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The next morning arrived with a quietude that was both eerie and welcome. The dim light of dawn barely seeped through the dense overgrowth that enveloped the compound. In the muted twilight, figures moved with purpose, shadows against the fading night.
Abraham was the first to approach Raven, a clipboard in hand. "Here's the final list," he said, offering it to her. Raven took it, her eyes scanning quickly down the names.
"Looks solid," she replied, her voice firm, betraying no hint of doubt or fear. "All members from defense as I specified?"
"Every single one," Abraham confirmed, pride lining his voice. "Rosita, Roberta, Garnett, and I are ready to lead them."
Raven nodded her approval. "Pack enough supplies for recon and potential engagement. Remember—speed and stealth are our allies."
"What's on ground zero?" Rosita asked.
"Could be anything," Raven replied curtly. "That's what you're there to figure out. If there's a threat, we need to know asap."
Roberta shifted her weight from one foot to another before asking, "And if we find survivors...people?"
"We assess," Raven stated bluntly. "If they're friendly, we'll bring them back here. If not..." She didn't finish her sentence but she didn't have to; they all knew the stakes.
Garnett cleared his throat, glancing at the lightening sky. "We should gear up then. 5am departure still stands?"
Raven's gaze followed his to the sky above them before turning back to lock eyes with each team member in turn. "5am sharp. We need every advantage we can get."
The crack of dawn held a promise of departure, and it echoed in the silence of the compound as Raven steeled herself for the pre-emptive stir of activity that would mark their journey come 5am. Within this oath of quietude, however, there was one interaction—barely a whisper—left hanging from yesterday: her minimal exchange with Carl.
With intent feathering her steps, she trailed towards the daycare level. The elevator dinged open, judicious timing as Carl was about to step out, Judith cradled against his chest like the most precious mantle.
'Raven?' His tone held brushed steel—a counterpoint to his surprise.
Judith cooed, flitting between consciousness and slumber as Raven closed the distance with open arms. Her hug enveloped both brother and sister—warmth shared, protection promised. Carl's arms clasped around her just a beat too long; a hidden crush perhaps? But Raven wore obliviousness like armor—unseen and unanswered.
'Carl,' she began when distance allowed words to resurface once more. 'How have you been? It feels like ages since we really spoke.'
He sighed—a leaf finally succumbing to autumn winds. 'First free time I've had,' he admitted ruefully. 'I'm always with Judith... making sure she's alright while Dad is... busy.'
Raven studied his eyes—the well-worn path of duty within—and an idea sprouted like dawn's first light.
'Hey,' her own slate filled with more than just levity now, 'I'm about to do my rounds checking on the snipe towers. You wanna come? It's not exactly riveting stuff, but... it'd be nice not to do it alone.'
In that moment, upon that unrehearsed stage of life's choreography, decision dawned in Carl's eyes as though he had just broken through the surface after diving too deep.
'Sure,' he replied, and it sounded like fresh air. 'Yeah, that'd be good.'
At the snipe towers, Raven led Carl up the winding staircase. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls, amplifying the silence that surrounded them. As they reached the top, Raven introduced Carl to 10k – a newer member looking not much older than him, his eyes sharp and alert as he surveyed the horizon.
"10k here is one of our best when it comes to precision," Raven said with pride. She then turned to Carl, "He's about your age. Maybe he can show you some stuff?"
Carl watched 10k reload his rifle with a fluidity that spoke of hours of practice. The prospect of learning from someone like 10k sparked an interest in him that he hadn't felt for a long time.
As Carl engaged with 10k, asking questions and observing, Raven slipped away to find Sasha – someone from Carl's old group. She found her maintaining another part of their defenses, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Raven leaned against the wall next to Sasha and asked in a gentle voice, "How's therapy going? You've been at it for a while."
Sasha paused and looked up from her work, brushing a strand of hair from her face. With a weary yet hopeful smile, she started sharing her journey of healing and how therapy was helping her cope with the past.
Meanwhile, under the watchful eye of 10k, Carl began to understand more about what it took to be vigilant and precise.
Time ticked unnoticed until Raven glanced at her watch – it was edging toward 6 pm. With sudden urgency, she grabbed Carl's arm—the one not burdened by his growing list of tasks—and urged him into a sprint toward the community bunker.
The air within was cool as they descended towards echoes of children's laughter from the daycare floor. There they found Beth cradling Judith in a tender embrace. Without losing a moment, Raven took Judith into her arms and passed her gently to Carl before wrapping Beth in grateful arms.
'Thank you,' she whispered fiercely.
Beth brushed off the thanks with an easy smile and looped her fingers through her mother's, pointing them toward home. Together, they guided Carl and Judith through remnants of daylight to their respective safe havens.
Dinner preparation became a rhythmic dance for Raven; slicing vegetables became meditative as she surrendered to the simple act of caring for those she considered family. And when Beth returned with Enid in tow—Addy appearing moments later—it was under a canopy of shared stories and laughter that they sat down for their meal.
Amidst mouthfuls of nourishment both physical and emotional, there was an underlying consensus—that as night wrapped its tendrils around their world outside, within these walls was warmth that outshone even the brightest day.
