"It's good that you have it," Brandon said as Francis holstered his gun. "We're going to need all the protection we can get."

Brandon had been watching for any other form of threat as they walked, but he looked up at Francis' words. He raised one hand in greeting to Lydia, who raised one hand in return.

Soon the gap between them closed and the four were together again. "I got everything," she said, handing Brandon his bow and quiver, which he slung over his back. "The car was totaled though. A truck ran into the front of it. Completely dead."

"Dammit," Brandon sighed. Then he tried to smile and add, "Well, at least you got everything. Come on, it's a long walk to Keesler Air Force Base, but maybe someone will pick us up along the way. I don't think we'll have any luck here. It seems to have been evacuated already."

As Lydia went to give Brandon's knife back to him he held up his hand to wave her off. "Give it to Francis," he said. "He's got a small gun as well, but a knife is always good to have."

Lydia nodded and handed the knife off to Francis before strapping her own on her belt. "I got these too," she said, handing Brandon the box of ammo.

He took them and pocketed them, saying, "Let's get going."