Take Gwen with you.

"Look, I'm trying to get the hell out of here." You offer, trying to act nonchalant.

"Good plan, anywhere in particular in mind?" Gwen comments.

"Not really, but two people stand a heck of a lot better chance than just one." You proffer your hand to her.

"I'd like to. I mean, it does sound like a nice idea. I just don't know that I could abandon my friends like that." she replies, uncertainty in her eyes.

"They sure as heck didn't seem to worry too much about you and Megan." You're not trying to pass judgement, but come on, two hours and nobody checked?

"I know. That's why I'm tempted. The people I'm with...." She leaves off the final end of the comment, and you get the idea that some things are better left unsaid.

"Do you want to?" you ask calmly. "I'm just Alex. What you are in the past, what I am in the past, is just that. It's all in the past. This virus has changed everything."

"Not everything. But enough." Gwen comments, reaching out and taking your hand. "Lead on, Alex."

You smile as she takes your hand, and the two of you begin to pick your way through the deserted mall.