She could still feel the weight of sleep pressing down on her chest, but Reize's voice and presence anchored her back to reality.
—Yes…—she replied.
Reize smiled back at her, though a trace of concern lingered in her eyes. Then she looked toward the stairs.
—We have to go down. Almost the whole group is already gathered.
—All right —Arika said.
They both descended in silence, the steps barely creaking beneath their footsteps. Upon reaching the main hall, they found the others. The atmosphere was heavy, as if everyone were waiting for some news or important decision. Several faces turned toward them as they entered.
Koen, sitting on one of the sofas in the room, looked up as soon as Arika appeared. His expression shifted subtly. There was something about the way she walked, about her posture… something wasn't right.
He didn't dare approach her directly. Instead, he turned to Reize, who had stepped back a few paces.
—Is something wrong with her? —he asked in a low voice, without taking his eyes off Arika.
—She had another nightmare —Reize replied, also in a low voice—. But she's calmer now. She just needs time.
Koen nodded, his brow slightly furrowed. His unease didn't fade, but he decided to respect Arika's space. He stayed where he was, watching her intently from a distance, as if his eyes alone could protect her.
The group gathered around the table in the living room. On it, Elion unfolded a crumpled, stained map, spreading it out with both hands. Everyone gathered around in silence, attentive.
—Here —he pointed to an area to the south—. There's a car dealership… it's not too far away. We could get at least two vehicles. There are too many of us to fit in just one.
Koen nodded, his arms crossed.
—And is there a chance we'll find anything else there?
—Maybe —Elion replied—. If we're lucky, we could also load up on some fuel and look for supplies. With what little we have left… we won't last even two days.
The comment was met with a tense silence. Everyone knew it was true. Their backpacks were empty, and their supplies were dwindling with every meal.
—When should we go? —Ethan asked, folding his arms on the table—. Today? Tomorrow?
—If we do it today —Delma said—, we'd have to leave the city tonight… or at dawn at the latest."
Some began to murmur. Several disagreed. There were wounded among them, people who could barely walk properly.
—A few more days would do us good —Koen suggested—. Maybe in two or three, when everyone's stronger.
—What if two days is already too late? —Stella retorted, frowning—. We're taking a bigger risk by staying than by leaving.
Voices rose for a moment. The debate flared up like a flame amid the uncertainty.
Then Reize spoke up, trying to sound reasonable.
—Can we stay at least one more day? Arika… she still needs time.
Eyes turned toward Arika, who stood nearby, silent.
She looked up, resolute.
—I'm better. We can leave tomorrow. In fact… if it were up to me, we'd leave today.
—Arika… —Reize looked at her with pursed lips, then took a few steps closer—. You're not completely well. Just one more night, okay? Just one more night of rest.
Arika wanted to tell him that she wasn't in any pain anymore, that it was all a charade… but she couldn't. Still, her voice sounded firm.
—Don't worry. I'm fine.
Reize wanted to keep arguing, but seeing the look in Arika's eyes, she understood she wouldn't change her mind. She sighed, resigned.
—Then we'll leave tomorrow —said Elion.
—No. It would be best to leave today —she said in a grave voice—. Go get the cars now. Move while we still have some light. This city is getting more dangerous by the hour. If we leave it until tomorrow, we might not get a second chance.
Everyone fell silent. What she was proposing was risky… but it didn't sound illogical.
—We can go out in small groups —Elion added—. Some of us will go get the cars. The rest of you stay here to pack the backpacks and tend to the wounded. If all goes well, we'll leave tonight or at dawn.
They exchanged glances. No one dared to respond yet.
Ethan was the first to nod.
—I agree.
Reize crossed her arms, uncertain, and looked at Arik.
—Are you sure you can do this?
Arika held her gaze and replied in a calm voice.
—Yes.
Elion scanned everyone's faces, gauging the group's morale.
—So… are we all in agreement? —he finally asked.
One by one, they nodded, though not all with the same confidence. The silence that followed was brief, but heavy with tension.
Elion exhaled slowly.
—All right. We'll need a group of three or four people to go get the cars.
Elion himself volunteered first.
—I'll go— he said without hesitation.
—I'll go too —Ethan added.
Reize, upon hearing that Ethan was going, didn't hesitate and raised her hand almost immediately.
—Me too.
Ethan turned his head, clearly surprised, but said nothing.
A few steps away, Arika watched the scene. Although her face remained calm, her fingers began to intertwine and fidget nervously. Her concern for Reize was evident… at least to anyone who could read her.
Koen noticed her.
His eyes rested on her for a moment, and then he raised his hand.
—I'll go too.
Arika froze.
Koen turned to look at her and gave her a small, calm smile, as if trying to tell her that everything would be all right.
—Perfect —said Ethan—. Come on over; we need to put together a plan.
The four of them gathered around the map. They leaned over the table, pointing out routes, discussing timelines, and assessing risks. Their voices remained low, focused, as if every word could make a difference.
From where she stood, Arika didn't look away.
Then, she felt a small hand clasp hers.
—Arika… —Althea said softly—. Will you come with me? Let's help out in the kitchen.
Arika blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and nodded slightly.
—Yes… sure.
Hael approached as well, carrying Mian in his arms. The little dog wagged his tail calmly, oblivious to the tension in the air.
—I'm coming too —he added.
The three of them headed to the kitchen, where Stella and Delma were already organizing what little was left.
—Ah, just in time —Stella said when she saw them —. Arika, can you get the cookies out of the bottom drawer?
—Sure…
Arika crouched down and opened the drawer. When she saw the contents, her gaze lingered for a moment.
—There are very few left… —she murmured —. We'll have to ration them carefully.
Stella let out a soft sigh.
—At least there'll be enough for everyone… that's something.
Carefully, she began placing two cookies on each small plate, adding a little jam as if it were a small luxury amid the scarcity.
To one side, Delma stirred a hot cup of tea, the steam rising slowly.
—It's getting colder every night —she remarked—. I don't think winter is far off… and with it, the first snowfall.
—That would complicate everything…— Stella added in a low voice.
For a moment, silence settled in, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was that kind of shared silence that arises when everyone is thinking the same thing.
Still, they kept working.
When they were done, they began carrying the items to the dining room. Delma held the cups carefully, Stella carried the hot pitcher, and the children, along with Arika, balanced the small plates.
—Come eat! —Stella called toward the living room.
—We're coming —Elion replied.
He rolled up the map, and, along with the others, they approached the table.
They sat down, and for a few minutes, the group shared that simple breakfast in silence. The warmth of the drink and the company managed, at least for a moment, to ease the tension.
When they finished, Elion set his cup aside.
—Those of you who are leaving… start getting ready.
Stella frowned slightly.
—Don't you think that's a bit too rushed?
Ethan shook his head firmly.
—Getting the cars will take time. The sooner we leave, the better.
Koen nodded.
—You're right.
There were no further objections.
Those who would make up the group began to move: checking weapons, adjusting backpacks, verifying ammunition. Each was busy with their own tasks, but all shared the same contained urgency.
Meanwhile, Arika, Hael, and Althea silently cleared the dishes and returned to the kitchen.