I stood with Valerie at the base of the overpass, waiting. The silence was agonizingly slow, broken only by the grit crunching under the boots of Lexi and Jesse as they made their way down the hill. They moved in perfect tandem, both with their empty hands held slightly out from their sides, demonstrating their compliance. Lexi's long brown hair whipped slightly in the dry wind, and even from this distance, I could see the rigid tension in her shoulders. Jesse's posture was equally stiff, the EMT's innate caution battling the necessary exposure.
As they reached the neutral ground, Valerie's eyes remained sharp, quickly assessing their gear—the quality of their clothing, the discipline in their movement, the wear on their boots. Lexi's gaze found mine, a quick, intense look that conveyed relief and a silent question about Valerie's trustworthiness. I simply gave her a minute, reassuring nod. They stopped a few feet from Valerie and me, and the air around the five of us—three exhausted, dirty travelers, and two alert, guarded members of a professional group—crackled with uncertainty.
"This is Jesse Jaytor, our medical lead, and this is Lexi Manning, our security and quartermaster," I introduced them, keeping my voice calm and neutral.
Jesse, professional even in this terrifying environment, offered a quick, curt nod. Lexi, however, only studied Valerie, her expression unreadable. Valerie returned the assessment, then gestured with her chin toward the gas station office. "My team will be observing you for the next hour. You'll be allowed water and a hot meal. Then we talk logistics." She stepped back slightly. "Welcome to the next phase, Alpha. Follow me, and don't make any sudden movements."
The short walk to the gas station office felt like crossing a minefield. As we entered the shadowed structure, we were met by two other members of Valerie's group. One, a tall man with a severe scar across his cheek, stood near the only entrance, armed with a pump-action shotgun. The other, a woman who appeared to be checking equipment, offered a small, tired smile of welcome. Their discipline was evident; they were quiet, focused, and didn't waste energy on idle conversation. This was a unit, and it was clear they followed Valerie's lead.
We were offered small mugs of warm, clean water and bowls of stew—a miraculous, savory mix of canned beans and dried meat. The simple act of consuming hot, prepared food nearly brought me to my knees. Lexi and Jesse ate slowly, methodically, their eyes still sweeping their surroundings, but the tension began to ease slightly. The shared human need for sustenance was a small, fragile bridge between the two groups.
After the meal, Valerie led us to a back room where a makeshift map was spread out on a crate. It was time for the exchange of critical information. "We're calling ourselves the Humboldt Column," Valerie explained, gesturing to the map. "We're ex-National Guard and civilian volunteers, heading to a major fortified community we call The Citadel, near Phoenix. They are accepting vetted, skilled individuals. We were low on power cells for our main comms and medical supplies."
Jesse immediately opened his pack. "We have high-grade antibiotics, painkillers, and fresh surgical thread. My specialization is field trauma." Lexi, ever practical, produced the solar charger and spare batteries. "We have high-capacity rechargeable cells, plus this solar rig. We need to know the risks on your route."
The exchange was rapid and businesslike—a pure transaction of need. Valerie's expression softened slightly as she looked at Lexi, who was confidently detailing their supply levels. "Your Lexi is efficient," Valerie noted to me. "We can use efficiency." She then pointed to the map, showing us routes riddled with bandit groups, areas of heavy Rot remnants, and viable water sources. The risk was enormous, but the destination—a real community—was a powerful lure. As the conversation drew to a close, Lexi's hand subtly found mine beneath the shadow of the crate. We had risked everything and, for now, it had paid off. We were in.