Ethan walked away from the makeshift camp of encircled cars, leaving the forty or so people relying on him behind. He could feel his responsibility for them as a tightness in his shoulders. He didn't like it but it was a burden he had taken upon himself.

…

A little bit of bleakness had settled into her heart and she was fighting herself to shake it off.

Normally, she was a hopeful person. She did most things with a smile. Today, however, a truth had crept into her heart that she had fought for months to ke…