The people looked up at Ross, eyes red and swollen but filled with desperate hope.
"We're all human," Ross continued.
"And in these dark times, the only way forward is to band together and help one another. You're not alone anymore. I'll make sure of that."
A few people started crying again—this time quietly, with trembling relief.
Parents hugged their children tighter.
Others stepped a little closer to Ross, drawn to the warmth in his voice, the certainty in his presence.
For the first time in weeks, they felt the heavy weight on their hearts lighten, even if only slightly.
And Ross—standing in the center of their fragile hope—smiled gently, his eyes calm and unknowable.
That night, everyone shared a feast—and many cried while eating.
At first, there had been worry written on every face.
Their supplies were running low, and the uncertainty of tomorrow hung over them like a dark, suffocating cloud.
