"All right, people! You all somehow made it here, so now—silence, please!" Tyler yelled after he hopped on top of the car barricade.

For the most part, his loud order worked. The massive crowd gathered around the camp quietened, all eyes turning to the leader.

"Good, good. Keep it up, or you won't hear shite about what we have to announce," he continued, a slight grin on his face. "Now… most of you probably know us, but for those who don't, I'm Tyler Thomson. Then we have the big man himself, Daryl West, and finally, Regina Cooper, the woman who just might stop us from killing each other."

Isaac chuckled quietly as he watched Daryl and a short middle-aged woman with cropped brown hair join their co-leader atop the barricade. He could see why James and Tyler were friends. They shared the same flair for dramatics and a tendency to annoy other people. The glare the ex-military woman threw at Tyler only proved that.

"Was this necessary, Thomson?" Cooper whispered, crossing her arms.

If Isaac wasn't standing so close to the barricade, he wouldn't have even heard that. Though, his developed Insight attribute might have helped too…

In any case, her question only widened Tyler's grin. "Of course, my dear Regina. People here need to know who is responsible for saving their sorry arses."

The woman pinched the bridge of her nose. "British clown… Step back and let me talk. Daryl, I'll handle this."

Isaac's friend nodded, and after patting Tyler on the back, both men stepped off the barricade. With that done, Cooper cleared her throat and clapped her hands twice.

"Listen up, everyone!" she called out, her voice firm and commanding. "While Galt might be safe for now, the situation is still dire. We don't know what this Interface really is or what it wants from us, but for the moment, that doesn't matter. What does matter is our survival. The Contamination barrier has to come down, and we're halfway there with only today and tomorrow remaining."

She paused for a moment before continuing, her tone becoming a bit softer. "Now, I know many of you are tired, grieving, or angry. And you have a good reason to feel this way. We've lost so much in just two days. Our homes, our families, our friends… our loved ones." She shook her head lightly. "Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about the past. Moving on won't be easy. It never is, but we still have to fight. For a better tomorrow. For our survival."

Some people next to Isaac began to mutter between each other, yet he ignored them, keeping his gaze on the woman. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself…. This definitely wasn't her first time giving a speech like this.

"I would love to stand here and tell you everything will be fine. That as civilians, you will never have to fight." Her expression hardened. "But I'm not a liar! Even with Galt as our safe zone, believe me when I say—it's going to get worse before it gets better. Which is why I have something to ask of you."

Cooper's sharp gaze scanned the crowd, going from person to person.

"Help us keep this community safe! If not by killing the Wretched, then by assisting the camp. Gather supplies. Help with the cleanup and setting up more space to rest. Trust me, there is work for everyone. So tell me… what do you say?"

A couple of people in the crowd shouted a big, loud yes. Others just nodded in agreement. Of course, Isaac spotted a few who stood frozen, their faces a perfect picture of fear. But that was to be expected. After all, the majority of survivors in Galt didn't even have their Origin unlocked.

"She sure has a way with words, huh, boss?"

Isaac's gaze snapped to his right, where James now stood. The man must have pushed through the entire crowd to get to him. How he even recognized him in the sea of people was another matter. He had put on the baggy hoodie for a reason…

"That she does," he answered quietly. "Almost feels like we are in some kind of a movie."

James snorted. "You don't say. Budget zombies, all-powerful entities flipping our lives upside down, and now this? That's some B-movie shit right there."

Isaac chuckled, shaking his head. He was about to reply, but just then, Cooper's voice once more washed over the crowd.

"I'm glad to see and hear that most of you agree," she said, her lips tugging into a small smile. "The days ahead of us won't be easy and will demand a lot of blood and sweat. But together, united, we can survive… Which brings me to the real reason for this… less-than-ideal meeting. You all trusted Daryl, Tyler, and me to lead you through these trying times. That's why we have been thinking long about how to handle things from here. And here's what we have decided."

There it is, Isaac thought. Let's see how much Elaine really overheard.

"We will split into three uneven groups," Cooper announced. "Those of you who don't want to fight or are unwilling to leave Galt will stay here under Daryl's command. You will work on making this place into something we can all return to after a hard day. We cannot and will not force you to fight. So please, at least make our job of keeping you safe easier."

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Isaac frowned. While he agreed that no one should be forced to face the Wretched, staying weak and defenseless was also a horrible idea. At worst, everyone who hadn't awakened yet should be working toward it. They only had to kill ten Wretched for that, after all…

It's been only two days. He sighed. They still have time to adapt. Not everyone is like me…

"The next group will be led by me," Cooper continued. "This is for all volunteers—anyone willing to fight. Our job is simple. We will move onto nearby towns and settlements and do the same thing we did here. Even if we're few, we can make a difference… Finally, we have the third and final group headed by Tyler."

She gestured toward the British man, who sat on the hood of the car below her.

"This team will be small and handpicked. If you're chosen and agree to go, you'll be heading straight to Sacramento. Your job? Make contact with as many groups as you can. Humanity needs to stand united and you will be the ones to make that possible."

This doesn't seem right. Isaac's frown deepened. Not with what Elaine told him. If their goal was to just make contact with other survivors, they wouldn't need every strongest Host. No… either she had misheard, or there was more to this than they were being told.

"Isaac?" James whispered next to him but only received a raised hand as a reply. Now was not the time for talking. Not when Cooper was still speaking.

"There's one more thing before you all go," she said. "As some of you might have noticed, there's a new tent next to Daryl's house. If you want to come with me, go there and sign up. Just be quick, please. Also, those with families or other important people living near Galt may leave that information in the same tent. I can't guarantee we will find them, but we will try. You have my word."

Just like that, Cooper stepped off the car and, along with the other leaders, went toward the tent they had been using for their meetings. Isaac, still frowning, turned on his heel and, with James at his side, headed toward the backyard of Daryl's house.

"So what do you think?" The older man asked. "You going with Cooper or plan to move out on your own? You know I will gladly follow you. Ari probably will, too."

Isaac shrugged as they entered the mostly empty backyard. "As long as there are Wretched to be killed, I don't really care where I go. Though, I wouldn't mind finding something stronger to fight."

"Of course you wouldn't." James chuckled. "Ya know, it makes me wonder. I'm fighting and trying to grow stronger because I might never reach LA if I don't. But you? What is pushing you so hard, man? Why?"

Because I want to feel alive. To feel the blood surging through my veins as I fight. To see monsters dead at my feet… And because… I don't want to go back to the past.

Yet, he said none of that outloud. He couldn't. James might understand, but he also might not. As much as the man was annoying, Isaac enjoyed their easy camaraderie. He saw no reason to break it with his insane reasons.

As such, he settled for, "I don't know yet. Maybe I'm getting addicted to all that power?"

James patted his shoulder. "As long as you don't go off the deep end, that's fine. Or at least I think it is…"

"Sure." Isaac smiled. "So what about you? Where do you want to go? Besides following after me, that is."

The older man scratched his chin. "Sacramento, I think. Would like to see what happened to a larger city after the Breakout. Not sure if I'm willing to just go driving across the county, though. Doesn't really sit well with my goal of prepping for the trip to LA."

"I doubt you would be driving all day. Plenty of Wretched to kill on the way."

"Maybe," James shrugged. "We will see."

That we will…

"There you two are."

Isaac cracked one eye open, instantly locating Marie, who was walking toward the little tree he and James decided to sit under. In hindsight, maybe this wasn't the best time to rest, but his body still kinda ached, and with the entire camp reorganizing, he didn't want to be anywhere near that.

"Ari," James greeted, stifling a yawn with his hand. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "Tyler and the others want to see you two. It's about the group heading to Sacramento."

Predictable, Isaac thought as he rose to his feet. "What about you?"

Marie crossed her arms. "I already talked to them. I'm not going. I'm staying here."

"What?!" James exclaimed. "Why? All three of us could go together, if not to Sacramento, then somewhere else."

The woman shook her head, her shoulders slumping. "Sorry… This just isn't me. I don't mind fighting the occasional Wretched, but after we cleared the Middle School, I realized I can't be on the front lines… I thought I could. That's why I insisted on going inside there with you, but now I know better... I would much rather stay here, help out, and take care of the stray monsters."

It took a moment until anybody spoke up.

"I see," James muttered before a smile took over his face. "Ain't your fault, Ari. Just don't forget about us, kay? We are the big, bad trio of Galt."

Marie snorted. "You're an idiot. I'm not going anywhere. We can still talk and meet up. I just won't be out there with you fighting hordes anymore."

"Aha! I knew you wouldn't completely leave us," James cried out as he pulled the much smaller woman into a bear hug. "We will visit you every time we come back here, right boss?"

Isaac smiled and nodded. "I will try."

"Yeah, yeah," Marie grumbled once she escaped James' embrace. "I am feeling all the love, guys. Really, just don't die, and I will be happy. Got it?"

"As you wish, lady Ari," the oldest among them declared and bowed.

"What will I ever do with you," she muttered under her breath and turned around, motioning them to follow. "Whatever. Come on, guys. Let's not keep Tyler waiting."

While Isaac instantly caught up, James took a bit longer. "So, is this really about the road trip to find other groups?" he asked. "Guess they want some stronger people if they are asking all three of us."

Marie grimaced. "Let's just say there is a reason for that, and it has to do nothing with what Cooper said out there."

So I was right. Something fishy's going on. Seems like Elaine had a good reason to ask me to vouch for her. Isaac hummed. "What is it?"

"I will let them explain," Marie said, keeping her voice low as they passed other people. "Just know it isn't pretty."

"Story of our lives," James muttered.

Indeed…

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