70

As you walk toward the Cathedral entrance, Uncle Lou calls out.

"Wait, we need to let everyone else know. And we need to bar the door if you walk out there."

You pause to wait for Uncle Lou to climb down but as he starts his descent on the ladder, Heather and Emma rush in. Uncle Lou summarizes the situation, and Heather and Emma spread news of the four-person team outside to all of the survivors. Within minutes, everyone is assembled in the Sanctuary.

Uncle Lou tells everyone what he knows -- four well-armed individuals are set up at the bottom of the hill leading up to the Cathedral. They have not acted aggressively nor even approached the doors.

Questions fly around the stone walls of the small church. What do they want? What should we do? Are they bandits? Should we all get armed?

You notice Tom in the back of the crowd, his arms folded and face a sheet of solid stone like the pillar he leans against. He seems content in watching and listening the unruly, disjointed strategy session before him. Your attention turns from Tom to Mindy who finally stands on a folding chair and whistles loudly to silence the room.

"Hey! Let's get a grip people. We need to all grab weapons and get ready if they attack."

The words echo through the Cathedral.

Uncle Lou leans down from his perch atop the catwalk, rifle slung between his arms.

"I agree—we gotta show them we mean business."

"Why do we all need to get guns ready? All we know is that they are outside and look dangerous. Maybe if we just talk to them...," starts Candace.

"There are four gun-toting bandits out there, and you think they are here to talk? Why not invite them in? Wait, I'll go bake some cookies first," says Heather.

"Oh Heather, will you shut up," Mindy says. "I am so tired of your attitude. Sarcasm isn't helping. Get over yourself."

"Okay, okay, fine," Heather says and slumps in a chair.

The murmuring of the group picks up again, and Emma leans in to you and suggests you throw out your opinion to the group.