The reflection of the sun off the new corrugated steel gate struck me, forcing my eyes to close. Old man Sousa waved a dismissive hand at me while engaging the chain drive, shaking the gate to life. It squealed and groaned open, showing that no one was there to greet me on my return. Most of the survivors saw the Lads and I as something just above the hybrids—a good person to have along in a fight but not the one any one wanted to bring home for supper. I guess they thought as a young woman, I should be more worried about helping to rebuild our numbers; standing a post on the wall, waiting for the end to come.

I left Zeus to watch over Charlie and Jermain most of the time. I kept telling myself that he kept them grounded to who we were and what we had endured. The truth is, my precious Zeus has slowed down, and I could not bare to see him hurt. Perseus was still too playful and prone to running off for a few moments. He watched over me and alerted to any hidden dangers. The standoff by the old shed along the river helped him grow up enough that he could be counted on. If I was going to find answers, then I could sit behind a wall waiting for them to come for us.