Cry to Me

12.

Amanda: So we can't go back to base – assuming there's even a base left. How far is the next town?

David: Thirty miles, give or take. I don't know if we have enough fuel to get that far, though.

James: What if we go back to the city – to Riverside? We have weapons - we could set up there.

Charlie: Every time I go back to that place, people die.

Amanda: If we were to make it inside the base, could we contact other cities?

David: If the comm's system isn't damaged, I don't see why not.

Amanda: So we have to go back. We have to try. From the sounds of it, there's no one left for us to worry about, and you have access to places those things can't get into, right? If we can contact someone, they can come rescue us. Take us away from this nightmare.

Charlie: And what makes you think other places aren't over-run with these creatures either? Don't you think they would've already sent a rescue team considering an entire city just stopped functioning?

Amanda: Well, I'm open to all of your suggestions! We've been here two weeks already, we're running out of food, and we need to make a decision. So what should we do, Charlie?

He gave her a frustrated look, but said nothing else. For a while, everyone was considering the options and no one said anything. They all knew a decision had to be made, and soon.

David: I think you're right - it's worth going back to base. If we can make contact, we can tell them we're still here, and maybe they'll come back and help us.

James: But the creatures were over-running the place, weren't they? How are we supposed to avoid that?

David: You won't have to – I'm going in alone. I don't know if it'll work, but I know where to go as long as I can get in. And who knows, I might still have some help from inside.

James: Great. So you get past the creatures and you find a radio to make contact with the people who are trying to kill us. That doesn't sound crazy at all.

Amanda: At least it's something. And he's right – the rest of us are safer here – the more of us who go with him to the base, the higher chance no one comes back alive.

Charlie: It's crazy, but it might work.

David: I'll go tomorrow at first light. You guys stay here as long as you can before you run out of supplies – hopefully someone can reach you by then. If you don't have to go back to the city, don't.

Amanda, James, Charlie, and Colten agreed and soon started playing cards to get their minds off of things. David got up and headed out the door to the garage. Taylor followed him shortly afterwards. His hands were on the hood of one of the vehicles, and his head was bent down.

Taylor: You're joking, right?

He did not move.

Taylor: Have you all gone mad? You want to go head first into an ambush all by yourself, and they're just willing to sit by and wait for... for what exactly?

She waited for him to respond, but his silence continued. She made a decision.

Taylor: I won't let you go. Either you're staying here or I'm going with you.

He took a deep breath and spoke quietly.

David: I lied to you and I put you – and everyone else - in danger. I have to make up for that.

Taylor: This is not the way to do that! Besides, I need to make sure you keep your word and aren't trying to desert us here.

David: This is the best I can do. You have to stay here and look after everyone else.