187

What? How?" Mindy says and stumbles back a step. "I… I can't believe it."

Walking further inside, you glance around the interior of the old church. Weapons are strewn about, piles of bullets are set on tables, knives and other edged weapons are decorated with now-dried blood, and old cots line the inside chamber. On a table near the catwalk is an AR-15 rifle, which you lift and load with a fresh clip.

Emma rushes into the Sanctuary and spots you staggering into the church area. Her clothes are torn and covered in dirt, and you spot burns along her arms, most likely from the firing of a weapon against the skin.

"What's going on?" she asks.

"There was an accident. Uncle Lou is dead."

Emma's face loses color, and she covers her mouth as tears fall. She stumbles back a pace but quickly recovers as she spots you limping. She moves beside you and draws your arm around her neck, guiding you to a folding chair.

"He's gone?" she asks, voice quivering, eyes wide.

"I'll explain everything but yes, there was an accident."

She rolls up your pant leg and compresses your knee. You wince, and she raises the ankle onto a stack of wood. She rips some cloth from an old linen tarp lying in a pile of supplies and ties them around your swollen knee.

The rest of the survivors slowly make their way into the Sanctuary, though you hold off on spreading the news until all arrive.