- Make sure you conceal them, and make sure you know theirs.

  - Or let them know you're armed.

  - Either way, use them wisely.

  ---

  Harun took point, because he liked being in control when things weren’t exploding.

  I hung back.

  Still close, still listening, but just far enough to keep my eyes on the shadows behind us and the expressions in front of us. Sometimes, you see more from the wings than center stage.

  Harun turned to the two tagalongs and grinned like he was hosting a twisted version of a game show.

  "Okay! Lightning round! I ask, you answer in one second! Ready? Go! What’s your name?"

  "I’m Denora. You can call me Nora," the woman said, a little breathless from trying to keep pace.

  "I’m Max. Short for Maximilian," the guy said. His voice cracked slightly. Cute.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Oooh! Oldie but goodie names," Harun chirped. He was loving this way too much. "How long have you been together?"

  "Uhh... 3 years," said Max.

  "4 years," said Nora.

  Harun shot me a look. I raised an eyebrow.

  That was smart. Intentional. A mismatch like that? It tells you a lot.

  "Uhhh... We dated for a year and became official for three. So... four years total," Max said, trying to laugh it off. Nora punched his shoulder with a grin that was both affectionate and threatening.

  Harun stepped between them. "Hey, hey now. No lovers’ quarrels during the interview. Previous experience? What did you do during The Collective? Pre-apocalypse? What are you good at?"

  They walked and talked. I trailed behind, eyes sweeping rooftops and side roads, but ears locked in.

  "I was an intern mechanic before," Max said. "And I fixed whatever engine The Collective had, along with some older guys."

  "Waitress," said Nora. "At a diner near The Collective. Post-apocalypse? I mostly just looked busy."

  "Combat experience?"

  Both of them shook their heads like they were kids in school being told to raise their hands for detention.

  "That’s okay!" Harun said brightly.

  And then I saw it. That tiny flicker. Harun almost said, "Me too!"

  But he didn’t.

  Progress.

  That was when I rejoined the party, arms full. Small haul from a nearby mini-mart, dented cans, some batteries, two semi-clean jackets that smelled like regret. I dumped the loot into Harun's arms and nodded.

  "We’ll ration it later."

  They stared at me like I was going to shout or shoot or maybe both. Good. I like keeping people guessing.

  "When we get to our base in Cleveland," I said, "you’re coming with us to Cincinnati. Not staying in The Fortress. Not yet."

  Nora blinked. "Why?"

  "Because you're strangers. And quite frankly, you seem like you could hold out on your own. Which means I don’t have a reason to trust either of you."

  Harun didn’t flinch. Max looked mildly wounded. Nora looked like she expected it.

  I kept going.

  "Trust comes rarely now. Trusting the wrong person can kill you." I say. I still remember how Jules.... Nevermind.

  I met Nora’s eyes. Then Max’s. They didn’t look away.

  "Earn it," I said. "Prove it. Then we talk trust."

  They nodded. Small, cautious nods. No anger. Just... understanding.

  Maybe even respect.

  ---

  We kept walking.

  Not allies.

  Not enemies.

  Just four strangers. Trying to survive the road, and each other.

  Weapons drawn.

  Even if none of them were guns.