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Jaime hangs his head but keeps watch on the road. "I know it's tough. For the past few days, we've seen people die: friends, family, all innocent people. I don't know how long this will last, but we gotta stay positive. If we get depressed and lose focus, we won't survive."

"It's just the beginning," Woody chimes in. "What happened at that school shook me, and I'm man enough to admit it. If the powers that be haven't developed a vaccine or some sorta treatment by now, the outlook's bleak. It's fast and growing stronger the longer it goes. At this rate of spread, and I'm more a statistician than epidemiologist, but—"

"Woody!" Jaime interjects and widens his eyes and squeezes his lips shut.

"Sorry, sorry," Woody says, and a spark of understanding shows on his face. "Best to stay positive."

Woody snorts a quick chuckle. "Make no mistake, Jaime, I want to head on outta here. Luth's place has been like the Comfort Inn, but my ass is headin' for low population, high altitude, and far away."

"We need to leave, yes, but we should stay close to civilization for supplies and food," Jaime says. "Going out into the mountains won't be habitable. It takes time to build shelters and grow crops and such. If we go outside Nightfall and find somewhere abandoned, we can scavenge for what we need until we figure out a long-term plan. What do you think, Luth?"