This War of Mine: Strength in Numbers

Winter

"What's the temperature?" Stacey asks rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

"Cold," Kat says looking around quickly.

"October 10th and it's this f***ing cold," Roman says shifting slightly to keep warm.

"It's a good thing we have most of what we need," Stacey says blowing out a puff of warm air.

"How many more days?" Roman asks looking between the two people in front of him.

"At this point we'll let the weather dictate that," Stacey says with a slight shrug. "But I don't think it'll be much longer."

"Can't exactly scavenge in the snow," Kat says grimly.

"Luckily we don't need to," Stacey says and smiles.

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Roman says.

Stacey shrugs. "Anyway I'm off, need to clear the outer edge tonight. Kat you're..."

"I know, I know, midtown district," Kat waves Stacey off before heading in the opposite direction she is heading.

"Good luck," Roman whispers after them and makes his way up to his perch.

——————

"Hey we are your neighbours from down the street, we wanted to thank you." A woman, and some kids stand in the vestibule area wearing warm clothing.

"Thank us for what?" Cupid asks flashing a smile at the kids, who all blush and try to hide behind the woman.

"Well coincidentally, the looters keep coming from the east, and making it to your house first. And you've done a good job deterring them from coming in any further." The woman says with a bright smile.

"Oh, well, you're welcome," Cupid says giving her a bright smile in return.

"We wanted to give you this, it isn't much but," She says handing forward a basket with a blanket over it.

"You don't have to," Cupid says trying to wave it off, but she places it on the floor beside him.

"What are neighbours for?" She grins again.

"Well, Thank you," Cupid says helping to open the front door.

The group trots out in the snow and the woman turns back to Cupid.

"Take care of yourselves, that's the only thanks we need," She says grinning again.

"Yeah and the looters," Kat grumbles as the neighbours leave and Cupid shuts the door.

"Hush Kat, they were just trying to be neighbourly," Cupid says picking up the basket.

"Ohhh! Candy!" Cupid says pulling the blanket back.

"Hey give me some," Kat says reaching forward. When the blanket is fully removed it reveals sugar, flour, and some other baking ingredients.

Cupid laughs as Kat glares at him.

"Don't worry Kat I will turn this into some candy for you," Cupid says heading towards the kitchen with the basket.

——————

"Well its official," Cupid says walking out of the living room. "It's winter outside."

"I could've told you that," Roman says from his place in front of the fireplace, which had been turned into a smokeless heater.

"You know that funky device would be pretty nifty if it actually worked,"

"Give it a few more minutes," Mark says from his spot on the couch. "It needs time for the..."