“I hid foodforus,” Julien says, not even looking at him. “Standard precaution.”
Cameron walks to the box. “Should last another day. More if we stretch it.”
“Hopefully enough time for those things to move on,” Sienna adds, glancing toward the windows where darkness gathers.
After heating up the cans, Julien begins distributing the food—one can, one granola bar, and one water bottle per person.
When he reaches Amelia, he kneels beside her, voice dropping. “Here. You need to eat.”
“Thanks.” She accepts the can with shaky fingers. “But you don’t have to worry about me.”
He nods and hands me my portion, his fingers lingering on mine. “Eat.”
It’s not a suggestion.
I nod, but my stomach clenches at the thought of food after what happened. Amelia huffs, and I glance over as she struggles with the pull tab.
“Let me.” I reach for her can.
“I can do it.” She yanks it away, but her hands tremble.
“Meli, please?—”
“I said I can do it.” The edge in her voice silences me.
The tab finally pops with a metallic snap. Little victory. She lifts the can to her lips, taking the smallest sip of sauce before setting it down between her legs.
“You need more than that.” I nudge the can closer to her.
“Not hungry.”
“You have to keep your strength up for when?—”
She turns her face away. “I’m old enough.”
“Sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“It’s fine.” But her voice says it’s anything but.
My gaze drops to my own can. I should eat. Set a good example. But my throat feels lined with sandpaper, each swallow a conscious effort.
“Hey, hey.” Sienna drops down beside me, her shoulder bumping mine. “This seating arrangement is getting real cozy.”
I attempt a smile that probably looks more like a grimace. “Yeah.”
“So.” She scoops beans. “I’ve been thinking. We should totally start a zombie apocalypse book club. I’m thinking ‘World War Z’ for our first selection. Too on-the-nose?”
A small laugh escapes me. “You think we can find that here?”
Amelia stares at us, disbelief etched across her face. “How can you joke right now?”
Sienna blinks, taken aback. “I wasn’t?—”
“We could have died today,” Amelia says. “I had a knife at my throat. They took everything. And you’re sitting here chatting like it’s a girls’ night out in the movies.”
Sienna’s smile fades as she sets down her can. “I was just trying to?—”
“To what? Make light of me almost dying? Of those men—” Amelia’s voice cracks, tears welling in her eyes.
