The continued push for survival began to feel futile.  Forced to keep a smile on her face for the sake of the little girl that remained practically glued to her side, Elizabeth often found herself sneaking away from the rest of the group whenever she could just to have a good cry.  What were they even doing anymore?  The missiles aimed at cities around the globe meant that they weren't the only ones affected by this disease anymore.  There wasn't a place left that was safe and despite Dallen's reassurance that the group would eventually find a place to settle down, she didn't believe him.  The only way to survive with them chasing after them was to keep moving—keep running—and that didn't sound like a fulfilling life.  

Eyes downcast as they discussed the options among themselves, she mindlessly stroked the little girl's back to comfort her.  Maybe it was her youth and the fact that she didn't know how things were really supposed to be, but she was far more accepting of the situation and listened more intently to the conversation trying to understand.  A lull in conversation as the two of them were the only ones not to say anything, she looked up to find all eyes on her before giving a dismissive, “I don't care.”  She'd been more detached and despondent to the group ever since their trip to the hive, but it was something she found she couldn't easily pull herself from.

Erin wasn't remaining by Elizabeth's side because she was scared anymore—even if that was true.  She mostly stayed beside her because she knew she was sad.  At the woman's response, she glanced up at her with her big eyes and gave a small frown.  “We can't just leave them,” she implored.  Looking around to the others in the group, she gave the pastor a stern look of disappointment as he of all people should have known that every life was precious and they needed to do whatever they could to help.  It didn't match her sweet features.

“Why do we have to stay together?” Elizabeth frowned.  “Let the people who wanna go on go.  It's better than them fucking up and getting people killed.”  Her harsh gaze was on Blake when she said it.  The needless deaths of Lucy and Gwen hadn't been forgotten.  In fact, it was a constant harsh reminder of what people were capable of when they got scared.  “Kenjen, Ethan, Steven, and I can go to the people in the mall.  The rest of you keep moving forward and wait for us at the city limits.”

The little girl looked almost offended by that plan.  “But I voted to go, too,” she argued, obviously wanting to go with them to help save the people.  Unfortunately it was too dangerous and while she may not have trusted Blake with her, she trusted the pastor to watch her as he had been doing and even Dallen to protect the group.

Elizabeth waited for objections, but while there were dubious looks from everyone no one actively voiced otherwise.  Turning her back on the rest of them, the woman went to the truck to load up on weapons.