Exploration

The girls get changed into some sturdy shoes and work clothes and you guys head down the stairs and out of the building to resume searching houses nearby. Grace has chosen a thin white tank top with no bra to work in so you are immediately distracted by her nipples practically ripping through the thin fabric. Pulling you mind together you say, “We searched everything to the north, let’s work to the east today. Stay in sight of each other. We can leave the cart today and just mark the doors of houses with this spray paint to show their is something worth coming back for.”

He heard Tomi mutter to Grace, “Who died and made him king.”

You decide to address it head on, “Do you have a better idea?”

“I don’t disagree with the plan, I just don’t want you bossing us around?”

At first you get angry, but then you realize that she is right and you let yourself chill before answering her. “You’re right Tomi. How about we do it this way. We can use dinner each night to recap the day and plan the next. Everyone has input and we all can come to a consensus.”

Tomi just glares at him and says, “Whatever you say boss.” then she stalks off in the direction that you suggested.

Turning to Grace you say, “I’m trying to work with her.”

“Ignore it, she is just going through a lot of pain right now.”

“We all lost a lot.”

Grace answers, “Yes, we did, but it won’t help her to get angry at her.”

You blow out your breath and say, “I agree, let’s see if we can find something useful,” and you both follow Tomi to the east.

The three of you spend the next six hours systematically searching the nearby neighborhood and find a few useful item. Not wanting to get bogged down with too much stuff you mark the front doors and keep moving. You are about a mile out from the your building when you say, “I think we’ve gone far enough for today. I was thinking that we could head back and practice our shooting too. If that makes sense to you guys.”

Tomi just grunts at you and says, “Now you’re just being an asshole. You’re the leader. Everyone gets it. Just run with it.”

You look over to Grace for support, and Grace mouths to you, “Just ignore her. It’s fine.”

You walk back to the compound, Tomi a little in front. Grace comes up next to you and takes your hand without saying anything. You can’t complain as it feels comfortable to walk holding her hand. Maybe like the world is coming back to normal.