STAN

The basement buzzed with faint murmurs of relief as Stan made his way through the crowd, nodding to the grateful faces around him. When he reached James, he handed over the heavy bag with a tired sigh.

"This is the last of it from the mini-mart up north," Stan said, his voice low but steady.

James took the bag, his expression a mix of gratitude and concern. "I understand. Thank you for risking it, Stan," he said, clasping the younger man's shoulder briefly before turning to Jonathan. Together, they began distributing the supplies.

Families hurried forward, their hunger overcoming their usual hesitance. A mother received a can of baked beans from Jonathan and immediately dropped to her knees beside her young son. She popped the lid open, her trembling hands betraying her desperation.

"See? I told you we'd get something to eat," she said with a faint smile, waking the boy gently.