"Are you absolutely sure about this, Tom?" Jason's tone is pleading. "You have no idea what you'll encounter out there."

"I know." Tom nods. "But we have to do something. These supplies won't last more than a couple days…" He glances at the mass of hungry, scared faces, his gaze landing squarely on me for a long moment. I want to look away, but I can't. He gives me a faint smile, then returns his attention to Jason. "We're going to be fine."

"Okay." Jason pats Tom ...