Wendy followed Mahmud into a quiet corner tucked away from the main area. He got a can of soup and crackers, then placed the can of soup on top of the stove. Then, he walked off, presumably to check the bulletin board for any supplies that people needed. The common area was dimly lit by the glow of candles and such scattered around the room. It was tacitly agreed that nobody would just run off with the cans of food lying around on the shelves, although Wendy could vaguely remember an incident with someone and ten cans of green beans from when the Resistance first sprang up. 

Mahmud returned a few minutes later with a clipboard in his hand, muttering to himself. Wendy watched the soup, turning the stove off when the soup looked ready. "Mmm...looks like we're running out of water again. I can add your medical supplies to this list too, I'll get those on my first run. I might have to make several trips too...not sure how much we need and I honestly don't know how much I can carry back from above ground...hmm." he said.

Wendy nodded, smiling gratefully. "That would be much appreciated," she replied while dividing the soup into two bowls. The bowls were cheap plastic ones and stained with all sorts of strange colors, but one could not be too picky in times like these. Wendy handed Mahmud a small spoon and took one for herself, the handles rusty and discolored. It was not until Wendy began to eat that she noticed what type of soup it was-tomato. For a moment, Wendy thought back to the spinach and egg soup her grandmother used to always make back in China, and a seemingly physical aching filled her gut. Wendy shook her head slightly and pushed away the memories. The past was in the past, and she would have to make do with the present, no matter how ugly it was. 

Wendy finished her meal, munching away at the crackers after all the soup was gone. She got up and left her bowl, spoon, and the soup can by a large bucket of water, which was already surrounded by other utensils. One of the supers who could control water was responsible for cleaning up after each meal. Wendy returned to the corner where she had left Mahmud, nodding a hello to a few people here and there, stopping a few times to ask people who had recently come into the clinic how they were holding up. 

"I should really get back to the clinic," Wendy said to Mahmud when she got back to where he was sitting, her voice a tad apologetic. "I will see you later?"