It took a moment for Dallen to react to the woman, his thoughts still shedding at his mind over his daughter's death.  Not only hers, but he got Ava killed as well, and he also felt somewhat responsible for the others along the way.  All he ever wanted was Kelsey's safety, now he had no direction.  The only thing left was survival.  These ranger station people probably weren't going to make it.  He was able to snap out of his thoughts, and after he wiped his eyes of tears he took her hand in a friendly manner.

"Dallen," he replied, now turning his attention back to the bottle of booze in front of him.  The bartender, Blake, cleaned the last bit of spilt drink from the counter top, slapped his dirty towel over his shoulder, and headed out for the night.  The fact that he was still bartending four days into the apocalypse told Dallen how much these people really believed things would get back together.  Maybe they would, eventually.  Who knew, but the chances seemed very slim that this thing was only based in a single city.

"I don't need anything," he added.  "But, thank you."  He took another shot and lit up another cigarette.  Just before the girl would turn away, he couldn't help but to let it all out.  He was trying so hard to hold himself together, but the liquor and the emotions rose too high.  "My daughter was killed, just a few hours ago."  He took a deep hit.  "I left her back there.  I have to bury her..."  Even his head ached at the task he had just set for himself, knowing it to be a suicide run.  "I failed her.  I failed everyone..."


...


The tunnel from the church led out to a large open under passing, just under the highway.  They were met there by Kenjen, who now drove a van to fit everyone in.  The area surrounding them was quiet, and the burning city could still be seen from the distance across the hills.

"Kenjen, you are a true friend to the church and god," Pastor Leroy Book spoke as they met and embraced.  "This is the last of them, the last to survive the city that now belongs to the dead."  He spoke of Elizabeth, Erin, Axe, his brother and the few others that made it to the safety of the church during the attacks.  "Come, we still have to travel up the mountain.  By morning, we will reach our destination."

Kenjen knelt down when he saw the young ones in the group.  He offered a friendly smile and handed them over some baked cookies.  "Just a taste of what's to come," Kenjen said, then they all piled into the van and were on their way.


...


DAY 4 of the APOCALYPSE 
Morning


Briggs, being the only amongst the group that seemed to have any experience with firearms, suddenly found himself appointed as head ranger, at least for the time they would all be up here.  The real rangers weren't even on the mountain for the weekend, as they were all somewhere else when the outbreak occurred.  The mountain, instead, was filled with party people, skiiers, tourists, and the locals.  None of them seemed to know what was to be done, yet they all stayed together for the time being.  Be it through fear, or whatever it was that kept them all here.  The former court house head security guard gave out the weapons amongst who deemed most responsible, and also set out some watchpoints to keep everyone safe.  

By the time Kenjen drove the van of the church group up to the station, Dallen awoke from his drunken state.  The morning sun pierced and blinded his eyes, his headache growing by the second.  The commotion around the lodge was that kenjen was back, and he again brought more survivors.  

"Dallen," Ethan shouted from the staircase, he was already looking out the window as the newcomers were getting out of the van.  "You'll never guess who just showed up."

Dallen cracked his neck, then his interest forced him outside into the cool morning air.  He instantly saw Elizabeth's red hair, then couldn't help but to break a smile when he saw Erin still alive and well with her.  His original reaction wanted to scold her for abandoning them before, but seeing them safely here put all that away.

"Erin?" Dallen said, kneeling down to give the girl a hug.  "You made it out."  He hugged her, giving Elizabeth a nod as he did.  There was a lot more to her than he originally thought.