278

The back of the pickup truck empties, and the three men, along with Cliff, move towards Gary and Lisa. "Before things get out of hand, maybe we should discuss this, Dee," you say, leaning against the side of the minivan.

"What's to discuss?" she says in a flat tone. "We can't allow vagrants to invade our town."

Cliff steps beside his sister, an ax handle resting on his shoulder. The three men from the pickup truck stand around Gary and Lisa, who listen intently.

"We're all concerned about this outbreak and want to keep safe. These people are passing through our town to escape the infection. You say you want to protect our town from strangers, but you're using this as an opportunity to rob them. Let's not pretend it's anything more than that."

Dee purses her lips and folds her arms, appearing both defiant and contemplative.

"The world isn't lost yet. We're all still people trying to survive. Let's not lose our humanity and be reduced to thievery in the first days of this epidemic. Let these people go."

Dee and Cliff give each other sideways glances, and without a word to one another, start towards the pickup. "Let's go, boys," she says, and the truck fills up and peels off down the road.

Gary and Lisa rush to their minivan and climb inside the overpacked vehicle.

"Thank you so much," Lisa says as she starts the engine. "God bless!" Before long, dirt is flying from the spinning tires, and the couple race away. You waste no time in returning home.