Tom caught up with Serena on the way to the rest stop. He felt less tired than before, but was still shaken from the way the dead acted. He learned it was worse when you're actually facing them already. He was glad they got to stay in here, even if just for a short time. When others started approaching, he took a little step behind Serena. For now, he was trying to get his thoughts together. He couldn't get himself to meet these people yet. But he listened quietly. He learned that the girl was called Serena. One of the men was Wayne. The older one was Yuri.

While the older group talked about supplies, Tom made an observation of the place. A few more people were already inside. His eyes went to a girl who just entered. She had bright reddish hair, and seemed older, around twenty. Then he found someone who looked familiar. Then he realized who the boy on the bench was, Miykael. He recognized the guy from the highway, the one with the swords. Tom wondered if he could approach him. He seemed a little more closer to his own age as well. But he wasn't so sure about him, considering he watched the guy put a blade through a man's head. Self-defense, maybe, but still. He just gave Miykael a nod, looking if he was noticed. After taking a glance at Serena and the two men, he walked away from them. He wondered if the people here could stick together for some time. It might be better if they had strength in numbers.

Instead of approaching Miykael, he inserted the golf stick in his bag although only half of it fit, and went towards Aki. Thanks to his old job, he became more comfortable with strangers. "Are the dead still far from here?" He decided to ask first. Then added, "Tomlin, by the way. Or Tom."