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that finding a roof over their heads wasn’t going to be the hard part.
                  “I understand on the outskirts there were plenty of farms and people with livestock?”
                  Whitford nodded.
                  “Have you all searched them all?”
                  “For the most part. Before last winter we went out and hit every place within a few miles distance from here.”
    “What about the livestock?”
    The realization dawned on Whitford’s face. “Those that survived are running wild but they’re out there.”
    “I have plenty of land, if we can gather up the cattle and even a few horses then we can start large scale farming and even have some meat for winter.”
    “It’s sure as hell possible. A lot of damn work, but possible.”
    “The work isn’t an issue, we have plenty of helping hands.”
    Whitford laughed. “Good to have you back. Tell you want I have a few able-bodied men who can help you with fence building and wrangling up the animals.”
    “I’ll take all the help I can get.”
    Jack and Trevor came out from one of the buildings and approached. Trevor had been helping the town’s doctor and Jack had just been along for the ride. Alec still couldn’t meet the man’s gaze. It was mostly an irrational anger but in the back of his mind he couldn’t stop thinking that the old man could have done more.
    “Everything good in there?” Whitford asked.
    “Yeah, you all have more medical supplies than I was expecting to see, not nearly enough for a group this big, but more than I expected.” Trevor answered.
    “That’s this town’s motto,” grumbled Whitford. “Appreciate you helping out the Doc, he’s not as young as he used to be.”
    Jack respectfully stood a few feet from Alec. He had not talked to Alec since the day he returned. He seemed to understand Alec’s anger and was giving him time to work through it, and Alec didn’t know how long that would take.
    Whitford began discussing what they had decided so Alec let his mind wander. They could provide houses, they could hunt for food and they could learn to grow enough food for everyone, but what then? Once their community was settled was he just going to continue living there and pretend his brother and sister weren’t out in a world that nearly killed him? But if he left, where would he go? As Whitford droned on Alec tried to convince himself to focus on one problem at a time, but his mind kept slipping back to his scattered family.

Ally
     
                  Ally didn’t like this part.
                  She placed her bow beside a large tree and placed her arrows next to it. She grabbed some of the nearby brush and placed it on top rendering her most valuable possessions nearly invisible. She ran her hand through her hair trying to get out the large knots that had formed since the last time she had bothered to try this. Once done, she wiped down her clothing until she felt as presentable as she was going to get.
                  “Alright Tiger, remember - stay close.” And with that she walked down the hill towards the town.
                  The place was once a much larger city and technically still was but people only lived in part of it. As she approached, the sound of people and the smells of cooking filled her nose. Even though she had already eaten, it still caused her mouth to salivate, and Tiger licked his lips beside her. She walked down a side alley but no one even glanced at her. The people, all in their worn out and partially stitched up clothing, went about their daily lives. Trading, farming, herding: they only seemed to come together in this area if they needed something, then they went back their own way. Ally still didn’t want to take any chances, especially since she didn’t have her bow with her. She learned early on that the sight of a small girl with her own small bow was enough to get people to